Exchange City
Comments
-
mariasnow so sorry about your Dad's passing. Cancer is enough to deal with and having to deal with the loss of a parent as well is so hard. I had the same thing happen. My last day of rads found out my Dad's lung cancer had come back mets. Spent the next 8 months helping my mom then the day he was hospitalized I found out I had another lump. Buried him the next week and had surgery the week after. Was a very stressfull year so I understand my heart goes out to you. I was lucky in the I got to spend the last 8 months helping take care of him. Happy you got your fill. You will get to 350 before you know it, you will start to feel better and you will have a great life!
0 -
Cindyloowho and Miserblex, you might think of asking your dr to fill more slowly. Ask about taking a pain pill before you go. I had severe pain for about 3 days after each fill. Sometimes so bad,I had to take a Tylenol/Codeine tablet and soak in an Epsom salt bath. Its over now and I have my 2 beauties after the exchange. I never give those days a second thought. Its kind of like a childbirth only your birthing your new foobs. good luck ladies and definitely talk to your PS about the pain and discomfort. I had a female PS and she was terrific,she left to move outta state and will meet the new one end of Jan. They hired another lady PS.
0 -
Layla - "birthing your new foobs" - hahahaha - it is kinda like that!!!!
0 -
Sherryc - I'm glad you're doing well. I can't remember.....did you have Alloderm or another ADM sling the first time or with the revision? Any explanation for why they shifted position so soon after exchange?
0 -
Had my exchange surgery yesterday. It was not so easy as I was expecting. I went in at 0600 bit my veins decided they were staying home. It took 6 attempts between labs and iv. I now look like a drug user. Lol! Surgery took 3 hours then I went to recover and that's when the fun started. My 02 sats plumetted to 87 and was having difficulty being woke up I spent 6 hrs in recovery. Then was moved back to my room for the remaining 3 hrs of my day. I spent 12.5 hrs at the hospital in all. I did have drains placed because I had some residual fluid build up and also the Lipo. Bit I'm cool with it. Prepared for worst and hope for the best.
Hope everyone is having a good night and good day0 -
Chrisrenee-I am so sorry you had such a rough time. I hope you are feeling better today.
0 -
Layla2525 my PS and I have discussed in great detail. I didn't have first fill until almost 4 weeks post BMX, because I had to have a revision. The pain is the same now that I'm filling as it was with no fills at all. No difference at all.
So we decided to try and speed it up in the hopes that maybe it will get better. Have a fill today. Will probably only be a single.
The left one has been spasming like crazy the last two days. Drugs do not help at all.0 -
Movetomaui-
So many posts overnight from the lovely ladies! I will try to answer your questions based on my experience. With a anchor lift like I had, your PS won't remove any tissue except outer and "under" skin. So your breast mass should stay the same. But when the skin over the mass is tightened up you end up with a higher, tighter boob. I imagine mine will relax a bit in the coming months, but right now it appears a bit smaller to me. It's hard to compare the before and after for size because I currently have absolutely no ptossis at all. My boob will dictate where the bra will go right now, instead of me stuffing my boob into a bra and having the option to wear it up, down, in or out! But since you are wanting to remain a B cup, your PS may use a less stringent technique. I don't think you have to worry about ending up smaller, but definitely ask your PS about his plans.
My foob side has some feeling at the perimeter, but no feeling in the nipple. It is the same size as my lifted breast, but is maybe 1/4" lower at the nipple level; I expect my right side to relax a bit more at some point. I think both sides feel very similar to the touch; my daughter felt them and said she couldn't believe how identical they feel (and how good they look). I never expected that my daughter would want to "feel me up" (or that I would let her (!) prior to BC). After looking at me, she looked down at her chest and said "no fair!"
Prior to surgery I prepared myself for the worst, even though I had full trust in my PS. I was severely lopsided, the expander was high and in your face and righty was bodacious but not nearly as proud. Symmetry took effort to achieve in clothes. So I assumed that I would end up looking okay in clothes and symmetrical in a bra, but have to say, I don't look too bad naked! My DH was concerned about the scars on my lifted side at first. He said they make him think of pain, but he seems to have gotten over that and they are fading more every week. I was concerned that the scar around the areola would be pronounced (I've seen some bad jobs) and I had asked my PS to make sure mine didn't end up looking bigger than the original. He did a great job and it is getting harder to tell that there even is a scar there.
