What do expanders feel like after a mastectomy?
What do expanders feel like after a mastectomy?
If an expander was placed, salt water (saline) or air was added to it to start stretching your skin. Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel pain for 2 to 3 weeks. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in your breast area.
How long does fluid build up last after mastectomy?
Your treatment team may call this swelling oedema. The swelling may affect your breast, chest wall, shoulder and arm. It’s a normal part of the healing process and should lessen six to eight weeks after your surgery.
Where does the fluid come from after a mastectomy?
During a mastectomy the breast is separated from subcutaneous tissue and muscle. This results in a raw surface that leaks fluid called serous fluid. Although serous fluid production is normal, we don’t want the fluid to stay inside, we want it to come out, so a drain is placed.
Is mesh used in breast reconstruction surgery?
Breast reconstruction is most frequently performed using implants or expanders. Adjunctive materials such as acellular dermal matrix and synthetic meshes are used to support the implant or expander.
How can I sleep comfortably after a mastectomy?
Our board-certified plastic surgeons advise breast reconstruction patients to sleep on their backs for the first two weeks after surgery. Many women choose to sleep in a recliner during this time. A recliner will support your upper body and help you maintain the ideal sleeping position.
How do you reduce fluid after mastectomy?
After a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or even a breast reduction is performed, the patient is told to wear a tight bra to put pressure on the surgical site. This helps to lessen the risk of fluid leaks and speeds up healing.
What can go wrong after a mastectomy?
Some possible complications of mastectomy include: Short-term (temporary) breast swelling. Breast soreness. Hardness due to scar tissue that can form at the site of the cut (incision)
What is GalaFLEX mesh?
GalaFLEX Mesh is a knitted surgical implant that supports breast tissue during a breast lift to provide extra strength to the tissue. This implant is FDA-approved and is made out of a biocompatible polymer that eventually is safely reabsorbed by the body.
What is red breast syndrome?
Red breast syndrome (RBS) represents an inflammatory condition that rarely occurs in the setting of acellular dermal matrix use after prosthetic reconstruction. It is characterized by erythema or rubor that occurs directly over the ADM, and its appearance resembles that of a cellulitis.