continued Tissue expander pain!!

paulamary,

Thanks for your post.  I actually called LifeCell and they were of no help.  They referred me back to my PS.  My hospital bill is STILL under review, and my ins. co. has paid their agreed upon amt., so no help either.  You would think they would want to know if a bill was incorrect and/or inflated??  Finally today, I got the surgical scheduler from my PS office on the phone, and she is looking into it.  She has access to the hosp. stuff, and is positive the bill is incorrect.  She's the only sympathetic person I've spoken with thus far, and it was a relief that she was helpful.  It's not like a collection agency is calling me (yet), but it burns me up that these type of mistakes are made, and no one wants to take responsibility!  I'm the only one that seems to care, ofcourse I'm the most impacted bc of my financial responsiblity to the hospital.  Oh, BTW, the hosp. bill stated the AlloDerm was $165 per unit, far from $20 or $30!! 

Hopefully by next week the hospital bill will have been reviewed and everything resolved.  I could hope that the bill will be resubmitted to my ins. co. which would be great bc I've met my out of pocket maximum, so maybe I'll owe $0!!!  Fat chance, but a girl can dream, right?  LOL!  I do still have a sense of humor, but I'm ready to be thru with all this nonsense.

Teresa

Hi all...after a few more meltdowns, I am almost back to normal.  Keep in mind though that "normal" as we know it, has taken on a whole new meaning.  I guess to sum it up, I do not feel as sorry for myself today as I did yesterday.  Anyway, I had a question.  My PS recommended that I do not wear my surgical bra right now.  He was afraid that it would pull on the right incision, the side that had the leak prior to the exchange.  I am being extremely careful.  For those of you who did not wear a bra after surgery...how long was it before you went and bought something nice (ie VS IPEX) to wear?  And any suggestions as to something besides the VS IPEX?  I let the girl at VS measure me the other day for band-width only.  I felt if she had seen my chest, the cute little thing would have passed out cold on the floor.  Is it difficult to get measured after your exchange?

-Janelle

I am 3 weeks past mastectomy with expanders in both breasts.  Successfully completed chemo and radiation.   They DO feel like turtle shells.  The pain is horrible, was hoping the hard part was behind me, but this is unbearable, cannot sleep or lie on either side. Wake up with nightmares when I do sleep, because I feel like I cannot breathe.    Pain meds not working and I don't want to become dependant. I appreciate all of the advise, am contemplating having them removed.  Has anyone ever done that?  After surviving everything else (10 mo of treatment), I was hoping for an easy button.

lillyj,

  Im sorry to hear you are in so much pain, Especially after the last 10 months of treatments you have endured.

Today I can say there is hope for others in pain  (while not everyones pain goes away)  I too was ready to rip my expanders out or at least get to my PS & have him to it.

 I am 5.5 weeks from BM with expanders.  the 1st 3 weeks were horrible for pain & like you my pain meds did not help.  At 3.5 weeks   The pain started to settle some & I was able to get off my Pain meds & today I can say I am uncomfortable.  But Not in pain from my expanders ( I do have swelling on my sides which I will find out tomorrow if it is trunk LE- and that is causing pain)

I do feel stretching does help the muscles & ones pain.  I did not stretch in the begining because I was in so much pain- It is hard to do.  But even a little stretching I think helps.

I just got back from my 1st fill after my Pain has stopped (not my actual 1st fill)  And I can happily say I am not in any extra pain.

I am hoping that yours might do the same.

Pam

Monica1,  I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders in Feb., finished my fills in April, and got my permanent implants in June.  I didn't want to wait that long for the implants, but I think with the waiting the expanders do their own settling in and become more bearable. Your wait will be a month longer than mine, so I hope your expanders continue to be less noticeable to you also.  Your feelings sound like a classic description of depression to me.  I got on anti-depressants when it hit me, and it has made a world of difference.  You can talk to your primary physician about it, and he or she can prescribe something appropriate.  You don't need to feel that bad, help is available.  If you're curious about depression symptoms, you might try one of the many on-line questionaires to see what you think. I'm feeling better and hope you will be soon also.  gand

Greeting from Michigan!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy I'm off line for 2 weeks and the board has a great new look!!!

Well the cherries are on and I did take pictures but have not posted them yet. You all know me, nothing ever goes smooth in Northern Michigan.

