When breast implants are placed in through an incision under the breast a woman may develop a soft tissue cord under the breast. There may be one larger cord or a web of smaller cords. They can be noticed more by the woman when she lifts her arm over her head. When she does this the cord will become tighter and stick out a bit more. The cords or webbing can extend onto the abdomen.
They usually occur within the first 2 weeks after a breast implant has been placed. One or both breasts may be affected. It is not known what they are or what causes them, but it has been suggested that the cord is localized inflamed tissues. Lidocaine used during the breast implant surgery has been noticed to increase the frequency and severity of the bands. The Mondor’s Bands may be tender. They can be alarming to the woman when they seem to occur out of nowhere and then can get a bit worse. The good news is that they are relatively rare and will subside on their own. They can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) and massaging the area to break up the cord. They can go away within a few days to a week or two. The bands are usually no more than an inconvenience and will have no long term problems.
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Disclaimer
This web site has been designed and created to assist in providing information about breast implants, and breast enhancement surgeries including breast augmentation. It is not meant to replace an informed consent document, or a visit with your plastic surgeon. This web site is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide medical advice.
