Has anyone stopped the expansion process early?

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bethq
bethq Member Posts: 311
edited June 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Just curious. I had 100 cc in post op and had first fill yesterday of 60 cc. Am starting to think this is not for me. I feel like if I take a deep breath my chest is going to split open. It is just constant tightness and is driving me crazy. I don't want to stay on Valium around the clock or have to be in the shower all day. Geez it sounds like I am whining but I slept only one hour at a time last night. had to move to recliner downstairs because it feels like I am getting a bed sore on my bottom! So with 160 cc total would it be stupid to stop the fills now?

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  • DeborahC
    DeborahC Member Posts: 114
    edited June 2014

    It should start to feel better soon.  You had a lot of fills to start with.  You may want to slow it down.  I only did about 40 cc at a time and it was always very uncomfortable for a few days after each fill.  Some weeks I did even less if I did not feel well.  I did stop at 350 which is less than they estimated I needed (PS said 500 would be his recommendation).  My skin/muscles just did not feel like they could handle more (I have had radiation in past).  I am happy with the results and have not regretted stopping early (but I don't think I would be happy with 160).   As miserable as those stupid TE's were, I didn't want to give up after going through the surgery to put them there.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2014

    I had 200 put in at surgery and one fill of 150. I just wanted to get back to where I was so I used my path report as a guide. 385 grams out, 350 cc in.  I stopped after that one fill. My PS was able to put in 421 mid profiles. 

    This is the hardest time. You have come all this way. My PS said the pain was just something I'd have to endure for a while. Pecs don't like stretching. It really does get better but it takes time. I used those adhesive self heating charcoal pads on my sore pecs (careful of the incision). I also used a heating pad. TEs are not for sissies. Look back and think of where you've been. You can do this. I can't tell you how many times I threatened to take the f-ers out. 

    I also used Bengay on the muscle area, near the mammary fold. I didn't consult with anyone on that though, so you might ask your doc first. I figured muscle pain was muscle pain. 

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited June 2014

    Unfortunately I am a sissy! I did get in the shower and it DOES help. Going to go look for a sports bra today hoping that will help. My husband thinks I am dehydrated?? Who knows. He asked this morning if I thought the Tamoxifen was making me depressed. I really don't feel depressed, just really uncomfortable! 

    Thanks! Oh and I think my patho report said my originals were around 180 cc. Of course they were spread down to my knees though.

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited June 2014

    sleeping with the TE's is really hard, especially the first day.  I slept in a recliner for a couple days after each fill and also ask my doctor for sleep medicine.  My tightness eased up as the days went by..  I also agree that you've had a lot of fill so soon after surgery.  I actually stretched my fill appointments out longer than PS wanted me to because I could handle it better.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2014

    bethq - in my opinion you are uncomfortable because not enough time has passed since your surgery to begin fills. I would recommend a longer period of waiting until you have more healing, and if fills cause discomfort they may be too large. I stayed with 25cc fills every week, it took longer but I had no pain.

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited June 2014

    bethq - so sorry you are having this pain, but unfortunately, it can be common with fills.

    I had huge breasts to begin with, so I thought getting TEs would be a breeze. Wrong!

    I cried every day for a month after my BMX with TEs. I just couldn't get my pain under control, because I didn't want to take my pain meds and be a wimp.

    Finally, the wonderful ladies here told me I was given the meds for a reason, and to take them AS PRESCRIBED. Finally, after a month, I was able to start the fills process. I had gotten 180ccs in the OR, and my first fills were 50ccs.

    One phrase you will read on this forum is "LOW AND SLOW IS THE WAY TO GO"

    What this means is getting fills is not a race. Many PSs want to start pumping saline into the TEs right after BMX. If the patient can handle it, fine. Others, like me, need to heal a bit first after the BMX. Seriously, I was ready to have DH take me back to the hospital to take them out, or I would do it myself! He just sat on the edge of the bed, patted my leg, and brought me more drugs.

    Another thing that really helped me is one that you have tried.... hot showers, but on your back region, not on your TEs. Many of the muscles that were cut during the MX (pectoral, anterior serratus, etc) have an origination point on the back, and heat and massage can help with the tightness and achiness of the fills process.

    The other thing was to have DH massage my back muscles before bedtime at night. This helped me relax. And of course, I had my Norco and Valium handy if I needed it.

    Be VERY careful of putting anything hot or cold on your surgical region. For one, the nerves have been cut, and your perception of hot or cold can be diminished. I almost got frostbite on the skin over my TEs because I used an ice pack without consulting with my PS.

    I also slept in my recliner the whole time I was getting fills. There did come a point where I could wedge a pillow behind me, so that while I wasn't actually on my side, I did get off my back.

    Once the fills were done, I could sleep in my bed again.

    Another thing to consider is that as the fills progress, the TEs can move off of sensitive areas... they may be pressing on nerves right now, causing you more pain. As they fill up, the pain goes away.

    If you are very slender, and plan on getting small implants, you may not need much more in the way of fills.

    What you really need is a good conversation with your PS, ask what his plans are for implants, how many ccs he thinks you will need in fills, and what he can do for you in the meantime, as you are experiencing this pain.

    Remember, YOU are in control of how often you have fills, and how much saline he puts in. And if it seems too tight, you can have saline removed from the TEs.

    I wish more comfortable days for you ahead, and I hope you can get past this painful part. Remember - the TEs are only temporary!!!!!

    (If you are not sure about implant sizing, be sure to visit whippetmom's thread Breast Implant Sizing 101 and be sure to read the information in the blue box at the top.She is our resident expert at recommending brands and sizes that correspond to your body type.)

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/746448?page=369

    Wishing you the best!

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