Do breast reconstruction tissue expanders cause any pain as they expand?

It seems like a tissue expander would be painful as it stretches the skin - am I crazy?

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15 answers to “Do breast reconstruction tissue...”

A: Expansion can have minimal discomfort if done properly

By David A. Robinson, MD - Munster Plastic Surgeon

Placement of tissue expanders following breast reconstruction is a very common method of reconstruction. The process involves injecting saline, through a port in the expander, in the office on a weekly basis. The amount of saline placed is determined by your plastic surgeon at each... more

A: Gentle expansion after breast reconstruction should not be painful

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Marcia, You are not crazy. Aggressive expansion can be painful. However, if you do not rush the process and use appropriate medications, such as pain medications and valium, gentle expansion of the muscle/skin envelope does not have to be painful. Additionally, if your surgeon uses Alloderm or some other... more

A: Breast reconstruction tissue expanders can cause pain but usually not

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, Sensations are blunted a great deal by the mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast with the cancer) that preceeds tissue expansion. Sometimes patients feel a little discomfort but usually they are numb. A feeling of "pressure" with expansion is more common which is not uncomfortable. Best... more

A: You shouldn't have pain from breast reconstruction expanders

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

In my San Francisco area practice we perform autologous and implant reconstructions. Breast implant reconstructions typically need to be performed in stages. The first stage is the placement of a tissue expander that has a much thicker shell and a specialized port designed to allow injections to expand... more

A: It can hurt sometimes, especially if you are slim.

By Lisa B. Cassileth, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

If you think about it, an expander is not really expanding your skin very much. Especially if you have received a skin sparing mastectomy, your skin is very close to the right amount of skin that you need. The expander is really stretching out the muscle, which is flat to your chest at the time of mastectomy,... more

A: Tissue expanders should not

By Michael S. Beckenstein, MD - Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

If the expansion process is done correctly, there should be no discomfort at all. Some tightness may be felt but again, can be kept to a minimum when a good, experienced person is performing the expenasion.

A: Pain gets beter with time

By Jeffrey Zwiren, MD - Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

When adding fluid to a tissue expander via the filling port the idea is to fill it up to the level of patient tolerance. Most of my patients take Advil or similar products the night of the filling. As the tissue begins to loosen up the discomfort will definitely decrease.

A: The discomfort from expanders is usually minimal

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants continues to be a very popular option for women with breast cancer. After the expander is placed, saline is used to slowly fill the expander and stretch the skin on a regular basis-- this can vary from every week to once every several weeks. ... more

A: Tissue expander pain happens

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

In my experience as related by my patients, it is not unusual for patients to tolerate the expansions as they occur. However, they often reported discomfort 4-6 hours later which could be managed with tylenol or pain medications. If a patient experienced pain or excessive tightness during the expansion... more

A: Tissue expanders may cause discomfort

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

As the tissue is expanded, it can be uncomfortable for some patients. Most tolerate it extremely well. Some patients prefer autologous tissue reconstruction just to avoid these intermittent steps of treatment after expander placement and then subsequent additional surgery for the permanent implant placement.

More answers to Do breast reconstruction tissue expanders cause any pain as they expand?
Englewood - Very Little pain with expansion - breast reconstruction tissue...
Los Angeles - Pain may be a determinant of rate of expansion
New York City - May be a bit uncomfortable but not painful.
Orange County - Expansion should be done short of pain
Seattle - Expanders are well tolerated

Comments

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?

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.

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Laurel
7 posts
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

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