Hi Ladies, Just wondering if anyone has experienced painful pecs after mastectomy and insertion of tissue expanders? Four weeks ago I had a preventative mastectomy and insertion of bilateral tissue expanders. Both felt much the same, though the recent mastectomy site was a little bit more tender. At 20 days I developed a large internal bleed and hematoma, which required surgery to remove about 800mls of old and new blood. That all happened 16 days ago, but this time the whole area is hyper sensitive, to the point that I can't wear a bra, and anything that touches this area, ( the suture line and breast, but especially where the pectoralis muscle goes over the top of the expander ) really irritates. I don't remember having this hypersensitivity when I first had a lumpectomy, followed 3 weeks later by a mastectomy last December. My common sense tells me that it is probably just sensitive due to having the whole area reopened and the tissue expander removed and cleaned and replaced, and another drain put in. The black and blue colouring has gone, but there is still some swelling, and the swollen pec muscle seems to spasm or cramp any time something brushes past it. I know, I'm just being impatient, but I'm curious as to how long it might be like this for. Also any suggestions on what I could massage in to hasten the healing? My first expansion will be next Friday. Love Chris xx

You are such a trooper and also someone who doesn't complain - so there must be an issue. I personally can't offer anything as I haven't any experience in what you are going through. I have been wondering how all your healing is going. If you can wait until next Friday ASK the question/s then. If not ring your specialist and ask beforehand - we don't need to suffer any excessive issues or pain. We have all done our "penance". Let us know how you get on. XLeonie

Hi Chris, I remember the feeling of not being able to let anything touch my skin, even loose clothing would seem to irritate it. After the first or the second expansion this seemed to settle a little. There is no need to wear a bra at this stage i did not start to wear a bra until after i had my silicone implants inserted. The spasms do settle. I only have them now when i am really cold. The expanders are not the most comfortable experience but as soon as the silicone implants are in its a much more natuural feel and look. I did not have a heamatoma ( wrong spelling) but i did get a very bad infection and had to have one expander out for 6 months so i can understand how nervous you would be that everything runs smoothly from here on. I really hope that you are ok, i wish you all the best for your first expansion. Danielle xx

Hi Danielle and Leonie, I didn't realise Danielle, that you went through an infection and the removal of the expander for 6 months. That really scares me, and it was something that the plastic surgeon mentioned could be a complication of the surgery that I needed to have. I'm glad your discomfort has all settled down, especially since it seems exactly like my discomfort. Even since writing this blog, I feel there has been some improvement. I have managed to get a soft bra on today, and whilst I know I don't need to wear one, it seems to have given me some support, which has reduced the hypersensitivity that I was experiencing when anything brushed my skin. Last week a bra drove me insane after about 2 minutes, so I now think there is some improvement. Even the muscle cramps have been less intense today. I have also started massaging the area with Fisiocrem. This is a very natural cream that I bought from the physio for sore ribs. Only natural plants products, and it is supposed to be good for sore and inflammed muscles. I figured it couldn't hurt, and think it might be helping. Love Chris xx

Sorry to hear that you are still experiencing pain. I might be all the nerve endings that have been cut both times. I dont know if it is the same but it could be a similar feeling to what i had on both my legs/knees after bilateral knee replacements. I was told by the surgeon and physio that it is due to the large incisions and all the nerve endings that get cut. Heaps of nerves get damaged when they cut through so it could be the same with you. They told me i have to massage the area's with a good cream to stimulate the growth. Try and go sideways across the area twice per day. After 7 months i still have large areas that are very sensitive to touch still but it is improving with time. Good luck with your pain and hope you can find a solution soon Cheers Joxx

Hi Ann-Marie, Thanks for the advice about panadol before expansions. I'm a bit worried about what it might feel like. I'm due to go back to work on Thursday, and as it is a new job, and only one day a week, I have decided to have my first expansion the day after this work day rather than before, like the surgeon wanted. I would feel so bad having to take another day off work. This new work place has been so supportive of me, but I only started at the end of July, and have already had so much sick leave. They knew all about my cancer and this surgery, but still took me on, so I want to make sure I do the right thing by them now that I'm feeling alot better. I wish you all the best with your surgery, and look forward to hearing about your knew implants. Love Chris xx

Painful pecs after surgery | BCNA Online Network

15 Replies

danielle_ghilar
Member
14 years ago
Hi ann somerfield,

Goodluck with your expansions, don't wory about being a chicken i am too and yes your right we are allowed to be. My plastic surgeon was great with my needle phobia i hope yours is the same. Let us know how it all go's. Also its a good idea to have some pain relief before the expansions, panadol is fine.

