Exchange City

Hi there,

I'm scheduled to have my tissue expanders replaced with implants on July 30th. I had my pre-op consult with the plastic surgeon today. It went very quickly and there were several others present (he does a lot of teaching in the field of reconstruction) so I didn't get a chance to get the answers to the questions I have now. Saline implants were not even discussed, which is fine because I  had already come to the conclusion that I wanted cohensive gel based on my own research. I had thought I wanted teardrop shaped implants because it was my understanding that they were more natural looking, but he was quite set on what he said were the new, smooth cohensive gel implants that had recently become available in Canada. He told the others in the room that there was no risk of rotation as there could be with teardrop shaped implants (which I had also read about) and that they were softer than the cohesive gel used for the teardrop shapes. I've been researching these tidbits since I got home trying to find out exactly what it is I am getting. Based on what I found, I'm pretty sure I'm getting the Natrelle Inspira smooth round cohensive gel implants that were approved for use in Canada about 6 months ago. He didn't say anything (or ask me about) profile - he wrote down the three sizes he was going to try during the surgery for best fit. These choices were based on the width of my expanders and my current expanded volume. So my question is this... does anyone have the Allergan/Natrelle Inspira smooth round cohesive gel implants and are you happy with them? Also, were you given any options/information with regard to profile?And were you given any options/information with regard to firmess (I think the ones I am getting are available in "responsive" firmness and "soft-touch" firmness. Any info would be greatly appreciated! I'm kicking  myself for being intimidated by situation and not getting the answers in the first place!

thank you mammalou i will try the ice never thuoght of it

Shore mine feel tight and uncomfortable when i lay down too i am trying the ice tonight 

wishing everybody a nice weekend and stay cool  35C here

mine feel tight and uncomfortable when i stand, sit, lie down, all the time!!! sigh.  also i do have stretch marks on my left side (radiated side). 

i just had mine 2 weeks ago

I think I feel defeated and discouraged.  I had TE's in and expanded to 750.  I was told that was the "holy grail" for Mentor silicone gel implants...800 cc was the largest I could go.  And 750 cc in the TE made me adequately busty.  My TE, under my radiated skin and muscle developed a leak 2 weeks ago on Sunday.  It took me a bit to figure it out.  I first tought it was just an answer to prayer as I had a sudden decrease in pain and pressure.  By Wed. evening, the TE felt squishy and mushy.  I left a message that night and the next morning, they called for me to see them on Friday.  There was discussion on whether I had a leak or the capsule and released.  So they decided to fill me from 660 to 750.  The muscle expanded without any pain.  I thought another miracle.  But by the time I went home, it was already shrinking.  I saw them Tuesday this week, and agreed this was a leak.  Dr. didn't want me waiting until his scheduled cleared so he worked me into his schedule and I had surgery yesterday.  He gave me what I asked for...the largest Mentor had in cohesive gel implant - 800 and high profile.

The dressing was removed to day and I looked down.  There is nothing there.  I look like I have to wide biscuits under the skin.  I look flat in my blouse I'm wearing.  I feel like I experience TE and the pain for 19 months for nothing.  I will still have to wear those hot mastectomy bras to feel and look normal to myself.  I'm so disappointed.  And I didn't want to "that" woman who was disappointed because she's not big enough.  The only benefit has been losing that concrete bra.  But it all feels like an exercise in futility.  

fragrantroses - Try to give yourself awhile before deciding how you really feel about the new implants. When my PS took off the ace-bandage like thing I was wrapped in, I was sure he'd taken out the TEs and forgotten to put in any implants! There was nothing there, especially on the right side. Things popped out over the coming days and in the next week or two. I'm almost six months out from the TE exchange, got new nipples in May, and am more pleased with the results as time goes on. I hope you will be too. This week, I get to shop for real bras (have been wearing a zip up the front sports bra)! Finally, some progress!!

fragrantroses

i had the same problem i hag te's filled up to 550cc and then had a leak over night it was flat had my surgery upt one month she could not put my implant in the one i picked out ,she would have to put onother exbander in and i would have to have two surgeries

she put saline implant in and filled it up to 550CC and i am very happy with this side the diduction side thats onother story not happy

I got thrown for a loop because I couldn't figure out who frag was and thought that sounds like someone like me experiencing my disappointment.  Then I realized that was me and how we were abbreviating it.  lol  People call me Rosey, you're welcome to as well.

The resident told me that I definately had a leak, the expander was definitely deflated from 750cc but they couldn't see an obvious reason why.

