Fibromyalgia sufferers are in constant pain.
For fibromyalgia sufferers, even the thought of having breast implants could be painful. Fibromyalgia is characterized with widespread pain throughout the body and an increased amount of pain receptors that are overly sensitive. That means that fibromyalgia sufferers are in constant pain. Any added physical or emotional stress only increases the intensity. (See References 1)
Fibromyalgia Issues
While everyone with fibromyalgia has pain, the location of pain sensitivity can vary from patient to patient. According to the Fibrocenter, a website where people can learn about Fibromyalgia, the pain can be in different areas at the same time, or it can move around and change from day to day. Some people may have greater discomfort in the chest, arms and back. Others may experience the most pain in the hips, legs and feet. Dealing with breast augmentation could be extremely difficult for a fibromyalgia patient who already has sharp or radiating pain in the chest area before surgery.
Surgical Procedure
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure.
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, but even the simplest surgery is an ordeal for fibromyalgia patients. The anesthesia alone may leave them feeling exhausted for days. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that saline implants require a smaller incision than silicone gel implants. However, any incisions can result in intense pain for fibromyalgia sufferers, because according to the Mayo Clinic, "the brain and spinal cord process pain signals differently; they react more strongly to touch and pressure, with a heightened sensitivity to pain." And, even if the surgeon decides to place the implants on top of the muscle instead of beneath it, the weight of the implants against the skin could be more painful than making a deeper incision and letting the muscle support the implant. There is no way to predict how the end result will feel for someone with this condition.
Recovery
While it is important to get up and move around and most patients can usually go back to work within a few days of breast augmentation surgery, total recovery takes a month or two.
Fibromyalgia sufferers will not be able to go back to work as quickly because their bodies take longer to get over surgery. During the first week or so, the chest area will be sensitive and sore, with possible tightness and itching. Swelling and bruising are also common.
Since pain is already present for people with fibromyalgia, the level of pain will intensify and last longer. Swelling can cause pain for them that others might only feel as discomfort, and they will be sore for a longer period of time.
Complications
Excess scar tissue squeezing the implant can result in breasts that look hard and round.
Even for people without fibromyalgia, breast pain and hardness can be side effects that never go away. Also, there may be problems with the nipple area feeling numb. Fibromyalgia patients can experience pain even before the surgery to such a degree that it feels as though their breasts are being torn. Deeper pain would be difficult for them to tolerate.
The scar tissue that develops around the implant could also add discomfort. Even greater complications and pain can occur when it grows in such a way that it squeezes too tightly on the implant, and surgery to repair the problem may not be effective. This can result in breasts that look hard and round. There is also the possibility of infection or the implant rupturing, especially when getting a mammogram.
Developing Fibromyalgia after Breast Implants
Some women have developed fibromyalgia after having breast implants rupture. A 2001 study performed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration involving 344 women with silicone gel implants found that the likelihood of this happening was 2.8 times greater if the gel had leaked outside the encapsulating scar tissue. However, the study could not differentiate women who developed fibromyalgia before the implant surgery from those who developed it later.
Pain Management and Other Concerns
Fibromyalgia patients need special care, whether breast implants are done for augmentation or reconstruction purposes. They can talk to their doctors before surgery about pain management, or work with a pain clinic. Home health care can also be made available for help during the recovery period. The aides can provide baths, physical therapy, assistance with housework and even run errands if needed. Plus a nurse can provide in home medical check-ups. Or, if it's affordable, they can be released to a licensed recovery facility or hotel or spa where licensed health care people can monitor their recovery around the clock, then use home health care when they are released.
Tags: before surgery, health care, scar tissue, augmentation surgical, augmentation surgical procedure, back work
