Exchange City

I am going in on 4th October for one implant to be replaced with one larger and repositioned due to the atrophy of the LD flap on that side.  My PS said she will not due nips at the same time due to swelling and she said when she does the nips it will be a very short same day procedure.  Tissue does swell when incisions are made and they are messing around in there and cutting bits out....so I am ok with waiting.  I sure don't want nips made and then have them in the wrong spot.

All in all, I am veering more toward 3D nips and areola tatts, as I then wouldn't need ANOTHER surgery and risk of infection, and I have to get the tatts anyway (or should I say I want to) and I don't want to protect my new nips for 6 weeks and then have to wear a bra all my waking hours because they look like headlights on high beam.  My 18 year old son would be mortified.  AND., I hate wearing a bra and my PS said I didn't need to except when running.  Plus my DH says whatever will make me happy.

What would make me happy is to of never had breast cancer!

Now all I want is when I look into the bathroom mirror while naked my breasts don't look like a small size Barbie Doll or that I have two tennis balls shoved under my chest skin.  It is just weird.  I think having the 3D tattooing done will help me to put all of this in the past.

Just checking in with you ladies. Congrats to all those who have had their surgery and good luck to all those this week.

I plan on having nips done about 6 weeks after exchange (Oct 3rd) with tatts to follow 6 wks laster. Hoping to be done with all this right after the first of the year.

jbennet:  In answer to your question re: nipples:  I have one natural and one modified CV flap nipple and under clothes there is just a hint of a nipple now-just enough to make it look natural without the headlights.

Vickie, nguyeny - thanks for the info on healing time.

Best of luck to those who are having surgery soon. 

Question: Anyone post exchange 5 years or more???

How do they feel? Softer as time goes by? Do they jiggle more?

What do they look more and more realistic after awhile (I guess that's what I am trying to say).

Anyone had kids after exchange? What was it like?

What about menstural cycles? Usually your breast get heavy or tender during that timeframe what happen?

Only if you oblige please share what takes place as time goes on.

HeftyLefty - you and I are having exchange surgery the same day. I had my pre-op visit last week. My list of questions (met with PS) included how he would determine which exact size and style to place - a viogrous discussion; discussion of other procedures that have to be done for my particular issues, which include symmastia repair (TE's too close, removal of redundant skin from huge weight loss); clarification of restrictions for first few days and plans for exercise (further questions at post-op visit); whether drains would be placed (yes); discussion about my meds and getting his filled before surgery (pain meds, antibiotics); because of persistent pec spasm for past 4 months PS is going to inject Botox in my pecs, something that would never come up at a visit with a nurse; I want him to mark up my chest in the pre-op area so I could ask any last minute questions - he reassured me this is his usual practice and to ask away, but quickly ;-) Confirmed my choice of anesthesiologist had been secured.

HeftyLefty - Yay, it's almost E-Day for you!  I would ask about:

~Pain meds, specifically if you can get a prescription filled ahead of time so someone doesn't have to scramble to get it filled after taking you home after surgery. 

~Lifting and stretching limitations - my PS didn't seem to have an issue with me raising my arms, but some do.  Try to get the kitchen, etc. set up for that period.  Similar to after MX, but this should be less intense and less lengthy time-wise.

~What will they want you to wear after surgery?  Will they provide that at the time of surgery or should you have something purchased ahead of time?

~When will you be able to drive? 

~Reminder for surgery day - don't forget to get that card that has the implant info!  I put my husband in charge of that because I knew there was a good chance I would forget to make sure it was included in my discharge papers.

For me, it was pretty much a mini version of the MX experience.

LMichele - Are you on the Implant Sizing 101 thread?  If not, you might check that out if you have time today.  Whippetmom has some great info posted at the top of the thread so many of your questions might be answered there.  I think reconstruction is one of the few parts of all this over which we feel we have a little control.  Plus, it often happens right after the very stressful period of diagnosis and surgery and it's so easy to say, "Enough already!".  Hang in there!!!  

Good luck!

I had a bilat MX with nipple sparing on the left and nipple removed on the right.  My right side has a flat spot where the nipple was.  Has anyone had this, and if so, does it get better when the nipple is grafted back on?  Also, how hard is it to match the remaining nipple with a graft and can you tattoo the real nipple as well?

This came up on another forum so thought I'd start the discussion here as well... 

I'll be taking antibiotics prior to dental procedures (including cleanings) to lessen the chance of implant infection per the recommendation of my PS.  It's a bit overly cautious, but my dentist is in agreement and has prescribed Amoxicillin for me to take just prior to any dental appointment.  This might not be something you hear about unless you specifically question either your PS or dentist.  My PS preferred that the actual prescription be handled by my dentist since, in theory, I'll only be followed by the PS for a while but I'll be seeing the dentist indefinitely.

Better safe than sorry, that's my take on it!   

Thanks for posting insurance stuff, interesting how the MRI thing seems to be coming up, maybe it always has.  I've heard that many get it through eventually.

I did not know about antibiotics and the dentist.  Thanks for bringing this up.

My dentist was the first person who suspected something was a bit off with me.  You know how everything is connected through the mouth.  Well, I had inflamed gums and went in, my regular dentist sent me to three different periodontics, the second one I saw said, "something doesn't seem right here.  I think you need to go to your regular doctor and get checked out first."  I just happened to have an appointment the next week and that's when they found bc.  Isn't that interesting that the dentist knew something was not right?

Vickie

emersongrace:  I had a skin graft/modified CV flap and tattoo and I gotta say-it's a really close match.  The only thing is that my nipple shrunk quite a bit in 6 months so my PS, when he does the trial on the cylinder implants, will put one in for me.

Thanks for the info Terri. My PS will only put saline in to start but think I'll want the "feel" of the silicones soon after I heal.

Can I ask another dental question?

I had exchange on 9/13 - no pain meds but Aleve since 9/17.  Still on antibiotics since drains were just pulled yesterday.  Food still tastes like cardboard, but now my mouth is actually sore.  Yesterday I got blisters on my lips eating salad with ranch dressing.  Today more rawness with turkey sandwich.  Did anyone else have problems like this?  Thanks in advance.