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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2016

    Good luck Dee! Very excited for you!!!

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited February 2016

    Well I do have to say the exchange has been a breeze compared to the BMX. I am tender and I can't believe how soft the implants are. Much nicer.....

    Well I did have a shower today. I am a little disappointed in the size. I'm not sure if it because I was so used to the rocket boobs and these are so different. I wish they were a little bit bigger. They just don't project the same as the expanders. I know I am only a day out and there is swelling. I am just a bit shocked. I am hoping there is lots of fluff to come

  • Tina1969
    Tina1969 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    Hi Dee, it sounds like you are doing well..... that is great news.

    I'm sorry to hear that you are disappointed in the size. What type and size implant did you get?

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited February 2016

    520gm Allergan Inspira, high profile textured rounds. They look ok with clothes on, I just don't like the look of them when I am naked. They are so much wider and flatter than my expanders. I'm sure once they are healed and I get a nice bra that will make all the difference. Like someone said on here, it's not like I am going to be a pornstar or doing any naked photo shoots.

    Tina-you will really like the soft feel of the implants. Sooooooo much nicer. I had lots of back pain from my expanders. Right between my shoulder blades used to kill me. Since my exchange all of that pain is gone. That is an added bonus

  • Tina1969
    Tina1969 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    Dee, I'm sure things will look different once you are completely healed. I too have back pain in the same spot, so that is reassuring to hear that yours is gone now. I am soooo looking forward to feeling normal again......whatever "normal" is. ;)

    I wasnt very big pre MX so I'm hoping I won't be disappointed in how the implants look. My TEs are filled to 450cc and my PS said he's going to go slightly bigger than the TEs to achieve the same fullness. I'm trusting he knows what he is doing. ;)

    Have a happy Saturday and happy Valentine's weekend everyone!

    Only 9 more sleeps until I'm on the squishy side. Single digits! Woo hoo!

  • pch
    pch Member Posts: 185
    edited February 2016

    Hey everyone, just a quick check-in first to thank you all for your advice leading up to my exchange. I went in Wednesday and everything went well. Comically, after all the talk of size and burritos and projection, my PS went for Mentor 450 high profiles, a full 100cc less than he anticipated because he got the 500s in there and said already those looked like D cups (in our parlance, if not his). (To refresh: I'm 5'2", 110 lbs, 30 inch rib cage.) Just goes to show that everything everyone says about all our bodies, pockets, rib cages, etc. being unique is true.

    Another thing I hope gives some comfort to everyone who's coming up on surgery, this was MUCH less painful than the BMX. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was painless, but I'm on just Valium for muscle tension and Tylenol and pretty comfortable with very good mobility, which I did not expect.

    Anywho, thanks again for all your support. I hope going forward there are no complications, that the dropping and fluffing fluffs and drops me to a full C so Ican eat a burrito and not have my gut be bigger than my boobs, and that you guys are all doing well out there.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

    xopch

    PS: First shower, SHAVED ARMPITS. It was like hairageddon in there. And fit a stick of deodorant in there. And my arms hang at my sides. Wow.


    Oh rats, just read backward and about razors. Oh well. I seem to have survived this one time.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited February 2016

    I shave my armpits with every shower and have never had a problem. 5 nodes removed from the left and 2 from the right. No one ever said that I shouldn't. Congrats to everyone getting rid of the tissue expanders!

  • lvbugs
    lvbugs Member Posts: 35
    edited February 2016

    kingster, how do you do your Blood draws and BP checks? I have had chemo, Herceptin for a year, blood draws and BP all in my right arm, no port as MO didn't want infection. I am sure my arm will soon be useless.

    Congrats to all being new to the squishy side!


  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited February 2016

    DeeRatz, I'm sorry you're disappointed about your size.

    pch, LOL about your hairageddon!

    Not too long now for PMR53, Fipjoemom, and Tina1969. Congratulations ladies.

    I forgot to mention, I'm back to wearing my favorite pull-over Jerseys and T-shirts! No more button-downs for me!!

    Mominator

  • fipjoemom
    fipjoemom Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2016

    Thanks, Mominator. Only 9 more sleep nights until exchange. I am so ready. Can't wait until I no longer HAVE to wear button down shirts too!

