Recovery ?

Options
betterdazeahead
betterdazeahead Member Posts: 77
edited February 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

I have a question regarding recovery from double mastectomy with reconstruction - expanders under the muscles.

How long does the recovery take? Does the tightness go away at any point?

I had my mastectomy a little over 2 weeks ago. My 1st fill was at 10 days post-op. I feel good, but my chest is so uncomfortable and I don't know if it is normal to still feel this way. I was hoping by now I would at least have moments of where it would feel like not much of anything. I am healing really well from what the doctors have said about my incisions. 


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited February 2019

    I did not have TE’s but went direct to implant. I had my reconstruction about 9 weeks ago, and I can say probably within the last 2 weeks I have finally had moments when I forget about the implants. Not all the time, but moments.

    As for being uncomfortable most of the time, I would say that ended about 4-5 weeks post op for me. Not pain but just general annoyance most of the time. I would say actual pain was gone by 2-3 weeks.

    It sounds like you are doing well for the stage you are at!

    Hopefully someone who has been through the TE process will chime in because I know that makes things different. Hoping you continue to feel good and the discomfort eases a little each day.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaliKelly
    CaliKelly Member Posts: 474
    edited February 2019

    Hi , I have to tell you the tissue expander is somewhat uncomfortable the whole time, at least for me it was. I only had it on one side, so at least I could lie on that side for sleeping. It's the most uncomfortable for a week or so after fills, but I hated it the entire time it was in my body! I took muscle relaxers at night , my muscles would cramp up. Maybe that will help you. Oh but when you get them exchanged for nice ,soft implants, it's like night and day! SO much more comfy, so better days ahead😉

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited February 2019

    Betterdaze-

    Hi there. You sound like you are doing great! Many people liken the tissue expanders to rocks in their chest. Honestly I didn’t have that uncomfortable sensation with them but it’s super common. I had my tissue expanders in a very long time and they did feel more comfortable as time passed. You are very early on , but you shouldn’t be miserable with them.

    If you are that uncomfortable I would push for PT with someone that specializes in mastectomy patients. In retrospect I wish I went to PT early on after my BMX. A qualified PT can give you both strength and stretching exercises to balance the upper body. This I believe is super important looking back in my experience. Hindsight 20/20.

    Best of luck to you! I hope you feel some relief very soon!!✌️

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited February 2019

    My expanders were really uncomfortable sleeping as I like to sleep on my side and that didn’t work for a couple months. After a while, i could sleep properly but I do have to change positions pretty frequently. That said, I don’t have pain when i’m just sitting around. I feel like 2 weeks is pretty early in your recovery but i certainly would talk to your ps or look into pt, as suggested above, if you feel like you aren’t improving a little bit each week. GL!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • betterdazeahead
    betterdazeahead Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2019

    Thank you all for the responses! 

    I am uncomfortable and yeah a bit like a rock (more like bolder siting in there). Before hand I thought these would only be in for a few months but things change and now I am looking at 9 months roughly with the expanders because of treatment. 

    Thank you for letting me know I should and can ask for PT - tomorrow I go in for another fill and afterwards my port placement. I will definitely be asking about PT!!! I haven't been able to take any meds for the last 5 days because they told me to stop everything for 5 days leading to my surgery - maybe just more uncomfortable not being able to take my muscle relaxer and the Motrin.

    Sure is odd to me how the rest of my body feels so good (minus a little more fatigue at times) but my chest is just so tight and finding if I move in certain ways I feel more uncomfortable or like it pulls and I can feel the hardness of the expander a little more so almost digging into me. 

    Again I really appreciate each of your for reaching back to me!!! XOXO

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited February 2019

    Betterdaze

    I had one of my expanders in for a year and 4 months. Sometimes things don’t go as originally planned, as was certainly my case on most levels! But I’m not complaining, you just can’t control everything!

    PT was the one of the best things that ever happened to me in this whole big winding road. My PT guy was brilliant and it lifted my spirits on all levels to know I was taking a proactive approach and was taken care of- FINALLY!! It actually got me back into strength training after years!

    You probably won’t be able to do strength training just yet, but you should be able to start other things.

    I wish you all the best going forward with your upcoming chemo! Keep moving, it will serve you well!!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories