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starwishn2 · 10-29-2012, 06:24 PM

I had a bilateral mastectomy in July of this year. The expanders were "put in" at that time. The scar on my right breast did not heal quickly so I didn't receive any saline until September. The first expansion didn't bother me at all. The doc put in 120cc's in each. I had another round last week - right before chemo. I now know that elephant feeling!! I'm not sure I want any more expansion. I've heard the implants are easier. That's my hope! Apparently nothing about this process is easy or comfortable! Best of luck!

10-29-2012, 06:24 PM	#4
starwishn2 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Re: EXPANDER PAIN...14 days post op I had a bilateral mastectomy in July of this year. The expanders were "put in" at that time. The scar on my right breast did not heal quickly so I didn't receive any saline until September. The first expansion didn't bother me at all. The doc put in 120cc's in each. I had another round last week - right before chemo. I now know that elephant feeling!! I'm not sure I want any more expansion. I've heard the implants are easier. That's my hope! Apparently nothing about this process is easy or comfortable! Best of luck! __________________ Diagnosed 16Dec1993 ITP (auto immune disease - low platelets) Splenectomy 11Nov2009 Rituxen May2011 ITP playing nice Diagnosed 3Jul2012 BC 2 cm - Grade 2 - Stage IIB HER2+++ ER+/PR+ bilateral mastectomy 20Jul2012 Metastasized cancer found 1 lymph node expanders placed during surgery TCH chemo "cocktail" started 24Aug2012 every 3 weeks - 6 treatments Herceptin - 18 treatments LAST treatment Taxotere & Carboplatin 7Dec2012 -yay! Continue with Herceptin 26Dec2012 Started Arimidex 01Jan2013 (for 5 years) Surgery to remove expanders/reconstruction 18Jan2013 Infection in left breast from reconstruction/infection in most nails - SO many meds! 22Feb2013 Left implant not playing nice.... might need to remove and try again - blah! 04Apr2013 3Jul2013 - one year since diagnosis - booo cancer! 15Aug2013 LAST chemo infusion!! YIPPPEEE!!! 13Sep2013 2nd reconstructive surgery.. the FOOBs are looking good!