Exchange City
Comments
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Hi Maiden, I am burning too. Ouch! I called my ps first thing this morning and he said it is normal. Keep taking my oxy and Valium. He called it surgical pain from incisions. My burning is on the right side where I have all of my stitches too. I asked to put bacitracin on it to try to cool if off, but he told me. I was allowed to put ice pack wrapped in towel and that is helping. My burning is on the lower side , under my breasts
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Thanks roadrash. I'm going to ice them too!
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Maiden & Roadrash--I too have some burning but it has subsided considerably since my revision exchange on Tuesday. I also put ice packs on Wednesday and Thursday and today, the burning is quite a bit less. Today was the first day I was off the Percocet--just taking extra strength Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen does nothing for the pain for me but it is supposed to reduce swelling. Tylenol helps the pain for me right now. Started doing some stretching exercises yesterday too which I learned from PT after my BMX and already noticed improved range of motion today. This revision has been more painful than the first exchange but nowhere near as painful as the BMX.
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Lori - T hank you. I'm going to do some stretching and keep using ice on it. I'm glad you are getting relief. I was actually surprised that this exchange hurt more than my bmx. Then again I got to push a morphine pump for 5 days at a hospital. Lol I had some significant pocket work so Im thinking that is why their is so much burning discomfort. I also have such pain in the middle of my chest and underneathe where there are no stitches. I have no idea why that is so raw. Good news on getting off the Percocet. I look forward to the day of being med free.
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Glad you are doing better too Lori. I'm afraid to do any exercise as I don't want to pop my incision open again. I'll wait until they take the stitches out and it's well healed. The icing does help and I alternate ibuprofen with Percocet for pain. Looking forward to feeling more myself again.
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Ladies - please remember what Moon keeps quoting - Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should. Be very careful with the stretching since you have internal stitches. I'd check with the doc before you start moving much.
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Burning is common after any surgery where nerves have been affected. Usually pain that feels like burning, no matter where it is located, is attributed to nerve damage. Most of us have had this burning after surgery. Another thing is when the nerves are trying to wake up - you often get little zips, zaps, and zots that dart across one breast or the other.
Be careful with ice! Many doctors do not recommend it for several reasons. One is that since you have reduced or no sensation, you can get frost bite! Seriously! Secondly, for healing to take place, blood flow has to be established. Ice inhibits that.
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Thanks for the info Sandra. You explained the burning and the ice really well.
Any ideas of why under my breasts I would have such pain? I don't even have any cuts there but there is a persistent pain like in the middle of my sternum and under carriage.
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After one of my surgeries, it felt like the PS had whacked on me with a baseball bat just below the IMF. If truly felt like a broken rib for several weeks. He did the same procedure (putting in another series of sutures at the bottom to prevent the implant from moving down) on both sides, but only one side hurt like that. Another weird thing happened after a later surgery when I got AlloDerm placed for the first time. I'd read how many people had pain with it so I was prepared. There was none! It was my easiest surgery. Making it more complicated is that sometimes where we feel pain isn't the source of the pain is at all.
I'm always comforted by knowing why I have pain somewhere. Otherwise I worry that something is wrong and I should be telling a doctor. When I do, the doc says it's normal. (sigh) At least I've asked and alerted a medical professional so I have to be satisfied with the non-answer and wait for it to go away. No fun, but it's reality. This miserable journey is full of "scenic detours" like this. Some can be easily explained. Some remain a puzzle.
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My "fills" have been delayed because I developed an infection in my incision. This is five months after my BMX, and apparently was caused by an embedded stitch. I'm on antibiotics and the surgeon told me to rinse the area with saline and cover it with a bandaid. Has this happened to anyone else? I also got a rash in the area between my expanders. The surgeon isn't sure what caused it but she did give me a prescription for Bactrim, which I'm allergic to. Of course since it was a generic, I didn't recognize it as Bactrim and took one dose. I'm pretty annoyed because that allergy should be all over my medical charts. She doesn't think one dose would've given me a rash in just one place, but the pharmacist said that it could. I'm thinking the surgeon doesn't want to admit her mistake!
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Roadrash, I also caution against icing the area unless instructed by your doctor. As Sandra said, ice restricts blood flow and that is not what your incisions need right now. Ice is good the first 24 - 48 hours to reduce swelling. Only ice for about 15 minutes, every hour to prevent problems. But, really, ask for instructions from your PS. As for the sternal pain, my PS released the pectoral muscle from my sternum as part of the lateral capsullorhaphy. That area was painful for months! Perhaps that explains your pain, but again again, ask. Good luc
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Leslie, so sorry! I think you are right, the doctor doesn't want to admit an error. Feel better!
Your infection should clear up soon but I know you are sick and tired of all this and ready to move on. I know if I had a clue what I'd be going through, I don't think I would have gone ahead with reconstruction. It's such a LONG and winding road for some of us.
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Hi Ladies,
I am two weeks out from my exchange. Does anyone know when I can or should get my port out?
Thank you-Michele
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Hi everyone! I just had my exchange February 18th, Wed. After my DMX, Nov 12th with allograft used, I have not had to wear a bra. Then I had my exchange a couple of days ago and I am now wearing the tightest sports bra ever made with an Ace bandage wrapped around the top of my chest to try and keep the implants down. I had my drains removed yesterday, February 20th, and I got to take a sneak peek at my new boobs. I couldn't tell much because I was looking down at my chest during my postop office visit and did not get to look in a mirror. Tonight, I was able to remove this vise grip corset contraption device off of me and take a shower. I now have a red rash that runs along where the sports bra was digging into my skin and even have some open areas on my skin, especially the armpits near my lymph node scars. Looks just like a rug burn. I saw my new Mentor ultra high, memory gel, 555cc implants. I HATE THEM! I am depressed, sad and angry all at the same time. I just look ugly. These babies do not move or give. I feel like someone just took rocks and glued them to my chest. I was not expecting anything after this surgery (I tend to expect the worse and hope for the best kind of attitude), but this is ridiculous. I am swollen, I GUESS, but it is hard to tell what the heck I am looking at. They are rock heavy on me. I definitely was not expecting to have to wear an Ace bandage that digs into my armpits to try and keep implants from riding up and having to wear this vise contraption devise for the next 2 weeks. Now that I think about it, I guess I did expect something. I thought I was going to feel relieved and feel better with the expanders OUT and that the implants would jiggle or something once they were placed in, but this certainly is not the case and quite opposite. I am so disgusted with myself and cannot even look at myself anymore. I do not see any difference between the expanders or these new breast implants, only that the implants are taking up more room. I have this extra skin now under my underarms which was certainly not there before. To top it off? My plastic surgeon told my husband in the waiting room, right after she was done with my surgery, that the surgeon put in an implant in my chest and it didn't look right at all. It had dimpling going on and the memory gel, when pushed on, did not spring back like it should and so I might be CHARGED FOR 3 IMPLANTS instead of two?? WHAT THE HECK!?! I don't understand that at all either. The surgeon went on to say that thank goodness she orders 3 implants instead of a pair and she was able to use the other two implants that worked much better. When I saw plastic surgeon yesterday for my postop visit, I asked her why she couldn't just return the implant back and say it was defective or something, but surgeon said it really was not defective and just hopes I don't get charged with 3 implants, but it might happen? Yep, I am not doing well at all. I am so depressed over all of this. I had cancer in both breasts which is rare, and my deductible is $3,000 with out of max of $10,000 and I was diagnosed and had mastectomy the end of 2014 and now I have to meet my new deductible of out of max $10,000 for this year and I might get charged for a third implant? My God! I am so ticked off and feeling so blue over all of this that right now? I have a I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE and this is so not me. I am the one who always gives encouraging words and I am known as the peacemaker, but this last exchange has done me in.
thanks for reading this. Sorry for my attitude.0 -
Sugartoes, I'm so sorry to hear what your going through. Give them a little more time to settle in. I've read it takes time for healing and for the implants to settle to look and feel more natural. I chose saline and they feel pretty hard right now too. I also had no idea I would be cut open from the middle of my breast all the way into my armpit. It's quite shocking to see. I would call the billing office and argue those charges. The Dr can send them back to the manufacturer as defective, especially after what she told your husband. It's no skin off their nose. I wonder where the compassion is from the PS community for cancer patients. It's not like we chose to have a boob job. I'd much rather have my real breasts back. Anyway, it's terrible you feel this way. Please know your not alone and positive thoughts are being sent your way!
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Thank you for posting. I am just miserable. I want to crawl under a rock and not come out. I even took myself off FB and just want to hide. These implants are uncomfortable and take up every inch of room I have in my chest. I will admit they are symmetrical and identically even in shape and size. It also looks like I don't need any fat grafting which I found out about fat grafting a couple of weeks ago. I never knew there was such a thing. They just don't look round and normal to me. They look like expanders and feel like expanders. Maybe the round ones would be better, but I got these anatomical 555cc which take up a lot of room and I guess prevents fat grafting. I heard from so many people that I will get relief with the implants than the expanders and some have posted how they love their implants and they are squishy and I just don't believe it. I just cannot picture that when you compare with mine. I am just about ready to tell the plastic surgeon to take these out and give my expanders back.
I am so angry right now and so sad. I cannot believe how depressed I am getting right now.0 -
hi Diane - yes thank you. I was instructed to apply ice bag wrapped in towel on my sternum and stitches for about 10 mins off on the first 24 hrs then nothing. I actually kept bleeding thru the gauze and was getting nervous thinking I needed to go back and get a stitch or two more, but it finally stopped. I wish I was bolder and spoke up more. I am going to ask about the pec pain because it hurts. I mean like hurts worse than the incisions but I can't even see a scratch. Ugh! You all have been such a great source of support and strength to me and my husband.
Hubby keeps asking me to see what my friends think before I let my thoughts run away. Also, I live in NY and I was amazed at how painful it is when my chest gets cold. Do you think it is normal for me to have them tighten up and cramp? It's more than cramps it feels like spasms. Do u think this will be like this for a long time? I left a message for my ps but the nurse called back and said to avoid the cold.
I also posted some new pics in the pic forum and as the days go on. oh my I have new dents, ripples and clearly one breast is larger than the other. I'm going to be patient.
Maiden- I want you to know that when I was dripping blood , I spoke right up because of your experience. I directed a nurse to remove the bandage and make sure I didn't have a pop stitch, and I did. They blamed it on my moving from the gurney to the stretcher. I asked them to please address it. I couldn't see what they did but when I got up a couple of hours later, I was no longer dripping with a steady flow of blood from that area.
Sandra- thank you for your feedback. I want the short cuts rather than these scenic rides. These rides are getting long. I love your pic too. I have a few cats and 2 dogs.
Sugar toes- I'm so sorry. I just can't imagine what you are enduring right now.the disappointment and frustration along with pain! I was a Medicaid Specialist. Depending on your state, you might be eligible for help from Medicaid, you do not need to be poor to be eligible for Medicaid with a spend down. The hospitals have funds for people too. Our govt, our employees, friends, family and our society forgets that not only is this traumatic but expensive. There are also some really good grants and foundations that can help you. It cost me 2,500 and I thought to myself how the heck do people think I was going to pay for it. Then I started to research it. I have found some good resources.
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hi ladies,
I am sched for exchange tomorrow and I am kind of freakin out. Not really sure why...I've been pretty strong through mx, chemo etc. but this one? I'm completely panicked. And not in a rational way.
I've had a ton of problems with TEs. Chronic infections on one side - multiple hospitalizations for IV antibiotics and infection seems to come back at the smallest thing. PS instructed that infection needed to be clear for a month before he would operate. And it's been clear since mid January, but wouldn't you know it? Day before surgery looks pink again.
So now I am scared that I will turn up and he'll say no. Or worse, go in and it will be really awdul and I'll wake up a surprise uni. Or...I don't know I have a lot of horrible scenarios playing out in my brain right now.
