Getting expander implant changed tomorrow.

Going into hospital tonight to get my expander implant and port removed tomorrow, and a silicon implant put in. I have had this implant since mx in jan, which was inflated slowly over a few weeks. It has been a complete pain right from the start, i couldnt wear a bra as the port is on the bra line, so have spent the last 9 months in sloggi tops.
I have always been aware of the implant, and its that hard it causes muscle spasms whenever i use my arm.
I am hoping that when i have had my new one in, i will feel alot better.

Sharon x

good luck,please let us know how you get on.

I am especially interested as this is something that I will be having in jan.

thanks

Very good luck Sharon - be sure to let us know, i’m waiting on the exact same procedure and have had exact same issues with expander. Wishing you well.

Lynn

Hope it goes well for you Sharon. I had a saline implant in 2007 which hardened and was replaced with silicone this August, 2010. It never healed and had to be removed, and I am still going for daily dressings to heal the wound. I was so hopeful for the silicone one, and think it would have been great.

I so hope it will work out well for you my love.

Fingers firmly crossed!

Dilys

Hi
i Had a muscle taken from my back with a silicone implant inserted. And I am experiencing the exact same thing. Ita rock hard and everytime i move my arm it gets even harder. its really depressing me. They keep telling me to wear a bra night and day, day and night but since the scar is across the bra line, it makes it so uncomfortable and sore. I have to see the surgeon On Monday 13th of December. The Surgeon told me it will get softer but i havent seen any change It has only been a few weeks. but its so uncomfortable is this normal ?

Hi, i’m back home from hospital, had to stay in longer than expected, 5 days, but it did me good as i had a good rest. The operation went well, i am amazed that the cut is only about an inch long, its on my mx scar, so no new scars. I had a drain in, and it was that which held me up.
Iam a little bit sore around my ribs, and where the port was, but apart from that i feel fine.
I am so pleased which my new breast, it will look brill when its finished.
The pain and the feeling of being aware of the expander always being there has gone, so fingers crossed its going to be ok, thank goodness.

Sharon x

Hallo Sharon

So pleased that it is working well for you. Delighted in fact. Thanks so much for letting us know. Really hope you heal well and all goes great. As a matter of fact my port hurt the most when it came out. As you say it was near the ribs. It DOES wear off eventually.

Well done my love

Dilys
xxxxxx

Sharon

Very pleased that things are working out for you, please continue to keep us posted.

I am meeting my surgeon tomorrow to discuss my double expander to silicone replacement op in Jan.

Would you say that the implant is softer? or is it too soon to say?

Fingers crossed for a swift recovery for you.

Crystal

Hi Sharon

I’m really glad to hear that all went well and you are pleased with your new breast. It’s very reassuring to hear as I’m having the same op in Jan - can’t wait to get rid of the expanders.

Hi Crystal, yes i would say its much softer than the expander, and thats after just 6 days, i would think it will soften more too, when the swelling goes down. It feels 100 times more comfortable, i cant believe the difference. I can lie on that side aswell, i havent been able to do that since my mx.

Good luck to you all, who are waiting for this op.

Sharon x

Sharon

Thanks for your comments.

You are 6 days post op, and you can already lie on that side? that is fantastic, it sounds amazing.

I must admit I can lie on my expander side ( a good job really as I had a double mx), but it did take a few months.

thrilled for you

Crystal

sharon69gog…mine’s been in since Feb. Also impossible. Awaiting exchange op. About to send you a pm. x

Happy it sounds good Sharon. I’m waiting on a date - so hope its better than this rock hard, high up, under my arm, crap expander.
Pleased you’re finding it so good. Don’t fancy 5 days in hospital though.

Lynn
x.

Hi everyone, just a quick update, I am now 16 days post op, and all is well. Although i had a visit to a&e last weekend. My own fault really, because i have been feeling so good, i slightly over did things, and ended up bursting a few internal stitches on the muscle pocket, i thought i had cracked a rib or something it was that painful. I got a severe telling off from my consultant, at my post op check on wed, anyway a few days rest and a some painkillers. I am now ok again, but taking it abit easier.
Sharon x

Oh Sharon sorry to hear that - look after yourself. I’ve now got a provisional date of 28th Jan for my changeover, i hope it goes as well as yours. Take care

Lynn

Hi - had my exchange surgery on Thursday 16th plus augmentation of “good” breast for symetry (sp??), both with the silicone gummy-type implants. All went very well but am surprised at level of pain and soreness compared to mx. The new pair are lovely and overall I am very pleased with the outcome. Stella xxx

Hi All,
This is my first message I had a left skin sparring mastectomy on 16th November. I have had a skin expander fitted as I need to have a course of radiotherapy after my chemo. All was going ok but the PS decided to give a 250ml fill at my last appointment so I had no futher injections while having chemo. I now feel like I have a water bed on my chest and feel sea sick when I walk as it swishes around. Coping with the chemo is bad enough but the discomfort of the expander is worse. Does it get better or will it be like this until I have my reconstruction which should be about 6 months time?
I am hopeing to have an implant under my muscle and lipsuction fat reditributed on top to give a more natural feel. Has anyone had this done or know anyone who could discuss the results.
Please keep me posted the thought of a good reconsturction at the end of all this is the only thing that is keeping me going at the moment. My mother never had a reconstruction and she has advised me and my sister who is also going through the same thing three months ahead of me.

OMG 250 in one go never ever had more than 50 at a time - no wonder you’re sloshing. I’d love to say it gets better but in truth i’ve always found mine uncomfortable , although i do think i’m able to tolerate it more as time goes on - 9 months now. I’m thinking of you - good luck.

Lynn

Hi sharon hope everything goes well i oppted out of the expander and i think i made the right decission for me hoping to have my other breast removed next year then i will see where i go from there you take care and have the best xmas ever

Sharon

How are you getting on with your silicone implant, is it everything that you had hoped for?
Are you still pleased with the results?

I am having two expanders replaced for silicone in a couple of weeks.

When are you going back to work? I was off for 7 weeks after a double mx, but I am hoping that the implant exchange will be less than that.

Take Care

Crystal