Exchange City

trailrose

Hi Ladies,

I am now seeking a second opinion on my implants from another doctor. When I contacted my PS office to ask what kind of TE's I had I was told by his assistant that she didn't know the style # or volume size and that she thought it was at 1000 cc's and as she was looking in my chart she realized he didn't write it in his notes! Also I was told I got high profile implants since I'm so petite and that moderate implants weren't for me. Well my implant card says moderate plus! I'm very upset about this and feel nauseated about it. There are many other discrepancies and that's what led me to seek another opinion. How many of you just had your records faxed to another doctor or did you get copies directly from your PS? Also how many of you asked to view your medical record right there in the PS office?

Iwannacookie

Trailrose--from everything you've told us, I think you're right to get a second opinion. Your current PS appears to be negligent, if not ignorant.

mjh1

tailrose - glad you're getting a second opinion.  You don't need your medical records from your PS.  All you need is the operative reports from the MX and exchange.  That will have all the info as to what type of TE's you had, what was done as far as pocket, and the implants you got in your exchange.  You can ask for this directly from your PS's office.  You are entitled to these so don't let them give you a hard time about obaining them.  A good PS will be able to tell you just by examining you what he thinks your problem is and what his solution is even without looking at the OR reports.  He may ask for them after his exam so he has them as part of his records if you choose to go with him.

trailrose

Thank you ladies for your encouragement and support!

macb04

Hi I am really confused over what kind of implant to get when I do the exchange in September or late August. I had TE put in April 9th over my pectoral because I was really, really afraid I would be miserable with TE's under my pectoral as I had before. I had fat grafting 5 times, but because of inexperience by the PS I had then, I only managed to get to an A plus cup size with my fat alone. The short form of my story was uni mx with TE placed, for planned DIEP. Had chemo, rads. Lots of rad damage. Did HBOT , skin got a lot better, almost normal. CHANGED my mind and did BRAVA with fat grafting instead, took TE out. Fat grafting didn't work great, 2 bad infections messed things up. So, on to an re implantation of a TE, this time above the pectoral. So..... trying to match real right breast with implant, confused by anatomical vs smooth round type. I am 36 C cup on right real side. The TE is too wide at the base and is flat at the front, about the same width as at the base, which makes it look like a man boob. I want to have as close a match to real right as possible. Plan lollipop lift this fall with different PS as the one doing the TE/implant isn't used to doing the lollipop lift and I don't want a reduction and an anchor scar lift which is the only kind he does. I want to stay a C cup, more projection too than the TE, although heard the TE has more projection than most silicone implants. Want to look slightly saggy, currently the infra mammary fold under the TE doesn't look right. Perky will look strange with my saggy belly, especially saggy after liposuction there twice for fat grafting.

mjh1

macb - copy the post to breast implant sizing 101 where our resident implant whisperer (whippetmom) will see or send her a PM and she may have some quidance for you.  Good luck.

SpecialK

trailrose - you can get the operative reports directly from the medical facility where you had surgery if you would like to avoid asking for the reports directly from your PS.  I just did this due to a switch from one PS to another.  I have had 12 surgeries, in 3 different facilities, but it was no problem at all.  The op reports should show the make/model/serial numbers of all implanted devices.

trailrose

SpecialK- Thank you for the information! I dread going tomorrow to my PS but have to since I have my steri strips still in place almost 6 weeks later and was instructed to not get my chest area wet or remove them on my own.

ThinkingPositive

Its been 4 weeks now since my exchange and reconstruction surgery. I feel as though there is too much space in between both boobs... is this normal? Also the non MX side is still very swollen on the side. It wasn't like this before the surgery. Is it possible that the implant is all the way on the side...are they that wide. Its only a 150cc implant on the good side. I have no idea how much that is...my normal cup size was varying between a C and D depending on the bra.

AudreyB

Hi everyone! Hopping onto the thread. My exchange is finally scheduled for August 19. Yay.

Fe_Princess

Hi SpecialK, I saw my PS for the last time today before my move. He said that a large portion of my fat graft got reabsorbed so that is why I have the upper pole indentation. I will also have to have a scar revision. At least I know I wasn't totally crazy. I wanted to post this because there may be other who have gone through this as well. Thank you for all your input on this board too!

AudreyB

Hi again. I didn't introduce myself properly. I've been on this site since January and just assumed we all know each other, lol.

