Leaking Expander

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samiam
samiam Member Posts: 160
edited August 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I went for my second fill today and found I had a leak in one of my expanders.  I feel foolish that I hadn't noticed.  I'd lost 170cc's from the right expander.  (I was proud that it had softened and "dropped" while the left was still so firm, high, and tight!  Now I know why.)   My PS scheduled me for an expander replacement surgery this coming Monday! 

Has anyone had an expander replaced?  What can I expect for recovery time?  I assume it might be similar to a unilateral expander/implant exchange?   It will be outpatient surgery estimated to take about an hour.  I'm hoping to be back to my desk job in 2-3 days.  Does that sound reasonable ... or am I dreaming? 

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited August 2008

    Oh gosh - so sorry to hear of your leak.  I can't answer about recovery time for this but will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  I am sure someone will come along and answer.

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  • suebee92
    suebee92 Member Posts: 85
    edited August 2008

    Hi there! I also had my right expander leak and had it replaced. It was bad for me. I couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I actually felt the pain from that more then the bi-lateral surgery. I'm sorry everyone is different and maybe you won't think it's too bad. I know when i went for my exchange i was dreading it, just becuz of the replacement but the exchange was sooo much easier and better. Hopefully they give you good pain meds and take it slow you definately want to heal right. Well goodluck I know i wasn't a big help but you'll get through it! We all find the strength!

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  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2008

    I had to have one of my expanders replaced because of an infection.  I had it removed and replaced in two separte proceedures.  The replacement surgery was also very painful for me, but I am pretty sure my bilat hurt worse, as did the 1st surgery to try to get rid of the infection (funny how the brain has the ability to forget pain).  But I was in the hospital for several days for those 2 surgeries.  For the replacement surgery my doc told me I would be out of work a week or two.  I had the surgery on a Thursday and went back to work 10 days later.  I was allowed to go back to work 10 days after my exchange surgery too.  The exchange surgery was hardly painful at all.  I think I took 3 pain pill all together.

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  • samiam
    samiam Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2008

    Thanks for the information.  I hope it isn't too bad.  I had a bilateral so I keep telling myself ... at least this is just one side! 

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  • samiam
    samiam Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2008

    Just wanted to pass on that I had my expander replacement surgery on Monday (5 days ago).  I've been sore but have had a pretty good week.  I was able to work 2-3 days. There was an infection scare a day or two due to redness of my breast.  I never had a temperature and the PS said it was just stretched skin. I'm glad to have it behind me. The real downside is that my start of chemo has been delayed a week or two while I heal.

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  • ocalagirl03
    ocalagirl03 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2008

    Dear Samiam;

    I've got a worse tale.  My expander BROKE THRU MY SKIN!  I had to have it replaced 5 days ago with a revision of my mastectomy scar.  I really hurt and fell I am back to square one. I don't think the MD's tell you all the facts before surgery and I did my homework too.  Good luck to you.  Maybe a change of brands of expanders will help.

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  • samiam
    samiam Member Posts: 160
    edited September 2008

    Oh goodness Ocalagirl!  that must have been scary.  I'm on my 8th day after replacement and feel a little better each day.  I knew there could be setbacks ... I'm just hoping I've already had mine!  Good luck to you in your recovery.

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  • magpie1952
    magpie1952 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2008

    I just found out that my expander is also leaking.   What a huge disappointment.  I was already on my 8th "fill up" when the doctor discovered it.   So - I am going in to my PS today to talk options.   I have been very lucky so far.   No pain with the Mastectomy - or initial fill ups.   Good luck to all.

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  • samiam
    samiam Member Posts: 160
    edited October 2008

    Magpie, Did you have the replacement?  My replacement surgery and recoverywas pretty easy.  Fillups went fast since the skin was already stretched. 

