One Week Post Double Mastectomy + Expanders… Did Anyone Else Feel Internal “Zapping” Pain?
Exactly one week out from my preventative double mastectomy with expanders and nerve allograft reconstruction, and honestly… I feel immensely relieved to be on the other side of this surgery. The anxiety leading up to it became so debilitating that finally waking up afterward felt like exhaling after holding my breath for months.
Recovery has definitely been up and down though. Overall I am improving, but the pain comes in waves and my right side hurts SO much worse than my left, especially underneath the breast near the incision where they dug tissue out. Sometimes it radiates through my chest like chest tightening and then into what feels like my back/right shoulder blade.
The newest thing bothering me a little is what I think are my nerves “waking up.” I’ve never had a tattoo before, but the closest thing I can compare it to is feeling like I’m being tattooed from the inside out. Random electrical zaps, burning, stinging, weird sporadic sensations deep inside my chest.
Did anyone else experience this around the one week mark? Especially those with expanders and nerve grafting/preservation? I have my post op appointment tomorrow but would love reassurance that I’m not losing my mind over here.