Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Exchange City

1…13481349135113531354…1387

Comments

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2018

    Landri, the pocket work might be necessary to lift or lower the pocket to get symmetry. I had a tiny bit of pocket work on the right side to even it out with the left side. Not painful just like was said above, protect any sutures that are inside that you can't see. I have the tear drop anatomical and they require lots of protection so they will not rotate. They are textured so they can adhere to the chest wall/muscle. I couldn't lift my arms above my shoulders either for a long time. Be careful, you want those girls to sit right and tight in their places. Best of luck and get good after care instructions.

    Robin


  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2018

    I had pocket work to:

    (1) move the implants closer together than TEs were (wayyyy far apart)

    and

    (2) lift one TE (pocket) that had dropped

    It just lengthens the surgery time a little and maybe a little more pain. But nothing major. NOTHING compared to BMX.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,351
    edited March 2018

    If you have anatomical implants (teardrops) you need to make sure you PS has lots of experience & creates a really well fitted pocket. That way you won't have possible trouble with rotation.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2018

    Headed to get my exchange surgery done!

  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2018

    Hello all,

    I will be having exchange surgery in early June. I had BMX with TEs, four rounds of TC, and then 28 rads with a bolus. My last rad was January 12 so I will be about 5 months after that for exchange. I was wondering how many of you had rads? My skin held up pretty well but I keep reading about problems with rads and implants and my PS is suggesting I consider lat flap or DIEP, both scare me and I don't really want that long recovery. Appreciate hearing any positive results with implants and radiated breasts.

  • Dafne
    Dafne Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2018

    Well, sisters, 12 days after my exchange surgery, let me share the good and the bad of how things went.

    First of all, as so many of you assured me, exchange surgery was a breeze comparing to bmx. Anesthesia was unfortunately really bad for me, I had difficulty getting out of it and I felt dizzy, sleepy and nauseus for hours after that. They gave me anti vomitting drugs, but it was an awful feeling.

    Apart from that, the rest was easy. Minimal pain, easily managed with drugs, was up the next day, walking and being able to go to the bathroom by myself, and my ps was kind enough to let me stay till it was time to remove the drains (I had 2).

    Now, aisthetical results. I knew already that my implants would be on the smaller side, and they sure are. No surprises here, although I would love them to be a little bit bigger, but I wont get crazy over it. I have 475 ccs implants, which on my body look like a small B, and I ll learn to live and be happy with them.

    If you ask me, biggest dissapointment is the terrible iron bra feeling. First 4 days post op, I had none of it, but as they reduced the drugs, it came back in full force. Plus pec muscle spasms, which happen quite a bit, especially in cold weather, everytime I shiver etc. I so much hoped it would go away as it happened for so many sisters, but I guess it doesnt always happen this way...

    Thats all girls. If any sister waiting for her exchange has any questions, feel free to ask.

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited March 2018

    I have GOT to remember to talk to my PS about anti-nausea drugs before surgery. I had a relatively easy time after lumpectomy and mastectomy, but exchange is at a different hospital and I sure don’t think I want to be puking after surgery! Maybe they can get the information from my hospital records from mastectomy. He was there so hopefully he has the notes on anesthesia making me so sick.

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2018

    I had the patch behind my ear the last two surgeries and it really worked. You have to remember to take it off, it did make me a little dizzy/woozy and though you can leave it on several days, I didn't like that feeling, so would take it off after the first full night home.

  • peacetoallcuzweneedit
    peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2018

    Dafne - Give it time....I was also sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed about the iron bra feeling...I am 4mos out from my exchange and it is getting better...so hang in there. I feel like I really turned the corner at the 3mos mark...and I am starting massaging underneath my implants, right where I feel the tightness and it is or seems to be improving!

    I used the patch as well to prevent nausea during surgery post op....I put it on the night before. Had a dose of Zofran when I awoke and then took the patch once I got home.


  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2018

    I also had the patch placed at both surgeries + maybe something else in the IV. Anyway, I told them I get nauseous, although I'm not entirely sure I do. ;) But why know after the fact when it's too late?

    Good luck, Ghionik!!!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,351
    edited March 2018

    By all means do ask for a "scop patch" (scopolamine) behind your ear before any surgery. It makes all the difference in the world coming out of surgery. No nausea at all.

  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2018

    It's so helpful to hear the good and bad of how things went for all of you.

    For those who had nausea, did that happen to you post-mastectomy too or is this something I should think about just going into exchange surgery?

