Exchange City
Comments
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I saw a PS yesterday for a second opinion. I think he is pretty well-respected and came recommended from this forum. He said that his plan for me would be to do some fat grafting at the time of exchange. He says I have a sharp drop-off from the TE (and he is right) and I also had rads on one side...
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Going for exchange surgey 9/22. Was wondering is fat grafting always done with initial exchange surgery or is it something that you do at at later date?
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Just had my first peek of gels exchanged from saline implants on 8/16. They look great and are healing well. Exchange surgery is no biggy--maybe 2 days of discomfort but pain pills helped a lot. I go back Monday to get the stitches out. The silicone gels are so much more softer than the saline implants. There is slight less projection, which I don't mind as I thought I had just a tad too much with the saline implants. They are comfortable & I'll be able to sleep on stomach now. They feel so natural. I have a great PS.
Cheering the rest of August & Sept exchanges on from the sidelines.
Terri
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ibcmets:
Thanks for telling us how it is going. The soft part and sleeping on stomach sound WONDERFUL.
Vickie
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ibc, yay, another successful exchange! Happy for you!
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Debbie and Lilah - thk you for yr responses. Had a terrific visit with PS. He is going to be awesome. We told him we couldn't afford the FG surgery, and he sd there are too many unknowns right now. He first needs to swap out the TEs for a shorter TE and see what is actually going on from the last surgery. He sd "let's not jump too quick and just take it one step at a time."
Dang, I guess that is just me wanting all those numerous ducks in row! Debbie, I am quacking on tonight!0 -
Hi Ladies,
I have not posted in awhile. I had some stressful family events with a loss of close family member and was in Florida for that but I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing and hope we are all still hanging in there. I go for my exchange surgery with reduction/lift on the other side tomorrow morning at 8 AM and I am a little nervous. I wanted to stop in here because you ladies were so nice to me and answered questions I had awhile back. I actually got to meet with my Plastic Surgeon yesterday and talked through all my concerns and I feel much more comfortable with what to expect and with him. You guys helped me alot with questions I should ask him and options I could have in case of a poor result. I had never really even thought much about it before. But reading this forum opened my eyes to what could happen and what can be done. I really was happy he took the time to do that and even offered to postpone the surgery if I wanted to check other options such as using my own tissue for the implant rather than the silicone. At this point I just want to have the surgery over and done with so I did not want to put it off. And I feel pretty good about this decision because it will be a easier surgery and I am tired of surgery as I am sure all of you are too. Good luck to anyone else going through surgery this week. Hopefully now I will understand a little more what is going on so I can share and possibly give back to this forum. Everyone please take care.
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So happy for you Ducky, living in evny cause I wish it wer me. My turn doesn't come up til 9/22.
Let us all know how you do. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers tom.
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Duckyjan -- good luck tomorrow! I had the same surgery (reduction/lift on one side, implant on the other) so if you have any questions please feel free to PM me. Take it easy after the surgery. The reduction/lift side will probably take longer to heal... and of course there will be swelling so don't judge how you look at first... just heal!
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Good Luck Duckyjan with your surgery. Let us know how you're doing afterwards.
Terri
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Best wishes Duckyjan. Hope you have a quick recovery.
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Sorry I have been out of town and now I am playing catch up on BCO!
Lindsey: Not everyone needs FG so it really is a wait and see thing. I had a very bony chest wall so my PS filled above the implant and I wasn't charged for it at USC Norris-I can't imagine having to pay out of pocket for all of these procedures. I get copies of the bills my insurance pays and I am well past $100,000 boobs if you include the chemo. Wishing you luck with your surgery and hoping they don't need to do the FG.
Artsy: I can't believe your MRI only took 30 minutes-mine was a full hour! Great news that you are all clear. Doing the happy dance!
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Had my exchange two days ago. I just posted some updated pix on the picture forum. Took a pain pill early this am and nothing since. Have a few sore spots, but overall feeling good. What a difference from BMX recovery, this is a walk in the park for me by comparison! I was told to plan on having drains, but woke up without them - yay! PS and PA very pleased. I ended up with Allergan Natrelle Style 15 - 533cc. They tried different sizes in Style 15, 20, and 45 and thought these worked the best. I've promised myself to get neither excited nor discouraged until everything has healed and settled in.
Hope my surgery mates this week are doing OK!!!
