Exchange City
Comments
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Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Due to plastic surgeon/breast surgeon coordination issues, it looks like I won't be having my exchange until later in September. Now I'm wondering if I want to go on vacation before the expander swap with my "bicycle tire" expanders in. I can't think of any reason why not, since I've already successfully flown with them in for a business trip. It makes me crazy to have to schedule my life around my doctor appointments and surgeries!
Kendra, I agree that it sounds like you have cording. I had this after my mastectomy/axillary dissection (my inner elbow area hurt when I straightened or rotated my arm). I worked with a physical therapist who specializes in treating mastectomy patients with lymphedema concerns twice a week for a month, and the problem has resolved itself. I had to push my plastic surgeon to give me a PT referral, but I'm glad I did.
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lawyer girl- I am so in your camp...I hated having to schedule vacation between doc appts and surgery. I am having my surgery the Monday after returning from vacation. Yep, traveling with the TEs. Not my first choice but I know it will be fine.
Ally
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re: traveling after exchange. I had my exchange with some minor pocket work on one side - so no lipo or fat grafting. We went on a two-week road trip that started 7 weeks after my surgery and I was fine. I don't think I would have held-up as well if it was only 4 weeks after, though.
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I hadn't heard of cording problems, thanks all for pointing me in that direction! I read a bit about it and it does sound like that's what's going on. If so, it'd be great if I could get it cleared up. I'll talk to my PS at my next appointment about a referral for PT.
Kendra
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HomeMom - I am not in the same boat as you exactly because had radiation on my left breast when I had my first BC 12 years ago (lumpectomy with rads). No rads this time though. Due to my radiated skin on the left my PS but an extra 100 CC in that TE and my actual implant is 100 CC larger than my right implant. Stragely despite the size difference they look the same size! Regarding the C cup question - my implants are 650 CC and 550 CC and I am a size C cup (my TE's were 425 CC and 325 CC). Not sure if this helps but I hope it does!
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Just wanted to say that I am almost 3 months post exchange and I am finally noticing that that tight feeling in my chest has decreased significantly! Yay! Also, my implants still look the same to me as day one after the surgery but I am happy with their appearance so that is fine by me. I just thought I should mention this just in case there are others out there whom also like their implants right off the bat (I know this is generally not the case from others posts). Lastly, my implants do finally feel a little softer than they did originally so that makes me happy as well. Hope everyone has a fantastic week!
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hjpz- So glad you checked in and that you are happy with the implants. Which implant did you end up getting? I go for my pre-op tomorrow and am excited to hear what my PS is recommending.
Ally
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hipz, my implants are 655 volume and they appear to be C cup size to me. They are Allergan 410 gummy bears.
Also, I'm glad to hear that you have been pleased with your implants from the beginning. I am too but it's been less than a week since my exchange. I have some tightness of course but it's NOTHING compared to the first few weeks of expanders! I like hearing that your tightness has decreased significantly.
My implants are actually less "squishy" than the TEs. My expanders never got hard. The implants are fairly firm; I assume they will soften up a bit.
Wow as we often say, every situation/patient/doctor is SO different!
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Im sure this has been asked but in so many pages I can't find it....how long can I expect to be out of work after the exchange? I do homecare admissions for hospice. Alot of driving and potentially lifting or perhaps rolling of pts. One week seems a little short to me.
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bethq - my PS required two weeks off work for my desk job and nothing but walking for workouts for six weeks.
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Bethq - My PS said absolutely no lifting anything over 5 lbs and no driving for two weeks minimum. And remember, the amount of force you place on your muscles lifting 5 lbs is similar to doing other things with your arms like opening lids, pushing yourself out of a seat or bed (or even rearranging yourself, for that matter). So those first few weeks it is really important to give your arms a break!!
After that, she said to work my way up slowly. So, I would drive up the street to pick up my boys from school, but not drive out of the neighborhood at first. I was doing light yard work (trimming but not pulling weeds), and driving normally by the end of the third week. I finally got the "all clear" to work my way up to normal activity 4 weeks after surgery. I didn't start swimming (my preferred form of exercise) until over 7 weeks later.
I don't want this to scare you -- - the recovery was MUCH easier than after my BMX last year. But, as we always say, "just because we can, doesn't mean we should!" It's so important to let yourself heal!
Definitely describe your job in detail to your plastic surgeon and get specific instructions for what you can do and when!
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Bethq- thanks for asking because that was my question and I was having a hard time finding the answer going over old posts. I, like you, use my arms all day long (hairstylist) and I'm trying to figure out how many weeks I'll need to take off. I've taken two months for my BMX and glad that I did. By the sounds of the responses I'll need to take another 6 weeks before I start up again.
I was going to try and schedule it for right after Christmas since I have already hit my max out of pocket with insurance. My DF is concerned about recovery as the BMX was frightening to him (even though he did an amazing job of taking care of me and still is) because I was so sick from all the meds and of course the drains were a pain.
Do you end up with drains after the exchange? Also, I've tried to reassure him that when we consult with the anesthesiologist I will be sure they give me something extra for the nausea and make sure it noted to never give me Norco as I'm allergic...it made me so sick.
For those who had their ovaries taken out at the time of exchange. Did it effect the down time? What was that like? I'm considering having that done as well.
