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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Husker123
    Husker123 Posts: 13
    edited July 2012

    Good to hear from you Lezza. I was wondering how you were doing!

  • CMartin
    CMartin Posts: 237
    edited July 2012

    I'm scheduled for exchange 8/24. First skin is being taken from my inner thigh for nipples. Anyone have experience? Also they are being done in the same surgery after being told they are separate surgeries. These are afterthoughts from my appt but I don't go back until preop. Looking fir input.

  • megs986
    megs986 Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    They told me to avoid water for 6 weeks even with the exchange - swimming, tubs, etc. Bacteria can get in your wound until its 100% healed.

  • tonlee
    tonlee Posts: 1,590
    edited July 2012

    JoannQ,

    I'm right behind you....exchange on Tuesday...leaving for Texas this morning.  I'll be looking for your posts about recovery...!!  We'll heal together ;)

    And I don't plan on being down more than a few days.  But you know what they say about plans......lol

  • joanquilts
    joanquilts Posts: 270
    edited July 2012

    Good luck TonLee!  I am getting nervous - but only because I've been feeling SO good 8 weeks post chemo that I don't want anything to disrupt it.

    I would appreciate everyone's good thoughts and encouragement - exchange tomorrow July 16!

  • Ossa
    Ossa Posts: 685
    edited July 2012

    Good luck tomorrow Joanquilts..exchange surgery isalot easier than mx..

    Good luck on tuesday TonLee

  • stjude10
    stjude10 Posts: 230
    edited July 2012

    Good luck tomorrow Joan...you'll be so relieved when it's over!

  • Husker123
    Husker123 Posts: 13
    edited July 2012

    Good Luck Joan!

    Same to you on Tuesday TonLee!

  • blessings2011
    blessings2011 Posts: 1,801
    edited July 2012

    JoanQuilts - Sending up special prayers for a smooth procedure tomorrow, a quick recovery, and good healing for you!!!

    xoxoxoxo

  • lezza13
    lezza13 Posts: 579
    edited July 2012

    husker123:  Thanks. Doing better with each day.  Much easier than a BMX.  The sports bra is a pain wearing it 24/7. To me it feels like 3 weeks extra with expanders!

    rachelvk:  thanks. Yes, with each day the swelling is better and the implants get more comfortable except for the bra.  I was told no submersion for 4 weeks.  So check to make sure.

    Good luck to Joan and TonLee!  Wishing both of you an easier exchange!

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited July 2012

    Best wishes to all with exchanges coming up this week and happy healing to all!!!

  • shore1
    shore1 Posts: 591
    edited July 2012

    TonLee & joanquilts - good luck. Hope exchanges are easy for you both.



    Lezza - glad it went well for you.

  • markat
    markat Posts: 502
    edited July 2012

    Good luck tomorrow Joanquilts and Tuesday Tonlee. You are in my thoughts.

  • lezza13
    lezza13 Posts: 579
    edited July 2012

    shore1  Thanks.  Better than I expected.  Could only compare it to a BMX so yes it was easier.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited July 2012

    Lezza glad yours is done and hope you get more comfortable as time goes on.

    Joan good luck with your exchange

    Tonlee good luck with yours as well.  Where in Texas are you having yours?

  • lezza13
    lezza13 Posts: 579
    edited July 2012

    sherry c.   Thanks.  Every day it gets better. I am in TX

    Tonlee- I am in TX.  Where are you going.

  • dipad
    dipad Posts: 135
    edited July 2012

    joanqulits-my ps gave me a letter for work in 2 weeks but said I can go back in one week if its not pyshically demanding. With my bmx drains were only in 5 days.

    layla2525, specialk- thanks for the info. He didnt give me a card with info but I will ask tommorow. What is the pain factor like afterwards? I know everyone is different. I usually handle pain well. I had lumpectomy and bmx. I'm guessing somewhere in between? I just cant wait to get these bricks off my chest!!

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited July 2012

    Lezza where are you in Texas.  I had my surgery at PRMA in San Antonio.  Dr Ledoux has been awesome.

  • lezza13
    lezza13 Posts: 579
    edited July 2012

    SherryC. I am north of Dallas. My PS was Young. I had a different female BS. part pf Texas Breast Specialists. and I liked both of them..

     This is Day 5 post op exchange. Did not need pills for pain just sick to my stomach so I took a nap. I suppose everyone gets good days and bad ones.

  • lisa2012
    lisa2012 Posts: 288
    edited July 2012

    AnnIce and others, I am scheduled for Aug 7 and freaking out. I work in a school, will

    I be able to work by the 2oth? As you say, just getting back to normal, 4 weeks post chemo. I know it can wait ( my BMX was Feb 22) and I'm thinking December?

  • Sleep
    Sleep Posts: 19
    edited July 2012

    Hello ladies my exchange is aug. 6, surgery left breast feb.1 2012. Right breast is under going a breast lift same time as exchange plus taking off some excess skin under my arms. I had a rough time with BMX recovery and I feel so good at this time. I was wondering if I should do only the exchange and later do the breast lift on right side breast? I want to finish out my summer feeling normal no pain like I had for at least a month Not all pain from BMX surgery. Long story. About weird things that happened after surgery to my body. So now I like the way I feel and dread the final surgeries to complete breast reconstruction. I will be a size 40D same size as before surgery. Please reply asap

  • joanquilts
    joanquilts Posts: 270
    edited July 2012

    Hi ladies - got back from my bilateral exchange last night around 10 p.m. (I had a mid-afternoon surgery). 

