Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

Exchange City

1…13421343134513471348…1387

Comments

  • bringon2017
    bringon2017 Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2017

    Hi Re Breast implant associated large cell anaplastic lymphoma, I think it's important to keep the numbers of cases in perspective. The numbers were actually pretty small, and there were also cases associated with round. It's more likely that anyone of us will get something else rather LCAL. But agreed that good to know about it. My surgeon has recomended yearly US. The FDA recommends periodic MRIs but I need to check if gadolineum is used in these scans since there is a warning on gadolineum too now. 

  • bringon2017
    bringon2017 Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2017

    Good luck 3bears. It will be over before you know it.

  • bringon2017
    bringon2017 Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2017

    Good luck 3bears. It will be over before you know it. Size you mention sounds pretty ok. 

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 871
    edited December 2017

    HI 3bears.  I have 800 Inspira TCX... I am 5' 8" and this is a little large for me...think I may downsize to 750 or 700, but this is definitely the right size range.  In fact it would be perfect if I was a BMX, but it is slightly larger than may native breast and I would rather downsize the implant than do more surgery on my natural breast.  Good luck, exchange was relatively easy. TT 

  • lynae23
    lynae23 Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    Happy almost New Year ladies! I don’t know about you all but I am definitely ready to put 2017 behind me. What a year! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with your families, I sure did & this one felt extra blessed for me.

    3bears welcome & best of luck on your upcoming surgery in Feb! You will be so happy to have that behind you. Bringon2017 how are you doing? I hope healing well. My surgery was Nov 1 & I feel better & stronger every day. I think my implants are settling in better & my mobility has improved with laying on my sides or even crossing my arms over my breasts.

    I want to slowly ease into excercising & strength training so I wanted to ask you ladies your thoughts. Have any of you started & how much? What are your doctors telling you? Mine just says don’t overdue but what does that mean lol. Thoughts? I hope you all are healing well & doing great! Hugs :

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited December 2017

    Lynae:

    I was told after post-op appt at one month to ease back into whatever I wanted to do. Modest weight at first. And take care with pec exercises. (Yoga/plank or push-ups.) I'm at almost four months now and just did yoga again. No issues. Although some felt a bit odd with pecs, which I think is normal. I'm not sure I'll do push-ups again.

    I think if you're careful and move into it slowly...you can go back to exercising.

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited December 2017

    Hi 3bears, congrats on getting your exchange date, it will be here before you know it!! If you like the way you look w/your expanders the Inspira extra high profiles are a great choice. I had them, they looked great but were a bit too much projection for my body type and very firm. Since we are all different body types, what works for one may not work for another so the ps is the one to listen to here. The best advice I received on this thread is "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Meaning don't do too much too soon after your exchange. Allow yourself plenty of time to heal. This surgery for most is so much easier than the mx. We feel better, stronger, less pain and can tend to jump into activities before we should and can then have a setback. It is still an invasive procedure with lots of internal stitches so just be mindful of that and don't try to be superwoman! The other thing is "step away from the mirror". Of course we are going to look, but don't be discouraged if things look a bit wonky at first. It takes a good 3 months maybe more for swelling to subside and implants to drop into the pockets etc. In my case it looked great at first but months later it became evident I would need some fat grafting. It is definitely a process, but the hardest part is behind you!

    lynae great to hear you are feeling good!! My revision was Nov 29 and I am feeling good too, def ready to start working out. For now I have to start pt though due to frozen shoulder.

    Have a happy new year everyone!!

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 871
    edited December 2017

    Maybe this is a crazy question....but...do any of you ever see your PS with clothes on, or at least in a bra?  Especially for the UMX crowd, this is big.

    I never am seen in clothes/bra which for me makes the discussion of happy with where I am or changing size more difficult.  Of course without a bra my implant is high and tight and my native breast is 56 years old...so the difference is big and the immediate response is unless we do more surgery on my native breast there is nothing else for me.

    Well, in a bra, I am close but clearly different and it seems like a smaller implant would make a huge difference of bringing the two closer together...like downsizing from 800 to 700.

