Exchange City

Scottiemom11

Best wishes for tomorrow fipjoemom and Tina.

Scottie

Tina1969

Thank you Ladies! Just one more sleep. I can't believe it's here.

Good luck fipjoemom.....I'll see you on the other side.

Night night everyone.

PMR53

Tina and FlipJoe- we are in your pocket tomorrow!! Hugs and prayers for good successful surgeries!! I think you will be amazed even right out of surgery how nice your implant will feel!! It will be a breeze!!

Hugs!

Patty 

Mominator

Good morning and happy surgery day to Tina and fipjoemom!! Wishing you both smooth surgeries and swift recoveries.

LOL, as Patty said, we are in your pocket! I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today. See you on the other side.

Love,

Mominator

Mominator

Patty/PMR: My PS gave me some antibiotics before surgery, and had me taking Keflex post surgery right away 4 x a day. The infection started on day 8, about 5 hours after the drains came out. We don't know if there's a connection or not. The infection was way inside the breast, under the implant, towards the sternum. PS moved me over to Levoflaxin and Clindamycin since the infection started while I was still on the Keflex. The fever broke after two doses of antibiotics, and infection cleared up soon after.

Suzanne50: no, the pocket work is more under the muscle where the implant will be placed, and the nipple is layers above that. Did you have large breasts before the mastectomy and breast lift? I did, and both BS and PS were worried about the blood supply to the nipple/areola complex. I had a nipple-sparing BMX, and the blood supply was in question at surgery, but was saved. I had a small area of necrosis at the tops of both areolas, but all is fine now.

Newgirls and Lori: I love both the magical and the medical descriptions of the pocket work. It is a bit of both, isn't it? My TEs had migrated laterally, especially the left TE was into my armpit. Pocket work helps the implant to sit properly, which is different for all of us. My PS also removed a lot of fat tissue from the bottom of both my breasts. I don't know how much, but he said about 50 gm more from the right than the left.

DeeRatz

Thinking of Tina and fipjoemom today. I can guarantee that you will not miss those expanders.

I am doing good. I have had no problems with healing and these implants are very comfortable. I don't even notice them actually. They just feel like they are part of me. I still wish they were bigger but to go through another surgery just for that, I just don't think I am up for it. First world problems is what I tell myself. I am just looking forward to getting back to life and living again

marketingmama

Hi ladies. Just a quick update. Had my second exchange on Feb 11---Inspiras, pocket work on both sides and ADM. About 4 hours after getting home I developed almost uncontrollable chills, teeth chattering. I was so alarmed that I called my PS, who said the reaction is not uncommon after anesthesia and suggested I take a valium to try and quiet the muscles. That worked like a charm but I was running a fever all that night---at one point as high as 104. Over the next few days I continued to have fever as well as redness. Called PS and he changed my antibiotic and said he'd see me the next day. Saw PS in his office and he sent me for an ultrasound-guided aspiration of fluid to determine what if anything was brewing. He felt strongly that infections don't come on so quickly postop but because of my history of infection (lost first right implant to infection), he wanted to try and get something to culture. Next day went to hospital and radiologist was able to get some fluid. Meantime had changed antibiotic from Keflex to Bactrim. PS also told me to stop wearing a bra since he was concerned it could be irritating my inflamed skin (he was right). By Thursday (one week after surgery), the redness was gone and fever was only sporadic. Saw doc again on Friday and he was amazed that the redness had disappeared so quickly. Meantime, culture came back negative. I cannot tell you what a relief it's been to know that i am not infected and that I can keep these implants. We are all still unsure what caused the fever and redness, which is irritating to both me and PS. Sometimes there are no obvious answers in medicine.

Things are looking good overall. The inspiras so far are great and absolutely no rippling. He went smaller than with previous Mentors. I'm at 615 ultra high profile-- but it sounds bigger than it looks. You can actually see on the outside where he did a lot of the pocket work on the sides -- which I needed badly. PS said that will soften and it won't be visible after the implants drop and fluff. I am not thrilled with the perpendicular scarring but I'll deal with that at some later point if they don't resolve. With all the procedures I've had (5 in last months), my scars are rough.

