continued Tissue expander pain!!

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  • Georganne
    Georganne Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    Ladies,

    I just had my 4th expansion today  - 100cc and am up to 575 cc now in TE's with 600 cc capacity. I've tried on my bra and now fit into a "c" cup.  I'm considering being done with my expansions, but my PS said it's up to me.  Does anyone know, will I be approximately the same size that I am now if I stop the expansions?  Also, when undergoing exchange surgery, does the PS open your breast up completely where he inserted the TE?  I appreciate your insight!!!! Georganne

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  • smmr
    smmr Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2009

    Georganne,

    My exchange surgery scar is only about a third as long as my mastectomy scar.  I was very happy with that, but I just had 450 and 500 cc implants, so that makes a big difference on how big your incision is. 

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    Georganne - I can't help you w/ size, you might post that question in Exchange City. There are a lot of knowledgeable sisters on that thread. As for the exchange surgery, like Sue my incision is smaller as well. And the surgery was no big deal for me. Do you have a date yet? Would you like me to list it on the Exchange City thread. Hugs. - Jean

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  • Shelly326
    Shelly326 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2009

    Hi, thanks for the encouragement.  I feel like I do have a wonderful PS.  The incision from

    the first surgery is a beautiful thin pink line and I know in about a year it will be almost

    unnoticeable.  I hate that they have to open that incision again for the transfer, but I'm

    looking forward to having it all done. Second surgery is May 27th.  Thanks, Shelly

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  • Shelly326
    Shelly326 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2009

    Hi Jean, I tried to take your advice to PM Rockwellgirl, but obviously didn't know how to

    use that section of the website, also don't know how to get to the picture's you were referring

    to.  Would appreciate some help for a technological dinosaur like myself. Thanks, Shelly

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  • Shelly326
    Shelly326 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2009

    If it helps, I've described my te as a bowling ball the size of a cantaloupe.  It is hard as a rock

    (or bowling ball).  Can't wait to have it out and feel something soft inside my chest.  My te

    also sits pretty high because my tumor was on the under side of my breast so the bowling

    ball extends halfway into my armpit.  I think with these te any and every sensation is to be

    expected.  Wish you the best Shelly

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    Shelly - Sandy (Rockwellgirl) posts regularly on Exchange City. You should be able to find her here:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/728266?page=94#idx_2808

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  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited April 2009

    Shelly if you click on this below it should get you to exchange city if you want to  join us...all are welcome to join us

    Exchange City

    Shelly I sent you a PM and you can send me a reply

    I didn't even take the time yet to read above just wanted to let you know how to find me first : )

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  • traceyz
    traceyz Member Posts: 745
    edited May 2009

    Hello my girls!

    Just wanted to poke my head in really quick to say hello! I have been SUPER busy! I hope you are all doing WONDERFUL!! Miss ya much. I will be on alot by next weekend!

    Take Care!

    Tracey

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited May 2009

    Well, I had my TEs placed on Monday 4/27.  Today, the PS removed my 2 drainage tubes!  Yea!!!!!  I feel much better.  Still get that tight feeling from the TEs in the pockets but I can definitely live with this.  He did not fill during placement.  I go back next Tuesday.  

    I hope everyone is doing as well!

    Sonia

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited May 2009

    Sonia - Yahoo for drain removal. That's the best step!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    I've been off for a few weeks and missing you ladies!  My last 2 fills were way more painful than I was prepared for, but with the help pain meds and Ambien, it eased after about 2 weeks.   I teased my PS that my tissue expanders reminded me of "Chia Boobs!"  I mean, you can actually watch them grow before your very eyes like a Chia Pet!  The guys at work could not get over it - in a three week period my boobs grew from an A cup to a D cup.  I look like I have stripper boobs because of my little frame (LOL - funny especially because I'm in law enforcement)!, I'll be getting a middle C cup with my exchange (my PS said it was best to over expand, but a D cup looks ridiculous on me!!).  My exchange is scheduled for May 19th, and most of you have said the real implants (saline) will be much softer and more comfortable than the TEs.  I'm praying that's true for me and I CAN'T WAIT!!!  Take care ladies, and I'll be seeing you on the exchange site soon, I hope!

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited May 2009

    Lafinlady - I had my exchange two weeks ago and still love the nice soft change! I can sleep any where I want (belly, side, back, what ever). And my breasts have never been as soft as they are now. Let me know if you want your exchange date listed on Exchange City. Best wishes. - Jean

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Jean, CONGRATS - you made it!  Thanks for the encouragement, it's always great knowing people who have already gone thru some of the junk.  I'm so looking forward to my new, soft set!  Take care,  Lisa 

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  • gerrydeanellen
    gerrydeanellen Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2009

    Hi Girls:My name is Gerry & this is the first time I viewed the Discussion Board.  I heard about it from my support group "Reaching Out" meeting the 4th Tues. of each month at Banner Desert Hospital in AZ - I don't know what I'd do w/o it.  All the women are so giving, honest & courageous. 

    I have a few questions. (1) I don't know what is referred to as "pop".  Can someone fill me in?  I mean with information -- I've been filled with enough SALINE, thank you very much!!!!!

