July 2017 Surgery

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  • toughcookie_21
    toughcookie_21 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2017

    I started taking Percocet again before bed so I can try to get comfortable. My expanders are nowhere near full yet either I think he said I'm only at 150cc and we have a while to go. I was a 36c before and where the expanders are now, I barely have an A cup and its very misshaped. Even the surgical bras are baggy over the expanders so I have to get more fills if I want to look remotely natural. I am 5'8" and weigh 160 so I'm not a small person. I would like to not have to buy new bras after this too and my goal was to get as close to my before size as possible. We are going to a wedding next week and I bought prosthetic stuffersto put in one of my 36 c bras.

    I heard some people say that he pain gets more manageable as the expanders are filled more. I hope so.

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    I was filled to 250cc to start and just had 75cc last week. I've had some minor discomfort but nothing that tylenol isn't helping. They are going to do 1 more fill next week on both then just the left ( side getting radiation) I am close to where I want to be.

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  • MCOlivia
    MCOlivia Member Posts: 27
    edited August 2017

    Shelabela, Kae_md99, thank you for the tip. Glad to hear the pain is normal.

    I'm tolerating the pain a lot, to avoid taking too many pain medicines

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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    how are the range of motion of your arm ladies? are you back to where you were pre -surgery?

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Kae. No not yet. I can lift my hands above my head finally but it really pulls, I have 3 weeks to get my range of motion back. I have simulation for radiation the 3st

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  • toughcookie_21
    toughcookie_21 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2017

    so my,pain was not normal. I have an infection in the left breast and I'm back in the hospital on iv antibiotics:/ I had a fever yesterday and the pain just kept getting worse.

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  • KayaRose
    KayaRose Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2017

    Just wanted to say I feel for all of you going through the pain of tissue expanders and fills. I had my left breast removed in 2015 and just had my right breast removed on 7/17. However, I've had no reconstruction and can't imagine how difficult it must be to go through it. You ladies are very strong! Personally, I've chosen no reconstruction because I just can't face more surgeries. Also, my radiated skin on the left side is very thin and I think it would be a difficult reconstruction effort. Anyway, had to tell you all going through the process that I admire your determination and am wishing all of you excellent results.

    Shelabela - You'll have to keep your arm above your head throughout the whole radiation session, not just during the radiation zaps themselves. I'd recommend asking your doctor for a physical therapy referral. I would not have been able to start my radiation on time had I not gone to a great therapist. It made all the difference.


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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited August 2017

    I Saw my surgeon this morning I Have to keep my drains another week and my 3rd surgery schedule for September 1st

    I'm in pain the drains bother me i cannot sleep

    Sometimes I regret my decision to have reconstruction

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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    Gigilalia,

    you are not alone,i also have buyer's remorse sometimes.....i was told that at the exchange its much much better. i also hated my drains...i am sorry you are feeling pai

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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited August 2017

    kae: my surgeon told me today that next surgery will be very easy no pain I'm not sure that's true

    I'm in pain I cannot do anything and I'm not ready for another anesthesia another surgery

    And I don't want to have drains anymore 😟😟😟😟😟😟😟


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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    Gigi,

    is your next surgery the exchange already? do you have expanders? i remember the drains, very painful for me also..

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Kayarose, thank you. I will ask about it. I meet with Dr again next week.

    Toughcookie, so sorry your in the hospital. Hope things clear up fast.

    Gigilala, I would not another surgery so soon either. Hugs too you

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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited August 2017

    thank u for your support ladies

    Kae: my next surgery is expanders 😐😐😐

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited August 2017

    Hi all,I had my TE placement surgery 5 weeks ago and filled to 300 during surgery and a 100cc fill 3 weeks ago, fully expanded. Just wanted to say that 2 weeks ago I couldn't imagine a time where I wouldn't have pain, sneezing or hiccuping made me see stars. Standard up from a sitting or laying position was so very painful. Every step I took was horrible. It just felt like I had so much pressure and pulling on my chest and there's was no bra that was comfortable. I was beyond frustrated. But I'd like to say that it can get better! I was able to wear a slightly more supportive sports bra today and went for a long brisk walk with no pain at all. None. Now I hope it stays that way...until next surgery anyway:) Thinking of all of you and wishing for comfort for everyone.


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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    Hi TWills,

    are your TEs under or over the muscle? i am 4 weeks over the muscle placement and while i dont hurt while laughing/ sneezing,the Tes are still very much uncomfortable.. i am so happy that you are now pain free!

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited August 2017

    Kae, they are under the muscle. I'm happy too, just hope it stays this way. I'm in radiation now so that could cause some problems but hopefully not too much because I'll have these another year if I exchange to implants, concideringDIEP now though. I don't think I've had it all that bad when I hear what others are going though but I have had some sort of pain or major discomfort since my BMX in Dec. I sure hope you get some relief soon:)



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  • lynae23
    lynae23 Member Posts: 85
    edited August 2017

    Hi all

    Twillis thanks for letting us know. My TEs are still very painful & my BMX surgery was almost 3 weeks ago. Mine are also under the muscle so I thought maybe that was why they are so painful. I was able to get out yesterday for the first time besides dr appts to see my son practice football & go see a movie and that was nice. Felt normal again. I had to wear a baggy shirt to hide my drain bulbs and tubes since i still have 2 but it worked out. I hope to get them removed on Tues & I will have my first fill since surgery. I hope the fill relieves some of the pressure. I can only lift my arms halfway over my head.

    Toughcookie I hope you are doing better!

