continued Tissue expander pain!!

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited October 2008

    Great idea abinneb with the fridge cold pack!  I would have used that instead of the ice pack if I had thought about ti.  Also if you use a traditional ice pack - make sure you put a cloth between your skin and the ice pack.

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  • abinneb
    abinneb Member Posts: 550
    edited October 2008

    Thanks!  - actually my DH came up with using it cold instead of frozen. 

    Same precautions with a heating pad; though most come with a cloth cover, be very careful about keeping some kind of barrier, like a cloth between it and your skin. Some can get very hot and be dangerous if you fall asleep with it on.  If you aren't very careful you could get a burn and not even be aware of it.   Auto shutoff and variable heat settings are good things to look for.

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  • milli
    milli Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2008

    Hi ladies

     I have had pain with my tissue expanders all day everyday so far.  (Bi-lat mastectomy on Sept 30 with expanders, my PS filled 100 cc at the time of surgery). I agree that the muscle relaxer does work (the 5 mg put me to sleep so I switched to 2mg every 3 hours and take it all day, every day) and still take Darvacet to sleep.  I think, though, that in the early stages the actual expander hurts.  I could feel the corners poking me from the inside and that got better with every fill (I have had 3 fills so far.  Once a week, only 40cc's at a time)  As far as the stretching goes my PS said heat helps better to relax the muscle (like any pulled muscle).  Be careful and dont put the heat directly over the port, as the metal can heat up very fast and burn you from the inside!   My PS also recommends keeping up on your ibuprophen as in 800 mg every 8 hours.  It is easier to control pain if you do it before it gets to bad.  

    For me, I am hoping this is all worth it in the end.  I have always has small breasts and would like at least a full B out of this.  Its just up to me, how much pain I can endure.  I dont regret it as I wont worry about breast cancer now or have to go through what my mother did, neither will my children have to watch me go through it like I did with my mother.  Hang in there.  You are doing the right thing.

    Milli 

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited October 2008

    Milli - Sorry you have had daily pain.  Hope it gets better for you.  You are not that far out from the bilat.  It took about 6 weeks before I got thru the pain of that.  It should get better with time and mild stretching.  After the 6 week mark - I did very well.  Fills did not get uncomfortable for me until the last two (I have 5 total after the initial fill with surgery).  I too was small breasted and wanted to go a bit larger.  I went from a nearly A to a nice C cup.  I started out just wanting a B cup but must have gotten boob greed!  I actually like how I looked with later fills so was very please that I ended up with a nice C. 

    You childern are learning alot from watching you....You can be a great role model on how to handle crisis with attitude and poise.

    Take care!

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  • Jeansbeans
    Jeansbeans Member Posts: 175
    edited October 2008

    Hello everyone, Just had my last fill on Friday, and am now close to 600cc's as I wanted a little more give to my skin after the implants are placed, and I must say, I am very satisfied with the results so far and so is my DH!!!!He actually looked at me last night and said " WELL, H E L L L O O OO there CASE # 12" !!!!  { we watch DEAL OR NO DEAL faithfully, and try to guess who is real or fake!  LOL} It seems good to laugh and joke about things now, I guess we all need a little humor through this. I have my exchange date for Feb. 4th, 2009!!!!  YEA!  Can't wait. and i know the months will fly by!   MILLI, your discomfort and pain you are having is one we all know, It should get better 4-6 weeks after surgery.  The smaller amount of fills you have will make it more bearable. I had 30-50-cc's at each fill and it was not bad at all.  I wish you all   well, Gentle hugs to all. Jeanie

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  • Jeansbeans
    Jeansbeans Member Posts: 175
    edited October 2008

    Hi Jeanne!  Congrats on your exchange!  How did it go?  How long for your recovery?  We are all counting down the months till our exchange.  Mine will take place Feb 4th!  last fill on  Friday.  Can't wait.  I hope you are doing well.  The journey is almost at it's end for you.  Come back and visit us .  Gentle hugs, Jeanie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    I love this thread.  I have been so greatly encouraged!   I have a couple of questions: 

    1.  WHat time frame have most of you ladies been told that you will wait, from the time of your last fill, until the time of your exchange?  My PS said I will only wait 4-6 weeks from  my last fill until swap out.  I've heard some women say their doc has them wait 3-6 months?  I was curious what time frame most of your PS's have told you that you will wait from last fill to permanent?   