    I loved reading everyone's messages and can certain relate.  I feel connected with all of you and want you to know you have my total support. I had bilateral masectomies on 10/15/08.  All the girls in my group seem to have cried at times, and some very often, but I have not shed a tear as of yet.  (2) What's up with that?  Anyone out there like me? 

    My expander surgery was 12/12/08 and my silicone implants (550cc) inserted on 3/6/09.  The expanders were DREADFUL -- at times I thought my boobs would explode (yikes!) and I've never been more uncomfortable.  It's now almost 2 mos. since my implant surgery and I'm getting a little worried.  If anyone is experiencing or has experienced what is happening, please share. My breasts are a bit too far apart.  (3) Heard this before?:  When I met with my PS a week ago he suggested I massage them for 5 mins, 2x/day, pushing them in and up.  (I've been doing that for a few days now & last night I felt a "hard" spot on my left breast (above my Frankenstein scar).  I'm soooooooooo afraid it's capsular contracture and will require even more surgery.

    I have yet another question: (4) My PS and his nurse said that most girls don't ever wear a bra after reconstructive surgery/expanders/implants.  Anyone else been told that?  (I'm enjoying it now, but once I get my "fipples", I'll have to worry about wearing white and light-colore clothing.)

     I apologize for being so lengthy.

    Peace & Love,

    Gerry

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  • smmr
    smmr Member Posts: 103
    edited May 2009

    Gerry,

    Welcome!!  You will find so many supportive women on this site!

    There are such varied opinions on what to do after exchange surgery.  Some PS say no bra is fine, some say you need a good underwire support bra, some say absolutely no underwire.  I've decided to just go with what feels comfortable to you.  I just have this feeling if I don't wear anything, they are going to head straight south!!

    I also have the capsular contracture fear.  I think we're all so tired of surgeries that we can't help but worry about it some.  I feel like mine are more hard now than right after exchange surgery, so that concerns me.  I would definitely mention the lump to your PS and see what he/she has to say.

    I found the following information when I was googling capsular contracture, don't know if it has any merit or not, but thought I'd copy and paste it anyway!!

     Compression - Used to prevent capsular contracture. It is compression of the implant such that it takes up more space than it would in a more spherical shape. Mathematically they have shown that a compressed implant takes up more space than a non compressed one. What that means is that while it is being compressed the tissues around it are healing such that they are allowing the pocket to be large enough for the implant. It is a newer phenomena and there seems to be several docs using it. It can be achieved by wearing a compression bra continually, lying on your stomach or by the exercises you have described. I have seen it suggested with both smooth and textured implants. 

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited May 2009

    Gerry - Welcome! You will find a lot of information regarding implants here and also on the Exchange City thread. I can relate w/ the not crying at all. I did my crying before my mastectomy, but not a bit since. I can deal w/ things much better after I have made a decision.

    As for capsular contraction. I think cc is something that puts a scare in all of us w/ implants. After all, we worked pretty hard to get to the stage of having the implants, and none of us wants to go back through any more surgery than necessary. So I can totally relate. My PS told me that the sleeping on my stomach was my best protection. And now, seeing what Sue posted, I guess I can see why. THis is good news for me since I love to sleep on my stomach or at least lean on my stomach from my side.

    As for bras. I am w/ Sue. THere seems to be all kinds of different opions w/ the PS' over this. My PS tells me to wear what makes me feel comfortable. I like to wear the surgical bra at night for a number of reasons. It makes me secure that I am not going to push them in the wrong place (I am only 2 weeks post exchange) and it covers the area w/o feeling so that I don't have a wierd feeling from my night gown rubbing over it. During the day I wear anything from a soft exercise bra to a normal supportive bra, but nothing w/ a wire.

    Hope this helps. Best wishes. - Jean

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  • Believe1
    Believe1 Member Posts: 216
    edited May 2009

    Oh yes, it does get so much better, but will have to say I am dealing with fluid again??  I dont understand, I have been totally fine, but this last fill of 100cc is putting pressure on this fluid in my right breast that I didnt know I even had anymore.  My left one is fine, and actually my right one would be fine as well, but its the fluid in there that is causing my pain.  I am one fill away from being done, and then I have to wait 4 months for my exchange ( thats how he does it) and I would be fine with that, except this fluid problem.  Has anyone ever experienced this so late??  I mean I had my bi-lateral mast. with expanders back on Feb 20th and I did have a fluid problem back then, but it has been long gone until now??? I am going to ask my ps if there is a way he can put a needle in there and draw some of that fluid out, but I am worried about him poking into the expander, because I am at 680cc right now.  I cant imagine having to deal with it for another 4mo. until my exchange.  Can anyone offer any suggestions???

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  • gerrydeanellen
    gerrydeanellen Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2009

    Sue & Jean:

    Thx for the information -- very helpful.  I hope to talk with you guys again.  Take care.

    Gerry

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited May 2009

    I am having my first fill on Tuesday (5/12).  Can anyone tell me what to expect?

    Thanks!

