6 weeks Post Op Breast Augmentation through my armpits and now a pulling feeling in my left armpit--Is this normal?

After breast augmentation it is normal to have some tissue tightness or pulling sensations.  Sometimes these can be categorized as Mondor's cords especially when they are located under the breasts. I have occasionally seen a Mondor's cord near the armpit after making incisions there. Personally I no longer make incisions in the armpit (axillary incision) so I haven't seen that for years.The best resource to make sure that what you are experiencing is normal is your own plastic surgeon and you should set up an appointment to be seen just to make sure. He or she can also advise you on practices that can help improve your situation.

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon to have pulling or tugging sensations after surgery. Common causes include deep buried sutures and scar tissue and swelling.  Most of these sensations resolve as the sutures absorb, swelling resolves and the tissue softens with healing.  As long as the pain is not persistent or there are no visible changes then things should be ok. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon at the next office visit. Best wishes on your recovery.

Hard to tell without a physical exam but in my experience armpit incisions are always tricky because its not in a great place for an incision you are likely having a reaction to the stitch and may need a minor procedure to deal with it

This is fairly common and in my experience typically resolves over a period of several months. I recommend massage by my patients that experience this to speed up the softening of the tissues.

It would be best to contact your surgeon so they can examine you.  Most likely this is suture that is causing some discomfort and will likely improve with time and massage.  Good luck, Gaurav Bharti

What you are most likely feeling is the tightening of scar tissue along the tract that the implant was inserted through from the armpit to the final pocket.  Any tissues in the body that are disrupted with surgery or otherwise injured will heal with a scarring type response, and scar tissue can contract and shorten.  Thus, when you have this going on, and you try to move the body part in question, a pulling sensation can be felt because the tissues are tight.  It is still very early in the healing process, so I would say that this is most likely part of the "normal" healing response.  You will need to check with your surgeon, but like many other surgeons, I have my patients massage and stretch tight tissues like this at this stage of the game, because gentle, careful stretching while the scar tissues are maturing will keep them from shortening and contracting permanently.  Capsule contracture can occur at this stage too, so you will want to see your surgeon to make sure that the tightness isn't coming from that too, but even if it is, it is still early enough that we can often reverse that too with the right measures.  It is best for you to visit your surgeon just to have things checked out and get reassurance if nothing else.  Good luck.

It is not uncommon for scar tissue retraction or a retained suture to cause discomfort in the arm pit after transaxillary breast augmentation.  Please see your plastic surgeon for an examination and diagnosis and possible treatment.  If it is scar tissue massage may be all that you need to improve it.