Puffy, sunburn feeling, TE's- does it get better?

AbbeyNormal

Hi everyone. I'm 3 weeks post surgery. I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders on 4/12/18.

3 of my 4 drains were removed last Thursday (5/2) and since then, the area around my incisions feel puffy. My TE's feel like they're getting tighter and tighter. I have yet to start getting filled. I'm hoping that happens this Friday (5/11) when this last drain comes out.

Overall, my entire body seems swollen. My PS told me to stay off the scale because retaining water is part of your body's healing process. Just not sure if it's lasted this long for anyone else.

I will say that I did have an infection and I'm on antibiotics. I see alot of mentions of your chest skin feeling like the worst sunburn you've ever had- I have that. Does it get easier after you start getting expanded?

bluepearl

I had the worse sunburn feeling under my arm......it was intense and scared me. It lasted 1.5 years and left so it is a nerve problem and you might eventually inquire about a nerve pain reliever. Many women's similar pain is gone within weeks or a few months. Mine was caused by the mastectomy only....why I decided to stay flat.

Lula73

many women get relief of that sunburn feeling (which is totally normal after mx by the way) using Vagisil cream. It’s active ingredient is 20% benzocaine which numbs the area it’s applied to so you no longer feel the pain. There is nothing in it that treats vaginal infections or anything so you don’t have to worry about that. The pain is usually caused by the cut nerves. Swelling/water retention after mxcan last out to 12 weeks or so.

Itiswell1976

It WILL get better, I promise! I agree with Lula73- Vagisil (although the texture is odd and doesn't have the greatest smell) works like a charm. Don't be discouraged if it does not work for a week or so, it will take some time.

When I mentioned this to the PS- he thought I was crazy

L8Blmr

Yes, it will get better. Drinking 60-80 ounces of water, tea a day will help flush the toxins and excess fluids from your body. Also, eat fruits (berries are the best), vegetables and low glycemic foods; stay away from inflammatory foods; all the whites: pasta, bread, rice, flour, sugar, etc. I use Aveeno moisturizing lotion on my chest after every shower and before bed. My expanders were a bear to live with especially after each chemo infusion (felt very swollen), but I kept telling myself this is temporary. The implants are much better, but only being 3 weeks out from exchange surgery, my chest is still tender and firing off zappers from damaged nerves. Try to rest as much as possible - it helps your body heal. Best of luck with your recovery.

AbbeyNormal

Great advice ladies, thanks!

Vagisil does work! Also, wow, I should be drinking ALOT more water!

Lula73

Update on the Vagisil—->

Use name brand or Walmart brand. I tried the Target brand and ended up with a weird smell and for lack of a better word, chunks of cream that wouldn’t spread/absorb and as I kept rubbing trying to get it to spread it balled up and fell off. Not good. I also saw the makers of Monistat have a spray with 20% benzocaine (again nothing that treats a yeast infection in it). It was pricier than the cream, and when I got it Home and went to use it for the first time it wouldn’t spray... I think they used a low quality aerosol spray mechanism. I’ll update if I ever get to try the spray. Until then Vagisil cream or Walmart’s Vagicaine.

Mariev

Hi Everyone:

It has been 1 year and 3 months for me. Had surgery, expander and implant. Itch and burn under bra line all away in the back area. Little bumps appear on my skin. I have tried, allergist, dermatologist, and now nerve pain center. Nothing is working. It is horrible, can't wear bras or hardly clothes. I am going to try a different nerve block and see what happens. Hope this gets better.

Marie