I Am 3 Months Post Bilateral Mastectomy and my Expanders Are Under my Arms? (photo)

I am having the existing expanders removed & replaced on Feb 5th 2013. The more I think about this the more upset I get. My PS actually blamed me for this happening, said he told me not to lift anything heavier than a comb or brush. I was very careful, but I live alone and don't have any family support and don't like asking for help. I re-read the discharge paperwork and it said you could go back to work after 10 days. I was careful for 3 wks & then they started moving. Does this happen a lot

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by annspinwall4

Doctor Answers (3)
Community Comments (0)

Expanders can move

Thanks for sending your picture with your question. This is very frustrating for the surgeon and the patient. At the end of every procedure we try to make sure that everything is "perfect". sometimes with the healing process, one side may be different than the other. This is not necessarily the fault of the surgeon or patient. In looking at your picture, it appears that your expander is very wide. Your surgeon may have been trying to provide you with the opportunity to place a large implant... more

Expanders and implants

Sometimes the expanders can displace. they may need to be repositioned to provide the best expansion. Best to review with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction

The expanders may have slipped to the arm pit because of the large area of dissection. But when putting the expanders, one can control the pockets with several steps taken during surgery to prevent displaced expander. . There is nothing you have done to cause this. Unfortunately you need another surgery, hopefully all will go well and procced to full breast reconstruction and you will be happy