    Also, I'm at 300cc's which for me is a solid C cup, which is where I want to end up with permanents. I've been going weekly for 75cc fills, so I should only have two more fills left -- my PS said he needs to expand me 150cc more on each side to allow for room for the permanents.  My skin is so tight, I wonder how it will take more?  Has anyone had trouble with stretch marks?  Will the skin just indefinitely keep stretching?  I really would like to end up with a C cup, and want to be able to tolerate the final 150cc's on each side.

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited October 2008

    OnEaglesWings - My PS also said 4-6 weeks from last fill to exchange.  I waited 10 weeks due to vacations and scheduling the OR room.  After about 2 weeks from last fill - the discomfort stopped.  I was even able to sleep on my stomach for short durations.    No stretch marks,  My PS told me to let him know when I was where I like the look.  The visit after the last fill - he told me I was done - he said my skin was getting pretty thin.  I am 5'7" and 125-130 lbs with a small frame and a bra band width of 34.  I was filled to 505cc's and he took several sizes of implants into the OR.  He used 460cc Natrille moderate profile implants.  I am an nice C cup with nice projection and the feel very natural.  BTW- for me the exchange surgery was a breeze!  No pain meds after leaving the outpatient surgical facility and no pain or discomfort.  

    Good luck to all in the expansion process - it is a short term inconvenience for what I hope is a positive and loved result. 

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  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited October 2008

    Sue,

    I have a previously (23 years) rad side and a prohylactic side.  Rad side filled to 340cc and prophy side to 320cc.  I was an almost B and wanted a full B to small C cup.  I bought a C cup soft Warners bra (no underwire) and my expanders fit it real good so I told my PS that was the size I wanted to be.  Had my exchange on Oct 20th and he put 375cc silicone HP round implant in the rad side and 350 cc in the prophy side.  The Warner bra fits perfect.  So I am happy.  We waited 4 1/2 months to exchange.  I am 5'2" tall and weigh 108lbs.  Small boned and narrow chest. 34 inch band.  The amount of CC's is different for just about everyone.  And PS are different in the amount of time they wait for the exchange.  No set rule.  At exchange my PS had to do some pocket work and on the prophy side he did more than on the rad side.  It has had some pain but not enough to take pain meds. 

    God bless you

    Linda

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  • milli
    milli Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2008

    My PS told me it was 3 months from surgery date to surgery date.  She didnt suggest a waiting time between last fill and exchange surgery...which I thought was odd but, what can I say?  I didnt have any radiation or chemo, though, so that may be a consideration.   

     Sbmolee- thanks for that post.  I am 5'7" and 127 ibs and I wondered how much I would need to get to a small C.  I have a good reference point now.  (I am only 210 cc's in and fill about 40 cc's each week).  

     PTL, I am in less pain than last week.  I use my heating pad for sore and stretched muscles and I think that I may make it.  

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited October 2008
    milli - glad your PS gave you a timeframe.  From this website - I have found PS's differ so much in time.   You and I sound similar in build/frame. I am very please with the size and projection.  Was GREAT to go into stores and ask for a 34C Laughing  could not quit smiling!!
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  • CAZ
    CAZ Member Posts: 678
    edited October 2008

    My PS said 8-10 weeks between last fill and exchange.    The skin did get thin and shiny once I hit about 400cc.  My last fill took me to 480 a few weeks ago, and the skin has looked better over time.  We're planning on 400-450cc at exchange Nov 14.

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  • KathyESP
    KathyESP Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2008

    Hi Milli,

    I had my bi-lat mastectomy on Sept.15th, after having chemotherapy for five months. I have been in constant pain.......except for when I am asleep. I take ambien to sleep. My skin is so tight and shiny ....And, it looks bruised.

    THIS FRIDAY, I begin 5 weeks of radiation on the right breast (the one with the cancer.) This is going to take place during the time that I have my expanders in place. My fills were 100cc in each expander two times. I now have 500cc's in each. I will also be getting radiation on the side where my lymph nodes were removed.

    I was just wondering if anyone else is going through radiation during reconstruction with expanders. I don't know for sure what kind of side effects that I may have. I'm so afraid of even more pain that I am really stressed out.

