Exchange City

kfinnigan

Big hugs to you Andrea. I don't know if I will want nipples either. Between the lat flap scars and the ugly radiated skin...

srdc2013

Hi ladies -- I've been searching through all the posts on this thread but can't find the info I need to plan for my exchange in a week. I'm really curious as to what to expect post surgery. After my BMX, I couldn't really function for 4-5 days. The pain was largely manageable but I had very limited range of motion and as a result had a hard time getting in and out of bed, I couldn't dress myself or fix myself something to eat and I didnt sleep for almost 2 weeks. I hope the sleeping part will be easier b/c I won't be under so long (I suspect the anesthesia caused my sleep issues), there won't be as much pain and I am used to sleeping on my back now so that won't be such a shock - ha!

I'd love to hear about your experience, when could you drive again, get dressed, lift a plate out of the cabinet, unload a dishwasher, pack a lunch? etc. My husband is slated to travel about five days post surgery and my mom can't come up to help this time so I'm hoping I'll be able to take care of myself and the kids by then? They are 8 so I don't have to lift them anymore so that's good but you still have to be able to function to take care of them. Would love to hear about your experience.

I did find the thread with tips to prevent post op vomiting - bless whoever put that together!

clmtootie

Good luck in your exchange lulivsay!  I have my exchange scheduled for December 11th.  I was told by my PS that I would have two drains (one on each side).  She said that she always puts drains in.  Uggg!  I hated the drains the most with the BMX! 

noonrider

I had my BMX on Sept 12. Then I ruptured one of my TE's. Had surgery again, replacing BOTH TE's, cleaned up a lot of scar tissue, and a seroma on one side. I was down to regular Tylenol and my muscle relaxers by the next day. (I did have one drain in.) My PS says my exchange surgery should be much of the same, although she won't know about drains until she is in there.

LoriWNY

srdc2013--I am sure you are excited and nervous at the same time for your exchange which is totally normal! I wasn't able to really function for about 6 days after my BMX and in fact, I stayed in the hospital for 4 nights which was totally unexpected (I had issues with pain meds not alleviating pain, making me totally uncoordinated, and until they found the right combination, I was a basket case). HOWEVER, my exchange was a breeze! It was outpatient surgery, no "pocket work" was performed at the time of exchange, and I was home from the hospital by 2:00 p.m. (surgery was scheduled for 9:00 a.m.). No range of motion issues after the exchange and, in fact, I felt that the range of motion, especially in my right arm where I had lymph nodes removed, was slightly better than before the exchange.

Everyone's experience is different but from what I have read on these boards and based upon my own experience, the exchange, although still a surgical procedure, is a piece of cake compared to the BMX

I felt so good after the exchange that I had to constantly remind myself to take it easy. Call your plastic surgeon's office now and ask what your restrictions will be after your exchange. Every plastic surgeon is different and some say absolutely no lifting above your shoulders for a certain period of time and others say just to take it easy and if something hurts, stop doing it. If your experience is anything like mine, you will be totally able to care for yourself and your children when your husband needs to travel about 5 days after your exchange.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes for you!

Susan456

Hi all. I had my exchange and a lift on the other side ten days ago, and am doing pretty well with my recovery so far.

Silly question: How long were you told to wear your post-surgical compression bra?

I went in for my first post-op visit today, and was surprised to be told "keep wearing it." They said I could switch to a sports bra with no underwire if I want, but I sorta got the impression that the longer I wear it the better.

sandra4611

Susan, in 5 surgeries I've never had to wear a compression garment afterward and in fact, my PS warns against things that are too tight. The last surgery was a month ago and this is the first time I've ever been told to wear a bra at all! This is also the first time I've had Alloderm. I have to wear soft loose bras or Genie bras for another month as I heal.

Srdc, not only are all PS different in their restrictions and women different in how they recover, I've found that every surgical recovery period is different too and it doesn't necessary get quicker each time. My exchange surgery was harder than the BMX and it took a full four weeks to feel like I'd turned the corner. Most people are feeling good in a week or two. Some, as you'll read, feel fine so they do too much and all it does is delay their recovery. 

