I am 2 weeks post ld recon with expander implant. I am feeling ok, but weak. I had my first expansion today, only 50 mls at my request, as I had read posts on here saying it was uncomfortable if too much saline was put in at one time. I just wanted to ask, if there is anyone a little further on than me who can recommend a good cream for scars (I haven,t actually started using anything yet as my back still tender). My hosp doc said just vitamin e cream, but wondered if there was any marvellous potions you have found.
Also, I am exercising, but find the one where you crawl your hand up the wall a little difficult, and wondered if this was to be expected 2 weeks on, or should i be pushing myself more?
Thanks ladies, and good luck to anyone having this op soon.
I had LD flap recon done in June so am a good deal further along than you. You sound as if you’re doing fantastically well! Much better than me and I thought I did great!
I wouldn’t worry about finding one of the exercises difficult at the moment…it’s very early days. Just do the ones you can and every few days try the one/ones that are more difficult for you and do them when you can. We do, of course, have to push ourselves a little but only you can tell how much that is, overstretching the wound isn’t sensible…it’s difficult to assess internal healing.
As regards a cream for scars, I used, and still use, Bio oil but not until scars were fully healed. I assumed it best not to use it on the scars since I was told only to use water on the in the shower until fully healing had occurred externally.
I’m always amazed when I hear anyone talk about having an expander fitted. This is clearly what I have but never was it mentioned to me that there was any chance that it would have to be removed and replaced. I’m sure I would still have gone ahead with the recon but I think it’s so bad not to be told the whole story. Booked for the refit in December.
Hi i had the ld flap with expander inplant in march,just had the filling port removed last friday, mine seems to be the permenant implant nothing has been said about changing the implant only the removal of port once i was happy with size.I only did the exercises for a couple of weeks i didnt do the wallwalking one, the day after the mastectomy my surgeon came to see me and literally thrust my are above my head so i just kept doing that.I have full mobility with my arm just aware of the numbness in back and under arm. julie
very interested to hear that you were given the implant as a permanent feature like me. I am having the op to replace it because it has gone hard and is the wrong shape. I believe that the hardness is caused by scar tissue causing contracture creating a hard implant so it has to be replaced.
How lovely to have the port out…I can’t wait!
I have complete mobility of the arm, thank goodness, but, like you, still have numbness in the back and under arm though it’s improving all the time. I was told it would take a year for it all to settle.
Thanks for your replies.
I was not sure when i had op whether i would have a perm or expander implant, my consultant just said ‘probably’ expander. Apparently after ano expansion (maybe more, don’t know yet} i will have expander replaced in the future for one of a better shape. This one is quite high and hard at mo, but it is early days, and i am continuing with my exercises carefully.
Thanks again,