Exchange City

Czechmate47

Hi Ladies...hoping for your thoughts. Not sure if this is the right place to post, as it's my first time. I had a BMX a couple months ago with immediate expander placement. I'm 5'11 and slender, and had been a 38DD before the surgery. I've been aiming for around a D cup and everything had been going great up until a couple weeks ago. I had my final fill...Mentor expanders, filled to 710 ccs, and I think my PS was aiming to put in 650 or 685 Mentor MemoryShape implants later this fall. I was happy with how I looked and had a final fill. A few days later I had a lot more pain than usual on one side after expansion, and next thing you know I had to have serous fluid drained off one side, and then a few days after that ended up in surgery to check things out, remove some old and a few new blood clots, and reinsert a J/P drain. (This side was always an overachiever...I had had the last of 4 drains in on that side for just over 7 weeks.) PS removed 100 ccs of saline from the expander on that side and had said he was concerned about the skin thinning a bit in one area. Sounds like now I may not make it to a D without doing a lat flap, which I don't want to do. I know this is silly when so many people have far far worse problems and so far I'm very fortunate in my prognosis, etc. Maybe it's just the last straw when I've felt so out of control, and thought I at least had a bit of control at this point, because I was supposedly done with fills and surgery was scheduled for the exchange. For now he did leave the other side's expander at the larger volume and I still have to see him for postop eval. At the last fill he had put in 60 ccs, and everything was going ok before that. Do you think there's a chance he might consider adding 50 back in, and splitting the difference since he took out 100? I think he said in one small area the skin was 1/4-inch thick...but I was in recovery room, so memory may not serve me right! My main concern is that I want a certain amount of projection...I want to notice my bust more than my abdomen when I look down and I wanted to get as close to the old me as I could...was NOT counting on 2 cup sizes smaller...and I know with implants I'll lose some of the projection provided by the expanders. Any advice, even if it's just that I need to get over it? Sorry...today was a bad day for me. :-(

RosieMjdtrt

hi Czech,

I think this is something only you and your PS can decide. Me personally, am so glad I don't have to go back to a DD. My expanders are at 520 ccs right now and I am kinda loving them (size wise, the shape is still awful). I am supposed to fill to 750, so only then will I know what I really want. Don't beat yourself up for wanting what you want either. After all, reconstruction is just that! You wouldn't tare down your house to build a crappier one, would you?

Czechmate47

Thanks so much for your note RosieMjdtrt! I'm not upset about not going back to a full DD, but I personally think a D looks better with my height/long torso/frame than a C. I think I just got so close to the finish line I smelled victory and didn't expect this additional little curveball. I know what you mean about the expanders...they are indeed a weird shape but don't look so bad with clothes on. My pesky side is shifted slightly laterally, so perhaps I'm not getting the true effect of what it will look like afterward even if I end up in C territory since adjustments will be made with positioning. Anyway, thanks again, and best to you!

Scottiemom11

mjh1 my PS prohibited lifting for at least 6 weeks. She may extend that next week. I was out for 4 weeks due to unexpected severe nerve pain.

Scottie

RosieMjdtrt

Best to you as well Czech. Me and you are running a similar timeline, so please keep me posted on your progress.

Badgergirl

Mj,

I'm so sorry for all the insurance issues...it's already a really stressful process, so that doesn't help anyone! I will say that I didn't need a pre-auth for my EX, since it was already "authorized" or covered under the BMX with reconstruction. I will keep my fingers crossed that is what your insurance is like too ;-)

My PS took both, the Inspira and the Memoryshape, into the OR and I ended up with the Memoryshape. I'm only 5 weeks out, but I'm happy with them. I'm sorry about the no lifting and Spanx...I had that too (I still can't lift more than 5 lbs according to the PS). I really liked the Assets Red Label - it didn't take an act of congress to get them on and they still held everything in pretty well.

Will be thinking of you!

