After breast augmentation surgery, it’s normal to experience some arm pain. If you’ve recently undergone breast augmentation surgery, it’s normal to experience some discomfort in your arms. Doctors recommend that you avoid heavy lifting or unnecessary movement of your arms after the procedure, as this can cause more discomfort and could even lead to complications with healing. This article will explore some potential causes of arm pain after breast augmentation and how to ease your symptoms while undergoing recovery.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Arm Pain After Breast Augmentation, signs of breast implant problems, numb fingers after breast augmentation, and diarrhea after breast augmentation.
Arm Pain After Breast Augmentation
The best part of getting a breast augmentation is the satisfaction you’ll feel when you look in the mirror and see how great your new breasts look. But what about that pain you’re feeling? If you’ve recently undergone breast augmentation surgery, it’s normal to experience some discomfort in your arms. Let’s take a closer look at arm pain after breast augmentation and what can be done about it.
If you’re experiencing pain or numbness in your arms after a breast augmentation, there’s no need to panic.
If you’re experiencing pain or numbness in your arms after a breast augmentation, there’s no need to panic. The discomfort can be very real—but it is also totally normal.
The nerves that run through the arm are often compressed during surgery due to the procedure itself and because of the tight bandages used after surgery. This can take up to six months for nerves to heal fully. If symptoms persist for more than six months, consult your doctor as this could indicate nerve damage requiring further treatment options like physical therapy or steroid injections into the area of concern.
Pain on the inside of the upper arm is a common complaint after surgery, but should not last more than two weeks and generally improves over time without any kind of intervention (unless it persists). It is important not to pull at these stitches because this could result in complications such as infection and nerve damage requiring further treatment options like physical therapy or steroid injections into the area of concern
During the surgery, the pectoral muscle is moved forward to make room for the new implant.
During the surgery, the pectoral muscle is moved forward to make room for the new implant. This process is called pec-muscle retraction, and it’s done to prevent the implant from being too close to the breastbone. This can cause issues with your ability to breathe deeply or even sleep comfortably.
During this part of the procedure, your doctor will move your pectoral muscles as far as possible without them becoming detached from their tendons (which attach them to your sternum). You’ll likely be left with some pain in that area after you recover; however, it should subside within a few months after surgery.
Pain on the inside of the upper arm is a common complaint after surgery.
If you experience arm pain on the inside of your upper arm, you are not alone. This is a common complaint from patients who have had breast augmentation surgery. The pain can be felt during activities like driving and sleeping, resulting in an overall uncomfortable experience for many patients.
The cause of this type of pain is usually due to irritation or inflammation around where your breast implants were placed. This may cause an increase in swelling around these areas and therefore increase discomfort levels as well.
You can help minimize this type of discomfort by taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for aches and pains during recovery periods after surgery has been completed; however, it’s always best to check with your doctor before beginning any new treatment regimen including prescription drugs or supplements such as fish oil capsules (omega 3 fatty acids).
Symptoms typically include tingling and numbness during activities like driving and sometimes even sleeping.
Symptoms typically include tingling and numbness during activities like driving and sometimes even sleeping. If you experience these symptoms, speak to your surgeon about them. If the pain is persistent or severe, it’s important to consult with a doctor for help in determining the cause of your symptoms.
Be patient with this discomfort. It can take up to six months for nerves to heal fully.
- Patience. This is a common complication, and it usually resolves itself over time.
- If you have persistent symptoms or new symptoms, see your doctor.
If symptoms persist for more than six months, consult your doctor.
If you have persistent pain, or if your symptoms are severe and causing significant distress, seek medical attention. If you’re experiencing moderate discomfort that doesn’t affect your quality of life but is bothering you enough to want treatment—and if it’s been six months since surgery without relief—consult with a doctor to see if he/she recommends physical therapy or another course of action.
This type of discomfort resolves itself over time, but if it’s been more than six months, your doctor can help ease symptoms.
If you’ve been experiencing arm pain after breast augmentation, don’t worry—it’s normal! This type of discomfort typically resolves itself over time. However, if it has been more than six months since the procedure and your symptoms have not improved, it may be time to consult with your plastic surgeon.
