Educated patients are aware of major problems that may occur after breast augmentation.  Patients know to look for excessive swelling that could represent bleeding, redness that could be infection, or firmness that could represent early capsular contracture. However, even the most educated patients don't know what to make of relatively common, but minor post-operative problems. These include: weird pains, numbness, noises, and thickening beneath the breast.

The most disturbing finding for patients after augmentation is to hear noises or sloshing coming from their breasts. Because these sounds may be transmitted through the woman's tissues, they may not be audible to others, making the patient feel crazy. These sounds come from air and fluid around the implant and are completely harmless, require no treatment, and usually resolve within a week or so.

Constant pain that slowly resolves after augmentation is what patients expect.  There are two other kinds of pain that concern patients.  One is pain over one's ribs that is due to "chondritis" or inflammation of the lining around a rib. This problem is self-limiting and responds to anti-inflammatory agents, like Aleve. Another common  pain is a stabbing sensation on the outer aspect of the breast that is very sharp and sudden and may occur months after surgery. These pains usually are located along the course of the nerves that supply breast.  While shocking, these symptoms usually decrease in frequency in months following surgery, and then resolve spontaneously.

Patients want their breasts to feel as normal as possible after their surgery.  However, every surgical procedure involves some loss of sensation, most of which is usually temporary. While of primary concern is nipple sensation, patients are frequently distressed by loss of sensation along the lower part of their breasts.  This is due to injury to small nerves in the skin, and the feeling in the breast will usually return to normal in a few months.

Undoubtedly the strangest consequence of breast augmentation is Mondor's Disease.  Patient's notice superficial, vertical bands beneath their breasts which are firm and somewhat tender. These bands represent clotting in superficial veins in the chest skin. These clots do not cause health problems and resolve with conservative care, like warm compresses and anti-inflammatory agents, like Motrin or Aleve.

Fortunately, most problems resolve in a few months after your surgery.  If you find these symptoms or others are increasing in frequency or severity, you should contact your plastic surgeon.