I had someone ask me this question the other day so I thought I would address it here. Your mastectomy surgery will involve two surgeons, both a breast and plastic surgeon. First the breast surgeon removes all of your breast tissue and any lymph nodes. Then the plastic surgeon takes over and places expanders and a mesh to hold the implant in their place. I went home with a little air in my expanders but you will be very flat at this time.

A tissue expander is an implant that's more like a balloon. It stretches the skin to make room for the final implant. The expander has a port (a metal or plastic plug, valve) that allows the surgeon to add amounts of a salt water solution over time (between 2 to 6 months) until the skin gradually is stretched enough to fit the implant. I had to move quickly during this stage (because I needed to start chemo) so I had my expanders replaced after only two months. Others have had to wait for up to a year because they needed to finish radiation first. It all depends on your situation and your treatment plan to determine how long you will have the expanders in place.

Honestly, they are not very comfortable. Most women dislike the feel because they are hard and nothing like the actual implants. About two weeks after your mastectomy you will start getting the expanders slowly filled. Most women go every one or two weeks until you reach the desired size. You have to go slowly because you are stretching the skin and that can be very painful. Take it from me, go slow and take a couple of Tylenol or a pain killer that night if needed. After 24 hours I always felt so much better and I was ready for another fill the following week. When the doctor inserts the needle into the port he/she finds the opening by using a magnet type device. I felt NOTHING because you have no feeling in your breasts, so don’t be afraid of the needle! I could not feel the needle going in or out and I didn’t feel the liquid going in either. Overall, I found it a one of the easier parts of the process. I’m always here if you have any more questions!