So I can't work out if I am scared of having surgery or NOT having surgery. Aaaaaargh.
Maybe I need some Ativan.
:-(
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Sugar, I'm sure you are miserable with the tightness around your chest. Just so you know, many doctors do not require any compression. My PS told me to avoid it, as a matter of fact. Perhaps your doctor will give you another option if you tell him/her that the ace bandage and super tight sports bra is not working. It may be his personal preference but it's not the only way to deal with post-op issues.
Road, wouldn't it be cool is we could see what was going on under the skin? It's like having a million stitches on your scalp but covering it with a cap. You can't tell what's happening by looking at the cap.
The cramping and tightness sounds like muscle spasms. I had them on one side (why not both?) after one of my surgeries. The muscle relaxer Valium worked magic. Cold weather makes it worse.
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Hi. I am new to this site. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. My exchange surgery is just around the corner. From what I have learned, it is supposed to take a good 4-6 months for the new implants to settle into the proper position. I hope this helps a little. And fight the insurance if they try to charge for 3 implants, because you only received 2 right? It's not like they gave you implant #3. I would refuse to pay for that. Anyway, the last thing you need right now is worrying about finances. Try to rest and take your pain meds. I just know breast reconstruction is a lot more involved than what most people realize. Take care. And God bless.
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I am 10 days till EX. Saw my PS last week. Going with Gummy Bears fill to 450. PS said wrapped in surgical bra and ace bandage for a week. This prevents fluid forming. I had a perfect experience with TEs. I pray for a good experience this time too. I have Kaiser insurance and just pay $100 for surgery. Doesn't matter how many implants they put in. I am blessed. R
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sugartoes, I had my exchange surgery seven months ago. My implants are Allergan silicone 410s, style FF, 650 cc. I woke up in a surgical bra which was fairly comfortable. My PS said to wear it until my first shower which was a day and a half after the surgery. After that I could wear any kind of bra I wanted or no bra. The Genie bra is very comfortable for me.
I agree with Sandra that you should tell your PS that the Ace bandage and tight sports bra are beyond uncomfortable!
There were a couple of things that were NOT what I expected after reading this thread and others. Many people refer to implants as squishy compared to TEs. For me the implants were VERY firm and pretty much felt like expanders. My PS assured me that they would soften up some. It took a good six months! I believe they are softer and more natural feeling now, but sometimes I wonder if I've just gotten used to them. Another thing I read on here is that TEs pretty much always appear bigger than implants. That was not the case for me. I liked the size of my expanders (probably equivalent to a full C cup), and my implants look and feel to be the same size.
My point in all this is what we often say on here: every patient is different, every doctor is different, and our surgery outcomes vary quite a bit. My advice is to give it some time, but if you feel the need for a second opinion, do it!
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Thank you Janett2014. Thank you for your post. My implants look about the same size as my expanders. I felt comfortable with my expanders and I had only 4 fills. I came out of my DMX surgery with 250 cc in each expander and had the allograft done with skin sparring surgery. I was comfortable and tolerated the pain and the look. My implants seem a bit bigger than my expanders. The implants also curve around to the outside of my body, under the armpits which now have given me more skin or creating fat under my underarms which I have never had before. I honestly thought, right after exchange, my new implants would move a little bit or I could squeeze them ever so slightly and they would move. After all, my PS gave me a Mentor implant in her office to hold and there was no problem squeezing it and moving it, but currently, these things are hard as rocks.
Robinblessed54 You are going to do great with your surgery. You are very lucky to have Kaiser. My husband works for a major healthcare company and runs all their backups and storage for the company. In the last 3 years, our insurance premiums have doubled and our deductible and out of pocket max has tripled. We were told we have to share the wealth, yet I am no way near wealthy. Thanks for stating you have to wear the bra and Ace bandage. My PS does not give details or explain things and you feel like your always rushed in her office which is a major flaw of hers, other than that, I am told she does a great job. I have found by wearing a camisole under the tightest sports bra ever made for me is working and as long as the camisole is right under the armpit, it helps with the Ace bandage touching the camisole and not bare skin. Yep, I have been pretty mad at God lately for allowing the change in insurance right at the time I was diagnosed. Keep us posted how you are doing! Again, you are going to do great with the surgery!
