Exchange City
Comments
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I just had my follow up with the PS. She was thrilled that my left implant had not migrated up my chest the way the TE had done. We talked about nipple placement (my right nipple is pointing down and toward my arm) but she was reluctant to do anything about it. I asked about grafting a piece onto my left side, where I had to have it removed because of close margins, but again she was not sure that would be best. We are going to table it for now and see how things look after the fat grafting. I asked about taking fat from my thighs but she said the flanks (love handles)have better fat - less "wobbly" than the thighs
Anyway, I feel much better now that this appointment is over with. Fat grafting will probably happen in Feb. since I have some traveling to do in January. Thanks for the suggestion to look at the fat grafting thread!
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Willa - I developed capsular contracture in my right implant but it was 5 yrs. out from BMX. I had silicone implants under the muscle & finally had both implants removed (the left had collapsed inward & was distorted) in June 2016. I've mentioned in previous posts that my new PS is a perfectionist & wouldn't just remove & replace them because they wouldn't be aesthetically acceptable in her view. So I had 2 surgeries - the 1st to remove both implants & remove the scar tissue on the right side & place expanders again. The 2nd to go from EX to implants. She convinced me to go with Mentor anatomical implants because the textured surface, in her view, helps prevent capsular contracture & she believes anatomicals look more natural in a mastectomy patient. I am very happy with my outcome & look more like I did pre MX. From what I've read, capsular contracture is a fairly common problem so I'm crossing my fingers that it won't happen again! Best wishes for a successful outcome on your upcoming corrective surgery!
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Thanks for the info, Jessie. If I remember right, you didn't have a whole lot of rippling did you?
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What exactly is capsular contracture? My silicone implants are under my pecs which ps says it's good. He did mention this but I didn't think to dig into it. What are the stats?
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Artista - here's the definition from the web. I expect there is a thread on BCO that addresses just this issue.
Capsular contracture is the term used to describe scar tissue that can form around breast implants which may cause the breasts to harden, may cause the breasts to look or feel different, and may cause some discomfort from the tightening of the capsule.
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Marketingmama and MrsB88 - Thanks so much for relating your experiences with capsular contracture. I have to do something but now I feel more positive about doing it! Marketingmama - yes, silicone is better than saline in terms of avoiding cc (or so I've been told). I just had saline acting as an expander.
Best of luck to everyone asking contemplating fat transfer. I wish I had something smart to say about that but I don't. I'm sure that will come later...
Arista - MinusTwo's description of capsular contracture is exactly my understanding. My PS says the contracture happens anywhere from maybe 7-30% of the time, depending. She explained that the cause is unknown but the general thinking is that some people tend to develop scar tissue any time their body is "hurt" (I actually don't - so can't help but wonder about that one). Another suggested cause is that some type of low grade infection sets up in the "pocket' that is formed to hold the implant. It's the perfect place for bacteria to find a comfortable home.. such a pleasant thought. Anyway, I guess I'm a little bit nervous about it because if they don't know what causes it how can it be avoided? On a positive note, I did see another doctor today who confirmed that surgery to correct the scar tissue is usually successful.
Take care, everyone. Peace.
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Thank you ladies!
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I'll be 2 weeks out po X this Fri. I've been dealing with some higher temps but then again Tamox can be blamed. For the past hour I've been 100.5 - 101.3. Up and down between this. Sheet says call doc if over 100.5. How long do you give it before you call? I'm thinking pop a couple advils and call in am if still issue. 1 drain was out tues and 1 still in. It looks ok.
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Artista, I would call. After my LD flap I suddenly ran a fever and PS had me come in to get looked at. Since things looked fine, I was given a scrip for an antibiotic and told to fill it if things changed and I was told what to watch out for. The fever turned out to be unrelated, but was good to have going into a weekend. With this being the holiday, it would be good for you to touch base with Dr beforehand.
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Artista, agreeing with Wildtulip. Call your doctor, get seen if needed, have a plan before going into this holiday weekend.
Your doctor would much rather deal with this today, Thursday. On Friday, the office may have shortened hours or be closed altogether!
I had an infection that started about 10 days out from EX. It started with a low-grade fever and then spiked. No fun.
Please check in after your call or visit. Best wishes, Madelyn
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THanks ladies. I was all over last night from 99.8-100.9. Popped 2 Advils and this am 98.4. Going in in my robe to hopefully get final drain pulled since average is 20 a day now. Doc is out so it's his PA in.
I've been down this road before. I didn't have a fever at 99.4 but because of redness I was on abx for a week which did nothing then hospital IV then home IV. This caused big delay in getting chemo. So seems the chance of infection is higher after the drains come out as it was a couple weeks after for me at least.
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SpecialK and all:
Just returned from post op EX. I love my breasts. Not perfect, but symetrical and soft.One nip is still eclectic, but incisions were revised a bit and some additional work at EX, still very sore.
All in all, 4 months from NSM till today, no major complications, I'm very happy. Implant sizing a mystery, check my postImplant Sizing 101 if interested
I had a procedure using a new technique, a Duoderm bra. Has anyone else had this? If I get access to photos I will document this.
Mominator, I will continue to monitor my temp just in case. One incision is achy.
Wonderful holiday wishes to all of you.
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Some redness but PA thought it's ok overall after I told her everything. Took pic of the breast that was radiated not sure if it's the rad redness I still have or new. Sent to ps since he's out.
Came home and 1/2 hour later call from office to start bactrim and keflex. Not sure if infected but wants to nip it in the bud, esp my history nightmare of last year tough infection.
