Exchange City

LoriWNY

TNBC--My advice to you is to get a second opinion from a different plastic surgeon. Your description of conversations sounds alot like my conversations with my first plastic surgeon. Like you, I was larger than I wanted to be pre-BC (38D-40D). My first plastic surgeon did not listen to me and said that I would have to be "relatively the same size to look right." He put in wider expanders than I wanted and then told me I was limited to a certain width of implant due to the expander selected at the time of the BMX. The operative report from my BMX even states that "based on the fold diameter of XX and breast weight of XX, a [certain] expander was selected." Although you are more limited in size due to the fact that you had nipple sparring BMX (my nipples were NOT sparred), I think it will be good for you to get a second opinion.

I was not happy or comfortable with the implants placed at my first exchange, sought several second opinions, and 19 months after the first exchange, I underwent a second exchange to a different manufacturer, size, style, and volume implant which was performed by a different plastic surgeon. It has been 8 months since my second exchange and I am quite pleased with the results.

Remember, this is your body and YOUR decision! It is your right to select a plastic surgeon who will listen to your desires, make suggestions based on his medical expertise, and perform the job YOU HIRED him to do.

MinusTwo

TNBCat - I fought tooth & nail to get a smaller size. Even cried at many appointments I was so upset. I finally stopped the TE fills so he couldn't insert anything much larger. My nipples were not spared either, but I agree with Lori about a 2nd opinion. What is it with the darn plastic surgeons. Luckily there was a thread active here at the time about "go smaller" and i got lots of support there. Yes, there really are a fair number of us who DO NOT want to be bigger, or even be as large as before. But you rarely see those sentiments posted. Good luck.

SpecialK

My PS said he absolutely does not sit the patient up on the table - I was concerned about this because of my lymphedema arm, I didn't want anyone using the arm to pull me up. He says he doesn't because the implant generally does not move in a reconstruction situation, which is different than an augmentation. They look the same whether you are sitting, standing, or laying down.

mysunshine48

I know mine did because I read the surgery report and I asked him about that at an appointment. I never thought about pulling on my arm. I thought they probably just pushed my back up a bit. He did that with the expanders too. He told me after doing that, he did need to readjust the expander on one side. I guess all went well, as I am pleased with the results, except for a little rippling, which I will live with.

katcar0001

Hmmm, good to know. I will ask him if they can push me up and not pull.

SpecialK

Like most things related to all of this - it seems to vary according to each doctor!

Suzy1067

I thought it sounded funny too - being sat up in the OR. But, I've been watching Botched...not trying to scare myself, it is just so interesting what can be done. Anyway, when they sit people up in the OR it's done by raising the top of the bed, it's raised up like a chair - they just make sure the patients don't fall off the bed, LOL

mjh1

the coldness that some of us feel more than others has to do with the thickness of your skin covering the implant n how much fat is under it. They remove your breast tissue n not necessarily all the fat. For this reason one breast may seem colder than the other. I honestly don't even notice it anymore unless I brush my arm against my boob. This is just another new normal I've come to accept.

When they raise u into a sitting position in the OR it is actually the bed your laying on that is raised. They do not pull or prop u up with their hands so no need to worry about that. This is done by many PS to observe symmetry n see if anything else needs to b corrected b4 they permanently suture u closed. When they sit u up u only have a temporary staple or suture in. In my second revision my PS sat me up 3 times she said to make sure that everything was the way she planned n would b what I wanted.

AudreyB

Hi everyone.

My breasts are cold too. But I prefer the cold over the red hot feeling I had a few weeks ago when I developed an infection, which cleared up, thank God.

And for a laugh, as soon as I read the first post about cold breasts I immediately felt mine up. LOL. The things we do.

Scottiemom11

Mine are cold too. I thought it was weird at first when the rest of my body was hot and the foobs were cold, but as MJH said, it's part of the new norm. Audrey, so glad the infection cleared up.

Scottie

I_Spy

SpecialK: The operating table is what moves in a lot of surgeries -- it did in mine. I have low back issues and was worried they wouldn't fix the pillows under my knees when they laid me back down, so I discussed the possibility with my ps. She explained that the operating table bends upward, and they don't pull on my body at all. So people should ask the ps if they are worried about it.

And to all the small chest seekers -- I'm with you. I wanted to be small, even though my body is big (5'11 230 pounds). It took 700 cc high profile Allergan rounds to get me to a small chest though, and one week out I'm still a little worried it won't be big enough haha. But my pec muscles are relaxing and the implants are dropping and fluffling and things are looking good; I'm happy.

I had no problem getting agreement on my choice of small chest from my ps and her PA -- could it be because she is a woman? I said I wanted to be small and she said "ok" and I never heard another word about it. I hate to sound cynical, but I guess I am. A male ps is discussing your wants with HIS viewpoint in mind; and he would want to see a woman with big boobs, right? I just could NOT have a male ps. Of course there are exceptions, and everyone will probably chime in with their wonderful male ps stories. But I think in general a male ps is looking at what "looks good" from his viewpoint, which is a man looking at a woman -- he can't help it, he IS a man looking at a woman. A female ps can understand more easily what it is to be a woman wearing clothes and being comfortable in her skin, and when she looks at you she can understand more easily why you might want a smaller chest. Ok, that is just my humble opinion.

chinapainter

My exchange surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Thanks to all of you that have posted information. It really helps to know what to expect. I'm nervous about being put to sleep because I usually have nausea problems. I'm hoping to lay around 4-5 days and then up and about. My Ps has told me no lifting more than 5 lbs for at least 2 weeks and to wear a soft bra when the bandages come off to help with the soreness. I enjoy painting on porcelain and am to teach a class Nov 3 and 6. I hope I will be able to paint some each day after a short time after my surgery. I welcome any pointers from those of you that have already had the surgery. Now to housework. I want to have things ready to do nothing for a couple of weeks.

