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  • Kim137
    Kim137 Posts: 105
    edited April 2012

    My PS said surgery will be 2-3 hours. Go home the same day. I even get a lovely door prize! 2 drains for up to 7 days! ;)

  • ginger48
    ginger48 Posts: 1,437
    edited April 2012

    Kim- I got silicone. My PS only does silicone. Won't even do saline at all. I did not know enough at the time to even question it but I am happy with mine.

  • beachymom
    beachymom Posts: 14
    edited April 2012

    My exchange was 5 hours and went home that evening. I had lipo on both legs (nothing like evening out the fat!!!), implant exchange (both breasts) and nipple/areola construction with skin grafting.

    I feel really good, ready to go back to work. I was told that I will wear the compression garment for 4 weeks on my legs. As far as a bra, I was advised to wait a couple of months before I spent any real money on bras. I'm excited to go bra shopping again! Never thought I would say that, but I miss the pretty bras.

    As has been said before, every ps is different with opinions. Wouldn't it be so much easier if there was a standard instrucion sheet where all the info that we needed was there! You just have to take what your doc says and then read the posts here and then decide what is best for you!

    Have a good week-end everyone! 

  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Posts: 100
    edited April 2012

    thanks for the feedback.  Im hoping its outpatient, although the hospital did serve some yummy lamb chops the night of my surgery...  Also, I wonder why some get drains and some dont...

    I might be getting lipo.  For my next fill, I'm going to do a consult.  I think my whole upper body should look good now, right?  We'll see what he says.

    Still in pain though.  2nd to last fill was 100 ccs... Its definitely a vicodin day

  • t43179
    t43179 Posts: 7
    edited April 2012

    I have exchange surgery on 4/30/12.  Currently have 380cc expanders and going to 350cc Allergen Natural style 20 high profile silicone.  I am 5'5" and weigh 123lbs with narrow chest.  I would love to see some pictures of similar size as I'm starting to panic that I am going to small even though it is surgeons recommendation.  I had skin sparing bilateral mastectomies.  Doctor thinks 350 will be signifcant on me. With 380cc filled expander I am full B or small C but would like to stay that way.  How much smaller will I be?

    Also, has anyone had permanent sutures poke through skin from Alloderm?  Guess these have to be removed with exchange surgery.

     Thanks

  • Caro4
    Caro4 Posts: 27
    edited April 2012

    Does anyone know the time period between your last fill and the Exchange?   I had to have a 2nd surgery and drain put back in because of infection and after 3 weeks it is still draining 40 CCs...has set me back about a month so far.  I was wondering how long I will have to wait after all my fills.  I wanted to have a summer trip to CA. I know it will depend on my PS schedule but wondered if there is a set time.  Thanks and glad all you ladies are doing good!!  God Bless

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited April 2012

    Caro4 - Sorry for your setback Yell.  I'm confused.....did you have to have your TE replaced and you're starting from ground zero on that side?

    Seems that most PS wait 1-2 months after last fill before doing the exchange.  But, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule.  Each PS seems to have different policies on just about everything!  My advice would be to not rush anything based on a vacation.  Can you go on your trip with your TEs and worry about the exchange later on?

  • Caro4
    Caro4 Posts: 27
    edited April 2012

    Tina, Thanks for the reply, I did not have the TE replaced, just had the infecton cut out and a new incision, flushed out and new drain put in 3 weeks ago, he is trying to avoid having to put in a new TE.  I drained today and it is 30 CC's so I go back Monday, I have no symptoms of infection and am praying we can move forward.  Thanks so much, Tina!!

  • Erika8
    Erika8 Posts: 56
    edited April 2012

    i had four fills to 580cc i have to make up my mind what implant silicon or saline not sure help

    3month after last fill befor exchange 

  • txmomof2
    txmomof2 Posts: 48
    edited April 2012

    Caro4 I was told that if I don't need chemo, my PS would wait 6 weeks after last fill before the exchange.  If I need chemo, he would wait 8 weeks after that's done.

  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Posts: 100
    edited April 2012

    I will be just over a month after my last fill for my exchange date.

  • Hailey12
    Hailey12 Posts: 9
    edited April 2012

    Laurenm730

    I did have alot more pain with my last two fills they were only 50cc but it felt like I had a broken rib on one side it hurt to breath and move, but at that time I was up to 765cc. 

    Has anyone had saline used and if so how hard are they I am considering saline revision becauase I am smaller than I was originally PS says it will look good I have enough muscle and upper chest tissue to not see any rippling but I am not sure of how hard they are?