Your doctor can help determine the cause of your pain and provide treatment options that best address your specific situation. In some cases, this might involve prescribing medication or performing physical therapy exercises to help alleviate discomfort in the region around the surgical site.
signs of breast implant problems
Breast augmentation remains one of the most common and popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., and it has a low risk of complications – the most common being breast pain, changes in nipple and breast sensation, scar tissue formation, and rupture and deflation.
However, a small number of women experience a compilation of symptoms that has come to be known as breast implant illness, or BII. Though we are still learning about BII, and it is not a formal diagnosis, several new studies are investigating potential causes for the symptoms, which are wide-ranging and very real.
More than 100 symptoms have been associated with BII. Some of the most common include:
Breast implant illness has become more widely known in the last couple decades as patients have increasingly shared their stories on social media. In April 2022, retired race car driver Danica Patrick posted on Instagram about her struggles with BII and her decision to have her breast implants removed.
While it can be comforting to find a community of people with similar symptoms as you, unfortunately, sometimes these channels help spread misinformation or unnecessary fear.
Many patients with BII symptoms can find relief without having to remove their breast implants. In some cases, the cause of symptoms is an underlying condition that affects the immune system or hormone production.
If you develop unexplained symptoms that you suspect may stem from your breast implants, talk with a board certified plastic surgeon. We will listen to you and try to determine what the cause of your symptoms are and connect you with specialists if need be.
Determining the cause of your symptoms
Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.
Because so many BII symptoms are associated with other conditions, it’s important to rule out causes unrelated to the breast implants. For example, many similar symptoms are associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Lyme disease. Hypothyroidism, menopause, and fibromyalgia also can cause symptoms similar to those of BII.
Our goals in diagnosis are to determine the cause of your symptoms and to make a plan to resolve those issues at the source. In some women, the implants themselves prove to be the issue, such as if the implant or tissues surrounding it stiffen, or if the implant ruptures. For many more, an underlying condition is the culprit.
Diagnosis starts with a conversation about what triggers your symptoms and the extent to which they interfere with your quality of life. From there, we may refer you to a specialist in areas such as:
If the specialists find an underlying condition, unrelated to your breast implants, treatment for that condition should relieve or eliminate your symptoms. If no underlying conditions are found, we’ll discuss potential next steps, such as removing your implants.
Deciding whether to remove your breast implants
Choosing to remove your breast implants is just as big a decision as it was to get them, and yet more women made that decision in 2021 than in previous years. According to statistics from The Aesthetic Society, 148,000 women had implants removed and replaced (up 32% from 2020), and 71,000 had their implants removed and not replaced (up 47%), though it’s unclear what role if any BII played in the increase.
If you’re unhappy with the size or shape of your implants, or if you’ve developed a complication such as capsular contracture – the formation of hard, stiff scar tissue around the implant – the decision to remove them may reduce your symptoms.
But if you are satisfied with your appearance and your symptoms are systemic, rather than directly associated with the breasts, the decision can be more difficult. Even if BII symptoms resolve after implant removal, adjusting to changes in your appearance can be challenging.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss all options with you to help you make the best decision.
Clearing up common myths related to BII
There are many websites and social media groups dedicated to breast implant illness. And it’s not unusual for patients to tell us they read or saw something that worries them in one of these communities. We’d like to address a couple of the more common concerns.
Sagging skin after implant removal: There are a lot of people who post photos of themselves after having their implants removed. These photos are usually of women who had very large – 400cc or 500cc – implants removed, leaving excessive, sagging skin behind. Images like these can cause unnecessary anxiety.
Transferring fat to the breast from elsewhere in the body can help restore some volume after implant removal. Though your breasts likely will not be as full as they were with implants, this process can provide a pleasing appearance and a less dramatic transition.
