What could this pain be directly under my breast implant?

Question

Breast implants were placed under the muscle in 2005 and I occasionally (every 6 months for a few days) have extreme pain under my left breast. It feels like a horribly bruised rib, worsening with deep breaths and excruciating if coughing or sneezing. What could this be? There has been no external trauma.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about the issues that you have been experiencing, however only an in person examination by a physician will help determine the cause of your pain.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, for symptoms such as this, on online forum won't be very helpful. You will need a proper assessment by a physician to help determine the cause of your pain. I hope you get help soon.

Malcolm A. Lesavoy, MD, FACS · Answer

The pain you describe under your left breast 15 years after breast augmentation sounds like some scar tissue that has contacted a small nerve in the area of the capsule surrounding your implant.  This can be alleviated by releasing the scar tissue with a small procedure.

What could this pain be directly under my breast implant?

Answers (3)