Other women - breast/boob tugging at site? need advice :(

I'm a 26-year-old female who's had a pacemaker since age 15. Since about 18 I've had 36C/34D breasts, which I was quite happy with. When I got my second implant a few years ago, at age 23, I noticed that it was more painful trying to heal with a heavier breast, but it got better when I healed. Occasionally I'd have discomfort with the pacemaker site but it was rare that I'd notice - until recently.

About 4 months ago I quickly gained and then quickly lost about 8-10 pounds, and when the pounds came off, my breasts changed. They are by most accounts still great, but I'm suddenly VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. Not only are they shaped/feel completely different, which I'm sure many women have gone through, but the left one (slightly bigger than the right, just to make things more annoying) will tug at my pacemaker site, and I absolutely hate it.

It's uncomfortable - at times, nearly painful. I'm the kind of person who wears a bra all the time (even to bed, usually a bralette) and while that was never because of the pacemaker before, I now find myself wearing very restrictive sports bras to try and keep my breast in place. I often sleep on my right side, and just now, for example, I was on the phone in that position and felt so, so uncomfortable. I even feel it in the shower when I'm (obviously) not wearing a bra - I'm super conscious of the discomfort whenever my breast moves, like when I'm leaning forward to shave my legs.

1. Has anyone experienced this? I don't often feel alone or different because of my pacemaker, but this specific problem is one of those very weird things that most of my 20-something friends couldn't possibly understand or commiserate with me about, and I'm feeling strangely alone because of that.

2. Does anyone know about breast lifts during pacemaker surgery? Or before the next surgery? I'm not expecting to need another one for 6 more years (when I'll be 32-33, possibly it'll be even later) but I heard that sometimes they call in a plastic surgeon to fix the scar site - is that true? Has anyone ever asked about performing a breast lift at the same time, while I'm already under anesthesia?

3. Has anyone tried to have their pacemaker moved to another site? Is that even a possibility?Was it worth it? Are there better options?

I always say that this is just a card I was dealt, and as far as cards go, it's actually not that bad. Having to wear a sports bra to bed or feel uncomfortable when I'm braless is hardly the end of the world, but, nevertheless, I'm hoping someone on here has some advice or information that will help. Sorry for the novel - thanks in advance.

2 Comments

positioning

by Tracey_E - 2016-10-09 09:16:48

I want to start by saying I love your attitude! We didn't get the best card, but we didn't get the worst either. We are rare but not alone. 

I'm about the same size as you and have been through 5 devices, all either under the breast or under the pectoral. Three of my surgeries were done by a plastic surgeon. The first because I was young and underweight so they went in from the side buried it under the breast, that was in 1994 when alternate placements were virtually unheard of so they were basically making it up as they went along. Initial healing wasn't fun but was pretty darned comfortable there for years. When I got #4, I also needed a new lead and the scar tissue had gotten uncomfortable, it ached and pulled. I didn't want to move it so the plastic surgeon rebuilt the pocket. They moved it this last time, higher and closer to my armpit and it's not nearly as comfortable. I'm trying to to give it more time and hoping it settles in better because while it's annoying, I don't feel like it's bad enough to justify another surgery to move it. Of course, that's not what I'm thinking at 2am when I can't sleep on my side because it aches. I haven't decided what to do.

If it's bothering you and you have a lot of battery life left, you might want to consult with a plastic surgeon and see what they have to say about repositioning and/or a lift. I will warn you that breasts change and shift as we age, that's perfectly normal. I went from underweight to a good weight to need to lose some, I had two pregnancies and nursed both babies, plus I'm 20+ years older now. Dropping and changing shape happens, and if we're not flat chested, the day will come for all of us when we're more comfortable in a bra. I'm more inclined to save the surgeries for things that aren't optional, but that's just me. A plastic surgeon can tell you how much is pacer, how much can be fixed with a lift, and how much is aging that's not worth fighting. 

Last thought, sudden shape changes should be checked out. Have you had a mammo? It's more than likely weight changes and the hunk of titanium in there, but you'll want to rule out anything else. 

I love this site : )

by IAN MC - 2016-10-09 13:15:16

So much to learn !   I hope that Donald Trump never gets a PM ; some of your posts may switch him into predator mode.

Ian

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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