    Any comments???

  • veggal
    veggal Member Posts: 261
    edited December 2017

    Take some photos and show them to the doc.

  • bringon2017
    bringon2017 Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2017

    Hi Lynae I am feeling well. Thanks for asking!No complaints really. I have Replicon extra high profile 665 (textured tear drop). It's been pretty smooth so far. I had visit with my surgeon on Monday and he's pleased with the results, as they're symmetrical and the surgery was minimal and uncomplicated. I have just small incisions within the previous scars. I now am slowly recovering at home for a few weeks. And I need to wait and see how they drop. I do hope they will sink a bit at least. They already feel softer and squishier than those awful turtle shells! 

    How long did you wait before lifting arms up, side sleeping and using the postop bra with strap ( if you used it) ?

    TrmTab at my preop visit (before exchange) I made sure my surgeon saw me in a bra so that he could see that I look ok in a bra! I have a plain padded bra that I looked and felt ok with in even with the turtles! And yes I made sure he saw that too. To be frank tell him how you feel and see that he sees what you are thinking. Taking photos may be a good idea too. But I think I woul literally make him see what you want him to see. Is that difficult because of the set up? I'm not in the States so maybe it's different there to here.

    So nice to know so many are doing well. Glad things are fine for you at last Shoregirl and its great you're doing well Eastcoast!

    Happy New Year to you all. At lot of you have unknowingly played a big part in boosting my morale both pre and post- operatively, and I thank God for the gift of your presence in my life!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited December 2017

    Happy New,Year to all!

    I remain on vacation with my sister. It has been wonderful. I return on New Year's Day and back to work on Jan 2.

    I think that I have missed some messages but I tried to review as this morning because my sister is still sleeping.

    Let's see...

    Someone asked about details on my implant. It is Allegan 445 round highly cohesive..moderate projection...SCM 445...the relatively new Inspirias.

    As for exercise, I will be full tilt after my return from vacation. I have been doing cardio but held off on Pilates. I was cleared to do everything bit my Pilates can be intense. I just wanted to wait. My surgery was Nov 2 so I think I am ready. I will ramp up slowly with Pilates though. I am certain that I have lost some strength.


    I hope all is well....I will check this thread more regularly once vacation ends!


  • travelhound
    travelhound Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2018

    I am new here, and I am glad to find this thread. January 12 I am having my exchange surgery. I am really looking forward to getting rid of this heavy and enormous tissue expander. I could not hate it more. I stressed to my PS that if there was to be any inequality, that the implant is to be smaller than my real breast.

    In terms of recovery, is there a difference with the under the muscle and over the muscle implant? I am dismayed to read that I would have to wait a month to start weight training. I was not a big weight lifter before cancer, just small weights, but I have not done anything since surgery in May, and chemo and my muscles are so sad.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2018

    travelhound, I wondered this same question! Good luck on your exchange surgery. Happy New Year

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited January 2018

    I'm not sure about under vs over pros/cons but can say that mine were under the muscle, and I was advised no weights etc for more than a month. However, I had a lot of pocket work and I wanted to protect that pocket as long as I reasonably could. Plus I had some minor discomfort for weeks after as I healed (nothing like BMX or bad at all but persistent). Others can chime in with advice but you will feel so good (likely) after Exchange that you'll be tempted to do more than you should. Ask you PS.

    And yeah to dumping the sucky TEs!!!!!!!!

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 789
    edited January 2018

    hi travel hound, I had pre pectoral implant, and my retrictions were no lifting for 2 weeks, nothing more than 2 pounds for 2 weeks, no more than 4 for two weeks, then 5 to 10 pounds after that. Remember that most tissue needs 4-12 weeks for the first stages of healing, and you need to not stress the tissue so it can heal in the right way.