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited February 2016

    Lvbugs, well...don't have much choice...I just try to use the side with the least lymph nodes removed. Haven't had lymphedema yet. I do lift weights, do pushups, planks, chest presses and flys, and standing chest too. My surgeon said no restrictions. I am a recovery room nurse, very physical at times. Our transport monitors weigh about 25 pounds and our oxygen tanks are not light either. I try to build myself up as much as I can. I feel that I am almost back to normal. The implants pull upward with the push ups especially, but I was never great at those anyway. I also have to get yearly TB tests. Just had pre op labs done from the 2 lymph node arm. They use my right arm for my IV and blood pressures during surgeries...really no other choice I guess. So far so good, and I hope to keep it that way;)

  • PNY
    PNY Member Posts: 90
    edited February 2016

    Kingster, how much after your exchange did you start working out. I know I had a lot of pocket work and its only been 2 1/2 weeks since my exchange

    I had extensive pocket work and my PS said i can't start anything for at least another two weeks and NO weights even then. She did say I can lift up to 10 pounds in the course of day to day life but not for exercise. She said i can return to the gym and pool but not do anything too rigorous.

    After my BMX I did go back to the pool (about 6/7 weeks after)and slowly built up my muscles and just hoping I will get there again.

    Thanks


  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited February 2016

    PNY, I took 2 weeks off work after my exchange. No restrictions after that...business as usual. Just follow what your ps says I guess. They are so very different. I had no pocket work done at that time. The implants still feel foreign but I'm trying to ignore it. I don't think anything that I've done so far has hurt anything. What hurt me was my 6 hours of vomiting after my bmx, and I believe that is why my left TE broke loose and rolled up inside my chest...now that hurt! Anyway, I just try to listen to my body and do what I can.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited February 2016

    PNY, I was off 9 weeks after my bmx, because I had to go back to the operating room post op week 6 for my TE replacement. Otherwise I probably would have gone back after 6 weeks. I needed the extra time anyway.

  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2016

    Hi ladies. Quick update on my (2nd) exchange (feb 11). Doc used 615 Inspira high profiles. He also did a lot of pocket work with ADM especially on the left side ---capsulorrhaphy. I had bottomed out plus needed suturing laterally. This is what is causing me significant pain. I'm still on pain meds to give you an idea of how tough it has been. Got home by 2 pm on the 11th and at about 6pm started having uncontrollable shivers and teeth chattering. No fever at this point. But the reaction was so scary that I called the doc. He said it was a reaction to the anesthesia and body trying to regulate temp. He suggested Valium and that did the trick. That same night fever went up--at one point to 104. Leveled out by morning to about 100-101. Talked to doc again next day and he said it was too soon to have infection (note: lost my first right implant to infection so we are all sensitive to this issue). Fever kept up (100-101) all weekend with breast redness so called doc yesterday. He mentioned that he had given me double doses of antibiotics in surgery but did change my postop antibiotic from Keflex to Bactrim. Meantime I've had itching on breasts and redness. Tried Benadryl last night and been using a cream that PS prescribed previously when I had a reaction to surgical glue. This itch is nowhere as intense as before and areas of redness are not around steri strips. So doc wants to see me today. My question is what's causing this ongoing fever? Could I be overreacting? Can one get an infection so soon after surgery?

    For those preparing for exchange, don't let my story worry you. Definitely not the typical course of action.

    Thanks all and happy healing

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited February 2016

    Mominator- thank you for your comment that exchange is less painful than MX. I can't wait until Wednesday to get this done. This TE has fallen and expanded under my armpit. What a mess. It's got to be better than this. Fat grafting will be included. 

    MarketingMamma- praying for no infection for you. Hope you are feeling better. Please let us know what Doc says!!

    Kingster- glad you are doing well. You made me laugh about armpit hair. I put my glasses on and really looked I was shocked at the hair. Ugggg. 

    2 more sleeps. 

    Patty

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited February 2016

    Patty-the exchange surgery is way easier. I'm day 4 and haven't taken anything for pain for 2 days. I have some bruising on the bottom of my breasts but the swelling is going down fast. Good luck on Wednesday!

    I like the look of my boobs in clothes. I'm getting used to them and don't hate them so much. I do wish they were a bit bigger but in the grand scheme of things it will not change my life in any way. If I want bigger I can go to VS and they have lots of bras there to help me out. I'm just happy to be done with surgery and healthy. My boobs are proportional to my body and won't get in the way when I am at the gym, hopefully they won't affect my golf swing either.

    Marketing mama-I hope your infection worries resolve themselves. That must be super stressful. :

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited February 2016

    Has anyone developed fat necrosis or a seratoma after implant surgery? I had my surgery in November and now I feel a weird lump above the implant on my radiated side. I need to make an appointment with the PS but I wanted to see if anyone else experienced something like this.

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2016

    Glad you are doing so well Dee!!!

