Second Fill

For the second fill of the expanders on Monday, I had a tiny bit of oozing from left the incision. So as not to aggravate it,  my doctor filled the left expander with 20ml and the right expander with 50ml. I am a little lopsided, but that will be worked out soon. The left incision has already calmed down since the expansion and is looking much better.  I will have another expansion on the 12th.

With the tissue expansion water is it is injected into a metal port of a silicon encased expander. I don't really feel the injection because the breast tissue is fairly numb. The doc finds the port under the skin with a magnet. Randy thought that was pretty cool, calling a medical stud finder! 

This process continues for several weeks until the tissue expander is filled to an optimal volume. Six to twelve weeks are then allowed for the skin to stabilize and loosen around the expander. I will have another surgery to remove the tissue expander and insert a permanent breast implant. 

I am about six weeks from my initial surgery,  almost to my normal size and feeling great.  My guess is I will have the second surgery to replace the expanders with implants sometime in early 2012. It will be good to get the expanders out. They are heavy, hard and feel like breast vice grips! Not that I am complaining—I just hear the implants will be more comfortable and I am all about comfort. 

I have really very little pain, and greater range of motion in my arms. My energy level is good and I am able to do most of my normal activities without taking a nap! Life is good.