How long does it hurt after BMX/implants?

MaryAgatha

I had BMX with direct implants 2 weeks ago. I know it hasn't been that long but still, I'm surprised at how much my chest hurts stills. The pain/discomfort is always there, and I can't stand up straight or take a deep breath without feeling the excruciatingly tight feeling along the chest wall and the uncomfortable stretching along the incision sites. How long will it feel this way? Those of you who had implants for a long time, do you still "feel" the implants somehow or do you feel like your breasts are now completely a natural part of you, just as your original breasts were? If that's the case, how long did it take to feel that way?

Char66

Welcome Mary. sorry you are having to go thru all this but you are in the right place for help from the sisters. I had BMX with direct implants Jan 2014. I was thinking the same as you-when?? The pain will get better but does drag on for sometime. It seems at week 3 I felt much better and by week 4 pain was mostly gone, except I did experience swelling for quite sometime. My experiences were somewhat different with lots of complications that I hope you never have to experience. I ended up with having TE on lt side so have had it both ways. I feel the direct implant was much more intense as there is no gradual stretching, but immediate filled. Then all the damage that is done inside with the MX, the pain is quite intense, use the RXs! The first few days, I took the pain meds on a schedule, it is much harder to catch up with the pain. But do rest and take care of yourself, don't overdo. As to do you always "feel" the implants, that is a hard answer-it doesn't feel like my old breasts (they were "hanging" around for many years) but eventually they feel like the new normal. Some of the women feel like a snug band around their chest, I really don't have that. Hang in there, it will get better. The other sisters will be arriving shortly. Char

nottoday

Hi MaryAgatha,

I read your post just as I was searching the internet, trying to get an answer to the same question. I had BMX with immediate reconstruction - Alloderm - in late August 2014. I had a very unpleasant tightness around my chest for weeks. It has gradually gotten better, but it still feels considerably tighter than I would like. I especially notice it in the evenings, when I am tired. And it felt much worse during chemo. Physical therapy - at a place that specializes in breast cancer - helped and so does stretching. I'm hoping we get some encouraging stories from women who've had their implants longer. I would really like to lose this tightness!

Thanks for posting your question.

MaryAgatha

Char and Nottoday, thank you for your response.... but I must say this is not very encouraging. I was hoping at least some people would jump in and say their foobs feel so natural they often forget they even had surgery. I guess I was being totally unrealistic.

kamm

I can say that mine are completely comfortable and feel like a part of me. For me it took a good seven, eight, nine months for that to happen. It's a slow process of your brain retraining itself but it does happen. Having said that it doesn't mean that there aren't changes that occur like when laying on my stomach I usually elevate my head a little more than normal because it just feels more comfortable. No big deal. I love my implants and have no regrets. Life is about change and I don't live in the past. The old breasts are gone but thank goodness there are options for making us feel whole again for those who desire it. Give it time. Alot of time.

Charlotte57

MaryAgatha - I had the same surgery on May 18. Mine still hurt - not excruciating but still hurt. I started chemo on June24 & that really made things worse! Felt like a bunch of rubberbands clenching my chest! So glad nottoday mentioned the chomo effects! But now I am not feeling so much like there is foreign matter in my chest more like things are just healing. They still look kind of like some kids playdough project so I'm still anxious to see what the final results will look like. I was told things get in place around 3 months so I've got a little ways to go! They gave me stretches to do but I confess I'm not doing them. Just not up to it. Maybe things would be better if I did

MaryAgatha

Charlotte, "some kids playdough project"!!! LOL!!! You're a poet! That's how my breasts look too. I'm starting to feel much less tight. I just had an appointment with a lymphedema specialist (to be evaluated for lymphedema; I don't have it.) and she told me I am healed enough that I should start exercises and vitamin e oil massage to release the scars. She said the tightness will get much better with those two things. So, I'm starting today.

nottoday

Dear all,

I wanted to report back now that I'm a little a year past BMX/immediate implants. Although I still have tightness - sometimes kind of acute and uncomfortable in the evenings - it passes and most of the time I'm pretty comfortable with the new set. I do find that the more I exercise and stretch the muscles, the better I feel. I even started working out with a personal trainer a few weeks ago, and although he's aware of the implants, he's had me do some rather rigorous (for me) stretching and strengthening exercises through the chest, and shoulders. I was worried that might make things tighter, but it hasn't. In fact, I feel better. Obviously, good for all of us to get advice from qualified physical therapists before embarking on intense exercise programs, but I've been pleased that exercise and more exercise is helping with the tightness (not to mention range of motion, strength, and my upper arms look good, too!:))