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Topic: Can an expansion fill be reversed?

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  • Posted on: Nov 6, 2009 08:52 pm
MT PLEASANT, SC
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 98
marie317 wrote:

I'm in the middle of breast reconstruction with a tissue expander.  I had been doing pretty well with the expansion process until the last "fill".  This last one has been incredibly tight and uncomfortable.  After my last chemo visit, it appears that a stitch popped or the incision began to open.  The surgeon put the expansion on hold last week when he saw the redness and prescribed antibiotics.  The infection seems to be under control, however, the incision seems to have opened up a little more (not big, maybe 3 mm).

Has anyone experienced anything like this?  If so, what happened?  I was wondering if it's possible to "deflate" some in order for the wound to heal and wait until after chemo to get back to expansion. 

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Diagnosis: 6/2/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Posts 1 - 5 (5 total)
kle
Boston, MA
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 141
Nov 6, 2009 09:33 pm kle wrote:

Hi Marie,

Sorry to hear you are having this bit of trouble in the middle of your expansion.  I just wanted to say , that my PS had to deflate, I had saline added at the time of my surgery, but the PS wanted to make an adjustment to the incision ( about a week later) w/ stitches so she took out what she had put in.  It was no problem.  See what your PS thinks.  Hope it goes smooth.

kle


Diagnosis: 7/24/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
marie317
MT PLEASANT, SC
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 98
Nov 7, 2009 08:10 am marie317 wrote:

Thanks kle!  

I was hoping to avoid stitches.  My fiance was thinking that since they inject the saline solution through a port that they could just reverse some of it in the same manner.  I'm scheduled to go back on Monday but was curious to know what if anyone else has experienced. 

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Diagnosis: 6/2/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
REKoz
Long Island, NY
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 406
Nov 7, 2009 09:10 am REKoz wrote:

Hi Marie-

I had this issue on both breasts (bmx) within a week after surgery. Unfortunately, I had a totally incompetent PS (no longer my PS) who overstretched the skin to begin with. He DID take the saline out of the expanders but by that time, it was too late. Both incisions opened and a raging infection required weeks of IV Vancomyacin to get it under control. By that time, I had begun chemo and both my Onc. and new PS recommended waiting until after chemo to resume fills. Since chemo hinders your infection fighting ability, it very well may be a good thing for you to wait until it's over.

I wish you the best as you go down this road. My surgery was a year ago this Tuesday and I have FINALLY gotten an exchange date....Dec. 22nd! Whoo hoo...what a Christmas gift!

God Bless

Ellen

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rekosloff
Diagnosis: 10/16/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
kle
Boston, MA
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 141
Nov 7, 2009 09:31 am kle wrote:

Marie, she did take the fluid out the same way it goes in..sucked right out!  Stitches had nothing to do w/ that part.

Ellen..good luck to u too.

kle


Diagnosis: 7/24/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
marie317
MT PLEASANT, SC
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 98
Nov 7, 2009 09:32 am marie317 wrote:

Thanks Ellen! I'm relieved to know that taking the saline out is a possible fix.  I'm so sorry to hear that you went through that but glad that you made it through it and will soon be done just in time for Christmas!.

I've had several injections and everything was fine up until this last one.  However, now that I think about it, it was the surgeon's nurse practitioner who did the last fill.  And I remember I wasn't comfortable with it not being the surgeon himself.  She may have overfilled.  

I can't help thinking about someone I read who I believe had a rib bone broken from an overfilled expansion. 

I'll be soooo glad when I'm finished with this reconstruction crap.

*sigh* 

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Diagnosis: 6/2/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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