Exchange City
Comments
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Glad things are going well for you Scrafgal. It's such a great feeling when you feel you can trust your PS. I am 4 weeks post exchange and for the first time, I put on a normal soft foam bra as I was going out for a coffee with a friend. Oh gosh was it great to remove that post op bra and strap... and cool I really liked the look of me in the mirror with the bra on! And yes my friend said I looked great!
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SweetPea
I am a professor/college administrator and I had surgery on Friday and taught on Tuesday...I had not planned on the exchange mid-semester, the TE started to leak so it was moved up to an inconvenient time.
This comment is simply to say it really depends on what you do for a living, I have an office job, seated except for the classes I teach.
I am a UMX not BMX...so it really depends...my PS was also of the mind "it's up to you".
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Sweet_Pea I can work from home for my job and had surgery on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday (but at home.) I did plan light days for my first few days. But I didn't need painkillers other than Tylenol so working wasn't a big issue since for me is mostly conference calls. I did have to sit in a more supported type of chair (I chose my recliner) where I could put a pillow in my armpit because rubbing between arm and armpit wasn't comfortable and using my mouse a lot, etc. I got a rollerball mouse which helped. (I used a little pillow in my armpit.)
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To Flynn - about a bra when your breasts are two different sizes.
I found a sports bra at Bed, Bath and Beyond (of all places). It fastens in the front and has removable pads. I have just finished expansion (to 270 cc) and expanded breast is bigger than natural so I just removed the pad from the MX side. If necessary, I think that pad could be added to the natural side. It's called Copper Fit and it runs very small. I usually wear a 34C and would take a Medium but had to get Extra Large, but I also didn't want it fitting too tight.
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Hey ladies:
I had my bilateral exchange on Wednesday. No drains. Post op bra. Minimal to no pain. Seriously. I did have a bit of revision on the right side. PS said she lifted the breast up a bit. It is more sore on that side than the other - this is the minimal pain. I don't need pain killers.
I do have restrictions. No lifting over 10 lbs, no lifting arms above 90 degrees, no pushing/pulling heavy things for six weeks. I must wear the post op bra for 24 hours a day for 2 weeks minimal and then a very supportive bra for 24 hours for another 4 weeks - even the post op bra if I want. So, my job does have some heavy lifting, but I feel so normal now, I am returning to work tomorrow and will not do heavy lifting. I will drive first time tomorrow. I am nervous to return in case I over do it. After reading on here, it seems that its common to be feel "normal" soon after this surgery and it fools you into doing too much. Especially with all the restrictions on me, I don't want to hurt myself. But at the same time, I am eager to get on with living. I guess I am looking for reassurance from you all that returning to work this early is doable and some have you have done it.
I had larger implants placed than my natural breasts, but I gotta say, I looked ALOT bigger in my TE's. I do not think I am am bigger than my natural breasts. According to the implants put in, a full projection were placed, so they should, in my opinion look bigger than I was naturally. Maybe its just the compression of the post-op bra. I did however, have a shower today (first one since surgery) and naked, my boobs look same size as I was. PS mentioned that my natural boobs were around 320cc and she put in inmplants of 560cc on the left (same as TE) and 485 cc on the right(same as TE - I had fat gratting on that side so I look fuller on that side with smaller implant ). I must say, my boobs are quite symmetrical and same size looking though. Is this a common thing? I thought this was my chance in life to be bigger and now it doesn't seem I am. Sigh... Anyone else experience this?
wallan
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Wallan:
I'm glad you're doing well! Be careful, though. Because we do tend to feel so much better after Exchange.
I can't answer your question about sizing. I was so small before (AA) that anything I could have done or did would be larger! LOL I think I would say that most everyone I've read about feels TEs are larger -- and certainly more projection. Maybe too much. Also, my experience was that my implants did not settle and look "good" to me until about 3 months out.
Hoping others will chime in with info for you!
