Exchange City
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Hello, Ladies! Prepping for my exchange surgery on March 1st...finally! I had radiation and am nervous about the increased risks. Anyone else have implants put in after radiation? Please share your experience and tips. Thank you!
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Hey Dee....read your post that you had a pain between your shoulder blades before exchange that is now gone. Very encouraging as I have had the same pain...hope it goes away after my exchange. My TEs have been in over a year...since 2/6/15...so very much looking forward to squishies!!!
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Hi Shelly74,
I'm 3 days post op from the exchange. I too had the pain in between my shoulder blades with the TEs and it is now gone. I am so amazed how much better i feel without those hard TEs. The tightness, heaviness and just the overall uncomfortable feelings are now gone. It's amazing! You will love the squishy side.
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Tina-I'm glad to hear your back and shoulder pain is gone as well. The squishy side is very nice
Shelly74-I was having to go for massages post expander fill because I couldn't stand the pain. I hope you get the same relief once you have your exchange.
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Thanks Dee. Yes I was seeing a PT/OT for massages post fills as well. She really helped me with the back pain and the tightness.
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marketingmama - so glad u have no sign of infection and are happy with the girls. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the inspiras!will keep u ripple free.
Specialk - so thirilled for u that u r inching closer to the finish line. U have certainly had quite the journey n u can bet that we will all b in your pockets in June. Your journey was filled with many detours but u have given us a wealth of knowledge in that process. Sooooo glad to have met u here!!!
As for an update on me, I am almost 6 months post 2nd revision n after a new PS n third set of implants im loving the new girls or the twins as I refer to them now. May need another session of FG in the future to address a small indent at top of 1 breast becaaus of the pec muscle detachment but that's not even on my radar now and don't see my PS until end of year for a checkup. It truly is amazingly what a skilled PS can do. It took 6 consults to finally find Dr.Choi of NYU n she made all the difference in my second revision being a success. She was definitely the boob whisperer for me.
But putting all that aside, tomorrow is two years cancer free for me n that's what matters. Two years ago I never thought I'd b here. I have been blessed to have been able to share all the highs n lows with all my fellow BCO sisters on this road to Boobyville. A.special thanks to whippetmom, specialk, n downdog for your advice and wealth of knowledge to name a few. Hugs to all my sisters!!!!!.
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mjh--Tomorrow is THREE years cancer free for me. Thank you everyone for your knowledge, love, and support. I never would have made it to this point without YOU!
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MJH1 & LoriWNY... CONGRATULATIONS on your milestone anniversaries!
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mjh1 and LoriWNY-Congratulations on your anniversaries!
Specialk- Thank you for your knowledge. You have helped me understand so much during this whole process. I'm sending you LOTS of positive vibes as you get closer to closing this chapter in your life! Hugs to you.
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new_me and tailrose - thank you.
Loriwny - this is definitely one anniversary I hope u n I will share for many years.to come!!!0 -
Congrats mjh and Lori.
Scottie
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mjh1 and LoriWNY - Congratulations on your anniversaries! Wishing you all the best for many more anniversaries!
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Thanks ladies - had my last fill today, I am at 480ccs - which I would have never thought possible - and will have exchange surgery probably in May, or possibly June, with bi-lat fat grafting, downsizing of the right implant and removal of the right nipple. I originally did skin and nip sparing in 2010, but due to all of these surgeries there is no way the nips will be symmetrical. Removing the right nipple allows my PS to also remove some skin since we are downsizing the implant by at least 150ccs, I will then get a 3D tattoo on the right to line up both sides. Weirdly, the left (trouble side) nipple is better positioned. so, progress - yay!
