Tissue expander discomfort- is this normal?

daenerys30 · April 2020

I had a unilateral mastectomy on April 10th. I'm doing ok but the tissue expander is so uncomfortable. I feel like I have a metal plate in my chest. Im afraid to laugh or cough. Doing arm exercises helps. I almost have panic attacks over the discomfort. I still have one drain and swelling. I just want to know if this is normal and will it go away. I'd really love for support from someone who has had a tissue expander.

Sabbymama · April 2020

I also had a mastectomy on April 10th with a tissue expander in place. It is a very awkward feeling and quite uncomfortable, but not necessarily painful. I had a follow up with my PS yesterday and she noted some extra fluid build up in the area around the expander but didn't feel it was necessary to drain it since my drainage looked "healthy". I understand what you are feeling and I sympathize! I feel like the tightness when I take deep breaths is improving a bit more each day and I hope that you will feel more comfortable soon too. Taking it one day at a time.....

LiveLoveLaugh2020 · April 2020

Ladies unfortunately it's very normal! I had such discomfort for about 7 weeks. I hope this is not the case for you! It finally went away after that and I had my exchange surgery a few months later which was an instant relief! I went to PT in between (with someone who was experienced in BC patients) and it made the world of difference! I hope you feel better soon.

MinusTwo · April 2020

Yup - I felt like I had steel turtle shells in my chest. My son said it was the only time he heard me continuously complain. I will help some when they start filling - at last smooth out the edges. Try not to let them fill too much at a time or the stretching will hurt.

daenerys30 · April 2020

thank you for letting me know. I was worried that I was the only one. Today was a little better than yesterday. Hopefully this discomfort subsides to a dull annoyance.

daenerys30 · April 2020

I'm not in pain either except when I cough. My PS told me I had to move my arm more to stretch out the muscle and I do feel a little better each day. I was afraid I was the only one feeling this way.

Laurencl · April 2020

I had a mastectomy with TE 8/17/19. You are not alone, it is uncomfortable and at best annoying. On bad days I feel a pinching under my arm. With the COVID situation, who knows when I can get the reconstruction surgery. You will feel better once the drains are out. Also, after surgery, I was put in a very tight surgical bra. Once you can wear a comfy sports bra, you will feel more normal

Via · April 2020

sadly what your feeling is normal! And yes this journey takes lots of mental control because your chest feels like something not normal is in it. But when you have your second surgery and get your Permanent implant the difference is astonishing. The expander are horrible and you still have draining so once they take them out you will feel way better: This is a hard journey but Somehow your body gets use to the new you!

I want to share this and it may help I made videos of my journey and what I was feeling. This may help you when you feel something and wonder if anyone has it too https://m.youtube.com/channel/UChJA2AxDL3pCr5aE-S63jMg

you got this I know you are just staring but you got the hardest thing done and that was that horrible surgery. Recovery will get better every minute it passes. Rest take naps and you will pass all of it!

Via

Brooked0920 · April 2020

I had a bilateral mastectomy on April 3. My expanders are driving me insane. Hoping it gets better with implant exchange

Lioness111 · April 2020

Hi, I’m new here. I had right side mastectomy with expander and lymph node removal on the 24th of March and it’s been really painful both in the breast area and under arm and down arm. My surgeon did not want to extend opioids for painkillers and instead gave me Gabapentin 300mg three times a day and it’s helped incredibly. Like a world of difference. But the pressure feeing hasn’t gone away. I also have delayed wound healing. Has anyone had that? It’s kept them from doing the “fill” at my last two check ups as they say it could cause the wound to split open.

Brooked0920 · April 2020

I had a BMX on 4/3 and these expanders are driving me crazy. They filled mine up as much as I wanted during surgery , but they are so uncomfortable and heal like the are in my armpit on one side. I feel bad complain because I’m so thankful they got all the cancer but these things are driving me crazy. So ready for my exchange surgery

daenerys30 · April 2020

I feel like I have a rock in my breast. I also have nerve pain that feels like a bad sunburn. Hang in there with me. If I can get through it anybody can.

daenerys30 · April 2020

I do feel better with the drain out but I'm still uncomfortable. I learned that if I stay still to long it's worse so I try to stretch every once in a while.

