How long after implants to feel comfortable on your sides again?

Options
Mominator
Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
edited March 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello ladies who have had your implants a while and are settled in:

How long does it take to feel normal again, especially to feel comfortable sleeping on your sides again?

It's been 5 weeks since my exchange of TEs to silicone anatomical implants. Although it's getting better, it still feels uncomfortable to sleep on my sides, it feels like things are moving in there. Both sides had extensive pocket work done, and additional tissue/fat removed at the exchange. The left side feels slightly better than the right. Maybe the left is slightly more settled so far?

I brought this up at my appointment with PS. He asked permission, and then literally grabbed my breasts and tried to move things around. He said all is healing well. They move as much as he expects. He did mention to keep wearing the bra all day, and at night too if I want. Also, I may not resume jogging until I am 8 weeks post exchange. Until my BMX I was jogging up to 3.5 miles 3 times a week.

So, I'm presuming that there is still more healing going on inside for me.

I know we're all different and recovery takes time. I'd like to feel normal again. When did you feel normal sleeping on your side again?

Thank you for your help.

Mominator

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2016

    Mominator,

    It took me 6 weeks until I felt comfortable sleeping on my sides and I am 4 months out from my revision surgery with different implants. I now sleep with a pillow at my sides to help keep me supported. And boy, I am so thankful I can do this again! While going through the process of TE and not being able to sleep on my sides I remember waking up one night, sat up, and stared at my husband sleeping on his side and thought he was so lucky to be able to do that! My PS also said wear a bra at all times and I actually feel odd not wearing one. I do feel like the implants are moving some when I position my body into the side sleep position so I turn slowly then settle in.

    You'll be able to run soon! I'm sure your PS told you to wear a super supportive bra while running. My PS allowed me to start running one month after my revision surgery and I can trail run 13 miles with no problems. When I had my first exchange surgery on May 1st that PS told me to wait 7-8 weeks before I resumed running.

    You're getting closer to resuming a normal life. Well, at least a "new" normal! Hang in there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited March 2016

    Thanks, trailrose, it seems to be improving this week.

    I have tried sleeping on my side a few times, and also moving slowly so it seems things are moving less.

    And yes, I wear a bra all the time and I will wear a super supportive one when I finally start jogging again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • munlyn
    munlyn Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2016

    2 years out for me and I still can't sleep on my side. But I have had immense problems with my implants. I am over it and am having a DIEP in May. Hopefully yours settled title in soon!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited March 2016

    O goodness, Munlyn, I'm sorry you're still having problems with your implants. Good luck with your DIEP in May.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited March 2016

    in two months I was sleeping on my side. I found it helpful to add a second pillow (and still use it a year and a half later) so I can slide my hands between the two. Best wishes on your continued good recovery!i

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DeeRatz
    DeeRatz Member Posts: 350
    edited March 2016

    Mominator-I am 3 weeks post exchange. I am sleeping on my side now. I have to use 2 pillows under my head and then use a small pillow in front of me and behind me. I sort of wedge it just below my breast along my rib cage. I tried using just one pillow under my head and that was not comfortable at all. I hope you find a solution that works for you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited March 2016

    Thanks grammakathy and Dee, I'm glad to hear of your recoveries.

    I'm now at 6 weeks, and it is getter better slowly. I will continue to move slowly when I move to my sides, and I will also add some pillows. I suspect that all the pocket work is still healing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2016

    reading this topic is kind of depressing for me. I have been having the hardest time sleeping with the tissue expanders. I'm going to get my implants in 3-4 weeks. I was so looking forward to it thinking it would be so much easier to sleep. I guess that is notthe case at first?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited March 2016

    I'm sorry this depresses you, mvspaulding. Actually, some of this gives me hope. We're all different and recovery takes time. I think our PS should give us a more realistic timeframe of when things feel normal again.

    For a different perspective, let me tell you about my neurosurgery I had March 2015. There was an incision in the back on my head of several inches, and the scalp on both sides felt numb after surgery. By my 3-month visit, the left side felt normal, but the right side was still very numb and felt weird whenever I brushed my hair. Sometime later (6-months or 8-months after surgery?), the right side got better. Now my right side is almost normal

    I'm thinking that eventually my breasts will feel normal again, including sleeping on my side. They feel better, but not normal there yet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited March 2016

    I was sleeping comfortably on my sides about 3 weeks post-exchange. It varies a lot depending on the extent of surgery, I think. I didn't need any pocket work done.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2016

    It has got to be better than the baseballs I have on my chest now. I am still numb from my MX all the way around to middle ofmy back. I guess it's the new normal for me because it's been over 4 months.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories