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Exchange City

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Comments

  • veggal
    veggal Member Posts: 261
    edited September 2017

    I am still very bruised and swollen. I went in with Righty hanging 2 inches lower than Lefty and appearing much larger and now I have kind of the opposite appearance. My PS did say it will even out in two weeks or so and so far everything she's proposed has been spot on so I am going to keep the faith. One thing I CAN say is that I no longer have burger buns, and that makes me very happy.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,354
    edited September 2017

    Buffy - one of the most important things to remember is Stay Away From the Mirror. Swelling can last several months (yes, months) while everything inside heals. The final appearance won't be in evidence for 3 months or more. Good luck.

  • buffyjc
    buffyjc Member Posts: 9
    edited September 2017

    Thanks ladies!!! I'm so glad I posted on this thread! So, I need ice packs, pillows and gauze/pads for comfort...swelling could take a while to completely subside...don't obsess over what I see in a mirror as the final product will take some time. Got it!

    Thank you all so much!



  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited September 2017

    I had my exchange surgery after my BMX and I found it to be such an easy surgery I was so surprised they had prepared me to have a moderate amount of pain afterwards. I had no bruising however I did have a moderate amount of swelling. I took pain pills to sleep because I had to sleep in my recliner for a couple of nights and I don't do that well so the pain pills mostly were just to be comfortable enough to sleep. I had 800cc Inspira extra high profile. My only issue is my incision initially my incisions were supposed to stop just after my armpit and not up onto the breast Mound but they had to keep extending it because it was healing in like three little jagged lines on the end. Because I'd had 38 double Ds and my breast tissue went under my armpit and partially onto my back they did a long scar and at exchange they did a lot of liposuction and I have to say for any big breasted women out there it is awesome and you look so much thinner just not having all that breast fat under your arms or the back fat LOL I hope all you ladies have successful exchanges and a minimal amount of pain. I figured my minimal pain during Exchange was a blessing because the pain after my BMX was on a scale of 1 to 10 a 25.

  • Herculesmulligan
    Herculesmulligan Member Posts: 61
    edited September 2017

    a perhaps weird question for ladies who have had fat grafting: if you gain weight later, can you gain it at the donor site? Or do you deposit fat somewhere else? I've always carried all my excess weight in my belly. If I use that for fat grafting, and later gain weight, where does the new weight gain go? Can you grow more belly fat? Or does it plump up another area?

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited September 2017

    Buffy, if they're taking fat from your stomach, expect that area to be sore. It helped to wear sweat pants and not jeans or anything with a zipper. I even bought a few pairs of dressier pants from Macy's that were pull on that I could wear to work. The pants with zippers were pretty uncomfortable for a few weeks.

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited September 2017

    Hercules, I had fat grafting from my lower stomach. The fat from the top is still there! I wish they'd suctioned more out.

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited September 2017

    Sent my PS office pictures of my bruising (they said yes it looks horrible, but not concerned given 6 days post op) BUT, when I mentioned I was using ice packs that the hospital sent me home with ...NO, stop ice packs,vasoconstriction...if the swelling or bruising is bothering me take a pain med vs ice pack! I feel you never get the same answer from two people...oh well, no more ice packs.

  • veggal
    veggal Member Posts: 261
    edited September 2017

    We can't win for losing!

  • sitti
    sitti Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2017

    Buffyjc, I have my exchange on the 20th too! I'm glad you asked your question as it's helpful. I'm ready to relieve these expanders of their duty! That being said, I'm still pretty nervous, I think about the final outcome. Wishing you the very best.

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited September 2017

    TrmTab:

    Are you trying Arnica Montana for bruising? My PS said she thinks it helps (though she did not recommend, I told her after the fact, and she said her former practice used it). It helps with bruising a lot. There is also cream but you don't want to use that on open wounds. It's harmless, so cannot hurt. I think even Walmart sells it. In very small capsule looking container. Little pellets you place under tongue. Tastes minty or something.

