Thickening near incision scar (inframammary) normal?

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LiveLoveLaugh2020
LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
edited October 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had Bil NSM Sept 2019, and just had my exchange surgery January this year. I am fine and have not had any issues (besides ROM) but I do have a thickening/hard area near/above my incision scar on one side which I noticed two months ago. When I was doing PT (prior to this scary pandemic) my PT said it was scar tissue. But I have not been in PT for 2 months now due to current circumstances and am now worried about the area. Is this something that is normal and if so, so soon after exchange surgery?


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  • cake8icing
    cake8icing Member Posts: 58
    edited May 2020

    Hi LLL: we were in touch on my post on this topic, but wanted to say that I had tightening around my incision literally days after the Surgery. I spoke over the phone at about 4 weeks post surgery (with the same PT that worked with me at the hospital the day I was discharged). He said it is possible that my healing was taking place fast and scar tissue was forming early. I hope you can find at PT willing to work with you soon.

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited May 2020

    I never noticed much after bil NSM (very numb) besides ROM issues. It wasn't until after my exchange surgery in January that I experienced the thickening/scar tissue after 6 - 8 weeks. I was fine with working with PT and it was making a difference but since this whole pandemic and not having PT for 2 months the area feels worse again. Which of course with all of this extra time in the house with Covid going on, got my mind thinking the worst. I am hoping my PT opens in the next couple weeks, if not I will look into other options. Thanks for the response!

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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited May 2020

    I had some thicker areas, and on my right, the entire scar area was thicker.

    If you go in a dark room and put a flashlight up to your implant you can clearly see areas with thicker tissue.

    My PS said it was nothing to worry about.


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  • Darlene63
    Darlene63 Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2020

    I am having the same problem. I have this hard knot that is where the lymph nodes were removed; no one I have talked about it is concerned. Just me. What about the numbness. My surgery was three months ago and my arm is still numb.

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited May 2020

    Darlene sorry that you're dealing with this and numbness in your arm. I hope you start feeling better and get some answers on your arm.

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited May 2020

    Ontarget I actually went in to see my BS and had an US done. Being home all this time and with no PT the area has gotten much thicker/lumpy so I freaked out a bit.

    Thankfully everything was fine! Just hard that every little thing will always worry us and make our minds go crazy!

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2020

    Wondering what everyone's experiences have been with the scar tissue issues? Same area is there and I feel like it's still bad. Does it get better or ever go away?

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited October 2020

    LiveLoveLaugh2020, My MO said to lightly massage the incision site after I get out of the shower every day. This has really helped, but I think it always is going to feel different. I also continue to stretch daily.

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2020

    Thanks for the response. My PT did that for months while seeing her and I do it as well. Haven’t had PT in months but hopefully if I continue it will help. I’m nine months out from exchange now so I’m guessing this is what it will be. Drives me a little crazy sometimes though, not just because it is uncomfortable but it makes my mind wander sometimes.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited October 2020

    Most of the time scar thickening is nothing, but you should mention it to your oncology team too. Best wishes!

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2020

    Thank you buttons. I saw my doctor and had an ultrasound a few months back for the same reason/area. It just drives me crazy sometimes and I was wondering if it gets better. Best wishes to you as well :)

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