Exchange City
Comments
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angie4 - you are only a week out from your exchange, so you have a lot of drop n fluff to do (meaning, the "girls" need to settle in). You will see a lot of changes in the next few weeks so you can't judge just yet. The best person to ask whether the implants are the right size for you is to ask whippetmom. She is our implant whisperer and runs the thread breast implant sizing 101. Post your question with all the information whippetmom asks for in the header and she will be able to tell you whether the implants you have are a good fit for you.
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Hi everyone!! I've missed so much.
I had my exchange on August 4. My PS tried out 650 and 600 implants and said they didn't look natural so I ended up with Mentor 550cc high profile round silicone plus 70cc of FG on the upper poles. So far I look nice but a little smaller than expected -- which appears to be a common complaint. I'll give it time. I think I'm already dropping a little. I also had a tummy tuck. All in all this recovery has been a zillion times better than the BMX. My chest felt better when I woke up from surgery than when they put me to sleep!
I have had some pec muscle soreness the last couple of days. Maybe doing too much? And I developed a nasty UTI with fever but got a shot and oral antibiotics yesterday.
As far as shows to watch, I've been watching Downton Abby. Love it!! And DH would never watch it with me so this is a good time to do that.
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Thanks for the replies. I am doing some additional research and trying to give myself a deadline of Tuesday to make the decision. I really want my surgery to be the week of September 14th so that I can heal and be ready to return to work in mid to late October. This time of year is so hard for me because I am not returning to my classroom when the students start back to school. I'm trying to focus on this upcoming surgery instead.
Mazy I hope all goes smoothly with the FG surgery and that you are ready for the wedding.
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Angie. . .definitely post to whippetmom mom. I got so much info from her board that I was able to tell my PS exactly what I wanted. I had to stop fills at only 250 b/c of nerve pain and extremely tight pects. At pre-op I told her to put in the largest round high or ultra-high profile that would fit even if they were smaller in diameter and look fake. I just wanted projection. I seem to be in the minority but she got larger 300 high profile rounds in. So far no drop and fluff at 3 weeks and hope they won't. I'm quite pleased.
Scottie
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Scottie, I pm'ed her. Thanks! I'm glad you have had such good results. I'm going to try and be patient for a couple of weeks, but I just think they look terrible. Patience when I'm this emotional is not my strong suit
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Angie4, try not to judge too soon. You have to give it a minimum of 4-6 months. Esp since your expanders were only in for 1 month. My ps required a full 6 months after the final fill, so mine were in for 8 months total. I
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I know. My PS was recommended by my surgical oncologist, who is considered one of the best. I should have questioned him more. Have you heard of anyone having TE's for only one month?
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Angie4, try not to judge too soon. You have to give it a minimum of 4-6 months. Esp since your expanders were only in for 1 month. My ps required a full 6 months after the final fill, so mine were in for 8 months total. It takes time for the tissues to relax. Breast reconstruction is a long process and should not be rushed. I have a mastectomy boutique that I went to that helped me tremendously during my flatter days during my fills and right after exchange. I was very high and tight at first. Some ladies even look square initially. Do yourself a favor and stay away from the mirror. Try to focus on other things. I know this is so crappy having to go through this. I miss my natural self more than I ever thought that I would, but I don't miss having cancer! We are all in this together and you will fight and get through this...we have no other choice. Hang in there sister:) Just pick a ps that you can trust and let him work his/her magic.
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Thanks, kingster. I'm definitely my own worst enemy.
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There is such a difference between plastic surgeons that I don't know. If the implant was able to fit, and your skin is healing well, then maybe one month was enough for you. My ps could not fill my TE at all during my bmx surgery. I had absolutely no room in my chest. My pecs were too big. I did lift weights a lot. Remember, sometimes in rare cases they can go direct to implant and skip the whole expander phase. Not in my case though. I have mentor memory gels 700 ml round high profile, 5'3" and 175-180 lbs. I believe that is the softest implant available. I am scheduled for fat grafting in 2 months, and I am 5 months post ex. My incision pulls inward on one side, and I am still a bit flatter on bottom on the other side. I have had slow steady improvement over time though. Everyone is different, and remember reconstruction is not augmentation. Breasts are being rebuilt from only skin flaps and pec muscle. It will get better!
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Angie, like Kingster, I have very tight pecks so limited fills at BMx and PS required at least 3 months between final fills and EX. I postponed EX until late July due to work and family schedules. This also gave me more time in between to get back into shape. I'm now banned from weight lifting for at least another 3 weeks and guessing that will get extended b/c of my nerve pain. I start seeing a PT this week and hope that will help. Give it time, my PS told me she could not promise twins, only sisters but they are fairly close.
Scottie
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Hi ladies,
I have been a quiet observer for the most part. Met with my PS today to discuss exchange surgery. I honestly feel overwhelmed in all the choices and kind of just trust him to do what is best. I do worry that I will wake up not pleased but then I remember the miracle that reconstruction truly is! My last expansion was June 24 and he requires a wait of 3 months so I scheduled today for Sept 24! Can't wait to get rid of this iron coconut bra. He made the surgery sound like a piece of cake. I hope that is true! Thanks for all the advice and sharing. I love it!
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Hello Lkscolo, Welcome! Congrats on having your surgery date. And yes the exchange surgery is easier.
