Pain from breast reconstruction tissue expanders?

Terri Bond (unregistered guest) 19 Mar 2009

Had left mastectomy - wearing a breast form...can I still wear it with the expanders? so as not to look lopsided?

Becca4321 24 Jan 2010

they make forms that can be filled with stuffing. then you can change the amt a bit at a time. Just make your own. two pieces of cloth and some pillow filler.

beverly witkin (RealFriend) 8 Mar 2012

Having had the procedure, I don't know of any reason why you couldn't. The one thing to consider is not to have a smashing effect with the garments...the discomfort from the expanders will probably prevent you from wearing anything too tight. Any other questions, please ask.

Ann Jennings (unregistered guest) 18 Apr 2009

Yes, I am very skinny and found it quite painful, even with Tylenol 3 for pain. I found it particularly painful immediately following each expansion. I had delayed reconstruction and was never told about skin sparing mastectomy, so my skin was very tight. I slept in a semi-prone position in a recliner for a few months. I could not stand to lay flat. Don't intend to scare you, and still would do it again but I wish someone had told me what I was in for. Don't let people minimize your pain or think you are unusual if you are in pain. Make your doctors aware of it. Good luck to all who face this. It takes courage and strength but you can get through it.

Igreen 13 May 2009

Ann, Thanks for sharing your comments. I am a very small women in statue as well and I found the procedure to be very painful. This past Monday, I had an inflation of about 60cc and I am still in pain three days later. I was told that this was the easiest part of the process, but for me it has been the most painful.

Ashley S. 6 Jun 2009

Thank you Ann, I have found very few people who say that there is pain with the expanders. I am skinny and had very small breasts before my bi-lateral mastectomy. I have ridden horses my whole life which makes that muscle very tight. I had my surgery in March '09 and I am done with the expansion phase. I can't wait to have the implants. I am in constant pain and it got much worse with each expansion. I wake up in unbarable pain every morn ing. I have been on heavy duty pain killers for months which kills me because I lead a very natural lifestyle. I just wish someone had told me the pain was going to get worse not better during the expansion phase. Also I have noticed that the pain increases exponentially when I am pre-menstral. I wish all good luck and a pain free journey if possible. I don't regret my decesion to expand. I have big shoulders and for the first time in my life I look HOT in a bathing suit/or tight dress.

Wake 21 Jun 2009

I agree; I am a thin person and had quite a lot of discomfort and pain during and after the expansion process. I am now going through it for the 2nd time around on my left side due to radiation damage that required the removal of my left expander. Its worse this time around b/c radiated tissue does not stretch as well, so always feels very uncomfortably tight. Relying on valium and lortab for relief. If you are able to, would recommend flap reconstruction; I was not a candidate due to not enough fat on me, and no Lat Flap since I am a Physical Therapist and need those muscles to function and work.

Becca4321 24 Jan 2010

yes mine were painful. I took Tylenol #3 most of the time. The day of expansion usually. I didn't actually realize how painful it was till they were removed. Good luck you will get thru it.

rhann 17 Jul 2011

More often then not, the majority of woman going through tissue expansion have pain. I too am thin and my tissue was streched to accommodate 550cc implants.
Validation is important. Everyone is different.
Best of luck

soft touch (RealFriend) 17 Jul 2011

Wow, someone told you that was the easy part? That is the most difficult part to me.I went for my second fill on July 6th, and going for my 3rd July 20th. The 1st one wasn't that bad,but the 2nd hurt for a few days. The tightness,some days I feel I can't make it.I can't get comfortable, and it is pretty hard to get some sleep.The last two were filled at 100cc's,do I hear another 100, who knows, it's so tight now.

SJTE 3 Oct 2011

try to carefully stretch your arms. Go slow. Maybe in a warm bath. Mine are still painful and have 2 more expansions to go. That is what I do and it helps but the pain is still there. Hope this helps you. Just know you are not alone and I will be praying for you to feel better.

Cita175 2 Nov 2011

lots of Pain on one side as expanders do there job. Had bilateral mastectomy July 18, 2011.

Jane S. 29 Nov 2011

I am so relieved to know that the pain is normal! I am also small in size and have had my expanders filled 3 times now. the pain is so bad in the morning that I have to take a lortab and wait 15 minutes before I can actually lift my body out of bed. I work full-time, but am only able to work about 20 hours a week. Thanks to you ladies, I know do not feel guilty about missing so much work.
Thank you all so much!

soft touch (RealFriend) 29 Nov 2011

Just think,it will all be over soon! Good luck with everything!

