Exchange City
Comments
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Sweet! You so speak the truth! I felt great, was 6 weeks out all healed on the outside. Just doing LE stretching and massage. POP, POP, POP opened up one tiny hole and boom, now I'm lopsided and heaven knows how many "procedures" it is going to take to get back to where i was. I am in worse shape than when I had the first MX, at least then I had a TE with a little in it.
Beware on those radiation sites healing after surgery!!! The underneath may not be as healed as the outside appears!
Here is that fat grafting article I was talking about.
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4$sew-that's great news-Happy dance time!
Babs
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Hi everyone,
I am having my exchange surgery on Monday. I'm curious. I've had good communication with my ps. I've noticed that many if you have fat grafting after the exchange. My ps hasn't mentioned anything about this possibility. Is this something that doesn't become apparent until after the exchange? I'm just trying to prepare myself for any additional surgeries or revisions.
I'm planning to take off one week. My ps said that this is probably all I need but I see several who have taken at least two weeks. I will listen to my body, but concerned one week isn't enough. I took off 4 weeks with my bilateral mastectomy.
Anyone used a product called scar away?
Thanks. Pinklotus
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pinklotus - I probably would have gone back to work after a week but my PS requires two weeks off after exchange.
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I took 10 days off and would've liked a few more days.
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Pinklotus,
Fatgrafting is another of those things that some PSs do and some don't. Sometimes, after exchange and after all swelling has gone down and things have settled, women have divots or rippling or edges that they hope to smooth out. So it is not something you have to plan for, but there are lots of women who choose to have revisions of one kind or another later on.
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Pink -
I have been using Scar Away. I cut them in half (long way) and leave them on all day. They are washable & re-usable for up to 2 weeks. I think they have helped. I also had a bunionectomy when I had my BMX and I am using them on my foot too and they are definitely helping with that scar!
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pinklotus - have you had radiation??? That is why I need fat grafting for sure on my left side. I know some women who have not had radiation also need fat grafting due to pocket issue but those are usually found after the exchange I think? My PS is younger (younger than me!) and I think he is more open to fat grafting due to his age - but I still think it is relatively new to the breast construction game from that I have read.
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hipz--I did not have any drains with my exchange nor any extra pocket work. I took one week off from work (going into the office) but worked from home (typing/computer work) after three days. I only needed prescription pain meds for 24 hours post-exchange. When I went back to work, I did not lift any heavy items (over 5 pounds) above chest level for about a month. I hope you have an uncomplicated exchange--good luck to you!
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hjpz-thanks for your reply. I have not had radiation and the ps said my skin stretched nicely. The tissue expanders are smooth under my chest muscle but I don't know if that means anything when the implants make their way in the pockets. I guess I'm so ready for this to be done and was seeing this surgery as my last.
I know my ps did fat grafting on a friend who had a wide sternum and needed to fill in since she and he were opposed or cutting all the way through her chest muscle to achieve the look. I guess I thought her circumstance was unique until I started reading more here.
Thanks to everyone who replied about recovery and scar away.
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So, here's a question, after reading about the fat grafting I wonder if it would be an option for me. I am on my 2nd set of implants with thin skin on the left side (sutured up because of dead skin cut away) popped open twice with implant exposure. The second implant exposure was sutured up and here I sit just waiting to see if it will take. would fat grafting help the area that is thin?
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Amy, I have been doing a ton of research and reaching out to many people that have been doing the fat grafting. As you know I am trying to figure out how to salvage my deconstruction! I absolutely think from what I have read, pictures I have seen and ladies I have talked to, that fat grafting could help you. Some of it has to do with stem cells helping to regenerate the skin and tissue. Part of it has to do with the fact that the transplanted fat cells develope their own blood supply. Some ladies are even reporting getting sensation and feeling back.
It sure can't hurt to ask! There are also some fat grafting threads on here. Whippetmom started on of them and she has been a ton of help for me as I have faced this unwelcome set back!
Good Luck!
Lynne
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4sewwhat, are you talking about the BRAVA method? I've read a little about it and it sounds fascinating. Maybe it's the wave of the future. From what I've seen in the pictures on the website, the suction of the domes cause the tissue to stretch in a way that the doctor is later able to inject tiny drops of fat into the matrix. It takes several months between fat transplants - long enough for them to develop a blood supply - and the whole process can take quite a while, but the results are fantastic!
The fat grafting most of us have is just an injection under the skin to deposit fat in those places that have dents or divots in order to smooth them out. I've read that you are likely to need it again because all the fat doesn't stay put. I'm going to give it a try anyway on my chest divots. I have so little "padding" in several areas that it is painful. It feels bruised. Even if I get temporary relief it will be worth the pain of liposuction at the donor site.
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Hi Sandra!
I was not speaking about the Brava specifically, although I have looked into it. There are studies that have been done about fat grafting to the muscle and skin after radiation and before TE placement or fat grafting after rads with full expansion, then waiting 3 months to do the exchange. Many ladies are posting very positive results.
What they are finding is that the fat transplant is softening the rads tissue and making it more supple and pliable. It is actually reversing some of the problems.
It is true that if they transplant 100cc only 60% may take and stay put. They are working on some new methods to help get a higher amount to stay put. The Alloderm company has something now called REVOLVE System Backgrounder that is for transplanting larger amounts. I have just discovered this and am trying to did deeper.
I have also seen that doing Tumescent Liposuction yeilds better results along with less bleeding and bruising at the donation site.
The fat grafting is also being done for post MX pain that some people have not been able to alleviate other ways.
With so many people getting rads these days, they need to come up with something that helps and works!!! If rearranging my fat works, I say go for it!!!
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Here is the link to the fat graft thread WhippetMom started.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/744891?page=4#idx_114
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My computer is having a Monday, I don't know why it won't post that thread as a link?
