Exchange City
Comments
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Thinkingpositive,
Regarding nipple reconstruction surgery, it was not a separate surgery for me. My PS did the origami method at the time of the exchange surgery. He twirled the skin at the incision into a nipple shape and stitched it. He took the stitches out two weeks later. About 3 weeks later he did my tattoos to add color. I'm pleased with the results.
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Thank you ladies! My revision surgery went well. I had Mentor round moderate plus silicone implants and my PS switched them out for the Inspira round high profiles silicone. After the surgery he showed me the ones he took out and the ones he put in. The old ones were flat, wide and hamburger bun looking. The new ones have more projection (perkier) and hardly any rippling. I'm so happy I went through with this! My PS is just wonderful and really took the time to figure out what I was looking for. I made the right decision in going for a second opinion with him. I want to thank the ladies that suggested I get a second opinion. Your encouragement and kindness was just what I needed!
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thanks janet2014. I guess that's not an option for me at this point. It would probably look weird with one real nipple and one tattoo. Leaning now towards doing the surgery for the new nipple. He said they take skin from another area and create nipple!?
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I am 4 days out from my exchange surgery and doing good. Finally beginning to feel like all the drugs pumped into me are leaving. I didn't have any major nausea problems. Took the surgery bra off 2 days after surgery and am now wearing a soft bra per my PS instructions. Said it would help reduce the soreness to wear one. I am interested in pros/cons of different nipple surgeries also. I mainly checked in to see how all of you are doing. Your words of wisdom are very helpful. My heart and prayers always go out to any of you with a problem and I rejoice with you on successes.
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Glad to hear you are doing well, chinapainter. I'm not scheduled for exchange until December but now I'm not sure what my ps will want to do. I had bmx in June and one of my drains stayed for 8 weeks. Two weeks after it was removed I was back in surgery to reinsert it. It was in about 8 1/2 weeks again and 48 hours after it was out the skin started to look pink and they drained 30 cc in the office. Wearing a tight Ace bandage. Anyone know if it's likely the fluid will keep building up? I'd go ahead with exchange sooner but in 4 weeks I'm supposed to take an important trip with my daughter and ideally need to able to carry stuff. Given that would you try to repeat draining as needed, have surgery to reinsert drain because timing is bad for exchange /recovery or have exchange and hope you can fly /travel. Can't miss this trip!0
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I am still a long way from having the exchange surgery, but what kind of recovery time was there after your procedure? A week? Few days? I really have no idea what to expect.
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Great question, upsidedown!
It's funny, I mentioned to my husband the other day that I feel like I went into the reconstruction with my PS without having asked him very much. But really, I just didn't what questions to ask. It all happened so fast. Now, I feel like I know more about BC than I ever thought I would know.
And it seems I get more and more questions to ask of my PS at my weekly appointments.
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Lharry! I am glad I'm not the only one. My husband seriously asked me one day if I asked any questions when I first met with the PS. You explain it well, I didn't really know what to ask. I was pretty overwhelmed with the diagnosis at that point. I do know that the PS nurse said that the worst is over with the mastectomy...so I am not too worried.
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definitely not the only ones. I never asked anything thiught my PS would do what was right. Didn't really have time to think about anything since it all happened so fast. Then once I had my surgery always had something else to think about so Reconstruction was the least of my worries!
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tailrose - I'm soooo glad your revision went well and r happy with the new girls. I hope that u will continue to b happy n ripple free. Rest well my squishy sister!!!
Kingster - my current PS was actually the 6th one I went to a consult with. Yes, it was a lot but since i had already met my OOP for the year n they were in network i figured one of them would actually b able to tell me whats wrong n how to fix it. The first two whippetmom told me would b a waste of time as they were my original PS bosses so to speak but i just wanted to hear what.they would say sjnce they did have at least 25 years experience each. when I specifically asked if my implant was rotated they told me "absolutely not, u just need FG". I guess that was the good old boys club at its finest. PS 3 made me wait an hour n 20 minutes to c him so he was out because his time is not more valuable than mine. Rememver my sisters that your PS works for u. PS 4 I liked but turned out was out of network. PS 5 I really liked too n probably would have went with had I not met PS number 6 which by the way was whippetmom first choice. The last 3 all basically had the same recommendation almost word for word but my gut just told me to go with # 6.
For anyone reading this who's looking at a revision surgery, get a second opinion no matter how much u love your current PS!!!!!
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mjh1, Thank you!
Ladies, mjh1 is soooooo right in that your PS works for YOU. That is exactly what my new PS said to me! He said he's there to help me achieve MY goals and that he's working for me. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion since you want the best outcome you can get.
I looked at my new girls again and love them!
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I'm just curious, is a revision surgery covered by insurance? Hopefully this won't be something I HAVE to know, I'm just curious.
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upsidedown4, You will learn a lot if you go back and read some of the previous pages of this thread about exchange surgery and recovery time. However, I think most of us would say it was pretty easy. I was feeling pretty good the next day.....never even took a Tylenol. Up and doing more than I probably should have in 4 or 5 days. Everyone is different, but it sure was a lot easier than MX!
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@upside down, I am two weeks out and can honestly say, I wasted far too much time worrying about the exchange. In fact, I got my nose pierced today (I know too old, it's silly etc.etc.)that is way more painful and I have already taken more Tylenol than I did with my exchange
It is so worth it when it's done, I am loving my new boobs. The members here have such sound advice and a few good days of rest is all it takes. Great news Trailrose! Wishing everyone awesome results and pain free recoveries.
