Stinging Pain Normal 17 Days After Breast Augmentation?

Question

I had Breast augmentation with placement under the muscle and a vertical lift all at the same time 17 days ago, I'm still having pain on each side of the breast and alot of sensitivity like  stinging sensation is this common and how long does it usually last?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Generally this is the result of nerve regeneration, and will often subside over time. Tingling, stinging, and burning are good signs and it most likely means that sensation is returning. Changes in sensation are normally temporary and resolve in the weeks or months following surgery. It is very rare that permanent changes occur.  I recommend you see your surgeon, however, if you are very concerned. Best of luck.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question!
This is a common occurrence. It is your nerves regenerating. Reach out to your surgeon with any concerns. Best wishes!

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your experience with us.  I am sorry that you still have discomfort at this point in your healing.  You may want to consider muscle relaxants if it is from tightness of the muscle.  I would something like gabapentin if the pain is more because a nerve was injured or trapped in the scar tissue as the breast are healing.  In most instances, this resolves with time.I would recommend going to your plastic surgeon who can assess and help you.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Your symptoms sound like your 
nerves regenerating.  Breast procedures such as the 
breast augmentation and breast lift/reduction certainly result in a more
 shapely, 
perky, and fuller appearance of your breasts. With any breast procedure 
there is a risk, albeit very small, of change in 
sensation to the area.  The reported rate of sensation changes 
(decreased, loss, or increased) is ~7% for lift/reductions and much 
smaller for breast augmentation.  In my experience, this rate is 
reportedly much lower, but is higher when tissue is excised or the 
amount of lift that is needed, so the breast reduction procedure has a 
slightly greater risk.  It can take up to a year for full sensation to 
return.  Re-educating your nerves to these areas by using different 
textures when showering and putting on lotion often helps.  Your description sounds typical for your nerves regenerating.It is one risk of such a procedure, and 
one that you must consider, amongst others, as with any surgical 
procedure.  You should consult with a plastic surgeon well-trained in 
breast procedures who will examine and discuss with you the various 
risks and benefits of the procedure(s) and assist you in deciding if 
such a procedure will be the right decision for you.

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

You may have pain related to irritation of your nerves. Neuropathic pain or nerve related pain maybe caused by irritation or scar tissue or maybe a pressure related phenomenon. Rest assure, there are several treatments for pain due to breast implants. If you do have pain, begin massage to the area of pain to help desensitize the area. If at least 6 months and preferably 12 months have passed after your breast implant surgery, some modalities that may help resolve your pain are:

	1. Local Steroid injection to area of pinpoint pain

	2. Flector transdermal NSAID patch

	3. Intercostal nerve block

	You should consult with your plastic surgeon to determine what is most appropriate for you and your particular signs and symptoms. Good Luck, Ankit Desai, MD - Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

If the pain is on both sides and even, it is most likley the nerves being stretched and recovering from the surgery.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

I tell my patients that it is normal to experience some stinging sensation, burning sensation or shooting pain sensation as the sensory nerves are coming back to normal function. Now, there should not be continuous stinging or pain. If that is the case, you need to see your surgeon. Occassionally a patient also experiences nipple hypersensitivity after surgery. This can be very annoying and unpleasant. I have the patient gentle massage or rub the nipples (a little lotion helps) to help them get desensitized. In about one month, nipple sensation will get back to normal.

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank
you for your question. I have included some typical expectations of breast
surgery recovery and signs to watch for following breast augmentation:
Stiffness, swelling
and bruising in the chest region: These are normal experiences as the skin,
muscles and tissue heal. Pain medication and muscle relaxants will help you
cope with any discomfort. Consistent sharp pain should be reported to your
board-certified surgeon.Hypersensitivity of
nipples or lack of sensitivity: This is normal and will gradually resolve over
time.A mild to severe itchy
feeling of the breasts is possible as healing progresses. An antihistamine like
Benadryl can help to alleviate severe, constant itchiness. If the skin becomes
red and hot to the touch, contact your board-certified surgeon
immediately.Asymmetry, the breasts
look different, or heal differently: Breasts may look or feel quite different
from one another in the days following surgery. This is normal. No two breasts
in nature or following surgery are perfectly symmetrical.Discuss returning to
work with your board-certified surgeon, in our office it is typically 3-5
days post-surgery but you may not overexert yourself or do any heavy lifting.You may resume
exercise and your normal routine at six weeks unless your surgeon advises
otherwise.The pain and "stinging sensation" you described could be nerve regeneration. Please follow up with your board-certified plastic surgeon with any questions about your recovery. Best of luck.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Dear MS, Thank you for your post. In general, most women who have a disturbance in nipple sensation, whether it be less (hypo-sensation), or in some cases too much (hyper-sensation), the sensation goes back to normal with 3-6 months. Occasionally, it can take 1 - 2 years to be normal. Extremely rare, the sensation never goes back to normal. This is extremely rare in augmentation alone, more common in lift or reduction but less with a smaller lift like a crescent lift. Signs that sensation is coming back are needle type sensation at the nipple, itchiness at the nipple, or 'zingers' to the nipple. The number of women that lose sensation is much lower than 10%, closer to 1% in a simple augmentation. In some cases the same occurs with contraction where some women have no contraction and some women have a constant contraction of the nipples. Unfortunately there is no surgical correction for this. Massaging the area can help sensation normalize faster if it is going to normalize, but will not help if the nerve does not recover. In women with hyper-sensitive nipples, this will go away with time in most cases. Usually 3 months or so. In the interim, I have them wear nipple covers or 'pasties' to protect them from rubbing. It is unlikely that down-sizing the implant will cause regaining sensation. Down-sizing the implant may cause saggy breasts, however, and may necessitate a breast lift. Physical therapy with de-sensitivity techniques can help with this issue.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Marie,
I'm glad that you are able to recover in sunny hawaii.  The symptoms that you describe are not at all uncommon 17 days following breast augmentation and lift.  I inform my patients that it may take 3-6 months for sensation symptoms to resolve.  Good luck!

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