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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Alex276
    Alex276 Member Posts: 17
    edited September 2016

    Mom2fourplusmore - I went shopping the day after my exchange. I did have some pocket work done so I was sore but absolutely nothing like the MX. I took Norco the first and second night, only needed OTC pain meds for about 3 or 4 days during the day. I would say if you have older children who will not need to be carried around you would be fine after a long weekend. I didn't have any arm lifting restrictions, but no lifting more than 10lbs for 2 weeks.

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited September 2016

    Everyone sounds encouraging. That's great news. I have the surgery on Monday and I'm hoping I'm not dead by Thursday.

  • FUBC
    FUBC Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2016

    Mom2four, mine is on Monday also...im freaking out right now

  • SanFranKitty
    SanFranKitty Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2016

    Good luck to you both!

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2016

    FUBC...we can freak out together. Let's hope we feel normal soon

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    Good luck tomorrow ladies with your exchange. I can honestly say that I found the exchange surgery quite easy. I was at the hospital at 7:30am and home by lunch.


    I met with my PS this week. I am going to have revision surgery, hopefully soon. If surgery had been that bad I wouldn't even consider doing it again.

  • FUBC
    FUBC Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2016

    thanks Deeratz & sanfrankitty

    Mom2four, lots of luck tomorrow

    I'll stop by here or at the June's board to see how you're doing. Update us ...

    Deeratz, if you don't mind me asking,why are you going for a revision?

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    There are a few things with my current implants that I don't like. I have 520gm Allergan Inspira TSF implants. They are high profile rounds with a textured outside. The upper pole of my breast is very round but the lower portion is flatter. My PS thinks that due to the textured outside. it is gripping too much and not allowing the implant to slide into the pocket correctly. I also feel that they are a bit too wide for me. They limit my mobility when I am doing certain activities like Yoga and Pilates. She is also going to use alloderm along the bottom this time. So she will be doing Loren pocket work. I could easily live with them the way they are but I want to love them. I have to have them for a long time. I'm 46 and quite active.

    She is going to use narrower, ultra high profile and smooth this time.

  • FUBC
    FUBC Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2016

    Deeratz, I agree with you when you say you have to love them...it's the only, although very tiny bit of pleasure we're getting out of this horrible experience...

    I am suppose to get the ultra high profile smooth silicone tomorrow...I can't wait to see what they look like...


  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    FUBC-Good luck tomorrow. Let me know how you like them.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited October 2016

    Morning everyone. I have a question. In what way does your implants feel different from your TEs. I have been very aware of the back of my TEs. I feel like I have something pressing against my chest and I can feel the saline go from side to side when I turn over at night. I also have sore areas at the sides where there are deep dimples and quite a bit of fat I guess pocketed under my arms. I don't want to feel this uncomfortable for the rest of my life. So just wondering how if any different you guys feel now after exchange.

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited October 2016

    Can't help you on much of this as I am still waiting for my exchange (12/28) but I have been told that in addition to the exchange, my PS will remove "redundant" skin and fat to remove some of the bulging and dimples I currently have -- bulging toward armpit/dimple at "cleavage" area. He has said he will be extending (!) the scar line around to the outside to smooth this area out -- I except that fresh area to be cut will be the most painful part of the exchange...any feedback on that part would also be much appreciated.

  • Remi50
    Remi50 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016

    Mom2fourplus more and FUBC good luck today and let us know how things are going. It is easier than the MX's. I would like to know what size and style they will be going with..

    Shout out the all the others I have been corresponding with: I had my follow up with PS last Thursday.. Have been in a lot of pain from that long car ride and food shopped on Friday and did way too much so have been back on pain meds. Yesterday eased up enough not to take any. Also been feeling like a hermit because I am depressed with my results. So PS says she chose the 410 anatomicals because she felt I would have less capsular contracture. I told her that considering I had rad on right side that they were evenly matched, however I am diappointed in size and shape and how flat and that they give me no shape. She said if she went with rounds I would be happy in the beginning but then later would most likely wouldn't within 2 years..GO FIGURE! I would rather be happy now and face if at all any problems should arise.. I have been trying to post pics on picture site but not having any luck resizing pics. If anyone wants to comment and see results just pm me and I will send them that wAy. I have 410 anatomicals 360 cc's. Sorry to complain.. But swelling is subsiding and I'm even less happy about result so. I just can't wrap my head around this. I am very flat and have a big depression over implant on rad side and then you can notice fat grafting fill above it.

    Just 2 weeks and 4 days out.

    Remi50

  • Remi50
    Remi50 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016

    hi DeeRatz,

    It sounds like you are not happy with your exchange. It also seems like your PS is very sympathetic to it and is having no problem with another revision. My PS is basically saying I'm stuck with mine.. I just am having such a difficult time excepting what she is saying. I am very depressed with my results. I really feel like all the results I have seen on the pic site are far better than my results.. Any thoughts?

