Day three after explant surgery and I am experiencing a very sore stomach, mid-section, sides and back. Any suggestions?

Question

I just had breast explant surgery (silicone, and above the muscle) and today is day three post-op. My breasts are not very sore at all, except a little discomfort at the incision site below my breasts, but I am experiencing bloating and pain in my stomach, my sides and back. I feel like I have been punched in the stomach. I have some sort of harness marks on my midsection and shoulders. Do they invert you on the operating table to explant? and, should I be concerned about a sore mid-section?

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to contact your surgeon about your discomfort.  She/He is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.  You are not inverted during the procedure to remove implants.  Bloating can occur as your body heals from surgery, but your surgeon should be aware of your discomfort.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Explant surgery involves re-using your former breast incision to gain access to remove your implants.  If no other surgery, like a breast lift, is planned, then operative time and recovery time is fairly minimal.  When you are on the operating room table, there are "seat belts" placed loosely around you in order to protect you during surgery, but you are definitely not inverted. I would recommend you see your surgeon to allow for an in-person examination to see what may be causing your symptoms.

David Finkle, MD · Answer

Everyone experiences pain, bloating and swelling after surgery.  This will improve with time.  In the meantime get off the narcotic pain pills, this will help considerably.

Allen M. Doezie, MD · Answer

Bloating a few days after surgery is may be related to "slow movement" of your bowels from a combination of anesthesia from the surgery and especially pain medication.  Narcotic pain medication can slow down the bowels and cause bloating.  The pain in your stomach could be related to the bloating.  The harness marks might be from the straps that are always placed over the patient during surgery to keep them secure on the operating room table.  They do not invert you to do the surgery.  Usually those straps are loose enough to prevent harm to the body, but it's possible they were too tight.  You would need to be examined by your doctor to check that.

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

You should of course contact your plastic surgeon to discuss this, including the specifics of what was done.However, if you had only an explantation (ie, no new implants) and your symptoms are limited to what you've described (ie no fever, chills, sweats, etc) then you may just be having a reaction to the pain medications that were presumably prescribed.  Abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort and constipation are common side effects of narcotics.  If you can taper down your use of those medications you should have relief of these symptoms.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of #RealSelf100@RealSelf

Day three after explant surgery and I am experiencing a very sore stomach, mid-section, sides and back. Any suggestions?

Answers (5)

Answer: Bloating

Answer: Bloating

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Day three, very sore stomach,

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Day three, very sore stomach,

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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Day three after explant surgery and I am experiencing a very sore stomach, mid-section, sides and back. Any suggestions?

Answers (5)

Answer: Bloating

Answer: Bloating

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Day three, very sore stomach,

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Day three, very sore stomach,

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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