Exchange City
Comments
-
Had fat grafting and scar revision last month when I had my nipple recon and just got a bill from hospital for $1400. Also had to pay ps $300 up front. Also, has anyone had issues with nipple recon not healing and separating and necrosis?
0 -
Cindy - congratulations on joining us on the squishy side. Hope you have an uneventful recovery.
0 -
sandbar...yikes! I just has nipple recon with skin graft and fat grafting on 5/4. Will get my first peek in the morning
0 -
Hope yours goes well. I noticed it looking scabby after a week. He said they might not survive ugh! Fat grafting looked great and now I sew ripples. I just want to be done.
0 -
kfinn - I hope you'll love what you see tomorrow. Can't wait for the repor!!
sandgar - don't give up hope yet on the nips. My nips were all black and scabby after my NSMX and yet they somehow found a blood supply and survived.
0 -
Having my reconstruction on my MX side and reduction and lift on the other. Scheduled for May 13th. Have my pre-admission testing tomorrow. Anyone have any advice or suggestions for me for after surgery? Just hoping its not as bad as MX. It was only one side then,now its both sides. Hoping that they inject me with just as much pain killer as they did for the MX. I am a wuss when it comes to pain. Will I be able to lift my arms after this surgery to put on a shirt or is it going to be like MX where I need buttom up the front tops?? Drains? Driving? Any info please!!! Really nervous about this. Can't tell you how many times I wanted to call and cancel..but I have to get this thing out of me.. my shoulder and back are killing me for at least half the day.. Thanks!!!
0 -
Thinking positive, all I can say is, anything is better than the tissue expander! I had bmx, and an even swap out, no pocket work. I was home very quickly, and back to work in 2 weeks ( although the work made me very sore). I think the reduction and lift would be more painful than the exchange side, unless a lot of pocket work is done. I had no drains, but have heard people that do. I would call the ps, and ask...that's why they get paid the big bucks, right? Good luck and best wishes to you.
0 -
Thinkingpositive,
I had to do t-rex arms for 3 weeks after my exchange. I wore button front shirts during the t-rex time. No drains thank God! After 3 weeks ps said begin exercise slowly. Sports bras 24/7 for first 3 weeks.
0 -
Yes Cindy K, I couldn't see straight from the moment I put in on! They also told me the danger of touching it.
I saw my oncologist today and I am a very high risk for recurrence. I feel like I just got diagnosed all over again.
A question for all. How long did it take for your implanted breast took start to look different? My breast is so wonky compared to the other one. I am a week out from my exchange. I am feeling down hearted. Thanks!
0 -
I had my exchange on 4/27, just over a week ago. I had a drain on my rad side, I think because he used alloderm. I went back to work (too early) at just a week out. I wore button downs for a week. At one week, doc said I could start ROM but no real exercise. I am now wearing a genie bra but could not at first, it was too tight with the drain. All I can say is this, " I can pretty much put up with anything now that those darn TEs are gone!"
0 -
I had my exchange on 4/27, just over a week ago. I had a drain on my rad side, I think because he used alloderm. I went back to work (too early) at just a week out. I wore button downs for a week. At one week, doc said I could start ROM but no real exercise. I am now wearing a genie bra but could not at first, it was too tight with the drain. All I can say is this, " I can pretty much put up with anything now that those darn TEs are gone!"
0 -
Fe_Princess..what made the oncologist say that you were a very high risk for recurrence?
Jenwith4kid..what is alloderm?
willowreed8...what is t-rex arms??
What about showering? I really didn't have alot of pain with the mastectomy and I think its because they injected pain meds into me in that area. I only needed my pain pills for maybe 3 days. Hoping this is not going to be worse.
0 -
ThinkingPositive - you really need to determine with your doc what you can do. Every doc is different. Most don't allow arms above the shoulders for at least two weeks. I did have drains w/exchange - and kept them for two weeks. I was allowed to shower after 3 days if I wrapped my core, including the surgery site & drains, with Glad Press & Seal so there was no chance of the site getting wet. Alloderm is an artificial substance sometimes used to build up the pockets. Your doc should be able to tell you if he is using this. I was allowed to drive once I was off heavy drugs for pain but was very careful since i didn't want to damage the new work. You'll have some pain but you'll do fine.
0 -
Thanks for the encouragement! I feel so much better knowing someone with the same experience. Did you have to do or not do anything to help the nips along? How long did they take to heal? My left one was actually separating and I could see underneath yuck! My fat grafting didn't last either. I just want to look somewhat normal again.
