Expander poking out

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DaraWedel
DaraWedel Member Posts: 4
edited November 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

Anybody else? Just had my expander inflated for the first time yesterday and now it is poking out of my skin - like a freaky little knob- scares me! And it’s Friday night so I can’t see the doctor until Monday. Is this “normal “??

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited November 2019

    Mine were teardrop shaped with a hard base and yes, I could feel the edges poking out sometimes.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2019

    Hi Dara, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're so sorry you're experiencing this strange effect and we hope you get relief soon. You're sure to get some more responses here shortly, so hang tight while others weigh in with their experiences and advice!

    Keep us posted on what happens, and we look forward to seeing you around the boards.

    --The Mods

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  • DaraWedel
    DaraWedel Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2019

    thank you for your reply- helps to know it happens to others! I am scared to do my PT exercises now (even though I really need to do them now to alleviate cording in my arm) - but i suppose it doesn’t really hurt the healing if the expander is shifting and protruding (?)

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  • BgRose
    BgRose Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2019

    Hi Dara,

    Same thing happened to me after the first fill (250cc). TE shifted and was digging into my ribs and causing pain and discomfort.

    Yesterday was my second fill (60cc) and so far so good..

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited November 2019

    i had the same and it got better after each fill

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  • DaraWedel
    DaraWedel Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2019

    thank you so much for normalizing the experience and making it less scary! my physical therapist happened to call me this morning and she said this does happen a lot and I can continue with the stretching exercises... Will follow up with plastic surgeon Monday. Goodness this experience is interesting isn’t it? Trying to shift my fears to curiosity... :)

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  • countdooku
    countdooku Member Posts: 63
    edited November 2019

    I had this same sensation for the first few fills and then when I got closer to what ended up being my final "size," that pokey feeling went away. The final implants are MUCH more comfortable than the tissue expanders! Oh my goodness, so much more comfortable and they don't feel like bricks either.

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  • DaraWedel
    DaraWedel Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2019

    thank you!! My surgeon did a 2nd fill (early) and also tried pushing it down, but it didn’t budge immediately.... then about a day later i guess the fluid did the trick and it is shifting- looking much better- hooray! I’m glad to hear it gets better with implants.Overall I’m grateful to do the reconstruction and even find it “interesting” much of the time... it was scary to see that poking though, so thank you for your feedback/normalizing my experience!

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