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Exchange City

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Comments

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited July 2018

    I did it twice due to some absorption and desire for even better contouring....I know that it is a long road but if you really want something fixed about your reconstruction, then try to push through it. The pain level and duration is nothing compared to the other surgeries.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,348
    edited July 2018

    SLL From what I've read on these boards, you can do fat grafting at any time in the future. If you're conflicted, maybe put it off to see how you like the original look. And if you want fat grafting later, schedule it when it's not the middle of the hot summer.

  • maggie2
    maggie2 Member Posts: 240
    edited July 2018

    I called PS office in case I should be getting the spanx or some other compression support and special bras.  I was told that I'll be given everything I'll need at the surgery.  My actual pre-op appt is in two weeks so I will get more details then.  DebAl, my PS only uses the Allergan brand, such as Natrelle Inspira implants. I'm still debating between the round or teardrop. 

  • debal
    debal Member Posts: 600
    edited July 2018

    Thank you all for your input!. Scrafgal, I'm glad you are happy with the results! SLL, like minus 2 said you could postpone if you are unsure. Anything we do from now on is a bonus so maybe discuss with your PS again. I remember seeing a few posts on other boards saying it's better than the first surgery. Maggie, I called today too. I do need to get spanx and I think they fit me in the same type surgical bra as the mastectomy. They wont take a lot from my lower belly but will from sides, maybe thighs. Figures I hung up before I asked specifics about the implant lol. I will drop her an email.

  • SLL101984
    SLL101984 Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2018

    Thanks ladies for all your input! Im still torn about what I want to I do hi but lickily I have a couple months to think about it. I don’t like to have all the surgery done this calendar year too so we’ll see

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

    SLL101984: I've heard a lot about fat grafting pros and cons. 

    At every check up, my BS (yes, breast, not plastic) keeps asking if I want fat grafting. I have some obvious dimples and rippling when naked, but I look fine in my clothes, even a bathing suit. My PS has offered fat grafting if I want to smooth out those areas.

    I'm happy the way I look. I don't want additional surgeries. I don't want to have a sore donor site as well as sore breasts. I'm hoping to lose weight. I don't want to go through fat grafting and lose the graft. 

    Just wanted to give you another perspective. Good luck with your decision and your surgery. 

  • Imkopy2
    Imkopy2 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2018

    SLL101984- I had FG 2 different times...since I had rads it has helped the integrity of radiated skin and my breast is MUCH softer. If you didnt have rads then this wouldnt be important to you. However, my implants felt cool to the touch like a waterbed matress...the 2nd round of FG put a nice layer of fat over the implants and now I found they feel more natural. My PS went thru my belly button and I dont have any scars from it. Good luck in your decsion.

  • raleighgirl
    raleighgirl Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2018

    lmkpoy2,


    I had fat grafting only once but it didn’t improve my radiated side very much and I am considering doing it again. I had quite a bit of fat necrosis. What was your experience after your first fatgraft?

  • Imkopy2
    Imkopy2 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2018

    raleighgirl- My first round of FG didnt give me much of a difference. My skin held up overall very well and I had very little discoloration. I wasnt thrilled with how things looked and knew I could get better results thanks to BCO. So I sought out a new surgeon to help with me my issue. I found a guy who specializes in using FG to help improve the integrity of radiated skin. After my initial consult I thought his plan was going to be only to FG and nip recon. At my 2 week pre-op consult he changed his plans and took out my original implants went up 135ccs and then did FG. My rads side is just as soft as my non-rads. I am 3 months out and feel fantastic. He's going to do another round and do nip recon...I recommend FG for rad skin. The stem cells help to rebuild and renew the skin. There is documented research on it...one of the ladies "dancetrancer" had it done too. Ill send you the link.

  • Imkopy2
    Imkopy2 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2018

    raleighgirl-

    Look up this topic by Whippetmom, the articles are great.

    Topic: Fat Graft Transfer and the Radiated Breast

  • Robinda2970
    Robinda2970 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    hi!! New here...had DMX with expanders on july 2. Was wondering about how long is the exchange surgery?? I know it's outpatient.

  • Ceci-246
    Ceci-246 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2018

    Hi Robin, exchange is one to two hours. Mine was just under two and I had fat grafting. It is definitely a much easier process and recovery.

    Ceci

  • Robinda2970
    Robinda2970 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    thanks Ceci! I had some problems a few hours after DMX with my heart rate going really high from anesthesia. I know the shorter the surgery, the better!!

  • maggie2
    maggie2 Member Posts: 240
    edited July 2018

    Robin, my exchange is scheduled for August 15.  I was told it would be about 2 hours for the chemo port removal, implant exchange, and fat grafting.  It sounds as if 2 hours is pretty typical. 

  • Robinda2970
    Robinda2970 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Maggie!!

