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Exchange City

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Comments

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited January 2015

    Thanks so much for your encouragement Sandra! I am leaving now for hosp, and was hoping that someone responded before I sign offline!

    Thanks, again!

    BE WELL EVERYONE!

    Hugs from NYC

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2015

    Another, I'm so sorry! That happened to me as well, but with one of my TE's, the week of Christmas. I was discharged Christmas Eve and had to cancel a trip to see my aging parents. I was so disappointed, as were my kids. I am flat on that side now and have to start over this spring. My other side looks great and I can't wait for exchange on that side! I hope your PS is able to clean everything up nicely and your recovery is smooth.

  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 490
    edited January 2015

    Wishing you well AnotherNYCgirl!! What a drag...

    noonrider, will you wait until both sides are ready to get your exchange? How long until you get started again on the failed TE?

  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 490
    edited January 2015

    My exchange surgery has been rescheduled from 1/22 to 1/20, due to a nurses strike on 1/22. I'm getting closer!!

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2015

    kfinnigan: My good side is at about 400 right now (I *might* be a small b cup MAYBE!) Ps said she will continue with just one fill once a month to keep too much scar tissue from forming in the pocket, but once I reach "full" she will leave it alone and exchange both at the same time because its much easier to get symmetry. I can't get a new TE in the other side until around the end of April, then slow, small fills so the thin skin doesn't get too stressed with the stretching. I'm thinking I won't finally get my exchange until September, if everything goes ok. I'd like to hope there won't be any problems but at this point I don't get my hopes up anymore. Just one day at at time! LOL

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2015

    noon. I had right TE in for 2 full years. It's not so bad.

    Another, goodness that sucks!!!!! Here's hoping for a quick recovery and fast healing. Hugs. And Hugs for your DH too.

    Kfinn, hope everything will work out for you. Crap. Who wants a nurses strike? Hugs.

    Fast healing to all.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited January 2015

    Noon, - I was a B cup with high profile 260's, - I bet your 400+ would be too! Winking

    I am writing from hospital, - my husband just brought my computer. I got out of surgery last night well after midnight, and minus one implant. Scared Awaiting PS to stop by to discharge me, and explain whats next. ugh

    Thank you all for being there. You understand better than anyone could.

    Sending BE WELL wishes to everyone.


  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 490
    edited January 2015

    AnotherNYCgirl, I had a lat flap, I wonder if your PS will steer you in that direction. Sending you soft hugs. Keep us posted, we DO understand!! I bet you're pooped this morning.

    Noonrider, Your PS has a good plan, just take it easy.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited January 2015

    Hi All,

    THANKS, again, for being there!

    Just got home from hosp.

    He put in another TE last night, but will watch healing before planning next step, which he is thinking may include muscle graft from back (anyone familiar?) and fat grafting too. Not looking forward to this. Sad



  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited January 2015

    another - I am minus an implant on the left side and have a 650cc silicone implant on the right.  I have thin skin issues, have never had an infection - rather skin healing problems, which account for the vast majority of surgery listed in my sig line.  I may need a muscle (kind of a skinless lat flap) transfer and have already had one fat graft to the skin to improve vascularity and thickness before my PS tries to put an expander back, with the hope of an implant eventually.  Hang in there - you can do this!  Eat as much protein as you can to aid in healing.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited January 2015

    Kfinnigan, - yes, my ps was referring to lat flap. Did your ps do that from the start? How was recovery?

    Special K, - you have had more than your share of experience with thin skin and healing problems. I hope you are ALL DONE with your reconstruction SOON!

    My friends, thanks, again, for being there.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited January 2015

    another - probably won't be anytime soon.  My insurance is being uncooperative regarding the most recent fat graft in Nov., so not sure another one can be done.  My Ps was happy with the results and skin improvement with the last one so if it can be approved, it will be late Feb., then probably  a 90 day wait, then expander placement.  Another wait - probably 30 days, then fills no more than 25cc at a time.  So at 100cc a month at most, it will take a while to get to exchange. A decision needs to be made regarding what to do with the right side as I don't think the left can be as large anymore - so the right side would need a change to a smaller implant - so bi-lat surgery at exchange with possible removal of my spared nipples, depending on how things look.  I have learned to be a patient patient, lol!  I have also learned not to look too far ahead.

