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Exchange City

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Comments

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2015

    thanks scottie and badger.  I didn't have all these restrictions in my exchange or my 1st revision so was just shocked when she told me.  Just had weight restrictions and not to do too much be a t-rex for 2 weeks.  Could explain why one implant rotated.  Sorry to have complained.  This is nothing compared to what some of our sisters go through.  I didn't it before, so I'll do it again.  When she said I was not to do anything for a week, I asked her if I could at least pick,up a glass of water.  She laughed and said yes but I cannot open the fridge with one hand nor can I pick up a gallon of milk.  I better ask her if I can at least wash my face and brush my teeth.  Time to stock up on those wet wipes again and I better fish out that lanyard that I used for the drains!!!! 

  • Angie4
    Angie4 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2015

    Badgergirl,

    Physically, I'm doing better. Mentally, I'm struggling. I'll pull through it. You're a doll for checking on me. I hope you are well!

    Angie

  • Badgergirl
    Badgergirl Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2015

    Mj,

    I'm slightly offended that you apologized for "complaining"! Seriously?? Never apologize to anyone for not enjoying this process...it's a nightmare, regardless of how "bad" you perceive your circumstances to be compared to anyone else. It totally sucks! And maybe you're right - maybe with these restrictions it will help your implant adhere to the pocket better. According to my PS, one of the benefits of the Memoryshape is the texture - he feels it's the best texture of the anatomicals to allow the implant to adhere to the skin and have less of a chance of rotation. Don't know if it's true, but I'm going with it ;-)

    Angie, I'm sorry that you're struggling at all...I am thinking about you and hoping the coming months will have your implants looking better for you! You are super tough and strong (you have to be to get through this!) and I know you'll pull through ;-)

  • simplebetty1
    simplebetty1 Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2015

    hi, sisters. I've only written on here once before and no one really responded so I thought I'd try again. I just had my exchange last Friday on Aug 21st. It was an outpatient I was back home within 4 hours. For those of you that have already had the exchange, I realize they need to settle and that it can take months. I have mentor high profile round silicone 650cc. I have a lot of nerve pain on the left side and I have flat area that I hope will go away. Anyone that could shed some light on this I would really appreciate. Give me some hope that they will start looking better once they settle some more. I have been reading everyone's postings for months, you really have helped me through some rough times.

    Michelle

  • Elizabethaw
    Elizabethaw Member Posts: 165
    edited August 2015

    Hi Michelle, I'm glad you've felt helped through rough times! (But sorry there were rough times...)

    Your implants will definitely change *a lot* over time. Where is the flat area? I've got ripples, which is a totally different problem, but I'm doing fat grafting in a few weeks in an attempt to fix that. I'm sure you don't want to even think about another surgery, but fat grafting is an option to fix flat or indented areas. (There's a nice thread on this forum dedicated to fat grafting.) There's a lovely description on the "breast implant sizing 101" thread header about the time right after exchange. It tends to be a tough emotional time for many. Not saying that your unhappiness about the flat area is emotional--just that you've been through this so recently that you need plenty of time to let yourself heal emotionally and physically. I hope everything settles just the way you want it to, but there are options to fix anything you don't like.

    I'm also very sorry about the nerve pain. I know other women here have been through that--I hope one of them can offer help with that.

    There's definitely hope that you will be much happier with the look of your implants in the future!

  • simplebetty1
    simplebetty1 Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2015

    elizabeth,

    Thx so much for the kind words. I will check out the fat grafting area. And the implanting 101. I have a place on my left breast about in inch from the cleavage. It's completely flat. I noticed it when I had the expanders in, but was told it was just the expanders. I went for my post op appointment and was told in a couple months if it's not better they will go in and do some fat grafting. I'm hoping it doesn't hurt, but after everything else I've been through I'm sure it will suck but gotta do what ya gotta do. .

    It's good to know they can fix things until I'm happy with them. The just seem wide and round not perky like I thought. I have a lot of side boob going on. But it hasn't been a week yet. They say patience is a virtue but my patience is running very thin.

