Question for anyone who has had Open heart surgery

[Sally_Scott]

A month ago I had OHS and went straight into Afib. 

I have had a pacemaker inserted 2 years ago. 

I had a cardioversion yesterday and I feel like I’ve gone back to week one with the pain on my right boob.

I want to know from anyone who’s had this surgery if their breasts were soooo sore. I do have big boobs so not sure if this is why. I feel like I have gone back to day one with the pain. I’ve got small red mark from where the cardioversion was. I appreciate that everything has to knit back together but the pain on my right boob is sooo bad. Has anyone else had this and if so how long did it last for?

[Hidden]

I had open heart surgery 2 and a half years ago for a straightforward aortic valve replacement. No other treatment Several months after my surgery I started to get severe pain in the right breast. Not all the time, after certain movements. I still have that pain. It feels muscular and have wondered if there was injury to the muscle during the op.

[Sally_Scott in reply to Hidden]

so has anyone investigated your pain? Have u had X-ray on ribs or chest? Blimey I hope my pain doesn’t continue like yours has.

[Hidden in reply to Sally_Scott]

Haven't had any investigation of that pain but because I've been diagnosed with early stage lung cancer I've had several CTscans and a pet scan and nothing rlse untoward has shown. It's not constant pain and as I mentioned before I think it's muscular.

[Heartstogether]

Hi, I had OHS 4 months ago at Papworth, had a pacemaker 3 weeks before that, at Ipswich Hospital, went into severe AF 24 hrs after OHS and needed cardioversion to correct. Also have large breasts and have had very sore breasts, right one particularly, so tender I could not tolerate shower spray on them. They very gradually improved and I am pleased to report that there is now only occasional tenderness in right breast. It has taken more than 3 months for them to really feel more normal. Hang in there it will improve, all the best for your continued recovery. Sue

[Sally_Scott in reply to Heartstogether]

thank u Sue so much for yr reply. I thought I was going mad and they had moved my heart over to the right.

Since cardioversion on Monday my right boob is like being 1 day after OHS. I guess when u think about it, the shock must jolt your whole body let alone the muscles around the boob. I was beginning to think they had broken a rib !

It sounds like you’re my twin Sue with identical ops etc and pain. I’m supposed to be flying out to Portugal on 20 April with some friends so hope I’m better by then! X

[XmasEve24]

I had double by pass 7 years ago and am a busty girl. And yes I did have pain and numbness for months afterwards. My surgeon put me on some sort of strap thing around my chest immediately post surgery which stopped my boobs pulling against my scar. I wore it for months afterwards 24/7 and wore a loose fitting cotton bra in bed for ages after that. Another lady in my rehab class under a different surgeon was not given this chest support afterwards and was complaining of a lot of pain with her heavy bosom pulling against her sore chest. And I’ve people talk of more pain from their leg scars but noticed they’re flat chested. So I believe that us more endowed girls suffer a bit more. Hope this is helpful and good luck☺️

[TMeditation]

I’m afraid right boob pain can be a real feature for us ladies with OHS. My surgeon told me it is because of the action required during surgery that pushes the right side around. Mine was unbearable for some months and in fact I even found my 3 yearly mammogram unbearable when it came to my right breast X-ray. It does improve though and eventually becomes less tender. Believe me I share your pain but stay positive, you will soon see improvements, it’s really not been very long since your OHS. 🙏Sue