It's called Fat Graft Transfer and the Radiated Breast
I will go Bump it!!
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4sew, thanks for the new info! I'm anxious to read about it.
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Thanks Lori!! I have hope
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i have a question, I have not researched fat grafting much but my Breast surgeon and Oncologist indicated that it can and does seed breast cancer reoccurrences. You are basically replacing breast tissue with a compatible medium for it to grow and spread in. Has anyone had any experience with this?
mimi
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Mimi - go back four or five posts & find the link that 4Sew posted. More info there.
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Mimi, my oncologist says that as far as ductal or lobular cancer in situ goes, once the breasts are gone, the ducts and lobules are too. Those two cancers can not grow without ducts or lobules, so you cannot get DCIS or LCIS again. BUT, there are other kinds of breast cancer that can grow in the tiny bit of breast tissue that remains after mastectomy. The oncologist says the chances are low, 1% - 2%. If your cancer was invasive ductal or invasive lobular, I don't know if that advice applies after mastectomy. Once the cancer has gotten out of the ducts or lobules with IDC or ILC, and you have radiation and chemo, I don't know what your chances are of recurrence after mastectomy.
I'm certainly not a doctor, so I don't know BUT I've read a lot on fat grafting lately and nowhere have I read about it contributing to the recurrence of breast cancer. The BRAVA method, for instance, is all fat grafting over months to recreate the entire new breast. It's been studied for years in places all over the world. If the simple kind of fat grafting I'm going to have increased the risk of additional breast cancer, I'm sure it would be in the literature. I'd ask your doctor for proof.
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Years ago the guidelines the PS used said no fat grafting because of the risk. The many studies and articles in the years since have dispelled that. I found several articles stating that fat grafting did not increase risk of local recurrence in the breast.
I printed all those things and hilighted them before I took them to my PS. We had a long discussion about it!
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Mimi68 - Apparently, one of the possible side effects of the type of fat grafting used for filling out divots and smoothing implant edges, etc. is fat necrosis. The fat can form localized hard lumps under the skin. Since post mastectomy lumps are a concern the necrosis can possibly require imaging studies and sometimes biopsies. However, I have been told by a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging that they are "getting better" at identifying fat necrosis so fewer biopsies are recommended.
My BS said that when and if asked by her patients she always votes "no" to fat grafting because she feels it can lead to more worries and follow-ups. On the other hand, it seems that there are many, many women on these threads who have PSs who routinely use fat grafting. I'm still a little confused by it all...
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Well, I had my exchange surgery yesterday. I'm wearing a compression/surgical bra which I expected. It's not too bad. I had a nipple sparing mastectomy. I peak down in my bra and it looks like the nipples aren't centered. Hopefully, it's the swelling that makes it look like that. They don't seem to be too swollen. What a big change. I don't have any cleavage compared to the expanders. I heard women say that they feel really small after the exchange compared to the expanders. I see what everyone means.
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I just wanted to say that I'm done. Saw the PS this morning and unless something is bothering me, I'm finished. Not bragging, but want others to realize that some do go through this and have no problems. Knock on wood! I know I'm lucky-no chemo or rads. Just the 3 surgeries. They look good in clothes, not too pretty naked. He said the divots would probably go away once the sutures have dissolved. It's been 11 months from the mammo until now. WOW! I'm going to Disneyland next month to celebrate.
When I originally started using this site, the TE troubles thread scared the bejesus out of me. Thought I made a big mistake! So, it can happen-no infections or leaking or revisions. I will post pics on the picture forum soon. I want others like me (breast lift 12 years ago) to see what they might get. I never could find anyone else like me.
Thanks to all of you who have listened. I will stay involved here, mostly on this thread and insomniacs thread.
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Pink! Awesome for you that you are on this side of the exchange!! Smooth sailing from here!
Smaarty! I want to be you again!! I was there just 4 short weeks ago today and now starting over on half, but I made 3 consults today and will be back there soon. So good to hear a positive experience!
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Hi Smaarty, Congratulations on getting to the end. I am so happy for you!! That Disney vacation is well deserved. I am sort of like you, no chemo or rads, just skin sparing bmx with te's and exchange on April 9th. I will check for your pics on the picture forum, thank you for considering posting them.
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Pink welcome to the other side. Fast healing. And give it time to see the final results.
Smarty I am glad it was a smooth trip for you. I wish there was no need for this board and everyone could have the same smooth trip. LOL. But as long as Murphy exists, I am glad this board is here. It really isn't meant to scare Newbies. LOL
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Yesterday I was in the dumps and could not get my PS to commit to anything past putting a damn drain in Friday and fixing what used to be a very nice scar line that is awful now. They say be patient. Screw patient, I want a plan. Then I can be patient waiting to get that implemented. I don't like to hear "considering" to do something. I love him and I appreciate the attention to detail and being ultra careful, but I need at least a toe outside of that box darn it! It was a month ago today my incision popped. Still collecting fluid and headed for a drain on Friday with no idea how long it will stay in. I think it is lymph fluid collecting because my arm is no longer swollen! If that's the case will it ever stop??
OK, rant over! So today I called and made consults with 3 other PS. I will either find someone to do the fat grafting and TE or get a good reason why! Maybe knowing I am doc shopping or that the other docs are comfortable doing what I am asking will spur my PS along!!
Thanks for listening! Have a good night ladies!
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Id have to agree that while the te trouble thread was good on several levels, it was almost more harmful to me- at least before my bmx and te placement. I was terrified going in to it - worried about how painful the te would be etc. I appreciate everyone participating on it and hope that it is helpful to those who follow it- but for newbies or those approaching their mx and bmx its can be really scary.
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