    Also, there is a thread about lat flap surgery -

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/751135?page=143#post_4273586


     

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2015

    anothernyc, so sorry you have to go through this. Hugs.

    Much love to all

  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 490
    edited January 2015

    AnotherNYCgirl, yes I had a lat flap on 6/25/14. My PS told me years ago that's the only option that would work for me (rads, thin, etc). I did ask to see another PS specialist out of town to talk about an S-Gap, but she freaked me out and said too much work/surgery to maybe make a tiny mound. So I went without anything for 6 years and used my prosthesis on my left side. Finally, the timeframe worked for me last June. My PS has said multiple times that implants alone would have never worked, my skin is too thin and it needed the lat muscle, which covers my tissue expander, and the flap of back skin. The rads skin that has stretched looks red and not too pretty, but PS said that's what rads skin does when it stretches, it gets mad and wants to shrink back.

    My recovery was ok. I took off work 4.5 weeks. I had a nerve at the base of my TE that hurt like hell at times and that was the worst part for me. That nerve pain went away at 4 weeks. Other women on the thread that SpecialK linked (I'm on that thread too), haven't experienced that nerve pain, thankfully. I was pretty scared about the surgery, but I'm glad I did it and I'm back doing the same things physically I did before. I work full time and help take care of my 2 granddaughters, one is just about 4 years old and the other 7 mos old.

    Keep us posted, I'm interested in what you do.

    SpecialK, damn insurance! You sound so cool about everything, you have a great attitude.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited January 2015

    kfin - after 13 breast cancer related surgeries, I am a bit jaded, lol!  I'm like... whatevs.  It is a bit humorous - I have come to know the pre-admit, pre-op, post-op, and OR staffs at the various medical facilities all over town - my surgeries have been in a variety of locations.  I show up and they greet me like I am Norm from Cheers!  I was fortunate to participate in a quantified study right after chemo ended that sought to explore the link between stress, meditation and cortisol levels.  We learned how to meditate, and practice it both formally and informally, and I came to realize that I couldn't change the past or control the future, and expending precious energy on the what ifs of either was a waste of time.  This sounds simplistic, but I work every day to accept what is, and make the most of it.  Some days I am more successful than others, but I keep trying!  It has helped me tremendously when dealing with difficult situations of all kinds - not just breast cancer related, and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to explore this at a time when stress can be high - exiting the more active phase of treatment, when it is so common to wonder what the future holds. I learned so much and it has been so useful.

  • dianems
    dianems Member Posts: 46
    edited January 2015


    SpecialK, Thanks for sharing your experience. 

    AnotherNYC, Wishing you a good recovery

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited January 2015

    Thank you Kfinn, Specialk and dianems.

    with much appreciation and hugs

  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 490
    edited January 2015

    specialK - You made me laugh and you intrigued me! I would have loved to have been a part of that study!

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2015

    anotherNYCGirl: I am probably a much bigger frame than you. At almost 200 lbs my TE's at 400 are a small B cup at best. So, for fun I put my daughter's 36A cup over my foob and it easily covered My PS hopes that reaching 650 I *might* make it to a small C cup.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited January 2015

    kfin - glad I could bring you a smile!  The study was excellent - it was through the USF School of Nursing and Moffitt Cancer Center - here is a link:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23184061

     


     

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2015

    specialk, I'm glad that's working for you. You had a lot of reason to use it darn it!.

    Noon, my implants are about a C. A small C but I can wear a Bali C cup bra. I'm filled to 850 on each side. I also have saline which comes in a bit bigger implant, I think my P'S said they go to 900. But you also need enough width for those which is why I have only the 750 size implants that he overfilled. LOL

    Much love to all!

