Not sure if this is where I ask but...

My friend is having a tissue expander fitted today and was wondering if anybody else had ever heard of one of these or if you've had one yourself?! I have done as much research as possible to find out what happens and what they are for etc but it's just not the same as speaking to someone who has experienced it. I'm also trying to make her feel at ease by telling her my BA story (not the same I know) but the placement of an expander is under the muscle and I had overs so I can't tell her about the pain or anything.. I suppose I'm just worried about her because she doesn't have anyone to look after her and she is very much on her own and I don't know how she will be when she comes round from surgery! I really hope she is ok.. She should be in theatre now! X

Can she not get online and join us mrsdtob?

Tissue expenders are generally used for reconstruction, your friend probably has no breast tissue at all and therefore need a little help to prepare the breast for an implant. Without the expander the surgeon wouldn't be able to insert the implant as the skin has no give. So the expander works to stretch the muscle and skin to help prepare for an implant and from what I've read your friend may well be in some discomfort for a while after insertion.

One of our members left an account if her experience with expanders [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It may help you to help your friend after reading a real woman's experience rather than text book accounts. If you type expanders into the search box also you should find many threads on the subject too.

Please send on our good luck wishes to your friend and tell her that if she is able to get online we'd be very happy to see her. Xx

Thank you cookie! I will have a read of a few threads. I hope she will be ok! And yes, I will tell her to get online and say hello! Xx

She should definatly visit bjsf. I take it she is planning implants at some point? I had under the muscle, but I didn't have any pain at all, so was very lucky! All you can do is be there if she needs anything. I assume it's quite similar to having implants? X

She has polands syndrome where one breast is smaller than the other! I have spoken to her and she says she isn't in too much pain at the moment.. She is still in hospital and will be until tomorrow. Hopefully she will be fine! Oh and they didn't put the expander under the muscle, which I thought was weird as I have researched the hell out of them and was aware they were placed under the muscle but hey, her surgeon knows best. Anyway, I will keep you all updated and get her to come on here too! Thanks so much ladies x

Really happy to read your friend is not in too much discomfort and thanks for letting us know hun.

It would be really nice to have her here