Exchange City
Comments
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Lilah-he says that since our tissues are so fragile after BMX and chemo that with saline you can tell right away if there is a implant rupture, which occurs most frequently in first few months after exchange. With silicone it can take awhile to detect a leak or rupture and only then can be dx with MRI. Even though silicone is deemed safe now, I'm the damage a rupture could do to our formed pockets with the inflammation involved gets worse the longer the rupture undetected. His philosophy I'm sure but he is literally the best in my area per other plastic surgeons.
MinusTwo-did you have chemo before BMX. The lingering effects can be kicked started by the stress of the surgery and cause chemo mouth. If it really is bothering you, contact your MO and they can prescribe a numbing mouthwash. Be careful cause blisters in your mouth can lead to mucositis-an infection of the mucous membrans of your mouth. It put me in the hospital for four days. Good luck and hope it gets better.
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Survivor:
No - I was fortunate not to need chemo or rads. Thanks for the tip about mucositis. I'll call MO or dentist Monday if it's still bad.
Jan
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MBJ- You are getting a cylinder graft? I have heard about those through the threads, but my PS has not mentioned that as an option. Do you know if they are available to all PS or just in trials? I think that would be a good option for me.
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Survivor -- thanks so much for the explanation. I can see what he means. Here's hoping all goes well!
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Minus Two,
I don't have any info on mouth sores after surgery. I would have thought the antibiotics would have taken care of that as well. You will have to ask your PS.
Terri
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Emerson: I think it's only in trials right now. I found out about it from DaisyinAustin (I think that's her name here).
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MBJ- Bummer:((( I was afraid that was the case. I will ask my PS and see what he says too. Thank you for the info. I have learned so much through you guys and I at least know the right questions to ask now. I only get one chance to get it right and I don't want to regret any decisions I make. Thanks again:))
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emersongrace: The good news: It can always be done at a later date-as soon as he starts this trial I am so going to have it done!
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Perhaps the mouth sores are thrush which is caused by yeast. Being on antibiotics causes it for a lot of people.
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Thanks for all the words of advice about my lip blisters. I had thought of thrush, but it isn't that. However after some research it appears that the blisters are a side effect of the antibiotic the PS has me on while drains were still in. I'm hoping the last open drain wound will be closed tomorrow & I can stop the Cefadroxil.
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I love hearing all the questions and comments about exchange. It is helping me now to prepare for my return to work and learn the limitations ahead.
Question: I had a revision surgery on sept 6 and have in new TEs. The drains were pulled last Wed but I was still in the 30cc range in both breasts, but PS was more concerned about infection. I was not in any pain on Thur or Fri, but it seems like now I just have overall swelling in both breasts especially in upper pole and under arms. The new TEs are a short version, so the swelling is above them. DH and I looked carefully and we don't see any sign of hematoma, but think maybe I am just retaining the fluid which is causing the swelling. Ive read others say the body absorbs the fluid over time. The pain is enough that I have taken a half dose of my pain meds twice today. I am trying to restrict activity, but did have to go to the store today-first time out of the house since pulling the drains. Has anyone else had swelling after the drains came out? Anything I can do to lessen the retention? I see PS on Wed, do you think there is any concern to let him know about the swelling? Thanks!0 -
I am new to this site and after reading some of your posts cannot believe I did not find it sooner. I had bilateral mastectomy on June 22, 2011 with expanders. I have been having terrible muscle spasms since my last fill 4 weeks ago. I had one side filled 4 days after the last fill.PS wanted to "even things out". What a mistake! It is impossible to sleep and I have cut back my teaching schedule to 3 days a week to cope. It seems like the spasms are now including my back and shoulders as well.I still do not have good strenth in my arms and everything makes me tired.My exchange is scheduled for October 27th and I have been looking at it as the miracle date when this will all end but after reading some of these posts it seems like it takes much longer than the 1 to 2 week recovery I have been told. I am BrCA2 positive and I also have to have oopharectomy sometime after exchange surgery. Now I am freaking out about surgical menopause...I welcome any suggestions!
