Exchange City
Comments
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2Fun, I have no idea where the tendon even is but I had a few different pains following my pre pec exchange, I figured it was nerves awakening and pocket work. The only sharp pain I had was while flipping over in bed I felt an internal stitch pop. That smarted!! Then I had a small fold at the edge of one of the implants, felt like a little knot. I had it looked at with ultrasound and was told it was ok. Also pain under the skin across the top of the implants on certain movements, like crossing an arm over my chest or reaching and stretching. I didn't really turn the corner as far as no pain until between the 2nd and 3rd month post op. But it was never bad enough to require pain meds. An occasional extra strength Tylenol once in a while.
Have you been over active? At 2 weeks post op I dug holes and planted 5 rose bushes. It really took a lot out of me. After that, I had to make myself not do too much. Even though the surgery and recovery is easier than the mastectomies, it is still major surgery and there are TONS of internal stitches. Feel better soon, and if it persists definitely get it looked at!!
Hugs and healing!!
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Shoregirl and 2Fun, remember, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ". This is our mantra after exchange. Also, walk away from the mirror. Things WILL change, I promise.
Robin
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I have been taking it easy, but a little pain is a good reminder that I need to keep taking it easy. I hope I am ready to return to work, and lifting patients in 6 weeks!
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My TE deflated 2 weeks ago, PS on vacation until today. He wanted to move forward with the exchange...but at this point the only hospital time he has is 3 months out...so he wants to do the Exchange in his in office surgical suite! This seems very scary to me...anyone had their exchange in the office???
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My exchange surgery was in a small plastic surgery surgery clinic next to my PS office. I was afraid but they were great and I had a fantastic anesthesiologist.
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I had my exchange at the outpatient surgery next to the hospital. It was great, and I also had the best PS and anesthesiologist! I wouldn't hesitate.
Robin
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have no concern about out patient places (had two LX at them)but question is about in office surgical suites
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Sometimes these small in house surgical centers connected to offices have much better infection records (less exposure to really sick people as in hospitals).
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Have been given a slot at the hospital's out patient surgery center for Sept 8th. So Aug 28th in the office or Sept 8th out patient...I hear you Molly about being scared, it is somehow scary enough to have general anesthesia, but to be double worried that something is going to happen...
So I guess I am finally on the board of Exchange City with an exchange date! Yeah!!!
Tomorrow's my birthday...is this my b'day present? Hope DH comes up with something better!
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Happy Birthday! I hope this is the best Bday present ever!
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Happy birthday, Trmtab!
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trmtab......happy birthday!
Is an anesthesiologist availBle at the office during the procedure? You'd still need general anesthesia right? They're not proposing doing the exchange under local are they?
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I have been very happy with my outcome since my revision. However, I now have an area that the implant pokes or bulges out. It can be seen through a sports bra/shirt even. My PS is recommending switching to cohesive gel implants. I am wondering if I could just get more alloderm and pocket work. I really like the feel of my current implants. Anyone else familiar with the bulging/puckering it is about the size of a quarter.
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TrmTab, I would wait till Sept 8. It's only another week. It seems very strange to do in an office surgical suite.
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Has anyone had the under the skin implanted nipples? I went to the or thinking I would have two healthy nipples coming out but they were unable to save either nipple during my double mastectomy. So now I am looking at either 3D nipples for D nipples or nipple implants because plastic surgeon is unable to do any other type of skin nipple due to radiation. I just read that they are coming out with a type of 3D printed nipples made out of are stem cells probably won't be out to the public for two or three years and though I don't understand that whole process I know that the these new 3D printers are the latest rage for many things so now I'm thinking maybe I should just hold off anybody have any input on this?
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I would love to hear anything about this,too! That sounds like a great solutio
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Another Exchange question:
I'm anticipating a lot of pocket work -- both sides. (My TEs are way apart -- big/big gap. Even Whippetmom was like: whoa.)
I'm only filled to 270cc and not going with big implant, so hoping this simplifies in some way. I'm kinda bummed because everyone says how easy Exchange surgery is...until you start reading from folks who had pocket work. Mine is 9/7, so I'm trying to get mentally prepared.
