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Hi Stepaheda! i've been going through reconstruction for quite a long time now - but it's because part way through my plastic surgeon found out my cancer had returned in my chest wall.   What I was doing prior to the discovery took less than 3 months.  I had a smaller size expander in and they reached near their maximum when I told the doc they just weren't big enough - I mean if I had boobs left, then they would have been huge, but since I had a mastectomy on each side I had no foundation to build them upon.  700cc's only equated to about a b cup.  So it really depends on how big you want to go.  So after we agreed they weren't of the right size, he took me back into surgery and swapped them out for larger ones and that is when he found my cancer - and since it returned, I had to halt the saline injections cause of radiation (don't want to get it off track by expanding your chest)  My doc was putting about 100cc's each week.  They will do more as long as you can tolerate it.  The first few days will feel a little tight, but by your next visit you'll feel good again.  I recommend taking some tylenol or advil prior to going, so you ready for a little discomfort - afterall he is going to stick a rather large needle through you chest wall into the implant....but it really doesn't hurt, the anxiety or anticipation of it is worse.  In order to keep a nice soft, natural feel to them I would highly recommend massaging them so you don't aquire any fat necrosis around the incision site (which will feel hard) you doc may also want you to rub them down in a certain way to avoid them from shifting - sometimes they can move upwards or to the middle, but when your doc does the final surgery he should make "pockets" to hold them in place.   Once you get to the size you want, you go back into surgey and they swap the expanders out for implants (and if you've discussed the need, he may also transfer over some muscle or tissue from another area like my surgeon is going to do) then 3 months down the road when they are well healed you will do the aerola part which is where they take a piece of skin from another area to make the nipple and tattoo on the aerola - this part can also be skipped if you so choose.   So after you get your expanders you'll probably heal for about a month (at the time of placement some saline will already be in them), then weekly injections of 100-150cc, then surgery to exchange for implants, then heal another 4-6 weeks to be able to lift things (like laundry baskets or carry groceries, etc) and return to normal, then another 8 weeks to get your nipples and you'd be done - so in all 6 months is a fairly accurate amount of time for the whole shebang.  But keep in mind that it also depends on size and if there are complications (like I had 2 attempts fail prior to this due to dying tissue/skin).  Oh and keep in mind that after your initial surgery, while you are going through injections you can do some light lifting, exercising, etc. and go about your normal routine - just stay away from strenuous activities, especially ones involving the arms/chest.   Good luck, I hope it all works out the way you want - and don't worry you will get used to them, they are a little uncomfortable at first, because they are not your natural breast, but then that feeling will subside.  My one breast is so soft and natural feeling & looking - so you can get good results (my other breast has fat necrosis in it that will be removed when I undergo surgery again) and providing you have a good doctor you'll be just fine.  I love my surgeon, he literally saved my life - so I trust him with it.  It's important to have a good connection with your surgeon!   Best of luck to you!  The next 6 months are going to fly right by!