    Also, I started an April surgery thread for those with exchange surgeries in April. If anyone wants, I'll change it to Spring 2018 surgeries to broaden the scope. Please join!

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited March 2018

    Sweet Pea, I have always had an issue with anesthesia. My first lumpectomy several years ago, I threw up for 6 hours after surgery. They couldn’t let me go home till I stopped. It was awful. I told my BS and the anesthesiologist before my lumpectomy and mastectomy and they gave me some good drugs on board IV and I had no problems this time. I sure don’t want any after exchange either.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2018

    Hi ladies, I had my exchange surgery yesterday and it was relatively easy (after the double MX though most anything would be easier). My surgery was about 90 minutes so recovery was fairly fast once I woke up. I haven’t seen my new boobs yet because they are bandaged up. I’m seeing my PS this AM for the unveiling. I’m not on pain meds except Tylenol today unless I really hurt. I’m happy to get this part done and crossed off the “to do” list. I was show good I felt when I left the surgery center it was hard not to overdo it. Lol

    Hope all of you have a great day. Xoxo

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2018

    Geonik, I know, but lay low! Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! So enjoy the down time and give your body a chance to heal properly and not set yourself back.

    When I had my EX, I was wrapped up tight for a week, just like with the BMX, just minus drains. But I have the textured gummie anatomical and they require a tight fit. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

    Robin


  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2018

    Thanks Robin. Luckily it’s pouring rain in Portland today, so that’s helping me lay low and clean out my DVR with my cats snuggling with me. I was happy with how my boobs looked today even after seeing the swelling. I don’t want to mess anything up after all I went through to get these things put in, so I’ll be good and rest. So nice to get rid of the TE’s!

    Kim

  • bringon2017
    bringon2017 Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2018

    Hi Dafne so glad you are doing well.

    TaRenee I had problems in the past with general anaesthetic with vomitting even 2-3 days after. It waa terrible. But I spoke to the anaesthetist before my BMX and TEs and he changed the anaesthesia complety giving me total intravenous and avoiding the gases. And it worked like a dream. Ask about it. It was great.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,351
    edited March 2018

    SweetPea - I would say any surgery, since it's usually the anesthesia. Ask for the scop patch and also talk to the anesthesiologist before the surgery. They can change the mix of the gas if you have nausea before.

  • AnnieTater
    AnnieTater Member Posts: 57
    edited March 2018

    Hello all!

    I just want to chime in and say that I have been following you all! My exchange won't be until late May/early June but I want to be prepared. I was so happy to see Dafne chime in - I was waiting to hear how it went for you!

    I am so glad to hear that the exchange is easier and that Kim had such a positive experience.

    I also got sick after the BMX and a tissue expander replacement due to infection. I'll be sure to let everyone know ahead of time for the exchange.

    Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences! It really does ease my mind - and I am sure many others who never post as well :)

    Annie

  • Dafne
    Dafne Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2018

    Glad to see you all and read your news. In 5 days I ll be back to have thw external stitches removed. I do have ocassional sharp pains that seem to come from inside (dont really know how to explain it), but still the worse part is the pec muscle spasms and the iron bra feeling that seems to come and go and generally gets worse late in the evenings. Apart from that, I really have to remind myself not to overdo it. Its great that I feel so much better than after my bmx, but its so easy to do much more than you should. On the other hand, we moved into a new apartment just a couple of days before my exchange surgery, so we still have to open boxes and store things and do chores and all. I m trying to get it easy, but you get the picture. As days go by, I also noticed that one foob sits higher and seems bigger than the other. Its not really noticeable when I wear my clothes, but its there. Doesnt really surprise me though, cause one of my expanders got filled up to 700ccs and the other one up to 600(and then it started leaking), so I quess the result would be different. Too bad my PS did not think yo use two different sizes, and too bad I did not think about it either...

  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2018

    @Dafne, be careful not to do too much with your unpacking! The boxes can wait but from what I hear, you can set yourself back a bunch if you overdo it. So glad you're feeling so much better tan after the BMX. Maybe the size difference will even out with time? Are you seeing your PS these days? Maybe tomorrow to have your stitches removed? I would ask because I can't imagine that they wouldn't have tried for near symmetry...even if you didn't say anything about the different sizes, that's their job!

