Exchange City

Denise - consider another opinion? I have a divot also - my PS plans on addressing it with fat grafting....maybe you want to think about it? It isn't too late to get another opinion. Maybe call another doctor that you like and ask for a reference... Too bad we can't find out in advance which PS does what, isn't it?

And I know how you feel, I had the MX in June 2011, still working on reconstruction. I feel like I am still always awaiting another surgery; lots of people in my life DON'T get how long it takes("aren't you done yet?"). And seriously, as if I want to give up the gory details. The waiting involved with both BC and reconstruction is like the 10th circle of hell. . I will make sure I post after the fat grafting - April 24.

TinaT - As you suggested to Josie, anyone who has questions about size should really visit the Breast Sizing 101 thread.  Whippetmom's knowledge and guidance were more helpful than anything my highly capable PS or his nurses said to me.  Mostly they asked ME about size... and how in heaven's name was I supposed to know, given that I didn't really know what to expect??!!

Josie - a trip 3 weeks out - definitely a YES! Enjoy yourselves and forget about all this breast stuff for a while.  It really does take a loooong time, but we don't have to let it to invade every aspect of our lives.  As far as lifting 10 lbs, I have to say that 2 weeks after exchange, I wouldn't just yet.  Carrol (36D with great results) was Zumba ing in a month (you go girl!), but I am being pretty cautious.  In the back of my mind I am aware that I am numb where alot of the work was done, so if I pull something, I won't necessarily feel it.  

Denise - Just to echo what was already said, if you are looking at revision, you have already been through more than enough. But now you have time on your side. Shop around and get the best PS you can find.  You do not have to settle. This is for YOU. I am pretty sure Whippetmom (Breast sizing 101) could give you a few names of experienced docs in your area.

And ccjj:  I had nipple-sparing as well. I don't think it made the PS very happy because it complicated the work that he had to do. (That is based on my interpretation of his facial expressions since he was far too diplomatic to say anything of the sort.) But my PS was able to center everything.  With the TEs there was probably a 1 3/4 inch gap in the middle. During exchange he moved them closer together.   I had no drains and that seems to be the common experience here. A cap over my hair was all that I needed, but you might want to confirm the procedures at your hospital so that is one less concern.

Only WE really understand that dilemna when someone says with a big smile, "Thank goodness, at least now you're done!" and we have to decide whether to enlighten them about our nips or our meds or our lab test results. 

My right one was a little higher and to the side so my PS had me massage and use a "breast binder" (sort of an ace bandage type of thing except in white with a little rose) and it moved nicely into place. Later, when that pesky right one seemed to be moving to the side, he had me move the  binder down a little lower and pull the right one back towards the middle, especially when I sleep. Now, sometimes the right one seems to get odd "bulges" so I just move the binder to where it doesn't look right. Sometimes, I wear it in one place during the day and another when I go to bed.  I'm about six weeks out and everthing is settling nicely into place. I find I'm more comfortable with the "binder" on as I become a little anxious that I might jostle something about. I am back to walking 12-15 miles a week. I still have 5 pound lifting restrictions but hope that will change when I see the PS this week.

Tina T, I went back to the PS office Fri morng due to pain and wanted her to chk it out. She said there was nothing wrong with me,didnt know why I would be in so much pain. She said due to risk of infection everytime they do the fill,they must put in as much as possible to eliminate the number of fills that a person has to have!!  I never heard of that. Nobody else mentioned their PS saying such a thing. I think 100cc is too much for me at one time and I told her repeatedly that was my position and other drs are only putting in 60cc. She said near the end they cut back to 80cc! OMG,who are these people?

AnnieEM,I just started taking Arimidex and after a wk I started to get side effects,fatigue,nausea,headache,confusion,depression,etc.

Anyone got their implants yet? How long does it take to have the pain subside and when do you start feeling normal? I am so tired of hurting and feeling poked by the TE and tired of not sleeping well. I am scared of saline cuz I heard you could harbor bacteria in the saline,scared of gel cuz of silent rupture,scared of all implants cuz some nurses say they wouldnt get implants but I dont want a bunch scars and downtime so I didnt do a donor site.

Layla- I had 60cc at each fill and I think you should just insist that they give you less at a time. i had never heard of having to have such large fills to avoid infection. That is a lot of stretching they are asking of your pec muscles! I exchanged back at the end of October and they look great. I had NSBMX and the scars are fading. They look a lot like my original breasts but I am still aware of them most of the time.Not really pain just kind of know they are there.I am still having some trouble sleeping but it is much better than it was a few months ago. I am also dealing with LE and a frozen shoulder so it is hard to say which is causing what. I hope you can get your PS to listen to you!

Layla2525 - Hmmmmm, I don't know what to say.  I've been on this site for over a year and very tuned into the TE, implant, and exchange threads.  I have never seen anyone post that their PS told them that the TEs have to be filled in as few fills as possible due to risk of infection.  I suppose any time you are poked with a needle there is a risk of infection, but that shouldn't be an issue if they use sterile techniques and prep the skin properly first.

