Expender with Mesh Post Bilateral Mastectomy W/chemo and Rad - Columbia, SC

All went well for a time after the expanders were placed. Than the incision failed on the radiated breast. A small hole opened and I was back to the operating table to remove the expander.
Time out was taken to heal and I had a few months to get back to the gym. Yay!
My plastic/reconstructive surgeon did a latisssimus dorsi graft with new expander implant. Wow! What a difference! The new skin made a nice shaped breast.
We are now fully expanded to 650cc's and setting a date to swap the expanders out to the round silicon implants.
Why did I choose this size? Because I was always a DD or larger. I did not want body dysmorphia. It's been a long haul. But really, really worth it!!!

Felt fantastic yesterday. So why not take a trial run at the bed with my husband. Huge mistake! One hour and 20 minutes in I awoke in excruciating pain on my right side. Side that if next to the middle of the bed. I felt like my right lung was going to blow out. Had to do the getup from a flat position move with no arm help in pain. I immediately moved myself back to the recliner after a stop for a pain pill.
I was weening myself off pain meds yesterday.
I step forward two back!

All is well. However I am still taking medication for pain. Usually I can stop within a day or two. Drains contents after five days has rapidly reduced to < 15cc's total. Wounds are healing nicely. If all continues at this pace they will remove the drains on day ten. Woot woot!
My chest currently looks like a body builder's. No outward projection yet. All in time.
Spoke to the nurse about my decision not to stay overnight at the hsp being a stupid idea. She told me my insurance would not have covered it unless I was horribly sick. So note to others......exaggerate if you want to stay or be willing to pay extra.
I have found that a firm recliner is the best place to live after a surgery done above the waist. Forget a bed unless you have a hsp bed.