Discomfort After Double Mastectomy with Expanders: Normal or Concerning?

I am going into my 6th week with expanders, my pain has gotten better. I use CBD oral drops for pain at night , this is when I usually feel the most discomfort. I talked to my doctor and she said it’s because my body is settling down from the day. I have difficulty sleeping at night still. I still sleep inclined, which is not very comfortable at all. I try to sleep on my sides but the expanders just pull and tug and it hurts. The burning pain you’re experiencing is from the nerve damage, our nerves are trying to “reconnect “ the oil drops help with nerve pain. I believe that is caused from the mastectomy, I experience the pain across my breast. The expander pain I feel on the sides of my breast near my armpit, my surgeon explained to me that the expanders are stitched to my skin on the inside. I’m not sure if this is the same for you, or the same symptoms you’re having.

It has been 2 full months and once in a while still take a half a tramadol in the evening! I found out after the fact when I told the plastic surgeon after 5 weeks that I was still in pain and he said they stitch the expander to the muscles all around the breast and use a cadaver skin on top the expander! I think had I known that I might have passed on the expanders! Hate the way I can feel the port on the expander! I won’t be able to get implants for a while because I have 4 months of chemo starting in May! I guess I was expecting it to be pain free by now and it certainly is not!! I will try the CBD oil!

I had the double mastectomy with expanders April 17, 2024, the expander came undone on left side 1 month in, stayed that way till August 8th when my implants were put in. Do your research on plastic surgeon. Mine screwed up, February 20, 2025 had them redone by another plastic surgeon. Was told my pain could take years to never, because of cutting 3 times. Still not right either.

Well didn’t help I had to go back in March for a axillary dissection! If I had to do it again I would skip expanders! I have read women say they have shooting pain and it’s been years!! Ugh

Does it ever go away?

It's been a year the 17, for the first surgery, it's like you constantly are being electruted.

Had double mastectomy without expanders. Chose to not have implants. Heard too many horror stories and did not want to think about another surgery at the time I had to make the decision. I have nerve pain too across my chest, it’s a big surgery!!! No one can tell you how big it is. Recovery is long.

Ya know honestly sounds strange but it seems at night is when it hurts the most and I think because I’m sitting! When I Stand up the hurt seems to go away!!??

I can be driving, walking, it wakes me up, have squish mellow pillows (granddaughters)thank you Emmy, under both arms there soft enough, hurts to wear clothes.

Please try acupuncture for pain. Call and ask if they care for breast cancer patients. I was amazed . She places the hair thin sterile,disposable needles in middle of chest, under breasts in painful areas and on sides. Sometimes my hands and other areas. I rarely feel any inserted. Please try it. Don't suffer . You feel a sort of forced relaxation a few minutes after they are inserted. Sometimes I feel like an energy source move between needles. I thought that was odd but the other night I was in surgery and talking to a surgeon who also goes to acupuncture. I asked him to describe to me what he feels during the treatment and he described exactly what I just told you. 2 medical professionals that truly believe in acupuncture.

Thank you, I have no idea where to go for that because I can definitely pick where not to go with 2 bad surgeon's.

Oh my gosh I will definitely try that!! Thank you!!!

Had expanders put in Apr 7 2025 DMX 7 months ago. These expanders hurt. This is the most painful experience I've had so far but still very blessed for being able to pass through this phase. My chest feels so tight a bit better after drain removal. Always thankful to Him 🙏🏻 for bringing me home after all these surgeries. God bless us all ladies! 💕 Sending hugs! 🤗

Ladies please try to find a physical therapist that uses the LymphaTouch device. It's amazing. I can't emphasize enough about the importance of PT and also with this device. If you have to drive an hour to get to one please do it. You can contact the company in Finland and maybe give your location and ask where to go. Since they are the only ones who sell it and they service them also they shoukd be able to help you.https://lymphatouch.com/

I actually contacted the owner to thank him for the development, it helped me so much.

I had two expanders for 4 months. Because they are sewn at the top of the expander to the chest wall to keep them in place I could feel the stitches pulling sometimes. Especially when playing racket sports of doing upper body strength training. Physical Therapy is a must. I could only sleep on my back as when I tried to sleep on my side I could feel hard edges of the expanders rub on another. Luckily I had a PA who set my expectations from the start. She told me that I would always be aware they were there. She told me the implants are a lot softer and feel a lot better. She was right. The burning sensation is from the nerve regrowing. It took about 2 months before it settled down.

I had right mastectomy with expander December 5th, and implant surgery yesterday with reconstruction to the left breast. The expander was like having a rock on my chest for the entire time. I cant speak yet as to how the implant feels, but the side with the implant is less uncomfortable than the side with reconstruction. I’m 71, and nursed my babies. Time and gravity had caused my left breast to require a lift for symmetry. All in all, at least for me, the discomfort was tolerable except for sleep. I’m not a still sleeper, and any time I’d roll onto my rock, I’d wake and have to re-settle.

I had a double mastectomy on August 15th, 2024 with expanders. The pain did subside after a while, but they were never quite comfortable. Tabs broke off on one and it flipped around for about the last month that I had them in. Finished chemo a few weeks ago and just had the port taken out and expanders replaced with implants April 11th. The implants geel so much better already. Hang in there. Look into options for pain treatment if necessary. Nighttime was definitely more painful for me, and im.sute your doctor has told you the same thing that we've all heard, "everybody's different ". It does get better.

When they took the expanders out it was less pain but the implants were hard for a long time. 3 yrs and it is much better

It sounds like you're dealing with some really challenging discomfort, and it's completely understandable to have questions about what's normal during recovery. Many people experience ongoing discomfort and burning sensations after this type of surgery, especially with expanders, as your body is still healing and adjusting. Your upcoming appointment with the plastic surgeon is perfect timing to discuss your symptoms and get professional guidance about your options, including whether any changes to your treatment plan would affect your travel plans. The community here has so much collective experience with these procedures, so hopefully others will share their recovery experiences to help you feel less alone in this process.