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Special K;) That is so awesome! Glad you are having success this time. I decided to go with 3D tattoo without nip recon. Less chance of complications and additional scarring. So I made my appt for November to make sure everything is in it's final position, lol;) Gonna do it over my pre thanksgiving vacation. Those tattoos can look very realistic. I hope mine does anyway;) I'm going local with Luke, a tattoo artist that works with a plastic surgeon here in the burgh. Their website is "forma naturalis.com". Has anyone had their tattoos done by Luke? I'd love to hear from you;)
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kingster - I am cautiously optimistic, but a bit worried about the nip removal. Will discuss again with the PS at the pre-op - my concern is that on the left side my exceedingly thin skin has never stayed closed when their is either a TE or implant underneath it. It has only healed when there is no foreign body present. My PS would be removing the nipple, excess skin, placing a new and smaller implant, and then stitching directly over the apex. My previous incisions were in the IMF, so I am nervous about this but want it to work because the lack of nip symmetry will drive me bonkers - I am talking one would be about 2 inches higher than the other - not a good look on what will already be a bit of a train wreck, lol!
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Yea Special K!! So happy you made it!! That's great news!! Will you have Vinny do Tatoo ? Is PS getting fat from abdomen? My PS took more than he needed he said. I guess that's a good thing.
Have a great weekend All!
Patty
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Special K. Maybe since you already have had an implant on that side for so long, the skin will have enough laxity to heal. My main goal was symmetry, so I would not want to be 2 inches off. That would drive me crazy too. My left side was about a half to 3/4 of an inch lower and that freaked me out, but they are looking much more even now. My right side has finally dropped to meet the left, and next month will be one year since my implants were placed. When I lift my arms, I can see the difference, but that's it. I can't think of how else the ps could correct that.
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Hi my name is Sandie and I am 57 years young as of 2.20! I have been cancer free for 8 years
I am now ready for what I guess is called a implant exchange? My story in a bit different maybe....I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders) on 2.27.2008 everything going well until March 17,2008 when I was rushed to the hospital with a massive staff infection they removed my right expander and did a massive cleaning to the bone. I was what I call a 1 boob wonder for 6 months until I was able to get a DIEP flap reconstruction on my (R) breast. I am blessed that I made it through! It did almost take my life. Here it is 8 years later and I am ready to have my implants removed and replaced. They have ripples and dents and are very oddly shaped. I don't know how or where to being? I do not have the same insurance plan or the same Dr. I was with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and now I have Kaiser. I am not sure how this will work or if I will have to pay for anything...Has anyone been through a Breast Cancer Exchange? Please help me understand where I need to go from here....Thank you all,
Sandie
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Sandie--We are all thrilled to hear from you and I am sure you will find lots of great information on this site. You may want to investigate the The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 with regard to insurance coverage after mastectomy: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 and American Cancer Society - Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act. I believe there are other women on this board with Kaiser insurance but I would suggest reading information at the above links and then calling your insurance company to discuss coverage. The plastic surgeon you select should also be well versed and a good resource to help you ensure insurance coverage for this exchange.
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Sandie, where do you live? I have Kaiser. They should cover what you need. PM me if you want to talk about it.
Robin
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sandie - welcome to the sisterhood. You will meet many wonderful women here who r always willing to share what they know and or learned in their journey. My one piece of advice is find a good plastic surgeon with many years of experience in breast reconstruction. Do not b afraid to ask questions and interview as many as u can in your plan. Many plastic surgeon will tell u they do a lot of implants n breast reconstruction is no different. That is your cue to get up and leave. Breast augmentation and breast reconstruction r not the same. Send whippetmom a PM and ask her if she has any PS in your area that other women have had a good result with.
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Sandie, welcome! and belated happy birthday
i am having my first exchange in 2 week during which i will trade in my TEs for gummi bear implants . Can't wait!I am sure there are many ladies on this board who will be able to help you and answer your questions. Good luck!
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sandie - you should be able to have a breast revision from Kaiser, it should not matter whether they were your insurer at the time of your original surgery. The general litmus test as to whether an insurer will pay for reconstruction or revision, is whether they will cover mastectomy - which Kaiser certainly does. This is the reference to the WHCRA law - if an insurer covers mastectomy, they must cover reconstruction or achievement of symmetry. I have known other Kaiser enrollees who have had revisions after reconstruction/exchange so it appears they also cover that with no problem. If you have a deductible/co-insurance, or co-pays those would apply, but should be your only costs. Good luck!