I have not been instructed to do any massages, but I will ask on Tuesday.  It's been frustrating because when you search for photos to compare yourself too...you get their before and the finished result with no information.  I think I have large diameter pancakes.  This "push down" bra....strappy thing is the most irritating piece of junk I'm come across.  But I guess if it keeps the foobie from crawling over my shoulder I will deal with it as long as I have to.  I'd like to see reconstruction in progress....5 days post op, 2 weeks...something to give me hope that this will change. ugh.  

Thanks for the encouragement to not lose hope.  The sugery was SO much easier to deal with than the mastectomy with TE placement.    I think those patients should receive PINK ROSE treatment....absolutely royal...I woke from anethesia that time, screaming SPASMS.  And never got it under control.  This time, I told them I really wanted to recover at home so please give me real meds.  Did they every.  So as my pain is under control, I also find myself wanting to do what I chold not.  I went to samsclub looking for a baby gift and the people were hot and rude.  I got yelled at for moving slow.  sigh.  Then at one point, I was surrounded by a bunch of college girls,in spaghetti strap tops with nipples pointing at me, high tight boobies that they were taking for granted.  I just got teary and told my husband I wanted to leave.  I won't be going to the baby shower.  I thought it would be a nice "outting" but now I'm so emotionally spent and physically challenged that I think I need to stay home.

Fragrantroses,

Emotionally spent and physically challenged are okay to feel now.  Take your time through the process and I hope you have lots of people, personal and professional, to help you get through it.  You have support here. We understand and feel for you.

Hi to all, I am almost 2 weeks out of exchange and the right (the healthy breast that I took off as preventive, so I don't have to go through this nightmare again) is VERY swollen and bruised (there is no fluids built up), the dr said that I am doing too much (what can you do when you have a 6 and 4 year old on summer vacation....lay in bed all day?). the left side is looking great (the cancer side). The right side is very uncomfortable, just like the te, only it feels softer from the outside). Also, they are both a bit too big (for my opinion). I was supposed to have 400 cc, but reading this board, I saw many disappointed with their small size so I asked for 450 cc. I think I would have been better with 400 cc...too late, I am NOT having another surgery. Again, just wanted to share. Fast recovery for everybody.

My PS said fat grafting does not work on breasts and causes lumps.

lisa96 - From what I'm reading on these threads, plastic surgeons and breast surgeons are all over the board on fat grafting for implant ripples and softening the edges of implants.  Many PS use it routinely and many women seemed thrilled with their results.  However, the grafts don't always "take" and as you wrote sometimes the fat can create lumps under the skin.  My PS does fat grafting, but doesn't seem very keen on using it for my minor rippling.  My BS flat out doesn't like fat grafting - she says any potential lumps formed are difficult to evaluate with ultrasound and often require biopsies to confirm that they are benign.  I'm already being followed with US and MRI for 3 lumps so don't want to confuse the issue even more.

Is anyone else still experiencing a fair bit of pain a couple of months after exchange? I have fairly constant pain / aches, with some 'zingers' less frequently (I think this must be nerve endings regrowing). I can't get in to see my consultant for another three weeks or so, although I can pop in to see a nurse if necessary. I'm a bit reluctant to make a fuss, but it's bad enough to take painkillers most days.



I'm also have more tests to check out the causes of fatigue etc I am having problems with, which I don't think is helping. I guess I'm just looking for a bit of reassurance, as most people (non fellow BC'ers) seem to think I should be over it totally by now...

Iz_and_Lys_Mum - I am very lucky to have had very little discomfort throughout this whole reconstruction process.  Hardest part was right after MX - a combo of that surgery plus my PS put 350cc in my TEs right at the start.  I'm sorry you're still having pain.  If it's bad enough to take pain meds every day I wouldn't wait another 3 weeks.

You're right, people who haven't gone through this can't possibly get it.  I had a number of people comment how nice it must be to be "all done" after the exchange surgery.  Uh-right....except for 2 upcoming revisions and at least 5 years of dealing with the side effects hormone therapy.  Somehow I don't feel "all done" yet.

Iz and Lys Mum - I am 3 months from exchange and experience the "zingers" too, although they are much less frequent in the last 4 weeks or so. Im still very uncomfortable - not pain, but a tightness in the implants. It's like they don't feel part of me. I wonder if they ever will. Im most uncomfortable at night so I just ordered a good bra for sleeping that was recommended on the bra thread. I hope that helps.