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So just to clarify, a C cup would be in the 650CC range total? I am right now at 700CC's and have to add 100 for rads and 100 for surgery. UGH I already feel like it's going to pop out of my skin! It is a rock on my chest and is going into my armpit. I need to get this done before rads and I have about two months to go but 4 weeks since I go every other week. Actually just 3, I didn't make an appointment for this week's infusion.
II will get the gummy bears, I had saline before and didn't like the sloshing around. I hear they feel more natural.
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ojoyjoy - your best bet will be to have a discussion with your PS about your job responsibilities and his recommendations for time off and restrictions. Part of the equation will be the extent of work during the exchange. If there is extensive pocket work needed it may affect his/her post-op instructions for you. The primary thing to remember is that even though the external incisions may look great, you have internal sutures again too because your pectorals have to be cut through to pull out the old the squeeze in the new. Allowing that internal healing without interruption is very important to avoid scar tissue complications in the future.
Homemom - Have you worked with Whippetmom over on the Breast Implant Sizing 101 thread? It's very hard to state with any certainty just what a cup size will be because the same model/size implant looks different from one woman's body frame to another. A 700cc implant on a 120 pound 5'7 woman with a 29 inch ribcage will likely be a totally different cup size than the same implant on a 180 pound 5'7 woman with a 34 inch ribcage. You have enough time to get some recommendations from Whippetmom - she's the breast implant whisperer and has helped hundreds of us over the past 5-6 years determine what's right for our body frames and expectations. Good luck and keep us posted, k?
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IMHO, it really depends on your height, weight and body structure and implant (Gummies offer less projection). I am sure Whippetmom can chime in with more precise information.
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Olaf - you're way better at using less words than I am......lol!
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Sweet&Special - you put it very well. Everyone is different. And there's just not much sense in talking about cup sizes since it's rarely relevant due to the difference in width & projection of implants.
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Wow my employer is going to be thrilled with me! I originally suggested maybe one more week of for the exchange. OK one more question. Do you think it is unreasonable to go to the beach ten days post exchange? Just to lay around for a week?
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Sweetandspecial and Olaf - thank you I will check that thread out!
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sweet and special I meant to tell you I love your new pic! You look fabulous!
Beth, I wouldn't like it he idea of sand near my incisions but that's just me. Talk to your PS. Then of course who's going to lug all the blankets and coolers? Just a thought. BTW, I use an old king size flat sheet instead of a blanket. It doesn't hold much sand even when damp and it dries faster.plus it's big enough to hold everyone and doesn't weigh a lot or take up much space. LOL
Homemom, what S&S and olaf said! Whippetmom is going to be your best bet for info.
Much love
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Thanks Moonflwr - it was a good hair day!
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sweet & special- thanks for your input. I'll plan on taking more time and if I can start back early then I will. I don't want to do anything to screw up the end result.
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Crap Moon I hadn't thought of the sand!
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Beth you could always use a Tagaderm type bandage over to keep sand out. But you'd need a lot. And maybe you'd be pretty well healed in your incision. I just know I was slower healing then I'd like.
Much love
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Hi ladies. Congrats to all who are doing well post exchange. I've read in a few posts about revision surgery that included lipo, fat grafting, etc. Julie, I read that you had lipo during your revision. Was it full lipo or did your surgeon just take a little bit? Was your belly used for fat grafting? I'd like to have lipo done but it will cost $5000. Half of that is facility and anesthesia, other half is surgeons fees. For those of you who were fortunate to have it done, was it covered? I know in my case I would have to pay the facility and anesthesia fee prior to the exchange because it is considered elective. Also, I'm concerned about the area around my armpit. It looks very choppy. It looks strange. Imagine a woman wearing a tube top and she had that extra skin that flows over the sides. Get what I'm talking about? It looks like the area would need some fat grafting. I'm sorry, it is hard to describe what I'm talking about. Can anyone elaborate on their lipo and fat grafting! Thanks so much!!!
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bud, are you talking about the side boobage? Cause that is usually covered. Sometimes if they liposuction for fat grafts for your reconstruction it is also covered. The PS can usually tell you what is covered. good luck!
Much love to all
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bud - I posted a similar question, my fees came to $8500, so I said "well I guess I'll be fat" apparently they can only take what they need, they weigh it and anything above and beyond, including anesthesia is out of pocket.
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Budr, I think fat grafting is only covered by insurance if the fat used is only for the reconstruction. They won't do any "extra" while they are there. If it's used for reconstruction, I don't think they even take enough for you to notice a difference! I better double check at my pre-op about whether it is covered. And are you talking about the dreaded triangle of armpit fat like I have here? My PS is going to try to fix this. It looks like lipo is needed but the PS said something needs to be "released" so it doesn't look so pronounced.
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I thought of another question. My last fill is next Tuesday and the PS wants to do the exchange soon after so I am scheduled for Aug 20. I was under the impression you had to wait a while?
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budrflygal - I had a revision to get rid of some of that 'side boobage' but my PS prefers excision over lipo-suction. I understand that the portion of lipo or grafting over and above what you need to achieve the desired reconstruction results would not be covered. But if you need some work done to achieve reasonable improvements/corrections to the reconstruction results I believe the law requires insurance to cover it (subject to deductibles and co-pays, etc). Women's Health Insurance Act of 1998 (or something like that).
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