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Hi @A MyBCTeam Member, That's a good question that I was too overwhelmed to find the answer to before my first fill!
Your expander has a magnetic port. My doctor or his PA used a handheld device to locate the port. Then they inject saline from an already filled syringe into the port. When they are done they apply a tiny bandage to the spot. Note: I had an allergic reaction to the tiny bandage so they had to use nonstick gauze. While I experienced soreness and sometimes spasms after a fill.; I was happy to have a semblance of a breast instead of just a uni-breast. Wishing you all the best with your reconstruction journey.
When I've had expander fills they asked me if I wanted a topical numbing agent so I would only feel the pressure, but not the pinch of the needle. I declined because the area the expander ports were located were already numb from surgery related nerve damage.
I had a double mastectomy so I had 2 expanders to be filled at each appointment. My surgeon and his PA would each have a syringe filled with the saline and they would each take one breast and do the fills at the exact same time. I liked how they did that since it was all done at once instead of going through the whole fill procedure on one side and then having to go through it again on the other side.
The only real side effects I experienced were sore achy breasts for a few days afterwards. It reminded me of PMS breast swelling and tenderness. Good luck with your fill ❤️
Ha — fair question! And yes, you probably do want to know, because understanding the process can make it feel a lot less daunting.
Tissue expanders have a small port built into them. A doctor uses a needle to inject saline (sterile saltwater) or air through the skin and into that port. It sounds more dramatic than it Show Full Answer
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