“Only one right” way to remove implants: There are several methods to safely remove breast implants:
However, many social communities say that only specific procedures – notably en-bloc capsulectomy – will eliminate BII symptoms. This is untrue, and there are situations in which that procedure could cause more problems. For example, if the capsule is stuck to the chest wall, taking it all out could cause a pneumothorax, or air to leak into the space between the lungs and chest wall. In this case, we can take out most of the capsule and cauterize the patch that’s against the ribcage.
Additionally, removing the capsule and implant together (en-block) may require a longer incision, especially for women who have only had an augmentation and not a breast lift plus augmentation.
Current research and action related to BII
Research is under way to determine the degree to which certain symptoms are directly caused by breast implants and what effect, if any, removal has on those symptoms.
A study published in December 2021 found that the type of breast implant removal performed did not affect the reduction of breast implant illness symptoms.
Part two of this study investigated concerns, expressed on some BII websites, that the presence of heavy metals in silicone and saline breast implant capsules are a primary cause of systemic symptoms and health problems. More than 20 heavy metals were studied and some participants with BII symptoms had statistically higher levels of arsenic and zinc in their breast implant capsules compared with participants who didn’t exhibit BII symptoms. But the measured levels were all below what is considered acceptable exposure levels by regulatory agencies.
Also, the research confirmed that fewer heavy metals were detected in breast implant capsules than in breast tissue from patients who never had implants. Among participants with BII symptoms, there was a higher number of current or former smokers using tobacco and marijuana and a greater number of women with gluten allergies, suggesting that environmental exposure and personal choices related to cigarette smoking, marijuana use, tattoo pigments, and dietary sources may be the source of a BII patient’s exposure to heavy metals.
Based on this research, heavy metal toxicity should not sway a patient’s decision to remove her breast implants.
Finally, it’s important to note that a BII task force has been established within The Aesthetic Society to conduct research and follow new breast implant patients for more than 10 years in hopes of establishing more definitive data and finding more answers for patients and providers.
We understand it can be extremely frustrating to feel unwell without a specific diagnosis – especially after you’ve been through one or more major breast surgeries. Our breast plastic surgery and specialist teams work together, dedicated to providing you with evidence-based care that will get you to the ultimate goal of feeling better.
If you experience symptoms or complications that you suspect may be related to breast implants, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.
numb fingers after breast augmentation
A number of breast reconstruction patients at our practice in the New Orleans, LA area have questions about numbness and tingling after surgery. Let’s take a moment to consider how common these side effects are, why they happen, and how surgeons can help address these patient concerns.
How Common Are Numbness and Tingling?
Numbness and tingling are common after any sort of surgery, not just breast reconstruction. Many patients will experience some amount of numbness and tingling as part of the recovery process. Its not uncommon to experience a pins and needles sensation around the chest, shoulder, and upper arm area as well. Rest assured that some amount of numbness and tingling is normal, and that you will experience improvements of these sensations as you continue to heal.
Why Does Numbness and Tingling Occur?
During surgery, some amount of nerve damage is bound to occur as tissues are adjusted and worked with. The numbness and tingling is the result of this nerve damage. Over time, the nerves will repair themselves, leading to fewer issues with sensation and strength going forward.
How Long Will the Numbness and Tingling Last?
This can vary from patient to patient. Some of our breast reconstruction patients in the New Orleans area have reported that numbness and tingling mostly goes away after several months. Other patients have numbness and tingling around the chest area for years, though with gradual improvements.
During the consultation process, we will be sure to discuss these matters with you in full detail. Understanding the side effects of breast reconstruction surgery as well as various aspects of recovery and aftercare can be helpful.
Ongoing Research Into Reducing These Side Effects
While numbness and tingling are considered a normal part of the treatment process, there is ongoing medical research being performed to limit the amount of numbness and tingling that patients experience.
An article published by the Cleveland Clinic notes that plastic surgeons experienced with microsurgery are developing procedures to restore sensation and reduce tingling following surgeries. There is promising research about natural-tissue flap reconstruction techniques, which may be able to promote nerve regeneration.
The article notes that the research is still ongoing. Surgeons must determine the nerves that are most likely to restore sensation after surgery, and what methods are available or must be developed to encourage nerve regrowth in patients.