Any good stories from pocket work graduates? I realize no matter what, this will be way easier than BMX. Which I thought was hard but not that horrible. Same with TEs. No love fest but doable.
THANKS!!!
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OG56, I had radiation and was able to have nipple reconstruction. Did you get a second opinion?
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east coast...I had a wayward TE too, and required some creative work by the PS to get it back where it belonged. He also sutured the implant in under my arm. That seemed to cause some short term twinges but it's fine now. Recovery was still much much easier than after the BMX. I still have tightness and pain under the arm, but I don't think that's From the pocket work per se.
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Thanks for all the B'day wishes...I am going to keep the Sept 8th exchange date at the hospital's outpatient wing...that is a Friday and my husband needs to leave for a week long business trip the following Monday, so will need to plan and have the house stocked up as I expect I will be okay to piddle around on my own 3 days after surgery, but don't want to need to do any grocery shopping!
Thanks for the general support to be strong with my PS...who at some level I believe was "hurt" that I would second guess the in-house procedure...even when his office manager was... "like really? well if the Dr says its okay, then okay, but ???" This didn't leave me with lots of confidence!
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TrmTab:
The days of being told what to do with regard to medical are, I hope, over. We're allowed to ask any questions we need to to feel some level of comfort and be involved.
My exchange is 9/7. Joy to us!!!
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Okay, now in the one month count down to exchange...what have folks worn bra wise post exchange? I have been told no compression but a sturdy bra...so not the medical compression bra, but a sports bra? or the hook up the front white cotton job I had after TE placement? I know they make sports bras with front zippers, all of mine are Coobie style over the head jobs...will I be able to put something on "over the head" post exchange???
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Trmtab, it depends on implants. Gummies have a textured surface and I wore the surgical plus ace bandage I was wrapped in the first week. No peeking! After removal I had to wear a sports bra front closure 24/7 for 6 weeks. I wore mine a year. They need to stay put to adhere to chest wall/muscle. You don't want them to rotate. You do have to avoid lifting arms above elbows for a period of time, especially if you have pocket work. Don't over do!! If you have smooth rounds, someone else will chime in. Your PS needs to give you good instructions.
Robin
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good evening all,
I am 2 days post op from exchange surgery and I am feeling pretty good as far as the pain level goes. But when I look at my body I feel very sad. I was afraid I might be choosing small implants and I was right. I look flat. I'm also worried about the swelling going down and looking even smaller. I don't mean to sound ungrateful; I know I need to be patient and see how they settle. I chose 800 CCs silicone implants.
If I were to choose keeping the small implants would it help me look bigger if I were to lose weight?
If I were to choose larger implants how long will I need to wait for another surgery?
Elkay
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Elkay7, are you quite tall? 800cc are quite large. You said you chose, did he use that size? I have 475cc gummies. I am 5' 5"" and weigh 145.
It takes a while to achieve the final results
Robin
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Robin, I am 5'8" 220 lbs. I discussed the implant size extensively with my PS and with whippetmom and chose the 800 CCs silicone instead of 1000 CCs saline. I have gained weight and plan on getting back into a healthy workout program and back to eating healthy.
Elkay
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Elkay - please do not worry or judge your outcome for several weeks. I promise you they will change in ways you cannot possibly foresee. I found mine after surgery to be flat and small. I am proud to say they are now round protruding and way larger than could have been imagined. Trust, relax and know if for some bizarre reason they dont do the drop and fluff magic you may always revise them.
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Elkay - it takes 3 months or more for the swelling to go down so you can see what's really happening. There are LOT of interior stitches. It's hard, but step away from the mirror.
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Yep, take it from a lot of ladies, you will be amazed! It is such a process.
Take care, Robin
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For the sports bra we'll need (I'm pretty sure my PS will recommend because I'm having lots of pocket work) did you wait until after to purchase? I can't fit much over my TEs.
TEs so odd (fitting).
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