Expandable implant

Good luck sweetie. I too am having a masectomy in a couple of weeks but am going for the DIEP reconstruction. I am scared but trying not to think of it...

My friend had that done, big op as she had a double  mastectomy,  but she is so pleased with the results. Stay strong and good luck.

Hi Daisy, I had an expandable implant in 2018 and it is still in! The op was fine and the scar is ok but not as tidy as it will be when they reconstruct. I have no feeling at all in the breast, underarm or shoulder, but i got used to it very quickly. It feels very strange, with corners and hard bits, but that is normal apparently. I’ve had no problems at all and love how it doesn’t droop

Thanks for letting me know what I could be in for Jodie, I didn’t realise it could be in that long, I was told ‘probably a few months’, but I suppose everyone is different, have been told I will bleep going through airport security and I will need a letter explaining why.  Plus side is as you say it doesn’t droop.  

Hi. I agree with Jodie. I had my mastectomy in January with implant expander and mine will be in until next Summer. I've finished chemo moving into rads next but Onco says a year for yr body to recover before they think about next step of recon  probs (DIEP). Its a little uncomfortable jumping up and down and you can always feel it as the expander is a bit hard under yr skin but you get used to I dont have any feeling in breast or underarm either but had full lymph clearance. You will be given a medical card to say you have an implant and that should get you through security. I didnt have any probs either. Good luck x

Thanks for that, it’s always good to talk to people who have gone through it, you’ve both made me feel better and more confident about my operation. Just hope my lymph nodes are clear. X

Hi again Daisy and Forest, I had full lymph clearance too with neo-adj chemo, docetaxil, carboplatin, trastuzumab and pertuzumab. I had a titanium mesh around expander but dont think it beeps at security  . I was due recon April 20, 2 years after mx but Covid stopped it. Now there is 3 to 5 year wait

So sorry to hear that Jodie, I’m starting to find the whole experience mentally draining and I’m only at the beginning of my journey I should go in for my  mastectomy on Monday, but depends on  bed availability due to Covid    

Hi daisy.i too had exactly the same treatment as you with the chemo. It was very hard I felt. Also just had my mastectomy with lymph all removed. This was 2 weeks ago it still feels very tight and can't actually explain what the sensation is under arm. Had to have 200ml blood drained yesterday. Just waiting for results of surgery Friday this week to see the next step. 

Debbie