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Prolonged Discomfort in Right Breast After Mitral Valve Repair

Posted by saganjames @saganjames, Jan 25, 2023

About eight months ago I had a successful mitral valve repair, including an annuloplasty ring, and a left atrial appendage closure, using an Atriclip. However, I have continuing discomfort/tightness in my right breast, incision area. The discomfort is steady and about a 3 on a scale of 10. I am wondering if others may have had a similar situation and what therapy may have helped.

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Teri | @tsc | Jan 26, 2023

Hi @saganjames, I had the same surgery close to four years ago, with the same hardware, but I have not experienced pain or tigtness in the incision area. Have you asked your surgeon or staff how to treat this?

When I had my surgery, the Physician's Assistant told me to regularly do the chest stretch where you clasp your hands together behind your back and below your waist or "the incision will pull everything forward." If you haven't done this, it would be best to start very gently. Also, I'm wondering if gentle massage with a lubricant/moisturizer and gentle heat, like an infrared lamp or heating pad, would help.
These are things I would try, if I were experiencing what you are, but I'm not a doctor. So best I think to check back in with your surgeon first. Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
saganjames | @saganjames | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @tsc "Hi @saganjames, I had the same surgery close to four years ago, with the same hardware,..." + (show)
@tsc

Hi @saganjames, I had the same surgery close to four years ago, with the same hardware, but I have not experienced pain or tigtness in the incision area. Have you asked your surgeon or staff how to treat this?

When I had my surgery, the Physician's Assistant told me to regularly do the chest stretch where you clasp your hands together behind your back and below your waist or "the incision will pull everything forward." If you haven't done this, it would be best to start very gently. Also, I'm wondering if gentle massage with a lubricant/moisturizer and gentle heat, like an infrared lamp or heating pad, would help.
These are things I would try, if I were experiencing what you are, but I'm not a doctor. So best I think to check back in with your surgeon first. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your kind, detailed, and helpful information. I will be discussing your suggestions with my surgeon and go from there. I would bet that what you have suggested will help me a lot. I'm very grateful. Have a wonderful day.

REPLY
1 reply
Teri | @tsc | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @saganjames "Thank you so much for your kind, detailed, and helpful information. I will be discussing your..." + (show)
@saganjames

Thank you so much for your kind, detailed, and helpful information. I will be discussing your suggestions with my surgeon and go from there. I would bet that what you have suggested will help me a lot. I'm very grateful. Have a wonderful day.

Jump to this post

You're welcome. There are special scar creams on the market. I always found Vitamin E to be helpful by snipping the end off a capsule and applying it directly to the skin. I look forward to you posting about how it goes and hope you get some relief soon.

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