Exchange City
Comments
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I'm getting so depressed..still waiting for my exchange after they postponed it on oct 23 due to sientra implants on back order ..now they can't tell me when they will be available ..as of jan if my surgery is not done then I will have to pay a deductible due to changes with my medical...saying a prayer...
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thank you ladies for well wishes. I have zero ideas on how they can fix this. nearest i can tell, maybe a patch job and a small implant? But ???
For radiated ladies...oh I had such a mess!! My fantastic PS (David Passaretti, MD, Aesthetic Surgery Center, Darien, CT) for anyone near him FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had necrosis, irradiated boob, break down of it all and he put a patch from my c section on it. It was too tight and like wet tissue paper is how they explained it to me. It began high and very tight but with time (I am talking about a year, here but youll see changes and lowering in about 6 months) it settled right down and now, honestly it's hanging low. So yes, absolutely, radiated breasts WILL settle down and soften, too. It just takes t hem longer, so patience, gals. It does happen. It had lots of scars on it, but believe it or not, they faded. You can hardly see it and it took two patches. Cocoa butter and plenty of gentle massage helped them fade, but it may just have been Dr. P's expertise. He is amazing.
Now, I do not know if he can or will be able to fix t his...it's in no way anything to do with the surgery, just a complication that anyone can get. That it healed bizarrely is also something they can't tell ahead of time...the one thing I had nightmares over was ending up too small in comparison to the radiated breast. Now that is just what happened. What can you do. Life happens. So do hematomas. I am pretty devastated over it, but resigned to there being not much to be done for 3-5 months and even then I could not afford it....so this may be the way it is. He is out of network ,and I am broke. So I may have to stay this way and it's pretty bad.
I had such hopes...
Wishing all soft boobies (yes, they will soften but time is your friend) and better sleep! It takes a few months, but miracles will begin to happen daily after that time frame. Every day they will look better and better until one day they just look "right"...but you do have to wait. Just like christmas.
Take care, all. Will check back in when and if I ever heal. Anyone need help with radiation boobie queries, PM me.
xo
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Roan: Thank you so much for your prayers; everything went smoothly this morning and the whole surgery only took a little over an hour. I have a little pain, mostly around the incisions but it's very manageable with Motrin and pain meds. They already feel so much softer than the TE's.
Sarasowise: my radiated size is a little more firm, but the placement seems about right. Hopefully your PS can provide some clarity with your discrepancy.
Froggy12: I'm so glad to hear your exchange went well and you are comfortable on the pain meds. I pray for continued healing for you.
Sherry67: how frustrating to be so close to finishing all your surgery and now having to wait!! I hope the Siena implants are awesome and worth the wait.
anniealso: I'm so sorry you've had such an ordeal. I am hoping everything will improve.
LovesDogs
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Lovesdogs...glad you're home and comfortable.
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Wow, Anniealso... hugs. What can I say. we hope for the best and--- well, try to keep the spirits up.
Speaking of which, my doc prescribed Lexapro for me. May give it a try. We'll see if onc puts me back on Arimedex after my 2 week break, or switches me. It's only been 3 1/2 mos but I felt crappy getting out of bed every day. However, could work etc. Sigh....
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well....... It has been 3 days since exchange surgery. Other than them being softer, I really can't tell much difference. He had to do a lot of pocket work, especially on the right. It was about 3cm lower than the left, so that is where the majority of the pain is. Pain is tolerable now with extra strength tylenol or advil. But should they look different? He didn't finish and will have to do more in February because he worked for 2 1/2 hours this time. I just don't feel like much was accomplished
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Froggy...it will get better over time...just never quite the same.
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Thanks cmartin! I guess I was just expecting it to look a little different! At least they don't feel like bricks!
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Have you looked at my pictures on the forum? You can see evident changes over a number of weeks.
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My exchange surgery is tomorrow *gasp* - that's scary seeing it in writing!! Is there anything I should know?
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Wishing you the best tomorrow, itsjustme10! Everybody's experience is different but it seems as though the exchange is easier for everybody. I know for me, I haven't had near as much pain or limited mobility.
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cmartin, how do I get to the photos?
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CMartin,
you mentioned evident changes over a number of weeks. My exchange surgery was Nov. 5, so that is ingesting to me as I want to know what to expect and look forward to. What exactly is "drop and fluff" ? How long does it take?