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited July 2018

    Yep! 2 hours for my EX as well. It is much easier.

    Robin too!

  • Robinda2970
    Robinda2970 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    thanks Robin!!! And I’m also from Cali! 😀

  • ljm33
    ljm33 Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2018

    I've been reading so many positive exchange stories and I'm a little down. I had mine yesterday and was incredibly sore and in pain today - especially under my arms and on my side. I'm slightly bigger than expected. I was a small B before and I wanted to to be a little bigger. Well I'm feeling huge right now. I wasn't wrapped and she doesn't want me in a bra due to the fat grafting and that seems to go against everything I've been reading. I know it's only been 24 hours but everyone says this is the easy surgery and I feel like crap with so much pain around my arms. Not really sure what I'm looking for here but did anyone else feel the same way?

  • Imkopy2
    Imkopy2 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2018

    ljm- It is possible you are sore because your surgeon needed to do a bunch of pocket work...or maybe he/she put in larger implants than expected. My first exchange I wasnt sore at all, but my 2nd exchange I had discomfort (nothing like the pain of BMX) I was certainly swollen and just flat out uncomfortable. It is important to give implants a little support (this may be why you're experiencing extra pain) I bought these bralettes by Bali they are very light and super comfy. You can find them at Kohls really cheap buy them a size or 2 bigger so you can comfortably wear them without putting pressure on your FG areas. Take it easy and if the pain continues talk to your surgeon.

    https://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pfid=...


  • ljm33
    ljm33 Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2018

    Imkopy2- yes! I did have some pocket work so that may explain the soreness in the sides. Thank you for the advice onthe bralettes too. I'm feeling a little better today. Just really tired. One day at a time I guess.

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

    ljm33: I had a lot of pocket work and was very sore as well. Everything seem to heal faster than the BMX.

    I wasn't call exchange surgery "easy" surgery, maybe "easier" than a BMX.  

    You may be bigger than you expected because of the fat grafting. Your PS may have put in extra fat, since she may be expecting a certain % of the fat not to take. 

    Please tell your PS about your pain levels. 

  • Rascalsmom
    Rascalsmom Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    When I see my PS in 5 weeks, we will discuss fat grafting. I had exchange earlier this month. What questions should I ask? Do you have experiences you will share? Thoughts?

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,348
    edited July 2018

    RascalsMom - there are several threads about fat grafting. Below is one about fat grafting & radiation that will likely have some good info & contacts

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...


  • ljm33
    ljm33 Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2018

    Rascalmom, I can tell you from my experience it wasn't so bad. I don't have a lot of fat so I didn't have much of a choice. She marked my thighs and tummy and said she would take what she could get from me lying flat on my back. She ended up taking two small areas from each side of my tummy. I'm definitely sore but not unbearable. From my understanding, the less lipo they do, the less pain you'll feel. I also heard the thigh area usually has less pain but check with your PS. Basically it feels like a bad bruise. I had my fat grafting with my exchange so I don't know how doing it after would impact things but that's something to ask about also.

    I'm still sore and uncomfortable today but much better than yesterday. Keeping ahead of the pain with the meds and I plan to for another few days. Thank you allfor your words of wisdom!

  • simonerc
    simonerc Member Posts: 155
    edited July 2018

    ljm33,

    So great to hear you are feeling much better today! I hope you stay in a steady path of improvement

  • CLmommy
    CLmommy Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2018

    ljm33 - I had my exchange yesterday and I'm definitely very sore despite the meds. I did have a lot of pocket work down, so I attribute it to that. But I know this too shall pass! Ask your PS about a compression bra - I do feel like that is really helping. Good luck! But know you're not alone! We will be feeling great soon - I know we will!

  • ljm33
    ljm33 Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2018

    Hi just wanted to follow up on my exchange pain. I see my PS tomorrow and I'll definitely be asking her these questions but my left side is still in quite a bit of pain. My right side (where the cancer was) is completely pain free. But the left side still feels like the freaking expander is still in there. Really sore around the edges of the implant especially at the bottom outer edges. It's pretty much a constant ache but every now and then if I move the wrong way it stabs. I know pocket work was done there and that side was much more sore with the expanders but it's been almost a week and I'm ready for some relief. Did anyone else have this much discomfort after the exchange? All I read are stories about how the exchange is life changing and I still feel sore as heck.It gets better right? I just need patience, I know, but I've had enough already.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,348
    edited July 2018

    ljm - hang in there. The exchange surgery is "easier" than the BMX. That does NOT mean it's easy or pain free. I was thrilled to get rid of the turtle-shell TEs, but I still had a various pains - including the stabbing you're talking about - for several weeks.

  • Robinda2970
    Robinda2970 Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    How long was everyone out of work after exchange surgery?

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited August 2018

    4 weeks..but it could probably have been sooner. I had fat grafting and a natural breast lift at the same time.

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