    I'm not suppose to lay down for 2 weeks, so sleeping on the couch. Can't lift over 6lbs. Have to wear sports bra for 6 weeks. But they are really soft, so that is better already than the rocks that were in there :)

    Thanks again

    Michelle

  • simplebetty1
    simplebetty1 Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2015

    I'm sorry CCS648o hear your not happy and having a hard time in a lot of pain. Is it pain from muscle spasms, or stiches. I also feel like I have hamburger buns on my chest. I'm going to give it some time and hope they start looking better.

    What size did you go? I'm mentor 660 round.

  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 915
    edited August 2015



    How do they do fat grafting? Where does the fat come from? If from love handles or abdomen, is the skin saggy there after?

  • Elizabethaw
    Elizabethaw Member Posts: 165
    edited August 2015

    Take a look at the fat grafting thread here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

    I'm hoping my skin won't be saggy afterwards--but there's no guarantee!

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

    my sunshine - they will usually take far from wherever you have the most, but some plastic surgeons prefer the abdomen because it is the location least likely to have cosmetic issues afterward. The fat is extracted by liposuction, spun in a centrifuge, then loaded into a large bore syringe and injected into the area where it is needed.Generally, one does not have saggy skin because the fat taken is less in volume than for a cosmetic procedure. Your PS is only allowed to take what will be used in the graft, removing too much can cause insurance to deny the procedure because it can be interpreted as cosmetic.

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2015

    simplebetty - our number one mantra is "stay away from the mirror."  It is not your friend right now.  I know we all can't help it because we've been waiting for so long to see the "girls" that we just want to peak.  However, the "girls' really do need time to settle into their new home.  There will be many changes in the next few weeks, and at three months you should get a good idea of how they'll finally be.  Yes,the wait is awful especially when you don't like what you see now but it is too realy to judge.  I'm not sure what kind of nerve pain you have, but after my initial exhange and then the subsequent reivison, I did have nerve pain going down my left arm (the SN arm).  That was just temporary.  If that's what you have, try massging under your armpit daily.

    badger - okay, no moe aplogizing because we all know what an emotional rollercoaster ride this is and that just happened to be when I was in the low point of the ride.  Just felt like we had everything planned two months ago when we booked the surgery and then to find out that the implants we chose are not available (definitely writing a letter to Allergan as to why they have them in their catalog if they're not mnufacturing them) to possibly having drains that I haven't had in a year in a half to no shower for a week or drying my hair to not working for a month which I didn't plan on to the only thing I can do is walk was all overwhelming at that point, oh, and not to mention wearing a binder or spanx and tryng to stay cool since I can't shower.  Not to worry back to myself now. Although I gotta say I did feel much better just venting about it., so thank you to eveyone for listening.  Stay tuned for more venting next week!!!Happy

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited August 2015

    Michelle. . . The nerve pain can just be from muscles cramping after they remove TEs and put in your new girls. Could be inside stitches from pocket work. I've had nerve pain since BMx especially with fills and EX made mine worse. I also had lipo on both sides of my foobs during EX and I have very tight pecks. So I'm an exception to the rule that EX is an easy recovery. Talk to your PS.

    Scottie

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited August 2015

    mjh - only some of the Allergan 410's have been approved by the FDA for general use in the USA. I do have the LX, but your PS has to be involved in the trial in order to have access to them. Sorry for the disappointment. I know you were ready to roll.

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2015

    Minustwo - thanks.  My PS does have access to the LX and MX and even the new Inspiras, but according to the Allergan rep who she called twice they're just not being manufactured in the size I need yet although they are in the catalog.  Oh, well,at least now I can say my boobs were made in the good old USA...lol.  Not many things we can say that about these days.

  • simplebetty1
    simplebetty1 Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2015

    Scottiemom I also have nerve pain since the bmx I guess I just hopped it would get better once I did the exchange. You are right it could just be from surgery or pocket work, stiches etc..