Itsjustme10,
Best of luck tomorrow. I'm praying for you girl. My exchange was Nov. 5 and I was very anxious about it, mostly about pain due to how much I had after BMX. I felt kind of silly on Tuesday because I felt so good! Exchange was much easier than I anticipated, thank God! My PS did tell me I could return to work on Friday and I was not ready to go back but I will be tomorrow! Excited to get back to normal.
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Gemmy1
I am a uni - I don't think the drop & fluff happens with everyone. I had implant placement early July, and nothing has changed or moved.
I recently went to another PS for a 2nd opinion and she tells me that she feels I should have been expanded more and have a larger implant along with fat grafting. She said that when you are overexpanded in comparison to the implant that they use it gives it some room for I think the drop & full, and a natural hang for the breast.
Mine does not have that now it just sits firm like a stack of uneven pancakes, and almost appears stuck on my chest without little movement. So I am considering a new PS with a new course of action. Please let me know if others of you have had to make additional revisions and why.
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itsjustme...the exchange is easier. I don't know how anything could compare to the BMX.
froggy...PM Lilah and she will get you there.
Gemmy...I wish I had taken pics every week since BMX but didn't. I took one the morning of exchange before surgery and started taking them after. I could see a difference almost weekly. To me they do drop some to look a bit more nature and the fluff for me has just been filling in the pocket to look a little better. It's subtle but you can really see changes if you are documenting them.
I had 500 cc put into the expanders and had 500cc implants.
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Thanks cmartin! I sent her a message. Did you have any trouble with arm pain after?
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No. I had two nodes removed on one side but no issues yet. I think I will always be looking around the next corner for something... things can change by the day.
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Each day does bring something new, not necessarily bad. It feels like somebody has pulled it or squeezed it. It is actualyl the non cancer side, but that is the side that they did the majority of the work this time. I will ask the PS in the morning.
Thanks for everything
Laura
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Laura...beautiful name. Let me know what you find out tomorrow.
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itsjustme10, praying for you tomorrow!
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Thank you Cindy! I will let you know!
How much longer until Vinnie for you?
Laura
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I'm going Thursday!!
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Hello, it is me again....Has anyone had infection or draining from a breast after exchange? I had a scab that came off about a week ago, it was just blood but has changed to a black or discolored green looking discharge...small and very little drain but am a bit worried. My exchange was 10/24....so only 3weeks on Wed. I had a bandage on and when I changed it this morning it looked icky colored...but very small spot and little drainage. I will call PS but wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem....help!0
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cmartin, Iknow you are so excited!!!!! I can't wait to hear about it.
Dr visit went well this morning. He said that there were so many sutures to keep the implants in place that I would have to be careful. He said to start massaging twice a day and he will see me in 6 weeks. He said we would wait and see if a third surgery was necessary after things settled.
Laura
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Q for all of you. Granted, my BMS was preventative (LCIS,ALH....), but it was 6 weeks ago on 10/1. I am scheduled for exchange next Monday (11/19) - 4 weeks after my last fill. PS actually was able to do double fills so I was done 3 weeks post-op.
Has anyone else had such a quick recovery/transition? I really should count my blessings I suppose. Just curious if anyone else has had a quick reconstruction course.
(PS: Sientra Implant exchange here!)
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simplyaurdrey wow that is super fast. Can't say mine went that quick at all. I had 6 fills 3 weeks apart of 100cc at a time. I had 150cc during the surgery to get my TEs and then my first fill was 3 weeks later. How many ccs did you get? Perhaps you are going much smaller than me. I am now a 36D.
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Caro...definitely ck in with Ps!
Laura...sounds like good news?
Audrey...I thought mine went fast...three months apart.0 -
Thank you for all the good wishes, thoughts and prayers... I can't believe how good I feel!! I went in early this morning, and was home by 2:30. I've been up and down the stairs all day, and if I weren't concerned about using Advil for a couple of days, I wouldn't have even had to take any pain pills.
Your support and information meant a lot. Thank you again.
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Audrey, I too had prophy preventative BMX with 100cc fills each time. Had BMX Aug 5 and 1at exchange Oct.2 (all in 2009) so it was fast. Had exchange to larger implants Dec. 18 2009 with nipples and areola complex. So sounds like I was on about same schedule as you.
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cmartin,
I think so, just not sure that I am pleased. Time will tell.
Laura
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