The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

Permanent implants replace expanders

chas707
chas707 CSN Member Posts: 30
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, I had a bilateral in Feb this year with immediate reconstruction. Expanders were put in, the expansion process took about 4-5 months and at times were very painful. The expanders were not natural lookin at all and very hard and uncomfortable. For any of you going thru what I did and are awaiting your permanent implants, it is well worth it!! The procedure lasted only a couple of hours, minimal pain, most dicomfort was from anest. I had this done Fri and am only slightly sore, and they look wonderful!! I am so happy of the results, they dont look anything like the expanders, they look and feel so natural!! I cant wait until my steristrips come off so I can see the whole outcome. I know there have been some horror stories on here about this procedure so I wanted to share my very positive experience and hope it gives some of you hope. My email is chas707@bellsouth.net if anyone wants to talk about it. Take care all.
Love and Prayers,
Chastity
Like Care

Comments

  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 CSN Member Posts: 311
    #2
    So glad to hear that things have worked out well for you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. God bless, Cyndi
    Like Care
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 CSN Member Posts: 311
    #3
    So glad to hear that things have worked out well for you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. God bless, Cyndi
    Like Care
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 CSN Member Posts: 311
    #4
    So glad to hear that things have worked out well for you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. God bless, Cyndi
    Like Care
  • jsco
    jsco CSN Member Posts: 16
    #5
    Dear chastity,
    Thanks for sharing that experience for me it was perfect timing. I had a bilateral mast. 3 weeks ago. While the pain is getting better. The pressure and discomfort is terrible I feel like I'm living in a harness. Why did you get a bilateral. I opted for mine. it was a big desicion.
    Julie
    Like Care
  • chas707
    chas707 CSN Member Posts: 30
    #6
    jsco said:

    Dear chastity,
    Thanks for sharing that experience for me it was perfect timing. I had a bilateral mast. 3 weeks ago. While the pain is getting better. The pressure and discomfort is terrible I feel like I'm living in a harness. Why did you get a bilateral. I opted for mine. it was a big desicion.
    Julie

    Hey Julie, I opted for mine also, I had a very aggresive cancer, her2neu-3 and hormone responsive negative. Although it was invasive there were no lymphnodes involved, praise the Lord!! I was so lucky. Due to my age - 27 at time, I was at really high risk for it coming back in same breast or the other, so I decided to be safer and remove both. Good luck with everything, and just know it gets better.
    Like Care
  • iris48
    iris48 CSN Member Posts: 92
    #7
    Hi Chastity,
    I am so excited I am finally getting these expanders out. (Been in since 8/21/01....ouch!) I finally found a great surgeon and she has for the first time made me feel like a real person that has to live in this body. I talk to anesth. and doc tomorrow for pre-op stuff. Usually, I do not have bad effects from anesth. so hoping the discomfort pain part is minimal like you mentioned. Please keep a good thought as my implants are going in this Thurs. If I feel ok after surgery, I'll look forward to e-mailing. Thanks.
    Iris
    Like Care
  • chas707
    chas707 CSN Member Posts: 30
    #8
    iris48 said:

    Hi Chastity,
    I am so excited I am finally getting these expanders out. (Been in since 8/21/01....ouch!) I finally found a great surgeon and she has for the first time made me feel like a real person that has to live in this body. I talk to anesth. and doc tomorrow for pre-op stuff. Usually, I do not have bad effects from anesth. so hoping the discomfort pain part is minimal like you mentioned. Please keep a good thought as my implants are going in this Thurs. If I feel ok after surgery, I'll look forward to e-mailing. Thanks.
    Iris

    Good luck Iris, I will be thinking of you Thurs, it will be a peice of cake!! Just remember, just because you feel fine and in no pain, you cant go out and run a marathon, take it easy the first few days and dont overdo it.
    Chas
    Like Care
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel CSN Member Posts: 147
    #9
    jsco said:

    Dear chastity,
    Thanks for sharing that experience for me it was perfect timing. I had a bilateral mast. 3 weeks ago. While the pain is getting better. The pressure and discomfort is terrible I feel like I'm living in a harness. Why did you get a bilateral. I opted for mine. it was a big desicion.
    Julie

    I had my expander implants and my bilateral in late August. I found that it took 2 mos. for the "breast plate" feeling to go away. I taught my plastic surgeon something. Numbing cream for the ports under your arm. He didn't even know about it until I gave him the sample I had from my porta cathe from chemo. I'm happy to know they will look similiar.
    Like Care
  • jpreston
    jpreston CSN Member Posts: 2
    #10
    Hi, Chastity,
    I am delighted to hear of your success. I just had an expander put in two weeks ago and my first "Pump Up' yesterday. I don't know what to expect. I feel like I am getting one half of the story from my plastic surgeon. I'm very sore today. Does it get better after a pump up before you get another?
    Like Care

Discussion Boards