Is it normal to be more sore in one breast than the other after a breast augmentation?

Question

I am currently 5 days post op. My left breast is so sore!! My right not so much. I am wondering if this normal or a cause for concern. I'm worried I may have harmed my implant or something.

Eric Pugash, MD · Answer

It is important to understand that the right breast augmentation and the left are two different operations. One side swells more, one side bruises more, one side is always more sore and one side almost always heals more quickly. Having said that, I do want to remind you to stay in close contact with your surgeon, attend all followup appointments and let him or her know of any concerns. All the best.

Ron Hazani, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, during the procedure your surgeon separates the muscle from the chest wall in order to create a pocket. The nerves that innervate the tissues around the implant are stretched as well as the muscle and one pocket can be causing more pain than another. Make sure your surgeon examines you to rule out any other anatomic issues.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

While it may be totally "normal," or explainable that one breast may be more sore than the other this soon after surgery, there are some things that can cause this to happen that should be evaluated and treated more urgently.  One of the most common and problematic of those things is bleeding around an implant, or a hematoma.  Typically when this happens there are other associated findings such as significant enlargement of that breast or some bruising.  While this is usually not a life-threatening problem, it can cause some issues later down the road if not properly managed early on.  In some instances there is perhaps more glandular tissue in one breast than the other, and that can create more swelling and pain in that breast, and sometimes it just happens that way without any obvious explanation that we can identify.  The important thing is that you report this to your surgeon and keep him or her in the loop so that you can be properly evaluated and observed over time.  He or she will be able to tell if it is something that just bears watching and conservative management versus something that needs more immediate attention.  Good luck.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You have two different breasts, use your arms differently, and may find your are more sore in one breast than the other. If you do not noticed any difference in size or color between the breasts, your pain should settle down. However, if there is a visible difference between your two breasts, or the pain continues, please contact your surgeon.

Is it normal to be more sore in one breast than the other after a breast augmentation?

Answers (4)

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