Exchange City
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I need to ask my PS about massage as well but by doing my own research, I found the smooth textured implants need massage. The textured anatomical shaped ones do not get massaged. It all has to do with how the scar tissue is or isn't supposed to adhere to the implant. I'm 1 week out from my implant exchange and I feel pretty achey. I can only compare it to feeling like it's all bruised up or I got punched in the chest. It's nothing awful but wondering how other people felt or how long before they weren't so sore? The PS did have to do some cauterizing and pocket work so they'd sit closer together.
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Sitti is correct, no messaging anatomical that are textured. I too have the gummy bear anatomical implants. No messaging! The pocket must adhere to the surface of the implant to keep them from rotating. I had pocket work done too on one side and I had minimal pain and soreness. They are more static than regular rounds but I am very happy with mine. I am 3 years post EX. They will get softer, but will never have the movement that the rounds do.
Robin
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Had a post op appointment today. The drain on the mx side is out! Woo! One more step toward feeling normal. I also think that the implant side looks pretty good/real/natural, so I’m feeling better andlooking forward to things getting better with each step.
Still sad my PS is leaving, but I’ll talk to him next week about the game plan for next steps and also find out if he’ll still be practicing nearby.
Hope everyone is doing well.
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Hi! I am scheduled to have teardrop implants in my exchange surgery on 5/22. I am nervous about getting them because I am normally very active, and am scared they are going to shift over time. Before my surgeries, I lifted weights 4-5 times per week and played tennis 2-3 times per week. Will either of these activities put me in a spot where round implants would be better?
Thank you so much in advance, and I hope all of your treatments are going well.
Edit: Also, continuously get snuggled/tackled by my 5- and 8-year-old kids.
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I initially had smooth round HP Mentor implants and my PS advised me to massage once I was healed. His instruction was to push at the clock hands 12,3,6, and 9. From the bottom, or 6 o'clock position, push firmly upward toward 12 o'clock for a count of 20, then do the reverse from 12 down to 6, and at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions do the same toward the inside and then outside. He advised doing this several times a day. I would check with your respective surgeons on whether, and when, this is advised for you as individual patients. The purpose is to keep the implants soft, and prevent CC from forming, and worked well for me.
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Having my revision tomorrow and heading in for pre-op testing in a few minutes!
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Yay!! Good luck Scrafgal!!
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hugs Scrafgal...good luck tomorrow and please update us when you can
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Hi.
Newbie here. I'm currently having my tissue expanders filled. I was a teeny B 34 before my bilateral recon. I'm also slender build/5 ft. 8 in. I'd like to be a full C cup, but because I'm athletic my Plastic Surgeon will be placing my implants over my pectoral muscles. Any laides out there who have had this type of surgery? If so how big did you go and were you happy with the cosmetic outcome? I'm only seeing posts from those that went under the muscle. I don't want my implants to look like seperate entities, if you know what I mean. My surgeon did say she will tell me when to stop if things get " out of hand." Lol. Any thoughts or similar situations?
Thanks!
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I’m petite , have the pre pectoral implant. TE filled to 350. Implant was 440cc. I’m still getting used to it, and recon is not complete yet, but it doesn’t look like a separate entity
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Rocketsmom, that's great that your ps is doing implants over pecs b/c you are athletic.:-) I got the traditional method--behind my pectoral muscles and I absolutely hate how every time I wash my hands or do anything athletic with my upper body my pec muscles tighten up and my boobs look weird and small. I wish I had known that what you are doing was an option--I would've asked for it. I am meeting with a new PS next month and hope to get a revision (maybe some fat grafting?) that will help with the way that it looks.
There is also a whole thread on implant over muscle surgery/method--you might want to check that out. see link below:-)
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/835911?page=36#idx_1051
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Rocketsmom86
Check out Breast Implant Sizing 101. Whippetmom can suggest an implant make, size and shape that would be good for your frame. Read the intro post and send her your info.
I have prepec TEs and they look pretty good (although uncomfortable). I'm opting for DIEP flap reconstruction instead of permanent implants as I just don't like how things feel inside. I was very lucky that my PS used “leftover" breast tissue (I was busty) from my BMX to pad my upper chest area in lieu of later fat grafting.
I've added 150cc to my expanders and I think that was (for me) about a 2 cup size increase (I'm 5'11). It did make the expanders (relatively) more comfortable.
Lanne
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Minuteatatime- I had revision surgery April 25th with my new PS. I had my first consult with him in December because I had sub pectoral implants and let’s just say I was less than pleased with my results and knew I could get better results with the right surgeon. Not to mention the animation of my left breast drove me crazy. Even though I loosened up the muscle with Pilates type stretching it was still there.I did my research and found a new surgeon who could help me. We discussed having fat grafting and doing my nip recon...I scheduled my surgery (back in December) for April 25th. Two weeks prior to my surgery, my surgeon and I went over out game plan and he recommended swapping out my implants, releasing scar tissue (from rads) and doing fat grafting. This whole procedure was minutes in length and my results are beautiful and the best part is the animation is gone. Granted I have to give my new implants time to settle in and soften up but it’s totally worth it when I look at my results even 2 weeks post op. If you have any questions please PM me.
Rocketsmom, definitely check in with whippetmom shes the implant whisperer and will guide you in the right direction. Here’s the link just be sure to read her header and give her all of your information.
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Rocketsmom86: I’m the same height with slender build, and also 34B, also athletic. I only had one breast removed, so my PS had to match my natural breast. My tiny implant went over the muscle. I continue to run, do pull ups and push ups, and play racket sports. It all worked out well for me, and I hope you have the same good fortune
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Imkopy2 , thank you so much for that information--it's a relief to hear that it was pretty easy to fix! Glad you are happy with it too. I will talk to my new PS about it. He gets great reviews and a friend loved him, so I will be in good hands I think.
