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!!

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.

Dr. Özge Ergun,
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.

Hello! Sorry to hear. Pain at this late stage is not common. One possibility is that the scar tissue around the implants has thickened and is bothering a nerve in the vicinity. I would check in with your surgeon for a good exam. In the meantime, adding a little support, i.e. a snug bra, may help. Good luck!

Hi,

The most typical scenario is that the pain reaches its maximum immediately after surgery, and a few weeks after the surgery, the pain gradually decreases. A few months after surgery, the pain almost completely fades away. This is the typical and the most common scenario after the operation.

The first reason for the pain (in general) is that we're creating a pocket by releasing some muscle fibers and cauterizing and cutting those fibers. When those muscle fibers try to heal, they usually trigger an inflammatory response, decreasing the pain threshold of the pectoralis major muscle. This will cause discomfort and pain in the area.

The second one is that some microscopic nerve fibers are also being cut. As those nerve fibers try to heal, the early premature nerve fibers are so sensitive that they may trigger a pain response even with the slightest touch or stretch sensation.

The third one is when we place an implant, we're actually changing the functional anatomy of this area. Particularly, if it's under the muscle, we're changing the functional anatomy. Therefore, that new state will trigger functional, mechanical muscle pain. This main pain may be prolonged, and it may even be extended up to a couple of months following the surgery.

The last most common reason is that the body tries to restrict it by creating a capsule. Sometimes, this capsule, if it is firm or if it's an early stage of a problem, may also be associated with pain. So, a capsule contracture could also be associated with pain in the chest and breast area.

My comments and recommendations are solely based on your text and are subject to change. I always recommend a face-to-face consultation with a specialist to plan the treatment.

Best wishes, Dr. Surmeli.

Good morning, I hope you're doing well. Have you already had a breast ultrasound? The first thing you should do is get the ultrasound to check where the pain is coming from.

Thank you for your query. Some twinges and pain are not unusual for several months after the surgery as the nerves are “waking up”. What you are describing, however, appears to be more than that and may need to be checked out by your surgeon. Please have him/her examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!