I had BMX with TE placement May 6. I was filled 400cc at sx, with 3 fills so far, 100cc, 50cc, and 100cc yesterday. So far everything has gone well. My drains were removed 6 days after surgery and I had my first fill at that time also. My right has been a bit bothersome but the fills have really helped ease the discomfort. I feel very lucky in this fight as I didn't need chemo or radiation. Only 4 surgeries and some grey hairs. Looking forward to getting to know all of you

SpecialK

Fe - You are moving overseas shortly right - and for a happy occasion? Yay! Sorry that your FG didn't stick, it can be a problem solver for many but you are def not alone in having reabsorption - it is often a multi-step process.  Hopefully future fixes will be the ticket for you.  Wishing you the best and hope all goes smoothly with the move.

JustAJennifer

welcome AudreyB!

trailrose

Welcome Audrey B! Congrats on having your exchange surgery scheduled.

Fe Princess- Best of luck to you in your move! You're moving to a wonderful place and when we go back I'll look you up. I'm sure you'll find the best of medical care in Switzerland to help with your current situation. Make sure to keep in touch with all of us here!

mjh1

Finally, I have my revision scheduled for August 31.  Hope not to hit any other bumps in the road.

FePrincess - Good luck in your move.  Can't wait to hear all about your experiences with doctors in Switzerland.

Audrey - good to see you here too!! 

trailrose

mjh1- Great news on your revision surgery date!

Fe_Princess

Hey thanks everyone, I will definitely report back after my first visit. Yes, I was hoping to move on from my last surgery but alas...I am grateful for my relatively easy journey in cancer. It has given me an opportunity to connect with all of you wonderful women!

nlosgatos

robinblessed54-  totally agree with you.  love the smooth look.  no way I want to go thru more procedures, especially one with a big fail rate!  reading about all of the skin damage, infections, no thank you.  i'll look into 3D tats at some point.  4 weeks out from exchange and just want to get back to my sports and be the healthiest me I can be

patriciahurtado

hello ladies ... I'm so tired of all this crap..... Well I had TE for a year my Ps was slowly filling my TE 40 here 30 there. Because of my radiated skin.(had radiation without TE) do to infection. Well got my last fill and it just gave me an infection. My arm hurts like pressure all the time. When you ladies get fill does it hurt when the neddle goes through? Mine hurts so bad. Well I think I'm going to ask him to remove 20cc. I'm not sure what's the next step I'm on antibiotics and I don't know where to go from here

AudreyB

Hi Patricia. During fills I feel the needle on the left side. It hurts but only for a second. I feel nothing on the right side. I hope your infection clears up soon. I have had a relatively good TE exp. My left cancer side has behaved very well during all of this. The right non cancer side is more uncomfortable, I always feel discomfort on the right side. I think it's because I was always lopsided left bigger than right so it's stretching more. I hope everything settles down for you and you get through this.

Iwannacookie

Hi Patricia--

I'm sorry you're having such a bad experience with your fills. I didn't have any pain with the needle because I have no longer have any feeling in either breast, but I imagine that if you still have some healthy nerves you would naturally feel some discomfort. If you have faith in your doctor, and you're keeping her/him posted on how you're feeling, I'm sure she/he will get you through this. If you want more insight into your treatment and health status, ask your doctor whatever and as many questions as you need to. You're entitled to that information, and it might help you see past your current pain.

kingster

I felt the needle go through each and every time with my fills! Actually, it is a good sign for that to happen, because you have nerve sensation there, which is great:) I am about half numb still, the left worse than the right. My left side had extensive disease and more lymph nodes removed. I am 3 months post exchange. Hoping your infection clears soon Patricia.

robinblessed54

I have my 3 month follow up post EX with PS tomorrow. I an so happy with my anatomical implants. So glad I had a choice of implants. I did exactly what I was told to do. That helped with my outcome. I am still careful with what I do.

3D tattoos are next

robinblessed54

PS said my foobs are grest! I agree! No ridges of implants can be felt. Next stop, nipple tattoos!

mjh1

robinblessed - yay, so happy for you that the "girls" are looking fabulous.  Make sure you pick out great nip tatoos to accent them properly.

middleagedmama

exchange surgery July 8

Cindy_K

YAY Robin! That is great news!

macb04

Hi patriciahurtado, I unfortunately get infections really easily due to rads damage, so I know that antibiotics don't work really well for me, so I get intravenous Vitamin C from Naturopath here in Seattle. It is really safe and effective in helping to kill bacterial infections. It even kills cancer cells, look up "Intavenously administered Vitamin C as cancer therapy, 3 case studies"

I am going to see if I can PM whippet mom to ask what type implant she thinks would work for me. I talked to my PS about implants and how to coordinate my implant exchange and breast lift of my real right side when he was filling my TE today. Am up to 540cc's today and he said one more which would bring me up to 600cc's, compared to my 36C real right breast.

Jumpship

Quick question….I don't have pre-op until the day before the exchange. How long does the whole thing take? Both side are getting new implants. No grafting or anything. An hour? Then like a hour in recovery? Can you tell I'm a planner!