Here's the latest reasons for my absence: It started around two weeks ago, right after my surgery. The DH has fallen off the wagon (again!!!!) and is not the most plesant to be around after being with his budwizers. Anyways, he was gripping because he once again lost is cell phone charger. Me being the kind wife just went to Wally world and bought another. I plugged the phone on the counter next to the sink. Big mistake!!!!! My computer was also plugged into the same outlet because I was working online. I walked outside for a moment and his damn Puggle (aka dog from hell) jumped on to the counter to go after the cat food. (like the fat dog needs more to eat!!!) Anyways, I walk back into the house, see the dog on the counter, scare the shit out of him, yelling for him to get down, and he knocks the cell phone into the sink!!!! This was also the rare occasion that I was soaking dishes in the sink, from the dried fruity pebbles from the 10 year old. The next thing I know, sparks are flying out of the outlet, and my hard drive was fried!!!! I lost everything, photo's, music, etc. all because I saved a little kitten from getting run over the day before. That's why the food was on the counter, so the dog wouldn't get to it!!!! So much for that great idea. I almost shot the dog, right then and there. Remember what I told you all before, "never ask, what more".

Goodnight ladies, I'll write more tomorrow, and hopefully post those photos.

Love Sharon

It is so helpful with everyone advice on here, I had my surgery June 9th, bilat mast. and they put 50cc's of saline in at that time. I went last week and they put in 50cc's again and when I set up on the table it felt like broken ribs and so much pain it caused tension in my left shoulder blade that felt like a knife being shoved in. I am to go back to get fill again today I am thinking I should ask if I should maybe do less today. I have one great thing to say about last weeks fill it made that spasm go away in my right breast area......thank goodness. I have been so tired of taking prescription pain medications. Yesterday for the first time I took some Advil, I kinda think it did make my should feel better. I was to return to work yesterday but there was no way, I am going to have to go back next Monday thought. I was wondering what kind of exercises you all are speaking of? I do not have a physical theripist where i live. I have been doing the finger walk up the wall and that is about all I know of. I have a burning under my right expander that fills like someone taking a match and putting it under my skin, I am like Lily I thought once I was threw the surgery it would be smooth sailing, I am not a normal complainer but this has made me one....lol. I am glad you all are here for me to voice to, my husband is ready to trade me in I am sure.........lol. thanks to all and any advice is much appreciated...Tami

I just got back from the pharmacy for getting my Lortab refilled. I am ok with 2 in the am and Aleve at night. I am really dreading my first fill tomorrow. We have a convention to go to this weekend and I want to feel good and be able to swim in the pool. I may only go with 30cc because of this.

I told my PS that I wanted to be the same size which was a large B (small C). He put in 500cc expanders and began with 50cc. If they put in 50cc at a time, that is 9 fills. Is that correct? My girlfriend who shares the same PS is bigger than I want to be and she said she only had 3 or 4 fills. She says she is a C but I swear she looks like a D. They are bigger than I want but they look really great! I also feel good because I have met 3 nurses. When I tell them who my PS is, all they can say is how great he is.

Oh Sharon, what a story! Reminded me of Sunday. I had watched some George Carlin HBO specials and he was talking about things we never hear. Well, I never thought I would hear myself saying to my DH "I just washed my boobs. They are drying on the kitchen counter. Please keep the cats off of them". On the other hand, I am so glad you adopted the poor little kitten. I hope she turns out well. I have 11 cats and 2 dogs. (humane society volunteer and sucker for strays).

Well, I gotta make a list of ??? to ask the PS. Like why my left expander is a good 3" higher. And why the right one looks bigger. My port was on the left, but thank goodness it is out!  

Christianne, Your muscle is fighting your expander.  One suggestion is to go to physical therapy or slow down on your fills to allow the muscle time to stretch.  Meanwhile, get something to put under your expander like the 'cookies' that women use to push-up their boobs.  That will make it appear that your expander is lower than what it is.  Use a 'formed' bra and stuff your good side with something like a shoulder pad.  I actually found the best position for the shoulder pad and tacked them into a couple bras so that I didn't have to mess with them or worry about them popping out while I was waiting for my exchange and of course, hike up the strap on your good side.  Best wishes

I still think a copy of this whole thread should be printed out and placed in our PS' offices.  Can you imagine what a help it would be to women who have nothing to provide them info or support?