    (I've had almost not bruising and also did not with BMX. Still taking Arnica and I'm a week out.)

  • candles1
    candles1 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2017


    Public service announcement re fat grafting: the breasts must NOT be iced after fat grafting. AT ALL. The cold impedes the newly transplanted fat from forming a new blood supply, which it needs to survive.

    Do not count on all medical professionals to know this. My PS and the PS's nurse warned me repeatedly not to ice the breast area after the fat transfer ... yet, I woke up from the fat grafting surgery with two ice packs right on top of my breasts. I immediately told the nurse that I thought icing was a no-no? She checked with someone and then removed them immediately.

    Icing the host site, on the other hand, is great.
  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited September 2017

    Hadn't heard of Arnica...will check it out. Had no bruising at MX, so this is a real stunner. One week post op. Swelling has stabilized after a bloom of swelling 3 days out when I wore a bra, but not a compression bra. Bruising is turning from fresh to old, but given the extent I will be bruised for weeks...

  • noodlesmom
    noodlesmom Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2017

    Thank you for this! I remembered "no ice packs" for BMX in order to preserve skin integrity (and because lack of nerves means no clue whether it's too cold), but GREAT information to have since I'll be heading in my exchange--with fat grafting--1 week from today.

    Thank you!!

  • motheroftwins
    motheroftwins Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2017

    Exchange Surgery Scheduled October 9th. Cant wait. Excited and nervous. Will also have fat graphing at exchange. Nervous about that part.

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 297
    edited September 2017

    I had fat grafting done in March (outer thighs). I used Dermend for the bruising and it worked great. You can get it from Walmart or any drug store. The pain from this procedure was minimal BTW, but I think I lost a lot of it. I have a second FG scheduled in October, this time from my lower back.

    Hav a great weekend everyone!

  • T-Sue
    T-Sue Member Posts: 207
    edited September 2017

    I second Arnica to ease bruising. On my PS's recommendation, I took it immediately after coming home from BMX. My bruises went from a red color straight to a yellow color, skipping the blue/green/black phase all together.

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited September 2017

    Just a quick heads up, while Arnica is great for bruising, if you have any kidney problems, check w/your Nephrologist. Mine told me NOT to take Arnic or use it topically. Apparantly it acts like NSAIDS which are contraindicated in kidney patients.

    Wishing Sitti, Nooodlesmom and Motheroftwins positive outcomes w/your upcoming exchanges!!

    I am having a revision Nov 29 which will include fat grafting. Since I can't use Arnica, I will eat lots of pineapple in the weeks leading up to and following surgery as it is also supposed to help healing.

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2017

    pinapple? never heard of that. also, didn't know arnica was oral, always used it topically.

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited September 2017

    2Fun yes, there are little Arnica pellets (Homeopathic) you can take orally. It is highly diluted for oral use because the herb itself is highly toxic. Source Arnica Montana WebMD I got the tip from a plastic surgeon at Georgetown University Med Center in Washington, DC. Here is a link to an article supporting this claim. I love fresh pineapple!! Smile

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited September 2017

    Bromelain is the pineapple extract supplement. (I think I mentioned in an earlier post.) Google -- it's all over doctor's lists for pre-surgery supplements (if you believe in taking something).

    What is funny to me: If you have Botox or some simple cosmetic thing done, a PS or cosmetic derm. will recommend Arnica and Bromelain. But for major surgery, nada. Idk. Anyway, I took both for my surgeries. I only told my PS after. Bad student!

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited September 2017

    Hi Ladies,

    I am scheduled for my exchange surgery on Nov 3rd (woo-hoo!!!). I have two questions:

    1) My husband will be with me for the surgery and two days after but then is traveling for work for 2 weeks on the 5th. My PS has given me the restrictions of no raising arms and no lifting >5 lbs for 2 weeks and no driving until off narcotics. If I have food prepared ahead, use Lyft for all rides I need and hire a snow shoveler (in case of snow--in our city we have to keep sidewalks shoveled), then I should be OK alone, right? Or should I have a relative come? I actually think I heal better when relatives aren't here and I can just rest.