Jane S. 29 Nov 2011

Thank you so very much for your support. Do you still cry every once ans a while?

joyster 6 Dec 2011

had pain with expanders, the left in particulat. They expanded 30 cc each week but I skipped sometimes because of the pain. Left side miost painful and had to be removed twice for infection? that they thought but couldn't culture/find. Ended up with one implant and nothing on the other side but scarring from radiation..Had to take that implant out Would do everything different next time (there is no next time) and do expander filling after radiation then implants about a year following that

Laurel 22 May 2009

I had bilateral breast reconstruction with expanders. I had very little pain during expansion. each fill was 100 cc there was only pressure and tightness. I hope this is helpful

Becca4321 24 Jan 2010

yes it is painful. The day of expansion is the worst day, then tapers off. I took Tylenol #3 that worked well for me. Good luck, hope this helps. Oh and ask for the pain meds. I have noticed that most of the doctors are men, so maybe they have not been thru this procedure:)

Judy Blue Eyes 19 Sep 2010

I had mascectomy on right side 3 years ago and a mascectomy on left in July and had the expanders put in at that time. I have been going slow and have been alright until 2 weeks ago. This past week was horrible and the pain was out of control. My PS is very understanding and told me I was doing good and can take a week off but does not want me to go over a month without anything. He has given me Motrin 800 but I was taking my hydrocordone and they work better. I am experiencing shoulder and neck pain. Is anyone else experiencing this?

joytori 10 Feb 2010

Glad to hear that they are painful (sorry though that you are all in pain.) I keep thinking something's wrong with me. Double mast 1 month ago and still constant pain with expanders. tight, hard, sore and they haven't filled them yet. I'm up all night with annoying pain Wouldn't do it again. Massage daily and stretch but don't know what else to do. They said they're not encapsulated a couple weeks ago. hope that's still true.

ang67 24 Feb 2010

I had a bilateral mastectomy in December 2009. They began reconstruction with expanders that day. I'm glad I did, but as others have noted ~ I'm thin as well, and have had pain throughout this process. I thank God for the technology they have today.It really is amazing. I know for me I'm doing the right thing, but that certainly doesn't mean it's pain free. I'm always sore, but a couple days following expansion I hurt! I don't know if any of you who have gone through this hurt in your back, but my back kills me! I also have sharp stabbing pains the bigger I get.The only way to describe the pressure on my chest is that it's a crushing feeling, and it feels as if you are wearing a bra that's way too tight....... 24/7. I'm so ready for soft implants. I need a good nights sleep!

Mingus 3 Apr 2010

I had a double mastectomy 2/8/10 with expanders placed and filled with 200 ccs. I've been getting filled every week(100 ccs) and it seems the bigger I get the more it hurts - the last time I got filled (150) I had to go back 3 days later to get 50 ccs removed because it felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest and it also felt like I had a cracked rib and couldn't take a deep breath. I am through with the expansion process and am having my exchange surgery in 3 weeks - can't wait for the relief of soft implants! I can totally relate to the feeling of wearing a bra that's too tight! Mine feel rock-hard and sore when I wake up in the middle of the night when the pain meds wear off and also in the morning. I am up to 650 ccs (a D cup) I want to be a C. Everybody thinks I look great with these huge things but I don't so I'm stressing to the doctor that I don't want to be too big. I take Vicodin for pain and am looking forward to getting off it and getting my energy back. Good luck to you - it WILL be worth it in the end!

3237anon 7 Apr 2010

I had a bilateral mastectomy also in December 2009. I also have tissue expanders. They are very painful. I have tried to workout with them. They feel like my chest has been pushed in. I loose breath faster and I must sleep sitting up. Can't wait until May when I will get the softer implants

Kate33 9 Apr 2010

I felt so much better after reading your post only because I am having all of the same symptoms so at least I know it is all normal. I am also getting sharp pains at the site where one of my surgical drains used to be. I don't think the doctors really prepare you for what expanders are going to feel like. Thought the drains were bad but expanders are horrible and I'm only going 70 cc's so far. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Guess misery loves company, huh? :-)

Sydney7967 11 Jan 2011

Hi I had a bilteral mastectomy December 2010. They also began reconstruction with expanders the same day. Im not so sure i am glad. I think I should have waited before chosing reconstruction as i feel I did not have the knowledge that I now have. I am having the same crushing feeling, back pain & lack of sleep. Its not helping.