Tissue Expanders After Mastectomy?

I had dcis in one breast and a bilateral mastectomy 4 weeks ago. The P.S. has put in about 100 cc of saline so far. I am having lots of pain from the expanders. It feels like it is cutting into my muscles each time I move my arms to the right or left. I have always been in good shape and just expected to feel the saline pain not so much pain from the expanders into my muscles, I can't find any info on this. Will this pain continue and are the implants going to feel the same?

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by lillian123

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Tissue Expanders After Mastectomy #breastcancer

Thank you for your question. I have a passion for breast reconstruction and I do a lot of it. I can tell you that your complaints are pretty mainstream. Remember, expanders serve one purpose only, and that is to stretch the skin. They are not supposed to look or even feel good. You also happen to be very early in the process. The acute pain will get better but likely you will have some aches and pains here and there for the duration of the time you have the expanders. Remember, you had a... more

Tissue expanders and pain

Some pain is normal after the expanders are inflated. This is pretty common. If it is more pain than can be tolerated, then I suggest you get an evaluation with your surgeon. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Pain after reconstruction

Four weeks out it is not unusual to still have some pain. If you had a small, narrow chest, the expanders can be painful for a while. You should discuss with your surgeons your ongoing concerns. Sometimes, over the counter anit-inflammatories can be helpful if used daily for a period of time. Post-op physical therapy can be amazingly helpful to help your body regain proper posture and range of motion as this can all be upset by a mastectomy. Muscle relaxers also... more