Bending 3 weeks post mastectomy with tissue expander implant

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Hi, this is my first post. Had a skin sparing mastectomy (left breast) 3 weeks ago with a tissue expander implant fitted. How long is it likely to be painful please and is it normal for it to be very painful when bending over? 

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Hi welcome to the forum , sorry you are so uncomfortable . You could maybe post this in the surgery section too and you could also ask the nurses their advice . I will post you the links . Best wishes Jill x

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Hi , I too had a left skin sparing but nipple sacrificing Mastectomy with tissue expander implant on 15 April.

I’m still very uncomfortable sleeping and bending over and being too active on my feet too long gets very painful.

I was told at post op check up that it’s very normal to be uncomfortable and painful, especially as the implant is under the chest wall muscle

I’m seeing my surgeon on 24th May for my first fill, and really hope it feels a bit better by then.

I hope yours has settled down, be very interested to compare notes🤣 I keep being told I’m too impatient!

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Welcome to the forum @Winchester

I am sorry you are experiencing pain following your mastectomy.

The forum is full of kind, helpful people and I hope you find the support you are looking for.

As well as other people’s experiences, you may find it useful to ask this question to our breast care nurses, either here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions or over the phone 0808 800 6000.

Sending our warmest,
Lucy

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Hi both, I am. 2 weeks post op with tissue expander and also wondering how long it is painful for. First week wasnt that bad but 2nd week has been worse. Im starting to wonder if there is some sort of other problem going on regarding fluid build up/cording or something x

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I had a left tissue sparing mastectomy in May last year, and tissue expander implant which was gradually filled over the next 4 months. I’m now waiting for my surgery date to replace it for a permanent implant, and getting slightly anxious about the wait as my life feels like it’s on hold. Anyway, I have found the expander implant uncomfortable. It’s a lot better now, but still find it uncomfortable bending, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable at night and wakes me up, so sometimes I put a bra on in the night, which seems to help. Really hoping the permanent implant will be more comfortable. I’m still glad I had it done though