Discuss Issues with Your Reconstructive Surgeon
Adjusting to life after breast reconstruction can take some time. That’s why we encourage patients throughout the greater New Orleans area to discuss any side effects of concerns they have following breast reconstruction surgery. We’re here to offer support and insight into what you’re going through, and give advice on what you can do to manage these issues.
diarrhea after breast augmentation
Having surgery might provide you with a sense of relief—or a sense of apprehension about what comes next. While most people recover from surgery just fine, some people develop postsurgery complications that can range from minor (itching at the incision site) to serious (blood clot in the lungs). Be sure to follow your surgeon’s discharge instructions to reduce your risk of complications as you recover from surgery at home. And don’t ignore these signs and symptoms of potential postoperative complications.
If you develop sudden, severe shortness of breath after surgery, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911. Any surgery that involves general anesthesia or makes it difficult for you to walk around can increase your risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It’s a blood clot that can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. This serious condition requires emergency treatment. You can reduce your risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism by walking as much as your surgeon will allow after you get home from surgery.
Low-grade fever (around 100 degrees) is not abnormal after having surgery, but if you develop a high fever above 101 F you should call your surgeon. Fever can indicate several postsurgical complications, including an infected wound or pneumonia. Any of these conditions requires prompt medical intervention. While recovering at home, take your temperature (or your child’s) twice a day so you can inform your provider when a fever began to develop. Monitor your temperature this way for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
Any surgery may cause mild to moderate pain, especially if it involves a large incision. Pain should not necessarily be cause for worry. But if your postoperative pain is unexpectedly intense or hard to control with prescribed pain medicine, or if it gets worse over the course of days instead of better, then contact your surgeon. Pain can be a sign of underlying complications like infection that require prompt intervention. Don’t feel weak or embarrassed if your pain needs attention. Your surgeon will want to know about your pain level because controlling the discomfort aids the healing process.
Surgical incisions often produce sticky-type fluids that might be thin and clear or thicker and yellowish. This type of discharge likely is part of the normal healing process. However, if your incision oozes a greenish, foul-smelling discharge—especially if the area around the wound also is dark red or hot to the touch—call your surgeon. This type of discharge might indicate an infected wound that requires treatment. Call your surgeon’s office if you have any questions about whether your incisional discharge is normal or not.
Several aspects of surgery can cause constipation for days or weeks after your procedure. General anesthesia, the type of surgery, and narcotic pain relievers all can lead to a sluggish bowel. If you have trouble passing stool during your recovery at home, try these techniques: drink prune juice, take a stool softener (docusate sodium) if approved by your surgeon, and increase your fluid intake—if your surgeon says it’s OK. It’s particularly important not to strain at stool after an abdominal surgery. If you remain constipated for more than a day or two, consult your surgeon for guidance.
For reasons that remain unknown, certain types of surgery can provoke clinical depression in patients. Heart surgery, cancer procedures, and other types of operations can trigger a depressive episode weeks or months afterward. If you have undergone surgery within the past few months and begin to experience a depressed mood, consult your surgeon or primary care provider. Postsurgical depression should not be ignored because it could hinder your recovery. Most people find relief with medication or a few sessions with a therapist.
Some surgeries, such as an abdominal or breast procedure, can provoke postoperative nausea or diarrhea. Postsurgical medications like narcotic pain relievers also can cause vomiting or diarrhea. If you experience many episodes of vomiting or diarrhea for more than a day or two, call your surgeon’s office. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause you to become dehydrated and lead to more serious complications. Do not take over-the-counter medications for these conditions unless your surgeon recommends them. Instead, seek medical advice.
Most surgical incisions are held together by several layers of sutures (stitches), so don’t panic if you notice the skin layer of the incision slightly coming apart. But still notify your surgeon, because this condition (called dehiscence) can delay normal healing and make the wound more vulnerable to infection. If you notice the visible layer of sutures or staples coming out, or if the wound edges begin to pull away from each other, call your surgeon’s office. Place a piece of sterile gauze (if available) over that part of the incision, and tape it down until you can see your surgeon.