Tissue expanders can feel pretty strange, and that's completely normal! Many people describe a range of sensations during the expansion process that can catch them off guard.
Here are some common sensations that are considered normal:
- Wrinkling or folding — When the expander isn't fully filled, it may feel wrinkled or like Show Full Answer
Tissue expanders can feel pretty strange, and that's completely normal! Many people describe a range of sensations during the expansion process that can catch them off guard.
Here are some common sensations that are considered normal:
- Wrinkling or folding — When the expander isn't fully filled, it may feel wrinkled or like there's a fold in it
- Popping sounds — During fills, some people hear or feel a "pop, pop, pop" sensation as fluid fills in
- Pressure or tightness — As the expander stretches the skin and chest muscles, pressure is common
- Air bubble sensations — Some people feel what seems like an air bubble, which can feel a little lightheaded-inducing or just plain weird
- General discomfort — Many MyBCTeam members describe expanders as uncomfortable, especially after fills The good news is that most of these sensations gradually improve once the permanent implant is in place. If fills feel too intense, it's worth asking your doctor about smaller increments — like 50cc at a time — to make the process more manageable.
That said, some symptoms are worth flagging to your doctor right away, including:
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Painful or swollen legs
- Breast skin discoloration
- Discharge from the wound
- Shortness of breath
These could signal infection or other complications, so don't hesitate to reach out to your care team if something feels off.
October 8