Exchange City

Hi ladies for those of you that have already had your exchange surgery did your PS do Lipo on the sides of your breast?

The PS removed some fat during the TE surgery. Was a little uncomfortable after the surgery and I had bruising with absolutely amazing colors. It went away before too long.

Rosetx- Yes my PS said he would definitely be doing that on me too. I told my sister I was going to come out looking like an overweight barbie. I've never had any sort of plastic surgery done in my life and now I'm going to have fake boobs and lipo. lol. I was just curious if this was common practice or if it was just my dr's preference.

My PS said that he may have to extend the incision on the left side to take care of some of the side boob left taking out so much on that side. He also said the TE's were a little latral and he would need to try and move the implants more center, also mentioned the possibility of a lot of pocket stitches. Is this normal? anyone expeienced this?

froggy12 - I had a LOT of "pocket work" done when I had my exchange in August.

My expanders were huge - and because I decided to lose weight (50 pounds) before exchange, I no longer needed implants that size. So the first issue was the fact that the TEs were much wider than the saline implants the PS used.

I also had big ol' side boobs, because that's how the TEs filled up. Not attractive at all. I was worried that my implants would disappear underneath my armpits when I lay on my back.

I also had a significant amount of scar tissue around the TEs, which the PS removed.

He also released some more of the pectoral muscle at the top and the bottom on both sides, so the implant would sit more firmly in the pocket.

Finally, he performed a "lateral capsulorraphy" on both sides, in which he stitched completely around the pockets.

It took a whole lot longer in the OR, I was more sore afterwards, I can feel the ridges of the stitches around the pockets, but trust me - these implants are NOT going anywhere!

The recovery was longer, but worth it. I now have a much nicer, even cleavage than I did before.

Now, having explained all that above, let me tell you the rest of the story.

Ever since my exchange on August 22nd, Lefty has been more swollen than Righty. The PS said it was just excess fluid from all the pocket work he had to do, and that it might take 2 - 3 months for it to resolve.

Well, tomorrow it will be 11 weeks out for me, and Lefty still sits a bit higher than Righty, which really isn't noticeable unless I'm totally topless, and pointing it out. (Which I'm usually not... )

A few weeks ago, I started noticing a thickening in the lower, inner corner of Lefty, near the IMF. I thought it might be scar tissue forming, and possibly preventing the implant from fully dropping into the pocket.

I had all sorts of images in my mind about a possible revision down the road, and while I WOULD like more symmetry, I just don't have the energy for more surgery.

So I saw the PS after lunch today. He said the thickening was just fatty tissue, and that he still felt the swelling in the upper pole was excess fluid that would eventually resolve. He didn't believe it was part of the implant sitting too high. He did say I could try to massage that area more to see if it would go down.

I talked to him about symmetry, and that was hard, pointing out EXACTLY what I felt could be improved. After all, that's his creation I'm criticizing!

He took it very well, and said that if I wanted a revision to make Lefty match Righty exactly, he could try to remove Lefty's implant, put in a smaller one, and overfill it gradually to see if we could make it match Righty.

At that point, I said that 1) this would involve more surgery and more recuperation time (which I would DREAD); 2) when we start fooling around with MILLIMETERS of change, there's no guarantee it will work; and 3) I could end up with a worse result.

He agreed.

He knows I am a member here, and also on the picture forum, and am well aware of the difficulties some ladies have had just getting to where I am now.

I said that while I was sad to hear there was no easy fix, I was glad to hear that there still could be normal changes down the road for me. I also told him that I felt blessed to have had the good healing I've had since the BMX in December, and that if these are the New Girls I'm supposed to have, I consider myself fortunate.

DH says he only notices the differences in The Girls because he has taken numerous pictures of them (for my photojournal) ever since my surgery in December. Otherwise, he couldn't tell at all.

So now it's time to move on...I've been released to exercise in the therapy pool, and can't wait to get back.

I'm finding more of my old bras I can wear, only now they look GREAT instead of my huge old boobs being squished into them.

And who knows....there may be a trip to see Vinnie next summer!!!!

Life is good.

Aw Blessings, what a nice post.  I was at PS yesterday for the cherry on my sundae (tat) and we talked about a possible revision too.  Like you, I'm just not sure.  How much better will I look? In clothes, won't matter.  So for now I'm going to wait and see what time will do for me.  Your upbeat attitude is always inspiring.

Ginger48. thanks for your comments. You are right, it has been an intense year. Plus I am so foolishly optimistic, I just assumed that (like my sister) I would have no noticeable SEs from the AIs. Maybe I am overreacting? Maybe having "arthritis" for 5 yrs is better than cancer- and maybe the SEs will get better. The mood thing is weird- but who knows what is actually causing mood stuff?I have been off a week of a 2-week break before I see my onc for a check-in.
 

My DH suggested that I ask about anti-anxiety meds like Effexor or Prozac... I will when I see my reg doc tomorrow but it makes me very sad that I am not myself and may not every be. Sorry to be gloomy, let us hope that my spirits pick up soon!

Thanks Chrisrenee! Glad to hear it helped. Of all things, I am NOT having much in the way of hot flashes...maybe because I was already through menopause and then had ovaries out a year ago. Perhaps my system really didn't HAVE much estrogen in it! but all this other crap, aches and pains, moods, etc, that is most likely an SE. Did you have any SEs from the Effexor? I just  don't want more problems!!

I also take Effexor for hot flashes and ur works great. Added benefits is I am much more even keel and my neck arthritis does not hurt near as bad

I will be having a revision done on both breast. They have dropped down and into my armpits. PS will remove my implants and do lots if pocket work on sides and below the breast to bring them up and in. He said I will be much more sore this time around

Thinking of you today... Keep us posted

Getting excited and a lttle nervous! I have to be at the hospital at 10am, surgery around noon. I sure could use a cup of coffee about now!

Just 1 more day until my exchange surgery (11/9). I'm mostly excited but a little apprehensive about the final result. If any of you believe in prayer or positive thoughts, please send them my way for Friday.

LovesDogs

Wow annie you have been through the ringer!  Hope things get better for you!

Lovesdogs and Froggie- Good luck to both of you!

I am almost 8 weeks from exchange, overall I feel good.  I get sore if I do too much but at least i can sleep w/out those TEs.  I am not sure if I have fluffed but they feel fairly soft.  I have noticed left side is higher, it is the radiated LND side so maybe scar tissue.  Anyone have radiated side end up higher and harder than non side. Does it eventually settle?  I have app. with ps in a couple weeks but am wondering in the mean time.

thanks, Sara ♥

Good luck Lovesdogs! I wil be prayingfor you!

My exchange was yesterday. From a pain standpoint it has been much better! Het old me I would have the most pain in the pocket and he was right. as long as I stay on time with the pain meds it is good.

But it did feel awesome to get the TE' out! I haven't gotten to see yet, but am anxious too!

Hugs to all!