Goodluck xxx
annie58
Member
14 years ago
Thanks for sharing Chris and Danielle. Im about to start tyhe process and your handy hints are great.. When I have stiches out or needles I like them to put a towel over my head...Im a big chicken. But Im allowed to be. LOL.
annie58
Member
14 years ago
Thanks for sharing Chris and Danielle. Im about to start tyhe process and your handy hints are great.. When I have stiches out or needles I like them to put a towel over my head...Im a big chicken. But Im allowed to be. LOL.
danielle_ghilar
Member
15 years ago
Hi Chris,

I am so so glad that you are not in as much pain and that things are improving for you.

Yes i got some immitation ahh from big w and target and they are just as good and so comfy.

You are braver than me being able to watch needles, i am a big sook when it coms to needles.

Once again i am so glad that you are feeling better, being in pain is the worst.

Let me know how your expansion go's and happy shopping!!

Danielle xx
Chris
Member
15 years ago
Hi Danielle, What a lovely response, and congratulations on doing cart wheels. I get what you are saying, and I'm glad you are doing so well now, only a few months after so many operations and set backs. I appreciate all your advice, but as I'm not needle phobic, I'm expecting to watch the whole thing. I'm about to go shopping and an AHH is on my list. I seem to remember you saying that you bought something similar to the ahh bra at Target or Kmart that was about a 1/3 the price. I'm going to check out these places first, and will only order online if I can't find something similar. I would much prefer to try a bra on first rather than just ordering one. My pec muscle is feeling a bit better, so I'm very encouraged by everything you have said. Massaging the scar line and muscle seems to be helping as well. Love Chris xx
danielle_ghilar
Member
15 years ago
Hi Chris,

I did get an infection but i had had 6 opperations in less than 12 months so my body had just had enough. Don't worry too much about an infection it sounds as though you are doing all the right things.

I read that Anne Marie said to take some panadol before the expansions. This is a really good idea. I am a needle phobic and i got through it so i think any one can!! I just did not look at the needle when it was going in but i could not help but look after that cause i found the whole process fascinating.

I also wear a soft bra now. I have found that the ahh bra's or geenie bra's are really really comfortable.

I am glad that in a few days you have found a little improvement so i hope that this continues to improve for you. Pain is the worst but it does go away.

Funny story for you... the other day my son did a cart wheel and i said to him that was not a cartwheel and he asked if i could do one. I said yes but then went on to say but i can't because of all my opperations. He looked at me like i was the biggest lier in the universe so i decided to do it. I did the best cart wheel ever, it felt so good and i did not hurt myself. My mum was really angry thought i was stupid for doing it incase i undid any of my reconstruction but i was so happy my body does still work and nothing came undone. I'm not suggesting you start gymnastics i am just saying i was where you are june just gone and October i am doing cart wheels.

Things get better!!!!

I wish you all the best, dont be scarred and i would love to hear how it all go's.

Danielle xx
Ann-Marie_AK
Member
15 years ago
Hi Chris

The expansions were not too painful for me. The worst part was looking at the size of the needle. For the next few days things felt tight and uncomfortable and that's why I often had panadol at night.

Your employer sounds really understanding, mine is too which is great.

I am having my surgery at Frances Perry House in Melbourne. My breast surgeon is Professor Bruce Mann and my plastic surgeon is Dean Trotter. I have full confidence in them. No preparation needed just some blood tests (and mental preparation for me).

Ann-Marie xx
Ann-Marie_AK
Member
15 years ago
Hi Chris

The expansions were not too painful for me. The worst part was looking at the size of the needle. For the next few days things felt tight and uncomfortable and that's why I often had panadol at night.

Your employer sounds really understanding, mine is too which is great.

I am having my surgery at Frances Perry House in Melbourne. My breast surgeon is Professor Bruce Mann and my plastic surgeon is Dean Trotter. I have full confidence in them. No preparation needed just some blood tests (and mental preparation for me).

Ann-Marie xx
Chris
Member
15 years ago
Hi Ann-Marie, I have just re read your blog about your surgery, and now remember that you will be having the DIEP, and not the implants. I wish you all the best for a successful surgery, and would like to hear all about it once you have recovered. Who is your surgeon and which hospital will you be having this surgery at? Did you have to do any preparation for this surgery, and what tests and procedures did you require? Good luck, and please let us all know how it goes. Love Chris xx
Chris
Member
15 years ago
Hi Jo, I think you are right, my sensitivity is due to the double surgery in the area. The plastic surgeon told me to start massaging the scar and area, which I'm doing, so probably explains why it is now improving. One of the most painful scars I had before, was from my sentinel node biopsy. Long after my original mastectomy had healed, it still was painful, and felt like I had sharp needles in it. I started massaging that with Bio Oil, and it improved. It had an internal suture, and I think the massaging helped to break it up. There is absolutely no sensitivity to it now, and it is nice and soft, where as before it was hard. Thank you for your advice, and I hope your knees improve. Keep the massage with the oil up, as it seems to be doing the trick. Love Chris xxx