Pain underneath breasts when not wearing bra. Any idea what could be causing this?

Dear Exquisite25196,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Without knowing more about your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery it is difficult to give an opinion. It may be that the bra is providing support and that when that support is removed that the weight of breasts causes discomfort. If it continues return to your surgeon for an evaluation.

Thanks for sharing those details! Given that you had a breast uplift with implants just 5 months ago, a few things could be contributing to the sharp pain and hardness you're experiencing under your breasts when not wearing a bra:
1. Post-surgical healing and scar tissue — It’s common for the tissues to still be healing and forming scar tissue at this stage. Scar tissue can sometimes feel firm or hard, and may cause some sharp or pulling sensations, especially when the breasts aren’t supported.
2. Implant positioning and support — Without a bra, the implants and breast tissue may be placing more tension or strain on the skin, muscle, or the surgical area. This can lead to discomfort and firmness, which improves when the bra supports the breasts.
3. Inflammation or mild swelling — Even months after surgery, there can be some lingering inflammation that makes the tissue feel harder or tender.
4. Capsular contracture (early stage) — This is when the scar tissue around the implant tightens and hardens. It usually develops over time, but early signs might include localized firmness and discomfort.
5. Muscle or ligament strain — Since the breast tissue and implants are heavier, lack of support might cause strain on the chest muscles or Cooper’s ligaments (which support the breast), causing pain.
What you should do next
• Wear a supportive bra consistently for now, especially during the day, to keep the breasts supported and reduce pain.
• Gentle massage and stretching as advised by your surgeon might help reduce firmness, but only do this if your surgeon has approved it.
• Monitor symptoms: If the pain worsens, becomes constant, or if you notice redness, swelling, fever, or lumps, reach out to your plastic surgeon promptly.
• Follow-up with your surgeon: Since this is 5 months post-op, it’s important to get a check-up to rule out complications like early capsular contracture or implant issues.

an examination is needed to be certain, but I suspect the pain occurs when your implants are not being supported by the bra. I imagine your lower breast tissue has thinned because of the implants.

A lot of women have on and off breast pain that can come and go.
We can’t really make an assessment on the outcome of your procedure or try to decipher why you are having breast discomfort.
Breast pain is not something plastic surgeons are very good at managing.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD