Exchange City
Comments
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I think that rupture is more common if implant is over 10 years old. Not 5 months for sure. Maybe something during a surgery?
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I haven't talked to the PS since my surgery last week, but I see him tomorrow. I will get more of his take on the matter. As I said, he told my friend that was with me that he has never seen one rupture in only 5 months. I don't think he'll admit to anything happening during surgery. I think we would have noticed something right away anyway. Everything seemed normal up until last week. I was basically back to all my activities-swimming, biking, etc. I felt like I was "healed". I had an appointment at the 6 month point to discuss any additional "tweaking" since my two sides are very uneven (had an augmentation to the non-cancer side) and I'm not real happy with them. Now I'm not so concerned about looks-just want to keep my foob!
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An update on my ruptured implant: I am now officially one of a kind. I had an appointment on Monday, I thought with the PS because he said he specifically wanted to see me. Found out it was just with the nurse because normally the nurse sees the patient a week post op and the PS after 5 weeks. Well, this wasn't normal but I couldn't do anything about it because the PS was in surgery all day. The nurse was new and basically clueless (I'll be polite). She removed my stitches and said it looked fine and come back in 5 weeks. The next day, it looked like my incision was opening up a little, and being overly cautious, I went in and made sure my appointment was with the PS.
It was a good thing, because he really did want to see me after surgery, but the message didn't get through to his staff. The incision is no problem-he just put some steri-strips on it to hold it in place. But the rupture was a long discussion. He showed me a video of the ruptured implant, and it had two long tears across the back. He has only seen two ruptures in his career (12 years). One was a bad car accident and the other was a lady kicked by a horse. He consulted his two partners as well as the rep from Mentor and they all concurred that the ONLY thing that can cause a rupture is a VERY SEVERE TRAUMA. He even took me aside and asked if I was a victim of abuse (not if you know my husband-we had a good laugh about that). The only thing I can think of is that I fell on the ice towards the end of March, but I landed on my back in a snowbank and my tailbone was sore for a couple days. He doesn't think that would do it.
So I guess it will remain a mystery.According to Mentor they "just don't rupture" so they will never admit that it was defective.I've lost a few months of recovery time and I will always wonder what happened. But the good thing is that my chart is flagged now so that I will only see the PS personally.0 -
Thanks for the update...very interesting. Seems like everyone is covering their butts as to not get sued. Just glad you are feeling better.
As for me and my elevated prolactin...I was just diagnosed with 2 pituitary adenomas (both right and left sides). So...unless breast reconstruction with implants cause pituitary tumors...then it's not my implants causing my problem.
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bikefam and kingster - Hugs
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Bikefam....thank for updating on the ruptured implant. I have mentor implants. It something to watch out for. Glad things are now improving. I am surprised your follow up was only with a nurse. My ps wants to see me at every visit.
Kingster....sorry to hear of the pituitary tumors. Sending comforting thoughts your way.
I was curious to those that have had fat grafting....what was the recovery like. I hear some say it is painful. I have indent ions above where my anatomical implants are that ps said could be filled in with grafting. I also have some rippling that he said he could smooth out. A little nervous to do it. I am wondering if I should just be happy with the way things are
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jr114 - I have had FG several times - one time with implants in for aesthetics - the same situation you describe - and it was really helpful, improved things a great deal and I endorse doing it. I have had two additional FG done after the loss of the left implant after skin issues during a repair surgery, this was done to the flat area to improve skin integrity, much like is now being done for radiation patients. I will not lie - the donor site can be painful, but I have found that how much it hurts - and when - is dependent on the quantity of fat that is removed. More fat harvested = more pain. Compression helps with discomfort, getting up and down and moving while seated or laying down seems to hurt more than just being up and walking around, or sitting or laying still. This is not usually constant pain, rather pain generated by specific movement. If you have FG done, and your donor area is abdominal, I highly recommend a compression garment with a snap crotch opening. Taking compression on and off smarts, and this facilitates a way to use the restroom without taking off the whole compression garment. Also recommend having two - if you need to wear compression for a number of weeks you need to launder one while wearing one.
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Yes, I also had fat grafting - about 2 weeks ago. I am still wearing the compression garment. Pain was probably a 7 out of 10 the first few days, then dropped to a 4-5 for me. Now it is pretty easy, up and down - I feel it. I also developed an infection after my implants. That is healing now but has caused additional pain (more like uncomfortable). My PS wants me to wear my compression garmet 24x7 - except for showering - and she did give me a second one so I could wash it. Also, she suggested to wear it as long as possible (2 months is her ideal). I live in Texas so we will see if I can get through the heat of June wearing it but I will try.
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This is my first post here. I am scheduled for exchange surgery June 3 after BMX in March with TE placed. Struggling with whether to go with regular silicone implants or "gummy bear" implants. I've read up on pros and cons of both but am curious about your experiences and why you chose one over the other...
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Poodle--Welcome--sorry to meet you here! There is lots of good information on this thread as well as the Breast Sizing 101 thread--Whippetmom is kind of the "moderator" of that thread and she has tons of experience and great information to share. Please check the header for that thread to get started on researching implants. (Also see a little information about Whippetmom here: http://www.breastcancer.org/community/acknowledging/reconstruction/whippetmom).
As far as "selecting" regular silicone or gummy bear implants, in my experience, I have heard that most women were not given a choice but rather, their plastic surgeon told us what they use what they would recommend for us (this was my experience with three different plastic surgeons I consulted with). Has your plastic surgeon discussed what he/she plans to use for your implants during your exchange? If not, I would start asking questions right away seeing that your exchange surgery is scheduled in THREE weeks (hooray).
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I did discuss at length with PS and she said I could do either and didn't indicate a preference for me of one over the other. It would be easier if she had! I have appt May 26th and have to make final decision then and I'm not sure which to choose.
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Poodle, I had a choice between regular silicone and gummies. I chose gummies. I have had them over a yesr. I am very happy with them. PM me if you would like a picture. I also have nipple tattoos.
Robin
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Specialk & proctor...Thank you for your responses. My ps didn't mention compression garment but I haven't told him I want to go ahead with it. Is 2 months the norm to wear one? Is it to shape you? How does the donor site look afterwards?
Poodle lover ... Sorry to find you here but I have gained so much knowledge from the strong women here and I hope you do as well. Myps didn't give me an option. I have mentor anatomical cpg. The only thing I could "choose" to a certain extent was the size. He said for most women they give the best results. I do like the look. I just have a couple areas that may need tweaking but that part is totally up to how I feel and how much it bothers me. I am only 5 weeks out from exchange so I am not going to do anything until September. I need a chance to decompress for the emotional roller coaster of the last year.
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So glad to have found this site. My exchange is scheduled for May 26, 2016. I have not had my pre op to discuss with my Dr but from what I am reading here it sounds like it is a fairly easy process?
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For me, they poked 'holes' in several places on my stomach and withdrew the fat. I had quite a bit of bruising afterwards. My PS told me to wear the garment as long as I could stand it to help keep things 'smooth' - I guess without it or if you don't wear it long enough she said there could be some 'puckering' depending on the elasticity of your skin. Hope that helps. Good luck! please keep us posted.
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Been lurking for awhile finally joining the squishy side today Wednesday 5/18. Getting the 725 filled expanders replaced with 800cc natrelle inspira textured silicone rounds should need minimal pocket work just to even my left breast is slightly lower than the other. Will have 2 drains in again since the textured ones tend to cause fluids a bit. Really going to be bothersome at my 5 year olds tball tournament this weekend if I can make it but not much choice there! Just ready to get rid of these lead balloons! Maybe someday I can sleep on my stomach again! Feels like I haven't slept well since my BMX and recon in January!
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The rationale behind wearing compression on the donor site after fat grafting is to prevent the tunnels created by the cannula during the process from filling with fluid. This is a natural physical response so compression helps. You can actually form a seroma at the donor location. Generally, the PS will only remove as much fat as necessary for the graft - so many don't see a huge difference at the donor site. Removing more than is needed can open the door to insurance denial as a cosmetic lipo
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best wishes Julie! Hope your exchange goes well.
I'm with you - dreaming about sleeping on my stomach again, too! I do the mummy sleep now.
Good luck to your 5 yr old at tball. So cute
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specialk - just wanted to send u well wishes n warm hugs. Hope your exchange went well and this one is a keeper. Remember to stay away from the mirror.... Lol.
