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Exchange City

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  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    jbennett38:  I suggest you check out both the Implant Sizing 101 thread and the Tissue Expanders thread.  This is not an easy process, but don't get discouraged.  There are many reasons to take it slow while going through expansions.  Also, each plastic surgeon seems to have a different schedule for reconstruction.  Hang in there!
  • KY_Vickie
    KY_Vickie Posts: 17
    edited August 2011

    Corrine-  My TEs haven't bothered me at all except for the last fill.  My chest muscle had contractions for about 12 hours.  I haven't worn a bra duing the TE expansion.  I bought camisoles.

    Tina- I am glad you have completed your exchange.  Hopes all settles in great for you.

    I guess I am the next one up for the exchange.  I go in at 11 am on Tuesday.  I bought two books for my downtime.  I bought 'The Help" and John Grisham's 'The Confession'.  I have had them for a couple of weeks, but have not picked them up yet.  

     My PS also said that I would not have to wear a bra after the healing from the surgery. 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    rehm046:  Good luck next week!  The recovery for me has been easy so far - hope it's the same for you!!!
  • LinSea
    LinSea Posts: 127
    edited August 2011

    Tina: I wasn't so bothered by the TEs until the last week or so as the swelling keeps going down.

    I am now up on the picture forum under wolfwail.  I am getting excited to swap out these expanders for a new size and style.  Because we haven't added any fills to the 300ccs and 350ccs I got at surgery, they are starting to shape-shift creating lumps and bumps.  The pain is growing every day, so I want them out. Surgery is scheduled for Sept 6. 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    LindseyS:  E-Day will be here before you know it...hang in there!!!
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited August 2011

    Tina my TEs are not really bothering me either. They hurt a bit after the last two fills. Now just feels heavy and a little tight. 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    Carrol2:  I keep picturing a horserace and the announcer keeps changing who's in the lead.  I never thought I'd get here before you.  I felt stuck for so long and you were moving right along, then all of a sudden things started happening for me and you got stuck Yell.  Glad you're feeling OK and the TEs are tolerable while you are in this waiting period.
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited August 2011

    Thanks Tina I am fine, it's annoying to have to wait but everything is going fine, no complications. I have my preop on sept 6 and then i will get my exchange date.

  • lmanalo
    lmanalo Posts: 3
    edited August 2011

    I have 2 more taxol treatments then I'm done!! To celebrate i made the appt for the expander to implant exchange. You can probably guess how excited I was to find out that I'll be getting tummy liposuction to go along with my perky new foobs. finally, something to look forward to.

  • survivor11
    survivor11 Posts: 430
    edited August 2011

    Silicone vs Saline? My PS just informed me that he doesn't use gel because of complications associated with diagnosing ruptures. I'm bummed cause I really want these things to feel squishing and somewhat life like. How many of you have saline and how do they feel?

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    survivor11 - Hi, I think most of us here either have or plan on silicone, but I've read that saline is often used if the implant size needs to be large.  This is the first time I've heard of a PS that doesn't offer silicone implants.  Does he/she have concerns about a specific type of silicone implant or all of them?
  • survivor11
    survivor11 Posts: 430
    edited August 2011

    First I have to say that my PS is the best in my area per many physicians, and I know alot, am an OR nurse. His concern is for the potential for rupture. Says that silicone has a slow deflation period, which is true, that it make diagnoses of a rupture much harder to make and delays treatment. Since our tissues are sensitive and have the increased risk of inflammation that he doesn't use them. Says with saline you know of a rupture immediately.

    I have seen his work, a friend of mine followed the path 1 1/2 yrs ago and she looks great and is very happy with the results.

    I keep thinking that if I am not happy with the salines I can always go and have silicone gels put in at a later date.

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011
    survivor11:  It's always good to have the "inside scoop" and it's great that you know someone personally who is pleased with his work.  I've heard that you may experience more rippling with the saline implants.  Hopefully, someone else will chime in here....
  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited August 2011

    Vickie, happy thoughts with you tomorrow for a smooth and painfree transition to your new implants.  My exchange surgery (and port removal) was so easy in comparison to everything else.

    Saline vs Silicone?  I have silicone, and yes there is a definite possibility of silent rupture, so you need follow up MRI every 2 years.  They are softer and less chance of ripples, I looked at both and decided I would take my chances, but being well informed.

    I go back to my PS on Friday (6 weeks post exchange), I am happy with my size (btw, I loved the look of my TEs).  I do have a slight fold, both sides (up/down ,direction) near clevage area when I push my implants together and lean forward.  I know you are thinking, then don't do that, but this is what they look like in a supportive bra if I do not have my shoulders back and am reaching forward.  I have a feeling that this can be fat grafted?    I could live with the results, but I am going back for nipples (c-v flap), so some lipo and tuning up if what I have in mind.  Your thoughts??

  • soccermom97
    soccermom97 Posts: 2
    edited August 2011

    Hi ladies!!!!

