Expander Pain

SimoneJ

Expander Pain

SimoneJ

Okay, I had a bi laterial mast done on 1/30/09 with expanders put in. I had my 1st fill in last Wednesday and I still have alot of pain in my chest. I can feel every inch of the expander and it hurts, Is this normal?  I am also still sleeping in my recliner, I try to get in the bed but my chest just feels so tight. Has anyone had this problem and if so, how long before I feel better.

pmellon

Hi SimoneJ - I had bi-lat w/expanders on 2/9 and am still in a fair amount of pain.  I haven't yet had my first fill, and won't for another 2 weeks.  I can't even imagine having a fill at this point.  I am sleeping in my bed -- not easy to lay down and not easy to get back up.  I think it gets a little better every day though.  Sorry I don't have the answer you are looking for, I just assume I'm on track and it takes time to heal.  Good luck.

kjbell

I had my expander placed 11-4, and it was probably a good two months before I "stopped feeling" it.  Day by day it got easier.  Going to a physical therapist helped alot too.  The pt showed me how to stretch to help loosen everything up.  Personally, going to see her was the best thing I did.  4 months later, I don't even feel the thing anymore, which I had named the cement frisbee. 

my2boys

I think that the further you are away from the bi-lat surgery, the easier it gets.  I had my mastectomy in September and the expanders were VERY painful for the first few fills.  Now that they are almost all filled up, they are not really painful at all and the fills are easier to tolerate.  I think that you will probably feel better once your body heals some more from the bi-lat surgery.

Good luck to you.

Janzin

I had my expander put in the same day of my mast. last Jan 21st. They were able to fill it to a size C the first try. I was popping 2 extra strength vics at a time the first couple of weeks! The first month was painful which got better every week. Then it was just an occasional pain if I over did it with activities or on fill days. Now it doesn't bother me at all. I can sleep on both sides with my very long pillow that I bought at costco for $13.  I tuck that pillow close to my expander to support it and has saved my life!!! Just had my last fill and get new boobs in a couple of weeks. Guess my skin stretched easliy.

The pain is different for everyone but it will get better. You can also try adding less on your fill days. Talk to your Dr about your pain and get meds if need be.

Hope you feel better soon!

jennyr

Hi all.  The pain I've had with expanders has totally surprised me. Had bilateral mastec. 8/16/08 and waited to go with expanders. Had expanders in Feb 26.  Am only 12 days out but still lots of pain.  Last night first night I slept through. Finally able to sleep on my side.  How come no one prepared me for this?  Feels like someone's jamming their thumbs into my chest.  Feels so tight.  Hubby sort of acts like I should be 'all better'. Am back to housework, etc.. but feel a way away from exercising/being 'norma'., etc.. Am pretty freaked about getting a first fill.  I sort of feel like the initial expander operation was sort of pushed aside as being easy.  I've found it to be more painful than bilateral.  When does it get better?  And, am I justified in telling hubby 'hey.. this thing still  hurts!!'

mbscruggs

You are me!  I had mine put in last Monday (3/2) and am still definitely feeling it (just have one).  I scrubbed my kitchen floor this morning and am feeling itAre you taking any motrin or pain meds?  today is the first day I haven't taken anything, so I will see how I do throughout the day.  My husband, also, acts as if I should be all better now.  Though, he did acknowledge, this morning, that that it feels really hard....duh

jennyr

hey mbscruggs... I've really tried weaning myself off the Vicodin in the last 4-5 days.  In the first week I was blasting through it (actually went through my first rx waaay faster than supposed to).  Definitely have noticed that doing usual housework (loading/unloading dishwasher, laundry... hauling groceries...) I am wimped out.  Tire easily.  Still taking a Vicodin at night to sleep but getting by on NSAIDs during day.  They don't work nearly as well but I can have more active day.  Went off this a.m. without anything (meds) in system... Within 4 hrs wanted to come home, take a Vicodin and just chill on my bed with laptop (here I am:).  It'll get better, just am a tad PO'd that this operation was treated so lightly.  So far, through cancer, have been an like an Amazon.  Now I feel like a wuss because I feel this procedure was dismissed as 'easy'.  Uh, not!

jennyr

haha.  expanders sort of feel like the 'alien'... like it wants to burst out of my chest (tee hee).  Not a good visual.  Just really tight and, yes, hard!!)

mbscruggs

I understand exactly what you are saying...and you know what really took me by surprise?  The amount of time the expander would be in.  Guess it shouldn't have surprised me though.  I am thankful I did it delayed.  Cannot imagine how it would feel, on top of a mast.  Hang in there

SimoneJ

Thanks for all the response, I had my 3rd fill in Wednesday he was putting 60 cc in weekly but this week I got brave and had him put in 90 cc. It hurt so bad I hit the doctor, I have a great PS and he didn't mind. My expanders are much better now, they still hurt a little.

mbscruggs

Simone,

I feel and look alittle bruised underneath my breast that has the expander.  Is that normal?  I had mine put in on 3/2, so almost 2 weeks ago.

Glad things are going well for you.  Did you leave the 90 in?

Mary Beth

SimoneJ

Mary Beth, Yes that is normal. when they put in the expander parts of it is folded and you may be feeling the fold, once they start feeling the expander it gets better, yes I did leave the 90 in and I feel alot better today.

Simone