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Tinat I have a similar prosthesis, Allergan Naturelle Style 15-457cc,, and I was anxious to see how your exchange looks.I'm not all that pleased with mine right now. I cannot however seem to fing the photos in the forum. Any hints?
Barbara
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DocBabs: I'm going to assume that you're already linked into the picture forum (separate from this site). You can go to the "Search" page and type in a name (I use the same as here) under User Name and make sure you check off the "Search first message only" box. Then click "Start Search" and you should get a list of threads that person has started. In my case it should be easy as I only have two threads and one indicates that it was updated today.
Sorry you're not happy with your implants - but, it's only been a week or so, correct?
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Great to hear that your surgery went well (and no drains!) Tina.
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YAY TINA!!! Rest up!
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Thanks! I feel pretty good so it's going to be hard to remember my restrictions for lifting, pushing, and pulling. I guess my body will let me know if I forget...
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Good morning everyone.
Surgery *with* TinaT last Wed. Right exchange went as planned, left lift not so much. Radiated tissue from 2007 did not co-operate, so Dr did not put in the small implant to make me as close to the same size as possible.
Right now I have no intention of going for another surgery. This one was the 5th in 16 months, the body is tired. I have two drains, but don't feel to bad today.
Yesterday was the usual ache all over from the muscle relaxant in the anesthesia. Not everyone reacts to that, I'm just a lucky one.
DuckyJan how are you?
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Sorry to hear this ferretmom. Recommendations: Green tea, fuzzy socks and 80s movie marathon today. Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, Breakfast Club...I hope you feel better soon.
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Ferretmom - reading your post and had a big exhale for you. Five surgeries, no wonder your body is tired. I am so sorry, but will add two feel good movies I've watched over the past couple of days: You've Got Mail and Something's Got To Give. I need movies with a happy ending!
Tina - I am happy to hear the exchange is easier and I can't wait to move from this chest of rocks ro squishy!0 -
Congrats to all that have made it through surgery this week. Hope all are feeling well and back on their feet in no time.,
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Congrats to Tina on a successful exchange. Hoping the rest of Aug & Sept exchanges go well. It really is much easier than the MX.
Terri
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ferretmom: Hey surgery buddy! I'm so happy the exchange side went well, but PTOOEY on drains! So sorry the augmentation on the other side didn't work out. Perhaps down the road you'll feel like trying something different, but perfectly understandable that you've had enough for now. Hope you heal fast and feel better soon!!! 0
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LindseyS: I am one of those weirdos who really wasn't bothered by the TEs. My PS told me to wear whatever was comfortable throughout that whole phase (6 months for me) so spent much of that time braless. So I went from braless with TEs to very snug bra with implants and I'm honestly more uncomfortable now (told you I was a weirdo). But, once the incisions are healed and I'm able to wear a more comfortable bra I'm sure I'll be a happy camper! They definitely look softer and feel squishier when I poke with a finger
.Thanks!
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Thanks Tina, I'll give it a try.It's not that I'm unhappy I'm just not as satisfied with the "quality of the workmanship". Yes it's just one week so it's early. I put on a regular bra today, first time since May.Even though I have a drain in ,it's lower than the bra line so it;s not bothering me. I actually feel a lot better with my breasts supported and it shapes the breats better so I'm not as depressed when i look at my chest. I see my PS Weds!!
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Why don't you post some pix on the picture forum? Or, be sure to check lots of threads there to see how others look right after exchange compared to after some time has passed. Might make you feel better about things - or give you some concrete points to focus on when you see the PS.
Sorry you're not excited
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Tina, I think we are very much alike. My TEs don't bother me either. And I have been wearing cami shirts...no bras. My ps stated that I wouldnt need a bra after the exchange either. Wierdos unite!
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You suck, LOL. So glad there are a few that can get through the TE without much discomfort. Me...not so much. Had final filling yesterday and feel like my chest is on fire, Have muscle relaxants which help some, but I am so tired of always being uncomfortable. These things are so hard, I've almost forgotten what it feels like to have movement on your chest. Only have to wait til 9/22 and God it can't get here fast enough.
Glad you guys are doing so well with yours.
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Hi All! I am also new to this site. I had a bilat MX with TE on July 14 and am getting a little discouraged at the time it is taking to fill the expanders. I have only been filled to 280cc on the left and 220cc on right. I am also confused on how much they need to be expanded before the exchange. I was a small C prior to my surgery and would like to be about the same.
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