Exchange City

beacher4209.... I had radiation and my PS wanted to wait 4 months.  It was 4 1/2 months for me.  Things went fine, but I have a do-over scheduled in June because he had to use smaller implants than planned due to tighter skin on rad side.  So, maybe that was a bit early.  I go back again two months after the initial exchange for the revision.

This is a chatty group and I am way far behind in reading.  But wanted to add that my PS only ordered me to wear the surgical bra as much as tolerated for the first couple weeks, then wear whatever and do whatever was comfortable.  I have been playing tennis for a week now and riding bike also... with no problems.  Even ran a couple laps around the track once in a while now.  I've make sure to wear a good sports bra for those activities. The pain from the exchange surgery was very minimal and I only used pain meds for the first two nights, then never again.  I just hope that my second exchange goes as well, but kind of wondering about that since the implants will be larger.

I ended up with 325cc Mentor Smooth Mod Profile Plus, no fat grafting.  PS wants to go back with 400-425cc and do some fat grafting at that time.  He says that should put be back where I was prior BC, 34B possibly a bit bigger.  I suppose depending on how they drop and fluff.  I don't think that my current implants have done any that and its been 4 weeks now.  I was just fooling around on my PS's website again.  He has a photo gallery and good explanation of all these procedures.

I'm sure I'm not the only one on this one, but I'm now 2 months post exchange and noticed a few weeks ago my right boob seems to have dropped and fluffed.  However my left one.. not so much.  So my right one ... the cleavage area.. has softened up and there is a gradual slope.  I'm noticing my upper arm rubs against the side more on the right and sure enough, it is fuller at the side than my left.  Will my left one soften to match the right?  Does drop and fluff happen to one side first?  I will take pictures soon but does it sound like that's what's happened to the right but not the left?

cc4npg - I'm not sure ... but I do know that my left side took a lot longer to feel soft than my right.  For months my left side was hard and it really hurt.  It's OK now ... but it took a few more months than my right!  Hope things even out for you soon!

I'm right handed also, and my cancer was in the left breast.  I bet those factors have something to do with it too.  It really seems like my left side has not relaxed near as much as the right.  I probably should look into getting better support in a bra.. maybe one that helps push the right back over toward the center a little.  I never was able to "flex" my real boobs like these... but then, the muscles were under the real ones and not over them too. 

cc4npg:  It makes sense that they wouldn't drop at the same time!  Even though I am a Uni, I can't imagine them both at the same time deciding, okay, now I will relax.  I say give it time as you are still pretty fresh from surgery.  My MX side took almost 4 months and it takes at least a year before they completely "settle".

Angelisa -- I don't know if it's about handedness.  I'm right handed and my BC was in my right breast.  Hopefully, though, your other side will drop and follow where the first one went soon!

Hi, had my exchange surgery on Monday.  I think everything has gone OK with the surgery, still cloudy in my head and having issues trying to type.  I have problems with anesthesia.  Saw my PS on Tuesday and he told me to just take it easy, took off the bandages and had me wear the sports bra I brought along and to drink lots of fluids.  However ran a fever Tuesday afternoon, night and Wednesday.  Never got over 100.  Did call his office again, and they told me to take either the Vicodin (if I had pain) or Tylenol to control the temp.  If it went over 100 to call them again.  Never did.  But still have a clouded head, and I don't like it.

Theses fake breasts so far seem OK.  When PS removed the TE's they drained them to make sure of the amounts, 200cc, and then gave me saline implants and filled them with 300cc each.   My incision was OK, the issue I had with the TE on the left was entirely the fold of the TE, the skin was fine, no problem there.  He also removed my Port, Yea!!!!!

So I guess now I just continue to take it easy and wait for these things to drop and fluff.

Dawn 84...have you called your PS and asked him about the nipple. There's no harm in calling him and I'm sure it'll help with your feelings. Dont wait till the end of June. At least he might be able to set your mind at ease.  We're all here for you!

Had my exchange yesterday afternoon and it went well. Unfortunately, I had to teach my class last night, because it was the last class and the students had final speeches to do which required me to grade them. I think they all got As and I have no idea what they were about or what comments I wrote down on their evaluations lol. As soon as I got home at 8:30 last night, I took the antibiotic and Vicodin and was out for the night. It was SO nice to have something soft on my front! I can feel the difference. I went to work today for a half-day since I wasn't feeling any pain. Forgot about the surgery and went trotting down the hall at the office to take care of something and ended up holding my chest because the bouncing was a little painful. Went home at noon and took a 90 minute nap, which felt so good. Now I'm just chilling with my 5-year-old and anxious to take a peek at the girls. I don't think I'll be taking any more Vicodin. (I have two bottles of it in the cupboard, for just in case, I guess.) I'm really not into taking those types of pain meds, but if I feel wonky later, I'll probably down a Tylenol. The PS pushed my boobs together a little bit, so I'm feeling the twinges in the center of my chest. It just feels SO GOOD not to have those TEs in, I can't believe the difference already, not just physically but mentally as well. (And he didn't touch my nips! They are still there winking at me beneath my bandages. Thanks for all the support and advice, I think the PS laughed at me every time I came in with new questions and concerns, but at least he answered them!.

Joan -- take it easy!!!  And congrats

JoanDavies, woohoo, all A's for your students.  Can't believe you made it to a class, hope you didn't drive.  I only realized I was so out of it Tuesday post op when I truly came out of anesthesia and vicodin yesterday eve.  I have gaps in memory that I have no idea how I did some routine things around the house! 

Hope all you newbies enjoy your soft implants!!!!!!!

Congrats to those on the other side of exchange!  It is nice to have squishy foobs and be rid of the dreadful TE's!  And thanks to those who responded to my question.  My next appt with PS is in June so I'll address any problems with him.  Will post if anything additional happens or if the left one decides to drop.  I know the left is different because it was my cancer side.

I had ny mastectomies Bi lateral 4 years ago..Had a terrible time with myPS an the size issue..Have had tighness and pain the breasts are only a 250 cc. So I wnet to a new PS and he says "your implants are way too small for your body..They pull across the chest an cause alot of pressure.

He says that I should have a high profile 425?cc implants. I cannot even imagine what this looks like. I am 5'5 and I currently weigh 145-150.

I just so not want to have more difficulties if I go what I consider too big. It is a lot to go through all over again. I worry about having the pressure and pain and if it works out that there are problems and I need to have them removed there will be more skin to deal with.

 I am so confused. I do not relish the idea of having to go flat but it sure is tempting to have something there. This PS assures me that he will not leave me out in the rain as my last one did.

Don't know what to so..I think the implants will be gummies he uses Mentor. I am concerned they will be heavy and cause problems.

Any one have these. I am feeling uneasy about going again and starting all over and then being tight and even bigger.

My BS burned straight thru my right breast and the steroid cream my PS gave me for the sutures rotted off my nipple on the left breast. My nipple-sparing surgery was a  disaster and no one is accountable for it. I hate these tissue expanders and don't know if I can trust my PS anymore. I wanted my original casing and now its destroyed. Now I have to get tattooed nipples. I am mad as hell!!!

Can someone tell me what I need should do?

ps. Have not had radiation and don't think I want to until  I have a  recurrennnce.