  • Hopfull2
    Hopfull2 Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2018

    hi everyone. I'm having my exchange surgery this Friday Jan 5th. I'm nervous. I know I shouldn't be as I've gone through worse I had lat flap in 6/2017. But I still am nervous. I just hope my breast feel a bit more like breast cuz these TEs are hard as a rock. Just can't wait to get this done , heal and do my finishing touch which are my nipple tattoos. Anyways. Hugs

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited January 2018

    Hopefull2

    Have no worries.  For me, this surgery was far less painful  than the MX.  I also was really ready to have the TEs gone and, being 2 months out from the surgery, my implants feel softer and more natural everyday! 

    Wishing you the best!

  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 208
    edited January 2018

    HI, everybody. I’m feeling very uncertain about how to proceed and wonder if you have thoughts.

    Background: I had appts scheduled with my BS & PS then my chemo ended 3 weeks early. This moved up my bilateral mastectomy surgery date 3 weeks as well. I ended up mtg the PS just a week before surgery. I had diep flap in mind but she said that I don’t have enough tissue and that I’m not a candidate. So we put in TE’s and said we would decide about lat dorsi w/implants or just implants down the road.

    Does anybody put in implants after TE w/o flap surgery or alloderm type products? The PS definitely pushed lat dorsi and said she sees more complications with alloderm. This is total opposite of what my sister was counseled at diff med center 3 years ago. Implants w/o flap surgery or alloderm didn’t seem to be an option.

    How long is recovery after putting in implants or implants w/ alloderm? I’m feeling very hesitant about lat dorsi and I’m stressed that we started down a road I wasn’t prepared for. I have my 1st expansion tomorrow- we are doing tumor side 1st, radiation, then other side, then reconstruction. So, I do have time to get other opinions. That said, i’m also a little worried about doing reconstruction out of toand how I would handle with 2 young children at home.

    Any comments would be appreciated!

  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 509
    edited January 2018

    Flynn, if DIEP is something that you are still curious about andwant to look into further I would suggest going to a PS that actually does them. My first PS didn't, I didn't even know all of the options then, she suggested a Lat Doris as well but that's because that what she did. She wasn't qualified for DIEP and never even mentioned the option. Maybe you truly aren't a candidate but I would have a DIEP surgeon tell you that. JUst my opinion.

  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 208
    edited January 2018

    Thanks, TWillis, that’s an interesting thought. I know she does diep but it’s possible another PS might think I’m a candidate.

    I’m thinking of meeting my sister’s surgeon up north. I’m over in Tampa if you recommend anybody local!

  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 509
    edited January 2018

    Oh, well hi neighbor lol. I hadn't heard anything overly great about anyone in our area for DIEP so I opted to go over to Orlando to Dr Klein. It's his specialty and is dedicated to it as well as lymph node transfer. If you don't mind me asking, who was it that you saw?

  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2018

    Hi Flynn, I have 440cc pre-pec implants w/Alloderm. I don't think the pre-pec are done without Aderm, as the skin on its own would probably not be able to support a larger implant. My exchange recovery was different each time. The 1st, from TEs to smooth round 470cc Inspiras, took a good 6-7 weeks before I was feeling pretty good, but I still had a lot of tightness and discomfort even 7 months later. I ended up getting a new ps (long story). She exchanged the 470s for 440cc Sientras and did some fg. My recovery was so quick!! I was out shopping 4 days later. Turns out she discovered hardly any Alloderm was there on the right side. So my guess is the discomfort was due to the implant not being supported, moving around. When I would lean over, it hung off my chest. Eventually started flipping over backwards.The new ones are anchored to my chest and so much more comfortable with an Alloderm "cuff" under lower edge for support.

    Personally, I don't see the reason to do lat+implant. So invasive! Maybe look into smaller implant+fat graft as an option. The fat really helped me like my implants so much more. Cushioned, warm, softer, more comfortable.

    Wishing you all the best!!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,398
    edited January 2018

    Flynn - I have implants with no flap or diep and no alloderm. They were done in 2011. I had a really experienced and exacting PS who created just the correct size pockets with the correct TEs. I know a large portion of reconstructions are done with implants only.

