Still Having Pain 6 weeks after reconstruction - normal?

Katemom

Hi Everyone,

I had a double mastectomy (with nipple sparing) in December 2015 and had my implants placed July 7 2016. Naively, I expected there to be limited pain after the implants but I am still uncomfortable and it has been almost six weeks since my reconstruction surgery. The pain is depressing me. My breasts look fine (there is a positive) but I still have a feeling of an iron band along the base (more so in the right then the left) and a lot of tenderness in the right breast. The right breast took a bit more of a beating b/c my PS wanted my nipples to be even so he had to pull the skin up a bit more and do a little suturing.

Anyway, I was so looking forward to a pain free end of summer and am so discouraged. I would feel better if I heard that this is common and goes away. I cannot imagine feeling this way forever.

Any comments would be appreciated.

peyton3

I had a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy on Feb.12th followed by reconstructive surgery. I had my implants put in on May 24th and I am still having the iron bra syndrome. Like you I keep hoping that this will go away in time. I finally called and made an appointment with a physical therapist hoping she will be able to help me get past this. Unfortunately I am learning that over 50% of women have these problems. It would have been nice if our doctors would have told us about this. Keep thinking positive and hopefully it will go away, that's what I am doing.

Katemom

Dear peyton3:

Thank you for your response. I have returned to working out and that seems to be helping but I still have a great deal of tightness. I too am hoping that this iron bra feeling goes away over time. Otherwise, I am not sure that I will keep these implants. I am only 54 - I cannot imagine having this discomfort for 40 or more years going forward. So, I'll stay positive and hope for the best.