Help! String of vertical skin pulling under boob. (Photo)

Question

It hurts!! What is this and why did this happen and will this go away! HELP

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Thanks for the excellent photo and question.You have something called a "Mondor's cord". It is a superficial vein that has clotted due to the pressure of your breast augmentation on the vein.This is not a dangerous situation. It is, however, tender and painful.The cord will go away on its own, but you can make the process go quicker by taking a baby aspirin every day (with food) for two weeks and applying a heating pad. The cord should get better over the next few weeks.Good Luck.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

This can be an effect of scar contraction. If this has happened shortly after your operation it might resolve on its own. However in certain cases it might require injections or scar revision to resolve.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Your photograph and description indicate that you have an inflamed vein, known as a Mondor's cord.  My advice would be anti-inflammatory medication and warm compresses to the area.  Best to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.  Good luck.

Brian S. Glatt, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question! Not to worry, what you are experiencing is referred to as Mondor's cords. Mondors cords are vertical bands visibly extending from below your incision to the lower chest area. These cords are irritated veins just under the skin that can accompany any type of breast surgery. The treatment is anti-inflammatories and warm compresses. These cords may take up to few months to fully heal.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your recent question and photos. What you are seeing and feeling is Mondor's cord which is inflammation of the vein.  This will get better and resolve on its own over time.  Best of luck!

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you brittbrittstar for your question and photo.  It looks like you are experiencing a Mondor's cord which typically will go away with an anti inflammatory.  Contact your surgeon and be evaluated to make sure and follow their recommendations. Best of luck to you.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Mondor's cord is an inflamed vein which often appears around the third week after breast augmentation and usually disappears by the 6th week after surgery. Anti-inflammatories are helpful for the discomfort.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Advice based on photos alone is never as good as in-person examination, but based on your photos this looks like it is most likely something called a mondor's cord which is a clotted off and inflamed vein. It tends to go away with antiinflammatories and hot compresses with time if that's what it is. I'd suggest booking an appointment with your surgeon to be examined to make sure that's all it is. Best of luck!

Kenneth P. Gilbert, MD · Answer

This painful cord is an inflamed vein and will slowly resolve on its own. You can possibly get some relief with warm compresses and aspirin or ibuprofen. Please let your surgeon know you are experiencing this.

Eric YK Li, MD · Answer

Based on the photos, you appear to have Mondor's disease, which is a vein near the breast that becomes inflammed after surgery.  It is usually self-limiting and will resolve on its own but off-the-counter anti-inflammatories and hot compresses can sometimes provide symptomatic relief.  Regardless, best to see your surgeon for a follow-up to let him/her be aware of your situation.

Help! String of vertical skin pulling under boob. (Photo)

Answers (15)

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