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Wallan - I thought the same after my exchange, that I was no bigger than I was going in, even though my implants were 50% bigger than the tissue removed during my MX (300 cc implants vs. 200 g). It took a while for things to settle out so that I now have greater projection and wear a larger cup size than I had before. I also had 2 fat grafting procedures after exchange to cover up some rippling and even things out. I think this really helped.
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Wallan, glad that you're healing. Sorry that you're not larger than you had hoped. Very glad that you're symmetrical and "same size looking."
Many folks are not symmetrical after reconstruction, for many reasons.
I can't help you with size. I happily downsized from BMX to reconstruction.
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Thanks ladies for your replies.
I am so pleased that I feel great day 6 from surgery. I do have a bit of minimal pain still where the revision was on the right side, but otherwise I feel like I didn't even have surgery.
I drove for the first time the other day with no issues. Today I am back at work .
I have my surgical follow up next week. I will see how everything settles out over time. I do have a compression type bra on, so this squishes things smaller and that may be the issue.
We shall see. I just am very glad to be done and hoping it all stays well.
wallan
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ave never posted anything on any type of board before. Please forgive me if I I don't get it quite right.
I was interested in Shoregirl's post on 1/4/18. Could you please tell me how your implants are anchored? I didn't realize that was an option. I have had 3 surgeries so far and everything continues to flip. My original surgery was in June of 2017. I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders, alloderm and 4 JP drains placed at that time. Two drains were removed at two weeks, one at three weeks and one, on the left, at four weeks.
The original plan was to replace my expanders with implants at 8 weeks after all drains were out. However, both of my expanders flipped backwards so that the ports were facing my chest wall. My ps decided to move the te/implant swap surgery up 2 weeks. So that (my 2nd) surgery was done in September. Within 2 weeks of that surgery I developed a cellulitis on the left side. It resolved with antibiotics.
My right implant was much too lateral and neither side looked quite right to me or my ps. The nipple surgery I had scheduled for November was replaced with a revision surgery to see what the problem was and to move the right implant more medially and fix the appearance of both. During that (my 3rd) surgery, he discovered that both implants were flipped backwards. He removed both implants, tightened the pockets, moved the right pocket more medial and put the implants back. I remained in an immobilizer for several weeks, then switched to a sports bra for two more weeks and spent all of that time sleeping in a chair. As soon as I was allowed to sleep normally in a bed, both implants flipped. My ps encouraged me to flip them back if possible, which I did. If I lie on my side, within minutes the implant nearest the bed slides perpendicular. When I sit up, I can push it the other direction so that it flips back to the correct position. However, if I lie back down, even with a maximum support sports bra on, they flip back. So I have been wearing a support bra and sleeping in a chair.
The idea of repeating a revision surgery that didn't work before is overwhelming to me. He doesn't believe the pockets are too big. The only suggested change is the possibility of textured implants to see if that helps. Before my initial surgery he said he didn't want to use textured implants because of the increase in a possibility of developing another cancer, ALCL.
Anyway, I guess that's a lot of information to just ask a question about anchoring. But I thought someone else might have had a similar experience.
Thank you all so much for sharing. I don't mean to be negative. I'm just very lost and discouraged.0 -
Sorry about your issues. I'd be running to a second opinion. He's had two chances to get it right and didn't get close.
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discouraged - I agree. I think it's critical that you get a second opinion. Even if you have to drive to another city.
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discouraged, I am so sorry to hear of your wayward implants! I absolutely agree with VegGal & MinusTwo. I don't know HOW she did it, but my new PS (my 2nd opinion doc I fell in love with!!) said at my consult she would anchor them and I didn't ask how. She, as well as the 1st ps had never seen implants flip backwards before, and neither had a ps I consulted with at John's Hopkins. So it is a rare phenomenon to be sure!!