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Ginger48 - Welcome! Although sorry for the reason for which you're here!
That's a pretty quick turn around with your BMX on June 22 and your exchange on October 27th! Was your fill 4 weeks ago your final fill or are you going for more? Four weeks out ... you still shouldn't be feeling that much pain! They can take some of the saline out. Have you called your PS"s office and told them about your pain? Again, to still be having that much pain 4 weeks post-fll is unacceptable IMO. Call your PS and tell them. Ask for some muscle relaxers. I took Flexeril, other ladies have taken Valium to help relax the muscles. While it is quite normal to be uncomfortable after fills, especially as you near the end, it isn't 'normal' to be experiencing what you are experiencing now 4 weeks after a fill.
Please call your PS! [[[[hugs]]]]]
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Ginger48- I also had a lot of pain throughout. Even 8 weeks after my last fill. I went to a pain management doctor early on & took pain pills, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety pills all throughout as needed. Tomorrow I will be two weeks after my exchange surgery & feel so much better.....don't need the pills anymore....except the sleeping ones(I think I've become a bit dependent on those, so watch out). I feel great, no real pain & I don't take anything for it. Please tell your doctor. You should not suffer anymore. Some doctors are afraid of giving all those strong pills together so if your ps is reluctant then have him send you to a pain management doctor who are used to dealing with pain & the medicines needed to control it. I could only sleep 20 min - 2 hours at a time without the meds before the pain would wake me.
I was a bit worried I would become addicted but I've stopped taking all but the sleeping one & really feel fine. I feel soo much better with those hard, sharp torture devices called tissue expanders out! But they do their job & I would do it all again....with drugs, of course:)
I really hope you get relief. And this exchange surgery brought me more relief then even the meds could do. Best wishes.0 -
LindseyS- Yes, definitely let you doctor know about the swelling. Green tea is suppose to help. Also diuretics.....but ask your doc because they have many side effects like dehydration, low blood pressure & an effect on the kidneys. I would even ask if the green tea is ok.
I got a hematoma after my mx without TE's placed at the time. Mine got so big & hard it had to be surgically removed. During that operation I had my TE's placed.
You sound like your doing very well with the pain & everything else. The swelling is probably normal for the amount of work you had done & you are only a few weeks out. My best wishes for you too.0 -
Ginger48- Oh and a really good shoulder blade massage helped a lot too!
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Lindsey, try to minimize your activity. Walking is good. Elevating your arms is good. Also, be aware of lymphodema.
You sound good otherwise! Sorry I haven't gotten back to you after your post to my pic forum. Will catch up soon. Wishing you good healing!! And the same to all who have surgery recently!
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Dawne-Hope & tic40- Thanks for the speedy response. I did not need chemo or radiation so my PS said anytime after 3 months for exchange. Honestly, it is only at the end of Oct because that was the earliest they had available. I am desperate to have these things out! Yes it was my last fill. I went weekly all summer and although I was definitely sore and had trouble sleeping the spasms started with that last fill. I think it was just too close to the previous one. It really set me into a bad pattern of spasms in my entire upper body.
PS has given me flexeril (no change) and valium (helps me get some small chunks of sleep) as well as oxycodone which I really do not like taking. I am also a bit worried about becoming dependent on them.I did not know they could remove saline; will have to ask about that. I am scheduled for a massage on Thursday morning (earliest available) and I guess she will do it with me on my side. DH has been doing his best to relax the muscle.
I have also been doing accupuncture, reflexology, yoga therapy and cranial sacral/myofacial release. You name it and I have probably tried it. I am trying not to whine cause I am so thankful not to have to do chemo or radiation but it is getting harder as I wear out. Thanks for letting me vent. I have an amazing support team but sometimes it is hard for them to really understand.
