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Hi Jessica
I finished Taxol in May-went on Herceptin and in June had a prophylatic mastect of the right side (had mastect of left side in Oct 05) and expanders put in at that time. After the expander placement surgery (they filled to 100 and 150 ccs at time of surgery and my original mastectomy was a skin sparing surgery) I did experience pain. It felt like someone was sitting on my back and on my chest all at the same time. It was painful but not so much that I wouldnt do it again. I then began my weekly fills. They were able to put quite a bit in at each fill starting at 150 and 200 to even them. That fill was quite uncomfortable because that is a lot for the skin and muscle to take. When they fill to me it felt like I did ions ago when I breast fed my son.....felt like they were heavy with milk. After the fills it again felt like someone was sitting on my chest and my back at the same time although again this was tolerable. I am now done with the fills and have to wait 6 months for the exchange surgery.
Everyone is different in how they feel I think after the fills and some have a very little amount put in at a time which is fine too.
My expanders are tear shaped and were supposed to fill upwards. My left one tipped and it filled towards my back. I now have a nice rock hard boob right under my arm pit on that side! It is annoying but again tolerable.
When I was going through the expansion process I thought it was worse than the chemo. However, now that I am done with the process I just dont remember it being that bad and would do it again.
Good luck with your decision.
Bobbi
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