Exchange City
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After my exchange, no drains, I did not see PS for 4 weeks. The paperwork said to come in at one week but he was out of town and I had no post surgical complications. So we just scheduled for 4 weeks
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Thanks Mom and Simone...4 weeks, wow...I was "concerned" about 2!
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No drains here on bilateral exchange and I even had some tweaking on right side of motor nerve and muscle.
Saw my surgeon 5 days post exchange but I’m close by. Be viligiant on swelling, any draining, and fever. Make sure you are confident you have scripts on meds for your comfort, you probably already know now what works for you.
Good luck trmtab
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TrmTab,
If there was any hint of anything amiss, there were covering PS docs who would have seen me. After exchange, assuming no complications, they are really just doing a quick check. Reminded me of when I saw the Breast Surgeon one month after mastectomy. Just checking his handiwork
Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!
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Trmtab, I had my consult yesterday for my revision with PS3. We are downsizing implants, fixing pockets, adding alloderm and lifting one side. He said I would need drains because he is adding Alloderm. So maybe your revision doesn't require adm and hence no drains, idk. When I had my 1st exchange I didn't get drains, so maybe that ps didn't add adm, not sure. I am happy as well. My new ps is on board with my wishes to do lipofilling in front of my smaller implants at subsequent times in his surgical suite. Probably won't get to the OR before the end of Nov but I'm okay with that. He didn't say what the follow up schedule would be. For my 1st exchange it was 1 week for 1st f/u.
I'm glad you feel comfortable with your new PS! Do you have a date for revision yet?
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Met with PS today; ohmigosh, his office is run so much more efficiently and professionally than the PS I recently left! Anyway, I am currently flat on one side due to recurrent cellulitis, so next month PS is going to put in new TE on the flat side and then do the exchange surgery on the good side because I am TIRED of having the TE in. The surgery is on a Monday and I typically bounce back from surgeries quickly, so I'm thinking I could possibly go back to work on Thursday? (I'm a teacher.) I have requested Mon-Thurs off for the surgery and I know my administrator will be approve it, but it's easier to be at school than write sub plans so I try not to miss. Those of you who have gone through exchange surgery or new TE after failed TE, what do you think?
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Ready - My TE deflated and I went forward with exchange. Exchange was on a Friday and I went to school on Monday and taught on Tuesday...so if you have been okay in the past then will probably be okay again.
Shoregirl -- the new PS office said they would call me in a week or two after they get insurance certification to schedule. The PS does surgery every Monday and Tuesday. Given where we are in the school year and business travel already set, I would like to schedule this at the start of the winter recess. I have a break in travel from Dec 10 - Jan 24 so if I have it the first or second week after my last trip, that will give me 5 weeks before needing to travel on my own...or be able to lift my overnight bag!
Given the distance, I will probably stay at a hotel near the doctor for a night or two after surgery so if there is any immediate reaction I am nearby.
Once I have a date I will update my signature block.
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Hi Ladies! I'm an "oldbie" here...spent my life on these boards 10 years ago during my surgeries and thankful for all the ladies and advice on here! Yep...10 years ago...but now I'm considering fat grafting, which I didn't do before. I had a bilateral and both have divets and bumps (really from the beginning actually, I just didn't want anymore surgery). But now I feel like I should get it.
If anyone can tell me if you had the fat graft, I'll have fat taken from abdomen. What was your experience and do you feel it really made a difference in the shape and appearance? Any insight is helpful! My husband is like it's not worth it you look great, but it bothers me. I know you all can understand how I feel. Thank you in advance!
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griz - Below is a link that Whippetmom started about fat grafting. It's not current, but there is considerable discussion about going back for fat grafting later down the road. Maybe it will be useful. Good luck.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...
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TrmTab- Here’s something I did for my last exchange which at the time sounded crazy but came in completely helpful. I bought one of those small magnifying mirrors (10 or 20 Xs) with the little auction cos on the back. Any and every time I changed my clothes or showered I slowly examined my incisions with the mirror. If anything looked funky I called (better safe than sorry) The one time I had spit a stitch and there was a pin hole. I made the hour drive and saw the nurse. She pulled a couple of others that were getting ready to come out and she had me cover them. She said any of this early little holes can harbor bacteria and was amazed I was checking my incisions so carefully. She loved the idea and now recommends it.