     Kathyesp

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  • jktd
    jktd Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2008

    Hi Jeanie-

    The actual surgery took 4 hours. No drains. I had the exchange on the right and lift on the left.I can't tell the difference between the two-except the exchange one has no nippleSmile Everything is so soft!  My PS actually started on the lift side so that when he went to the exchange side he could tell exactly what size of implant I needed. I didn't want to be any smaller then my real breast. I can't feel a thing on the exchange side and the lift side has muscle spasms at times. I take a percocet at bedtime. Just an FYI:The one thing I did learn through all this is there is alot of "contouring" the PS can do during surgery that the insurance company covers because it has to do with the reconstruction. So I asked if he could Lipo out the little fat pads in the corners of my arms and then go around the corners and Lipo the fat from the area that can stick out at the back of your bra. He did it and it looks great. It's amazing what they can do under the "reconstruction" diagnosis.

    Good Luck with everything. My prayers are with you.

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  • latticelady03
    latticelady03 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2008

    Hi,

    Just an update four weeks post surgery with the expanders.  I am filled to the max, (800cc's).  That sounds unbelievable, but they really aren't that big, just good size.  I have heard many women wish that they had gone bigger.  If you are going through all that trouble, may as well make it worth the while.  This makes me a 38D.  The doc keeps telling me to massage them to help create the form I want (teardrop, but with an upward tilt).  I am not experiencing any pain.  That was only the first two weeks.  My doctor is great.  He is also encouraging me to exercise and watch the scale.  The exercise is mostly for beefing up the blood circulation for the breast work and the tummy tuck surgery.  I listen to him because I know he is the expert.  Hope all of you out there are quickly on the mend too.

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited October 2008

    Wow!  I am taking my fills slow.  Based on pathology I am now facing chemo so there is no reason for me to hurry through the expansion.  I had my first fill this week which was 6 weeks post surgery.  Did hurt a bit.  60 ccs in each.  I am planning on going every other week till full and then once chemo is done I will do the exchange!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    Wow, I had been doing so well with the weekly fills.  This last one is really, I mean REALLY painful!  Extremely tight, some sharp pains when I turn my upper body.  I have been getting weekly fills of 75 cc in each without any problems.  Today I had 75cc in each ... it didn't feel bad in the office... but BAM!  On the way home - YIKES! I'm wondering if I should go back and have him draw some off, or if I should just go ahead and tough this out.  We're trying to work it out so I can get my switch in December (so insurance will cover 100%) - and I'm in the "overexpansion phase".

    Question: for those who have experienced what I mentioned above in terms of pain level after a fill -- how long did it take for the pain to go back to baseline?

    Hoping and praying it won't be too long.  I took 800 of motrin and a flexeril....it's not really denting the pain much.....

    any other suggestions?!

    Thanks,

    Sue

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited October 2008

    I experienced my discomfort and pain with later fills.  PS gave me valium for a muscle relaxant.  If the flexeril is not working - maybe try another muscle relaxant.  I also went home and iced the girls down.  It felt so wonderful to put ice packs on them (ps ok'd and I did put a thin cloth between the pacs and the girls)  Also heard refrigerator gel packs work.  Stretching excercises also helped.  I either did after the girls were iced down or after a warm shower.  If it lasts more that 24-48 hours - next fill ask for a bit less.  I too as trying to get done before the end of the insurance year so I did not have to pay another deductible.  Nips in Dec so all that is left is tats next year.

    Hope you get relief soon.

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited October 2008

    Hi I had my expander placed on sept. 23rd and started with 150cc in the OR then have received 100 to 150cc each week for a total of 600cc, my expander is 650cc. The PS says next week he will know how much more he needs to fill. At first I had pain running down my arm and around my back, but now it is just the muscle. I feel stiff and am thinking of taking yoga, to limber me up. I do take tylenol , before the fill and that helps. Can't wait for the exchange in Jan. Hope you are more comfortable!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    Thanks sbmolee for the helpful tips.  I'm hoping and believing this will die down in the next day or so.  In the meantime I'll give the ice a try, and  keep up with the gentle stretches, etc.

    Thanks again!

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  • traceyz
    traceyz Member Posts: 745
    edited November 2008

    On Eagles Wings,

    I was reading your post and trying to think about what I would do in your situation. You have been given some excellent advice. I will take the same advice as I get further along in my fills. But also if the pain continues call your doc and ask for a percsription strength pain killer. I know that kinda sucks to be on strong pain killers, but hey im thinkin do what cha gotta do to get to complete expansion. Best wishes!

