It's not what I would consider painful, more like uncomfortable, like something with a sharp edge is constantly poking me. I think it's because the strap basically compresses the skin and the nerves over the edge of the plate. Also calling mine a "plate" is a little misleading I guess. It's more like one of those metal straps with a bunch of holes for nails that they use to hold things together in construction. It's not remotely a solid piece, more like a series of rings, so consequently it is very lumpy, which doesn't help with the straps.
g, did you lose any sensation in your skin below the incision? My doc said that the nerves for that area actually come up and across the shoulder from the back, and the incision along the collarbone severs them. They eventually grow back, but I still don't have 100% full sensation.
my skin and collar bone is still sensitive. It's uncomfortable to put a seat belt across it and I tend to avoid touching it as well, which is to say I'm not sure about the sensations. bother. I hope having a pack on isn't too aggravating.