A few have a "drive-by" (outpatient) exchange and stop for lunch on the way home.  But most are in for a day and others have issues with pain, nausea/vomiting, or some other reason to keep them in longer. Depending on the kind of anesthesia you have, you may be napping off and on at home for quite a while. With my Oct. surgery I was totally clear headed right away, but here it is a month later and I still can't open the sliding glass door or make big turns of the wheel in the car without pain. The other day I washed the car windows while getting gas and paid the price for those big arm movements for two days afterwards! You will probably be good enough to take care of yourself and your kids in a week, but be smart and have a back up plan in place. You never know.  

aviva5675

Srdc it should be much easier.but it's still surgery. Your kid is old enough to help do simple things, so that's good! Don't do even if you feel good.sleeping should be better, but still back sleeping for a bit.good luck

lulivesay

Thanks clmtootie!  Good luck to you as well.  You will be a week wiser than myself and maybe you will even be drain free by that time! I thought they were the worst part of the BMX too!  Be in touch I am interested in how things are going for you!

simplelife2

Andrea, such hard news to hear. Hang in there and know we are all thinking of you and your family! HUGS

Andrea623

Thank you all again. Hugs to everyone.

redheeledwomen

I've been following this thread for quite awhile and tomorrow I will join the squishy side....YAY!!  I've been waiting for this day for months.  I'll report back on the final results sometime soon!

sandra4611

Good luck Red!

simplelife2

RHW, thinking of you tomorrow...good luck....waiting to hear.

babs6287

Good luck RHW

Keep us posted!
Babs

anotherNYCGirl

Red - wishing you an easy switch and quick recovery!

Andrea, - my closest friend has been dealing with PC for 8 years. She has been through surgeries and chemo, and has danced at both of her daughters' weddings, (and my daughters' weddings, too!) in those 8 years, and she is now a Grandma, too! Keep your chin up! and your Mom, too!

Hugs to all

Moonflwr912

Good luck tomorrow red!

bethq

Wasn't sure where to post this but I know many of our veteran members frequent this thread! My exchange was in August. I have small implants which is fine, but they seem to be migrating further apart! I was told I didn't have to wear a bra to bed and some nights I don't. Will they continue to move apart? If I stand up straight I can easily get three fingers between them now.

vfay49

Redheeledwoman - Best wishes on your exchange! After a seven month wait, I am anxiously right behind you.

jeaniebeanie1200

good luck to all having your exchanges,,, welcome to the squishy side!!!!!!

Fourminor, how are things going? I go back for follow up to PS tomorrow, still needing one more SX, and then nipple,,,, want to get it all in for this year and kiss these surgeries goodbye!!! Healing hugz to all,,,,

jeaniebeanie1200

I have terrible ringing in my ears today,,,,,hmmmmmm

sandra4611

Beth, wearing a bra or not isn't the reason. Check with your PS. Plenty of us (including me...and I've had four different sets of implants, starting over each time) were told not to wear a bra or at best only a sports bra when exercising. If not wearing a bra caused them to migrate apart, it would be common knowledge.

sandra4611

Jeanie, call your doctor. Ringing in the ears can be a serious side effect of medications...even something over the counter can cause it.

srdc2013

Yes - please do call your doctor ASAP about the ringing in the ears. Something in my chemo cocktail (probably the Carbo) caused hearing damage and the ringing in my ears was the first sign. I still have it 8 months later and it's hella annoying but if you catch it early enough there are some treatments they can try.Plus if it's a medicine causing it your doc needs to know. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your advice re post surgery recovery - it's so helpful to hear your experiences.

jeaniebeanie1200

I haven't started anything new,,,,,,,don't wanna feel stupid calling the dr,,,, which dr do I call. Lol

jeaniebeanie1200

I just took my BP, it is fine,,, 111/77.......

DPiggy

Hi all - I am 13 days post op from exchange surgery (outpatient) & doing really well.  I had two drains, one on each side, but my PS removed both five days after surgery.  I've been wearing a surgical bra, 24/7, since the surgery to help mold the implants in the pockets & pushes them in, not so much compression.  I had double LD surgery back in April, so most of the pocket work was done @ that time.  I saw my PS yesterday, & she said in about 2 weeks I don't have to wear the bra @ night.  And, I can start doing what she calls 'exercises' to keep the implants soft & natural looking.  I was on minimal pain meds day of surgery, & two days after, then stopped since I really didn't have that much discomfort.  I also had nipple sparing in April & very fortunate that worked w/out any complications.  What a breeze compared to the bmx back in April w/ double LD flap the day after.  I have restrictions for six weeks, but very manageable.  Also, no issues whatsoever w/ ROM.  And, very pleased w/ the results.

Hugs & best wishes to all...

kfinnigan

I finally got my exchange date! January 22, 2015. Thanks for all the good info, I've been following along and waiting anxiously for my turn. Red, good luck today.

Kaos

Good afternoon! I am now 7 days on the squishy side, love that term. Feeling really good and should probably have taken the advice - just because I can doesn't mean I should ... attended Remembrance Day service and then went grocery shopping today and now am feeling it. Not terrible but I feel like I ran a race and am a bit sore youngest son did help bring the items into the house . Overall I am quite pleased with what I can see, I know it will take time for things to settle and be my new normal. Should get my drains removed on Thursday right now the output is minimal. Gentle hugs to everyone!

Goldie8469

I have fat grafting tomorrow. I am excited but nervous about recovering ....again. Can anyone let me know what to expect. I heard it is an east recovery. I hope so