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The whole reconstruction process varies slightly depending on how large you are wanting to go.  I filled to 100cc's which took less than 6 weeks because at the time of insertion my expanders had already been filled a bit.  I also handled the pain rather well, even though at times it was very painful and bore through 2 cracked ribs in the process.  I allowed for 100cc's a week, sometimes more.  After you get your final fill, your doctor will likely have you wait a couple weeks for things to stretch and settle before swapping out the expanders for implants.  Now granted, when I went through all of my reconstruction attempts, I was not going through chemo - which I am sure will play a factor into when surgery is possible.  Last year when I had my recurrence, I had to go through 7 weeks of radiation which held up reconstruction for a year from the time he had found the recurrence to the time we started my injections again.  Though radiation is a lot different cause it directly affects your skin, and that it why there was a delay.  I would say you'd probably be done in about 6 months, but with chemo involved it is hard to say.  They will not allow you to go in for surgery if you are not 100% healthy, cause you cannot risk getting an infection when your blood counts are already down.  I know you're eager for this to all be over, but just hang in there and don't rush it. Good luck! Angi