    Mjh1 thx for the word's of encouragement I do need to just stay away from mirrors, kinda like I stay away from scales. I gained around 25lbs after my bmx. I have since done a lifestyle change. Watching what I eat,how much, and exercise everyday. I was actually feeling better then the ps told me no exercise for a least 3weeks. I'm just hoping I don't gain instead of trying to lose.

    When I went to pt I felt much better, really does help with the nerve pain and swelling. My insurance covers the appointments up to 20x so I saved half for after the ex. They use red and blue lights therapy I don't know if all the ps offices have their own therapy dept but mine does and I love them.

    Mjh1 I'm looking forward to the changes you speak of in the next few weeks and months, I never really had cleavage I was a small B but I'm hoping the girls will look great and perky.I'm not sure what size they will be I'm still in a sports bra. But I have 650 cc high profile round memory gel. It's so nice to have someone to talk to about it all that really understands. My dh is awesome I'm so lucky to have him, but he just doesn't understand.

  • sherry67
    sherry67 Member Posts: 370
    edited August 2015

    mjh1,


    I have the mentor memory shape implants and like them a lot better than the Allergan 410..4 moths out and much happier.my ps put a larger implant on the right and a smaller one on the left so they would be even..good luck

  • Msmath
    Msmath Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2015

    I woke up this morning and my first thought was in 3 weeks I will be in surgery. At first I was very excited then it sunk in I'm going to be in pain again. Any suggestions on what I need to do to prepare?

  • loriekg
    loriekg Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2015

    Me too, Msmath! My surgery is scheduled for Sept 16th...I am not really excited since I've grown quite fond of my TE's and I'm afraid I'm going to be sorely disappointed in the implants. Hope not. I could've had the exchange earlier but I didn't want it to disrupt the summer--moving son to college...etc. Now I guess its inevitable! Sounds like (from what I've read here) the pain won't be bad at all. --Lorie

  • mazy123
    mazy123 Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2015

    msmath,

    I know it is scary facing surgery again. I had my exchange eight days ago and am doing well.

    They gave me two OxyContin (I think) before surgery and then gave me Tylenol in iv. I also had scopolamine patch. I have bad reactions to narcotics so they were great in helping me find a good solution.I had surgery at 9 which lasted two hours and I was home by two.

    I only took over the counter pain Meds. Extra strength Tylenol. I had tramadol prescription but never took it. I was sore where my incisions were , under the fold, but it wasn't terrible. My main soreness was where they took fat for fat grafting on my sides. I iced that periodically for a few days which helped. Also, I wasn't in pain when I was in bed lying down. When I got up out of bed was when I could feel soreness.

    I felt really tired until yesterday. Yesterday, a week after surgery, I woke up and my incisions felt better, my sides didn't hurt, and I had energy. On Tuesday night I made it to back to school night.

    I know everyone has different experiences and we heal differently. I was pleasantly surprised that this was so much easier than my bmx. I hope that you feel the same!

    Mazy

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited August 2015

    simplebetty. . .I was delighted to find out that my insurer covers 40 PT visits a year and since I saved PT for after EX I'm set for the remainder of the year at least two times a week. Also since I met my OOP long ago for the onco treatments I have no PT copays. Loving it and found an awesome one.

    I am also frustrated with the exercise limitations. I was doing a lot of walking, hiking and weight lifting in between BMx and EX. Arm weights obviously were fairly light but not the leg weights. I got back on the treatmill slowly at 2-weeks post EX and have worked that up. Now I can do the leg weights as well. I probably won't get cleared for arm weights until 8 weeks post EX b/c of the nerve pain but that's what PT is for.