The new ps also had suggested to me we move to a textured implant, but I did not feel comfortable so she stayed with smooth round but switched brands. I have had no problems at all with these flipping. All I know is, when I leaned over with the old implants, they would dangle off my chest. When I lean over now, they stay close to my body. By any chance did your ps have you massage your implants daily? My original ps had me grasp each implant at the each side of the bottom part and squeeze the lateral and medial edges toward each other firmly so the implant would rise up the chest wall away from the pressure 5 times on each implant every day. The ps at Hopkins suggested this may have kept the pocket too loose, allowing the implants to flip. But you said even your TEs flipped...that is crazy!! Please, please please go see another ps!!
Shoregirl
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What of the surgery list did everyone take to *exchange* surgery? I assume many things aren't necessary, or maybe they're just necessary for a shorter time?
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Hey discouraged:
I am sorry that you are having these complications.
I agree with the other ladies. Your PS does not sound very experienced at this or very talented at it. This may not be true, but you need a second opinion. Something is not right.
I did not realize that implants could be "anchored" either. I know that my PS expanded the TE's to the same size as the implants would be and she sutured up the pockets tight she told me. I am wearing a compression bra right now for two weeks so the implants stay put too. So far, there are no issues. Its only been a week though.
I hope that you get your issues sorted out discouraged. Let us know.
wallan
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Sweet pea:
I prepared for Exchange in many ways like I did for BMX. Colace, arnica (for bruising), protein for healing, etc. But the recovery part -- oh, I made sure I had pillows and everything was clean.
But it's just SO much easier than UMX or BMX. You'll have to keep yourself from doing too much.Maybe get the front button shirts and stuff like that ready to go again. But you're only one side, I think, so you may be ok there.
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exchange 1/31/2018
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Jaynefirely, how was your exchange surgery? I have mine finally scheduled for next month.
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Flynn, I also go to Moffitt. I travel there from Destin. Wanted to do a DIEP but due to weight loss during chemo am not a candidate. My PS wants to do a lat flap and implants. I originally did not want implants (the fills are going to take longer due to traveling) but do not really see an option. A flap is needed because I have had radiation twice on the same side and the skin just can not handle TE. I am learning a lot from reading all of the experiences here. Thank you all!
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Cindyanne, have you considered autologous fat transfer (AFT)? I hear it does wonders for radiated breasts!! It can be done in conjunction with an implant or without implants. Much less invasive than flap! I can't stand my implants and am in the process of replacing with fat. It can be done even on slim women. Are you in Destin, FL? I used to live in Ft Walton Beach, love Destin!! If so, there are some good doctors in FL experienced in AFT, if you want to look into it. Dr. Khouri of The Miami Breast Center, and there is a lot of info on Dr. Hartog in Orlando website, and a number of drs come up on RealSelf.com. There is also a thread on here about fat graft to the entire breast.
Best wishes!!
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Cindyanne, have you considered autologous fat transfer (AFT)? I hear it does wonders for radiated breasts!! It can be done in conjunction with an implant or without implants. Much less invasive than flap! I can't stand my implants and am in the process of replacing with fat. It can be done even on slim women. Are you in Destin, FL? I used to live in Ft Walton Beach, love Destin!! If so, there are some good doctors in FL experienced in AFT, if you want to look into it. Dr. Khouri of The Miami Breast Center, and there is a lot of info on Dr. Hartog in Orlando website, and a number of drs come up on RealSelf.com. There is also a thread on here about fat graft to the entire breast.
Best wishes!!
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Shoregirl I would love to do AFT but I still need skin.......which is why the lat flap or any flap but due to lack of tissue lat flap seems only possibility. Yes we live in Destin, Fl but travel to Tampa for medical. All of the Doctors in or around Destin are not interested in treating only fishing
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Thank you to everyone who posted a reply about my flipping implants. I will get another opinion, probably two. I'd love to find a ps who has dealt with this before. The ps I have been seeing is the most recommended in my area. He is kind and has done a great job for others I know. However, I just don't think I can have a 2nd revision surgery with him for the same issue when the 1st one failed.
