When I had my expanders if felt like I was in a straight jacket. You could move them around. I was miserable for about 3-4 months. I am a stomach sleeper and it was difficult. If I layed on my back the pressure of the expander would give me fits. I finally made a bridge with a pillow for my head and a pillow for my abd thus my expanders were suspended. The tightness could be uncomfortable too. My breast size before surgery was a double 0. The surgeon expanded them slowly with small amounts of saline. I went every two weeks. I rmembered the last few times it was uncomfortable and I would be miserable for a couple of days. I guess I looked at like kids with braces. I didn't go very large good or bad. I went with silicone implants. They are comfortable although they can feel strange too. Be careful even with the surgeon trying one of my breast is smaller than the other. It has a larger implant and still is smaller.

its not very comfortable, but I found that it gradually became more comfortable as they were filled more. In the beginning I felt as if the edges were bunched up a bit and jabbing into me. At each fill it feels tight for about a day but again gradually becomes more comfortable. It just takes time as your skin stretches. My advice would be to make sure you stretch your arms/shoulders - I favored my left shoulder and it froze up. I've been going to physical therapy for months! Hang in there! feel better.

Thanks everyone for your responses! I will try all the stretches, excercises and pillow techniques and let you know if it gets better in a few weeks or months.

Staci,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope all is well.

Your question reminded me of some content we have on reconstruction experiences.

https://www.whatnext.com/experiences/procedure/breast-reconstruction-flap

https://www.whatnext.com/experiences/procedure/breast-reconstruction-implant

https://www.whatnext.com/experiences/procedure/reconstructive-surgery

It also reminded me to let WhatNexters know about our Beginner's Guide to Cancer, including a guide on how women chose between a lumpectomy and mastectomy.

https://www.whatnext.com/cc/how_we_chose_between_a_lumpectomy_and_mastectomy

Best of luck to all,
David