I have just had my masectomy and had an expander put in. Ive been told to wear this big elastic band over my chest to stop the expander moving about. Ive been told to wear it 24/7 for 6 weeks. Well i have already taken it off because of the discomfort, like im not in enough pain! It feels like its flatting my temporary reconstruction to. Im worried that if I dont wear it it my expander will move about but if I do wear it it ll also ruin my reconstruction. The nurses had never heard of it before and it was my plastic surgeon who told me to wear it. Ive not met anyone else thats had to wear one before.
Has any one got one of these they have to wear to or has dont in the past?
I had bilateral mx and immed recon with expander implants. No band was mentioned to me. In fact the reconstruction nurse said wear a bra or no bra whichever was comfortable - which for me has been secret support vest from M&S - it’s just like a camisole style vest with a bra shelf (elastic) - giving just minimal support. I know some people are advised to wear a sports bra 24*7 but I wasn’t told this. It all seems to be down to the preference of the surgeon as so many things in the bc world. I don’t think my implants have moved as such. As the skin and muscle have stretched the shape has changed and some sections are rock hard others soft and floppy. It seems to be a work in progress!
Hope you’re getting good aftercare so you can check everything is as it should be.