Thanks.
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I went for my follow up post exchange after a month and I’m pretty much done seeing him. I have nipple reconstruction in August and tattooing in September (close to BMX anniversary). I am kinda sad to not go back. He has been such a great support and a nice constant since my dx. I’m going to miss him. Is that strange?
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TaRenee, Not strange at all. Mine is leaving the practice, and I'm so sad!
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hi everyone, I had my exchange surgery yesterday. My right side feel perfect but my left needed interval sutures and so that's uncomfortable. Has anyone else needed sutures inside to lift more? And when did it feel better? Hes also having me wear an underwire bra for 6 weeks for support. Hopefully after 6 weeks ill be comfy. I still feel pretty tight..was hoping for it to feel way better than tissue expanders
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It does feel a little weird to not see your PS on a regular basis anymore doesn't it. I go back for a check-up in a month and then a year. I'm leaning towards no nipple recon or tattoo. I just don't think I care enough about them at this point. Every morning since I've had my exchange surgery which I'm at about 3 1/2 weeks out, I feel discomfort or a little sore. Sleeping on my side is doable but then I feel like it hurts since the implant has been pushed into one side all night. Anyone else have this? During the day I'm pretty comfortable and barely remember they're in there- just at night.
Jlove1821-i didn't have the interval sutures but I read how easy this surgery was but felt pretty uncomfortable the first couple weeks. It stinks too because you aren't really given as long to recover before going back to work. I hope it gets better for you. Other than night time, I feel like my old self again.
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Nurse, I didn’t sleep on my side for a year!! You’re still in the baby stage, lots can change. I had internal pocket work and those hurt a little, but he evened me out and they are perfect. I have the gummy anatomical implants so recovery is different than rounds.
Give it time. I am over 3 years out.
Robin
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That makes me worried. I also have the gummy anatomical and some pocket work. My PS has never given me much for specific instructions. He always just says to use my common sense. He told me flips can happen but nothing really to prevent it from happening.
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You can do a lot of things to prevent it. I wore a sports bra/bralettes for a long time. No underwires. I slept in a bra for over a year. I just liked the way it felt. They have to adhere to the muscle formed to a pocket. I have never felt like they would flip. I think you need to not sleep on your side yet. If you need to, ask for specific instructions. You have to be bold. Heck, none of us have ever done this before! I think they forget that.
Robin
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TaRenee, usually they like to wait a few months for the nip recon to fully heal before they do the tattoos. I’m surprised they cando it after only a month.
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Nurse, I'm waiting to sleep on my side because my PS said at least a month sleeping on my back. It's so annoying, and my back hurts in the morning for a little while until the muscles start to warm up with some walking around, but I was told that it helps the implants take their place and adhere to the tissue.
And yes, night and morning are the times I remember I have the implants in and that I'm in recovery still. Usually otherwise I have little pain now. (I'm just four weeks out of exchange surgery tomorrow.)
I think I'll have nipple reconstruction and tattoo done AFTER summer because I assume there's a period of time you can't go in the wáter with the tattoo (or maybe with the nipple, unsure).
To the peeps who will miss seeing their PS: I totally understand. In the end I chose a technically good but not very social one, so I won't really miss him. I do, and this IS weird hahahahaha, however, miss the PS I didn't choose, because he was so good at explaining things and really empathetic. Just wish he were at a better hospital and I would have done the surgery with him!
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My first PS used to say that all of the time 'common sense rules'...I'm sorry but that's just BS! Definitely listen to the other ladies here who have had the same or similar procedure as you. If their surgeon recommended it then I would follow it. I do not have the anatomicals but I know they are WAY different then rounds.
I know sleeping in a bra doesn't sound like the most comfortable thing ever but even whippetmom wears a bra 24/7 and she's 10 years out. But I have this bra and I wear it to sleep in it's super comfy and it holds your girls close which I think is the point but check with Robin.
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3358049/bali-bras-one-smooth-u-bralette-dfbral.jsp?color=Magenta%20Majesty&prdPV=3
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I have a question. I had my TE exchanged for round smooth implants at the end of April. I did have radiation to my left side about 9 months prior to my exchange surgery and had 2 rounds of fat grafting prior to this last surgery. My non radiated side is nice and soft and really does feel like a real boob... almost. my radiated side is just a bit more firm in comparison. I don't think its a contracture as it has been this way since surgery just a month ago. My skin is just tougher on the left, so that implant isn't settling down like the non radiated right side. Has this happened to anyone? any advice about how to soften that side up? I am massaging my implants and skin with oil, but things aren't changing much. Has anything worked for anyone else? I knew implants might not work great with radiation, and overall I'm happy with how they look and feel and they healed up fine, but I just want to do all I can to help it heal.
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RoJo- radiation is the devil when it comes to implant softening. First off if you had your exchange surgery it could take some time for that implant to soften up or it could be that is as soft as it will be. I also had rads, TE and implant exchange my rads side never really got there...there are a few things that can be done to help improve the integrity of your skin and loosen things up. You could have additional FG ( how many it’s tough to say) some have 6+ rounds but it does work. I just had my scar released along with FG April 25th, I can already notice a HUGE DIFFERENCE. I would talk to your plastic surgeon, if he/she says that’s the best you can get find a new surgeon, I speak from experience. I also recommend reaching out to Dancetrancer she had extensive FG and had great results. Good luck and if you need more advice lmk
Michell
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RoJo try this link too...I found it helpful before my revision
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thanks Michell! Great advice
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