Exchange City
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Still have 1 drain after my exchange 11 done 11 days ago. Depending on drainage amount my husband will remove it tonight......fingers crossed!!
Therese9, how are you having TEs and saline implants at the same time? Single mastectomy?
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mahometmom62 : My pain is very minimal. I have no bruising at all. I have spots that are sorer than others so I think I can tell where he did the most work. I know PS planned to narrow the left pocket a bit and I'm a little sore along that side, for instance. I took Norco for a few days, but now just an occasional Ibuprofen. I did probably more than I should have yesterday so feel a bit sorer, but overall 95% easier than the BXM. It's much harder to remember to take it easy this time because I'm feeling really good...0
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I go to my PS tomorrow and I am so hoping to get an Exchange date. I promise I have been a really good girl.
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Survivor - your PS sounds like mine. Does not use silicone for reconstruction. I am very happy with my 960cc salines. They are soft and squishy and feel like my real ones did. Haven't had any ripple issues, but did have a slow leak develop in one. PS noticed it before I did and he was able to replace it in his office. Unfortunately, Mentor decided it was an internal stitch (probably from the alloderm sling and pocket repair) that caused the implant to develop a leak so they didn't cover any of the replacement but my insurance eventually did. I am glad I have the saline.
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I'm so happy to finally move to this forum! My E-day is Sept. 29th Yeah.
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I had my exchange yesterday. It was a three hour procedure plus two hours in recovery. The implants are not hurting, but the removal of big dog ears on each side is really hurting. Percocet and I are close friends right now. He also constructed my nipples and took out my port. Hopefully that was my last surgery!!!! Thanks to everyone for the nice thoughts....
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Vickie,
Glad you're done with the exchange & got a lot taken care of in one surgery. Percocet was my best friend for a couple of days. Get a lot of rest, in no time you will be feeling great.
Terri
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It sounds like the exchanges from the last couple of weeks went well. Thanks for keeping us informed. I have so many questions but when I sit down to write I am just so encouraged by how well everyone seems to be doing that I just forget to ask. I guess what I really like to hear is that people seem happy and that there are always solutions for any problems that may come up.
You ladies are Wonderful to share so much of your experience. I am just so glad that everyone seems to be O.K. with how things are turning out and that problems seem to have solutions.
Would love to hear more about how squishy they are and if anyone can sleep on their stomach.
Vickie
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Well I went for my pro op appt yesterday! I decided to move my surgery back to Oct 17th. I have had a good run with everything so far and didn't want to press my luck I have a annual girls weekend planned for Oct 7th and I started to get paranoid that if i had an issue I would be devastated about missing the fun. My PS agreed to push it back if it made me feel better. Seems like the surgery is going to be easy and I sure hope so. He said he doesn't anticipate drains and no outside stiches that need to be removed. i noticed some people mentioning them in the thread. i didn't have them with my mx either- just the surgi tape and that seemed to work well. makes me wonder why some one ps does one way and another somethign different. Also for some of the recent exchanges did your ps tell you exactly what size he was putting in? Mine is ordering 3 different sizes and I will get whichever one he thinks looks best-which I am fine with. I'm at 450 cc's now and he's going to order 475, 500 and 525 since he says the gels will have a different appearance than the rocks I have now.
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I'm here, 8 days post exchange/lift. Two drains that were pulled on Tuesday.
Not at all happy with the results. The right implant is smaller than the expander as I expected, but holymoly I did NOT expect the lifted side to be practically non-existent. Dr had said I had *plenty of tissue* to closely match the implanted side. Not so. One side is the hamburger bun, the other is fried egg.
When the nurse took off the wrap her comment was * wow, quite a bit of difference in size*.
Nope, not pleased.....
edited for misspelling
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Ladies: went in for my two month follow up. I am now in LOVE with my new girls. As other ladies have said you will have to let things settle out. What I difference two months has made already! I may not even need fat grafting after all.
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I am so sorry to hear this ferretmom. Did they give any recommendations? Wait 2 months to see if they settle/fluff or go back in immediately?
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Congrats to all who have had exchange done - after awhile, stomach sleeping can be done with little or no pain or discomfort.
Ferretmom, I just had my textured implants exchanged to smooth implants - I waited eight weeks before doing a revision. So far, they look fantastic. I have two drains in. I also had a little fat grafting done on the tops of the implants and the cleavage area. If the fat gets re-absorbed, I will go in for another session of FG and will do the areola and nip at this time. I was concerned that my PS wouldn't be able to find enough fat, but he lipo'd four areas to get 30 cc's to work with.
With my old implants, the rippling got uglier and uglier as time passed. I didn't think there would be a reversal of ripples, so I decided to swap out the implants.
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My PS has said nothing about fat grafting. In what situations might that be needed? I guess I' will email him I forgot to ask yesterday.
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Can someone explain what "fluff" means in terms of the implant?
