Any hope for nerve damage or pain after lift with implants?

Question

I have pain in my left breast. The severity varies. At times it is almost unbearable, my chest hurts. I have no idea why the pain? Dr. Thinks it could be nerve pain but sent me for ultrasound since I am 6 mos out now. No ultrasound done yet. Is there hope? Still spitting stitches too after benelli.. Just this one side. It's very frustrating. I have not been able to enjoy having implants as scars look terrible, I have herniated nipple and pain- help!! Advice needed can't afford more surgery

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry for your discomfort, especially since it has bothered you for 6 months now. Stretched, injured, or irritated nerves can occur on one or both sides, and obviously having the problem in one breast makes it all that more intolerable, since the other side lets you know how the "hurting side" should feel.The good news is that nerves still have another 6 months or so to heal and desensitize, so hope still exists. TENS units or pharmacological help can be obtained at a pain management center where doctors that specialize in these kinds of discomfort.I think ultrasound tests will be of no value, and would not advise this (unless your surgeon is looking for blood, fluid, or implant malposition/capsular contracture). Pain or identifiable pathology that might explain the pain is unlikely to be seen via ultrasound.The fact that you have sutures "spitting" this fat after surgery may be a factor here. You obviously had "permanent" sutures used with your Benelli lift, and these have become contaminated with skin or other bacteria, which is why they are still "spitting" from your incisions. Low-grade infection or inflammation in that breast can be a cause or part of the pain. Once all of the contaminated sutures are gone, your breast will heal, and the pain may actually lessen, since it has been chronically inflamed by the stitch abscesses.You might benefit from more (minor) surgery to remove the remaining offending sutures and revise the unsightly scars. Talk with your surgeon. You may not be able to "afford" going without this needed revision. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

I am sorry you are having such trouble 6 months after breast implants. In general nerve pain subsides with time.  If it does not, there are medications that can be taken by mouth that are specifically designed to help with nerve pain. Perhaps your surgeon can suggest a pain specialist, who may be able to help you in this regard.  Best,

Susan Kolb, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

In my experience, such pain is usually due to an infection and will improve with the correct antibiotic and antifungal.  If you are not allergic to Sulfa, a trial of Bactrim DS along with Diflucan is a good option or you might try Cleocin if you are sensitive to Sulfa.  If the pain returns after you stop the antibiotic, you may need explantation in order to resolve the problem.  In my experience nerve pain resolves within 5 months and presents in a different manner (ie. can be relieved by supporting the affected breast).  Many surgeons do not understand that infection around a breast implant often will have no symptoms other than pain.  When we do the explantation, the culture results are positive and the pain resolves with culture specific antibiotics.  If your health insurance covers complications of cosmetic surgery, explantation may be covered for this condition.

Any hope for nerve damage or pain after lift with implants?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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

Any hope for nerve damage or pain after lift with implants?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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