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  • rainstatus
    rainstatus Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2010

    my expander broke on my left side through my skin i thought it was an infection because of the yellow color to the expander now i am concern because i am a single mom of two kids with no help i moved to another state to get my children out of the state we lived it for a better atmosphere and since i am alone in this state i do everything for my children 15 and 6 it has been so hard and so much swelling and i haven't been able to heal my left side has been bruised black and blue and the skin broke open the good news is i don't have an infection or bacteria so the PS deflated my left side to release tension on it to see if the side will heal and if it doesn't then it will have to be removed then my body would have to heal and then replaced OMG this has been such a difficult 7 months and this surgery for the expanders was more painful to me then the bilateral mastectomy ugh... i wish anyone the best of luck that is going thru this and i hope this never happens to someone that goes thru this..GOD BLESS

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  • cakelady
    cakelady Member Posts: 203
    edited July 2010
    I had a leaking expander too, on my right side. It was the PS that poked the hole in it at one of the fills. I had to have both of them replaced, because the one side went flat from the leak and the left side was all bunched up.  Then all my fills went nicely, until about 2 weeks ago, when I got my fill I was in pain after that. Its because my right side is higher and more in my armpit. Its hurts alot. They gave me ibuprofen, and I take Vicodin too.   That night I couldnt take the pain, it hurt when I tried to take a deep breath, I went to the emergency room that night, and they couldnt do anything but give me 2 Vicodin.  Now 2 weeks later it still hurts and I take pain pills every day.  I had to cancel my next fill appt. and now I will go less often and get less at each fill.  I work 6 days a week, and sometimes I barely make it thru the day.. this has been worse than some of my surgeries!
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  • spring2010
    spring2010 Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2010

    I have my expander filled to 250 cc and started my Chemo in Feb, 2010. I finished my last Chemo 5 weeks ago. I saw a new ps for consultation. He suggested me to have my expander filled to at least 350 cc before I do the exchange so it will look more natural. Even though I only desire to have my orginal breast size  around 200 cc.Since the expander is 12 cm and has 350 cc capacity, if I don't expand more I will have to have some stitches to reduce the pocket.Anyone have the experience of reduce the pocket size? Will the stitches hurt very much and create more problem in the future? Unfortunately, just a moment ago, I felt my left breast became a little softer and flater. I also felt some pain inside my left breast. Is this the way how the leakage happen? Do I need to go to the Emergency Room to check it out? Or just wait till Tuesday to call the PS office? 

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  • smll123
    smll123 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2013

    Hi everyone.  Had my 6th fill last week and the next day notice a rash and had it 4 days.  Now 1 week later I'm thinking my expander is feeling kind of soft and now thinking it may have leaked.  Anyone have this happen? I'm seeing the Dr. next Wed.  & wondering if I should move my appt up to Monday.  Thanks!

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  • IslandGirl50
    IslandGirl50 Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2013

    One of my tissue expander started leaking and I called the PS office and they said just come in at my regular appoinment which was 3 days later.  The leakage was caused by a defective TE. The replacement TE surgery was a breeze.  I had it on Tuesday and was back at work on Monday.  Hardly any pain at all.

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited January 2013

    My TE started leaking after my second to last fill. PS said we would just keep filling until exchange. So I had 2 extra fills before surgery and all went well. My PS really likes to wait a month after the last fill to let things settle, but oh well didn't happen.

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  • kandyhunt
    kandyhunt Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2018

    HELP!!!! My right TE is completely flat. I told the nurse two weeks ago at my fill I thought it was getting smaller. Missed a fill last week because the doctor moved offices and they didn't have any equipment to,do one. I have another appontment in the morning I am freaking out. I was just starting to feel my life was getting back to normal.

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited August 2018

    Hi Kandyhunt -

    I am so sorry this is happening!!! I had the same problem with one of my expanders last year, and I did the same thing you did - post.

    I had to have mine replaced. It felt like a punch in the gut, because it seemed it was just surgery after surgery....(had six from May to Nov)

    My PS said "no danger" my body absorbed the saline...but the expander had to be replaced to keep the skin stretching and ready for the implant. The appearance of my chest was well...one big overstuffed rock hard coconut, and the other side flattish pancake look....Hang in there Kandy!!! Sending a cyber hug and support!!!!!!!! Liz


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  • kandyhunt
    kandyhunt Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2018

    I feel like a Picasso. One boob at least looking sort of normal with clothes and the other looks like cave. I went to the doctor this morning and the nurse did not show up. So I have an appointment with the doctor at 8 in the morning. I have no issues really until now so I know I should feel lucky but I don't.

    Thanks for the pep talk Peace. I needed it.

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  • kandyhunt
    kandyhunt Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2018

    Saw the plastic surgery this morning. I am going to have to go under the knife AGAIN. My right TE is flat. And the left one he says looks like it is not doing so good either. While he is in there he will check on the left one and probably replace both. I am not happy but in the course of set backs this one is small. No date has been set. I told him hurry hurry. He said, "that's what everyone says".

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