Hi all, I had my first fill today both 50cc's on both sides. When he filled them up, I did not feel much but a little pressure that he said would go away tonight. Well now I feel lots of pressure, and feels weird to move my arms. Is that normal? Is it a process for the muscles to expand and stretch. I just figured I would get a fill, then experience a little pressure and then all would be good. My back hurts and it feels like there is an elephant sitting on my chest lol. Had surgery a mastectomy almost seven days today. Everything is going good, except my worrying! Just wondering about others experiences. Thanks!

Hi Heather Anne,
Girl, you are just 7 days post mastectomy and you are already getting fills!!! Wow! I'm not surprised you are in pain!!!
I had that elephant on my chest too. My doc prescribed Carisoprodol for muscle spasms and hydrocodone for pain. I took them as scheduled and that helped tremendously. 
My back also hurt most likely due to the mastectomy and nerve endings knitting back together, etc...
Take your meds! Get some if you don't already have them. There is not a good reason for you to be in pain. People just don't heal well when their energy is focused on managing and dealing with pain.
Feel better!
Love,
AR

What a long, strange trip it's been...
NERD... July 5, 2012

The fills usually hurt for the first couple of days then the pain eases until the next fill.  I found Tylenol helped about an hour before I went.

Tina    
dx 2/1/11 DCIS
Lumpectomy 2/27 results DCIS/LCIS Stage 0 ER+ PR+
Bi-lateral Mastectomy 4/26 with expanders 
6/3 Surgery to remove contaminated expander due to infection.
7/22/11 Surgery to reinsert the expander. 
10/11/2011 Surgery to replace tissue expanders with implants. 
 

I have learned to deal with the pain on my own. I can't seem to take any pain meds, because my body won't tolerate it. That is okay though. The hard part is not sleeping. I must have gotten up about 12 times to re adjust and get comfortable. I do find myself getting stronger everyday though. I am able to finally bend over, and move my arms more today.

We did my fills over a long span of time, to allow for healing and such and I never really had any pain, just slight discomfort.

50 yrs, Rt breast lump found 4/12/09 during shower. 5/7/09 Organs, bones & head clean. 5/8/09Bilateral Mastectomy/ skin sparing surgery, implantation of skin expanders, removal 3 lymph nodes,one pos., tumors 1.5 cms x 0.8 cms & 0.8 cms x 1 cm, one tumor surprise, hidden. DX:Mixed Lobular and ductal adenoca. rt breast with badly defined borders.
Est. Pos. nuc. ( +/+++) Prog pos. nuc. intense ( +++/+++) Her2- non-amplified, KI-67 pos. less than 30%

I am actually at the end of my "expansion" process. I had my surgery the beginning of Oct. 2011 and had fills about every two weeks. I never really needed medication for discomfort (maybe Tylenol once in awhile). But everyone is different and certainly follow doctor's orders!

I would say within a week or two after the mastectomy I had pretty good range of motion of my arms. But again - everyone is different and ease into it. I went back to the gym (walking on the treadmill) after a month (get approval from your doc). I do the elliptical now and don't have a problem with my arms. However, I still don't have the same stamina I had before the surgery and that is ok - I'm sure I will get that back.

I'm not sure if you have this - but I was very swollen underneath my armpits for at least six weeks after my surgery. Again, everyone is different - but having a "side boob" was not a fun experience for me. So if you have this, don't freak - swelling does go down.

I usually scheduled my "fill" appointments in the evening and would notice I would feel the pressure the next day. Only now that I am overfilled and ready for surgery in about 3 weeks am I feeling real discomfort - sleeping is a bit miserable. My plastic surgeon said this is very typical and gave me Ambien. I'm filled past 850 ccs (I don't remember exactly) and I am huge - no other way to say it. But I am putting up with it because the more skin and room the more options my plastic surgeron will have for the exchange surgery and hopefully that will mean great results.

Good luck. The "fill" process does go by quicker than you think. Invest in some good pillows. They do help!

I had pain with my expansion - burning in the back because of the cut nerves, etc. from the mastectomy.  I slept in the recliner for about six months post mastectomy and during the expansion time.  It was just more comfortable! 

My fills we're done very quickly starting the first one in surgery then every week for 4 weeks b4 rads started. They were very painful the first couple of days after a fill. I still sometimes feel raw inside from them!

I will be so glad to progress past the expanders!

Bx Confirm Invasive Breast Cancer 5.13.11
ER+ PR+ HER2- on 6.10.11
KI-67 22% 6.13.11
Chemo x 4 - Adriamycin/Cytoxin, 
Chemo x 4 - Taxol 
Bilateral Mast with Expanders 11.1.11 - 12/31 nodes with active cancer. Grade 3 tumor. Stage IIIC. Radiation finished 1.25.12  Femara Generic started 11.24.11

I can do all things through God who strengthens me. Phil 4:13