    Hugs to all

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  • Lanne2389
    Lanne2389 Member Posts: 229
    edited August 2017

    Hi - just found y'all and happy/relieved to have done so. I'm 8.5 wks out from double m with expanders over the muscle, filled to 500 (u read that right) during surgery. Tight does not describe how it felt the first 6 wks but getting a little better. My problem now is that the skin on my chest feels like I've been in a wet bathing suit for 3 days if my shirt is touching it - not exactly pain per se but so unnervingly uncomfortable. Only feels better with 5mg oxyC, which I hate taking and the dr's office won't refill anyway. Tylenol is no help. Has anyone else had this problem? This, on top of continued pain/discomfort from the expanders themselves plus now radiation (and having to get my arm over my head AND my #%#% feet - gah), I'm at my wits end - my pain bank is depleted. Any advice or thoughts? Swap to implants is 7-10 months out.

    ps - I asked my PS ifwomen who have implants ever feel like they didn't- and he said not usually. :(

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    lanne, I found if i take Ibuprofen and tylenol. Go between the 2. It helps a lot. My Dr mentioned trying it. She wouldn't give me more oxy either.

    As for the strange feeling, if i don't wear a real comfy sports bra I have a "tingling" feeling

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  • toughcookie_21
    toughcookie_21 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2017

    thanks ladies for your kind words! I am home after spending 3 days in the hospital on iv antibiotics. Doctors don't know where the infection started as my incision doesn't seem infected, but it was definitely an infection as my breast skin was very red and hot and my WBC count was up as well as my temperature and heart rate. I also had pain and just felt generally crappy.

    The pain is back to where it was before last week. It still seems like more pain than I thought would have at 4 weeks post surgery, but it's manageable. I'll be on oral antibiotics for 3 more weeks and I sure hope the infection goes away completely so I don't have to have the expander removed. I find that alternating Tylenol with Motrin helps the pain and I don't need the Percocet.
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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Toughcookie, so glad you are home. Hope you keep healing

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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited August 2017

    toughcookie: glad to hear you are home

    I have an app tomorrow bcz my drains is leaking

    I wish my doctor will take them off all

    I have another appointment at lymphedema clinic

    And September first i will have another surgery may be for expander

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  • RedJo40
    RedJo40 Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2017

    toughcookie_21

    I'm in hospital right now with infection. Had emergency surgery Sunday night. They took out te and put a new one in and cleaned it all up. I'm wishing I hadn't done reconstruction. This is so painful and disheartening. I may be here one or two more days depends on the culture. Only good thing from surgery he didn't fill te with as much cc's that's helped. I've been on antibiotics since surgery. So frustrating

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    RedJo,

    I am sorry to hear you are in the hospital. I hope you recover and heal quickly.

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  • toughcookie_21
    toughcookie_21 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2017

    redjo, I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through an infection too. They were definitely on the fence about whether or not I'd need to have the te removed. I'm glad to hear they were able to replace yours immediately. I hope you heal fast. I know what you mean about regretting the reconstruction. I keep wondering if this pain and discomfort is going to be my new normal and how I'm going to live the rest of my life

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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited August 2017

    redjo: sorry to hear u are in the hospital

    Sometimes I feel I'm regreting my reconstruction

    My drains are out freedom ....

    I saw a PT today and she gave me exercise to do at home she explained verything about lymphedema

    My live will never be like before diagnosis


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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    Redjo-hope you feel better soon

    just had an appointment with my PS, he deflated me ( 60 cc each breast) as i feel the girls are too big and heavy from what i was. he also cleared me for PT already and i was referred to a lymphedema specialist at a nearby hospital.although i might not get in right away as there is a waiting list. everything looks good so far. my exchange is set on oct.20. he wants to wait 3 months for everything to heal to avoid infection. 2 more months, i cant wait!!!! i also have some moments where i regret recon but i really like my PS and he is really good and i trust him... i am praying everybody will have a pain free day!

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Hi Ladies!

    How is everyone coming? I have about 85% of my range of motion back. I think that is pretty good for having a BMX just a little over 4 weeks ago. I really wish I could get comfortable at night though. Anyone else having that problem?

    I seen PT on Wednesday and she was actually very rude. I walked out of my appointment. I am 5'5" and weigh about 150# She told me I was over weight and needed to lose weight. Then she was pulling on my left arm (the one that I had lymph nodes removed) When I asked what she was doing she told me she was stretching my arm...... I was very unhappy with that appointment. I went and seen one closer to home yesterday and she said things looked good. Told me that there are no signs of Lymphedema at all. Gave me some exercises to do. Anyone else have exercises they are doing at home?

    Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2017

    wow shelabela,by 85% do you mean you can already rotte your arm at the back? i can barely raise my invasive cancer side straight. will be having Pt next month. i am glad you found a PT near home. doing some stretching exercises and finger walking on the wall thingy. slept on the bed for the first time in weeks. hope everybody is doing ok pain wise....

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Kae, Yes I can reach behind my back already. I have been doing 3 exercises since week 2.

    The first one is like a touchdown sign with your arms. Start slow and lay on the floor, Seems to help

    2nd is called snow angel. I lay on the floor, works really good on hardwood, put a pillow under your arms and practice making snow angels . very slowly

    3rd.... not sure of name... put your hands behind your head (laying on the floor again) elbows bent and up in the air, slowly try to lay them on the floor. This one really stretches out the muscles. Do this very slow and do not over stretch.

    With all 3 of these only go till you feel a pull then stop.

    Hope some of these help. Maybe you already have these to do?

    Shel

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