PMR and kingster - I am a bit nervous about the nip removal and tightening of that skin - this is the right non-problem side so I am hopeful that since there was no previous necrosis there the skin won't have an issue, but 100% of the time I have not healed at the apex over either an implant or expander, so... As far as the lipo goes the PS will probably use hips. My upper and lower abdomen has been used for FG twice and she feels that is enough (this was done by the previous PS), the FG I had with the new PS used hips (she called it muffin top - what??? Lol!) so she may go there again, or use thighs, which I am less sure about - don't want any more dents and ripples there than I already have. I will attempt to have Vinnie Myers do the tattoo, but there is someone he trained that is working in California so I may combine a trip there (my BFF still lives there) with a tattoo. Not sure and it would be a ways off since I think he likes at least six months of healing prior and it takes a while to get in to see him. I used to live in N. VA, so have a lot of folks to visit there too - may go to Baltimore, but have always wanted to visit NOLA too - lots of choices and too soon to know!
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Special K. Is there any way that your nipple could be relocated as in a breast reduction surgery? Just wondering. Sure hope your skin can heal well this time.
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Special K -- pulling for you!! So glad you're done with fills. Ladies celebrating your cancer-free milestones, congratulations! How wonderful!!
I'm about 3 weeks postop and just this last weekend I had significant pain. I did some baking and laundry and by early evening I was really hurting. This is really taking a long time, or so it seems. I think I'm looking OK (will be better once right side drops) but have one concern that I wanted to ask about. With the expanders in and out and in again, I seem to have developed extra skin around the armpit so that when wearing a bra, I have all kinds of unattractive bra fat (for lack of a better term). I don't want to be overly vain but I never had before and it will absolutely show in a swimsuit or sleeveless top (unless it's cut to the armpit). I'm not planning any surgeries any time soon, but could this sort of thing be corrected? I don't really know how they could tighten that skin. I'll be asking my PS at next appointment but thought I'd ask you smart ladies!
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kingster - I would be reluctant to make more incisions than there need to be, and that right nipple is more stretched out, the one I would be keeping is smaller due to having less time with both an expander and implant under it. I can't tattoo the smaller one to match the larger one because of the thinness of the skin. So even if I moved the right nip I would still lack symmetry. Since removing the right nip offers the opportunity to tighten the skin over an implant that is 150ccs smaller it seems the most straightforward way and I will be under anesthetic for at least four hours anyway I don't really want to extend that time if I don't have to
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Hi Everyone! Glad to see everyone is doing well.
SpecialK, I'm so happy for you.
I am beyond excited, this Friday, 3/4, I am going on a roadtrip to Finksburg, MD to get my Vinnies!!!!!!!!
I cannot wait. It will be the longest 4 hour car ride, LOL. I'll report back and let everyone know how it goes. I am super excited to meet Vinnie Myers and have him tattoo me. I also can't wait to feel whole again. I've been doing a lot of staring lately, funny though, I didn't stare at my breasts prior to my DMX, I guess because I couldn't bare the thought of what was to come. But these are my new foobs and here to stay. So I stare at them and imagine my tattoos and how much better I will look.
Wishing you all a great week!
Love
Audrey
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audrey - thanks! Not celebrating yet, I will when all is done. Enjoy the tattoo experience, all of my friends who have done it felt it makes all the difference and really completes their recon
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Audrey, I'm so excited for you! You have to give us all the details. I made an appt with Luke from New image tattoos in New Kensington. Will be doing that in November. He works with a plastic surgeon here. Cost is about the same. Can't wait to hear all about it;)
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Special K. 4 hours worth of anesthesia. Ugh! Almost as long as my bmx surgery. Well, this PS seems to really know her stuff, so I'm sure that you are in capable hands;)
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