Badgergirl

Angie -

Just wanted to check on you...how are you doing/feeling? I've been thinking about you!

mjh1

thanks scottie and badger.  I didn't have all these restrictions in my exchange or my 1st revision so was just shocked when she told me.  Just had weight restrictions and not to do too much be a t-rex for 2 weeks.  Could explain why one implant rotated.  Sorry to have complained.  This is nothing compared to what some of our sisters go through.  I didn't it before, so I'll do it again.  When she said I was not to do anything for a week, I asked her if I could at least pick,up a glass of water.  She laughed and said yes but I cannot open the fridge with one hand nor can I pick up a gallon of milk.  I better ask her if I can at least wash my face and brush my teeth.  Time to stock up on those wet wipes again and I better fish out that lanyard that I used for the drains!!!! 

Angie4

Badgergirl,

Physically, I'm doing better. Mentally, I'm struggling. I'll pull through it. You're a doll for checking on me. I hope you are well!

Angie

Badgergirl

Mj,

I'm slightly offended that you apologized for "complaining"! Seriously?? Never apologize to anyone for not enjoying this process...it's a nightmare, regardless of how "bad" you perceive your circumstances to be compared to anyone else. It totally sucks! And maybe you're right - maybe with these restrictions it will help your implant adhere to the pocket better. According to my PS, one of the benefits of the Memoryshape is the texture - he feels it's the best texture of the anatomicals to allow the implant to adhere to the skin and have less of a chance of rotation. Don't know if it's true, but I'm going with it ;-)

Angie, I'm sorry that you're struggling at all...I am thinking about you and hoping the coming months will have your implants looking better for you! You are super tough and strong (you have to be to get through this!) and I know you'll pull through ;-)

simplebetty1

hi, sisters. I've only written on here once before and no one really responded so I thought I'd try again. I just had my exchange last Friday on Aug 21st. It was an outpatient I was back home within 4 hours. For those of you that have already had the exchange, I realize they need to settle and that it can take months. I have mentor high profile round silicone 650cc. I have a lot of nerve pain on the left side and I have flat area that I hope will go away. Anyone that could shed some light on this I would really appreciate. Give me some hope that they will start looking better once they settle some more. I have been reading everyone's postings for months, you really have helped me through some rough times.

Michelle

Elizabethaw

Hi Michelle, I'm glad you've felt helped through rough times! (But sorry there were rough times...)

Your implants will definitely change *a lot* over time. Where is the flat area? I've got ripples, which is a totally different problem, but I'm doing fat grafting in a few weeks in an attempt to fix that. I'm sure you don't want to even think about another surgery, but fat grafting is an option to fix flat or indented areas. (There's a nice thread on this forum dedicated to fat grafting.) There's a lovely description on the "breast implant sizing 101" thread header about the time right after exchange. It tends to be a tough emotional time for many. Not saying that your unhappiness about the flat area is emotional--just that you've been through this so recently that you need plenty of time to let yourself heal emotionally and physically. I hope everything settles just the way you want it to, but there are options to fix anything you don't like.

I'm also very sorry about the nerve pain. I know other women here have been through that--I hope one of them can offer help with that.

There's definitely hope that you will be much happier with the look of your implants in the future!

simplebetty1

elizabeth,

Thx so much for the kind words. I will check out the fat grafting area. And the implanting 101. I have a place on my left breast about in inch from the cleavage. It's completely flat. I noticed it when I had the expanders in, but was told it was just the expanders. I went for my post op appointment and was told in a couple months if it's not better they will go in and do some fat grafting. I'm hoping it doesn't hurt, but after everything else I've been through I'm sure it will suck but gotta do what ya gotta do. .

It's good to know they can fix things until I'm happy with them. The just seem wide and round not perky like I thought. I have a lot of side boob going on. But it hasn't been a week yet. They say patience is a virtue but my patience is running very thin.

I'm not suppose to lay down for 2 weeks, so sleeping on the couch. Can't lift over 6lbs. Have to wear sports bra for 6 weeks. But they are really soft, so that is better already than the rocks that were in there

Thanks again

Michelle

simplebetty1

I'm sorry CCS648o hear your not happy and having a hard time in a lot of pain. Is it pain from muscle spasms, or stiches. I also feel like I have hamburger buns on my chest. I'm going to give it some time and hope they start looking better.

