6 years post prop double mast/implant. Neck, back, joint pain.

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FLgrl32
FLgrl32 Member Posts: 35
edited October 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi. In 2014/2015 I had a prophylactic double mastectomy and implant reconstruction with cohesive Natrelle 410 implants. I did not have many issues with any of the three surgeries I had and I assumed that all was well. Because I am a pretty small and small boned person, I had almost no breast tissue left and very little fat. The PS put the implants under my muscles after an expansion process and used the implants and some of my own fat in the reconstruction. I was probably a full saggy B before surgery and a full lifted C now.

Over time I have started to develop some awful right shoulder blade, neck, and upper back pains. It feels like This pain has gotten progressively worse and now I seem to have chronic joint pain as well. I have been dealing with a neck/spine specialist and while I have a few questionable areas on my neck MRI, there is nothing he sees that makes him feel like I should have surgery ASAP. I have also had a Breast MRI to make sure that the pains I sometimes feel in the front were not the ALCL. Each doctor strongly doubts that the implants could have anything to do with my pain. I'm really starting to wonder and I'm not sure about what I should do next. Any thoughts



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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    FL - sorry for your back & neck pain. I would agree with your docs - the implants aren't the issue. I might question the weight, but as you said, you're 6 years down the road.

    You didn't say how old you are. Many of us get aches & pains as we age. I've found if I exercise daily - stretches & chair yoga & breathing - it really helps with all the misc pains. I also joined a Silver Sneakers exercise class twice a week and it made me feel wonderful. You don't have to a senior to participate a many gyms. Of course the gyms are closed now, so... Yup - I have neck pains again. Some certainly from sitting in front of the computer.

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  • Jpsara
    Jpsara Member Posts: 39
    edited May 2020

    absolutely it can be the sub muscular implants! In recent years more surgeons are going with with prepectoral placement to avoid what happens by lifting the pec muscle. I am in same boat,...7 years ago had double mastectomy for cancer, last 5 years nothing but shoulder, neck thoracic pain.

    I am having surgery on May 18th to switch to above muscle placement. Hoping to resolve this issue. I am an active 62 year old and most types of exercise, even swimming, cause pain...much less weight training....!

    Do some research on prepectoral implants and you will find that main reason is resolving shoulder, neck pain, along with animation deformity.


    Good luck...will let you know how mine goes

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  • BCat40
    BCat40 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2020

    Here's a good article on pre-pectoral implant revisions gaining popularity due to pain caused by sub-pectoral implants.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/17/well/live/breast-reconstruction-implants-muscle.html

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  • jules72
    jules72 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2020

    Hi there, I’m just wondering how your experience is since your surgery? I had a mastectomy for stage 0 five years ago. The implant was placed under the muscle and I have an implant on the other side above the muscle. For the last 4 1/2 years I have debilitating muscle knots and dull aches in my shoulder blade area, neck, and results in migraines. I have them for a day or 2 about every 2 to 3 weeks. And then I’m fine again for a few weeks. It’s so weird. I’ve tried everything from PT, chiro, dry needling, accupuncture, etc. My next step is likely surgery to remove or replace my implant in front of the muscle but I’m concerned about more surgery and not knowing if that’s really the issue

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