This next part details a little more on breast implants, so consider yourself forewarned. I do like to highlight some details to help educate (shocker coming from a teacher) and simply because people might be curious to know more.  During my bouts of social anxiety, my therapist once told me to go out there and “stay curious” when I was starting to feel overwhelmed. I’ve loved those two words ever since. 

Now down to the titty gritty. Word on the street was that the implants would be way more comfortable than the expanders and I must say I noticed this immediately. Don’t get me wrong, they were a necessity in the sense that I may have needed radiation and the fact I chose to have reconstruction. The expanders were neat, if I had to put it in a lighter term, so that I could go in and have them filled to my desired size, but the metal plates were not very comfortable.  Expanders have a small metal plate inside them and this is where they use a magnet to find the exact spot to inject and fill them up (I have to admit I found myself a little hesitant around any magnetic toys! Lol). The purpose of filling these expanders, is to help the skin stretch and make room for the implants depending on how big I wanted to go. I thought of it as a “try before you buy” type of scenario :). I definitely wanted a natural look so for me I only had a couple of fills.  My implant surgery really consisted of removing the expanders and putting the implants in.  Much less invasive than the double mastectomy, so healing wise I will probably feel better a little faster. Keeping in mind they will then later go in and do a little grafting. In my scenario and having my breast tissue removed, the expanders and implants are above the muscle. Other scenarios they usually place the implant underneath the muscle. Since mine was above, once the implant settles in there is a good chance of the top area creating a small “shelf” or rippling under the skin since the skin is so thin in this area. They will do some grafting to help prevent the look of this by injecting with a little fatty tissue from another part of my body. It should help provide a little fullness in this area as well. The grafting will take place over a long weekend or holiday break once everything is settled and healed. So may steps to endure , but again, “slow and steady wins the race”. 

In addition to healing and a follow up with my plastic surgeon, I will have a follow up with my oncologist next week which I am looking forward to. 

Now noticing this took me over an hour and a half to write, I must be tired and sounds like the thunderstorm has now moved on. Thanks for reading and your continued support. I hope you go out there today and find yourself “staying curious” when faced with uncertainty.