    Remi50

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    Remi50-I was unhappy with my exchange immediately after surgery. The implants felt very flat and wide. I call them hamburger buns without the sesame seeds. I discussed with my PS at my first post-op. She said to leave them for 6 months and if I was still unhappy that she would do a revision. Her comment was, "No big deal, it's an easy surgery and we can fix them". Now I am am almost 8 months post exchange. I have gotten used to them and I really could just leave them. Like I said I want to love them. I have gone back and forth trying to decide if I should go through another procedure. I have had no bad experiences(surgery wise)so far and I hope that I am not making a bad decision.

    As far as the feel of the gummies, I love them. I almost don't notice that they aren't mine.

  • Remi50
    Remi50 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016

    hi DeeRatz,

    I'm happy to hear all of this.. I would love to pm my pics to you for feedback. Do you have the 410 anatomicals like me? I had fat grafting to. I am not happy at all and I know quite a few woman have really encouraged me to be patient and wait.. Which I am or will try to be. I am just trying to get a gauge on others results with similar style implants.. I am on pic forum but having trouble resizing photos. I am 2 weeks and 4 days post exchange with 410 silicone anatomical a 360 cc. With rads on right side. I don't mind private messaging my pics and hope that they will be informative to anyone else that has questions. I'm waiting for whippeom to review my pics that I pm her to last night. She is just awesome! What agift of words and insight on implant sizing she has!!

    Remi50

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

    seedsally - the tissue expander had a hard backing with an expandable front - this is what allows it to stretch the skin and muscle forward. As the expander is filled you can experience discomfort and that feeling of pressure deep in the chest. When you exchange to a universally softer implant you should notice a difference and the feeling of pressure should discontinue. Unfortunately, for some, feelings of tightness persist but physical therapy can definitely help with that, and I encourage all to get a prescription for a short course of PT to safely stretch the area after initial recovery. If your surgeon has an example of an expander in the office ask to see it and both an anatomical implant and a round one - you will see the difference between the expander and both types of implants. If you are uncomfortable with excess fat in the area laterally to the expander, toward the underarm, it is possible to remove it or lipo it out at the time of exchange.

    trmtab - I did not have the softer fleshy area under the arm but do have a good friend who had quite a bit and had the incision line extended to remove it - she did not complain about too much discomfort there - most likely because many of the nerves had been severed in the previous mastectomy. I changed her dressings for her afterward and she was comfortable, no pain to speak of.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited October 2016

    Deratz,

    I understand the wanting to love them, but if after 8 months they have improved and you can live with them, I wouldn't risk another surgery. They do have a nice feel and I am 18 months post EX and most of the time I don't even know they are there. It is what we call the "new normal". It isn't ever going to be like it was before. There are ladies on this forum that have changed from smooth rounds to anatomical because they didn't like the movement into their armpits or when they lie down. So consider it carefully.

    Remi, I hope you can begin to accept your implants, but so glad you are checking with Whippetmom. She should have some good advice for you.

    Smile

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited October 2016

    Thanks SpecialK for your info. Most of the time my TEs are comfortable. I have plenty of skin I think although it is thin. I have only had one fill and it actually made me a little more comfortable. I am supposed to have 750 cc's saline right now. I am seeing a new PS (since my prior PS moved away) on Wednesday. Originally I was to have 800 cc's mentor high profile implants at exchange but I don't know what the new PS will want to do. I had DD breasts before but I am very tall and not too overweight so I didn't look very large. And I told the first PS I did not want to be very large afterwards. It's the fat pads under my arms that worry me I guess. Each one could be a b cup.

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    robinblessed54-Thanks for the info. In my case my pec muscles are very tight. It is keeping my implants very high. My left one dropped a bit post surgery but my right one is higher. She said I have lots of good skin at the bottom of my breast for the implant to settle into. The top is way tighter than the bottom. The biggest issue for me is the width of these ones. I am going to get my massage therapist to do some scar release and see if I can't bring them down into that pocket. It looks like I won't have surgery until the new year so I still have lots of time to decide.

  • SanFranKitty
    SanFranKitty Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2016

    Deeratz, Do you think maybe physical therapy could help you get some of your mobility back?

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2016

    Sanfrankitty-it is not a mobility issue. I attend Pilates twice a week, lift weights the other 3 days a week. I also golfed quite a bit this summer. I also go for Myofascial release massage every 2 weeks. I have excellent range of motion. It is that I am limited in cross body movements because my implants are in the way.

  • Remi50
    Remi50 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016

    hi there ROBINBLESSED .. Hope your doing well. Your perspective and experience is greatly appreciated. It's nice to hear that time does help in this crazy world we were thrown into!! I will pm my pics to you.. Haven't loaded my TE pics yet but I think it will give a better comparison to what I'm trying to express what I liked. Maybe no matter what I do it may not make a big difference in the look and I know it's a lot to risk another surgery. I think it comes down to following through with gathering info from all the other ladies, seeing pics definetly helps. It puts this craziness in a better perspective however and whatever decision is made in the end.. Maybe time will make a difference and we can learn to like what we have. I know it's a new norm but I want to feel good about myself again!

