Tissue Expanders

it gets better
It does get better but, I never felt comfortable with them. I also had to have a 2nd surgery to remove dead tissue--slows down the whole process. In some ways they got more comfortable as they were expanded but, in other ways they didn't. In the early days the expanders felt like they had hard sharp edges cutting everywhere. That improved as they were expanded but, everything felt too tight then as if I was wearing a bra 3 sizes too small. The later days were more comfortable than the early days. I know it sounds discouraging. It is going to be so worth it. The implants are so much more comfortable. It is so nice to look "normal" in clothes.

Good luck! Just look ahead soon you'll be sporting a "perky pair"

Hugs, El

Dawne.Hope said:

You're not alone
Hi slynch,

I had a bi-lateral at the end of February with immediate reconsruction with the tissue expanders. Upon awaking from the surgery and feeling like there was an elephant standing on my chest, the next uncomfortable thing I was aware of was this pain on my left side. As the weeks have worn on, I've realized that it is that crazy tissue expander. When they were fairly empty, the bottom side, next to my armpits felt like corners pressing into my sides.

Over time, the pain has gotten better. I've found that when I do a little too much (lift a little too heavy, too much motion) the pain you describe where it feels like they are scraping against the muscle is much worse. That too has lessened with time. I'm almost 10 weeks out from the surgery. Only a couple of weeks ago did that scraping sensation go away. Now, I only feel the 'corners' on the outside of the expander next to my armpit.

Hang in there. And it is true ... it is going to be worth it in the end!

I'll 2nd everything
I'll 2nd everything ms_independant and dawn said!

To start with i found them very uncomfortable and while they are empty,they can move around inside your skin so be careful not to overdo things.My left one shifted over slightly when i drove after 2 weeks.

After my 1st expansion,the pain/irritation eased up and continued to do so until my 3rd expansion.Benn in a bit more pain this time as things are tightening up some and i may be coming to the end of how much i will stretch.

Its important not to do anything that will firm your pectoral muscles up while going thru expansion as this will make it more painful.I found this out the hard way. So no exercises that use the pec's! lol

I asked these questions myself at the start of this process and was so relieved whrn people gave me an insight into what i would be going through and to know what i was feeling was normal.

All the best,
Kay

Slynch
With mine, it was worse in the beginning while the surgical site itself was healing. If you think about it, they are putting them under the muscle so they are essentially sitting on top of your ribs and the tissue expanders are a lot thicker and more "plastic" than the implants. I found that the discomfort got better the farther I got out from the surgery. My PS started expanding mine at 4 weeks - mainly because he hoped it would help get the drains out so they could put my port in to start the chemo. He has really been pretty aggressive about expanding me since and I did not find it very painful - just really tight. I did have an occasional day where something would hurt or feel rubbing but it usually did not last long.

I think this may depend some on your build - I know M-star has had some pain with her last one and she looks pretty teeny. I tend a little past "teeny" so my skin may have naturally had more give. My plasric surgeon was always really good about asking how I was tolerating the expansions. Just remember that you are still healing from your initial surgery and all of this should get better as you move along - I'll never say that they feel "normal" but at least I can forget they are there (unless I bump into them:)