    Tracey

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited November 2008

    I had my first fill this past Thursday - 6 weeks after my bilateral.  Happy to say it was painless.  They filled each one with 60cc's.  It was a bit tighter but that was expected.  I am taking it slow since I am getting ready to start 12 weeks of chemo.  I think I have time to just take it slow and hopefully alleviate some pain.  My PS did give me valium to take if needed for muscle spasms.  I am going to try those cold packs too.  Good luck to all!

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited November 2008

    CristlC - Glad the fill was painful for you.  Hope you do well with both fills and chemo. 

    hugs

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  • elf_song
    elf_song Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2008

    I have to say thanks to all the ladies~~     Thanks~ Thanks~  This is the post I need to see..

    I am having expander pain too...     first filling was ok but second filling on past Monday was something else..  it was very painful..   I am good with the pain but this was way beyond~  All of my left side is sore, tight and heavy sometimes I couldn't take deep breath..  I am taking vicodan for the pain med..   

    And my oncologist told me that expander will burn during the radiation...  that totally freaking me out so, I had call my ps..    PS said, I will be fine..  expander will not burn..    also, ps will deflate the expander if I want it for the comfort..  

    I hope everybody feel less pain during the weekend and god bless you all~

    EJ

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  • bee5467
    bee5467 Member Posts: 112
    edited November 2008

    hi elf --

    My expander was not a problem during radiation.  I know everyone is different, but I think he mispoke himself.  In any event, don't worry about it, because worrying will only make everything worse.  I did wait until after radiation to do the last 1 or 2 fills.  Again, no problem.  Then had the exchange about 2-3 weeks after last fill.  I am glad it's behind me, but looking back, the whole thing was not nearly as bad as all the so-called "experts" who had never had BC were so quick to tell me. We ladies got it all together in here.  I'm so happy I found you all. 

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  • CAZ
    CAZ Member Posts: 678
    edited November 2008

    On  Eagles Wings,

    Hopefully, your pain has subsided by the time I write this.   I am one of those that had moderate to severe pain after each 60 cc expansion.  It felt like a heart attack for the rest of the day.  I would take the prescription pain medication that day and was eventually given valium for muscle relaxation.  For the last two fills I dropped to 45 cc, and experienced virtually no pain.

    So the choice is your.  Gut it out to meet your time frame, or be kinder to your body in the short term.

    Again, hopefully you're doing well today, and this is a mute point.

    Carol(AZ)

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  • Rio
    Rio Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2008

    Carol,

    I also had moderate to severe pain with each fill. My back shoulder blade on one side had a very sharp pain after the last 2 fill. I had my last fill on Oct 22nd and am scheduled for my exchange surgery. The pain like I had after my last fill subsided but came back yesterday in the front and back. Not severe but moderate. Did you experience this at all. I am just hoping no problems are creeping up.

    Thanks

    Rio

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  • CAZ
    CAZ Member Posts: 678
    edited November 2008

    Hey Rio,

    I'm about 6 weeks from my last fill and 2 weeks from the exchange.  Within the last 2 days I've been experiencing what I believe to be nerve regeneration.  I actually took a valium at 5am this morning so I could get back to sleep.  What timing, huh?  Frankly, I didn't need for them to regenerate at all.  I never expected any feeling back in the first place.  Crazy things these bodies of ours.  If you have any inflammation or fever, definitely see your doctor.  I hope it was a fleeting thing.

    Carol(AZ)

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited November 2008

    Hi!  I have pain that comes and goes too!  The day after my fill is the most painful.  I think most of it is muscle spasms because it loosens up when I move!! I am worse in bed! My back is starting to wake up and my breast area doesn't feel as numb as it used to. I am 6 weeks post mastectomy with tissue expander, and almost fully expanded. Thanks for the posts it's nice to know I'm not alone!  I hope you feel better! Dawn

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  • Scasey
    Scasey Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2008

    I am in great pain, too, and cannot find a comfortable position to get into, whether sitting ot lying down.  I got my last (I hope) expansion yesterday, and need to live like this until February 2009, when I get my implants.  I was in SO MUCH PAIN that today my husband wrapped a long ace bandage (from my bilateral mastectomy surgery) around my "breasts" 3 times, very tightly.  It really helped "contain" them since they hurt when I walk or move.  It became hard to breathe in depth, and they did slip down once, but since NO pain pills (including Class C) drugs are helping - try this.

    Also, when I put heat or ice on my chest, I can't feel it because my chest is numb.  The pain is BEHIND my implants - or else it's phantom pain. EEERG.  Anyone else try ace bandages?

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