Why sudden tightness/slight pain in pectorals muscle 7 weeks post BA. Even when I turn my neck, I can feel it pull. (photo)

Question

When out and about with my kids today I suddenly started to feel slight pain and tightness in my right breast. I just had a hematoma in my other breast removed almost 4 weeks ago. The sudden pain makes me concerned. I can feel the implant more than usual underneath my right breast- when I push on it I feel that same pain in the upper part of the pectoralis muscle on that breast. Should I be concerned or did I somehow just overuse the muscle? I've been sneezing a lot but otherwise nothing crazy!

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  The tightness you are describing is quite common when a sizeable implant is placed under the muscle.  Increased pain or swelling should be reported to your plastic surgeon for evaluation.  Best of luck.

William A. Terranova, MD (retired) · Answer

Dr. Davidson is correct.  This sudden pain is most likely due to overuse of a surgically injured muscle.  However your right (not drained) breast is obviously larger.  The question is why?  If your breasts were close to the same before surgery and the implants are of the same volume, this should not be the case.  So I would recommend that you see your plastic surgeon to determine why there is this asymmetry.  Good luck.

Why sudden tightness/slight pain in pectorals muscle 7 weeks post BA. Even when I turn my neck, I can feel it pull. (photo)

Answers (2)