  • Mimi68
    Mimi68 Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2015

    Good morning all,

    It has been a long time since I have been here, I received so much support and advice in the post MX journey through TE's to Implants. I expanded to 495cc and had Mentor Moderate plus 650cc rounds placed. I am broad shouldbered but weight 130lbs and am 5'6". I have come to hate them. I am a 34 D and was a 34 B before. I look fat and simply huge in every photo and while I am technically sized 4 and petite framed, I just look unnatural, the width and hieight is too much for my short waist and they are very wide apart. I love my PS, he is truly skilled, he will reduce them I am certain if I ask, the question is....will insurance pay for the exchange/reduction

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2015

    mimi, they usually pay only if it is a medically required revision. To change sizes they don't psy. At least that's my insurance. So to make one side match the other, or replace if failing, or skin issues, pain may be one. Ask your PS if they can code it as a revision because of the problems you are having. Worth a try.. Good luck and much love

  • Kaos
    Kaos Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2015

    Hi All!

    Have been doing really well since my exchange in November, until just today. It looks / feels like the left implant has "flipped" onto it's side. The left side now looks pushed to the midline and the fullness is gone - looks deflated (I know it doesn't deflate since it is gel), and it also feels weird with numbness in the armpit on that side. I did phone and talk to the oncall PS he said to try and manipulate it back into place and see my PS on Monday. I can't seem to get it back where it should be and it is uncomfortable, not pain. Anyone ever have this happen? What did you do to fix it?

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2015

    kaos, I never had one over like that but I'm sure others have. They'll be by soon. In the meantime try to move it. If it doesn't work, relax. Your PS will handle it one way or another nothing you can do. Hugs. Try to relax. At least it's not an infection.

  • horsemom
    horsemom Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2015

    My exchange is in two weeks. For those of you that have been through it...did you sleep in a recliner again

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited January 2015

    How long is the average recovery time for the implant exchange

  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2015

    Horsemom - I am 18 days out from my exchange. I slept on my side (both) that first night, with the help of pain meds.

    Leslienva - As of day 13, I am Tegaderm, surgical strips, and drain free. My PS put no restrictions on me. I am putting antibiotic cream on the incisions and drain holes. Waiting to see how the implants settle in.

    I think recovery and post-op comfort are a result of MANY factors. I did not need chemo or rads with either mastectomy. And, I had skin for miles. I did have FG with my exchange, so the donor and recipient sites were the most sore.

    I wish you both well - speedy and comfortable recoveries.

  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2015

    horsemom, no, I was able to sleep in the bed this time and with my orig. uni mastectomy, I could not do that for about a month. This time, I was able to sleep on my side very quickly after the exchange and even on the lift side. Totally different surgery. My biggest fear is when I'm sleeping on my back, I have a fear my husband is going to fling his arm out in his sleep and hit my chest.

  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 1,619
    edited January 2015

    Hi All!

    I haven't been on the site for awhile-other BC related issues. Went for my first MRI post exchange and they found an enlarged lymph node on my good side-also known as righty. Followed that up with a sonogram and now have a needle aspiration scheduled for this coming Tuesday. They really don't think it's anything but with my BC history, they can't take a chance. Went to my oncologist for my 4 mos check up and my CA markers were up and high. Not sky high, but high. So, had another blood test on Friday afternoon. Due to the holiday on Monday, I won't have the results until Tuesday, In the meantime, she asked for a pre-auth for pet scans. Ugh!!!!!

    Another NYC-I was initially told by 1/2 the PS's I met that my best chance for success in recon was a lat. due to all the radiation I had. I decided that I did not want to lose more range of motion on my left side than I already had plus I wanted a less invasive surgery. So, I did TE's and after my last fill I developed infections on my left and had to have my left TE removed. At that point my PS gave me the option of trying another TE or waiting until things settled down and try FG (Which we were going to do before my exchange anyway). Well, we did 2 FG and it dramatically improved the vascularity and thickness of my left side, so much so that when he did my right exchange we went right to implant (albeit a small one) on my left. It worked! My foobs are just fine now. Maybe you might want to try FG prior to trying a lat????FYI- I had alloderm at the time of TE and again at exchange for support)I have become a big advocate of FG-speak to your PS about it.

    Hoping all goes well,

    Babs

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