Exchange City
Comments
-
So, I am having my exchange on Friday. When I first joined, there was a lot of talk about eating pineapple before and after exchange to minimize bruising. Was that a temporary fad, or does it really help?
I will be so happy to get rid of this water balloon.
0 -
wc3- I’m sorry you’re experiencing so much pain. I’ve been there and it sounds like nerve pain to me. It was at my expander placement surgery though. Felt like someone was stepping on my chest. Pain down my arm, pain meds didn’t help. Days like that, completely miserable. Turns out my drain was pushing on a nerve bundle. The pain magically stopped once the drain got pulled.
I’m assuming you don’t have drains though. That makes me worried for you. I hope it’s just swelling or inflammation of the nerve and not some stitching or placement of something. I was seriously concerned about nerve damage, I knew something wasn’t right. As much as it sounds crazy- keep open to having them going in and release something if necessary, at least in the back of your mind.
I’ll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way!
0 -
wc3, that was not my experience at all. I barely felt a thing after my exchanges, even on my prophylactic side where I have more sensation. What does your doctor say?
0 -
mcbaker, my ps still recommend pineapple
0 -
Star2017: I'm actually in more pain than I was after the mastectomy.
I don't currently have drains. I was unable to talk to my PS. The clinic sent a resident(?) to talk to me instead and he seemed to think it was from some internal sutures and that the pain will go away in a few days but I think there is something else going on and said I think I need a revision. He said that wasn't going to happen today and to talk with my PS about it at the follow up and then the clinic discharged me with oxy and Tylenol because they needed the bed.
0 -
I ate pineapple for a week ahead and maybe three weeks after...it made a huge difference for me. PS recommended it "if you can afford the caleries" otherwise Arnica tablets work put the pineapple is the best...also the pineapple core is good for you even if a bit chewy! TT
0 -
With regards to pineapple... pineapples contain bromelain. Bromelain is reported to help with inflammation. I have had a couple of doctors/dentists recommend it to me over the years for pre/post surgery. As always, please check first with your surgeon before taking it:-)
0 -
The Mayo organization is quite conservative on such issues. Upon doing some research, I see that results, although often statistically significant, are not robust enough to warrant recommending it. I figure anything that will give me an edge is worthwhile.
I will simply inform them that is what I have been doing and will do. I have multiple inflammatory conditions, and there is some suspicion of an immune disorder. I will definitely start eating extra pineapple, then. Although the week before is disappearing fast.
0 -
wc3, that is really upsetting. I’m hoping it truly is nothing of concern, but please advocate for yourself and let your caregivers do the same.
0 -
star2017:
Yeah. I feel like my chest is on fire right now and actually had to take an oxycodone. I'm typically a tough it out or Advil person. I see the PS in a few days.
cpeachymom:
I had a similar problems with drains and expanders hitting a nerve after my BMX, but that stopped with the drain removal and expansion. By March, my expanders generally ceased to be uncomfortable, but they rippled and weren't MRI safe. Thanks for the well wishes.
HikingLady:
I wonder if my of my issues is I had a lot of peripheral sensation left, including at the edges of the incision site and the deeper areas of my armpits and sides.
In any case, for the amount of pain this is turning out to be maybe I should have just done the SGAP rather than wait on that, but that would delay my follow up MRI and I am too afraid of recurrence to push that back by months.
0 -
Well, I felt great on Friday, thought I had actually turned the magical corner to where the TEs start to be more comfortable and the burning was just a hint of it's former self. Even gave my Right boob a pep talk lol since it looked like it was healing well and that's the one we were keeping an eye on... went grocery shopping Saturday, came home let the hubby unload everything,we ate then I went to bed a few hours later . I woke at around 1 am sweating ,in pain enough I took an oxy, which I havent taken anything since a week after the bmx, sick headache.