So overall, I think things have turned out well for me. I have to give it time though, because things can happen, like Sherryc's experience. Knowledge is power, so please ask your PS his plans so that you can discuss what may not work for you. There are options.
0 -
Staynsane –
WOW! I so appreciate your post! Thank You! I couldn’t have asked for a more detailed story! You really answered so many of my questions/fears! I know with all of this exchange surgery stuff it takes time.
I do have an appointment on Monday 12/10 to visit my PS one more time before the end of this calendar year to go over everything. He hadn’t wanted to see me until January 14th but I’m going to get the expectations/questions one more visit and make sure that he doesn’t want to fill a little more. At that appointment I will probably ask for more of the details of my TE, like what is the maker, how many cc’s were placed at mastectomy, how many did I get each filling (I had 3 fillings) and what is the total cc’s. I also want him to re-explain the lift and what’s involved in that. And really just get to the point where I feel really good about the future exchange surgery and not have this pit every time I read/hear someone’s story.
So happy that things have worked out well for you!
0 -
CindyLoo - I had a terrible time with the fills as well. Lots of muscle spasms, and a lot of pain. I wasn't able to do more than about 30 cc's per fill. One thing you may try, if you haven't already, is applying a topical relaxant like icy hot before your fill. Someone on one of the boards suggested it to me, and it didn't help me a ton, but maybe worth a shot?
0 -
I had another double today. She said my skin is great so she wants to get me done in the hopes that the spasms stop. So she said one more next week and I fill be at 600. She said that in combo of releasing the muscle and removing any scar tissue will give pockets that allow for an Implant with really good projection.
She said I could be ready for exchange by end of January.
I feel huge today. Lol0 -
Movetomaui-
Glad to be of service. It's good that you are meeting with your PS on Monday. It will really help ease your mind when you know all details of the plan. Be sure to voice any concerns. I'm sure your PS has heard them all and no question is a dumb question, especially when the subject involves your personal outcome.
0 -
hi ladies had my exchange on tuesday. really didn't feel immediate relief from TE's being removed. feel really sore because i had pocket work on left side. feel really swollen and tight too. anyone hear a weird swoshing sound after exchange? looking forward to final result. i am eager to get back to exercise.
best wishes to all!
0 -
Shabby,
I had that weird sound on the top of my implants. At first I couldn't figure out what the noise was! Thankfully as the swelling went away the sound followed! I'm 4 weeks from my exchange and I need a ton of fat grafting.
Nip surgery on 12/18. I hope you feel better soon and get back to exercising! I was back to working out in three weeks after my exchange.
Have a great night!0 -
What is fat grafting and how will I know if I need it?
0 -
Chrisrenee77,
So sorry to hear that things didn't go as easily for you. I imagine you are probably pretty sore today. I hope your healing and recovery goes more smoothly for you.
LovesDogs
0 -
Shabby - I definitely had the sloshing sound after implant placement. Fortunately, it doesn't last, but it wasn't certainly a strange sensation while it occurred!
0 -
I am three months post exchange and my surgical incisions are still very red. Is this normal? Has anyone used a scar treatment cream to help? Between the scars and my radiated side not dropping I'm not happy with they way they look. I know massaging is the key and I am doing that faithfully. Maybe once I get my 3D tattoo on the radiated side I will feel better.
0 -
Shabby! Congrats on crossing over to the Squishy Side!
Yeah, I was pretty sore after all the pocket work my PS did during Exchange. My swelling lasted for 3 months. But I'm really glad he did it.
The swooshing/sloshing sounds are normal. In fact, many women get Rice Krispies sounds after exchange: snap, crackle, pop!!!!
0 -
I haven't posted on here for months! I've been so busy. I have 11 days to go to my exchange sx December 18!! I'm excited! Mostly because I took 2 weeks off! LOL Anyway, my last expansion was in October, and I purposely scheduled the exchange surgery the week before Christmas.
Gives me assurance that I WILL have off for Christmas, since I requested FMLA. :-) Good to read posts from everyone, especially the new people, too! Merry Christmas! I'm asking for fancy bras for Christmas, even though I won't know what size I am for a while or when I can wear them. LOL0 -
mariwyl - Good luck with your exchange. Guess you'll have to settle for fancy bra IOUs for now!
0 -
mariwyl -
I'm a noobie here but want to wish you best of luck with your upcoming exchange surgery! I am "filled to capacity" and just waiting for my surgery date (probably in early February). I can only imagine how excited you must be! I hope all goes as expected and that before long you will be wearing all those fancy bras!
