Hi Angi,  Thank you for your reply.  I plan on calling my PS office today to schedule my surgery for my implants.  I have read that this is a out patient procedure yet when I saw my PC in Aug.  He told me I would be staying over until my pain was under control.  I would much rather be home.  Yuck I do not know what I was thinking I did not think I would have drains again.  Did you go with silicone or saline.  I hear so many pros and cons.  I had radiation on my left breast 5 years ago after a lumpectomy so that breast has caused a lot of discomfort I'm told because the muscle had been radiated.  I am just looking for more natural feel this is why I am choosing silicone.  Thank you again for your reply. Carol

I had radiation on one side as well.  Because of the damage it did to the skin and muscle, it is more firm than the other side.  I have slicone implants and I'm really happy with them, I think you will be too!

Hi Angi Thanks so much for your reply.  It's great to hear your happy with the silicone implants.  I too had pain in my shoulder blades and ribs after saline fills.  I took tylenol with codiene and a muscle relaxer which did not help very much for the 1st day and a half but then I felt better after a couple days.  My PC expanded me fully in one month from my surgery date.  Not sure if this is why I had a lot of pain.  Plus prior radiation on the muscle with the expander.  Can't wait for my implants but nervous about surgery again. Thank you again for your reply. Take Care Carol

Hi Gals,

  I had bilat mastectomy on sept 2, 2009. I have the expanders also, and I wonder why I did this. It is sooooo painful. I can' touch the skin, painful with deep breath, upper back, shldr pain and right sided rib pain. I have been expanded every week after the surgery. Yesterday was my last time. I see the doc back in 4 weeks. I am also anxious about the swap surgery. I plan to have silicone.My doc told me i may stay only one night in the hospital if needed. What type of bra are you wearing? I was tld to wear a sports bra. It is diffiult to wear for  about 4 days after the saline fills. How are you sleeping? Sorry for all the questions, but It is all still very overwhelming. Take care

Lisa

You're not alone ladies, I had my bilat mastect in 2006 aged only 36. I chose the reconstruction on the advice of my breast surgeon - blind faith !! Didnt expect the excructiating pain though. I think I cried into my breakfast cereal for at least two weeks - I'm sure you understand that one gals. It's the time between waking and the pain killers kicking in. A very traumatic time indeed, but the surgery to replace them with the latest silicone was a complete walk in the park. I have found the whole breast cancer experience very mentally isolating, despite having very supportive & well meaning friends and family I'm afraid. I'm still struggling on the odd day.

Hi Lisa,  I hope you are feeling better.  Each day your pain will get better with the exception of fills which caused me a lot of pain and muscle spasms for a day or two.  So now that you are fully expanded hopefully each day you feel a little less pain.  Sounds like your PS expanded you quickly like myself.  I was fully expanded in one month.  I could only sleep on my couch on my back for a least 8 weeks. I could not sleep on my back in my bed.  I am finally back in my bed and can sort of sleep on my side.  I was never told to where a bra or sports bra.  I left the hospital in a zip up sweatshirt with my drains in my pockets.  I have not worn a bra since my surgery.  I would think it would bother you just so tender.  I was just a 36B before my surgery and I hope to end up a 36B when I get my silicone implants.  I have 450cc expanders. I hope to never where a bra again. lol  I hope after the swap I can get away with it.  Not sure because my radiated breast seems higher than my right.  My biggest complaint is my shoulders hurt and it goes to the muscles in my arms.  Just muscle tenderness not pain.  I don't know if it is the expanders or muscles pulling.  I have got back to walking about 4 miles a day  Not sure if it is the walking.  You are a little over a month from your surgery, on top of that you have been fully expanded so I can relate to your pain.  You will feel better.  I am going for my exchange Nov 16th.  Do you have a date yet?  I chose to wait a little longer because I read it was better to.  Hope I did the right thing.  Your right it is over whelming.  Do not be sorry, questions are good.  We all have so many.  Take Care Carol

Hi ladies, I'm going thru the same thing.  Im up to 450 cc and I get the overfill (addtional 100C) next Wednesday.  I had my fills every three weeks and for the first 2-3 days they were real painful.  My PS office referred me to a physical therapist and she also trained my husband on how to massage certain areas of my check, arms, sides that help with the tightness.  I could not get through this without them.  Surgery (breast implants) will be scheduled 3 weeks after my overfill.  I can't wait!  It seems the larger my chest side gets (expands) the more painful and heavy my chest feels, most nights I sleep in the recliner because laying down or evern being propped up with pillows stretches "my bumps" (my new word for chest).  I'm excited to move on to Stage II, Stage I is the worst.  We are WOMEN AND WE ARE STRONG!  HANG IN THERE.

Hi ladies, I'm going thru the same thing.  Im up to 450 cc and I get the overfill (addtional 100C) next Wednesday.  I had my fills every three weeks and for the first 2-3 days they were real painful.  My PS office referred me to a physical therapist and she also trained my husband on how to massage certain areas of my check, arms, sides that help with the tightness.  I could not get through this without them.  Surgery (breast implants) will be scheduled 3 weeks after my overfill.  I can't wait!  It seems the larger my chest side gets (expands) the more painful and heavy my chest feels, most nights I sleep in the recliner because laying down or evern being propped up with pillows stretches "my bumps" (my new word for chest).  I'm excited to move on to Stage II, Stage I is the worst.  We are WOMEN AND WE ARE STRONG!  HANG IN THERE.