Pain at Night After Breast Augmentation?

Question

I seem to only have pain at night, and I'm almost 3 weeks post-op. I think I am sleeping on my back. I fall asleep on my back and wake up on my back. I feel bruised up in the morning when I get out of bed, take Tylenol, and then it's ok. What cold I do?

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Jackie,

	 

	At 3 weeks post-op, you are at an early stage in the recovery race and what you have been experiencing is not uncommon.

	When you are sleeping at night, your implants tend to push outward to your sides (lateral pressure) towards your arms; that will result in sore muscles and some pain that is apparently resolving using Tylenol.

	Therefore, I recommend that you consult with your physician on wearing a surgical bra when you sleep for a short period of time. Also, it is imperative that you keep on massaging your implants as your surgeon's instructs.

	I hope you will feel better pretty soon.

	Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on the surgery.

	Dr. Sajjadian

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank
you for your question. I have included some typical expectations of breast
surgery recovery and signs to watch for following breast augmentation:
Stiffness, swelling
and bruising in the chest region: These are normal experiences as the skin,
muscles and tissue heal. Pain medication and muscle relaxants will help you
cope with any discomfort. Consistent sharp pain should be reported to your
board-certified surgeon.Hypersensitivity of
nipples or lack of sensitivity: This is normal and will gradually resolve over
time.A mild to severe itchy
feeling of the breasts is possible as healing progresses. An antihistamine like
Benadryl can help to alleviate severe, constant itchiness. If the skin becomes
red and hot to the touch, contact your board-certified surgeon
immediately.Asymmetry, the breasts
look different, or heal differently: Breasts may look or feel quite different
from one another in the days following surgery. This is normal. No two breasts
in nature or following surgery are perfectly symmetrical.Discuss returning to
work with your board-certified surgeon, in our office it is typically 3-5
days post-surgery but you may not overexert yourself or do any heavy lifting.You may resume
exercise and your normal routine at six weeks unless your surgeon advises
otherwise.I would follow up with your board-certified plastic surgeon. What you are describing is not uncommon, but they should be informed of any pain or other concerns during your recovery. Good luck.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

This is really quite common with all kinds of surgery, as well as pain from athletic injuries and other sources.

	Minor degrees of discomfort my go unnoticed when we are distracted, but are a real bother when we are undistracted as in trying to fall asleep or being asleep.l

	Try for a few nights a longer acting pain med such as alleve, taking one just before going to bed.

	Thanks for the question, best wishes.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Several patients report that they have stiff pain when they wake up from sleep, especially on the lateral sides of the breast. It is most likely due to the fact that implants are pusching laterally while asleep and your muscles get stiff as they are inactive at night. The pain should go away pretty soon. Meanwhile, I would recommen wearing surgical bra/sports bra at night and massaing the implants. Please talk with your plastic surgeon to discuss his/her postoperative instructions.

Pain at Night After Breast Augmentation?

Answers (4)