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CML, I have really thin skin, so the rippling is really bad. Some docs don't do fat grafting - maybe that is why nothing was said about it. Or, maybe you have thick skin to cover the rippling. Yes, calling your PS sounds like the best plan of action.
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Slinky thanks-not sure if mine is thick or thin. I don't have any rwrinkeling with my TE's so I am guessing/hoping thats a good sign. I will call him though just to be sure! Thanks.
Colette
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Slinky -- wahoo! Did you post pics of the new smooth girls yet? EDITED TO ADD: You look marvelous!
CML -- I don't blame you for pushing it back. While it is entirely likely your exchange will be a breeze and you'll be up and about a week later... there can be complications with any surgery and why chance missing such an important event? I also think you will feel freer physically (even 2 weeks post exchange).
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Ok not such a good day!! After waiting 5 hours had to reschedule doc had emergency surgery. Will Do on Friday the 9th Have horrible migraine came home took vicodan and laying down. What a tressful day
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Had my exchange last Friday 8/26 with some repairs to the right side and area between plus while I was asleep went for some lipo to my abdomen and flanks. Amazing, easiest surgery I have been through. I'm still swollen and puffy but it looks ok so far. Switching PS was the smartest thing I did - this was my 5th surgery in 10 months correcting what the first PS did.
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virokie: I'm 8 days post exchange. I'm have some swelling and tenderness, but realized I haven't even taken ibuprofen for the past two days. When I poke around some spots are softer than others - I'm slowly getting there! Post op appointment went well today. I know some are instructed to sleep on back only, but I was told I could sleep on back or my side. Definitely no sleeping on stomach for now. I don't know about down the road, but I do believe I've read that it's OK to do once healed.
CML0310: It is amazing how much difference there is from one PS to the next! Mine tells all patients to plan on drains, but I didn't end up with any (YAY). I have IMF incisions (beneath the breasts) with dissolving stitches and surgical glue. There was a dressing on each side that I was able to remove after 48 hours. My PS brought 6 sets of implants into surgery (2 volumes each of 3 different projections). It sounds pretty typical for them to order multiple sets. I'm sure yours can tell you which one they think they'll use, but can't really tell for sure until they take them for a trial run in surgery. They'll put the sizers in and sit you up, etc to see which work best.
drdolittle: Congratulations - glad all went well!!!
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ferretmom: Surgery buddy - I'm so sorry! You sound very disappointed
Did you have a chance to speak to the PS directly? It's only been a week. Have you posted pix on the picture forum?mahometmom62: Oh no! I guess you have to put yourself in the place of the patient having the emergency. Still, what a disappointment!!!
nguyeny: It sometimes takes a while for the muscle to relax, for the swelling to go down, and for the implant to settle in and show its true and final shape. For many the implants look sort of flattened until that happens.
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ferretmom, I understand how you feel. I was the same way right after my exchange, only 2 weeks ago. I cried for one week solid. I had to keep telling myself it's early, things change, not that I believed any of it but to a certain extent it is true.To my eye my nipples are out of position yet everyone that I've shown them too, yes I've become quite the exhibitionist) thinks they're fine. The shape of both breasts is changing slightly, becoming a bit more rounded at times and softer.One side is still much harder though.We've already talked about fat grafting as there appears to be a few areas where indentations are forming and will need some filling in.However, PS says he will do nothing for at least 4-6 months so that healing can be more complete and any imperfections can be identified and taken care of then.
Tina T , thanks to your instructions i was able to view specific photos in the gallery. Now, can you talk me through posting of a photo. I'd like to put mine on and get some oninions from the real specialists here!!
Barbara
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Cml
We are surgery buddies I am scheduled for Oct 17 also. I too asked for a later date (have been finished fills since mid July) due to work meetings and homecoming at my sons school. I have had a pretty easy time with the TEs but I think I will be very happy to see them go and have some softness back.
Congrats to all that had their exchanges. Praying for all to continue to heal
Ferretmom so sorry you are disappointed with your results. It is early so give some time but keep communicating with PS so she/he knows your disappointment. Gentle hugs0 -
TinaT thanks for the info. My PS said Sloane did a study about 5 yrs back and there wasnt any significant benefits to drains vs no drains- so generally he plans on no drains!
Faullkh- me too TES overall havent been bad I have been craving to sleep on my stomach the past few weeks which I just cant do- other than a couple naps i took on the beach! Can't do it in my bed. My fills were done mid july too and I just wanted to enjoy the rest of the summer and take a break from appts and dtrs. I fugured since Sept was so busy and they havent given me any major issues what are a few more weeks.
Happy healing and happy weekend to all!
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CML0310: Guess my PM likes to keep his options open by telling patients to plan on drains. That way it's not a great disappointment if they're needed, but it's a nice surprise if you wake up without them! Says he does use them if a lot of revision or pocket work is needed. I guess it's just another thing to add to the long list of differences among plastic surgeon practices!0
