Pain in only one side after fill. Should I be concerned?

AnaMaria34

Hi All,

I had my first fill of 50 cc's for my under the muscle tissue expanders a few days ago. One side is barely noticeable, but the other side has me almost in tears from pain. Is this normal? Has this happened to anyone else? What could cause such a dramatic difference? I called the nurse who did the fill and she said maybe one of my pectoral muscles was weaker than the other...I guess that's possible, but SO MUCH WEAKER that the pain would be like night and day?! I'm not buying it. Has this been anyone else's experience?

LisaAlissa

Note that I haven't had tissue expanders, but have dealt with muscle imbalances and back braces...

Do you play golf? or softball, or bowl? Anything where you've exercised one side of your body more than the other. Carried a child always on one side? Heavy trays on the same side? Carryied a heavy bag always with the same arm/shoulder? You get the idea...there are lots of ways to build up muscles asymectrically.

Muscles object (with pain) when you force them into an "unususal-to-the-muscle" position. Which is what the tissue expander is intended to do. That stronger muscle is going to object to the expansion more than the weak one. I can say that objecting muscles (when forced into a position they don't want to be in) will object by being very, very sore. And the often stay that way for 7-10 days.

I don't know if ice can be used for sore pec muscles for expansion, but if it can, I know that the icing can help you sleep.

Best wishes,

LisaAlissa

melmcbee

Ask for smaller fills. I dont remember what the normal amout is. I originally thought 50 wasnt that much. But my chemo brain wont let me remember. I do remember having a lot if pain on my cancer and alnd side. Both sides would feel tight but i eneded up having a broken rib on cancer side. Good luck with the

AnaMaria34

Thank you Lisa and Mel. Wow, a broken rib!? How did that happen? That sounds awful. I'm pretty certain my pain is in my pectoral muscle. I thought about my physical activity and can't think of anything that would cause the imbalance. I don't exercise, participate in sports, or carry anything/anyone regularly. My cancer side (no nipple-less skin) feels fine. My prophylactic side, which is on my non-dominant side (kept nipple) hurts more than it did just post surgery. I tried ice and almost immediately stopped as it started causing the muscle to tighten and spasm even more. Heat helps minimally. I have muscle relaxers that help but I can't take them during the day. Anyway, I'm not so much complaining about the pain (even though it's more than I was prepared for), I'm more wondering what might be causing the imbalance. An infection? A seroma? A trauma that occurred in the OR? Should I expect this for every fill? Thanks ladies!

melmcbee

I hated getting my fills. I had severe nerve pain from the cracked rib which was caused by coughing. I took the larger fills because i had to drive 1.5 hours to get them. If I had to do it again I would take my time with smaller fills. Did I say that I hated it. But the fills caused tightness like you could imagine it was a balool about to pop. Most of my friends on this thread 5 years ago Did Not have problems like I did. Just know you can take it slower. Praying for you