Swapping tissue expander to permanent

hi guys.

This is a long one so apologies, but I don’t seem to see similar circumstances to mine in threads.

I have tissue expander implants following a double nipple and skin sparing mastectomy in October. The type I have were stitched on to chest wall without mesh to allow my body to naturally create the support and reduce the size. So instead of being tight, mine are very soft and natural feeling. The right side is brilliant and has allowed my skin to shrink a little to allow me to drop down from a DD to a C cup. I was supposed to leave them in until April May timeframe to allow the skin to tighten. Sadly the left one dropped and so is not sitting properly. This has meant my op is now likely to be within the next month. Which is a shame as if both like the right I would be in no rush to swap them out.

My scars are underneath my boobs at the fold and wonder if anyone can advise on a couple of questions I have about the next operation who has had similar. My scars will be under my boob again for the swap.

  1. Can anyone advise how long it took to recover as my surgeon gives me the impression it’s days? As the bulk of healing done.
  2. Is there much swelling? Post op
  3. Leads from point 2. As Bras seem to be the ongoing drama in the post op lives of us BC patients. I have found an amazing Anita bra for women who have had implant surgery like me and holds away from the scar site. (They seem to make for diff types of operations) It is so comfortable and is a relief to have found it. Not pretty but boobs sitting a lot better since I swapped to it. Sorry this is so long…. My surgeon said. No real swelling so can keep the size I have? 34C and fits nicely/snug. Probably a tiny bit stretch without digging in left round the band.

But wonder will I have drains? Will I swell up again? Should I buy a size up? And go 36. But if I do that do I get a cup size down. So confusing the whole bra bit. Spent a fortune first time round though most of them sent straight back.

Thank you for any thoughts on how you have got on?? Good luck to all on this journey. Xxx

1 Like

Sorry you’ve not had a reply to your post yet , just responding so hopefully someone with relevant experience will spot your post. Best of luck with the op .