My expander is moving!! Oww!!!!

I’m 8 weeks post-op following bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders. The discomfort isn’t really lessening, in fact my Consultant increased my pain medication 2 weeks ago and started me on Tramadol and Lorazepam which makes me feel sick so I’m now on anti-emetics too!!

I went back to the Royal Marsden yesterday and it turns out the pain is being caused by my left expander moving!! Can you believe that? I couldn’t when the Consultant told me but she was able to move it with her hands and that reproduced the pain I’ve been getting in the ribs. She doesn’t know why this has happened and quite honestly told me that she doesn’t have any magic solutions for me. She has suggested I try wearing a tight fitting sports bra 24/7 until my next appointment in 4 weeks and see what happens.

The right hand implant is nicely in place where it should be but for some reason the muscle on the left hasn’t contracted around the expander.

At least I now know why which is something but if it doesn’t settle and I’m unable to live with the pain the only option will be to take the expanders out. I hope it does settle but wonder if anybody esle has experienced this? Also how long would be too long for me to be saying I can’t bear this feeling of “it” moving and grating against my ribs whenever I move?

Trudie.

hi trudie had the same op in april just got my date for my implants and then i got sick my expander hadent moved it was just very uncomfortable and swollen after a week of pure sickness the blood tests came back and i had an infection they tried for 5 days to give me antibiotics on a drip and oraly but i got worse and had to have expander taken out.i have to wait six weeks before they will review the situation again but i will have to have the expander back in.i feel better with it out and realise it wasent right from day one as the left one was ok and never had a problem with it. im gutted that i was so close to having my implants in the surgeon said it was unusual to have an infection 4 months into a pump up but it happens its a set back but feel lucky i havent got cancer to deal with as well im sure having a blood test was the best thing as this showed the infection before the rash came out.hope this may help in some way no its not the same but be careful of infection as they couldent detect mine at first. trish xx

Hi Mopsie,

I too developed this pain suddenly after having spiked a high temperature and feeling unwell, I was 6 weeks post-op then. Fortunately an ultrasound showed there wasn’t any infection around the implant or they would’ve admitted me and started me on IV antibiotics too. I think if mine doesn’t settle to the point where I can bear it I’ll just have them both removed and learn to live with prostheses.

Trudie.