What size did you go? I'm mentor 660 round.

mysunshine48

How do they do fat grafting? Where does the fat come from? If from love handles or abdomen, is the skin saggy there after?

Elizabethaw

Take a look at the fat grafting thread here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

I'm hoping my skin won't be saggy afterwards--but there's no guarantee!

SpecialK

my sunshine - they will usually take far from wherever you have the most, but some plastic surgeons prefer the abdomen because it is the location least likely to have cosmetic issues afterward. The fat is extracted by liposuction, spun in a centrifuge, then loaded into a large bore syringe and injected into the area where it is needed.Generally, one does not have saggy skin because the fat taken is less in volume than for a cosmetic procedure. Your PS is only allowed to take what will be used in the graft, removing too much can cause insurance to deny the procedure because it can be interpreted as cosmetic.

mjh1

simplebetty - our number one mantra is "stay away from the mirror."  It is not your friend right now.  I know we all can't help it because we've been waiting for so long to see the "girls" that we just want to peak.  However, the "girls' really do need time to settle into their new home.  There will be many changes in the next few weeks, and at three months you should get a good idea of how they'll finally be.  Yes,the wait is awful especially when you don't like what you see now but it is too realy to judge.  I'm not sure what kind of nerve pain you have, but after my initial exhange and then the subsequent reivison, I did have nerve pain going down my left arm (the SN arm).  That was just temporary.  If that's what you have, try massging under your armpit daily.

badger - okay, no moe aplogizing because we all know what an emotional rollercoaster ride this is and that just happened to be when I was in the low point of the ride.  Just felt like we had everything planned two months ago when we booked the surgery and then to find out that the implants we chose are not available (definitely writing a letter to Allergan as to why they have them in their catalog if they're not mnufacturing them) to possibly having drains that I haven't had in a year in a half to no shower for a week or drying my hair to not working for a month which I didn't plan on to the only thing I can do is walk was all overwhelming at that point, oh, and not to mention wearing a binder or spanx and tryng to stay cool since I can't shower.  Not to worry back to myself now. Although I gotta say I did feel much better just venting about it., so thank you to eveyone for listening.  Stay tuned for more venting next week!!!

Scottiemom11

Michelle. . . The nerve pain can just be from muscles cramping after they remove TEs and put in your new girls. Could be inside stitches from pocket work. I've had nerve pain since BMx especially with fills and EX made mine worse. I also had lipo on both sides of my foobs during EX and I have very tight pecks. So I'm an exception to the rule that EX is an easy recovery. Talk to your PS.

Scottie

MinusTwo

mjh - only some of the Allergan 410's have been approved by the FDA for general use in the USA. I do have the LX, but your PS has to be involved in the trial in order to have access to them. Sorry for the disappointment. I know you were ready to roll.

mjh1

Minustwo - thanks.  My PS does have access to the LX and MX and even the new Inspiras, but according to the Allergan rep who she called twice they're just not being manufactured in the size I need yet although they are in the catalog.  Oh, well,at least now I can say my boobs were made in the good old USA...lol.  Not many things we can say that about these days.

simplebetty1

Scottiemom I also have nerve pain since the bmx I guess I just hopped it would get better once I did the exchange. You are right it could just be from surgery or pocket work, stiches etc..

Mjh1 thx for the word's of encouragement I do need to just stay away from mirrors, kinda like I stay away from scales. I gained around 25lbs after my bmx. I have since done a lifestyle change. Watching what I eat,how much, and exercise everyday. I was actually feeling better then the ps told me no exercise for a least 3weeks. I'm just hoping I don't gain instead of trying to lose.

When I went to pt I felt much better, really does help with the nerve pain and swelling. My insurance covers the appointments up to 20x so I saved half for after the ex. They use red and blue lights therapy I don't know if all the ps offices have their own therapy dept but mine does and I love them.