I had 350cc instilled at time of MX and 50cc at each fill after that.  I actually did really well during the TE phase, but I was told repeatedly that if I was too uncomfortable to go back in and they would pull saline off.  I was also told that there was no rush and I was to call the shots as to how frequently to get fills.

I had my exchange to silicone implants 6 months ago.  I didn't have pain with the TEs so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones!

Hang in there!!!

My first post on this site, but have been reading many posts. I am anxious to have my exchange surgery since the TE experience has been nothing short of miserable. Even had an emergency surgery 1 month after the original surgery to correct a TE that my PS said shifted some and was being strangled on the lower end by my own scar tissue???? (The fills were horrible since the PS injected 100cc's at a time and the displaced and strangled TE caused my pectoral muscle to budge out like I was wearing a corsage. ) Unbelievable. The PS even apologized to me stating he was "sorry it took a 2x4 for him to finally listen" to my complaints. Geez. Needless to say, although I really liked this guy, I decided to change my PS. I really think the new PS is in my court, but have a question. I have a little fat roll on each side which the new PS said he could do lipo or surgically remove it. For anyone who has had this done, can it be done at the time of exchange or is it something that must wait until another time? I am so over surgeries, that to have yet another one would not make me a very happy camper. I really hope the implants are MUCH more comfortable than these TE's!! Thanks for any thoughts.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I sure hope it is done at the time of exchange also. Otherwise, may skip having further work done at all. I am beginning to regret having any reconstruction at this point.

Thanks for your input Carrol2. Can't wait to get these TE's out, period!! Unfortunately, dealing with mild lymphedema from the SNB. Sorry to be somewhat bitter about the whole ordeal.

I, too, regret having reconstruction. It has been nothing like I was I informed to expect. I regret the process and the people and their disrespect and disregard as well as the results. 

Edted to clarify: I regret having an implant reconstruction. A flap reconstruction, such as DIEP, may not have resulted in the continuous pain and discomfort I have had since exchange to silicone implants. I recently learned this is not uncommon.  

Diagnosis: 10/2010, IDC, Stage II, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Layla - I had 100 cc's for my fills (had 50 cc at surgery) Fills 1 and 2 went fine, 3 was pretty painful. He cut back to 75 on the next 2. That put me at 500. However, he did offer to spread the fills out over a longer period of time and was willing to put less in if I insisted. I guess I figured if I was gonna hurt and be uncomforatble, I'd rather just get it over with.

 I am also 5'4" and around 145/150 Sounds like our prior size and goal size are about the same as well. I see my PS again a week from Thursday (that will be 4 weeks from the last fill). At that point he said he/we would evaluate and decide if we would do any more. If so, we would do one more fill and then schedule exchange. I like the size I am now at 500cc, if they were a bit more natural/relaxed in shape....which I'm told will happen with the exchange. So, I'm kinda hoping for the next visit to be an overfil, so I end up this size at the end.

The cut back from 100 to 75 helped. It was still uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but if I could get through a few days things seemed to improve. I did have an Rx for muscle relaxer and pain pills that I took as needed though.

Hi Tampa,

I know what you mean. I think implant -based reconstruction might take longer overall than the flap reconstruction. I have also heard that the flap reconstruction surgery (at time of mastectomy) is worse, and the scars can be wicked, and a looong recovery.  In my darker moments I wish I had never started reconstruction at all - even though, in  general, my results are good (so far).

Also Tampa, I think I experienced some level of depression a few months after the mastectomy when all the *thank goodness I am healthy and *done* (haha) with surgery* happiness/relief wore off....kind of like post traumatic stress disorder, know what I mean? We are soldiers too. Hope things get better for you, your soldier sisters will be thinking of you.

Absolutely yes!  It was a very gradual reduction in tightness.  I was also very frustrated because I was really hoping for that instant relief.  It took me a good couple of months and to even begin to be mostly comfortable.  After that it just slowly kept improving.  I hope that in time you will feel the same way.  My implants were not even that soft at first but that got better over time as well.  I wish you total good luck.  I know what a strange feeling it is when you were expecting otherwise.

I'm five weeks out from my exchange. Last week I felt pretty good, now the last two days I've had intermittent tingling and pain in my foobs. When does this end? it kept me awake last night!

kelleysgroi-I forgot to mention that the numbness in the SNB area has gone down a lot as well.  At first the area by my armpit was almost completely numb.  It's not completely back but it's not as bad

MTnester- Sounds like nerves are regenerating (my uneducated guess!).  Hopefully this will wind up on the positive side for you.

tenaj- I know someone who is dealing with a similar situation- I am hoping that the antibiotics work out so you can have a happy ending SOON- Good luck!