Expander Pain

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.

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.

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!!'

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!

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

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