Post mastectomy and immediate reconstruction

Hi

Sorry I can't help, but I'm bumping your post to see if there are more ladies around now who can offer a bit of advice.

I hope you got some support from your district nurse on Thursday.

Kindest wishes,

Hi thank you for your reply.

i had the drain out yesterday and it did provide quite a bit of relief, so that’s good. I just hope that this port on my ribs stops hurting soon. It doesn’t hurt to touch it, just when I move, breathe and talk. I have phoned the hospital for advice and they just said give it a couple more days and if still hurting to phone them and they will try to get me in and let the surgeon take a look. So fingers crossed it will get better soon.

Many thanks

Hi I had a tissue expander put in in November 17 and I was in a lot of pain too. I didn’t realise at first it was the port but a consultant (my own wasn’t in clinic that day) was asked to see me as I was in so much pain.she examined me and I had a scan as a precaution.she said the port had damaged the lining of my ribs when it had been pushed in and that it could be as uncomfortable /painful as  actual broken ribs.it certainly felt it!unfortunately I had to put up with it and it was never really comfortable the whole time it was in.my surgeon wasn’t very sympathetic and no one seemed to realise how I felt. I really hope you’re pain improves soon and if not speak to your bcn or doctor.looking back I should have tried more to get something done.take care

Hi AnneCC thank you so much for your reply it’s been very helpful. The pain seems to be subsiding a bit each day so fingers crossed i’m on the mend. Did you eventually have your expander implant removed or just the port? My surgeon uses permanent expander implants and leaves the port in unless the patient insists the port is removed after appropriate expansion. How kind does it take for the swelling to subside? I know its early days (I am only day 5 post op) but at the minute there is no room to expand the implant. Everything still feels very tight and full. 

Many thanks

Hi I had my tissue expander in for 13 months .i had a couple of cancellations after 11-12 months then finally had it removed on New Year’s Eve 2018(from Nov 17) and a permanent implant put in to go with  the LD flap I had had done in aug 17.the relief when that port was removed from my ribs was immense as it was uncomfortable and or painful every day it was in.because you say your pain is decreasing a little hopefully it is starting to improve already. I am crossing my fingers and toes for you as I would hate to think of you suffering for a long time.let me know how you get on.sending a gentle hug

Hi Anne, thank you for your reply. So glad you got yours sorted and are no longer in pain. I am due to see the surgeon again next week and if I am still getting pain I will ask them to remove the port as soon as they have finished topping up the implant. Did you have your implant put under your muscle or on top? How long does it take for the swelling to go down? At the minute I can’t see they will ever need to top up the implant because it feels like its about to burst through my skin its that taught. Also was there much bruising? Sorry to keep asking questions but I much prefer to speak to someone who has been through it rather than reading available info cos it doesn’t always give you a try picture.

Glad you are doing ok now . Sending a hug back. Lesley xx

Morning I could feel and see my port sitting a little below my breast.i had to wait for the ribs to recover before they could start the top ups.had first in January then third and final one in May.my bruising was bad but that was probably because of the damaged ribs. Having the top ups was fine just a needle into the port then saline put in.felt a little pressure but not painful and I was asked if it felt okay as it was slowly pushed in.they would have stopped if i felt uncomfortable  and would have just put a little in but I had no problems.think about 100mls in each time.