    Sonia

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Sonia - welcome to the club from a fellow Texan!  I read earlier that your ps didn't fill your TEs at placement - just like me.  I ended up waiting 9 weeks for my first fill, (though did have 2 earlier appts for it) because I still had discomfort.  You'll be glad you waited a bit.  Were you rather small-busted before?  That was my situation - just not much skin left after the mx.

    As for the fill, it's kinda cool, in a way, and not really bad pain-wise as long as your ps is listening to you.  The ps uses a magnet  to find where the port is, then marks it with a magic marker.  Mine then injects a bit of lidocaine, just in case there is sensation in the breast; for me, I haven't yet felt the needle stick on my right, and only just a tinge on the left side.  The ps then takes a  syringe filled with saline with a "butterfly" (needle) on the end and injects in the spot that was marked.  The saline is slowly advanced while the ps watches and feels the skin's response to the fluid.  I felt a bit of pressure initially, almost more on my ribs than the skin.  My ps kept asking me if I was still comfortable, but stopped before I got beyond that.  I've had 3 fills so far, and had tightness and a bit of burning for several days after the first 2, but this last one was really fine.  We're moving very slowly (I've had about 40cc each time), so that probably helps. 

    Best of luck on Tuesday and please check in a let us know how it goes!

    Valerie

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009

    swest:  I had to have 100cc fill for the first one. I was filled to 240cc at the time of surgery, so it asdded 100cc.   The fill itself did not hurt at all . I felt a little needle stick and that's all. My expander has a port, rather than a magnetic spot, so no ''finding' it.  After the fill is another story.
    I was in pain for two days.  I do NOT suggest you go for 100cc fill.  I understand that people tolerate up to 50-60cc rather well.  Although 50cc may not sound like a lot, it is.  And if you have no reason to rush, go for the fills slowly and you should be fine.  JUDY

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited May 2009

    Thank you Valerie and Judy for your response.  I am getting rather anxious.  Of course along with everything else I've gone through, the unknow is the worst! Undecided  I have the expander which has the magnetic spot.  When I went for the post op. follow-up he checked to make sure the magnetic spot was located.  All is well there.  He said he was only going to put in 50cc per fill which is fine with me.  I'm in no hurry!  I don't know how you did it Judy!  Wonder Woman! 

    I do have one more question.  I still have some fluid (not a lot but slightly puffy) in above one of my breast/expander areas.  It is not leaking .  Should I be concerned?

    Thank you again ladies!!!

    Sonia

    Sorry, I forgot to mention that I was a small C before mx.  I am hoping to be a full C/small D when finished.  I'm 5'9" and ~170 lbs. so I'm know I'll need to have many fills.

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited May 2009

    Sonia - I had a bit of seroma after the BMx that my PS told me she would just let the body absorb on it's own. I hope this helps. Best wishes!

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009

    OH, I am no Wonder Woman...LOL....The PS just did the most he could do at one time, and I suffered for 3 days afterward.  Never again.  I'm going slow later on, just had to get it in before radiation planning!!   You'll do fine!  JUDY

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  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 177
    edited May 2009

    I apologize if this has been discussed before as I haven't read all the comments on this topic.

    My question... Has anyone experienced an incredible burning sensation as they are being filled? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this?

    As soon as my PS inserts the needle into the expander port the burning sensation begins and travels upwards to my collar bone. With my first fill, I only experienced a slight burning sensation in my right breast and my left breast was fine. Today with my 2nd fill, each side had the intense burning sensation - once I sit up, the burning starts to recede. My PS seems to think the needle is pushing against a nerve and that is causing the burning sensation.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    mooretennis - I don't get the burning feeling 'til after the fill.  This time so far so good (it was Friday) but with the one before that I had a burning feeling for nearly two weeks.  I wonder if it has any correlation to muscle spasm.  Twice my left side pec has spasmed as soon as the needle was put in, which just made me nearly jump out of the chair.  The ps's thought about the nerve makes sense, though.....

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  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 177
    edited May 2009

    val61 - Ouch, sorry you had the burning pain for two weeks. It's been a couple of hours since the fill and the burning sensation has completely stopped - only a little tightness. I hope your next fill goes much better.

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited May 2009

    I just had my 4th fill last Friday.  I get 50cc each time and on my right side, each time it seems to get a little worse....I feel pain on my rib cage under the bottom part of the expander.  It really hurt alot this last time.  I am now worried that it will get worse as I get more expanded.  Anyone have this issue?

    Teresa

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  • geysermom
    geysermom Member Posts: 133
    edited May 2009

    I have had burning pain since my TEs were placed 4 weeks ago.  The burning and hypersensitivity improved slightly after my first fill last Friday.  I also have the "broken rib" feeling over one of my ribs and am glad to know I am not the only one (I thought I was really being a wimp about pain).  My PS was not surprised by my level of pain and put me on Lyrica 4 days after surgery (specifically for the burning pain). 

    I am so glad to be able to hear about the experiences of others going through this process.  It reminds me of going to my first Lamaze class and finding out all of the other women were experiencing a large majority of the symptoms I was experiencing and realizing I was not crazy as my first husband had automaticlly assumed (yes he is definately an ex).

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