0 -
Hi ThinkPos-
This recovery from the exchange surgery was so much easier for me. Take your meds if you need them. Like you I had exchange and lift and I had no drain. I was bandaged closely covered by "saran wrap" so I could take a shower the next day. I drove 3 days after though I was careful.
It's been 4 weeks since my exchange. The hardest part has been taking it easy-- I haven't as much as I should have so I'm hoping that things will still heal fine. I am most concerned with recovering the range of motion in my exchange arm and being able to start doing down dog again.
It is surgery and you need to allow yourself rest and recovery time. But the implant feels so much better than the TE! The lift side feels fine. It's still droopier than perky but it's better than before.
Good luck!
0 -
Thanks everyone for all your responses.
What is pocket work??
0 -
I have to second the usefulness of Glad Press & Seal. I used it like a tube top on my chest to keep the bandages dry during showering after my revision to anatomical implants in February. I just had surgery on Tuesday wherein excess skin was excised from the armpit side of my right breast as I had a sort of "bulge" there after the anatomical implants were placed. The PS advised that since I had lymph nodes removed on that side, there was no tissue to really support the skin which had been stretched from the tissue expander and also the too lateral placement of my first implants in July 2013 (by a different PS). My PS advised me to expect this excess skin bulge prior to my revision so I was not surprised. He told me, however, that he did not want to cut too much during the placement of the anatomicals and that another surgery about 3 months post anatomical placement could be scheduled to address the excision of the excess skin. I am still bandaged until tonight and then I can take a full shower; in the meantime, I have used my hand-held shower head to shower and wash my hair while wearing the Glad Press & Seal "tube top" which has worked great and kept my bandages/incision site bone dry!
The PS also told me he injected Exparel at the surgical site which is a long-acting (about three days he told me) pain reliever. I don't recall getting this before but I have to say that I have virtually no pain--just an occasional "stinging" sensation.
ThinkingPos--"pocket work" refers to stitching/releasing the pocket of tissue near your pectoralis muscle where your implants sit. If the tissue expanders/implants are shifting to the side too much when standing or lying down (lateral displacement), the use of internal sutures to close off the breast implant pocket (lateral capsulorhappy) may be very helpful. This will also help to keep an implant from moving/rotating when a implant is placed in an area that has been stretched too much by a too wide tissue expander (as in my case)--think internal permanent underwire bra . If the tissue expanders/implants are too far apart giving the appearance of too wide cleavage, then pocket closer to the sternum side of the breast needs to be released (cut away/opened) to allow the implant to move into an area (medial capsulotomy) (also as in my case).
Many times, no pocket work is required during an exchange procedure which results in less pain and a faster recovery. I did not have any pocket work during my exchange from tissue expanders to implants in July 2013 and my recovery was fast and fairly painless--I returned to work (computer/desk work) in about a week. With my revision from silicone round implants to anatomical implants in February 2015, I had lots of pocket work and significantly more discomfort, however, it was about 90% less pain than I experienced with my BMX (I started working from home one week after this revision and returned to the office three weeks after this revision). I had some range of motion issues (not as bad as post-BMX), and my PS advised me that after a few days post-revision, I should start light stretching and that at one week post-surgery, to push the stretching little more. I saw my chiropractor/PT at two weeks post-surgery and he started passive stretching and within a month post-revision, I had regained full range of motion (which I worked so to regain after my BMX--didn't start PT until 4 weeks post-BMX and it then it took about 6 months to regain full range of motion). I now know that early intervention with PT/stretching is key to a speedy return to full range of motion.
0 -
fe princess - Don't understand why your oncologist is now telling you that you're at high risk. You're only a week and everyone is different is terms of the drop and fluff but you should start to slowly see change soon but you won't fully know what they'll look like until 3 months although you'll have a pretty good idea by two months. You just need to be patient and let the new girl adjust. I know it's easier said and done, but unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done.
Sandgar - I can't tell you how long it will take cause i all depends on how quick and how good a blood supply those nips can get. I not only had some nip necrosis but I also had skin necrosis so for me it took four months by the time all my skin regenerated and healed and it even took some debridement but my skin has not a mark now. Just try to relax and not stress over it because stress definitely is not good.
ThinkingPos - you will do great. Even with a little pocket worth the pain is nothing compared to the MX and TE.