Mjh1 I'm looking forward to the changes you speak of in the next few weeks and months, I never really had cleavage I was a small B but I'm hoping the girls will look great and perky.I'm not sure what size they will be I'm still in a sports bra. But I have 650 cc high profile round memory gel. It's so nice to have someone to talk to about it all that really understands. My dh is awesome I'm so lucky to have him, but he just doesn't understand.

sherry67

mjh1,

I have the mentor memory shape implants and like them a lot better than the Allergan 410..4 moths out and much happier.my ps put a larger implant on the right and a smaller one on the left so they would be even..good luck

Msmath

I woke up this morning and my first thought was in 3 weeks I will be in surgery. At first I was very excited then it sunk in I'm going to be in pain again. Any suggestions on what I need to do to prepare?

loriekg

Me too, Msmath! My surgery is scheduled for Sept 16th...I am not really excited since I've grown quite fond of my TE's and I'm afraid I'm going to be sorely disappointed in the implants. Hope not. I could've had the exchange earlier but I didn't want it to disrupt the summer--moving son to college...etc. Now I guess its inevitable! Sounds like (from what I've read here) the pain won't be bad at all. --Lorie

mazy123

msmath,

I know it is scary facing surgery again. I had my exchange eight days ago and am doing well.

They gave me two OxyContin (I think) before surgery and then gave me Tylenol in iv. I also had scopolamine patch. I have bad reactions to narcotics so they were great in helping me find a good solution.I had surgery at 9 which lasted two hours and I was home by two.

I only took over the counter pain Meds. Extra strength Tylenol. I had tramadol prescription but never took it. I was sore where my incisions were , under the fold, but it wasn't terrible. My main soreness was where they took fat for fat grafting on my sides. I iced that periodically for a few days which helped. Also, I wasn't in pain when I was in bed lying down. When I got up out of bed was when I could feel soreness.

I felt really tired until yesterday. Yesterday, a week after surgery, I woke up and my incisions felt better, my sides didn't hurt, and I had energy. On Tuesday night I made it to back to school night.

I know everyone has different experiences and we heal differently. I was pleasantly surprised that this was so much easier than my bmx. I hope that you feel the same!

Mazy

Scottiemom11

simplebetty. . .I was delighted to find out that my insurer covers 40 PT visits a year and since I saved PT for after EX I'm set for the remainder of the year at least two times a week. Also since I met my OOP long ago for the onco treatments I have no PT copays. Loving it and found an awesome one.

I am also frustrated with the exercise limitations. I was doing a lot of walking, hiking and weight lifting in between BMx and EX. Arm weights obviously were fairly light but not the leg weights. I got back on the treatmill slowly at 2-weeks post EX and have worked that up. Now I can do the leg weights as well. I probably won't get cleared for arm weights until 8 weeks post EX b/c of the nerve pain but that's what PT is for.

Best wishes

Scottie

kingster

Simplebetty, I have 700 ml mentor memory gels too! High profile smooth round. They are very soft. I am almost 6 mos post ex. They did improve a lot. I am scheduled for fat grafting in October. Left side incision pulls in, but flattens out when I lift my arm up or lay down. Right lower is flatter than the left, but much improved from what it looked like at first. They look awesome from the incisions and up, and are looking better to me as the scars fade. I went to the lymphedema PT for cording issues and they helped so much. I look "normal" in the right bra and clothes (they hold their shape better than my natural breasts ever did). Anyway, I am confident it will get better with time. Take care!

hummingbirdlover

Well, I'm officially on the squishy side! I had my exchange surgery on Thursday and it went well. It was outpatient (hooray) and I don't have any drains (hooray again). I feel ok but am sore and taking my norco regularly. I came home in the bra I bought from PS..one of those with a whole bunch of front clasps and in addition a thin, maybe 4 inches Velcro wrap around ace bandage that is up high to keep downward pressure on the implants. That thing is the most uncomfortable part. I think it's bruising my armpits. I have natrele 20s, silicone 375 cc implants and they DO feel much softer than those TEs. What a relief! The implants seem a little wide and flat but it sounds like it takes time for them to take their real shape? Thanks for all of your great posts, it helped me know what to expect and today I can say that of my three surgeries, this one is the easiest by far. I'm so happy to be here!

Msmath

hummingbirdlover I am so glad all went well with your surgery. That is exciting news that you do not have drains! My PS pretty much guaranteed I would have 2 drains but that they wouldn't stay in very long. Thanks for sharing your experience my exchange is scheduled on September 18th.