Exchange City

Had my switch out today. Not too bad actually. A little sore but nothing like when I got the expanders in. I of course couldn't wait to touch the new girls. It was a joy to actually feel squishy not boulder breasts. Haven't seen them uncovered but they seem a little flatter than I had hoped but I guess time will tell.

Rozem my ps said rarely on the drains. Only if she does lots of pocket work and then only for a few days. She said MOST patients do not get drains at exchange.

I am waiting for my exchange surgery in early April... the earlier the better because I have a chance to go to the Police Academy in mid-June! I am hoping that the recovery is like the one for my BMX in December - super speedy & not that painful. Here's hoping that's the case for all of us!

Hi everyone. I had my exchange 2 1/2 weeks ago. I actually am hurting quite a bit and wondering if it is normal. Nurses answer to all of my questions was its too soon to tell. Anywho, i get shooting pains in my armpits and sometimes in the foobs. Also, it feels like there is something across my sternum that came unattached and is always pulling. It is always sore.



Of course, I'm still super sad with how they look. One seems to have dropped, but not the other. I know I need to give it time. sigh. Is this normal?

Sweetandspecial

I had revision/exchange surgery Fri. Dec 21st spent the weekend at home and returned to my desk job for a full day on Mon. Christmas Eve.  No pain, I even had my daughter & small children over on the Sat. after surgery for dinner.  I am not saying I am superwoman, but the exchange surgery sure did not put me out of commission. 

I hope the same for you.  Think positive.  I guess the most important thing is not to lift too much in weight.  Although it hasn't yet been a month I have been carrying grocery bags in from the car and picking up my petite 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter, but mostly on the unaffected side.  

Ok girls saw the ps for pre op photos and measurements etc this morning.



She will be using Allergan 410FX implants. Size wise she said she could go as high as 800, she uses saline for sizing. She will lower the right and close the gap between them by releasing the muscle a bit. She will smooth out the scar, one of which is a bit square right now. We talked about the amount of fullness etc. I know we are on the same page.



She said she will use glue and steristrips again. I will be in surgical bra, but can remove and shower right away. She said there will be lots of swelling initially but that pain should not be bad. She said sports bras for awhile or soft bra, she even said I can go braless, but no underwires. Her preference is never, but she said i could in the future if I'm careful.



I asked about the silicone tape, she said I heal nicely, but could use if I want. She recommended Maderma. She said nothing for two weeks. After that I can use it and then the massaging which she said is VERY important.



I asked about Sientra and she said they are way too new for her to consider at this point.



I think I asked everything you guys mentioned. I am so excited to get rid of these awful TEs!

Hey Girls!  I'm happy to report that my exchange yesterday went way better than expected!  All the positive reports I've read over the last 6 months about the exchange I found out are true. Details...details....

1) Start surgery at 12:30p, PS finished 2:30p ish, post-op recovery 1.5 hours, home by 5 p.m.  I was pleasantly surprised to have the same doctor of anaesthesia that I did w/ my bmx so he actually got my feedback from that surgery and tweaked the cocktail adding more anti-nausea and less narcotic and I didn't throw up this time.  I will arrange him for my upcoming nipple surgery.

2) What did PS do? TE's to Mentor Smooth Round High Profile Gel. Left 550cc Right 600cc. My TE was a Mentor 450cc that was overfilled to 510cc.  I am 5'6", 132#, 30" ribcage, use to be a 34B. Performed bi-lateral capsulectomy, had a ton of scar tissue, oh it's all gone today and that yucky hyper sensitive skin feeling in my arm pit/under arm and painfull hardness stuff no longer exists. I FEEL SO GOOD.  No more Alloderms needed, PS said my skin is in good shape.

3) So the important question how do I look  according to DH and PS..."beautiful".  At my PS appt this a.m. he opened my surgical bra for the first time and wow...they look beautful...round, full and oh so soft.  He removed the mastecomy scars and glued my incisions.  There is a clear tape from the top of my nipples running down to the bottom of my breasts. 