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lharry - I hope that you'll b one of the lucky ones that will not need any fine tuning after exchange but rest assured it is covered by insurance. I now proudly refer to my boobies 3.0 as my quarter of a million dollar gems (I actually added twice because i was shocked the first time i added) n all i had to pay was my yearly deductible. U may have to make more than a few phone calls to insurance but it is a law that they must cover all aspects of post mastectomy/lumpectomy breast reconstruction including any complications that may arise. You have the advantage of joining BCO early in your journey. There r many wonderful women here that have a wealth of knowledge. Ask away so you r well informed when u talk to your PS. If u haven't already done so check out breast implant sizing 101.
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How does one know that they need a revision? I am still concerned with the hardness and location of the implant in my good boob side. PS says its just scar tissue and the implant is there on the side. Not sure why an implant would be on the side for a lift?? Any advise? I go see the PS on Thursday. Will also talk to him about nipple reconstruction on the MX side. Is it worth it - anyone who has done it? Pain??
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thinking - having a revision done is usually done for cosmetic reasons that bother us n so u can only decide if the benefit outweighs the risk of another surgery. Can u learn to live with it or is this something that will always bother u? my suggestion would b to seek a second and possibly a third opinion from another PS to see what they say n then u can outweigh the pros n cons of another surgery.
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Good Morning! I have to say that I agree with all those who said, the closer your exchange gets the more bothersome the TE's become...they really make ya want to get "squishy"! My right side has been so uncomfortable (and of course that's the side I "want" to lay on)...and no meds since surgery is less than 2 weeks...oh well, I can handle it...I'm ready!!
I so enjoy reading all of your stories and even the not so good issues gives me hope that everything will turn out ok!
My PS and his colleagues had a great event last week for Breast Cancer awareness month. They had models for each type of surgery that you could go in and speak to about their experience and ask questions and even see the finished work. It was so great to meet, in person, someone who had already been through what I am facing. And to see how GREAT she looked! She reassured me that the lipo portion was the worst part - of course, I'm dreading that, but, I'm thrilled to know how well everything can go. She said she went through a lot of rehab/PT for the lipo areas. That surprised me a lttle, but, she said it was necessary to smooth out the lumpiness left behind in her legs. Has anyone else done or heard of that?
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Suzy1067, did she say what PT did to smooth out her legs post Lipo? My PS said keep firmly massaging by abdomen (donor Lipo site). It's a bit bumpy in the most heavily bruised area above my umbilical site. That event sounds really good and informative. I am always seeking out ladies that have already gone through this. Good luck with your very near future exchange!
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Thank you Kingster! It was an awesome event and for me, so very timely! She said he used a credit card like tool and raked it down her legs. She said it took months to smooth out and that it looks normal, but, she can still feel little indention, mainly only because she's looking for it.
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I wonder if I'm just not looking carefully enough, but I don't have any indents or lumps in the donor areas. I'm 4 weeks out from FG as of tomorrow, and the most generous donor site was my thighs. They were bruised at first, but now they look fine. My PS said not to massage, and there was no talk of PT or anything like that.
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And Suzy, my lipo experience wasn't that bad. It seems that experiences vary a lot. PS was able to take 400cc of fat from my belly, thighs and flank area, and I was definitely uncomfortable for 3-4 days (especially getting in and out of bed!), but it improved after that.
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Well ladies, looks like I am up for fat grafting scheduled for Nov 24th, a little worried as I am thin 5'4" and 129lbs. Going to try an add a few pounds between now and then but I walk 10-12 miles a day delivering mail. A little nervous also about how quickly I will be able to return to work, especially right at the holiday season.
Interested in what other ladies my size and their experience with fat grafting have to say
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Suzy1067
My medical group does a program every three months called Image Reborn. They have cancer patients and their significant other come to a meeting with a panel of BC and reconstruction survivors. The panel gets up and tell their story and their type of reconstruction. There are always members that have had all the types of reconstruction. Then the men go out and the panel strips from the waist up. The ladies get to see and ask questions and even touch the panels boobs. It might sound weird to some people, but it is such a wonderful program that gives so much information and makes the prospect of reconstructive surgery not so frightening. I have been on that panel once. A wonderful opportunity to help others. There is a PS from the group there to answer questions and gives the low down on all the surgeries. I am hoping to do it again in November.
It was a relief to get the TEs out for sure! I am very happy with my outcome with the anatomicals. I am 7 months post EX.
Robin
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That sounds great. If we had that, I would be happy to participate. I am so used to taking off my shirt.....piece of cake! LOL
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Show & Tell for BC patients. Fabulous idea! I would gladly volunteer as well. My approach after diagnosis has been that if I can help just one person get through this awful experience, then the reason for my diagnosis has been justified.
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I totally agree!
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Elizabeth - YAY! Thank you for sharing...I am excited and nervous all at the same time and I realize everyone's experience is different. Who knows how mine will be - but, I'll surely share it!
Robin - that is awesome. I think this one is only once per year, but, I like the quarterly idea!
I feel the same way about show and tell - I took my sister with me, but, when telling my husband about it he said "oh, you are so volunteering next year!" LOL - he knows me so well
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im all in for the show n tell. Maybe if the mods r listening they'll start working on a yearly BCO conference.
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10/21/15 Exchange Surgery
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