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Sugartoes, - Give yourself some time to heal, and for the implants to settle in! I have mentor high profile and am happy with it. (Unfortunately I lost one because radiated skin didnt heal well, but I am hoping to get another!) My PS brought several into the OR to decide which would work best, and I doubt that I was charged for more than 2!
Roadrash, - I, too, find the cold weather makes the muscle tighten and chest hurts. I usually prefer winter to summer, - but no more!
RainDew, - Wishing you good luck tomorrow! Keep us updated!
Hugs to all
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Five days after exchange, I am looking worse. I have areas where I am turning yellow and green, bruising, on both sides from where new incisions were made to put these hard rock implants in. I almost think the DMX was easier accepting mentally than these implants. My left side seems larger than right, but my PS mentioned this when I was wearing my awesome comfortable soft TEs which was probably due to having more deep breast tissue taken out on my right side during my DMX. My breast surgeon was awesome and her goal was to get every bit of breast tissue out of my body since I had cancer in both breasts. I have not noticed much of a change at all since exchange, just turning black and blue, and still feeling uncomfortable, implants hard as rocks, uglier than when the TEs were in, and it still looks like I have (2) Sponge Bob Square Pants in my chest. I am really trying to not be negative. I am a realist. PS did use a Mentor volume sizing system placed during the exchange to make sure the right implants would work best for my size. I am pretty even, symmetrical, and have something than being flat chested. I will give it 3 months to see how it goes, but I swear these implants are worse then the TEs.
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sugartoes
Im 3 weeks out and liked my TEs better also. My Allergan 410s are softer, but they look like they're different sizes (they're the same), and they look squarish.
Because they look different I'm assuming there's still swelling. I've visited the picture forum and seen how things can change.
Try and give it 3 months. I don't look at myself anymore. It's easier.
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Thanks horsemom for posting. I don't know anything about the picture forum and looks like it is selected to certain people which I totally understand. Yep, I have no desire to look at myself either anymore. I see plastics in March 6th and go from there. Well, my Plastics charged my insurance for 3 implants which I have to pay. Plastics said she put in the one implant on one side and it didn't look good at all. Thank goodness she always buys 3 implants instead of 2. Plastics said the implant was not defective, but out of her good conscious, she didn't want to leave the implant in because it didn't look good. She took it out and put in the third one and what a difference she said. I looked so much better. So I will be charged for 3 implants, even though I only have 2 in. Wow! I have a $3,000 deductible with an $10,000 out of max to meet for this year. My husband works for one of the largest insurance companies in the USA and our deductibles and insurance premiums have tripled and almost quadrupled in 3 years. I am not wealthy and I cannot believe I have to pay for a 3rd implant which I already hate the two implants that are currently in me. Oh well. Of course I was one of the 3-5% range to have cancer in both breasts. Thanks again for posting Horsemom. I will persevere and get through this like I have with everything else in life. I will try and make this a small bump in the road.
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Hi sugartoes. Hoping and praying that everyday gets a little better. My insurance has gotten worse as well. I hate my te's and am praying for some pressure relief. 7 months post op and still not sleeping right. Too much to bear sometimes.
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hi ladies,
Exchange surgery yesterday seemed to go well..it was a long one because there was a ton of scar tissue from my previous infections. Fat grafting sites are a little sore, as is throat from tubes.
I am pretty throughly covered up - gauze and tegaderm. So can't see anything. They do feel squishier though. And no drains!
I am pleased.. And koking forward to unveiling in 2 weeks
Thanks all!
Rain
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RainDew, so glad things went well. Just remember to take it easy. Don't reach or pull anything. I'm still bleeding a little where they restitched me so I'm being extra careful. Now my DH has to take over and I think he's beginning to see all the things the mom does. He's sweet though and very supportive. Anyway, I'm happy to hear you are doing well and I hope you heal quickly with no more infections! Ann
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