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Hi Ginger, I had lots of spasms...I went to a PT that specialized in lat flaps and I have some great stretches for the "iron bra" syndrome. But your PS has overfilled you. I think it might be a great idea to call and tell him to take some out! This is pretty common, don't let them rush you, here.
The longer those TEs stay in the better the outcome, hon. They overfill to allow for a better cosmetic result but no rush!
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Lindsey: I had lots of swelling under the arm and in my back but my breasts were swollen, too. I just didn't notice a huge difference. Always best to ask your PS. It took 6 months for the swelling under my arm and back to go away and 3-4 months for the breasts (this was all after exchange).
ginger: For some reason some PS's rush you to exchange and it is better to wait 3 months after the last fill! Anniealso is correct: the longer they are in the better the result. Also, slow fills really, really make a difference. I started out ambitious at 100 cc's every 2 weeks but then it was 60 ccs every 3 weeks and the last was only 40 cc's. This isn't a race, this is to stretch the muscle and the longer the expander is in the better it holds it's shape.
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Question for those of you who've already done the exchange and also taking Tamoxifen:
Did you stop taking Tami prior to your surgery? I have read on some posts, some women have done so. I asked my PS about this and he and his medical staff all say they have never instructed anyone to stop taking Tamoxifen for exchange surgery. The only time they have done so is for flap surgeries.
Also, the nurse at my pre-op visit (6 days prior to surgery) said they would like to have you stop taking vitamin E about 10 days prior to surgery ---- I had just taken my multivitamin that morning. She told me I would be fine as long as I didn't take any more. WHAT? Thoughts anyone?? I am trying to remain calm, but I still can't help feeling a little anxious about all of this. (and excited, too!)
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Angelique, I did NOT stop my tamoxifen prior to my exchange, I think this is just for surgeries where major chance of blood clot would be an issue. I would not worry at all about the vit E, just no more. When is your surgery? Be calm and excited, you are almost there.
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HeftyLefty - I was told to stop taking the tamoxifen and vitamin E, aspirin and other vitamins as well. Some vitamins thin the blood which you don't prior to surgery.
Congratulations on your upcoming exchange!
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christine47: my date is Wed, 9/28. Thanks for the info. I feel much better.
Thank you, Dawne-Hope!
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HeftyLefty - Yay! Your E-day is almost here!!!
I didn't have to stop my Arimidex, but I realize it's a different medication with different risks. If you don't take a lot of aspirin or suplements and only take a multivitamin I wouldn't panic if the nurse didn't seem concerned. However, it would have been nice if they had given you a heads up a bit sooner!
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Thanks, Tina. I haven't had Advil, Aleve or any pain meds since the first month after surgery. I had only started taking a multivitamin 5 days before I met with the pre-op nurse. Go figure. I stopped it that day, so hopefully I didn't have too much of it built up in my system to begin with. I am trying to stay even keeled. I'll let you all know how it goes later in the week.0
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Geez, Ginger, you should not have to endure that level of pain. Have the PS take some saline out, let things settle down, then add a little more in a few weeks if you need to.
I had intolerable pain in my shoulder,elbow and wrist within a hour of a fill. I called desperate for help and PS nurse said most drugs don't work well on that level of pain. She told me to come right back and they'd remove some saline. I did and the relief was immediate! Like MBJ said, I too went much slower (60 ccs) for the last couple of fills and it was worth it. I hope you find relief soon.
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HeftyLefty - the amount of Vitamin E in regular multivamins is not enough to increase the risk of bleeding. The problem is with those folks who take supplemental doses of Vitamin E.
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Yea Hefy Lefty, I was told just not to take additional vitamin E but the amount of vitamin E in multi-vitamin was not anything to worry about in fact I was told that I could go on and take my multi-vitamin.
Very Exciting that your exchange it almost here.
Vickie
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Thanks, jyg and virokie! I am very relieved.0
