Tissue Expander

When I had my mastectomy, a tissue expander was also put in place.  My tissue expander looks similar to the ones above.  Usually, at about a month post op, weekly expansions begin.  Due to my recovery, my weekly expansions started a little before 3 weeks.  Below is a diagram that quickly explains the entire process.

This was another step that I was super nervous about.  Once again, all of my research was split on whether or not this was a painful experience.  The process took place weekly, in my case every Friday.  Yes, that is how I began my weekend. EVERY SINGLE WEEK.  It was usually a short and sweet visit.  Usually, when we walked into the room, this was waiting for me (shown with my phone for size reference):

My PA would come in, use a magnet to find the port and make an indentation, and then would insert the needle and inject the saline.  I got 60ccs every week.  I couldn't watch the needle go in, but always felt it.  Once done, she would put a little bandaid on, and off we'd go.  Less then 15 minutes.

For the most part it, the actual injection was not painful.  With the exception of twice, I would just feel extra uncomfortable Fri night through Saturday morning.  Twice I had a horrible time, and actually felt like the tissue expander was going to come through my chest later that night. It was bizarre to see my chest "grow" weekly. 

The tissue expander is not comfortable, at all.  I constantly felt like a rock was sitting on my chest all day, everyday.  My chest was tight and hard as a rock for many months.  I just had to keep reminding myself it was only temporary..