7 months post OP & feeling pain & twinges in both my breast (right is more achy), can you advise?

I am going to assume your breast implant is under the muscle and you are right handed and with that, your chest exercises are pushing your breast implant down and to the side with the right arm pushing stronger than the left. The implant is likely starting to drift to where your nerves are and that is causing your pain after exercise. For now, I would wear a very good push up bra and add some padding to encourage the implant to stay higher and off the nerve. If that doesn't solve the issue, return to your surgeon and have the surgeon check to see if your implant is in good position even when you raise your arms. If your implant is coming out from under the muscle, I recommend surgery to tighten up the pocket and I personally would add mesh (such as Galaflex) to support the implant. If all else fails, call our 847-853-9900 and we'll figure this out. Best Wishes!!

While this may be related to nerve regeneration, it would be a good idea to see your surgeon for an assessment just in case. That way any complication can be ruled out.

Thank you for sharing what you’ve been experiencing, I can hear how frustrating and stressful this has been for you. Pain that changes over time, especially when it becomes more frequent or starts waking you from sleep, is something that should always be evaluated carefully. While some discomfort after surgery or exercise can be normal in the early healing phase, persistent or worsening pain several months later is not something to ignore.
There are a number of possible causes, ranging from muscle or nerve irritation, to implant position or capsule-related changes if you’ve had breast surgery, or even non-surgical issues like musculoskeletal strain. The important thing is that it’s creating anxiety and interfering with your daily life, which means it deserves attention.
My best advice is to schedule a follow-up with your surgeon (or seek a second opinion with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you feel unheard) so they can examine you, review your history, and possibly order imaging if needed. In the meantime, keeping a log of when the pain occurs, what seems to trigger it, and how long it lasts can be very helpful in guiding evaluation.
You’re not alone in this, and there are usually ways to get to the bottom of persistent pain. The next step is a thorough in-person assessment to give you answers and peace of mind.
Warm regards,Dr. Sibel Atalay, MDBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

It’s possible that the tightness and pain you're experiencing could be related to a capsular contracture, especially if the discomfort has been increasing over time. You did not mention whether the implants are placed under or over the muscle—if they are currently under the muscle, and you're continuing to have this kind of pain, I would recommend discussing the option of switching to above the muscle placement. In many cases, patients report less discomfort in the first few months with above-muscle placement. From your experience—having sharp pains after workouts initially and now, seven months later, feeling more frequent discomfort even without intense activity—this could point to increasing tension or inflammation around the implant. Even though the pain isn't present 24/7, the fact that it's interfering with your sleep, focus, and causing ongoing anxiety shouldn't be ignored. I strongly recommend scheduling a consultation with your surgeon to assess the situation clinically and possibly order imaging (like an ultrasound or MRI) to evaluate for capsular contracture or other issues.

This is due most likely to injury to the intercostal nerves that supply the breast and nipple. One would want to know if the nipples are numb or hypersensitive, if there is decreased sensibility on parts of the breast. If the discomfort is felt with palpation of the lateral 4th intercostal nerve at the upper lateral border of the pectoralis.
If a source of nerve entrapment is located where the 4th intercostal nerve comes out of the pectoralis, that area of constriction can be opened and relief may be obtained.

It is not uncommon for people to experience intermittent pain for months after breast surgery. It should diminish in frequency and intensity as time passes. Persistent pain may be an indicator of an early capsular contracture which may be helped by implant massage and initiating singulair daily. Other maneuvers that can help generalized post surgical pain include physical therapy and daily stretching as well as vibration therapy to any acute pain points. Make sure that you were wearing a supportive bra with gentle compression to help with overall achiness. You should make an appointment to see your surgeon and be evaluated in person at your convenience for a more personalized care plan.

Hello,
Thank you for your question.
At seven months post-operative, the development of new or increasing breast pain—particularly in one breast and significant enough to disrupt sleep—is not typical and warrants further evaluation. While intermittent twinges and shooting pains can be part of normal nerve regeneration, the progression of symptoms after a period of relative improvement raises concern for potential issues such as capsular contracture, nerve irritation, or implant-related complications. Given the timing and the impact on your quality of life, I recommend a thorough in-person assessment, including physical examination and possibly imaging (e.g., ultrasound or MRI) to rule out structural or inflammatory causes. Please schedule a follow-up appointment promptly so we can investigate further and ensure your recovery remains on track.

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A lack of excess fatty tissue initially helps achieve a better contour. Unfortunately, you require a full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty). Additionally, in the profile view, there is tissue expansion below the navel. Therefore, you will need a short-scar tummy tuck, rectus muscle plication, and a new navel creation.

Is This Normal?
7 months post-op, many people expect to be mostly healed. However, some ongoing sensations can be normal—but persistent or worsening pain isn’t typical at this stage. Some possibilities to consider:
Possible Causes
Nerve regeneration or entrapment: Shooting or twinging pains can come from nerves healing or becoming irritated. This can happen months after surgery.
Capsular contracture: If you had implants, the tissue capsule forming around them may become hard or painful, especially if it's asymmetrical.
Scar tissue tightness: Internally, scar tissue continues to mature up to 1 year or longer. It can tighten, pull, or cause intermittent discomfort.
Muscle strain or delayed inflammation: If your workouts target chest/shoulders, the pectoral muscle (especially if it was lifted or cut in surgery) might be irritated.
Implant issues (if applicable): Malposition, rupture (rare), or shifting can sometimes present as delayed onset pain.
Hormonal sensitivity: Sometimes, breast pain can also be influenced by menstrual cycles or hormonal changes, even if not surgery-related.

Anxiety feedback loop: Persistent low-grade pain can cause anxiety, which can heighten your awareness of discomfort and tension in your chest.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call your plastic surgeon — This is important. At 7 months, worsening symptoms warrant an in-person evaluation. They may:
Order imaging (ultrasound or MRI if you have implants).
Assess for capsular contracture or other complications.
Track symptoms.
Any visible changes?
Avoid strenuous upper-body workouts for now, especially push-pull motions, until you've been evaluated.
Manage anxiety — Try breathwork, meditation, or gentle stretching. Even journaling your pain patterns can help reduce mental load.

Thank you for taking the time to describe your symptoms in detail — this makes it easier to understand what you’re going through.
What you’re experiencing isn’t uncommon, especially in the months following surgery, but the return or increase of pain after initial improvement can signal that something deserves closer attention. The fact that it now wakes you up at night and affects your daily focus shows it’s not something to dismiss.
While your symptoms may still be part of a healing process or post-surgical nerve sensitivity, pain that recurs without a clear trigger (like exercise) should be thoroughly evaluated — especially since you’re now 7 months out. In rare cases, scar tissue formation, delayed-onset nerve irritation, or muscle imbalances can lead to this type of discomfort.
You’ve also mentioned increased anxiety, which is very valid — persistent, unexplained pain can take a real toll on mental well-being. I strongly encourage you to connect with your surgeon or a trusted pain specialist for a full evaluation. A careful physical assessment may help reveal what’s contributing to your symptoms and guide you toward relief.
Until then, please know that you’re not alone in this. Your body is clearly signaling something — and listening to it is the first step toward getting relief. Wishing you clarity and comfort soon.

Sorry to hear about the issues you are having after surgery. Pain at this point after surgery should be investigated. It is possible the pain could be explained by early development of capsular contracture. Sometimes, implants moving out of position can lead to some pain as well. Speak with your surgeon and be seen for a physical exam.