Exchange City

I had my pre-op today. Exchange surgery is a go for next Wednesday! I cannot wait!!!! I decided to take my PS advice and go with silicone.

Shore1, I just about fell on the floor laughing picturing you feeling yourself up at the light. My friends must think I have a warped sense of humor these days, but I think a good sense of humor is needed to fight cancer. I have a lot of fun cracking cancer jokes and watching the horrified looks on people's faces. Not tasteless jokes, but poking fun at myself. Like naming my TE's Ramboobs! I have pecs any man would be proud of.

Thanks Tina!!



Lauren, I thought long and hard about getting saline. Mostly because I'm neurotic and worry over everything! Lol!!! I liked knowing that if an implant was to rupture that my body would absorb the saline with no issues. After talking with my PS, doing much research and getting a second opinion, I opted for the silicone. I believe they will give a more natural look with less rippling and will feel more "natural".........we'll see!!! Did your PS not discuss saline at all??

Hi Ladies,

Dressing removed from nipples today and they look....like huge nipples! I know, I know, they will shrink. They were alive and well under the dressing. Now one more week of keeping them bandaged up, not wet and we'll see how they look next week. Used my creative mind to invision what they would look like all healed up!

LaurenM730, I did have nipples created at the same time. My ps said she would do it if she felt it was o.k. to...woke up and they were there. I was a bit aprehensive with it, but went ahead with it. I decided that so far my dr. has been nothing but excellent and her work has been wonderful, I didn't think she would let me down now. I know it's not common and many women out there prefer to wait. I just had some other factors helping me with my decision. Good luck to you!

KIM137, congrats on the surgery date next week! Such an easier surgery to recover from  

Kim - Good luck with your surgery!

Kim - he didnt discuss saline at all.  I asked him about it and he said they are hard and will feel somewhat like TEs (ugh).  I dont think he uses saline implants at all.  For my next, and last (hoooray) fill, maybe we'll go over the implant sizing...  And getting a lipo consult. 

beachymom - did you get tatoos or "real" nipples?  i think some people get tatoos which can be done at the same time.  My PS said they wont be tatoos, he'll use skin..  I still cant believe all this is happening.  Half of what he says goes in one ear and out the other.  Maybe I wasnt fully paying attention...

shore1 - i feel the same way, like they are definitely not mine.  mine are probably in a garbage can somewhere (if that's what they do with them after the lab does its pathology).  I feel like I have cement bricks on my chest.  And they are fairly nice looking under a shirt.  Way bigger than I was before.

Question for everyone - has anyone has much more pain or uncomfort toward the end of the fills?  I had my 2nd to last one on Monday, my 2nd one with 100 ccs, and Im still in terrible pain.  All my muscles, my back, my rocks...  I'm going to PT tonight so maybe she can help me out.  Its rediculous - I just went back to work Monday feeling pretty good.  now I feel terrible again.

Lauren- I think I still feel that half of what my PS says goes right through the other ear.    Yes, I was always very uncomfortable after my fills and I'm happy that you are going to PT.  My PS prefers to use silicone but will use saline if someone has strong feelings against silicone.  I have silicone and I do have very good coverage but he used Alloderm both at the reconstruction and exchange surgery because my skin was really thin by the incision.  Hang in there, eventually you won't feel so crummy.

Shore1- I lost weight because the discomfort distracted me from eating all of the time but now my appetite is back  It's nice to feel comfortable again but I miss the "free weight loss" pass.

Kim- Good luck with your exchange surgery!

Beachymom- I know, right?  My nipples were so big at first they showed through lined bras!  Thank god they did shrink because I only wanted the smallest amount of projection.  I won't mind if I even lose more, and may because I had them done last month. I'm so happy I did have them done, though.  I feel much more back to my new normal even not having my tattoos done yet.

I deleted the above post because my computer was running super slow and it finally took and double posted

Lauren, I did have skin grafted nipples at the time of exchange. Tattoos will be in six months. Like a said, not such a common thing, I know! Are you on the picture forum? I will post a pic of the new look once they heal a bit....pretty ugly at this point! Also, it's so hard to retain everything they say when you're in there! Take in as much as you can and just keep asking questions! I really was uncomfortable with expansions for a couple of days afterwards. PT helped so much though! I would go from the PS to the PT...PT would do some massage and that made a world of difference. How long will you wait for exchange surgery? I know that PS's have different opinions on that...just like everything else!

Take care ladies! 

LaurenM730 - If you haven't checked out the "Breast Implant Sizing 101" thread I think you will find it immensely helpful.  I recommend reading all the info at the top of the thread and many of your questions may be answered.

By talking with your PS you should be able to get a starting point.  Most have a preferred brand and type  - Allergan or Mentor, silicone or saline, smooth or textured, round or teardrop, etc.  However, you will be happiest with the outcome if you impress upon him/her what your expectations are regarding projection and size.  Make sure both the PS and his/her assistant knows your goals.  For instance, I told my PS I wanted to look natural, like my pre-BC self but a bit fuller.  Then we kept filling the TEs until I liked the basic size.  I kept saying "No coconuts please" and he kept saying "I hear you".  Based on our discussions and the shape of my ribcage I ended up with the perfect implants for me. 

Most PS will order a variety of styles (projections) and sizes to take into the OR.  Each set has "sizers" that the PS can try out to decide which looks best and which best achieve your goals.  Communication is the key!   

Again, please check out the other thread...

Thanks Nedeza - just saw your post. What was the recovery from the implant surgery like? And yes, the PS did say that the process would be implant first, then lift, so I will see how it works. If you can share information about your recovery - that would be great. Many thanks.

AnneEM,

The recovery from the exchange far better & easier than the MX surgery itself.  Having the implant placed in the good side is not at all bad...surprisingly...easy recovery...& to to think I smirked at getting cosmetic surgery for a fuller bust back in the day all because I was afraid but unfortunately under the circumstance I ended up with implants whether I wanted to or not! LOL!  I've even wondered why I didn't do it sooner! Hah!!! Anyway, with BC...laughter is the best medicine...we need to move on!  I didn't think I could but you know what...there is normalcy...just have to be patient.  All in all, recovery from the surgery...I think I went back to work 2 weeks later.

Oh back to lipo...recovery was "nothing"!!  I had lipo along the outer thigh.  After a few days wearing a support wrap over the area harvested...I took it off...PS said I healed very nicely.  I do know that for some depending where the fat is harvested it is not true for everyone.  Some have lipo in the stomach area which then involves longer post op healing..

I wish you well!!

NAE

Iam home my exchange and lift-reduction are done..so far everything is ok..

Mine was less than 2 hours and same day surgery. Went home that afternoon. No drains.

My exchange was 3 hours and an overnight stay.  Drains on both sides for a full 7 days.