Hi Margie. They have to tell you all the bad stuff but hopefully it wont happen and it will all go well for you.
I had a unilateral mx on the right side back in March. I had an aeroform air expander. It was good in that you dont need to go in for fills as you do it with a little remote control at home bit by bit. There was no pain in this as the expansion is only 10cc at a time.
I stayed in hospital for 12 days I had no problems at all but my surgeon didnt want me to leave till the drains were out Because I live 2 hours from the hospital . I cant remember exactly the timing, but as soon as I felt well I was able to walk around the hospital and the town as long as i was back in time for my different visits by doctors nurses . I was given a gorgeous cotton shoulder bag made by some kind sewing group specially for bc patients to put the drains in and would just wander all round the place.
I did start going a bit nuts about the 8th day, but it was actually good to be in a nurturing environment when I was feeling so vulnerable. I was off the heavy pain killers quickly, did not have any infections or problems thank goodness.
The expander was very uncomfortable and felt very tight but not really painful at all. It was in for 3 months. As it became full ( I was a DD and needed over 600 cc to get the right size) It was a very strange shape, high and hard and I was a bit self conscious to go out during the last month or so. Lucky it was winter.
The recovery time was needed for the emotional upheaval not just the physical side of it. I am not working at present but 4 weeks sounds pretty right. If you have BMX it would be harder as you cant lift anything with the affected side and your movements are restricted for about 6 weeks I am a very resiliant and physicaly strong person but found I was very tired and often dizzy after the surgery, and teary and emotional and so on. I had the exchange surgery in July which was a simple overnight stay in a shared ward, no drains, easy recovery, and Im back out dancing at festivals and singing in my band, applying for new jobs feeling so ready to get on with life. I just need a nipple and a tattoo now and Ill be almost good as new. I only had DCIS though so no further treatments to deal with !! I always have worn a crop top to bed so wearing a bra 24/7 for the last 6 months has been pretty easy for me, tho I have heard some people struggle with wearing the surgical bra. Also, I havent slept on my front or right side for 6 months and had to sleep flat on my back for a lot of that time. Partly due to discomfort but partly I have been super paranoid about my implant moving out of place as it is quite a large one with a bit of weight in it, I wanted to give it the best chance to settle and for my scars not to stretch. Hence the bra overkill also. The implant is not as nice as my real breast but Im already used to it and Im confident to get in my bathers as soon as the water is warm enough. I was a public patient and found the whole process much less scarey than I thought it would be. I hope this helps you. x