Note to self ... might need some fancy bras from the hubby for Valentine's Day!
Have a great weekend everyone!
0 -
Chrisrenee so sorry you had such a hard time. I hope you are feeling better.
I did not have the swooshing sound at exchange but had it at revision. PS confirmed this is normal and said it is a combo of fluid and air that gets trapped. Mine had disappeared when I went for my one week post op, and my swelling was already down alot as well.
TinaT my PS said that thin/active women are more likely to have problems with their pockets falling out. I am thin and I also have very thin skin which is even thinner because of rads. The way he explained it is there is a fat layer between you breast tissue and your skin so when you are thin you have even less. It was a concern of his from the beginning so I know he was being careful. He did place Alloderm at time of BMX. I wonder if my weight training had something to do with it happening so fast. PS never pointed fingers but I have read that it can happen with weight training and happen further out and the timing of me going back to the gym kinda matches. He told me no upper body workouts right now until I see him in Feb. So I told him I cancelled my gym membership because I could not be trusted.hehe He said that is your call. He did say that when he does release me for upper body workout we are going to keep it to light weights maintenance nothing heavy. I was going for being stronger. Figured at 50 I want to be in really good shape and stay healthy. Going to have to modify scared of gaining weight. I am not skinny but I am petite, thin and healthy.
0 -
Thanks for your replies, ladies!
Just wondering if this tightness that I feel 4 days out from exchange is normal. Was expecting "relief" from TE's and it feels worse than the TE's right now. I eventually got used to the TE's and they loosened up after the 3 months. I assuming this current tightness is due to swelling. Just hoping that is the case and it eases up. Need only aleve 1x per day. No pain just the iron bra feeling...
0 -
I am 1 week post exchange and i am feeling that same tightness. Today i ventured out to the mall because i thought some walking would do me good. I got such a painful back ache and had to go home and take advil. I'm hoping that as time goes on the implants will loosen up.
0 -
I'm a week out too. Tonight I am exhausted. I feel pain and tightness. I think I did too much today. I was hoping to feel more "normal" at this point.
0 -
Thank you ladies! I am feeling better. I am 4 days postop, I'm so bruised from the Lipo that was performed with my exchange. I was told at my one day postop appt that I would have a lot of drainage, I am not the most I've had at one time is 21 ccs. That scares me because my last surgery I was getting 35-40 out. Thinking I might possibly call my PS and ask if this is normal.
So my question of the day. I had the Mentor Memorygel implants placed, they look smaller than what I had envisioned. I had read someplace that the implants expands once it gets used to your body temp. Is this correct even with the memory gel implants? I was wanting to be a 38C but I look to be a low C cup. If anyone could answer that would be great.
Christy0 -
Hello Ladies, is it possible to still have achy pain and at times feel a fluttering/throbbing feeling here and there after 8/9 months of the exchange? Im very sore on my non effected side but had a BMX.
0 -
I think that because recovering from Exchange is so much less traumatic (and painful) than recovering from BMX, we tend to take restrictions more lightly.
Looking back now, I see that my post-Exchange restrictions were actually tighter than my post-BMX restrictions.
Heck, I couldn't even do ANYTHING that raised my heart rate for 3 weeks. (I had extensive pocket work done.)
Yet there I was, doing laundry and housework, because for the moment, I had no pain. But oh, the aftereffects!!!!
I should have learned my lessons the first time around:
1) Just follow the PS's instructions to the letter. He really does know best.
2) Just because I CAN do something, doesn't mean I SHOULD.
3) Restrictions are temporary. It isn't going to kill me to take it easy and lay low for a few weeks.
~~~~~~~~~
p.s. I'm four months out - and I still have that tight, Iron Bra feeling inside me. My implants are very soft and squooshy, so I know this is coming from the muscles, and all the recon work that was done at exchange.
The PS removed a ton of scar tissue, released more of the pectoral muscles at the top and the bottom, and performed lateral capsulorraphies on both sides - he stitched completely around each pocket so there would be no migration of the implants. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad he did this, but I can sure feel it.
0 -
im swapping out my te to implants, saline filled silicone, i think my ps said hes gonna overfill. my te are 960 right now...i think hes going for 900 at surgery? not sure.
im nervous. i also was wondering about why ppl are having lipo? is that fat grafting? and if so...can i just get him to lypo my belly and put some in there just so i can have the jam from my belly taken off? lol. he can take as much as he wants and dispose of the rest if need be...id on't mind!
0