3girlz FG isn’t that bad...they like to take fat from abdomen if you have it. I did it with exchange but am having it again in March. The donor site is what is sore but compression garments help.
Shoregirl- yay sooo happy for you! I’ll keep sending positive vibes your way
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imkopy2 - like you, my NP asked if I was a “stitch spitter" and said to watch for small red or white bumps along the incisions/scars. They needed to be addressed ASAP to guard against infection. Your mirror idea is a good one!
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I'm scheduled for my left exchange surgery in a couple weeks. My TE is leaking and so we're doing it earlier than I had planned.
Has anyone else's TE leaked?
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Ready, that is great news! So happy you are feeling better and looking fwd to your exchange with new ps!
Trmtab, I haven't heard back from ps with a date yet. They have to wait for insurance approval. We may be going at the same time!! I like Imkopy's mirror check. That is a great idea and being far away from your new ps it makes sense to be super vigilant checking your incisions.
3grlz, I def feel the fg made improvements not only in appearance, but in FEEL. It "cushions" the implant and provides some warmth to the skin. As Imkopy said, compression garments worn on the donor site are very important.
Imkopy, thanks so much for the good vibes!!
Star2017, wishing you good vibes as well on your upcoming exchange. I didn't have TE leak, but perhaps someone who did will chime in.
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Hi!! New to the group andI'm trying to figure out about what size I will be after my exchange on Nov 6..
I am 5' 4.5", 117lbs, rib cage 29.5inches. I was a small 34B prior and I want to go bigger
I have Allergen 300cc 133 MV-12 expanders. They are currently expanded to 570cc and will be having a slightly smaller implant placed. I believe they are naturelle and he is placing an S style (I assume the S stands for slim) so I will have more projection.. The expanders look pretty big on me but I am nervous I stopped too soon to end up at least a C..
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"S" stands for smooth.
Natrelle Inspira are the ones with the great projection.
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Pippi - Below is a link to post your specs for WhippetMom on the implant sizing thread. Be sure to read the header and provide all the info requested. She is a true gem.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...
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just had my exchange surgery Monday, left the final size up to my ps and I woke up with mentor 235cc high profile smooth rounds. I was surprised so small but when researching the actual implant size that’s what could fit in my pocket (projection would have gone up a mm or two if a larger implant could fit the pocket so not that big a deal. I was a small b prior and I will probably be a b again. Anyone else end up with implants this small? Feel like I haven’t come across anyone yet!.
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SLL101984 congrats on your exchange! I am surprised you didn't have some idea of what the ps would use as it is my understanding the projection is a bit less for an implant vs the TE. Larger implants are heavy, especially pre-pec. I am downsizing from 440s to somewhere in the 300 range in the hopes of more of a B cup. Maybe after you are healed you could get a bit of fat grafting to plump things up a bit? Sending good vibes and wishing you a speedy recovery!
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Anyone ever develop a hematoma after exchange surgery? A few days after exchange it started to develop.
I went back to surgeon today, I’m just two weeks post-op. Bruising getting better but still swollen and uncomfortable! No fever!
I’m so frustrated with reconstruction it’s been such a rollercoaster.
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Well I now have a date, Dec 17th. Plan is to exchange current TCX800 for SRX 700-800 depending on symmetry with native right...which is what I actually expected the first time out except the PS wanted to try out the new TCX on me! If I had been a double MX it might have worked out, but the highly cohesive has never settled and I can't get my 57 y.o. native breast to be that round on top!
Excited, nervous, hoping for a smooth surgery and then I can enjoy Christmas and have the winter recess from school to recover. TT
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Congrats on the scheduling of your revision Trmtab! That is exciting!! Sounds like perfect timing for your schedule. Hoping you have smooth sailing!