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Angie -
I'm sorry I'm so late in joining the party - but just so you know, my expanders were only in for one month. And I will say that I have the utmost confidence in my PS and surgical oncologist, so truly, I do not think that what you are feeling is because your TE's were only in for one month. Every woman has a different set of circumstances and not one solution fits all when it comes to reconstruction. I know the worst thing is waiting, but the only thing to be gained by moving too quickly is the risk of more pain and revision surgery. Let things heal, and if at the end of the 6-8 month period you are still unhappy, then go ahead and move forward...but definitely give yourself time to heal...while avoiding mirrors ;-) I do think they will drop and fluff as Mj said - but I would encourage you to chat with Deborah (Whippetmom) as she is totally awesome.
I'm so sorry the journey has been rough...I will be thinking about you!
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Badgergirl, thank you for sharing. I was feeling like the Lone Ranger. I will definitely take your advice
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You're definitely not the Lone Ranger...I'm right there with you ;-)
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Audrey, Hope all goes well tomorrow!
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Good luck today Audrey! Thinking of you and hope that everything goes smoothly and that you have an easy recovery.
Mazy
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Headed to my first PT session. Let's see if I can finally see get on the road to conquering the nerve pain and get my range of motion back. I want to start lifting weights again.
Scottie
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Hope PT helps you Scottie. So sorry you have been having nerve pain and range of motion issues. I started PT about three weeks ago and it has really helped loosen up my left side which seems to always be tight. My range of motion has really improved. Good luck!
Mazy
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Thanks mazy. . .New PT was awesome. I'm dealing with a lower back degenerated disk on top of BMx/ EX recovery. He says he can get me walking 10 miles by Oct 4 when Dh and I are doing local cancer walk. More importantly, he can get me back to previous weight lifting. YEAH!
As a bonus, no copay for anything for the rest of the year (met OOP months ago) so all the PT I want for rest of the year for free.
Scottie
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Scottiemom, PT helped me so much. I had cording issues going over my ribs and abdomen after my TE were full. I had cold laser treatments, lymphatic massage, and lots of stretching. I still continue to stretch every day. I am back to my regular exercise classes, but really unable to do a high quality push up:) Glad to hear it's also covered! I had 2 lovely lymphedema physical therapists working with me.
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Janett2014 - Thank you for the encouragement. My exchange surgery went well, and the PS did not have to do a reduction on the native breast after all - just the lift! It was going to be a small reduction anyway, but she was able to achieve the symmetry without it. The drain came out today at my follow up visit, so I'm happy about that. My surgery was outpatient. I'm glad I did this, because there was a time after my mastectomy that I thought I would never do reconstruction.
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CA 55 so glad your exchange went well. Hope your recovery is quick.
Scottie
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Thank you, Scottie. Sorry you are having issues with nerve pain, but glad to hear you are getting relief.
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My surgery has been scheduled for September 18th. Thankfully the insurance is also going to cover the FG. My PS said some insurance companies do not cover it because it is more cosmetic. I am scheduled to have it at an outpatient facility under observation in case I need to stay the night in the hospital. Those of you that have had your exchange already was your surgery outpatient or did you stay one or more nights at the hospital?
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My exchange is scheduled for September 30th. My PS likes to wait 8 weeks after final fill.
It will be done in the hospital, but on the outpatient basis as far as I know.
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MsMath . . . PS gave me a choice. She said she could go ahead and order me admitted for one night or do a wait and see, i.e., depending on my recovery after surgery. I had a very rough recovery with BMx and was already admitted to stay anyway. I'm glad I chose the wait and see option because I had a much better recovery this time.
Talk with your anesthesiologist at hospital during EX pre-op. Tell him/her about any trouble or questions you had from BMx (or any other prior surgeries) in recovery room and after. I told anesthesiologist everything and he was great. I also highly recommend Versed. Much happier sleeping at home that night since night nurses at hospitals are hit and miss. I did have BMx and EX at different hospitals though. That may have made a huge difference.
Good luck!
Scottie
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hi everyone,
Wanted to post as soon as I could.
Had my exchange this morning at 9. Got home at 2. I am feeling really good. Took two extra strength Tylenol at 430, but that is it. I am sure improbably still have some pain Meds from iv flowing through my veins.
Plastic surgeon put in 410 anatomicals 640ccs. My tissue expanders were filled to 550. Hope 640 isn't too big. It doesn't feel too big at the moment. I am 5' 8 so maybe my body can handle without them seeming too much bigger than what I was before. They took about 420 Ccs out of each side during bmx.
I have two drains that will come out next week.
I am allergic to all kinds of medicine. They gave me two hydrocodone before surgery and iv Tylenol and zofran. Also scopolamine patch.i have tramadol but decided to start with extra strength Tylenol. Hopefully a good decision.
This has been way better than bmx for me. I feel soreness at incision sites, but nothing terrible. I also had far grafting done. He took it from my sides under armpits. I have been icing those areas.
I really appreciate all of you that have shared your stories. Thinking of those who went before me and those that are waiting.
Mazy
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Thanks for your post Mazy! It sounds like you're doing awesome! My exchange is a week from today and although I'm excited to be losing these miserable TEs, I'm apprehensive at another surgery. I'm happy to hear you are doing well....gives me hope!
Take care
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