  • PNY
    PNY Member Posts: 90
    edited February 2016

    GOOD LUCK tomorrow PMR53

    Thanks Kingston, I went back to work today. (it was a sheet of ice outside and I felt like a piece of glass walking on the ice to the car but I made it in one piece) After four hours I was so tired and the pain right under both exchanges was hurting due to sitting and working non stop on the computer. Went home for an hour break and finished working at home. All in all a good day.

    Looking forward to retuning to the pool although i remember the pain I had after I went back after BMX. But i hope I have the stamina and determination I had last time:)

  • Tina1969
    Tina1969 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    Good luck tomorrow Patty.

    I'm happy to hear you are doing well Dee. That is very encouraging

    Only 6 more sleeps for me. I'm looking forward to this surgery but I have to admit I am nervous too. I had a dream last night about my surgery and I woke up in the middle of the night nauseated. :(

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2016

    Hi ladies - my exchange is a few weeks away but trying to estimate how many days I will need to take off from work. Exchange is on a Tuesday so definitely not going back that week. I am thinking about a week? I am a school teacher so I don't have any heavy lifting to worry about. My PS said take half of what it took for mastectomy - that would be a 1 /1/2 weeks.

    Just wondering your thoughts. I have to make sub plans. i can always extend if not feeling up to it. But I am active and healthy otherwise so am thinking I will bounce back.

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited February 2016

    Suzanne, I think you would do well with 1 and 1/2 weeks off from work. I like your PS's estimate of half of what it took for mastectomy.

    I developed an infection at 10 days post exchange, but that would be the exception rather than the rule. Otherwise, I felt great and was driving at 8 days.

  • PNY
    PNY Member Posts: 90
    edited February 2016

    Suzanne, I thought the exchange recovery was going to be a breeze compared to the BMX. But i think each person is different and it depends on the amount of pocket work required. I ended up needing extensive pocket work. I also hd liposuction (belly) so that also has to heal.

    So I would just say plan for that 1 1/2 weeks but don't push yourself if your not ready. I was surprised that my PS did not want me to go back at the two week mark but rather said I should ease back into it slowly.

    Good luck



  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited February 2016

    Suzanne. . .I would leave the window open just in case. I was out for 6 weeks for BMx and probably could have used 8. For EX I planned for 3, hoped for 2 and do to pocket work etc ended up taking 4 weeks. Good luck.

    Scottie

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2016

    Thanks ladies! PS talked about I may need another surgery after this one - he doesn't know if he can give me a lift on my other breast and the saline implant. He won't know till he gets in there. He says it can be risky since it can cut off supply to nipple. So really not sure how that will play out.

    PNY - just a question about your liposuction....did you have it related to your reconstruction? Meaning was it "fat grafting" ...I don't really know anything about that so excuse my ignorance. The only reason I ask is I would love to get a tummy tuck! I had two pregnancies and my belly just ain't the same. But I never brought it up to my PS. I don't really have fat there - just some excess skin where it was stretched. I never asked my PS about it. I have been so focused on everything else but it has been in the back of my mind. Wouldn't it be nice to have boobs like an 18 year old AND a flat tummy!

  • PNY
    PNY Member Posts: 90
    edited February 2016

    Suzanne, Yes, the liposuction was for the fat grafting. I suggested my belly. I am not a very big person but I too have a small belly from childbirth. I have seven children. the liposuction is by no means a tummy tuck and PS only took the amount of fat needed. I have to wear a binder (or a pair of Spanx) for four weeks. The soreness in my belly is pretty much all gone but i can't tell if it looks so much different:) I gained some weight from the steroids and chemo and I am hoping to get back on track and lose that Then I too hope to have the perky boobs and flat belly!!

    Most of all I just hope to stay well!!


  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited February 2016

    Thank you PNY- 

    Made it through surgery. Home now. It turned out to be a 4 hour surgery. We counted 9 stab sites/incisions due to fat grafting/fat harvesting, exchange site, drains (2) pocket work, new Alloderm. Port Removal too. My new implant is a Allergan Naturelle 410. Right side. Fat grafting only to left side for lift. I am wearing a body compression garment. Quite a feat to get up to pee. 

    Nodding off. Night all! Glad it's in rear view !

    Patty 

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited February 2016

    PMR53 - yay!

  • summerangel
    summerangel Member Posts: 182
    edited February 2016

    Suzanne50, I have some loose skin on my stomach from pregnancies, too. Skin isn't fat, though, so my PS had to get fat from my inner thighs the first time and my inner AND outer thighs the second time. I guess I'd need a tummy tuck to fix the skin.

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