    Advice needed: I live at home alone with my 8 year-old (who will be at her dad's for my exchange surgery). After my mastectomy I went to a friend's house to stay a couple of days and so I would have some help (it was luxurious because I ate all my meals cooked by my friend for her kids, for instance). Do you all think I should stay the first night home (or two?) at her house again? I'm having surgery on both sides and staying one night in the hospital. I'm just not sure I need it with this surgery, everyone says it's so much better. Otherwise at home I'll be alone. Opinions? Experiences being alone after exchange surgery?

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2018

    Sweet Pea, I had my exchange surgery at 11:30 last Monday and was discharged by 1:30. I actually felt good, but I'm sure that was from meds and anesthesia still in me. I had someone obviously driving me but made him stop at Trader Joe's for something I had to have. He went in with me and I really was ok. I was home alone at my house at night but a neighbor checked on me a few times. Once I finally hit the couch at 7pm I was asleep pretty fast. I've done really well and could've driven to my PS appointment the following day because I didn't take pain meds, just Tylenol but a friend insisted on taking me. That was when my doctor took my bandages off so I could see what it looked like. This surgery doesn't compare the double MX with TE's. I've done just fine alone. I even have 2 cats and was able to scoop litter box on day 2 just fine.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,351
    edited March 2018

    SweetPea - yes the exchange is much easier, but I still had drains and instructions not to life my arms over shoulder height and not to drive if I took pain pills. I spent one night in the hospital and my grown son spent two additional nights before I drove him to the airport - so three days total. Mostly I slept but wouldn't have done well watching out for a little one.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2018

    I didn’t have drains, if I had it would have been way harder if a recovery. I knew going in for my surgery there wasn’t a chance I was having to get them again. I was so thankful. I’m getting ready to donate all my MX supplies to someone that will need them.

  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2018

    Thanks, MinusTwo and Ghionik, for sharing your experiences. :) I'll have one drain still when I leave the hospital, the PS said (two after surgery, one removed next day before leaving hospital). I think I'll try to do this with a ride to and from the hospital but then at my house alone, provided my daughter is with her dad.

    I bet I'll also spend most of the time resting, except after my MX they had me go in every two days to look at the incisions and the drain, so that part will be similar, they already told me. I plan to take a week off of work even though I have an office job, just to make sure, and then play it by ear with my PCP and the PS (the PCP is who authorizes your work leave in Spain).

    Ghionik, it's going to feel so good to get rid of that MX stuff! Donating it is a nice way to get some closure, too, on this chapter of the process.

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited March 2018

    Jumping in here with some advice about nausea and vomiting issues:

    I've had several surgeries/general anesthesia in the last few years. I've had the scop patch, and Zofran, which help, but I was still nauseous. What we discovered was how dehydrated I was before the surgery correlated to how nauseous I was after surgery. 

    2015 Neurosurgery (dehydrated) - extremely nauseous and lots of vomiting

    2015 BMX/BSO (Gyn Onc told me to drink 1 gallon water day before) - not nauseous

    2016 Exchange (dehydrated, scop patch, and Zofran) - very nauseous 

    2017 Capsulectomy (well-hydrated, scop patch, and Zofran) - no problems 

    2017 Colonoscopy (well-hydrated) - no problems 

    Hope this helps!

    Good luck to all our exchange sisters!

    Madelyn 

  • Landri
    Landri Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2018

    just seeing if anyone in here has had a single MX? My surgery is this coming Monday for exchange. Excited for that! My other side is going to get an implant and lift. I was super small breasted before, so this TE really looks to defy gravity with the other side. Looks like gummy tear drop on MX side, and gummy round on non. Any feedback from anyone on how the non MX side will recover in comparison?

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited March 2018

    Had single mx, exchange with lift and fat grafting on the other side...The natural side healed quite quickly. The areola looked nasty for about a week and then started looking okay. Nothing sticks out as particularly awful about it, in my memory!

  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2018

    Landri, yay for your exchange surgery on Monday! I'll be interested to see what people anwer, like Scrafgal, because I also had a single MX. I'm also getting imptants in both sides, gummy bear ones (with a lift on non-reconstruction side). Let us know how surgery goes for you, please!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited March 2018

    btw

    My upcoming revision will lift the natural side a little more and add a tiny implant to get the shape to match the implant on my MX side.  We decided early on to do this in two steps, just to ensure a good outcome. Now that things have settled, and the MX side fits perfectly in my bra cup, we know precisely the next step to get things matched. Revision is scheduled for May 10th.

Categories

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