Recovery questions post-op BM with immediate implants

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Kayaknana
Kayaknana Member Posts: 6

I had my BM with immediate reconstruction (silicone implants) on June 27, 2016.  The general surgeon worked 3 hours and removed the breast tissue (just shy of 5 pounds of boobs removed) and lymph nodes followed by an additional 3 1/2 hours with the plastic surgeon (PS) for the reconstruction.  On Monday, it will be 8 weeks since surgery and I return to work. Initially I was expected to be hospitalized 24 hours but ended up there for 4 days. My recovery was going smoothly then two weeks later SEVERE muscle spasms sent me back to the hospital for another 3 days. Even IV pain meds would not relieve the tension.  I felt as if a steel band had been wrapped around my upper chest and I was suspended from the ceiling.  Since that second hospitalization my recovery has been much slower.

Every time I change positions (lying to sitting, sitting to standing) my implants shift position. It has gone from 10/10 pain to just discomfort. PS said this sensation should continue to decrease but may take up to six months or longer.  Do you have this sensation or anything similar?

I also have a "Popping" sensation in my right armpit. It would be a similar sensation as if wearing an underwire bra and having the underwire pop through the bra. PS also said this is normal.  This is very uncomfortable and can happen at any time. Anyone else?

Wearing a bra is so uncomfortable.  Even an extra large bra band with extenders still kills  After a few hours I cant wait to get the damn thing off? Not a problem when I'm at home but I go back to work on Monday and will be forced to wear the torture device for hours on end. Does this go away?

No one told me to expect the loss of sensation to my skin on my chest and my upper right arm.  I have pin-pricks occasionally and starting to get feeling back in my arm, yet at times it feels as if I have bugs crawling around or a stray hair tickling me. How about you?

PS told me I'm being to impatient with recovery. I expected pain and discomfort, but I expected it to last a couple to a few weeks. Then I expected to move about normally with my weight restriction. Never did I think at 8 weeks post-op that I would feel this weak, have limited range-of-motion and so much discomfort. (I say discomfort because I refuse to call it pain or take prescription pain meds. Tylenol and Advil do nothing for the discomfort).

How is




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  • Hopefloatsinyyc
    Hopefloatsinyyc Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2016

    I had my BMX with SB and immediate implants on June 23rd and returned to work 3 days later. The pectoral stretching was awful (I had 650cc implants), but I finally started to side sleep about 2 weeks ago. Now the only pain I have are the occasional zings. Massage helps a lot.... I look silly I'm sure but I try and rub them whenever alone. As for bras, I don't do it! I wear Camus with a built in shelf bra and that's enough... I'm currently a large C with the implants and will be a small D when revisions are complete.

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