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Do expanders feel more comfortable as they are filled each week?
I am almost 2 weeks post-op with bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction placement of expanders. I also came out of surgery with 4 drains, 2 have been removed. The drains are such a pain and they are sore where the bras sit over them but these expanders are so uncomfortable, do they feel better with each expansion? I was told it will be around 4-5 months before I will be scheduled for surgery to swap them out for implants.
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I had an expander put in during my mastectomy. I wouldn't say it were uncomfortable, but it did feel like there was a foreign object in my body. After it was replaced during final reconstruction, it was much better. (I actually googled what an expander looks like, as opposed to an implant. The implant is much more streamlined, as it is help in place by tissue. The expander is physically attached to your body.
It will never feel like my original breast, but my plastic surgeon did a really good job of paying attention to the aesthetic. I don't look like I used to, but I feel better about my body because it's cancer free!
Hang in there........the journey isn't a breeze, but all the effort is worth it.