  • Erika8
    Erika8 Posts: 56
    edited April 2012

    i am finished with my fills and have to wait 3mon.befor exchange 

    but my exspander feels like it has air in it and i am getting bubbles on my side anybody has that problem please let me know dont know what to do 

  • shore1
    shore1 Posts: 591
    edited April 2012

    Im sorry if this has been asked & answered, but I can't find it. How many weeks after exchange should I wait before buying bras? Im so sick of wearing sports bras!

  • ginger48
    ginger48 Posts: 1,437
    edited April 2012

    Shore1- I waited 8 weeks to buy a couple of bras but my implants have changed so much in the 4 months since then. I would not invest too much money until they have settled in. Mine are so different at the 6 month mark.

  • momof3infla
    momof3infla Posts: 333
    edited April 2012

    Caro - I had to wait 3 months.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited April 2012

    shore I was told by my PS to start wearing underwire after 8 weeks

  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Posts: 100
    edited April 2012
    do you have to wear underwire?  I thought there was some risk to that or something...  And with implants, do you really need a super supportive bra?  I'm hoping to not have to wear one at all! Wink
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited April 2012
    Lauren it appears that all PS's have a differnt opinion on this, or perhaps differnt pateints require a different answer to this issue. Mine told me to wear it and that its up to me though but that i would sag faster if i don't  jsut like a natural breast would.
  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Posts: 161
    edited April 2012

    I had IMF incisions and was told to get into underwire as soon as possible.  At three weeks I started the transition from sports bra to underwire, enduring longer each day.  By 5 weeks, I was wearing underwire 24/7.  By 6-7 weeks I stopped at night because of pain issues.

  • Delilahbear
    Delilahbear Posts: 206
    edited April 2012

    It is harder to wear underwires if you have IMF incisions until they are really fully healed. My PS told me no underwires - ever with the IMF incisions. I waited about a year and then said to heck with it and went back to underwires. I am not comfortable in non-underwired bras and usually even sleep in them. I told my PS and he has checked the fit as has my BS and they now approve. Of course when I went to larger implants the incisions moved up to where the bra does not rub them. Each PS has their own feelings. I think mine is coming around. Of course I, like Carrol2, work at SOMA so are expsed to many kinds of bras each day.

  • mkw1
    mkw1 Posts: 102
    edited April 2012

    Hello Ladies:

    Does anyone know if it is normal for a TE to move? I can feel the magnet of the TE very close to my armpit.

    Thank you for your help. 

  • golden01
    golden01 Posts: 527
    edited April 2012

    My right one moved over about a month after my fills were done. I called and went to see the PS. He said, yes it had moved. When he did the TE exchange, he stiched that side in a little tigher and all is well now about three months out.

  • Kim137
    Kim137 Posts: 105
    edited April 2012

    Well, tomorrow is the big day....the arrival of my "girls"!! I'm so excited and nervous! Yet another surgery....hopefully this will be the last for some time to come!! I know that revisions may be needed down the road and my prot will be taken out next year when I finish Herceptin, but I'm soooooo over surgeries, hospital gowns and pain meds......well, maybe not so much the pain meds! LOL!

    My surgeon plans on using high-profile silicone implants. Actual size will be determined during surgery with the help of sizers. We have a pretty good idea going in with the tissue expanders full, but they say they may add a slightly larger implant depending on how it looks. I trust my PS and his PA 100%, so I'm sure I won't wake up looking like Dolly parton. :-)

  • JulieLynn
    JulieLynn Posts: 86
    edited April 2012

    Kim137 - Good luck!  I am scheduled next week.  I can't wait!  I'm getting high profile silicone too.  Please post afterwards how you're doing - I'll be anxious to hear! 

  • lisak7290
    lisak7290 Posts: 103
    edited April 2012

    Last chemo today and exchange happens May 3rd...

  • JulieLynn
    JulieLynn Posts: 86
    edited April 2012

    LisaK - CONGRATS on finishing chemo!!!  I will be one day ahead of you with the exchange.  Wishing you wonderful new girls!  :)

  • Kim137
    Kim137 Posts: 105
    edited April 2012

    YAY LisaK!!! Congrats on finishing up chemo!

    Julie, I will definitely post an update!

  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Posts: 100
    edited April 2012

    Kim - good luck. So excited for you!



    LisaK - congrats on finishing chemo!



    Feeling jealous of everyone with upcoming surgeries. These damn TEs feel like boulders today...

  • golden01
    golden01 Posts: 527
    edited April 2012

    I had my TE exchange in January but I always thought the TEs felt like bowling balls! Especially when I tried to sleep.

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