4) Drains? Yup! But glad I have them since 4 p.m. yesterday about had about 70 cc each side of blood. They aren't a big deal like w/ bmx because the pain level (more like super tightness) is about a 2-3 vs a 10+ with bmx. Drains come out on Tuesday, original incisions on sides used again and only 1 stitch each.  I get to shower this afternoon.

For the girls coming up with exchanges, if a skeptic like me can feel this good you can too.  I love my PS, it was fun seeing him light up with such a good result and allow him to do his artistry.  Next up....nipples in 1-2 months from now.  

Happy healing to all the recent exchange girls.  I'm going back to the Victoria Secret website to swimsuit browse....hubba...hubba...

Jill 

Jill~Congrats! And glad to hear all is well!!

CindyLooWho~Thanks for the info. I have a tiny frame, but my shoulders are wide. I guess I really should get the idea of those implants OUT of my head....thanks girl!!!

annemarieh - I'm not tiny, but I'm tall and slender and my goal was to look like my pre-BC me with a little more fullness.  After lots of communication with my PS he ordered a variety of styles and volumes.  He and his PA ultimately decided on the Natrelle Style 15 in surgery, knowing it came closest to what I "wished" for.  I have a prominent ribcage and sternum and they knew I didn't want a coconut bra look (my last words before exchange).  There are a number of us on these threads and on the picture forum who ended up with Style 15 (moderate-plus) and are pleased.  I know they're not the right choice for everyone, but I read a recent comment on one of the threads that women who get moderate projection implants are usually not happy.  Some of us are.  Important to note that there is a difference between moderate and moderate-plus implant profiles.

Just wanted to throw out there that I agree with Merlcat - it is amazing how the different implants work on different bodies.  I guess the most important thing is great communication with your PS and to ask him/her to order a variety of implants so on exchange day they can get you as close to your goal as possible.

Best wishes!

Cindy....  That was the best way I could describe it to him   Lots of projection looks great on some body types.  I read so many stories of women who direct their PS to get the biggest implants possible in at exchange time, err on the large side, "Go big or go home", etc. and they are thrilled with the results.  That just wasn't my wish and my build just isn't suited for it, IMHO.  Reconstruction offers us a chance to feel like we have a little bit of control over this whole crappy situation so it's such a plus if the PS really listens and tries to work with us.

Tina you are so right. I feel like I may actually be happier with these new girls than I ever was with the real ones. Last time I went to a wedding I had to use double sided tape to keep the dress down, since I couldn't fill it out. We deserve to be happy with the results.



Sweetandspecial I think you have to take it easy for 4-6 weeks, but I think lower body exercise will be ok. I know they want us to keep the heart rate down for the first few weeks. I don't think you should be running. Tell your ps exactly what you want to do, you don't want complications.

JamieB86:  You can do it!  My run is in Grand Rapids MI.  I'll be 52 in early August and don't plan to consider it a race but just have fun.  I intend to finish it no matter how long it takes!  I feel a little trepidation myself but am looking forward to the challenge. If you can remember, please PM me after the run and let me know how it went, k?

Hi all.... Had my exchange surgery this morning. Was surprised at the pain when I woke. Much better after pain meds. PS did a lot of pocket work to keep implants from migrating under the armpits. Came home and slept 6 hours. Think I will be on pain medicine a couple days. Can't wait to get a sneak peek. Good luck to everyone coming behind for TE exchange. Keep us posted! Thanks for all the well wishes!

Obxflygirl...congratulations!  Had my x-change yesterday and feeling better by the hour, I'm still on NARCO as it's only been 24 hours since I've been home.  I can't drive for 4 days with or without pain meds so I'm staying ahead of the pain and taking the meds.  I had my grand unveiling with my PS and DH in the same room....it was a cool moment, we are all happy.  Jill

Welcome to the squishy side ladies!

thanks for the encouragement Sweetandspecial. My friend runs marathons, so she may have to throw me over her shoulder and carry me to the end, but I WILL cross the finish line!