It is now 4 weeks following surgery (MX and immediated LD backflap and implant reconstruction) no chemo or rads needed and I have made very good progress with fairly limited pain. Whilst my new breast looks very good I am concerned with the amount ofswelling. I was a 36C pre op and 4 weeks later i am still in a 40C bra, which at the end of the day starts to feel tight and needs expanders for bed time. I do have fluid in my back and under arm, but it is not causing me to much pain or trouble so It has not been drained. My reconstructed breast still looks much wider and bigger than my other breast and i would just like some reassurance as to what is normal for the timescale. I seemed to gain about 7lbs whilst I was in hospital and i am still trying to lose it, which is a nightmare when “allowed” exercise is non existence, is some of this weight gain Due to the fluid? I think as i made such good progress initiially, i expected the good rate of progress to continue and not slow up. When does it all start to feel and look “normal” ? Has any one had similar experiences.
I can only say that I am almost 6 weeks from a ‘mere’ WLE and only now is the swelling going. Initially there seemed not much difference between the sides. Now the swelling is diminishing there is a much more noticeable difference. Tis may help you put your much more extensive surgery into context along with the time-scale and I would expect that there is still much swelling there that will eventually subside and give you a smaller finished result.
I’m sure those who have had the same op as you can advise better but didnt want your thread to get lost.
Hi toriaconey, I had Masc and LD flap 2010 and the again in Nov, believe me it is very early days for you. I think it takes a good 6 months for you to get over the op and for all the swelling and hardness in the breast to go away. The breast I had removed in 2010
now looks and feels like a real breast I am realy pleased with it. Looking forward to Nov breast to look and feel the same, still a lot of tightness in the back but I no this will get better with time. Be good to yourself and take care.
Thank you Toriconey and bellakate, it is really reassuring to know that everything is normal. Big hugs to both of you and thanks for replying xxxxxx