Pain with tissue expanders

Mary810 · March 2016

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced severe pain with the filling of the tissue expanders. I got my first fill last week of 150cc on each side. It was VERY uncomfortable but I managed. This week I got another fill and this time it was 200cc. I have been in so much pain since. My back, down my arm, and under my arm kept me up all night. I took 2 1/2 oxycodone pills and 8 Advil. It did not help. This morning I called my PS and asked for muscle relaxers. She gave me ibuprofen 800mg and Valium. Form reading other posts it seems that most fills are only around 50-125cc and that most have exercises or physical therapy. I'm wondering if I should ask for physical therapy. I get my next fill in 3 weeks but I have my first chemo right before getting the fill. I'm really nervous about getting chemo and being in pain from the fill. I plan on asking my PS to only put 50cc in. Thanks for any help

Peppin · March 2016

Dear Mary,

I needed to rush through the expansion because I needed to stretch the skin before radiotherapy and they would only put in 120ml in each side at a time and I'd go every week - and they said that was a lot. They normally only fill 60ml in one go. So they're definitely rushing it with you. Is there a reason for that? Could it be there is some miscommunication with the person filling them? I was in pain, normally for one night - not immediately after filling, it would start the night after.

Speak up for yourself - it is you who is suffering.

Take care.