0 -
Hi Mjh1, my nipple is pointing in the wrong direction. Did yours? My oncologist said they use an algorithm to predict recurrence probabilities. With my stage, type, grade, age, and pathology. I am 40%. I didn't want to have to do chemotherapy. I was told that mastectomy and tamoxifen would do it. I am sure that I heard what I wanted to hear. They want me to do four treatments, one every three weeks. with Taxotere & Cytoxan. I'm moving in six weeks overseas so wouldn't even start until I was over there. I am getting married on July 16th and do not want to be in the middle of chemo. She wanted to start right away but fears risk of infection in travel. I am a little shell shocked. I was living in bubble where I didn't have any chemo.
0 -
Fe-do you have anything wrapped around your nipple? i got my Madonna cone off yesterday. But then they showed me how to take a guaze-make a knotted hole and stick that on/over my nipple. They said it would help it stay straight.
Dont mean to sound odd-but has anybody's nipple ever fallen off? I have a fear of it falling off-I am trying not to touch it too much as of yet.
0 -
My nipple on the one side totally lifted up so that's what really scared me. My ps never had me wear anything but gauze over the nipple and it seems like everyone else had a cone. Maybe that's why I am having more problems with it lifting. Anyway, I will try to be patient but just want to be done.
0 -
Fe-Princess. Skipping chemo is a hard decision. Maybe you should have a consult with another MO and get a second opinion.
0 -
Why did you switch from rounds to anatomicals? Can you switch after nip recon? Did your insurance cover the second revision? I had fat grafting for rippling during my nip recon and at first it looked great and as a little time went on and the swelling went down, it almost looks the same as before. Thinking of switching myself although my ps doesn't do anatomicals.
0 -
Funny! I also have a fear of my nip falling off. Since mine lifted up I guess it's possible lol!
0 -
Had my postoperative today for nipple recon with skin graft and fat grafting. PS changed my dressing around my boob. There was a bolster around the nipple which stayed put, but he said everything looked good and the areas injected with fat looked good. He took the dressings off the skin graft and fat donor sites on thighs, I'm pretty bruised up and he said the areas were red, thinks it was a reaction to the tagaderm dressings, but he switched my antibiotic to be safe. I have stitches at the skin graft donor site, and it hurts, he said those will stay in a couple of weeks and he will try and time taking the stitches out with the removal of the bolster. I see him next Monday. so I didn't get a peek at the nip/areola....
0 -
Sandgar-Mine is so new-I am just afraid of it I think. I am happy that it looks big and plump. I wanted it to look natural-and not flat. But I realize it will still change too so not sure yet what I got.....
Fe-40% is really high. My MO told me 10 to 20% but I worry as I did not get a complete pathology response from chemo-am told that makes my reoccurrence chance higher. I would definitely seek another opinion when you get settled and see if there is anything else you can throw at it. Chemo was very doable for me, was not the worst part. I was also told hormone therapy is the most important part of my treatments but I am triple positive. Are you her2? maybe they would let you do the herceptin and perjeta without the chemo? not sure if that is a possibilty but might be worth asking....I had both of them.
0 -
sandgar--I switched from rounds to anatomicals because the rounds did not fill my skin flaps appropriately and they were placed too lateral. When I reclined, the rounds fell into my armpits and when I stood up, they just pulled horribly on my pectoralis muscles making me very uncomfortable. Also, the rounds I had did not cover the top of my ribs and were just not a good fit for my body. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the rounds themselves but, rather, the way my first PS put them in and my own body type. I switched to a different PS for my revision to anatomicals and am thrilled with the results and the new PS. My nipples were removed during my BMX and I have not had nipple reconstruction yet. If I do nipples at all down the road, it will be total 3D tattoos with Vinnie in Baltimore. My insurance (BC/BS) covered the revision.
0 -
Fe_Princess...I don't recall my oncologist telling me 40%... I am stage 2A, 11mm, grade 3 with 1 node positive (8mm with extraencapsulated ext), and LVI. I did not have the oncotype test done, as he said it would probably be high. I had mastectomy, did 4 TC chemo treatments, and I am now on Fermara. Hoping that you info is wrong as that would mean mine would probably be around the same or worse??
0 -
I switched to another MO, not for chemo reasons but because he wasn't communicating with me! My meds were making me crazy. The other MO was day and night! For one thing it was a female. She took time with me and asked me questions he never did. And told me about the AIs and how they should be used. Try to get another opinion.
0 -
Fe Princess, it sounds like chemo would really decrease your recurrence risk. I did four rounds of taxotere and cytoxan and although it was not fun, it was doable and over within two months. I started Nov. 1 and was done January 5. The worst for me were the neulasta shots they give you the day after chemo to build up your blood cells. One good thing--I was able to keep my hair by using cold caps!
0
