Exchange City

trailrose

AudreyB- I'm so excited for you!

mjh1

audrey ..woo hoo!!! Time for a happy dance indeed!!!!

Leslienva

I've had a lot of pain (and a drain) on the radiated side, but my prophylactic side feels fine. I should get the drain out tomorrow, but my implants are a lot smaller than i wanted. I was up to 460 ccs with the tissue expanders but only 360 ccs with the Inspiras. I know my surgeon was concerned about my radiated side not holding an implant, but if it held the TE, it should be able to hold an implant that's the same size, right? I'm pretty disappointed right now...

Eee3

amstar15: it was probably mederma. OTC scar treatment. It works great.

hummingbirdlover

Leslienva, I'm sorry you're having a hard time. The fact that the implants seem smaller seems to be a common thread on this board. I thought the same thing at first. I was filled to 320 and ended up with 375 implants and they totally seem smaller than the TEs. They are growing on me though and the silver lining is that I haven't had to wear a bra at all, and I'm loving that.

As a side note, for those of you who are considering it. I got my 3-D tattoos done last Friday and I absolutely, positively LOVE them. I had them done in my PS office by a former BC patient who said when she went through this there was nobody around our area who did 3D so she went to school and learned how to do them. OMG, it's amazing how real they look. I opted out of nipples but the tattoos give the most real looking illusion that there is a nipple there. I'm SO happy with them. I had my one year follow up with my BS yesterday and he'd never seen the 3D kind and was so impressed he paraded his staff through the exam room so they could all see how awesome they looked. I admit, I've lost all modesty.

The tattoos have helped take some of my disappointment about the implants away. They don't seem as uneven now, the scars are fading into the background and I'm happy.....finally.

Leslienva

Hummingbird, I'm glad you're happy with the 3D tattoos, I'm definitely planning on getting them down the road!

AudreyB

Hummingbird, I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to get mine. Its the last step in putting this whole mess behind me.

AudreyB

Wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

happyteacher

My scars run just under the tatoos. I don't think the scar matching thing is a common issue. Even with my multiple revision surgeries they are still Ok. I also had the 3D tatoos done. Initially I had not planned on doing it, but in the end it was just a little too weird not having anything there. I ended up crying through the damn tatoos (emotionally difficult process for me, not a painful process for those that have not done it yet). I had no issues with this going into the BMX, or the exchange so kind of weird that was the point that I found difficult. In hind sight though for sure I am glad I had it done!

happyteacher

Hi Amstar,

Look for a bra that closes in the front- not the back. There are also styles that you put on over your head instead of close. The recovery from an exchange is much easier, but in the very beginning it is easier on the arms if you can clasp it shut in the front. I picked up some at Walmart very cheap, as it was only something that I would use during recovery and they worked fine. Here is a link to what I used if that helps. You want them to fit snug to offer compression. I then used my Genie bras once I could get them over the head without too much pain. I had these from my BMX and tissue expander phase so it was not a new purchase post exchange. I just noticed the Genie bra being sold at either Sams or Costco for a great price.

Mederma is a scar cream available over the counter. My PS said it didn't really work, but others say it helps. Not sure how best to direct you on that, or if that it the brand mentioned by your doc- but it is a common one. I wish you and your wife well~

happyteacher

ThinkingPos- capsular contraction is when post exchange scar tissue forms around the implant. If enough of it forms, it compresses and "squeezes" the implant. It can be painful, and also results in more of a torpedo shaped look that looks far "perkier" than the non-encapsulated implant. I have now had it happen twice. In both cases if you were to look at me while wearing a reasonably fitted shirt there is a couple of inches different from the left side compare to the right. The left is the one causing problems and it rides much higher than the other side, and is very hard to the touch compared to the side that went well. My first revision the scarring was worse and it was more painful- enough where it impeded daily life. This time it is still severe enough to warrent surgury, and asthetically also riding high again. In my case for whatever reason my body kicks out a ton of fluid. Most women get drains out within 2 weeks of the exchange, but I always go a full month and then barely reach a point where the doc felt like he could take them out. If your PS uses strattus (probably spelling that wrong) it reduces the scarring. On my next revision the doc is going to replace the implant (again), flush the area, remove the scar tissue, and score the strattus. Then post op I will be taking steriods in an attempt to reduce the inflammation.

kingster

Hey Audrey, Happy Thanksgiving to you too and to all the wonderful ladies for your advice, knowledge, and support! I truly don't know what I would have done without you!

Moonflwr912

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

robinblessed54

Have. Blessed day! Enjoy your families! Thank you for all your love and support.

Robin

Lharry

2 weeks from today is my exchange. Trying to get thanksgiving out of the way, and finish Christmas preparations and shopping done before then. That way there will be no pressure to get anything done afterwards. It's crunch time now! Can there be such a thing as a stress free Christmas? I hope so! That is certainly my plan!

Happy Thanksgiving ladies!

Scottiemom11

Happy Thanksgiving all. Lharry, I'm right there with you. I need a stress free Christmas. This has been one heck of a roller coaster year but I'm feeling so much better now and getting in shape finally.

