Pain after TE placement...when does it ease up?

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dollarmom10
dollarmom10 Member Posts: 6
edited October 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a skin sparing BMX last October and decided to delay reconstruction due to the fact that I was having radiation starting one month after surgery. I breezed right through 28 rounds of radiation and was told that I could start reconstruction 3 months after I completed all radiation. Blood work discovered that I had an underactive thyroid so I spent months taking meds trying to get that stable again. That finally got under control and I was scheduled for surgery for September 30th for implants. Right before surgery my PS told me that he felt TEs would be best for me with an exchange to take place in January. So TEs it is. I am in so much pain! I knew it would hurt but had no idea how bad it would be. I was prescribed muscle relaxers which give some relief but doesn't last the full 6 hours between doses. I was also given Percocet which does nothing at all for the pain. My chest is ao tight that I feel like I can't take deep breaths. My underarms are also very tight and so are my back muscles. I can't seem to get comfortable enough to let my body relax. Any suggestions? When does the pain and pressure start to ease up? I feel like I have 40 pounds sitting on my chest at all times!

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  • maxdog
    maxdog Member Posts: 147
    edited October 2015

    It gets better! It still sucks, but it gets better. I found that muscle relaxants plus ibuprofen worked best.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited October 2015

    I so remember that pain. It is rough. I had a pain ball for the first five days then moved to Tylenol. I used a heating pad under the breast where the muscle was aching. I also used those self heating charcoal pads and bengay. I figured muscle pain was muscle pain. I didn't talk to my PS. Ask your PS before you use any of this K? I also asked my BS for a referral for PT. That was very helpful. Overall it was a tough experience but it was much improved by the exchange five months later. Three plus years out I'm happy with it. Best if luck!!

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited October 2015

    I totally understand what you're feeling. I had delayed reconstruction as well and had TEs placed 5 months after BMX and I woke up in SO much pain from that surgery, WAY worse than BMX. It could be that your TE is placed on a nerve and putting pressure there, that's what my PS told me. Once the fills started and the position on the TE shifted, it got better. They suck, I won't lie but it does get better with time. I was still sore after every fill but that stabbing pain went away. In the beginning I felt just like you, I couldn't take a deep breath and that pain was horrible. Hang in there

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  • dollarmom10
    dollarmom10 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2015

    Thanks everyone! Almost 1 week post op and I'm feeling a little better. I got my drains out yesterday so that really helped boost morale. ☺

    I have found that muscle relaxers and ibuprofen are what work best. Thank you for that suggestion!

    I start fills in 2 weeks so I'm pretty nervous about that.

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  • mblinnc
    mblinnc Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2015

    I just completed "swap" surgery to exchange TE's with saline implants on 9/11. I found arnica (a plant extract that feel more like aloe when you put it on your skin - can get at GNC - used for soreness when bruised etc) to be helpful in areas that were more sore than painful. The top part of my ribs we're especially so throughout my time with TE's.

    In my experiences the muscle relaxant was more helpful than pain medication as well. Since everything is being stretched and kept in tension I had some pain in the shoulders and back too. I found baths with a real emphasis on relaxation to help.

    One additional thing for you to remember - depending on how many cc's are in your expanders, this might be the hardest point. I had 350 cc's initially and then they did 100 cc's and another 50. The PS was planning a bit more but I told him I was happy at that point. You call the shots on how much for each fill - if you're already uncomfortable then a smaller amount of saline at a time will be more tolerable.

    I'm still getting used to the implants but it's definitely so much better. This is the hard part of reconstruction - take things a step at a time and advocate for what is best for you.

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