I am post bilateral mastectomy, after 10 years, I finally have expanders. They were placed in Nov. I am having pain 6/10 on one breast area and to the shoulder and arm.. I am afraid that after the implants I will continue having pain. Can the Breast implants be put over the muscle? Or is there an artificial muscle that can be used?
My concern is how to distinguish breast pain vs cardiac pain in the future. Implant schedule is in April.
Answer: Breast and Chest pain with under the muscle tissue expander reconstruction following mastectomy It is quite common to have pain during the expansion process. This seems to be particularly worse about 4-6 hours after each expansion rather than immediately with injection. Typically surgeons may over expand and then place a final implant that is smaller than your fully expanded size which should provide you with some relief. The rate of complications and unacceptable appearance wtih over the muscle placement ( exposure, extrusion, capsular contracture, visible rippling, etc) generally preclude placing implants in that location following mastectomy.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast and Chest pain with under the muscle tissue expander reconstruction following mastectomy It is quite common to have pain during the expansion process. This seems to be particularly worse about 4-6 hours after each expansion rather than immediately with injection. Typically surgeons may over expand and then place a final implant that is smaller than your fully expanded size which should provide you with some relief. The rate of complications and unacceptable appearance wtih over the muscle placement ( exposure, extrusion, capsular contracture, visible rippling, etc) generally preclude placing implants in that location following mastectomy.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast reconstruction and implant placement Hi,
Helpful
Answer: Breast reconstruction and implant placement Hi,
Helpful
February 16, 2010
Answer: Breast pain during reconstruction should be evaluated, but may not improve on top of your muscle Hi there-
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 16, 2010
Answer: Breast pain during reconstruction should be evaluated, but may not improve on top of your muscle Hi there-
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 14, 2016
Answer: Your discomfort should be better after switching to breast implants It is pretty common to be uncomfortable while the expansion process is ongoing. When you change to implants they are much softer and move with the body better than the expanders. I agree that putting the final implants above the muscle is probably not a good idea unless you have very thick skin flaps. You need to have adequate coverage over the implants or they can be felt and in some cases extrude. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon, they should be able to allay your concerns.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 14, 2016
Answer: Your discomfort should be better after switching to breast implants It is pretty common to be uncomfortable while the expansion process is ongoing. When you change to implants they are much softer and move with the body better than the expanders. I agree that putting the final implants above the muscle is probably not a good idea unless you have very thick skin flaps. You need to have adequate coverage over the implants or they can be felt and in some cases extrude. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon, they should be able to allay your concerns.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 16, 2010
Answer: Implant placement after mastectomy In most cases, it is best to have the implants below the muscle after mastectomy. During the mastectomy, all of the breast tissue was removed, which leaves only skin. It is not safe to only have a very think skin layer between the outside environment and the implant. If your expanders are in place under your muscle and you are still undergoing expansion prior to the final implants, you may have some discomfort during the expansion process. It is best to discuss this situation with your breast and plastic surgeons. If there is a lack of muscle then sometime a dermal substitute can be used to bridge the gap. Also, if you have muscle spasm, you may want to discuss Botox injection into the muscles to help them relax. Good luck with your recovery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 16, 2010
Answer: Implant placement after mastectomy In most cases, it is best to have the implants below the muscle after mastectomy. During the mastectomy, all of the breast tissue was removed, which leaves only skin. It is not safe to only have a very think skin layer between the outside environment and the implant. If your expanders are in place under your muscle and you are still undergoing expansion prior to the final implants, you may have some discomfort during the expansion process. It is best to discuss this situation with your breast and plastic surgeons. If there is a lack of muscle then sometime a dermal substitute can be used to bridge the gap. Also, if you have muscle spasm, you may want to discuss Botox injection into the muscles to help them relax. Good luck with your recovery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
