Muscle healing can cause mild soreness.
Patients undergoing breast augmentation surgery typically research different options and choose the “submuscular” (beneath the muscle) placement because of its superior long-term benefits. The submuscular placement creates a natural breast with a smooth curve of the chest, lowers the chances of capsular contracture, and offers better tissue coverage. On the other hand, this result has also a downside that is well known among the patients – a more difficult post-surgery healing.
Patients often wonder if the muscle hurts during healing. The real answer is yes, usually the discomfort is greater than when the implant is placed over the muscle. Though, calling it simply ‘pain’ is not quite right. It fits better to say that you will be experiencing heavy pressure, tightness, and muscle fatigue. Learning the reasons of why it is painful will demystify the process. Lin Europe Clinic is a place where we believe in the power of truth and only through the full transparency, we can help you to face the “muscle stage” of your transformation with a strong mind.
The Anatomy of the Stretch: Why It Hurts
In order to figure out the discomfort, close your eyes for a moment and just “see” your chest anatomy. The pectoralis major is a tight and powerful muscle that is firmly attached to your ribs. During the surgery, the surgeon elevates the muscle to make a pocket and then places the implant beneath it.
Right after the implant has been made, the muscle changes its shape forcefully. It cannot be flattened anymore as it has to cover a soft silicone mound and it is stretched to the maximum. This newly found deeply somatic ache is compared to the feelings of doing five hundred push-ups without preparation. The muscle gets tired from being stretched and is also shocked by the cutting done to it during surgery. This “controlled injury” sets the origin for the operation of the natural result–the healing process, that, counter to the patient’s comfort, is the key to a natural result.
The “Elephant on the Chest” Phenomenon
One of the first alarming complaints that we receive during the first 72 hours is the sensation of being heavily compressed. Patients often express it very emotionally: “It seems like an elephant is sitting on my chest,” or “An iron corset is on me.”
This feeling refers to muscle tightness. As the pectoral muscles are wrapping around the ribs, when they get swollen and tight, they do not let the chest expand. When you want to inhale your lungs deeply, you feel that there is something that stops you. It is very important to remember that the lungs are normal; it is only the muscles that are limiting the movement. This feeling of wearing a “metal corset” refers to the muscle’s ability to secure the implant in its place, so it is considered a good sign.
The Role of Muscle Spasms (The “Zingers”)
Besides the continuous dull pain, the recovery period is accompanied by another factor: muscle spasms. In simple terms, zingers are one of the most common ways the body communicates pain. This happens when the muscle is guarding itself tightly, and the very sharp contractions get the bargaining power momentarily.
Spasms are most of the time during the morning as well as when you do an arm motion by accident. Because of this, muscle relaxants have become a part of the standard post-operative prescription at Lin Europe Clinic. Muscle relaxants help in preventing the muscle from contracting thus allowing the patient to stay comfortable while painkillers alleviate the ache only.
The “T-Rex” Phase and Daily Limitations
Recovery of the chest muscle shows how active first two weeks will be. That is why it is called the ‘T-Rex phase’. Since the engagement of pectoral muscles is painful, your elbows will be ‘tied’ to your torso automatically.
Opening a heavy door, washing your hair or pushing yourself out of bed become an uphill task in the absence of pectoral muscle strength. This restriction is an extremely important safety measure. By keeping your arms in the limited range, lateral displacement is prevented. The pocket needs to be healed in due time; if the arms are used too forcefully, the implant can be pushed out of its place. Basically, the T-Rex way of living is a way of protecting your investment.
The Healing Timeline: The Drop and Fluff
Also, the pain is related to the final aesthetic outcome. At first, the implants are held up by the tight muscle. On the other hand, when the pain diminishes during the muscle healing, the implants also settle down.
- Days 1-5: The tightness latest the longest. The feeling of the “elephant” is the most severe.
- Days 7-14: The sharp spasms die down to a dull ache. The range of motion gets better.
- Weeks 4-8: The muscle lets the implant go slowly as the implant settles to the bottom pole of the breast (the “drop”).
- Months 3-6: The tissue softens (“fluff”) as the muscle becomes fully adapted.
Breast Implants in Turkey
And since the submuscular recovery is a very complicated matter, one more reason is to have an expert care. That is why Lin Europe Clinic that is located in Istanbul, Turkey has been chosen by a lot of women to have their procedure done. The Republic of Turkey has earned a leading position in the global market of aesthetic medicine due to the surgical refined techniques that ensure minimization of damage to the patient.
At Lin Europe Clinic, Istanbul, a number of different precise Dual Plane techniques are used by our doctors. It is basically a surgical approach whereby the surgeon can decide how much of the muscle is to be released depending on the patient’s molecule so that the implant is fully covered without overdoing the damage. Our philosophy of ‘all under one roof’ means that you can recover in a luxury environment with 24/7 access to medical staff. So, selecting Turkey as your place of transformation is not only a choice of a top-notch medical care but the embodiment of the rare human touch as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muscle Recovery
Superior spasms and tension generally last from 5 to 7 days. After two weeks, the severe pain turns into a very slight pain which will completely disappear as the muscle lengthens.
The majority of patients report feeling a heavy pressure or discomfort rather than stabbing pain, which they compare to an extreme chest workout. The first couple of days are the toughest but the pain is under control thanks to prescription painkillers and muscle relaxants.
Since the muscle isn’t supporting them, over-the-muscle (subglandular) implants settle way faster, usually in 4 to 6 weeks. They have a faster “drop and fluff” phase than submuscular implants.
If your discomfort and inflammation go down day by day and your wounds stay clean and dry, you are on the right track. Getting your energy back and having less “tight” sensation are only some of the signs that your body is healing.
Yes, in general, recovery will be faster and much less painful as the pectoral muscle is not cut or stretched. Over-the-muscle implant patients are typically the first to regain their range of motion and to return to their daily routine.
Adams, W. P. (2008). The process of breast augmentation: Four phases of care. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Spear, S. L. (2010). Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Tebbetts, J. B. (2001). Dual plane breast augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