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Lovely Exchange City Ladies - Just wanted to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday & best wishes for a happy, healthy 2017! I am so glad I found this site & I'm grateful for the support that you have provided to me & to each other! Blessings & peace to all!
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Merry Christmas to all the wonderful ladies here on this thread. Have a happy, healthy New Year! Loving my new tattoos! God bless,
Robin
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Hoping everyone is doing great. Wishing all Winderful Holidays
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Quick question! I will be getting my exchange hopefully sometime in February, gummies. Might need some pocket work for "side boob". How long is the recovery after an exchange? Surely nothing like the recovery time after a BMX! Just curious. I had to take a break from my fills as I ran out of sick leave at work, so resuming fills in January and haven't been able to talk to my PS for awhile to ask him this question. Thanks!
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Hi bluebird! Welcome to this thread. Lots of great women with good input. I have gummies. Filled to 420 with 475 implants. It will be 2 years in March.
I had pocket work done above IMF to even them out. I took 2 weeks off over spring break but could have gone back in a week. I have a desk job. Much easier than BMX. You will still have lifting restrictions. I was bound for 1 week like BMX because the gummies need to adhere to your muscle and chest wall to prevent rotation. I was also told to wear a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. After that I still wore a bralette all the time for a year. I just felt more secure. I am very happy with my results.
R
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Thanks, Robinblessed54! I am trying to get mentally prepared for it all. Will be so glad when I am done with this! I read in your bio that you got nippletattoos. That is my plan as well. Are you happy with them? Did you get them done by someone who specializes in nipple tattoos? Just curious! Thanks again for your response and input.
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Bluebird, I had my tattoos done in July 2015 in the PS office. I was not happy with them after about a year. They didn't have a 3D look at all! They looked like the Target store logo! I went to a very talented and famous tattoo artist in SoCal, Cory Miller. They are my west coast "Vinnies". Doctor offices use a cosmetic ink that doesn't last. Tattoo artists use regular ink that is permanent. They look amazing!! So happy I had them redone!
Let us know wgen you have exchange.
Robin
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Hi ladies, it looks like my exchange will be March 20th. I spoke to the PS scheduler and she said it should not be a problem that far out to schedule. I will hear back from her in January. I am getting anxious because suddenly my radiated TE is getting very tight.
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My radiated TE was tighter than the other non rad TE. Did they overfill the TE? Mine just did the max fill of 900 in both in anticipation of some tightness after rads. I wanted smaller but he said it's easier to just take the excess out rather try and expand.
I'll be 3 weeks out on Fri. Am on 2 abx as it was looking like infection. Was told 6 weeks is full recovery. Even though weight restriction lifted at 3 of 8 lbs, I'm just going to continue on with it-- make grocery bags smaller. I really don't need to be lifting like that thankfully.
Had 2 drains. Both out last week. One hole is taking longer to heal as it was bigger and have to put neosporin on it with a gauge.
Pain comes and goes but it's not bad. Haven't used pain meds since after 1st week.
For me, the bmx was harder because of the nodes taken out as well and getting used to TEs. But this one wasn't fun as much malaise and just friggin tired all the time.
It'd be min 6 mo if I decide to have any nips and tucks as it's not "perfect" and I still have some dog ears. We'll see if I really care in the summer. I'm overweight anyway so it's not like it'd make a huge diff.
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Artista, yes he overfilled both sides but honestly my radiated side is smaller because it shrunk with radiation. It is not painful but definitely can tell the tightness has increased recently. Maybe from the extra fill. My non cancer side annoys me because it is lower since it was not radiated. Is it realistic to hope to return to work with restrictions at two weeks PO?
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Assuming you have no complications and you have a "desk" job, I don't see why not. You have to heed the restrictions though because now they are permanent. You could try 2 weeks and if you need another week, maybe your work could accomodate. I had drains for almost 2 weeks. That was the key in feeling better with those uncomfortable things on the sides- getting them out.
My left side was/is more troublesome in terms of discomfort and pain because it's the rad side. It was hard to tell for sure if it's infection or just irritations from sx.
I'd do arm raises/exercises to try and keep that side not so tight. Keep it loose so to speak. It'll be easier after sx as well if you can go in as loose as possible.
The overfill is probably the reason for the tightness along with rads. The muscle is being stretched.
I thought I had TEs in for a long time... welcome trooper! Hopefully time goes fast for you to Feb---
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Thanks! You reminded me that I need to do my stretches again. I will make that a routine the next couple months to prepare for surgery. I use coconut and calendula lotion on my skin so at least it looks good. I think I will ask for 4 weeks off and go back in two if my PS says okay.
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Sounds like a plan---Good luck to you and daily stretches should help!
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How do you know if your implants are rotating?
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They aren't supposed to rotate but they may be settling in. I was told to give it a few months to determine the end result. Are you seeing your ps weekly? For the first 6 weeks I see him every week--to monitor for infection and such too.
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Molly, I imagine recovery time varies not only on your work duties, but how much the PS does. I know some get FG at time of exchange, but I did not. My PS did do IMF work, which caused me the most discomfort. One week to the day after my exchange I had a long check up with my MO, and did Christmas shopping the rest of the week. I had less energy, but was able to do some things. Perhaps starting back part time at first, if that is an option, would be a good idea.
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Wildtulip, good advice. I know he is going to do some extensive pocket work on the radiated side. My non cancer side moves too much, he thinks it is from a ruptured hematoma so I may need work on that side as well. He said I will need alloderm on both.
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