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I'm a lurker and looking for an extra boost. I have my exchange surgery on the 24th, three months post BMX. So ready to be done with these TEs. I'm told to expect an easier recovery. Im hoping they will bebetter than the TEs. Is there anything I need to know to be more prepared?
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Thank you for the information.
Brandyr...the exchange surgery was definitely easier. After the first night I really wasn't taking any pain medicine. I really didn't need it the first night but I took it as a precaution. I immediately felt better when waking up with the implants. The te were awful. The implants take a little getting used to. You have to give them a little time to settle and the swelling to go down. Every week I can see an improvement. Well worth all the te pain and discomfort.
Good luck to everyone that is going in for their exchange.
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mjh - I don't really need to avoid the mirror, it can't look worse than what was there before, lol! The wrinkle now is that during a PET scan a week ago (needed to get it done prior to surgery), there were some suspicious findings bi-lat, so a couple of areas were biopsied during surgery on Ties. I was supposed to have my port removed so the PS texted the MO while I was in pre-opand he said to leave it in. I have to have an MRI ASAP, they couldn't do one with the TE in.
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I am about 6 weeks out from my exchange surgery and woke up this morning to a significant amount of pain in my left breast. I first felt it when I tried to roll over on my side in bed. Now it is pretty much hurting with any movement. Has anyone experienced this or know what might be causing it? I do have a follow-up appointment with my plastic surgeon this afternoon.
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You and I seem to keep having stuff go wrong. I am thinking of you and hoping it is a simple answer. I am about 3 weeks out and had an infection develop a week ago. I have been on very strong antibiotics but the extreme swelling in the right breast is not going away. I have to go back Monday and probably get an MRI and I am guessing another drain to remove excess fluid. Let's all hang in there! Cyber hugs!
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mvspaulding: do you have a fever or any signs of redness near that pain? If yes to either, you may have an infection brewing. Although six weeks out is a long time for a fever to appear. Other possibilities are a bruise or injury to your muscle, a seroma, or an adhesion. I don't know what else may be happening.
Since you have a significant amount of pain, I am so glad you have an appointment with your PS this afternoon. I hope you get some answers today.
Thinking of you,
Madelyn / Mominator
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Thanks Proctor and Mominator. Hoping it is nothing bad. I was just looking forward to getting back to some sort of normal and I haven't had any problems with the exchange surgery.
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Whippetmom,
Thanks for all the time you have spent on this site. You and the other ladies have truly helped me out.
I had a BMX in Sept of 2015. I waited until Aoril of 2016 to start reconstruction due to a pinched nerve in back.
The PS used Allergan TE 133LV-11-T the card I have shows 150cc. I am 5' 8" and weigh 155. I wore a 36 C bra before surgery. I would like to be close to the same size. I am currently filled to 190. He put in 80cc's at the time of surgery.The PS thinks I should be filled to a little over 500cc to get to my pre-op size. I think he plans on using the "gummy Bear" implants. I feel like I should have asked more questions. What is your suggestion? I've had 2 fills the first one 60cc's and the second one 50cc's. Both fills were painful for a couple of days even with muscle relaxers.
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Updates and a question from me:
Updates: I am four months post-exchange. I am doing well, and my implants are mostly behaving themselves. No more infection since that one time. I have some dimpling. I also have an adhesion: it looks like a ribbon pulling through my breast when I raise my right arm. PS mentioned those could be corrected in revision surgery. I cannot contemplate any more surgery right now. Also, just recently I now have a tingling sensation. When something touches the 1-to-3 o'clock section of my breast, I feel tingling in a line going towards my arm. I'm guessing that is a nerve regrowing.
Question: I still feel the implants moving, or my muscles moving around them. Not sure if that's because of the extensive pocket work I had and I am still recovering, or if that feeling will always be the norm for me. It still feels weird to sleep on my sides. Does anyone else feel like their implants are still moving around?
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specialk - I will be in that.pocket with u. I pray all reports will b clear for u. Hugs!!!!
Mimito5 - whippetmom is on the breast implant sizing 101 thread. Try reposting there.
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Mominator - I have the same question as you. I'm 3 months post exchange and I too feel like my implants are moving. And yes, it feels weird sleeping on my side. I always sleep with a bra on because the implants seem to "meet in the middle"!
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