Any deviation from the limitations and requirements could result in movement of the tissue expanders, another surgery and/or extended recovery time. This will keep the incision from widening. You may begin your regular exercise routine 2 to 3 days after surgery, EXCEPT upper body weight training. I decided to go through of this to be proactive about my care and well-being. The expander is inserted underneath the chest muscle. Do not apply any lotions or ointments to the chest area as this will interfere with the DermaBond.
Activity should be gauged to how one feels. Increased swelling of your breast. I still couldn't get out of bed or up from a chair without assistance. You may remove the bra and ACE bandage daily for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening to relieve any garment pressure on your skin. This extraordinary safety and durability profile is what led to the FDA approval of this latest generation of cohesive gel silicone implants in 2006. Avoid strenuous exercise for about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery unless your doctor tells you it's safe. We knew what to bring, where to go and what to expect. Do not put it right on your incision for 6 weeks after your surgery or until the scabbing has fully healed. Do not have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done while your tissue expander is in place. SWELLING AND BRUISING. Post-Operative and Home Care Instructions for Placement of Tissue Expanders. Additional Surgeries: You should understand that you may require additional surgery in the future to replace or remove your implants.
I found peace in the low statistical possibility of the same complications that I dealt with in August happening again. Why are tissue expanders the best choice for some women? I am almost there, only 7 months to go! Scar tissue is usually removed from the pocket to soften the overall appearance and feel of the new breast. This is because they were soooo perky that she was afraid they would be in the way of the radiation beam. The sutures selected by your surgeon is absorbable and does not require removal. Any downsides to tissue expanders? I think it's because side sleeping puts pressure on the side of the expander, which then puts pressure on my ribs. Wear a cotton belt in the shower to pin the drains around your waist while you are naked. Don't be afraid to move. With implants present infection can be more difficult to treat than infection in normal body tissues. One way that we make tissue expanders more comfortable is by using a product called AlloDerm® Tissue Matrix.
These symmetry procedures can be performed at the time of the second or third stages of implant reconstruction. Recliners tend to provide more upper body support, and it is more convenient to get up from a seated position. Pain medication will be prescribed to you to use as needed postoperatively. Do not remove the clear dressing and BioPatch around the drain sites. 480 Peritoneal Cancer. Signs of Infection Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any signs of infection during tissue expansion, including: Fever Chills Increased redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness in the breast A pus-like discharge Crusting around the filling port Summary If you opt for breast reconstruction post-mastectomy, tissue expanders are used to help prepare the chest wall and skin for the implants. What is the best sleeping position if you have tissue expanders? You can also find the written resources online at.
Avoid strenuous exercise and or lifting activities. I have read that many women struggle with pain after a mastectomy! You are not alone, and we are all here to help and support each other. For the first four weeks, you should not sleep on your stomach. After giving me a couple weeks to recover from the surgery, my plastic surgeon then began filling the expanders little by little. No cooking, cleaning, or lifting. You may feel and see the expander under the skin most pronounced at the midline. The implant is usually allowed to settle for several months prior to the final stage of Nipple Reconstruction and Areola Pigmentation being performed. It was a group effort to get me out of bed and to the bathroom. This was an outpatient surgery, and it lasted about four hours total. I slide downward after a couple hours, and wake up almost on my back with the most tremendous pressure/pain - like giant rocks are going to explode from my chest.
Never put ice directly on the skin, as this might cause frostbite. Remember to listen to your body during this time. Well, unfortunately it's not that easy. Warmth in your arm on the affected side. Delayed Wound Healing or Wound Dehiscence: In some instances, the incision site takes longer to heal than normal. That pencil is magic. So you may be wondering, why would I go through this horrendous process again if my cancer was removed during the first mastectomy? If you have any questions that our office has not covered, please call us. They should only be used under the direction of the treating healthcare provider.