    2) Did anyone else here get saline implants? My PS uses Mentor smooth round, but I prefer saline. Would love to hear from others who got saline and the comfort of them compared to TEs. My PS says saline will feel harder than silicone.

    thanks everyone.

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited September 2017

    Since there is no thread for talking about nipple reconstruction I'm going to go ahead and assume that this would be the thread to talk about this on. I am left with no options other than 3D tattoo. Which they are awesome but I wanted a real nipple so after much investigation I found out that there are going to be FDA trials on a new prosthetic nipple and areola. This has been created by a tattoo artist named Eric Catalano you can go to his website and look at all the different pictures of how he currently is doing it now it will probably be slightly different when it is finished. I just wanted to pass this along because I was so excited about it because I have been investigating what I want done for nipples for quite a while now. I know that Eric and his partner Matt would be excited to hear from you and it doesn't matter if you don't choose this they just want people to know it's out there and to let them know you know about it because then you can pass it on to other people just like we do here on the thread. So go ahead and look at it and leave them just a hello or ask them questions or even let them know you may be interested in being part of the trial. They are not sure at this point when the trial will be. I would guess Prosthetics don't take as long to approve as a medication. I have been on bco since 2008 so I hope that putting this out there to you gals is okay then that the moderators don't have a problem with it I found him while I was looking up Vinnie Myers for 3D Tats.The FB page is just under ERIC CATALANO TATOO's the e-mail address for ? 'S is Nippleimplant@gmail

  • sitti
    sitti Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2017

    OG56, there is a thread about nipple recon/options just in case you want to post there and let ladies know about this option also. Here's the link.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/856328?page=1

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited September 2017

    OG56, when you say prosthetic nipples, are you talking about the type you glue on, like Pink Perfect? I had them for a while, and they looked great, but they don't stay on very well or for very long. I got my 3D tattoos here in So Cal by Cory Miller. They are amazing! When I look down I swear they are protruding! It is the ultimate illusion of protrution!

    Robin


  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2017

    minute at a time, I would have someone come in to.help you every day. Worst case you send them away. I felt really worn out after exchange, and I was much sore er than after MX. At least someone to come in until you have a better idea of how u r doing. It might help your husband to feel more comfortable.

  • dizzygirl01
    dizzygirl01 Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    Having my exchange on Thursday. Both excited and scared. I had my last PT appointment today before surgery. I will need to wait at least 4 weeks to resume it. I feel like my strength and rom are great going in to this surgery. Hopefully my hard work pays off.

    Best wished to everyone having surgery this week!

    DizzyGirl

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited September 2017

    Good Luck Dizzy. We will keep you in our pocket on Thursday! I am 10 days post exchange, still lots of bruising but better every day. Had surgery on Friday and went to church on Sunday, so have not been on the disabled list too long. Do not have full range of motion due to swelling, but not due to pain, so have good thoughts that you will be back to PT and maintaining strength and ROM soon. TT

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2017

    good luck dizzy!

    TT make sure to take it easy!

  • sitti
    sitti Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2017

    DizzyGirl, best wishes to you on your exchange. My exchange is Wednesday, and like you I'm both excited and nervous. Definitely ready though.

    Trmtab, as I stated above, my exchange is Wednesday, and I'm wondering since you are so recently had your exchange if you can answer a question for me. I did well with my BMX, was on pain meds just a couple days then only ibuprofen. My husband travels and has to leave next Monday, now I'm wondering if that's enough time to be able to stay alone? My only concern has been drains (if I have to have them - small % I'll have them) but just thought I'd get others experience/thoughts on this.

    Also, how are you doing with your implants? Are you feeling better about them? I know that had to upsetting, hoping that all works out well.

    Thanks!

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