I was up and down all night and all the next day,Sunday. Toughed it out and went to work monday, when I came home monday we hit the ER.
long story short.. stayed overnight in the hospital being pumped up with antibiotics and then surgery to remove the right TE due to cellulitis they said ,then home. I am so disappointed , everything looked GREAT on Friday , now Ive got to start all over with another TE in about 2-3 months. and hope that one makes it! Oh and I still don't know if I have to do chemo! I had that appointment today but had to cancel because of this. very frustrating.. Thanks for letting me vent.
0 -
I had exchange on Friday. So far, things seem to be going well. The places where they removed the fat for grafting are healing well. There is a place where the skin is very thin, and a suture from the implant went through. I am keeping that place, and the left nipple covered and putting antibiotic ointment on three times a day. I don't like the binder and the surgical vest; I have instructions to wear them 23 hours a day for two weeks. Eager to see what they look like once they settle into place. Will I have to wear a pad in one side of my bra when wearing form-fitting clothing?
I had an infection in that thin place while I was on chemo, a break from chemo and an antibiotic got it healed quick without compromising the TE.
I did well on Tramadol. Refused Oxy.
I have a horizontal incision on my right, and a vertical incision on my left, leading up to the nipple. They are both covered with wound-tape, but seem to be doing well. They rotated the breast tissue on the left, to get rid of the ptosis (droopiness) so she wold look more like my right.
0 -
notarobot:
That sounds so disappointing to have to start over but hopefully things will go well the second time.
MCBaker:
I hope things continue to go well for you!
0 -
Thank you WC3... I'm trying my best to keep spirits up,I just needed to vent. I'll do what I gots to do lol
MC Baker I wish you the best! I hope I get there next time! sit back and relax and just look at em! lol
I always wondered if they have a criteria of how deeply they "shave" the breast skin to consider that enough out to get rid of the cancer cells in a mastectomy ,I know my right breast felt really thin in spots too.but I had had two prior lumpectomies on that breast too .Go Figure the one that DIDNT show up as cancer is the rebel boob! lol my cancer was in my left and not found in a routine mammo
0 -
Hi everyone. It doesn't look like anyone has posted on this subject for a while. Unlike many of you incredibly brave women, I am very fortunate to be able to say that I do not have breast cancer. I was diagnosed with the chek2 genetic mutation. My maternal grandma, mom and one sister all had breast cancer. My twin brother had tonsil cancer. I have lost two sisters and one brother to various cancers. I had genetic testing done after yet another breast cancer scare. My breast surgeon called me personally with the results. I met with him the following Monday to discuss the results and options. He also set up an appointment with the genetic doctor who performed my test. Needless to say, the thought of going through cancer screening every three months was daunting. I decided to move forward with the prophylactic double mastectomy with reconstruction. I am fifty years old, 5'5 140 pounds. My husband and I celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in Hawaii from June 26th thru July 3rd. I went back to work for a couple of weeks and then began this journey on July 25th. I was completely not prepared for the physical and emotional aftermath. I'm sixteen days post mastectomy and am wondering if I am ever going to feel right physically and mentally again. My doctor removed my drains last Monday (positive step) and began filling my TEs. I have 190 cc in both expanders currently and will be going in for fills every Monday until I (we) are happy with the size. Here's my concern: my PS (five star rated) hasn't been very forthcoming with information that I feel is pertinent. Example: I had no idea that he was using Allederm tissue- I don't have a problem with that. I have a problem with not being informed about the procedure fully. As I prepare for my next fill, I want to go in armed with some really good questions that will position me to be more knowledgeable as we move forward. He mentioned that he was going to fill my TEs to probably around 500 cc. I'm not in too much discomfort and have not had any complications. How do I find out about specifics size, type, shape etc. without feeling like a total idiot? I feel as if I took control of my health appropriately by going this route, now I need to understand the plan. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs to you all...
Michelle
0 -
chek2 - I have to say that my opinion is that many plastic surgeons are arrogant & don't give much information. Yes, you'll have to pin him to the wall. It's fortunate that you don't have pain with the TEs. I was uncomfortable every minute of every day as they expanded
below is the thread for a magic woman who know all these things. She doesn't check in every day anymore, but she will answer if you read the header & post all the specs requested. And you can get lots of information just reading the thread. Good luck
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...
0 -
hang in there. I just went through basically the same thing. However, I did have a cancerous lump, but after three lumpectomies I decided to give up and remove them both. No chemo, no radiation needed. My PS also used alloderm tissue and tissue expanders. I wasn’t happy with the first implants (smaller than my original C cup) so he swapped them out for larger. Very easy surgery.You should be able to google what he’s using to gage the size. I have mentor 500cc. I’m 5’3” 130 lbs. I’m a c cup now. Email me at crossh12@gmail.com if you want to talk.
0 -
Thank you MinusTwo for responding so quickly. I will definitely check out the thread and reach out to her.
I hope that you have fully recovered and are enjoying life to the fullest!
Hugs-
Michelle
0 -
Hi crossh.
I'll be emailing you soon... thank you!
Hugs to you!
Michelle
0 -
MinusTwo-
WOW! WOW! WOW! This thread gave me the EXACT information that I was looking for... you are amazing!!!
All My Best-
Michelle
0 -
chek2inGA Hang in there--you'll get through this. That Magic Lady will help you understand the implant size information. It's specific to chest wall size and height and width of torso. Also, Alloderm DOES have a long, very successful track record, and it's standard of care. You can definitely look that up, and see that it's successfully used, etc. As for how you're feeling, it does take awhile to recover fully from that first surgery. The 'exchange' one later is MUCH easier. My PS explained that this type of implant/reconstruction is hard up front at the beginning, and easier for the second surgery. I chose this type of reconstruction because I didn't want the trauma to be shared by other parts of my body for grafts (lat flap, ab flap, etc.), but there are many choices for those, and also revision choices down the road.
My PS predicted that my new foob (final implant) size would be almost the same as how my TE's filled a bra. That once I liked the size and it felt right, new foobs would be super similar. This was absolutely true. The final implant shape was better, and the TE's were more uncomfortable than final foobs, but almost identical in how they filled a bra. Final foobs are now 7.5 months in me, and they feel quite comfortable. My PS also explained that when he does the implant 'swap' surgery, he always has 2-3 possible choices available, and he sets in the one that fit the best in the pocket.
Questions to ask: what to watch for during healing, PT referral and Range of Motion guidance for recovering upper body strength, restrictions for same, how long is it uncomfortable/tight after a saline injection and how to decide how often and how much to inflate with that process, how long after final saline injection can final exchange surgery take place, which style of implant does he recommend and why, does he do fat grafts and revisions or does he refer those out to another PS
Personal story : what freaks us out is individual and different for everyone. I found the saline injections to be quite unnerving. It took screwing up my nerve to tolerate them, emotionally/psychologically. One time, I took an Ativan first. I don't have the heebie jeebies about many things, but it did not feel easy to show up and get those. For me---it might be no big deal for a lot of people, or just one more thing we just find the courage for and DO IT, but it was not all that easy for me.
0 -
Hi HikingLady.
Thank you for sharing your personal story as well as for providing some really good insight. I met with my surgeon yesterday for fill #2 armed with LOTS of questions. He was very forthcoming with information and answered the majority of my questions. He actually elaborated on a couple of things that I hadn't even thought about asking. I will most likely have three or four more fills. My surgeon does not overfill. I'm currently at 290cc in each TE. He is expecting to fill me to 500cc (or whatever I feel most comfortable with). I'll need to wait six weeks for the exchange with fat grafts. So, I have at least ten more weeks until the exchange. I'll be so happy when this is over. Today was a good day. I have a feeling that more good days are on the horizon; especially now that I know the plan :-)
Hugs and Warm Wishes-
Michelle
0 -
Hi everyone... I had my TE exchange 8/1 and wanted to know from any of you who swapped out the implants from the original to a different size.....how long after the original surgery did you do it?
I think i am too small and have a lot of rippling. I didn't think i would care so much....but it has taken so much to get to this point i was hoping to be happier!!!
