Could I be having pain in my neck/shoulders and scar line from my implants being too big?

Question

I had a lift/internal bra and augmentation a little over 1.5 years ago. In the last year, I've started having neck and shoulder spasms, and over the last few months, I've noticed increasing tenderness and pain in the scars under my breasts. I'm definitely having regret about the size I got- I think I let myself get pressured into a size or two larger than I really wanted. (I went from a post-baby deflated C to a DD.) Could my pain be due to the implant size? Or something else?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Regrets about having large breast implants?Thank you very much for this question. I’m sorry that you’re now experiencing neck and back pain and that you feel it is related to your large breast implants. It is important to note, that large breast implants to create more postoperative problems for patients. Larger implant can definitely cause neck and back pain as well as pain and other parts of the breast. However simply having Those symptoms is not a clear indication that the breast implants are the actual cause. Large implants simply put you at higher risk. You need to see your plastic surgeon and your medical doctor and have an appropriate medical work up to identify the diagnosis of your neck and back pain and other issues. Other medical conditions may actually be causing your pain, another words.Wishing you the best in the future, Dr. Aldo

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear dkla1138,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Absolutely, neck and shoulder spasms can be caused by excessively large breasts.  There are, however, many other causes of neck and shoulder pain.  I would suggest you see your primary care doctor to rule out other causes of the pain.  Likely it will come down to the weight of the breasts.  In that case, see your surgeon for a possible switch to smaller sized implants.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

but just how much smaller do you need to be before your symptoms resolve???  I don't think anyone can tell you just how much of a downsize would be needed for you.  If you have saline implants, the simple thing to do is intentionally deflate them and if your symptoms persist, it wasn't be cause of your implants.  If they resolve, then you will have to choose whether to have a re-augmentation at risk of developing symptoms again.  If you have gel implants, consider an office explant and then see how your symptoms respond to that.

Ben Brown, MD (license emergency restriction) · Answer

Hello dkla1138,
I'm sorry to hear that you are not completely happy with the results of your surgery. It is certainly possible to develop neck and shoulder pain from excessive implant weight, particularly as it sounds as if you went up significantly in size. 
That being said, there are many possible causes of neck and shoulder pain that can be completely unrelated to the additional weight and change in your body's center of gravity. If the implants are the cause, the solution is to remove or downsize them; this requires an additional operation and, because the skin envelope of your breast has been stretched due to the placement of implants and your pregnancy, you may also require tailoring of the skin in the form of a mastopexy (breast lift) in order to achieve a beautiful shape. 
I would recommend having your neck and shoulder pain evaluated by your primary care physician. If they determine that there is no other reasonable cause, then I would suggest going to your plastic surgeon next for in-person exam and consultation.

Could I be having pain in my neck/shoulders and scar line from my implants being too big?

Answers (6)

Answer: Symptoms you describe could be from your implants

Answer: Symptoms you describe could be from your implants

Answer: Pain after Breast Augmentation

Answer: Pain after Breast Augmentation

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Could I be having pain in my neck/shoulders and scar line from my implants being too big?

Answers (6)

Answer: Symptoms you describe could be from your implants

Answer: Symptoms you describe could be from your implants

Answer: Pain after Breast Augmentation

Answer: Pain after Breast Augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.