Exercise post-exchange and lift

digger

I think I'm all done with my fills (will know for sure on Monday) and my exchange surgery is scheduled for March 17.  I'm stressing over what to do with the "healthy" right breast.  I think, all things being equal, it would make sense to get a lift (I think the PS is thinking of doing a small implant as well), but I'm wondering now about the recovery time (and, I'll admit it, pain involved).  I'm really, really enjoying my exercising now, and I feel like I'm finally getting back to semi-normal after my unilateral mx on Nov 20.  If I just do the exchange on the left breast and nothing on the right, I assume my recovery time will be much shorter and I'll be back in my normal routines much sooner.  If I do the lift/implant as well, aren't there alot more restrictions for a lot longer (and did I mention pain...)?  But if I don't, then the two "breasts" will be in two different locations.  Help!

DaphneRunOn

Hi Digger --

I had a lift on my right breast when they did the mastectomy on my left breast.  The lift was a very easy surgery for me, nothing like the mx.  I'd say that having a lift done on the original breast at the same time as the exchange probably won't make your recovery any longer than if you had just a plain old exchange.  I didn't do an implant on the lifted breast though -- that might slow things down a little bit more.

I'm really happy with how the lifted breast looks by the way.  And it matches the implant breast perfectly.  They both turned out better than I'd hoped -- not fake-looking at all, still a nice natural droop, kind of like my breasts looked when I was about 24.  I think you'll be pleased.

roseg

I don't think the lift/implant will add signficantly to your recovery time. You'll be kind of sore from the reconstruction exchange anyway.

I think you're looking at about a week of actual discomfort and then 4-5 weeks of taking it easy on lifting, push-ups, etc.....

You could certainly go back to running or walking if either or both were done after a week or so. I just wouldn't plan on swimming or upperbody weight work for awhile even if you just do the exchange.

digger

I just can't decide on this one.  From the reading I've done about the lift/implant, it looks pretty painful (I mean, they move the areola and nipple, right?) and what if I go through all that just to get cancer again in that breast?  What if I have the lift this March then when I go in for my mammogram in Sept, they find cancer and have to remove it anyway?  Maybe I'm being way too pessimistic...