     I'm new to this forum and have my exchange surgery coming up 9/13!!! I cannot wait to get my real foobs!! Anyways, I was wondering if anybody had drains after their exchange?? I had one on each side with my mastectomy and they stayed in for about 5 days..I hated them more than the surgery. Also my PS said he may have to reduce my cup size slightly to make nipples. Are the nipples done at the same time and then the areola tattoing? I know everybody is different, and I will see my PS on 9/8 to go over final details, but I want to know some info now!! How longafter the exchange surgery did everybody head back to work? I have 2 weeks off and am hoping that will cover it.

    Thanks!!!

    Dawn

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited August 2011

    Dawn,

    No drains after my exchange (I had 2 on each side with mastectomy).  Still don't have my nipples, getting them with local flap next month, I assume then the tatoos.  My cup size stayed about the same from expander to implant.  My expanders where filled to 525cc and my implants High projection 600cc.  I was only off a week after surgery, could have gone back sooner.

  • Therese9
    Therese9 Posts: 58
    edited August 2011

    Hi all.  That's what my PS said as well. My BMX with NSS is 9/22, and I'm planning to go with the TE and saline implants at the same time. My PS said, given my body frame, etc., that he thought I would be quite pleased with the results. And, if I'm not, I can elect to do the silicone implants later. It seems so hard to make these decisions in advance when you're only really talking about probabilities and not certainties since we're all so different--body type, breast size, skin response, etc., etc! Laughing 

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited August 2011

    Hey new here! I have surgery on the 1st very nervous expander on right side going from AA to a 36d silicone implants. Hoping this surgery is not as painful as expander one. PS said Drain expander side but no drain in real side. Hummm.

  • LinSea
    LinSea Posts: 127
    edited August 2011

    Vickie, Mahometmom, and Sweetjoliblon - good luck with your surgeries this week!

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited August 2011

    Thanks so much!! It's nice to get that message!! Any words of wisdom?

  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Posts: 312
    edited August 2011

    Got my stitches out today from gel implant exchange.  My PS did a great job.  The incisions lines are so thin.  He took my port out and fixed the wide scar I had.  I probably will not notice it once the thin red line heals.  I personally like the gels as they are much softer than the saline ones.  I was not sure what I was going to do about the nips.  I told him I don't like nips showing through my tops.  My PS is doing a new nip procedure that does not require anesthesia; only local.  He says he does a bit of fat grafting for small elevation for the nips. 

    I guess I'm game for another small procedure.  I've had 3 surgeries this year alone so we might as well go for perfection.

    Good lucks gals on your surgeries.

    Terri

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2011

    I had a drain after exchange surgery (I'm a uni).  I think whether or not you have drains is based on your doctor's preference, by and large.  Or if you are having a lot of pocket work. 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011

    Smooth sailing for those with E-days this week!

  • KY_Vickie
    KY_Vickie Posts: 17
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for all the good wishes for my exchange tomorrow!!!!  Hope all goes well for mahometmom and sweetjoliblon!!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2011

    Good luck and yippie squishie to all having exchange surgery this week!

  • Amyrich
    Amyrich Posts: 8
    edited August 2011

    Soccermom97.....I did not have drains after exchange (June 15), but ended up with a hematoma 3 weeks after exchange surgery. We wAited a few weeks to see if body would reabsorb the blood, but it swelled more. I ended up going back in surgery to clean up hematona at the end of July. I came home with a drain for a week to make sure there was no more bleeding. Its been 5 weeks, and all is good. A little swollen, but PS said it's just from surgery. Nipples are typically 8 weeks after exchange, then I think a month or so the tattoo....I probably exerted myself too soon from exchange to cause the hematoma to get worse. So my advice--take it easy after exchange! Don't try to do too much. I felt really good after exchange, but your body has to heal! Good luck!

  • CML0310
    CML0310 Posts: 32
    edited August 2011

    so my exchange is scheduled for 9-22, pre op is tomorrow.  Overal the TEs have not been bad occassional discomfort and the rock feeling but all in all I cant really complain.  MY PS said it should be a walk in the park compared to what I already went through...overall the process was mild compared to what some have described.  praying my trend can continue and I can maybe eve run.  How quickly can I expect to bounce back?  I have a tripped planned for 2 weeks after for a girls weekend. My PS said it wouldnt be a problem when we discussed it at my last fill.  Thoughts?

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited August 2011

    Good Luck to everyone this week getting your new boobs!   I am nervous but ready to ditch the TE I hate feeling it under my arm.  Does anyone know if the implants will be away from my arm pit?  I hope so.  this shall be weird have soft boobs.....

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited August 2011

    mahometmom62:  I'm not a week out yet so things haven't "settled".  The implants are wider than my natural breasts were, but I'm not feeling them with my arms Laughing.  So far, so good! 

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited August 2011

    TinaT what's the pain like

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