    Remi50

  • SanFranKitty
    SanFranKitty Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2016

    Remi, have you been bra shopping yet? Maybe you can find something flattering. At least for now. Also is there any chance of another fat graft for you?

  • Asante314
    Asante314 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2016

    hello ladies.

    I admit to intermittently lurking here since my BMX w Expanders in March. So happy to go to sleep tonight on the final 7 night countdown to exchange. On Oct 10. Just hoping to no longer feels rocks on my chest and the random sensation of sharp edges- ok the random nerve twitches remain randomly surprising and annoying as well. The new norm has been accepted, so a little nervous of being disappointed after exchange.

    Wishing all a good night of rest and recovery. And for the two women (apologies for not recalling names and I can't scroll back to see). with exchanges this morning I hope you are sleeping peacefully.

    Lala salama.

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2016

    I had the exchange yesterday. I can't believe how quick that was. They did a great job with the anesthesia. I've had 7 procedures in 6 years and I've never felt so good. They didn't give me the scopolamine patch and apparently that helped. In fact I didn't have much meds at all. The only actual pain meds they gave me was Tylenol and Motrin right before the surgery. I was up and walking within a half an hour afterwards. I went home 2 hours after I arrived. I felt great. And I haven't needed a thing since. Absolutely no pain. Today I feel100%. I can't pick up anything over 5 lbs but other than that I have no real restrictions. The implants do feel better but I must admit they seem so small . I completely see them yet. Maybe I will be ok whenever the bandages come off.

  • JessieJake
    JessieJake Member Posts: 170
    edited October 2016

    Lucky you Mom2fourplus! I was pretty much the same with my exchange, although they must have given me more anasthesia because I simply couldn't sleep enough the first day. I even fell asleep in the wheelchair as my husband wheeled me to my car. I had more restrictions as my implants are above the muscle and anatomical (they need to kinda heal in place), but as I mentioned here earlier, I felt almost perfectly normal so quickly it was hard to remember to not do things.

    Did you have fat grafting or just exchange to implants?

    But, yeah for coming through so well. It's a bonus, isn't it, to have one surgical thing that leaves you not feeling like you got hit and driven over by a mack truck? It was my biggest concern as the anesthesia and nitro bid used during my BMX was an experience upon waking up that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

    If you can milk your recovery time a little to enjoy yourself, you are given permission :)

    Tomorrow I have my 1 month follow up. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting the restrictions lifted and removing my spanx (although, I've sure gotten used to wearing them over the last 4 weeks!).

    Hope others have good experiences as well!

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2016

    No, I didn't do the fat grafting. I didn't want anyone touching my abdomen. I have had GI problems and just didn't want anyone going near my stomach. So I only had a simple exchange into silicon implants. And I think since I had nerve damage with the BMX I don't have any feeling now. After the BMX I was in unbelievable pain. Both my BS and my PS said they've never seen anyone in so much pain. They called me "a delicate flower". I took that as a pansy. I wasn't very happy. I've always considered myself pretty strong so I didn't appreciate this at all. Well, this surgery proved my point. I think they gave me a reversal of the anesthesia and that helped. I was almost on a caffeine high. I did get a headache at night but nothing horrible. My PS said she was very surprised I was up that quickly . See, I'm not a pansy. Maybe they should listen to the fact I react very strongly to medicin

  • JessieJake
    JessieJake Member Posts: 170
    edited October 2016

    I hear you! I recall you posting about your pain from BMX. It makes you apprehensive about doing anything like it again.

    No pansy - I agree, people react differently to meds. For me it was that horrid nitro bid.

    Hope this is the end of the big roller coaster.

  • lunderwood
    lunderwood Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2016

    Hello everyone, I had my exchange 10 days ago and need some advice. Surgery went well and since I went with an implant it was outpatient. The UMX side is recovering well and I have minimal pain or discomfort. The implant is a Natrelle 410 "gummy bear" type. It's a little softer than the TE but is still fairly firm. Somehow I was under the impression that the implant would be soft and squishy. It also seems to be shaped very similar to the TE. (in fact when I had the drains removed last week the nurse asked if I still had the TE) Perhaps it seems this way because I don't have a nipple? Will it change shape over time?

    My other question is concerning the non UMX side which received a lift and a very small implant. (which according to my PS would help match the reconstructed side) I was very surprised at the soreness and the discomfort - it's significantly more than the reconstructed side. It also now is larger in volume and different in shape than the reconstructed UMX side. Is this normal? I thought the purpose of altering the native side was to match the reconstructed sides. (I wonder if I should have left well enough alone).

    Any UMX ladies have advice or had a similar experience?

    I have my first post reconstruction visit with the PS on Thursday. I want to be sure that I am asking the right questions.


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