Why am I getting shooting pain in left breast 5 years after implant surgery following mastectomy due to breast cancer?

Question

I had bilateral mastectomy after breast cancer in 2007. In 2009 I had reconstruction with implants in both breasts. No nipple reconstruction. Now, 5 years later I have developed shooting pain in my left breast. Today it has been every 5-10 minutes! My surgeon is away on holidays. Hence this forum. Would some plastic surgeon please let me know why this pain is coming 5 years after my surgery? Is it something that can wait until after 13th January when my surgeon returns to work? BB from Sydney

Damian Marucci, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.It's not possible to diagnose your breast pain. Even though your plastic surgeon is away, they should have another surgeon who is covering for them while they are on leave. IF not, you should see your local doctor who needs to do a physical examination.The key points to the physical examination for your local doctor to look for are:feverswellingrednesstendernessYour local doctor might also want to make sure that you don't have an implant rupture or infection, so may order some tests like:blood tests like WCC and CRPUltrasound with aspiration if neededA last resort might be to present to your local major teaching hospital where you can be assessed by the plastic surgery registrar and where the consultant plastic surgeon on call can direct your investigation and management.Good luck with it all.

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Does the pain get better if you hold your left breast in your hand for five minutes?If so, it is probably a gravitational/weight issue and you may require more support, eg Alloderm/ Strattice/ SERI, etcIn the meantime a well fitted support bra should so the trick.If that does not help, are there any noticable changes to your left breast?Size, firmness, contour, tenderness, redness??

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

With the history you gave. And if your plastic surgeon is not available now, then you need to see your family physician for full evaluation. Only after that you could decide with the family physician whether to wait for your favorite plastic surgeon

Why am I getting shooting pain in left breast 5 years after implant surgery following mastectomy due to breast cancer?

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Why am I getting shooting pain in left breast 5 years after implant surgery following mastectomy due to breast cancer?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reconstruction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.