I had my bilateral mastectomy surgery last weds and had implants fitted. Now obviously the last week or so I have been all swollen and in pain, but as things are calming down a little my lef breast suddenly feels really odd. Everytime i lift my arm or move my arm, it feels like something is popping out or a king of squidging feeling (lol) and there is an area near the top of my breast that has a pocket of fluid and can be moved around when pressed.
Would there be any chance of the implant leaking already? I think I may call the breast cancer nurses tomorrow, but maybe its all part of recovering and my body adjusting?
That sounds like something I had. I ended up having fluid aspirated (not painful)because my reconstructed breast was sloshing when I walked about. The fluid did accumulate again but not as much and this time they left it and it was naturally absorbed. I am very happy with my breast now (not to say I didn’t prefer my original left breast.)It takes months, I think, to accept and come to terms with it.Good luck.
Sounds like seroma to me Paula, when I had my reconstruction I had to have my back drained about 6 times, it did’nt worry me because I was told to expect it, it was like having a hot water bottle in my back.
I am going into hospital tomorrow actually to have an implant replaced that is leaking after 10 years, but I doubt that is your problem.
Would’nt hurt to have a chat to your GP or breast care nurse though if it is worrying you.
Thanks for your replies. The left breast is not bothring me too much now, but it’s the turn of the right breast, just a bit further down from the armpit at the edge of my breast there is a hard part (not the port for the implant) but possibly the edge of the implant. It’s actually quite painful as it is pushing against my skin.
I really, really do not like implants at this moment in time…sorry for the moan, I just feel so uncomfrtable all the time. I wanted a DIEP, but may need radiotherapy so it has been ruled out for now. x
Hi - did you have implant only for now then? I find the esdge of mine really uncomfy when leaning over as if the edges are resting on my ribs - is that what you have? Did you have round or shaped implants, perhaps that makes a difference. I’d say if your having rt then wait until that is done before doing anything but it’s hard to be really comfybut perhaps there is some tissue settling to come. I seem to have the very feely edges due to being on the slim side. I realise this doesn’t help but be patient as your body has had quite some work on it. Oldie
Hi Girls, i can relate to this one. I had surgery last thursday for a full mastectomy with reconstruction,i had left breast augmentation and mastectomy with a tissue expander fitted. I can feel the edge of the implant against my ribs and the side with the tissue expander feels numb and hard, they assure me this is normal?? what is normal these days i often ask myself im in so much pain lately and feels like its increasing everyday, deep chest pain,burning feeling, i cant stand my clothing touching the skin,arm pit pain (due to removal of 2 lymph nodes) I go back to hospital next week for physio and for the results of the lymph nodes. My implant feels quite heavy and swollen i guess this will getting better with time? Just a nightmare moving just now,im okay if im in bed and laying still but i would rather try and move around. Tablet time again,i’ll catch up soon. Take care
Hugs and kisses
Dee xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi. I had bilteral mx with Becker expandable implants 5th Dec.The implants felt really alien to begin with, but as each week goes by I’m far less aware of them. I have discomfort from the ports sitting on my ribs on my bra line, but that will go when they are taken out. yes, lying on my side I can feel the edge of the implant, but I spend most of the day far less conscious of them now. Yes they are numb, as is my arm from the SNB which I had done in August.
I think you’ll find it gets better as the weeks go by. Your’re still early days - be kind to yourself!
So glad I read these posts, between them all just about covered everything i feel (or not )about my expander implant. Reassuring to know others have the pain and discomfort i have. I’m hoping so much that it lessens as River describes.
I am feeling much better, the swelling has gone down loads in my left breast (the cancer side and lymph node side). I actually slept in my bed for about 5 hours last night!
I cannot stand to look at or touch my boobs at the moment, they feel awful and look all distorted…I have a big crease on my right breast, but apparently that will all be tidied up in a few months. With the expanders, do they take the ports out and if so after how long? I have to keep fiddling with my bra to make sure itis over the top of it otherwise it pokes right out…yuk!
I just feel better generally now, am making sure I do bits of housework to keep my arms mobile.
For those of you further along in your treatment, how long after surgery did you start driving? I phones the insurance people and they said it’s down to my doctors on when I can drive.
I’ll be 4 weeks post op on Thursday and have been told definitely no driving before 4 weekes - usually 4-6. Like so many other things we’re probably each being told different.
Re the crease - I have one to the side of my left breast, near the underarm - you say it’ll be tidied up, in what way, d’you know? I’ve still not got any fluid in at all, didn’t manage any at surgery, too tight and the wound isn’t healed enough yet so still none in - you’ve got some yes? does it make any difference to the crease?
Re the port - For me, it doesn’t come out until the saline implant gets changed over to the silicone one ie when all the expansions have been done and treatment is finished. Mine is in such an awkward place I haven’t been able to wear a bra comfortably yet.
Hi iam new too this site .the last time I was on it was after havingbeing diagnosed and for about a year after .It helped with all the questions i had going on at the time .
My concern is I had mastectomy 4 years ago and had expander thenlast year an inplant with nipple reconstructio.I have not been happy with then permanent inplant as it is too high just below my collarbone .[which I haveing altered to a differant shape] but my main concern is when I move my arm to open a door whisk a cake of fasten my shoes my breast flattens and leaves my bra empty untill i sit straight again .Is this a problem with anyone else.My surgeon says it is the muscle which contracts and nothing can be done ?Does anyone else now anything .???