    Best wishes

    Scottie

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited August 2015

    Simplebetty, I have 700 ml mentor memory gels too! High profile smooth round. They are very soft. I am almost 6 mos post ex. They did improve a lot. I am scheduled for fat grafting in October. Left side incision pulls in, but flattens out when I lift my arm up or lay down. Right lower is flatter than the left, but much improved from what it looked like at first. They look awesome from the incisions and up, and are looking better to me as the scars fade. I went to the lymphedema PT for cording issues and they helped so much. I look "normal" in the right bra and clothes (they hold their shape better than my natural breasts ever did). Anyway, I am confident it will get better with time. Take care!

  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 78
    edited August 2015

    Well, I'm officially on the squishy side! I had my exchange surgery on Thursday and it went well. It was outpatient (hooray) and I don't have any drains (hooray again). I feel ok but am sore and taking my norco regularly. I came home in the bra I bought from PS..one of those with a whole bunch of front clasps and in addition a thin, maybe 4 inches Velcro wrap around ace bandage that is up high to keep downward pressure on the implants. That thing is the most uncomfortable part. I think it's bruising my armpits. I have natrele 20s, silicone 375 cc implants and they DO feel much softer than those TEs. What a relief! The implants seem a little wide and flat but it sounds like it takes time for them to take their real shape? Thanks for all of your great posts, it helped me know what to expect and today I can say that of my three surgeries, this one is the easiest by far. I'm so happy to be here!

  • Msmath
    Msmath Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2015

    hummingbirdlover I am so glad all went well with your surgery. That is exciting news that you do not have drains! My PS pretty much guaranteed I would have 2 drains but that they wouldn't stay in very long. Thanks for sharing your experience my exchange is scheduled on September 18th.

  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 78
    edited August 2015

    Thank you ms math! I had drains after BMX and 2 more after the TE placement surgery but they were worlds apart in terms of care. The reconstructions drains didn't need stripping, I only needed to pour and measure output and they were only in 3 days and came out super easy..I didn't feel a thing! Good luck on your upcoming surgery

  • summerangel
    summerangel Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2015

    Hi all, I had my exchange surgery yesterday. I was pretty comfortable with my TEs but I can confirm that the implants already feel worlds better than the TEs ever did! They're so soft and NO edges, yay! I have Allergan Natrelle 45s, but forgot to ask the size before I went home (gotta love narcotics :)). I'm loving the projection already, I'm so happy to be rid of the flat TEs! The pain hasn't been too bad at all, in my foobs I only have pain where fat was injected. The PS took the fat from my inner thighs and that's where most of the pain is. I've been icing pretty much continually and that really helps. I also have no drains, which is great.

  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2015

    Mjh1, Hello to my fellow rippling sister. I'll be thinking of you on Monday the 31st! I will send positive thoughts your way and may the rippling go away. I go September 3rd to see the new PS again to look at different implants and will schedule my revision surgery. My husband took pics this morning of my chest and I still don't like the right one since it still has rippling and looks like it's droopy and sad compared to the left one! Looks like I'll have recovery and downtime coming up soon. What a bummer.

  • CCS648
    CCS648 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2015

    simplebetty - I think the pain was because he had to cut through a whole lot of scar tissue. I had mega-complications. The pain is just about gone now, and I'm just tired. I have 475 cc allergan 410's. Anatomical gummies. I have no idea about cup size, since they still look like hamburger buns. I'm just trying to be patient, which I'm not very good at

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited August 2015

    tailrose - thanks for the positive thoughts.  I'll need all the good mojo I can get for Monday to finally be rid of my nemesis or at least be camoflouged.  I'll post as soon as I'm able and let you know all that was done.  Good luck with the PS on the 3rd.  I hope you will like him and he will have a good plan for you.  Definitely let me know what he says. 

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited August 2015

    mjh1 best wishes for Monday.

    Scottie

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited August 2015

    CCS, i have Allergan 410 with 475cc as well! Almost 6 months out. I am very happy with them. It is true they are firmer than silicone rounds but I wasn't interested in rippling or movement into the armpit. I didn't want to have revisions if at all possible. I have cleavage and feel very normal. Hope you like the fibal outcome.

    Robin


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