Tissue expanders

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Dianemalzy
Dianemalzy Member Posts: 1
edited November 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

hi all new here. Was diagnosed in February of 2016 with stage 2 breast cancer. Her2 positive. Had 18 weeks of chemo then double mastectomy (my choice). Had expanders put in and 9 weeks later, I got an infection and they had to come out. Wondering how many have had this happen. I'm told I can only have reconstruction using my own body fat and that I have to wait 6 months to a year. Anything you can share is appreciated.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited November 2016

    Unfortunately, it happens a lot (as frequently as 30%+ according to some studies). The most serious infections are typically introduced during surgery (by surgical implements or equipment and contaminated gloves/hands), and only the hospital can prevent these. They tend to show up soon after surgery. Prophylactic antibiotics are not usually recommended since they can mask an infection without curing it. I had a very serious infection in one breast following BMX and implants. I have since been shocked by the infection rates in our hospitals in general, but it is particularly high in breast reconstruction with implants. I have not reconstructed the infection side as the idea of dealing with all of that again is not appealing. I wish doctors would be more candid about the frequency of infection, and that it is sometimes life threatening. I also don't understand why infection, generally, is so scarily pervasive in our hospitals, and particularly so in the realm of breast reconstruction.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5012596/

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23714788

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25876011

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  • Warrior4sararyan
    Warrior4sararyan Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2016

    Thank you for this informative answer and articles. I have my expanders in and will be having my exchange in December. I did develop fluid on the outside of my left expander.(due to a problem with my drain) My doctor would not drain it because he was afraid it could cause a infection. He told me to rest and listen to my body. My hardest thing was feeling better and doing to much and then hitting the wall and having my breast really hurt. I did a lot of resting in my chair with ice packs on my mounds. I was running a slight fever after a day of expansion. My doctor told me rest,take my medication. I did not leave my chair and did nothing all day. My fever broke within 10 hours.
    I am praying the exchange goes well as I know I have scar tissue and want a healthy,no infection surgery!
    Good luck to you and the journey you are on for a healthy outcome with your implants!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2016

    Hi Dianemalzy-

    Like Gracie mentioned, this is a fairly common occurrence. We're so sorry you're experiencing it too! Check out our thread on TE Troubles, lots of great info there, and lots of knowledgeable members who can offer insight: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics....

    The Mods

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  • Suefort
    Suefort Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016

    I have tissue expanders and they don't bother me during the day but at night, they "roll" around as I lay down or turn on my side and they hurt. Does anyone else have that problem, will it go away after I get the implants.

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  • Momandwife36
    Momandwife36 Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2016

    I got expanders put in immediately after my double mastectomy as it looked like I wasn't going to need chemo. After my surgery, a couple of my lymph nodes tested as cancerous. Then I started chemo, which as we all know...lowers your body's ability to heal itself. So, one of my expanders got infected twice. The second time, I had to have it removed. Now I have one expander and am concave on the other side. I also have had issues sleeping on my side with expanders, but as things stand now, I won't know if this is relieved once the final implants go in, or not.

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  • Bravemama34
    Bravemama34 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2016

    I also had bilateral mastectomy w tissue expanders Both got infected twice and we removed it. I have to have radiation to one side so my plastic surgeon said we need to bring tissue from my back for that side which is a shame after tolerating the expanders for a few months and now having to wait for months and getting more extensive tissue.

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  • Lisey
    Lisey Member Posts: 1,053
    edited November 2016

    Just want to give a shout out to another option that I wasn't told about. I too had TEs and they were hell for me (so out they went). I asked the doctor to take away all the loose skin I think I look great flat. Younger women can rock flat, there is absolute freedom in it. No bras, no boob sweat, no Mammograms ever again, People think I look thinner and I can wear anything I want now. (my large boobs always made clothing difficult because I needed coverage) I wear off the shoulder sweaters with cowls and look about 10 years younger. Plus no plastic in my body to give me the small but real chance of Lymphoma (ALCL)... So... if you are dealing with this, come to our FB page "Flat and Fabulous" check out the pics there and see how amazing being flat can look and feel.

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited November 2016

    I went to the FB page Flat & Fabulous, they dont work to fast on allowing someone to join the group. I am still pending after almost 2 weeks. I am undecided about reconstruction, was hoping for insight.

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