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I'm 4 weeks out from my exchange and am worried I'm bottoming out on my right side. My right side is a little lower than the left and I can feel pulling in my right armpit and along my collar bone. I did some research online and this seems to be the only con in choosing pre prectoral implant. Larger implants can cause bottoming out too and mine are bigger than I wanted. I've been wearing a supportive bra 25/7 since surgery and am supposed to for another 2 months. I hope it will heal in place and won't be a worry for ever. My scars under my breasts is about 1 inch above the crease and I'm worrying they are both bottoming out. I started exercising this last week. 4 days of cardio leg work and one day of light free weights 3-5 lbs. I decided the weights were too soon oops. I hope I didn't screw things up. I have an appointment for tattoos on Friday so I can talk to my PS about this then.
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rachelcarter, I hope the PS says everything is fine, that it is just part of the healing. Did you have alloderm placed as part of exchange surgery? I’m 8 weeks out from exchange and still wearing a support sports bra all the time
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Rachel, what size are the implants?
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Rachael - yup - too soon for weights. When you do start back, try 1-2 lbs for awhile even though those might feel like wimpy exercise. Hope your doc confirms that everything is OK.
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540ccs. I'm so tired of worrying. I was filled to 600 but asked for 480 implants. Doc said that when I was on the table after extensive pocket revision it was as small as he felt he could go. I changed PSs after mastectomies. My first PS put in the biggest TEs that exist (700cc 16cm wide) even after I had told him that I wanted to have smaller breasts than before DX. I was an H and wanted to be a C. I'm small framed and it was logical proportionally but I get that my 'foundation' was large so there's a limit to what they can do. My new PS is one of the best and I trust he made reasonable decisions when I was on is op table. I had Alloderm with TE's initially and believe he did not add more to the implants. I'm not sure though. I'm going to ask this Friday. I actually aesthetically have grown to like the way things are looking and don't mind the size but it they are too heavy and are causing bottoming out than @#$%^&*.
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rachelcarter, my PS also used Alloderm when the TEs were placed as part of the mastectomy. He did not add more alloderm at the exchange. I have 580cc implants. It does seem as if the left side is lower than my right side. At my last appt, the PS actually got out his tape measure and said they are equal distance from my collarbone. I can certainly understand your concern about bottoming out. I hope your PS can give you good news that everything is fine.
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Minus Two correct as usual.
Yes, do be careful when going back to certain exercises. You really need to let your body heal and it can take quite a while. Remember, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should”. If you have any pocket work, it has many stitches that hold that together. You will have plenty of time to do the things you want to do once you heal. You want to make this the last surgery you need, not to have to return to “fix” something that was damaged. I was very careful with anything I did for about a year. I am 3 1/2 years post ex. I wore a bra all the time for about a year. I do have the 410 Allergan gummies. They do require that they are post pec and have to adhere so they don’t rotate. Minus Two has them too.
Bottom line is try to not do too much and you will be Successful ! Hang in there and best of luck.
Robin
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Land sakes, I am SO READY to get the TE out on my right side! It has been there since May 16 and the weight of it has dragged the entire foob down. It has also become less comfortable in the past few weeks, not that it was a cakewalk before. I don't know how the PS is going to get things back in their correct vicinity, but I'm rooting for him. In a few weeks I'm getting a new TE on my left side which has been infected twice, and I'll get the real implant on the right side. (clap clap clap!) I don't think things are going to ever look balanced since the tissue on the left side has contracted so much since TE removal, but at this point I am SO.OVER.IT. I just want something resembling breasts in my "chestral" region and I want to get on with things!
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I will be receiving my last fill the beginning of November and hope to schedule my exchange after Christmas this year. My TE's are prepect , my implants will be around 760cc's, which is approximately were I was pre BXM. What should I expect with surgery compared to the BMX. How long was your recovery, when did you start driving etc.... I have a 15 y.o. who is in a high intensity sport and practices 6 days a week, everyone has been so kind helping out, but hate to overburden anyone. As for implants, what are some of the things I need to make sure I know before I have the surgery, and are there things I need to be aware of after. I just read something about bottoming out?! Any articles you recommend for me to read before I meet with my PS to do the finals? Little nervous want to make sure I make the right decisions! I really appreciate all the advise my fellow BCS have given me through this process!
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