Scottie

mjh1

Happy thanksgiving to all my boobie sisters. I'm grateful to have found all of u to share this journey with. Hugs!!!!!!

Janett2014

I am one of those who likes the Genie bra for its compression. I found it easier though, especially right after surgery, to step into it instead of pulling it over my head.

Amstar15

Well -- me being me.. I ended up getting 6 different bras... I got a zip up under amour sports bra (zips in the front), I got her a genie bra, I got her some Playtex ones, some hanes ones.. another zip up one from walmart... basically I just wanted to make sure that she was comfortable.

I will let you know which ones worked out best for her. Surgery is December 8th

Leslienva

I find that the front zip up bras seem to stick out through my shirts. They're also so high up that they're hard to hide.

I had my implant exchange two weeks ago and I'm still sore on the radiated side. The surgeon removed a lot of scar tissue so apparently that's why it's so sore. But at least I got my drain out!

kingster

Leslienva, congrats! What implants did you get? Hope you are feeling better soon. I still get weird pains here and there. Esp if I wear the wrong bra...or use my chest muscles too much.

Amstar, sounds like you got it all covered! I got 3 zip up the front sports bras. They are easy. I wear them to the gym. Under armour is a good brand.

Leslienva

Kingster, I got the Inspira implants. They're 360 cc, while my TEs were 460! So I'm pretty disappointed with my results. Plus my original scars are not symmetrical so I'm not sure how that's going to look when I get the 3D tattoos. The surgeon went in underneath my breast to put the implants in.

It's been over two weeks since the surgery and I am still VERY sore on the left side. I'm not taking any pain meds other than neurontin at night, which helps with the nerve pain but not the steady ache around where the drain was and underneath my breast where the incision is. I had been hearing that implant exchange surgery was so easy! I guess that made my expectations too high!

Leslienva

Thanks for the suggestions on the bras! I'm going to head to Walmart later and buy the Fruit of the Loom front close sports bra that doesn't have a zipper. I looked at the website that HappyTeacher posted and the bra doesn't go as high up as the ones I have and with a hook and eye instead of a zipper, it shouldn't poke out.

kingster

Leslienva, are the inspira implants anatomical? Wonder why the implant size was smaller? I had an even swap out at 700 ml. I just know that everyone's experience is so different, and so are the plastic surgeons.

Has anyone had 3 d tattoos done by "forma naturalis" in Pittsburgh, PA? I have a consult with them in 2.5 weeks and would love to hear from you. The tattoo artist name is Luke. Thanks.

mysunshine48

Kingster, I have Inspira implants and they are round, high profile.

mysunshine48

Oh, Imjust read your post again. They seem smaller because implants are always smaller than the expsnders. Even though you were filled to 700 and your implants were 700.....they just are. I think it has something to do with expanders being filled with saline and the projection is different. I may be wrong but this is what I have learned.

ZukiCat

Hello Ladies, long time no chat. I hope you're all well! I have been waiting a long time for my exchange surgery, it's been almost 10 months! But I finally have a date for December 11, 2015. Now I am getting nervous and I would rather be more excited lol!

I think I am dreading the recovery period the most, especially since it will be during Christmas holidays and I don't want to feel useless. And I feel I should be getting everything finished and ready before December 11th. Is it true this recovery is better than the bilateral BMX with TEs? My PS says he will be doing some pocket work and hopes to lower the pockets and try to bring them closer together ( I have a huge gap between my TEs), and he cannot tell ahead of time whether or not I will have drains. He is putting in anaromicals so will that make a difference in recovery as well? He didn't tell me what to wear afterwards either ( and I cannot ask him now as he is off doing charity surgery in India at the moment ).

Thanks for reading, any advice or input is greatly appreciated!

SpecialK

mysunshine - the projection difference between expanders and implants is not related to saline versus silicone, it is because the expander has a hard backing and a flexible and expandable front so as the saline is added it moves the front of the device forward but the back stays firm.  A round implant, whether saline or silicone, is soft all the way the way around so you lose projection in most cases due to that.

zuki - most experience far less recovery issues and discomfort at exchange.  If there is expensive pocket work done you may have some added discomfort, but it is not usually comparable to BMX because the surgery is not as involved and tissue is not being removed.  Good luck!

Lkscolo

Zuki, I had anatomicals and pocket work to bring pockets closer too and my exchange was a breeze. No drains. I took norco the night after surgery and Tylenol the next few days. The pain is more of a discomfort. My TE expansions were very painful though! I wore surgical bra for a week post op and then soft stretchy bras for awhile. I can finally wear a regular bra now at 10 weeks post op. I was verynervous too but really surprised how good I felt the day after. Most ladies seem to do fine! As will you! Keep us posted.

ZukiCat

Thank you for the replies! I have become quite anxious about the upcoming surgery even though I cannot wait for it to be finished! I admit I am kind of being a little testy and crabby and harder to live with lol!

I am also dreading the weekend after my surgery (which is on a Friday) as my son and husband will be away at a hockey tournament - I feel like I will be a bit lonely and isolated, even though my 12 year old daughter will be with me. Oh poor me, I know!

This time of year here in Canada is hard as well! Where is the SUN?!?

Thanks again, I feel better knowing that this recovery should be easier......