Sabbymama · April 2020

Oh I am so looking forward to getting this drain out! I'm happy for you . I have noticed an increase in nerve pain this week, almost feels like I am tearing stitches open under my arm, in addition to the numbness/burning sensation between my elbow and armpit. Thankfully the incisions are healing nicely and the PS was able to fill the TE more than expected, but it is still feels awkward and uncomfortable. We've got this ladies!

LiveLoveLaugh2020 · April 2020

Ladies those drains and expanders (cement bricks) are the worst! I had my drains for 3 weeks, once they are removed you will feel instant relief. Same goes for the cement bricks! Take your medication if you need it, rest up and hang in there

gigigamble70 · May 2020

i had double mastectomy April 8th, 2020

W/reconstruction. I had my drains out in less than 2 weeks & first fill at 2 weeks & second the following week. I feel that they expanded me way too fast & i have been in terrible pain ever since.

I sleep slightly elevated but wake up in terrible pain. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest. Sharp pains in my chest thru to my back. Doctors wouldn’t give any pain meds after two weeks.

Advil & Tylenol do not give me much relief at all. I have a few pain pills left that i use sparingly ... when i just can’t get relief or sleep.

I’m exhausted & i have 6 more weeks until the swap of expanders for implants.

I get that pain meds should be used sparingly but I’m not getting the relief i need. I’m not a big baby when it comes to pain but so far my experience is terrible! :-(

Moderators · May 2020

Hi gigigamble70,

We want to welcome you to our community, and say that we're so sorry you're having such a rough time. We know this is a difficult experience! Everyone handles expanders in their own way, and if you're still experiencing significant pain this far out from your first and second fills, you may want to revisit that with your doctor. It definitely is a process, but if you're not able to even rest comfortably, it's worth seeing if there are other options available to you!

The Mods

e32 · May 2020

Yes. I had delayed wound healing, but so glad I waited on fills!! I had surgery in Jan and no fills for 3 months bc of Covid 19. I so get it. Felt like it took a long time to heal also. But finally finally there.

Emily12 · June 2020

MinusTwo,

how much is too much of a fill each time. I was told my PS would put 50ml each visit?

thank

Imcharmed86 · November 2020

I'm new to this group. I had my DMX 9/18. I have had 2 fills,but I have this horrible fluid build up. I still have one drain. I cant get it to drain. Does anyone have any tips as to how to make it drain,from the drain i have? I have to get this better. Im supposed to start chemo Friday

MinusTwo · November 2020

Emily - I think it depends on your individual body and how tight your skin is. Many people are comfortable with 100ml or even more filling each time. I was in pain until they dropped down to 50ml. Of course I was still in pain, but it was manageable. Yes, that means it may take longer to get to your goal, but it worked for me.

Moderators · November 2020

Imcharmed86, we're sorry that you have to be here, but welcome! You may also like to check out and join the conversation in the following Topic: Exchange City. And if you start chemo soon, you can share your experiences with a group of members starting chemo in November too: Starting chemo November 2020

Also, some helpful information about recovery at home after mastectomy and more in this article: Mastectomy: What to Expect

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

The Mods

Mangosan99 · November 2020

lcharmed86, I had my BMX 9/17 and had a similar problem with one of my drains, if I am understanding what you are saying.

When I went for my first fill, it pushed fluid that was trapped under my TE out of my drain tube incision. Then, two days later (10/13), I had an inflamed, red breast that led my surgeon to remove the TE. Surgeon is still not sure if it was an infection or just some kind of rejection but I suspect it was related to whatever was keeping the fluid from draining.

That said, if you haven't gotten your PS involved, I would do so. This is a really long time to have a drain. I ended up with a new drain after explant but that was removed 3 weeks ago (10/20).

Tissue expander discomfort- is this normal?

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