Pain After Breast Lift and Augmentation - Is This Normal?

It is unusual to still be taking narcotic pain medication throughout the day two weeks after breast augmentation. The acute muscle pain that is expected after subpectoral breast augmentation should begin to be relieved after only a few days. I expect my patients to be taking no more than a few pain pills a day, if that, by one week after surgery. The searing, burning pain that you describe sounds more like neuropathic pain than muscle pain, especially since it is present on only one side. This can occur after breast augmentation. With creation of the implant pocket during surgery, nerve branches that provide sensation to the breast and nipple may be damaged or irritated from stretching or from cutting with sharp instruments or electrical cautery. Complete loss of sensation may be permanent. Pain and sensitivity is usually temporary. The first thing that you should do is to let your surgeon know about the problem that you are having and follow his/her instructions. If the pain is neuropathic in nature, then treatment other than narcotic medications could include ice, anti-inflammatories, B vitamins, topical anesthetics and nerve blocks. If a neuroma is diagnosed, it is possible that surgical exploration and excision would be indicated and could result in relief of symptoms.3. Among all women who desire improvement in the size and shape of their breasts due to changes from aging, weight loss and/or pregnancies, only a small percentage will achieve a satisfactory result with implant placement alone. This will depend upon the size of implant used and on the amount and location of excess skin, as well as on the position of the nipples. It is in a minority of patients that the skin excess and nipple position is favorable enough to allow a good result with implant placement alone, without using an excessively large implant. For most women, it is best to accept the additional scars of a vertical (lollipop) or Wise pattern (anchor) mastopexy, in order to achieve a more satisfactory breast shape. A crescent mastopexy does little to nothing to change the shape of the breast. It removes very little skin and serves only to lift the nipple/areola position slightly. A periareolar (donut) mastopexy will reduce and tighten skin only in the central part of the breast. This technique tends to flatten the breast and reduce projection. Because of this effect and other potential complications, periareolar mastopexies have the highest rate of dissatisfaction and subsequent revisions. In my experience, having an aesthetically pleasing breast shape is much more important for patient satisfaction than having minimal scars. Unfortunately, for most women in your situation, they cannot have both.

I'm sorry to hear you're still having pain. Most patients undergoing breast surgery are able to transition from narcotics to over the counter pain medications within the first week. So it sounds like your pain is a little unusual. Also, burning pain is frequently associated with nerve pain. This can be related to inflammation, pinched or irritated nerve. Gabapentin or Lyrica can help with nerve pain. Contact your physician to have them evaluate you in person and make a decision about how to help improve your recovery. I hope this helps. 

Regardless of surgical technique for your breast augmentation lift procedure, the pain and swelling is worse for the first 5 to 7 days post op before it begins to subside. It will then take another 4 to 6 weeks to settle before the final result starts to eventuate and mature over the subsequent 3 to 6 months period. 

While different patients have different pain threshold and tolerance, in view of any new symptoms or pain, it's wise to check with your surgeon early. In general, my guiding principle would be to treat any surgical complications (eg. bleeding/haematoma, wound infection etc) early and any aesthetic complications (e.g. size, shape & scar issues) late. Your surgeon should be able to advise you regarding the right course of actions.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes 

Ellis Choy

Yes you can expect pain after surgery. It is normal and can last for a few days or more. Increasing use of Exparel with breast surgery as an off label FDA approved medication can effectively reduce the need of pain medication and patients are more comfortable

Thank you for your question.  It is fairly common to continue to have pain 2 weeks after your procedure.  The important thing is to follow up with your surgeon to make certain there is no problem.  Your surgeon can guide you on the exact timing for massage or returning to activity.  As with most things, time heals all wounds.

Chest muscle spasms are expected to occur for 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery. This is because your muscles are adjusting to the implants. This may cause a pulling and stretching feeling in your breasts. Pain and swelling should get better by week 4. Good luck with your healing process.

It is usual to have some pain and swelling after a breast uplift with an implant procedure. In such cases the implants are mostly placed behind the muscle and this may cause be responsible for more swelling and pain. This is mainly from muscle swelling and some bruising or damage to tiny nerve endings divided during the procedure. this may also make the nipple more sensitive or numb. The selling and pain starts to go down after two week and most swelling can be down by six weeks. In the initial period pain killers like codeine or paracetamol or combination may be needed. After a period of two to three weeks, ,the need for regular pain killer goes down.

It is very common to experience the searing and burning pain following a breast lift and augmentation. It can also differ between sides with one breast being more uncomfortable than the other, and also vary from day to day. This type of pain can come on suddenly and spontaneously and will become less over time.  If you are concerned or the pain persists follow up with your plastic surgeon. 
You should expect a great deal of swelling after surgery, however a significant amount of the initial swelling will resolve within the first 2 -3 weeks.  Typically, It takes 3 - 6 months for the breasts to completely soften and settle. 

Prolonged pain requiring narcotics for 2 weeks is unusual after breast augmentation.   You should see your surgeon and discuss where and when you are experiencing the pain.      Assuming there is nothing which obviously wrong, you will most likely need to just give it some time.      Discuss alternatives to narcotics, such as gabapentin (which often helps with nerve related pain), and/or a muscle relaxant.   

It would be best to set up an appointment with your surgeon, as the type of pain you are describing is not typical 2.5 weeks out from surgery and may have other indications.