BBwithBC45

Chinapainter, I experienced nausea after anesthesia in the past too. Now before each surgery I tell it to the anesthesiologist and they give me a scopolamine patch behind my ear and I don't experience anesthesia related nausea anymore.

I would imagine you shouldn't have any problems painting soon after the surgery. I was knitting a couple of days after the surgery and I went to work (desk job) two weeks after.

Englishmummy

Good Luck, China Painter - you'll be fine! I was so nervous the day before my exchange but it was all good (as the ladies here reassured me it would be). I am just over a week out and I took my kids to an amusement park yesterday for my son's 11th birthday.....I have to ride all the rides as my hubby get sick! I feel good, just have to remind myself not to do too much.

I would think you could paint almost straight away if you feel like it. I was told no heavy lifting (over 10lbs) for 1 week and to be sensible with my activities there after. Thursday he told me I can work out my arms using biceps but not to engage my pecs until week 3 or after if it feels weird. I know all PS have different guidelines.

Be thinking of you, keep us updated.

mysunshine48

Had to pop in here and add my 2 cents! Yes, I had nausea after the BMX surgery, but not this. It is much shorter, thus less anesthesia. I did mention that to the nurse and they also put that patch behind my ear. It is what people wear if they get seasick. Tiny - dime size. And, also, yes, you can probably paint in a few days! I was so surprised - up and doing things much quicker than I expected. Good luck and don't worry!

Scottiemom11

Best wishes Chinapainter. Talk with the anesthesiologist beforehand about nausea. Certain antinausea meds don't work on me so I tell them what does. Versed is also great. Makes you loopy before and you remember nothing.

Had a post EX followup with PS today. Sadly she said my nerve pain may not resolve. Nerves are looking to connect and can't. I'm going to look on the bright side and hope it is temporary.

Also she gave me the info on the famous Vinnie Myers for my 3d tattoos. I have to get on his 6 month wait list and go to MD so Road trip it is.

Scottie

Lharry

Funny you mentioned a road trip for Vinnie Meyers...my girlfriend sent me an article that was in the Today.com website on him, and we both said "road trip!"

Good to know it is at least a 6 month wait list.

SpecialK

scottie & lharry - Vinnie also works out of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans part of the time - might be closer for you.

http://www.breastcenter.com/facilities/repigmentat...

mysunshine48

Had my 3 week post exchage exam today.....all good! I sww him in a month. I am wearing Cobbie bras....stretchy, nothing binding.

Scottie, sure wish your nerve pain would go away!

Scottiemom11

SpecialK. . .I heard that Vinnie goes to New Orleans. My PS said he works out of a hospital there and that might raise the costs and require going into deductible/OOP. If I go to MD it's a reasonable cash price. Dh would love a road trip to Nola so we'll have to see. LOL

Scottie

SpecialK

scottie - here is a link on Vinnie's site that has the phone number for info at NOLA - it would be worth a call.

http://vinniemyers.com/news.html

kingster

Do most ladies get 3D tattoos alone, or with nipple reconstruction? I read the cost for Vinnie's was $800 for bilateral.

Scottiemom11

I'm not having nipple reconstruction. It's another surgery and not havingto wear a bra is liberating.

Definitely going to check out Vinnie's NOLA connection.

Scottie

Scottiemom11

Personally, I chose not to have nipple reconstruction. It's another surgery and not having to wear a bra is liberating.

Definitely going to check out Vinnie's NOLA connection. Kind of ironic that $800 is probably the least I will pay for anything on this journey.

Scottie

SummerAngel

I spoke to Vinnie's and got the number for the scheduling person in NOLA a couple of weeks ago. She said they were absolutely NOT taking new names for a waiting list for Vinnie there. She said the list got too long. She also said that he wasn't scheduling for the second half of 2016 yet but "might" have some spots open when they do, but would not give me any information beyond that. I asked her if I should just periodically call back and she said no. She was polite but very firm and sounded like this was a frequent conversation for her.

sas-schatzi

Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again

Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1

Link to the mainboard donation page

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Scottiemom11

Summerangel. . .I'm going to call Vinnie's Maryland facility. I can wait as long as it takes. I think my PS worked with him at one time. Guess I'll see if they'll put me on the list.

Scottie

ThinkingPositive

Can anyone tell me about nipple reconstruction ? Pros/cons. Had mastectomy on one side so I think it would look weird with one tattoo and one real. Thoughts. And if anyone could tell me how they go about adding a nipple. Ned to make a decision. Would like to get it done this year since my insurance deductible has been fulfilled in January. Don't want to take the chance that our insurance gets worse next year. Have always heard that if someone uses the insurance the next year the company will be looking elsewhere. And I sure used it!

Lharry

Do most women still wear a bra after reconstruction with implants? Just curious.

Englishmummy

@Lharry, I was wondering that too - my PS told me I could wear what I liked or nothing at all - pick my comfort level....everyone else seems to have to wear bras for a lot longer - I have the anatomical 'gummies' if that makes a difference?? I love not wearing one....I never wore one before (well not for the last 8 years), now I feel constricted and annoyed with the bras, but don't want any problems or sagging:) ...does anyone wear theirs 24/7? I read somewhere that you should 'train' your new boobs? Any thoughts?