Pain with Tissue Expanders

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aprildawn714
aprildawn714 Member Posts: 32
edited October 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi I just had my surgery last Friday so it's only been a week and 2 days. But, I feel like these tissue expanders are too big for my skin! I feel like an alien is going to burst out of my chest. They are so tight. If I am sitting still I'm okay but if I touch my breast it's so hard and it hurts at the lightest touch. If I walk for a while they feel like I am wearing a wire bra on the outside of my body that is being pulled down. I still have my 4 drains also. Is this normal?? I haven't even started to have them filled! I new they would be uncomfortable but this is not what I expected.

Thanks for any replies

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Comments

  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited September 2019

    what you describe is normal. Not great but normal. It does get better


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  • purple-flower
    purple-flower Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2019

    Hi April. Yes! That is exactly how I feel!! I swear the left one is wayyy too big for my body! Sooo sore to touch! any advice is welcome!


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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited September 2019

    I found that when the TEs have too much fill and the skin hasn't stretched yet, they press the TEs into my chest muscles which hurts excessively.

    As soon as the skin is allowed to relax they feel 100% better.

    I hope you find the same. Waiting until they stop hurting to get a fill, and then not getting too much at a time help.

    I'm assuming your TEs had some fill to start though. Mine were empty to start and only started hurting after my second fill.

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  • godisone
    godisone Member Posts: 100
    edited September 2019

    That's a common phenomenon experienced by most women who choose tissue expanders as breast implants. The "alien" term is a feeling and i can totally relate to it. Trust me you will get used to it and the soreness is also going to subside soon. Still if its feels too big for your original size then you can do talk to your plastic surgeon regarding the same. Yes, pain might accompany every filling but trust me things would soon be manageable.

    Consult your doctors regarding the use of anti inflammatory and analgesics to ease out the pain.Also, you can ask for a muscle relaxant of choice. They will provide much relief in a span of 3-5 days. But make sure that you are just not popping any pill, consult your doctor as there are other drugs that you c=are consuming and a drug interaction can make you feel worse.

    Happy healing :-)

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited September 2019

    I had the same pain as you describe. I ended up taking my pain medication full-time for 3 weeks and then overnight for another 2 or so. Another thing that helped me a ton was massages by my LANA-certified physical therapist. The pain went away completely for about 18-24 hours after she did a massage. See if you can find a PT with that kind of training, it made a huge difference for me: https://www.clt-lana.org/search/therapists/

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  • AnnC2019
    AnnC2019 Member Posts: 203
    edited September 2019

    I feel like I have a plank of wood under my skin. And the skin is hot and numb.

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  • aprildawn714
    aprildawn714 Member Posts: 32
    edited September 2019

    I think the one side feels more painful on me because my one breast was a little smaller than the other now they are both the same size. So my side where my breast was smaller hurts so much more like it's too big for that side. I'm almost 2 week post surgery and they still hurt so bad. I can't imagine having any injection at this point😳

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  • purple-flower
    purple-flower Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2019

    Hi everyone. I am 2 weeks post surgery today. drains out yesterday and a small fill in expanders at the time (60ml). I am very sore still. sides near underarms and top of chest area. very hard rim all around exoandera also. still taking Tylenol and feeling very uncomfortable and frustrated. is this within normal range? when will the pain subside?

    Also I was sleeping practically sitting up w drains in. ok to lay down more flat now to sleep or I should prop up still? it doesn't hurt as much to lay flat without the drains but just wondering if still need to be propped up?

    Thanks for any advice.

    Purple flower.

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  • GerberD
    GerberD Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2019

    My my PS told me to sleep sitting up while the drains were in. Once out, I was allowed to sleep lying flat on my back but not allowed to sleep on my side for 3 months! I'm a side sleeper so it's been really frustrating. Almost easier to sleep in a slight upright position!

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  • purple-flower
    purple-flower Member Posts: 111
    edited October 2019

    Thanks Gerber! I've been slowly transitioning to flat on back sleeping, which is great for back/neck. Seems that midway through night I feel like propping back up so I do that. Yeah, I'm a side sleeper too! Sleeping on back sucks. I'm getting a bit more used to it but can't wait for next year sometime!! Thanks for the response.

    PF

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  • aprildawn714
    aprildawn714 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2019

    I got my second fill today. I am still so sore on my one breast. Maybe I am just doing too much. The Dr didn't seemed concerned. I am a side sleeper too. I bought a cheap pillow wedge from Walmart and it helps so much. I have been using it since my surgery. I am so looking forward to getting these things out. But every day is a little better. I actually look like I have boobs now.

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