I am 4 weeks post op from my Breast Augmentation with the incisions under the breast. Why am I still sore/tender?

Question

I have had very supportive bras on 24/7 since the surgery and I think that may be part of the issue. It feels like I am bruised although I don't see any bruising. I have tried several different bras and sizes but with wearing them constantly it feels like its pushing/sitting on the incisions and its very very tender. The rest of my breasts are fine, a little sensitive but fine. What can I do to ease the pain and will it feel better soon

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not unreasonable to still feel sore at 4 weeks after your surgery - you are still early in the healing phase and everyone heals at a different rate. Your main question should be is your pain getting worse? If the pain is increasing then you should return to your plastic surgeon. If the pain is still present and just slowly improving then most likely everything is fine. Different types of bras can cause compression and irritation along the wound margin particularly underwire bras, these should be avoided for at least 6 weeks after surgery. A supportive sports bra is usually the most comfortable, it does not need to be compressive but it should support your breast and take the tension off the wound. Best of luck!RegardsDr Guy Watts

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Although it is completely normal to have pin after 4 weeks from a breast augmentation, if your bras are hurting you, they are probably not doing anything to help.  I do not recommend that my patients were bras.  Especially if they are hurting you, it probably would be best to stop wearing them.

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon to be a little sore for many weeks after a breast augmentation.  The total recovery takes more than 4 weeks.  In fact, it can take several months before you are seeing your final results.  The pain should be getting less and less the further out you get.  If not, contact your surgeon and have then evaluate you.Best of luck.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

It's not abnormal to still feel some pain 4 weeks after surgery.  Your wounds are still going through healing and it will take some time for everything to fully settle down.

Nicholas Husni, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

It is not uncommon to still have some pain this far after your augmentation.  Try a non-underwire bra, such as a sports bra until the tenderness resolves, and make sure you go to see your surgeon.Best of luck.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Remember that you had surgery and healing is not an overnight phenomenon.  It is a process which will continue over the course of a year.  When the swelling goes down, aching and awareness of soreness is common.  The bras you have purchased may be contributing to the problem, particularly if they do not fit properly. You should return to your plastic surgeon for evaluation if you are in sufficient pain to warrant medication,

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Shell8347,

Four weeks is still very early since the surgery and it is
very common for the inframammary, or under-the-breast incision to still be
painful.  It is quite common for surgeons
to suture the inframammary fold incision right to the ribcage and the ribs and,
in this circumstance, there can be persistent tenderness for many weeks
following the procedure.  The reason for
inframammary fold fixation is to minimize the risk of inferior drift of the
breast implants over time. IMF or
inframammary fold fixation techniques do result in tenderness along the
incision line that can persist for some weeks. 
In the absence of fever, chills or red skin, which could be a sign of
infection, I would not be too concerned about mild tenderness, so long as there
is no fever, sweats or chills, elevated temperature, increased heart rate and
you can monitor the incision in the mirror and there is not excessive redness,
then I would wait another month or so before seeing your operative physician,
who is in the best position to determine what kind of risks you might have
following the procedure.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and for
more information. For more information, please check the link below.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD, Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Thomas M. DeWire Sr., MD (retired) · Answer

shell8347,Recovery from surgical trauma (wounds, etc.) takes a while and patients will report different rates of healing, particularly with inframammary incisions, where underlying muscle is often cut.  Normal activity may be aggravating this, and bras may place tension on the wound, regardless of type.  Often symptomatic treatment with ibuprofen is all that is needed until things actually completely resolve.  Discuss this with your surgeon, but this does not sound alarming at all.  I hope that this helps.Best wishes,     Tom DeWire, MD, FACS     Richmond, VA

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

In my experience the early institution of breast implant displacement exercises is necessary to relieve pain after breast augmentation. If your implants were placed under the muscle arm lifts and pectoralis contraction exercises also help a great deal.If you have been wearing the bra full time and not moving the implant that may well be causing your pain.Please check with your plastioc surgeon

I am 4 weeks post op from my Breast Augmentation with the incisions under the breast. Why am I still sore/tender?

Answers (9)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

The 24 hour quick recovery breast augmentation? Is this real?

Is a 10% capsular contracture rate too high for a plastic surgeon to have at his practice?

When will my muscles relax after Breast Augmentation?

Under BlueCross BlueSheild Carefirst program, can Breast Reductions not be deemed medically necessary until post op evaluation?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS