What to expect after surg bil expanders removed & implants in?

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021714katie
021714katie Member Posts: 1
edited September 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After


I'm not clear on how much activity I can do afterwards, should I just plan on resting?  Can I work around the house, lift objects?  How long?  A week? My surgeon hasn't been very clear about what to expect.  I won't need further therapy.  Also wondered if anyone else but me had charlie horse spasms in their pectoralis minor muscles bilaterally off and on, especially after lifting, etc. after the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction or after they injected saline into the expander?  My friends who had the same surgery say they didn't experience this and think it's because I've done too much but I'm following the surgeon's recommendations.  Any advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

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  • sarahjane7374
    sarahjane7374 Member Posts: 669
    edited May 2014

    Your recovery from the exchange to implants will be a lot easier than the original surgery.  I was in the hospital for one night and back at work a couple days later.  I didn't have any lifting restrictions, and once I went for my 2 week follow up, was cleared for normal activity. 

    I did have muscle spasms after my PBMX.  They seemed to hit at night and my PS prescribed the muscle relaxer Flexeril, which helped a lot.

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  • TechLady
    TechLady Member Posts: 39
    edited May 2014

    I just had my exchange this past Tuesday, May 13th. I am not supposed to lift over 5-8 pounds for the next two weeks. I think the plan is to take it easy in general, so no real housework. That being said though, I don't feel too badly and have done a few minor things. I'm somewhat tired and have some pain but nothing like with the BMX! It's a whole lot better. I'm trying not to overdo though so I can heal and be done with this! :)

    I took this week off and plan to go back to work next week. So far I think I'm on track for that. 

    Hope this helps...

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited May 2014

    of course the recovery is different for everybody. But most people do find it much easier than the mastectomy. If you want to check out the TES boards, there are 2 very  active. One is TEs: a Beginners Primer. The other is the TES Trouble board.  You might also want to visit the Exchange City Board. Lots of ideas, stories and questions on the exchange to squishies. Also a board implants sizing 101 by Whippet Mom will have help in which size of TES and size of implants will work for you.  Try the boards out. I think you'll find a lot of info. I can't link from my phone - sorry! LOL 

    Much love

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  • Aliza
    Aliza Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2017

    Hi,

    I am new to this page, I wanted to know if anyone here can help answer my question. I have expanders in right now, I had my last fill of 400cc on Sept 18th. Could you tell me what size that would run in an implant I have chosen silicon smooth round? I have surgery coming up Oct 19th and I am quit nerves... This whole process has been overwhelming.

    Thank you,

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2017

    Hi Aliza-

    Welcome to BCO! This is an older thread, so it's unlikely you'll get any responses from the original posters. You might want to check out our forum on Reconstruction, there are quite a few threads on expanders there: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44

    The Mods

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