Here's how the fill process works:
1) A magnet is placed on the chest to locate the metal port. This is fun. Magnets moving across your chest makes you feel like the Bionic Woman.
2) A sharpie is used to mark where the ports are once the magnets have located them. I wish the doctor had time to draw little happy faces or something, because that sharpie on this fair skin lasts about 4 days no matter how much I scrub. But it's just a circle. Oh well.
3) A little Lidocaine is rubbed onto the skin to give a little topical analgesic.
4) A freaking 6 inch needle that looks like something you would use to tranquilize a moose is inserted into the port and saline is injected into the expander.
Sounds pretty easy. Right? The first thing I wanted to know when my doctor came in is when can I run. NOW!! So, I started this week. Yay me! Already lost a pound. Got that adrenaline flowing, and I feel fabulous. Of course, since this was my first question, the doc thinks I'm pretty funny. Next, I asked when I can lift weights. He said if I can show him how I can lift without using my pectorals, I can do it anytime. Thank goodness for his sense of humor. So, probably January. In the meantime, I shall pretend that I am an angel and embrace my wings.
When he got those needles (yes there are two -- one for each side) out, I told him that it was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my whole life. He told me I wouldn't fill it much, and he is super smart. He filled my right side first. I have no nerves on the right side because of the lymph node dissection. I didn't feel it at all. So, I was thinking this is a piece of cake. Then, we did the left side. I don't want to scare anyone who may be choosing expander surgery, but a 6 inch needle going through your pectoral muscle hurts like a bitch! Holy cow! On the bright side, it's pretty quick.
The other super good news is that I'm able to handle 50 ccs at a time. So, we did 50 ccs on each side and now I have tiny little boobies. They're pretty cute. Probably getting close to a AA. It takes about a week before you can really see the stretch though. So by Monday, I should be able to see a difference. It takes a while for the skin to let the liquid stretch it out. Pretty cool, huh? Because we don't want to overdo my fills, I only have to do this once a month. That way there are no stretch marks, and I don't have to drive to Bakersfield every week. Yes, I'm sore, but I feel better than I have in a year.
For the drive home, I was given a couple of Valium to help with the muscle spasms. My mom and my son's girlfriend went with me. Girls' night out with dinner and Hobby Lobby before the doctor. Have to make this doctor business fun. Anyway, they need to take my electronics away from me when I'm high, because I sat in the back seat and played on my favorite auction site. I don't remember this. However, I apparently won 7 auctions for beads. No not apparently. I've already received 4 of the orders. No more phone when I get fills. Ha!
Well, there you are. You are now an expert on expanders and fills.
Embrace change my amazing friends! Enjoy the ride no matter where it takes you. Expand your awareness even if you're not expanding your boobs.