    All went well and I had a good night's sleep.  I was VERY loopy from the anesthesia while in the hospital - I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I am achy around the chest area but I have oxycodone if I need it and otherwise I feel normal.  No drains.  I am supposed to wear my surgical bra until I see the PS for my post-op next Monday and after that I can wear whatever I want, according to him.

    He also told me that I can't go in the water for only 1 or 2 weeks (again, pending his review of how my incision is healing) - it seems all the PS's have different guidelines!

    Just relieved that it is over.  I haven't "peeked" yet.

  • CMartin
    CMartin Posts: 237
    edited July 2012

    JoanQuilts - glad all is well for you.  I think I'm over-anticipating the ease of this one.  Have you taken any oxy yet?  I don't anticipate much pain?  Mine is 8/24.  No drains for me will be used and we haven't discussed bras.  I'm really hoping he doesn't say an underwire for 24/7 as some do.  I've read a lot about the implants being much smaller than the expanders.  I feel huge and am hoping for a happy "medium".  Hope you have a restful day.

  • janiceg415
    janiceg415 Posts: 66
    edited July 2012

    Sleep

     Just thought I would give you my take on the procedure, I had uni-MX on Feb 23 with TE placement.  Had implant exchange & breast lift to native breast (I am about a 38C) on Jul 5, really no pain to speak of on the implant side, incision site was sutured but not painful or scabbing.  The lifted size was a bit more uncomfortable but certainly not painful, more tenderness and discoloring & some scabbing around incision, took just a couple of pain pills 1st few days, then tylenol.  So much easier than MX.  Went back to work July 10th to an office job.  It was really quite a simple procedure with little effect on me.  I think you will be so relieved when it is over, the recovery will be hopefully as easy for you. 

  • joanquilts
    joanquilts Posts: 270
    edited July 2012

    Hi Cindy:

     I took oxy twice during the night, because I don't mind being sleepy when I'm supposed to be sleeping.  I took some Tylenol about half an hour ago, but it doesn't seem to be working much.  However, I'm not feeling pain when I don't move around and it's bearable when I do.  Very manageable.  I'd rather have this pain than a toothache.  I'll keep you updated over the next few days if you like!

    Joan

  • GraciousGal
    GraciousGal Posts: 33
    edited July 2012

    lisa,

    you will have a good two weeks to recover, so going back to work will probably be just fine. everyone does recuperate differently, but you will find that the exchange surgery is usually an outpatient and less invasive than the bmx. best wishes.

  • blessings2011
    blessings2011 Posts: 1,801
    edited July 2012

    Yay, Joan! May your recovery be swift and your healing be good and complete!!!

  • lezza13
    lezza13 Posts: 579
    edited July 2012

    lisa2012-  I think you wil be fine going back on the 20th like me. It really is a two week recovery so you have time.  I cannnot lift for 4 weeks over a gallon of water.  Unless your December break is three weeks like my cousin in CA, then I would postpone it and not worry.

    sleep:   I would do both.  One surgery rather than two to me is easier on your body. It is easier than any BMX.  There is a bit more pain on one side that had more work on.  I was a DD before my BMX now I am an "A" saline. 

    joanquilts: Glad it went well.  All PSs are different. I am stuck in mine for two weeks and I was told no submersion for 6 weeks so I hope to get it all straightened out when I see her.

  • 1acme
    1acme Posts: 2
    edited July 2012

    It is here any female, with reconstructed breast who is working in LAW
    ENFORCEMENT wearing BULLET PROOF VEST !!!

    I had today appointment with my Plastic Surgeon and we are scheduling
    Replacement Surgery (after Right Mastectomy) ... in about OCTOBER 2012.
    They will Replace - Add IMPLANT on my Right site and
    my Left side it will be immediate Replacement (Mastectomy at the same time).
    So I will have on BOTH side Implants.

    (1) I do understand that they will "install" Inflamers - under the
    muscle (recovery time 6 weeks)
    (2) every 2 weeks - injection to increase volume
    (3) Replacement surgery - remove inflamers and replace them with permanent
    implants (recovery 6 weeks)

    I was wondering if anybody here have experience with Implant replacement
    who is as well working in LAW ENFORCEMENT and wear a BULLET PROOF VEST.

    My surgeon is telling me that they should be "fine" ... Well I am not so
    much concerned about wearing my VEST as much for re-certifying for the vest -
    which is including extensive 5 days TRAINING when I will be tossed on the floor
    mats SEVERAL times a day.

    a) it will my implants last my training ?
    b) do I need a "special" made Vest for my self ?
        or regular vest will be enough?
    c) how confortable is to wear Vest over the Implants ?
    d) RECOVERY TIME - when is realistic to be ready to
        (1) Wear Vest and
        (2) be able to attend 5 days long training (to re-certify)

    Thank you

  • Summer2recover
    Summer2recover Posts: 71
    edited July 2012

    1acme- Well I don't wear a bullet proof vest, but I hope that you can put this certification off for a long time.  It's not just the implants that I would be worried about, it's the surrounding tissues that have been cut and sewn back together that have to heal. Best of luck to you and stay safe!