Exchange City

I had 550s and the PS overfilled to 600 cc. He put in 60 cc at surgery and then 60 cc every week or so (a couple time it was two weeks due to scheduling). Nearly 4 weeks out from exchange and my implants are soft (hooray!) but he is having me use a compression band to keep the right one from moving to the side, especially at night (I'm a side sleeper too). He's recommending a sports bra (I moved to a little "stronger" one and have been more comfortable) for another 3 weeks until my next appointment. I wear the band most of the time in the day because it feels better especially when I'm out walking (almost became afraid that I'd "bounce" and wasn't enjoying my walk!).

AnneEM - What size were your TE's? I was taking ibuprofen to help with the discomfort after the fills but started to get a constant stomach ache, so I was told not to take any more for fear of causing an ulcer or other problems. PS prescribed some lortab this time and that seems to be helping with the discomfot.

Hi all. I'm a first time poster on this thread, but during the period that I had TEs I read many of your informative posts leading up to my surgery date. Thought I'd post with my info, in case it's useful to someone else.

My exchange surgery was FEb 7th. TEs were 300, overfilled to 420, and my implants are Allergan anatomical 410mx, 370 grams.  They are so much softer than the TEs….actually feel like normal boobs. I'm pleasantly surprised. Are they perfect? No, but I didn't expect them to be. But with a bra on, they look like normal boobs. I'm just amazed and grateful that it's possible to go from mastectomies, from being flat and feeling deformed, to looking pretty normal. Best wishes to those of you with upcoming exchanges, and speedy recovery for those with recent surgeries.

Shore1 - The exchange is not as bad as the mastectomy but, in my case, there was a fair amount of pain.  It did not last as long as mastectomy though.  

For those of you facing your exchange soon I'd like to share my experience as I am sure many others will. I had my exchange oct 25. I def think this was easier than my bmx or the surgery I had to get my TEs which were not at the same time. This time I had full range of motion right away. I was not as nervous of course being my third surgery I was a little more aware of what was to come. I woke up in recovery just feeling super thirsty and not able to pee but no real pain. Got stuck in recovery for 4 hours because my room was not ready, but the nurse stayed with me the whole time, I even ate a sandwich while there cause i got really hungry. Spent the night in the hospital and was more than ready to go home the next day. I took my pain meds for a few days. I had two drains and got those out after a week. Of course felt way better after that. I was able to shower with the drains in. I was told not to lift my arms over my head for two weeks, no lifting up to 5 pounds for a week and then nothing over 10 for another week. After two weeks felt go so mu husband drove me to NY from KC for a visit and I walked all over NYC and took subways and was fine. Got a little tired at times so jsut had to rest once in a while. When we got back I went back to work in retail, lots of lifting and reaching and I was fine. I hate my implants but after 60 days I can see they are going to look pretty good in the end. They already look great in a bra. I am now looking forward to some lipo and nipples and tatoos.

 Mich_M:  Good to hear your news.  Sounds like it would be useful if you join those few of us who have "gummies" on that thread - see below.  There are questions off & on that only those of us in the reseach studies for the 410s can address.

 http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/737705?page=34#idx_1001

I really felt like the pain was not bad at all because my chest was already numb from BMX. I had some soreness where the PS did fat grafting so the lipo spots hurt. I did not have drains and went home the same day. I was eating well and only took pain meds for a short time. It really is so much easier than the BMX; you will be relieved to know. My PS used the same incisions and they have healed great.

klynnz I got nervous about the pain every time. But really it is not that bad. Try not to worry too much because if you do have pain you will be given pain meds and those really work. I barely had any pain even in the hospital i only really noticed pain when I tried to get out of bed and that was pretty minor. I think I took the pain meds more out of fear of the pain than any actual pain. I probabaly cold have gone off them in a day or two. Mostly I jsut took them at night to ease the anxiety and help me sleep.

My exchange surgery is planned for 2/28/12. I am getting excited but scared.  I have had the tissue expanders in since 5/09,  because I would get cellulitis on the radiated side a couple times. The last surgery my PS used Alloderm. The filling was slow and I think I'm at 500 cc's. I know I have to exchange over but afraid of more infections. My surgery is planned on a outpatient basis and I'll stay at a local hotel. I know this will look and feel weird for the next few months. I am relieved that my last CT scan was okay as I have been panic stricken for the past few weeks.  I know that panic hasn't helped me prepare for surgery but I can handle anything today.

Best wishes tomorrow Klynnz!  Hoping all goes well for you. 

Ginger, Carol, Tenaj -thanks for reassuring that the exchange was much easier than the BMX  and that you were ready to get back to life fairly quickly after. Having full range of motion doesn't seem like such an important matter unless you are home by yourself and the thing you need is up on the top shelf - which seemed to happen lots of times in the weeks following the BMX.

And Kodapants - wow! Here I was feeling that everyone else had quick TE to implant experiences and you have had your TEs since 5/09! With that amount of patience - you certainly deserve a great result. 

I am so far away from exchange, but keep reading here.  I had my BMX on 11/28 with TE at the same time.  I am between fill 3-4.  PS says 700-800 cc.  This is a little scary as I read through here.  I was DD before surgery and plan to be 'about' a C after exchange.

So far, PS speaks very little as far as instructions for me.  Just fill and see you next week.  He has been very comforting up front with setting my expectations in reality, explaining how I would feel, and how long the whole process would take (up to 2 years).  So, I'm generally feeling really good.

Also, the expansion fills are not painful.  I get a little shot of numbing med, then the fill and I'm on my way.  No pain meds at all. 

I am looking forward to exchange, but I know that there is still so much afterwards.  Will this ever end?

Nehson123, so glad to hear your doing so well. I hope your rash is better, if any doubt make sure you notify your md. That's good your not walking your dog yet, I'm sure your pup is getting lots of love anyway .... I see the light and it's getting brighter!!!! Good luck getting back to work, don't over do.

I just had my exchange yesterday. I don't believe my ps fixed the te problem (one te was up significantly higher then the other) it was so bad that wearing tank tops or bathing suit on vacation was embarrassing. You ladies were right, the pain is NOTHING compared to the original surgery.



I wish the ps would all be on the same page. I'm supposed to wear sports bra with no underwire so they don't puncture the implant. But, it makes sense to want to help the girls shape with using underwire. The sport bras also come in so many styles that I'm confused.



I'm just glad bco is here to answer questions. I am so disappointed by the lack of communication by the medical societies on important matters like reconstruction.

Bludaizy - my TE was filled to 680ccs. I am reconstructing on one side only...and it looked like my reconstructed side (when filled to 680) was quite a bit larger than my intact side....and final implants were 450, looks good (mediumish B cup on BOTH sides, now )

 Yes, I guess you should watch out for Ibuprofen. I have seen some posts on this forum about muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety meds for the fills, if you have a PCP that you like, maybe you can try to get a prescription? I imagine the PS can prescribe those too. I closed my eyes and thought about giving birth....I know that sounds weird but that was painful (more painful than TE fills) and was certainly worth while....maybe there's a similar worthwhile yet painful experience in your life you can think about? Also - throughout the whole crappy BC *discovery* process, and the fills, I always had a plan to meet someone (husband, buddy, brother..) for a meal or a drink or a walk IMMEDIATELY after the fill, looking forward to that hepled too. Hang in, it gets better.

Hello Ladies - just had my exchange 5 hours ago! So this is a dispatch from the front lines so to speak... I have range of motion - can dress myself and move arms.  They gave me a MX Bra to wear 24/7 and bringing a loose-fitting, button up blouse was helpful.  Pain is very manageable - for me, a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10.  Vicodine prescribed as needed.  No lifting - so purse and car doors not yet. Showers ok in 48 hours.

As for the foobies - wow, I am happy.  No more of those hard, torpedo frankenboobs.  My only glance at my style 20/450cc implants revealed them to be much softer and natural in appearance. The incisions (which were along previous scar lines) are straight and look as though they will heal fine.  No drains and barely any oozing.  My PS moved them closer to the center, so the implants are not partially under my arms the way the TEs had been. 

All in all, I am in awe that I worried so much, and the result look so good and feel better already.  Now to rest.