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Exchange City

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Comments

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited June 2015

    macb - copy the post to breast implant sizing 101 where our resident implant whisperer (whippetmom) will see or send her a PM and she may have some quidance for you.  Good luck.

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

    trailrose - you can get the operative reports directly from the medical facility where you had surgery if you would like to avoid asking for the reports directly from your PS.  I just did this due to a switch from one PS to another.  I have had 12 surgeries, in 3 different facilities, but it was no problem at all.  The op reports should show the make/model/serial numbers of all implanted devices.

  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2015

    SpecialK- Thank you for the information! I dread going tomorrow to my PS but have to since I have my steri strips still in place almost 6 weeks later and was instructed to not get my chest area wet or remove them on my own.

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited June 2015

    Its been 4 weeks now since my exchange and reconstruction surgery. I feel as though there is too much space in between both boobs... is this normal? Also the non MX side is still very swollen on the side. It wasn't like this before the surgery. Is it possible that the implant is all the way on the side...are they that wide. Its only a 150cc implant on the good side. I have no idea how much that is...my normal cup size was varying between a C and D depending on the bra.

  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2015

    Hi everyone! Hopping onto the thread. My exchange is finally scheduled for August 19. Yay.

  • fe_princess
    fe_princess Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2015

    Hi SpecialK, I saw my PS for the last time today before my move. He said that a large portion of my fat graft got reabsorbed so that is why I have the upper pole indentation. I will also have to have a scar revision. At least I know I wasn't totally crazy. I wanted to post this because there may be other who have gone through this as well. Thank you for all your input on this board too!

  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2015

    Hi again. I didn't introduce myself properly. I've been on this site since January and just assumed we all know each other, lol.

    I had BMX with TE placement May 6. I was filled 400cc at sx, with 3 fills so far, 100cc, 50cc, and 100cc yesterday. So far everything has gone well. My drains were removed 6 days after surgery and I had my first fill at that time also. My right has been a bit bothersome but the fills have really helped ease the discomfort. I feel very lucky in this fight as I didn't need chemo or radiation. Only 4 surgeries and some grey hairs. Looking forward to getting to know all of you

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

    Fe - You are moving overseas shortly right - and for a happy occasion? Yay! Sorry that your FG didn't stick, it can be a problem solver for many but you are def not alone in having reabsorption - it is often a multi-step process.  Hopefully future fixes will be the ticket for you.  Wishing you the best and hope all goes smoothly with the move.

  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 18
    edited June 2015

    welcome AudreyB!


  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2015

    Welcome Audrey B! Congrats on having your exchange surgery scheduled.

    Fe Princess- Best of luck to you in your move! You're moving to a wonderful place and when we go back I'll look you up. I'm sure you'll find the best of medical care in Switzerland to help with your current situation. Make sure to keep in touch with all of us here!

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited June 2015

    Finally, I have my revision scheduled for August 31.  Hope not to hit any other bumps in the road.

    FePrincess - Good luck in your move.  Can't wait to hear all about your experiences with doctors in Switzerland.

    Audrey - good to see you here too!! 

  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2015

    mjh1- Great news on your revision surgery date!

  • fe_princess
    fe_princess Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2015

    Hey thanks everyone, I will definitely report back after my first visit. Yes, I was hoping to move on from my last surgery but alas...I am grateful for my relatively easy journey in cancer. It has given me an opportunity to connect with all of you wonderful women!

  • nlosgatos
    nlosgatos Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2015


    robinblessed54-  totally agree with you.  love the smooth look.  no way I want to go thru more procedures, especially one with a big fail rate!  reading about all of the skin damage, infections, no thank you.  i'll look into 3D tats at some point.  4 weeks out from exchange and just want to get back to my sports and be the healthiest me I can be :)

  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2015

    hello ladies ... I'm so tired of all this crap..... Well I had TE for a year my Ps was slowly filling my TE 40 here 30 there. Because of my radiated skin.(had radiation without TE) do to infection. Well got my last fill and it just gave me an infection. My arm hurts like pressure all the time. When you ladies get fill does it hurt when the neddle goes through? Mine hurts so bad. Well I think I'm going to ask him to remove 20cc. I'm not sure what's the next step I'm on antibiotics and I don't know where to go from here

  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2015

    Hi Patricia. During fills I feel the needle on the left side. It hurts but only for a second. I feel nothing on the right side. I hope your infection clears up soon. I have had a relatively good TE exp. My left cancer side has behaved very well during all of this. The right non cancer side is more uncomfortable, I always feel discomfort on the right side. I think it's because I was always lopsided left bigger than right so it's stretching more. I hope everything settles down for you and you get through this.

  • Iwannacookie
    Iwannacookie Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2015

    Hi Patricia--

    I'm sorry you're having such a bad experience with your fills. I didn't have any pain with the needle because I have no longer have any feeling in either breast, but I imagine that if you still have some healthy nerves you would naturally feel some discomfort. If you have faith in your doctor, and you're keeping her/him posted on how you're feeling, I'm sure she/he will get you through this. If you want more insight into your treatment and health status, ask your doctor whatever and as many questions as you need to. You're entitled to that information, and it might help you see past your current pain.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited June 2015

    I felt the needle go through each and every time with my fills! Actually, it is a good sign for that to happen, because you have nerve sensation there, which is great:) I am about half numb still, the left worse than the right. My left side had extensive disease and more lymph nodes removed. I am 3 months post exchange. Hoping your infection clears soon Patricia.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited June 2015

    I have my 3 month follow up post EX with PS tomorrow. I an so happy with my anatomical implants. So glad I had a choice of implants. I did exactly what I was told to do. That helped with my outcome. I am still careful with what I do.

    3D tattoos are next

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited June 2015

    PS said my foobs are grest! I agree! No ridges of implants can be felt. Next stop, nipple tattoos!

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited June 2015

    robinblessed - yay, so happy for you that the "girls" are looking fabulous.  Make sure you pick out great nip tatoos to accent them properly.

  • middleagedmama
    middleagedmama Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2015

    exchange surgery July 8

  • Cindy_K
    Cindy_K Member Posts: 31
    edited June 2015

    YAY Robin! That is great news!

  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 756
    edited June 2015

    Hi patriciahurtado, I unfortunately get infections really easily due to rads damage, so I know that antibiotics don't work really well for me, so I get intravenous Vitamin C from Naturopath here in Seattle. It is really safe and effective in helping to kill bacterial infections. It even kills cancer cells, look up "Intavenously administered Vitamin C as cancer therapy, 3 case studies"

    I am going to see if I can PM whippet mom to ask what type implant she thinks would work for me. I talked to my PS about implants and how to coordinate my implant exchange and breast lift of my real right side when he was filling my TE today. Am up to 540cc's today and he said one more which would bring me up to 600cc's, compared to my 36C real right breast.

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited June 2015

    minivan - If all goes according to plan, I would estimate from your arrival time until when you leave should be about 3-4 hours, maybe 5 at most.  The exchange itself shouldn't be more than 1 1/2 hours. 

  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 167
    edited June 2015

    HAD TO SHARE THIS SHIRT I GOT!

    http://www.teespring.com/survivor-shirt

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited June 2015

    My daughters got this for me when I decided on reconstruction.

  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 97
    edited June 2015


    My exchange went very well.

    I am so glad to have those TEs removed.

    This surgery was much easier than the Mx.

    Love Robin

  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2015

    robinblessed- Great to hear you're loving your implants!

    RAK1- Welcome to the squishy side!


  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 97
    edited June 2015


    Thank you trailrose.

    This is much better!

    Robin