Shoregirl, can you give me the name and location of the ps who was able to help you? Also, if anyone else knows of someone who has a fair amount of revision experience in the Denver area, I can easily drive there. I'm sorry you had to go through all of this but I can't tell you what a relief it is to hear someone was able to fix it. Thank you so much for sharing your info.
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Sorry cindyanne, I didn't catch that about you needing skin.
Discouraged, I will pm you
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Discouraged, you could PM whippetmom and ask her if she has a recommendation/recommendations for a PS in the Denver area also as she works with helping lots of women with sizing and may be able to recommend based on the issues you are dealing with. I think it would be worth asking anyway.
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I thought I responded to this but can’t find it.
The surgery itself was textbook. Had to have some revision of the left to raise my nipple up a bit. So the incsicion is longer than the right. A lot of soreness, but none of the pain like after the original BMX. Surgery at 7:30 and Home by noon. I was a bit freaked out about how they look right now. Swollen and kinda flat. I am relieved to read this is normal and they will look more normal in a few weeks. Took Tylenol w codeine for 2 days. Have not taken any today. The muscle relaxers seem to help more right now. I will go back to work Monday. Getting over the anesthesia is the hard part for me. So be heartened, this part is so much easier. I had mentor teardrop high profile 675
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Shoregirl after reading more it seems that possibly transferring fat can make radiated skin softer and eventually allow for an implant. That would be great but I do not quite understand how since there is no muscle left. All in all it sounds promising but a little more research is needed. I wish there was an easy answer. My husband says just leave well enough alone.
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Will PM you cindyanne...
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Hi ladies,
I posted this in another forum and someone suggested I come here also. I had my exchange last Thursday. After I got home I was surprised that my implants looked smaller than what I had expected. I'm a petite person about 5' and 110 lbs. I didn't want huge new breasts but before my Cancer I was about a size A. Now I think I'm maybe that and possibly a small B. It's hard to tell since they are so different from my real breasts. Anyway I was pretty upset and cried for almost 2 days which kind of surprised me since I handled every other aspect of this without tears. I forgot to mention that I had to switch PS due to the fact that the one that put the TE in and did the expansion had left. I really did not have a choice on who I took since I had to stay with the Mayo System since that is where my insurance is. I had to wait till they found his replacement to get my implants in. So the NEW PS did the exchange. Before surgery she asked if I was happy with the size and I said yes but if you can go a little bigger I wouldn't mind. Today I had my post op appt and told her my feelings. She said she could not go bigger due to my chest wall size. She said I would have had a uniboob or side boobs which I guess would have been a lot worse then small boobs. I was feeling better until I got home and looked at my scar!! She removed the steri strips and man this scar is a LOT worse looking than my Mastectomy scar!! It is raised and thick where my other scar has always been nice and flat not bad looking at all. Once again I was in tears. Guess I'm making up for lost time here in the tear department. I had mentioned to my hubby that this scar really hurt more than my other one but I figured it was due the fact that I was really numb and still am in my breast area by my Mastectomy scar. I have feeling where this scar is. It's a good thing I'm going to be the only one who sees this scar besides hubby. Thanks for listening it feels better just to get it out there. Hubby doesn't understand all these feelings so he is really no support.
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Sometimes more projection can be gained by using an extra full profile implant. The diameter stays smaller in that case. What implant did you get?
I originally had Natrelle 410's and they were tall and flat and very wide. My arms kept knocking into them all the time. Fifteen months later I found a new PS and got new implants that were .5 cm narrower and had a whole lot more projection. Problems solved!
If you decide eventually to pursue that possibility, the scar can be revised as well. Remember, though, that it is still early and in time you may feel differently about it all. "Emotions all over the place" is kind of normal, especially when it's "over" and the results don't quite meet your expectations. Revisions are very common.
Take care!
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