Pain from tissue expanders?

I guess for the most part I have been blessed with the pain aspect. I had a complete bilateral mastectomy and then had to go through radiation so I waited over a year AFTER completing radiation to begin reconstruction. My PS surgeon has said that one of the reasons your are in pain is because you had TWO surgeries in one. The mastectomy alone causes pain because nerves are severed. The nerves continue to "fire" but there is nothing to "receive" the message sent. He said that will subside. Also, the expanders are a thicker, durable material and are just plainly NOT comfortable. He said that once you have the implants put in the difference will be like night and day. So hang in there, every day WILL get better I promise you.

About the crying.... I was not a crier prior to cancer. My mastectomy made it all the more REAL. As a woman you identify yourself with your breasts. It's not right but we do.. You are mourning. You have lost a vital part of your body. Crying is a way of healing. Don't deny yourself this... In time the tears will pass but it's going to take time... Everything about cancer takes time..

I currently have expanders on.  I am going on my 3rd fill on Monday.  They still hurt a bit but most the first 4 days of filling.  Make sure you are stretching your arms up the wall after the first week of expanders so your joints don't get stiff. I do everyday 3x a day, I stretch as far as I can up the wall and count till 10. The physical therapy if that happens hurts even more

I still have bumps, its the expanders not filled to the max.  its round so you might even have folds.  They should have told you all of this I am so sorry you are freaking out.  Hope this helps

When was your surgery, unbreakable? Mine was on the 5th and I am still getting about 100 cc of fluid a day. I see PS on Monday but don't think drains will be coming out. My initial fill at time of BMX was 300, so yes I am sore but not unbearable with the pain meds. I ran out of them on Wednesday so things have been more unpleasant

I promise it gets better! Take your pain medication and take it for as long as you need it.Please do not hesitate. There are no points for trying to grin and bear it. Everyone is different in this area but I had to take Percocet every four hours for ten straight days. Began to think the pain would not stop but low and behold on the tenth day I realized the acute pain had subsided and could stop taking it.. But I was still left with all of the sensations of the iron bra feeling of the expanders. Every time I was due for a fill I would go back and take 1 percocet (tried Advil but it wasn't enough) before the fill and for twenty four hours after. That was all I needed to give my chest muscle time to relax and adjust. Who knows? You may need to take something for longer after your fills. Everyone's anatomy reacts differently to this trauma. I needed the medication less and less with every fill. You are still so fresh from your operation and your underlying tissues are still healing. Take it easy and take some meds. When you have your exchange surgery it is so much easier and so much more comfortable. Hang in there!

Hi robin sorry you are in so much pain. I too went through that same pain for about 2 weeks. I got 2 drains out after 1 week and then the other 2 out at 2 and 1/2 weeks and it was so much better. My husband had to help me shower and wash my hair, help me into bed(or recliner depending on pain) first 2 weeks. Sometimes it was just to much pain and i just using those personal cleaning cloths all over and that dry shampoo. I did overdo it also and that just prolongs it so rest, rest, rest!. You will feel better soon. Although these stinking tissue expanders are never really "comfortable", i think we just get used to them more. Make sure you take your pain meds and a muscle realizer. I was using them around the clock for first couple weeks. Hope you feel better soon!!!!

Megan and Robyn, this thread is not one that moves quickly. I'd like to invite you to the TE boards. One is if things are going well and you have questions. It's called TES a Beginners Primer. The other is the TE Trouble board for when problems arise in the process. Sorry I can't link, but it shouldn't be hard to find in the active boards list. Those boards re very us and lots f people and help here.

Oh. And Megan? Pain as you get to being fully expanded is quite normal. Some people have trouble even at first . The reason they overfill is because the TES push out from a hard back only forward. The implant at exchange has no hard back but is basically a sac some with shaping if they are anatomical. When the soft implant is placed it fills up the whole cavity and does not project as much. It can be disappointing if you don't think about it. Come join us n He other boards.

Much love.