-Janelle

Wow bsnevada you had a 150 cc at the time of surgery I only had 50cc's I had 50 more put in the week after drain tubes where taken out but then this week only took the 25cc's. I feel like such a whimp but it felt like broken ribs after the 50 and they didn't tell me to set up slowly and kinda let everything fall in to place and boy did I learn my lesson on that. I set up slowly after the 25 got put in and kinda took my time in the room and I felt it hit on the right side but it wasn't bad, nothing like jumping up fairly fast and making it feel like your ribs have been crushed....lol. There is just some things that I wish they would of mentioned to me before hand, I relize some women don't have the same problems but for those that do it would be helpful to know some tricks to the trade...so to say. I asked my PS several questions saying is this normal he stated I have heard all these questions a million times, WELL this is my first time I am not an OL pro at it. I just think the nurses or someone should give you a sheet that says you might experience this or that but then again you might not. I just want to be able to go back to the 50 but think I might go 25 again next week and then go for the 50 again the week after that. My surgery being on June 9th give myself a little healing time first. My PS says this is not a race, but he doesn't have the so called Turtle Shell from H***. There was places I wanted to stick saline in him when it felt like broken ribs and I wasn't informed and he had already left the room and didn't stick around to ask me how I was feeling.....lol. got to keep a sence of humor here. Keeps me going and its great to have you all to voice it all to. Thanks to all Hugs Tami

Hi Beig, FIRST I want to commend you for your decision. I am 54 years old. My Great Grandmother and my Grandmother both died in their 50's from breast cancer. My mother had breast cancer at 53 and is a survivor at the age of 85.I was diagnosed May 12th,2008 with breast cancer in my left breast.I choice to have the right breast removed also in fear of having to go through this all over again.My husband & family supported me 100%. On May 23rd ,2008 I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed at the same time. I have 2 daughters ages 28 and 31. They are both going to start having yearly Breast MRI. { This is how mine was found,MRI }. If you were my daughter with these tumors I would support you 100% in your decision.} I also have a friend in her early 60's who made the same decision as you have and does not regret it at all. She now does not worry about getting cancer or going through chemotherapy! Be sure to talk with your Plastic Surgeon about the expanders and filling them slowly so you are more comfortable during the process. Wishing you well and praying for your recovery. I'm here to support you anytime through this, respond anytime.   Jeansbeans

Saw the PS yesterday for another fill.  Only one more to go!!!!  And the best news of all is that he said he is finding that waiting only 1 month instead of 2 for the exchange surgery works just as well.  So instead of late September for this expander thing to come out, I am looking at August 25!!!  I am so happy to see the end in sight.

Tami, Unfortunately there is no magic formula for what cc=what cup size.  It depends on a multitude of things including (but not limited to):  your height, your weight, the shape and size of your ribcage, the shape and size of your final implants....to name a few.  Keep an eye on your expander and when you are a size that you like, let your PS know.  I started out just wanting to match my good side (slightly deflated and then decided I wanted to be a small C......my final expansion made me a full C and I DEFINITELY didn't want to be any smaller than that!!!  LOL  I told my PS that I wanted the DIMENSIONS of my expander....the same width and projection NOT necessarily the same CCs.  I had 370 in my expander and my implant is 421 and I am actually a small D and one happy camper!  Best wishes

Hello everyone,

First off, Sharon, you need a vacation, or a family makeover! My heart goes out to you for what you are dealing with. If you ever need a place in sunny California......

I had my exchange surgery on the 2nd, and feel SO much better. As others have written, once you wake up from the general, you can feel the sensation of the metal plate on the back of the expanders is gone, and things feel soft again. Other than the soreness from the surgery itself, things feel pretty good. And, when I look in the mirror, aside from the tape over the incisions, they look perfect! So, there is life after expander hell. The expanders were never comfortable, but a couple weeks after the final fill, they were tolerable. So, hang in there, and know that this is a process and will not be forever.

I had 60 cc's put in after surgery, and then 2 fills of 100cc's, and a final of 75cc's. I cannot imagine having 400 put in initially. I don't know what the point would be...it seems like there is no particular reason to rush things. I think it's cruel and unusual punishment. I had planned to be back to work 2 weeks after the bilateral mastectomy, but went back to the office after 2 months. I am self employed, so I did do some work from home, but was not ready to go out. It's hard to focus when one is so uncomfortable. If I had to work for someone, would definitely have needed to take 2 to 3 months off!

Good luck to you, Jeansbeans.

Mikki