Permanent expanders

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
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Hi i have just finished chemo thankfully!. I have discussed with my surgeon to have a double mastectomy with permanent expanders. I had a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node clearance in feb but not clear margins left side.
Has anyone had permanent expanders so no need for implants ?
How do they feel ? Ive seen so many posts saying they are horrendous :sob:.
Im due radiotherapy after has anyone had issues with theres after radiotherapy ?
Are you happy with them ? Im certainly not looking forward to 4 drains one was bad enough.
My surgeon is using my own skin so no mesh anyone else have this ?

Thank you x

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Hi Carmen81

I have tissue expanders which I was told could be permanent if i wanted - they have removable ports which were used to inflate them fully after I had recovered from surgery.

After a few months I am very used to them, and in clothes they look fine, but I would say they are very firm, and the edges are more obvious than with permanent implants. For these reasons I’m going to do the exchange for permanent ones at some point in the next year.

Hope this is helpful, feel free to ask anything else and I’ll see if I can help x

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