POSTED UNDER Sientra Breast Reconstruction REVIEWS
Tissue Expanders/Silicone Implants following Bilateral mastecomy
ORIGINAL POST
After cancer robs you of many things including...
WORTH IT
After cancer robs you of many things including your breast, reconstruction is a way of feeling whole again. I had two-stage reconstruction. At the time of my mastectomy I had tissue expanders inserted. After weekly "fills" of saline water I am now at my chosen size and I am awaiting implants in 2 weeks :)
Trinalll's provider
Replies (15)
December 24, 2014
I'm getting tissue expanders put in in two weeks. Is it really painful? Is it worth it all? I'm scared!
December 24, 2014
At Zooey2014 The initial placement (done same time as mastectomy) wasnt painful but as u get close to ur desired size it gets more uncomfortable. U can take pain meds and muscle relaxers. It also depends on how often u go, I had to hurry up and fill so i went every week, u can space it out farther.
December 24, 2014
U will be fine U won't feel anything during the fills. And its an essential process to make room for the new implants.
December 24, 2014
Really hard to say many variables No more than a 4 for maybe the day of my last 2 fills
December 24, 2014
Hello! My expansion was for 4 months. I opted for larger, fewer fills. The first couple of days was very uncomfortable. But by day three, my body adapted and I started to feel better. I would not call the experience of expansion "painful" per se, but more of pressure/discomfort. Sleeping was the most difficult part of the process. I considered my discomfort it part of the "growing pains" of new breasts ;) Perspective and patience is KEY to getting through the process. Keep your doctor informed on how you are feeling, they can help you.
March 4, 2015
thank you for sharing your story. I think i swiftly saw your photos and may have even left a comment but I was reminded of how fabulously you were by Beth H the moderator on here. girl you rocked it and look amazeballs. thanks for sharing your story. my story is a true hot mess but i can wait to be one year cancer free. until the day comes ciao and keep being fabulous
March 7, 2015
O wow Ty. Let me know if i could help with anything. You will be celebrating your cancer free anniversary before you know it.
UPDATED FROM Trinalll
8 months post
Patiently waiting for my exchange
My exchange is Friday. I am hoping for the best, of course I have concerns that hopefully will just be my nerves and no reason for concern. I do believe that anything will be better than these tissue expanders I've had for 7 months. Even though they look good, they are hard as rocks. I am ready for some softness. In my preparation I have bought pillows, soup, and zipper hoodies. I have been waiting to be finally over with the diagnosis of cancer. Reconstruction is the final stage and while I welcome it, I am frightened by "what's next?" As I try and put the pieces back together of my life.
Replies (9)
November 12, 2013
I am BRCA1 positive and had a prof lactic mastecomy June 12 and I just had my 2nd surgery November 8th. The second surgery is so much less painful then the first. I get my tubes out tomorrow. It takes a lot of strength to go through something like this. I watched my mom be diagnosed with cancer but it was caught at the very beginning stages and 6months later my 22 year old sister was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. We are all BRCA1 positive and have all under gone surgery in the last 2 years. I am the last to have it done and my sister and mom both say it gets easier. Stay strong and good luck!
November 12, 2013
Thank you for sharing. I was 25 when I started with all this cancer stuff and actually I discovered the lump before my 25th b day , so u can say 24. I am hoping this will be the last surgery. I had a skin/nipple sparring so I don't have to go back and get those at a later date. I tested negative for the BRCA , but as I'm nearing my end my mother has started her cancer journey. She just had her last chemo and is awaiting a mastecomy. I look forward to finally being done with everything so I can continue to live the life I've had on hold for over a year.
November 12, 2013
Good luck on Friday! We'll be thinking of you. Do you have someone to help you during this recovery? I'm sure you will always be on edge about the cancer but I'm glad it is gone. Not knowing "what's next" must be overwhelming. I'm sure most people will think everything is fine now that you are done with reconstruction, but it sounds like there is a lot of healing and reflecting yet to be done. Let us know how we can help!
November 12, 2013
Yes, I've been awaiting reconstruction for months. It would be so much easier to go thru the ins n outs of cancer if everything else in life would pause so you could focus on that. Of course that isn't possible though.
November 18, 2013
I just had the expanders removed and the permanent implants put in-hang in there, it was far easier than the bi-lateral mastectomy. Take one day at a time and be patient--good luck!!!
November 18, 2013
Yes, I agree exchange is by far easier than the mastecomy. I don't even feel pain from the breast , I had a little fat grafting to soften the implant. So most of my discomfort is from my stomach where the fat came from.
March 2, 2017
Hang in there. I having my exchange in 6 weeks. I've had expander a for 17 months! But I know exactly how you feel
UPDATED FROM Trinalll
8 months post
3 days post exchange
It's been 3 days since the exchange. I feel ok and get around good I believe. I have peeked at my boobs and all I can say is that they are small. From what I see they look real. I don't see any swelling and hopefully there isn't because , I wouldn't want to see the swelling go down and I'm even smaller. I wanted to be a full C, they look on the small B side. I don't even know what size implant was used, my PS Neva came to talk to me or my friend. Which doesn't sit well wit me I don't know my size and wasn't left with any paper work. I've heard people say All the time to give things time to settle , so I guess I will. At this time I know I would not like to go under Again to switch sizes. I have had enough things done to me because of cancer and treatment for it, I was so happy to be done with everything. I look the size I was before cancer so I guess at least I'm back there and cancer free.
Replies (4)
November 22, 2013
Glad the surgery went well. Have you had a follow up to find out what size implant your PS used? I wonder how many cc's of fat were grafted from your tummy to your breast? That's a great idea to fill in certain areas with fat that the implant can't cover. I'm hoping you'll be pleased with your results...don't judge them yet if you can help it. ;)
November 22, 2013
Hi, my implants are 505cc's, I'm not sure how much fat was grafted. I don't have pain or had any at all at my breast. The discomfort is my stomach. It still is swollen still n the pain gets better each day. Still a little sore one week later. I know I can't judge the outcome this early , at my 1st peek I was disappointed knowing that it's too early. But I have been looking everyday and it has gotten better. I am ok wit everything and can't wait til everything truly settles. My only concern as of now that I hope goes away is projection. I would like more.
December 31, 2014
I wanted b size but got c's. 2 years later they are d's due probably to scar tissue growing. Be glad they are small! Less issues
December 31, 2014
They are ok but i could go for larger & I am ok with the size as of now. I am 27 and know a revision or two will be needed in my lifetime.
Thank you for sharing part of your journey with breast reconstruction on RealSelf. Has the process of expanders and "fills" taken you about 7 months? Did you ever skip a week if you were too uncomfortable? About how many cc's will your implants be? Wishing you the best. Keep us posted!
Thank you for the explanation. That makes sense that you had minimal time to get the tissue expanders in and filled before radiation started. Glad you had the muscle relaxers to help you a bit. I'm thinking this last surgery might be a breeze for you. Fingers crossed!
Hoping your final fill went well and you now have a surgery date. Let us know the details in your own review if you are feeling up to it. Take care!