  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 208
    edited January 2018

    TWillis- Small world! I saw a surgeon at Moffitt, where I'm being treated. Dr Dayicioglu. I know a few people who work there and those that know her, say good things about her. I think maybe we're on different wave lengths!

    Shoregirl, thanks for your note! I'm glad things worked out for you! I'm not really looking for big implants, I'll put fat grafting on the list to research.

    MinusTwo, thanks to you, too! I think I really need to get more opinions now that I have a better idea of how things go.

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 188
    edited January 2018

    Flynn- I have Alloderm, but I had radiation so my skin is very thin. You might want to explore the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. I didn't go there, but have a few friends who did, I live in the South so its one of the easier places to travel for surgery. I also felt a little rushed on my surgery and was told I wasn't a candidate for DIEP (I had lost a ton of weight during chemo, which was temporary, but surgery after chemo meant I didn't have much to work with.) While I had my TE's in, I did go get a second opinion on a DIEP from someone who does just those and did end up being a candidate. But once I heard more about the process I decided on implants. So far so good. But you are the point now where you shouldn't feel rushed. I had my expanders in for almost a year-- take your time and make the right choice for you. Traveling for reconstruction isn't as bad as you may think. I traveled for mine (but went up to Boston.) I had to stay near my surgeon for a couple of weeks, turned it into a bit of a vacation, my husband went with me and drove me around and we ate out, went to museums, etc. It was actually FAR less tempting to overdo it when I was away from home, things that temp me are laundry and heavy kids backpacks, etc. I had grandparents come and stay with the kids for that time, they got some quality time with them. Another option could be to have a good friend or other family member with you for surgery. Happy to share any logistics I can if you go that route.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited January 2018

    Minustwo and I both have the Allergan 410 gummies. I have mine under pecs and my PS used my own muscle instead of alloderm. My pockets were perfect and hold my implants perfectly. He doesn’t like to use alloderm because there is some risk of rejection.

    I have 3D nipple tattoos which finish the look! My friend had a lat dorsi with saline implants. They look great but that is such a serious procedure that took a lot of recovery. My EX surgery was so simple and much easier than bmx. Just remember, just because you can doesn’t mean you should!

    Robin


  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 509
    edited January 2018

    Flynn, I'm sure you're in great hands at Moffitt. It's so daunting trying to figure everything out, especially with reconstruction. Good luck:)



  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited January 2018

    Flynn:

    I have pre-pec implants and alloderm was used with TEs but I don't think she added more with Exchange surgery. (I know I should know this.) I'm doing well with implants though mine are small compared to many here. (275cc) But I'm about 100 lbs soaking wet! And they look big to me! ;)

    I didn't have fat grafting but many do. I may do that with a later revision due to very minor rippling. Not enough to do now (bugging me, that is).

    Good luck!

  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 208
    edited January 2018

    meg2016, thanks for your note! I’ve read other people on here mention New Orleans as an option. It’s good to know that you were able todeal with traveling pretty easily. I’ll get back to you if I end up going that route.

    Robin, I’m happy to know that there are people who do implants w/o Alloderm. This is shaping up to be more complicated than I realized but I think I’m getting a good list of questions. Thanks for your input!

    EastcoastTS- it’s amazing to me how many different ways there are to do this! I think I need to learn more about rippling, I’m not sure what that looks like. Thanks!

    It came up at my fill appt today that I can’t have an MRI while I have the TE’s in. Since I’m TN, I’ll have to see how that plays out with whatever path I go with. I was expecting an MRI at 6 months.

    Have a great weekend, everyone!!

  • amtreb
    amtreb Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    Hi ladies!

    Just wanted to post that I had my exchange surgery yesterday and it went great!!!

    I was on the fence between round and anatomical implants, and went with round. Since I am pre-pec even with fat grafting I figured you may see the implant and i'd rather have it look round that how some have described the anatomicals to look squarish.

    He used the Natarelle Inspiras high profile 420cc's that look great day 1 :)

    Any tips on keeping the transferred fat to survive???

    Thank you to all who have been of help to me!!!

    A

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.