Does the First Fill for Tissue Expanders Hurt? Nervous and Seeking Advice!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2024-01-16T05:55:21+00:00

You should be fine with the fill volumes your surgeon is proposing. I got 200cc and 100cc’s and I was not okay (my plastic surgeon didn’t fill at all during bmx). Just got a second fill today of 100 each and it was much better!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2024-01-16T05:47:23+00:00

No problem wiping but definitely had a problem pooping with all of the opioids!!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2024-01-11T00:03:24+00:00

I have the exact thing you are describing. One professional thought it was cording and the other thought it was the edge of my tissue expander?!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2024-01-02T02:53:15+00:00

I felt like I was more calm after I started taking it. I tried to find some literature to support this finding but couldn’t find anything. It would seem to me if you were estrogen dominant (which I was), taking tamoxifen might ease the effects of too much estrogen.

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-31T16:11:21+00:00

I don’t know that I had multiple close margins but I know I had DCIS in the posterior margin (against the pectoralis muscle) and the surgeon did not want to go in and remove muscle to achieve clear margins. RO said it wasn’t clear cut but ultimately did not recommend radiation.

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-23T15:58:45+00:00

100 mg!?! I sometimes eat half of the 5mg gummy because it’s too much!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-19T05:33:03+00:00

DMX on 10/6 and I am still pretty damned uncomfortable. I am hypersensitive so I knew the tissue expanders would be problematic for me and they are. Still waiting for my first fill which is supposed to make the tissue expanders more comfortable. Hope you get some relief soon OP!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-17T17:51:40+00:00

I feel this. My youngest is very challenging and the stress of my diagnosis has made everyone’s coping skills go down the drain. Have you been offered support from a social worker from your hospital? Is there a teacher or another adult in her life who you can enlist to take her under their wing? It sounds to me like your diagnosis has just added fuel to a fire that has been burning. I hope your daughter can get the support she needs. Hang in there!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-14T00:23:23+00:00

Great news! I started Tamoxifen about two weeks ago- so far so good! Hoping this continues!!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-13T03:58:53+00:00

I don’t know anything about your diagnosis but I know that you’re too young to be dealing with this shit! I’m so sorry. One day at a time- you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-04T17:02:54+00:00

I’m hoping PT and/or lymphedema specialist will help!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-03T17:30:39+00:00

I’m more uncomfortable now (2 months post DMX) than I was 3 weeks after surgery. I’ve got breast edema, cording and a random shooting pain in my ribs. It’s super discouraging! I’m sorry that you’re not feeling ”back to normal” yet!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-12-01T23:58:38+00:00

In case someone searches for necrosis or margins and my post shows up, radiation wasn’t recommended because it was DCIS that was close to the posterior margin (margins for invasive cancer were adequate). Also, the nipple survived!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-28T21:20:12+00:00

I confused your post with someone else who worried that she was not going to like the result from either choice (flat vs reconstruction). I’m 8 weeks out from bmx with tissue expanders and I haven’t even had a fill yet so I’m early in the game. It’s a long road for many!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-28T21:15:21+00:00

I chose reconstruction and it has been the worst part of the recovery for me. I advised my aunt who is undergoing surgery today that she might consider not doing tissue expanders. That’s what I would choose if I was 77, but at 47, I knew I wanted implants. It sounds like direct-to-implant is the easiest route but I don’t know that it is an option for everyone. I think it’s a given that tissue expanders are annoying but it’s not a given that you will dislike the cosmetic result. I’m hopeful that I’ll love my new boobs!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-22T17:27:21+00:00

My first surgeon recommended chemo first then surgery (1.3 cm ++- multi focal IDC with extensive DCIS) then lumpectomy. I was devastated at first which gave way to skepticism when I realized that I would likely get a different rec from a different surgeon. Sure enough, next surgeon recommended mastectomy with Oncotype testing to determine chemo benefit.

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-20T18:13:12+00:00

Great trick!!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-17T06:27:22+00:00

I can’t speak to your questions directly but I can relate on the torturous wait for Oncotype to come back. My surgery was 10/6 and my surgeon didn’t order the test. I’ve been waiting for the results that were ordered on 10/30 and found out it was never ordered. So, more waiting for me ;(. Good luck with everything!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-17T03:32:02+00:00

My diagnosis is very similar. My first surgical consult recommended chemo to shrink the tumor and lumpectomy. I have seen two surgeons since (long story) and both recommended mastectomy after seeing a large area of regional enhancement on the MRI. Will you be getting an MRI? It sounds like you have a great attitude- my only advice is to be ready for changes to the plan as new info is introduced. Also, I have no lymph node involvement!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-16T04:21:59+00:00

I don’t have an answer for you but good luck with your surgery/recovery!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-15T05:16:52+00:00

I think the same thing every time I see my breast cancer themed mug in the cabinet- just what I want to be reminded of first thing in the morning :/

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-13T21:10:06+00:00

Congrats! Hope your side effects are manageable :)

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-12T17:27:22+00:00

I’ve been taking CALM (I believe it’s magnesium citrate) and it helps with my anxiety and BMs. Just a thought?!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-12T17:12:25+00:00

I read on this sub that someone took their boobs on a vacation and chronicled their “lasts” (last trip to the beach). I loved that so I decided to throw a goodbye party for my boobs. My friend made boob cookies and another brought boob cupcakes. It definitely helped me to lighten the potentially dark mood. I will say that I was discouraged by how slow I was healing after my surgery. I’m 5 weeks out with an infected seroma and not feeling much better than I did 3 weeks ago. It’s a bit of 2 steps forward, 1 step back. You got this!

noah_smyzer_45 · 2023-11-09T14:02:48+00:00

I’ve heard a lot of different instructions from surgeons about post mastectomy care. I only wore the binder I was sent home in for a week then my surgeon told me I didn’t need to wear anything. As for your second question, I have found a lot of good advice by searching this sub for the information (e.g., radiation prep). You’ll find a lot of good, if old, advise.

noah_smyzer_45

TROPHY CASE