Is It Normal to Have Breast Pain 3 Months After Surgery? I Feel Burning and Needles

Breast
augmentation is often accompanied by pain swelling and nipple
hypersensitivity. These are essentially
normal findings which usually resolve on their own. The burning sensation that you describe is
known as a dysesthesia. It’s very
similar to what happens when your leg falls asleep. The phenomena occurs when nerves are
compressed or stretched. During and
after breast augmentation surgery, this is exactly what happens to the nerves
that supply the nipple.The breast
implant underneath the nipple compresses and stretches the soft tissue and
nerves that supply the nipple and areola.In many cases, this process is made worse by swelling.Patients
typically describe a painful tingling, burning sensation that can be very
uncomfortable.In many cases, clothing
rubbing against the area can elicit a pins and needles sensation.These
symptoms usually resolve in 6 to 8 weeks without intervention but may persist
up to 3 to 6 months.In some cases,
aggressive massage can desensitize the area and minimize the pain and
discomfort associated with this condition.

Thanks for the question, Isabella. You are describing postoperative "nerve" pain which is very common in any surgery, breast being no exception. Three months seems like a long time but it is still early in the healing process. It is very likely to improve over the next year. Nerves can be stretched (Neuropraxia) and cause numbness or hypersensitivity but resolve in 6 weeks, cutaneous nerves can also be cut (Axonometsis) in order to do a proper dissection or while repositioning breast tissue to a better location. This second type of nerve injury requires nerve regeneration which causes burning and needles and can take up to 18 months to occur.
We have specialized in Breast surgery for the last quarter century and have done over 12,000 breast surgeries. Interestingly in reviewing our 32 question post op surveys returned by several thousand breast augmentation patients, we were surprised to see that post-op nerve alteration was exceedingly common 27% early post-op numbness or more commonly nipple hypersensitivity. Fortunately, less than 1% had the nerve abnormality persist at the one year mark.
So rest assured Isabella, it is almost certainly a temporary discomfort.
JP Riou MD FACS

Thank you for your question. It is no surprise that you are still experiencing some pain or discomfort. You are still in a recovery process, so this is nothing unusual. If this pain worsens be sure to let you PS know. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman Estates BarringtonChicago Oakbrook