Appreciate any input
1 -
lila - I came out bigger than I wanted 8 years ago. I never did anything about it because I had recurrent cancer 2 years later that the BS was able to excise the growth w/o touching the implants. My cleavage is great but I still would have been happier with smaller. I know - I am in the minority. There used to be an active thread for people who wanted to go smaller. I figure most women don't get much support if they don't want to be big.
0 -
Hi Lila,
I was unhappy with my fist set of implants, as well. They were Mentor High Profile 400cc and left me with a B cup. I was originally a C cup and wanted to stay a C cup. I had the swap to 500 cc about 6 weeks after the original placement. The surgery was very simple, it took about 45 minutes. I had no pain at all and recovery was quick. He went through the same scar. I’m much happier with the size. I look about the same with clothes on now. I also should mention I am prepectoral ( over the cheat muscle)with alloderm pockets.
0 -
Lila
I swapped out my implants that were too big and placed in September 2018 to slightly smaller ones in April 2019. I was shocked how much just 50ccs less made me look.
My PS always has me settle to around the 6-month mark before she does any revisions. It takes a while(at least in my case) for swelling and settling to happen so you really know what you “got”. Try not to do too early!
I’m having revision in September (relatively minor) fixing my areola and nipple reconstruction; PS waited for 6 month mark to do as well!
Good luck and hope you achieve the results you are looking for!
0 -
I am so sorry, I just caught back up with this thread when someone replied to my previous post. Just to do a little edit, in case someone goes searching for the type of infection I had... when my infection caused the loss of my right tissue expander I was told it was due to cellulitis, after testing was done it turns out it was serratia bacterial infection that my PS and Onco surgeon said I picked up during my mastectomy. took 5 weeks for it to wipe me out! I just wanted to make the info available , lord knows I didnt have a clue and was desperate to find out what had happened in my case.
0 -
I had exchange surgery in December of 2017. I don't recall the exact name at the moment but they are textured, teardrop shape (not allergan). The left one always felt gritty against my ribs and was quite a bit larger. Also the implants head smooshed my armpit fat up into an uncomfortable position. Today I have a pre-op appointment for swapping them out and was going for round smooth. I have sort of forgotten a lot of what was involved the last time around and was wondering if there are any specific things I should be asking/telling my PS today.
0 -
Hi Not-a -robot and all other women who have dealt with an infection,
This is my first post.
I had my double mastectomy / recon surgery 9 weeks ago on June 13th. (A Thursday, not a Friday the 13th.)
Anyhoo, on Tuesday the 6th of August, (about 2.5 weeks ago, I had pain in my left breast and thought it was from my 4th fill, just the day before. It got kinda bad and I was concerned since my fills hadn't hurt before. I checked when I got home and my lower left breast was red and I knew something was wrong. I went straight down to the emergency room where I had the surgery and the next morning I was hooked up to an IV with 2 different antibiotics for 5 nights. I did not have bacteria in my blood and my white cell count was only at 13. (I think that above 11 can be a concern.) By the 2nd day my white blood count was lower and normal. They were very pro-active.
I am a really healthy, strong gal. I have never had an infection like that. The nurses told me that one can die from this! Holy Sh--.
I just finished my last oral antibiotics today. They had me on 2 orals for 10 days since getting out of the hospital. There is still a very tiny area of pink under that breast but no pain. They want me to come in Monday but told me no more fill until I've been 1 full week with no redness. I'm scared that this infection lingers and will pop again which means I can never get switched to implants?! Does this reoccur often? I need 2 more fills to get to the desired size unless she does tiny fills to make it 3. She was filling me once a week for four weeks. Sigh, has anyone gone through this and been o.k. with implants?
Trying not to worry about what may happen but before this I was actually having an O.K. time with all of this. I was lucky to be diagnosed with DCIS (Stage 0), in the left breast. I decided on a double mastectomy so that I would avoid radiation which would give me the best odds. My surgeon said that was a good decision since the other breast had A-typical cells. (Not a biggie) My lymph nodes were clear.
Any uplifting stories, thoughts?
Lisa bbb
0 -
lisabbb, so scary! Sorry you had to experience that and sending you healing thoughts!
0