Finally, a word on pain. This was by far the most painful procedure I've had other than the original BMX. I've needed pain meds almost every day. Sides of breasts, ribs and under breasts are most painful areas and PS said he expected this. I am going back to work next Monday and I"m so glad I took the time (Feb 11-29). For most of you, there won't be so much discomfort.

Good luck to all and here's hoping your exchanges are uneventful!!

sknitter

Hi. I am now 3 weeks post exchange. I have been working from home for the past two weeks and today is my first day back in the office. Overall, I feel pretty good. Still tightness and soreness in my chest. I will see my PS in 2 weeks and will have to ask her about that. While things look pretty good, my radiated breast is smaller and higher than the other one. My PS said that that is to be somewhat expected. She said not to make any judgments for 6 weeks because they are still settling in. I always assumed that she would be able to do nipple reconstruction but she said that she has to make that decision when she sees me next. At the time she reconstructs nipples, she would be doing any tweaking. This is not for WIMPS!

PMR53

Mominator- I am so relieved all those antibiotics cleared that up!! You did not lose your Implant!! That is my biggest worry. It seems to happen more than we think. 

MarketingMama- so happy it cleared up!! What a relief. I had some teeth chattering too after surgery. I think it's from anesthesia and the shock your body went through! I agree with the pain. I have had 5 surgeries in last 12 months and this has been rough. I will take my pain meds as long as I need too. My liposuction and drain/pocket work areas the worse painful areas. Hoping you get healed and your pain gets better everyday!! You will be tired after you start work. Listen to your body and rest when you can. I way overdid it after my MX in October and I am not doing that again. 

Sknitter- hope you are doing well on your first day back!  I think we are going to be sore for quite awhile! Don't overdo it. Hopefully your job isn't stressful! I am anxious for my final results too, anything is better than my TE. 

DeeRatz- glad your implant feels natural. I am only 5 days postoperative but I love mine. It is really amazing what Plastic Surgeons can create. We have been through so much at least we can get implants and look somewhat normal. 

I am going to attempt a walk around the block! 

Patty

SpecialK

marketing - yay, yay, yay!  So happy there is no infection and things have settled down for you!

katykids

marketingmama, I am glad to read you are feeling better and fever has gone away. I hope you don't mind me asking about the new, smaller implants. There is less rippling? I have more rippling than I expected and my PS that I am not seeing anymore told me that if I went smaller I would just get more rippling. My new PS said he didn't want to talk about surgery until the "dust settled"--I had my implants in November.

I wish I had asked more questions before all of this rather than just trusting my PS. She had been my mom's. And it was a second opinion. So, I felt like I had done my due diligence. Anyway, I hope the pain has diminished!

katykids

suzanne50, yea, I worked with my drains in. My parents drove me to work. My teenager, who had his permit also went with me to work. I don't know what I was thinking. The PS said I could walk the 2 miles to work but...no. I couldn't. Not in that heat. And I couldn't even if it weren't so darn hot. I have a new PS now. There were signs that I should change but I was afraid to make a change like that mid-stream.

Suzanne50

Monimator - I am rather small in the chest area. I only had a single mastectomy so that one is getting the exchange. The other side is getting a lift and then a saline implant to try to give me the same shape. That is where my PS doesn't know if he can do both for that very reason - blood supply to the nipple. He said he would have to make the decision when he was in there.

I go for my pre-op on Wed. - surgery still 2 weeks away. Can't wait to get rid of this brick. So done with that.

Glad to see everyone coming through ok.

mysunshine48

I had my exchange last September. I now feel a small lump at 3:00 position on the right Breast. My surgeon thinks it is a suture granuloma. He did am ultrasound, but wants to check in a couple of months. I am worried. Anyone know about suture granulomas?

SpecialK

Suture granulomas and "spitting stitches" are pretty common. If it is a granuloma caused by internal stitches (usually dissolvable ones) it may resolve if the stitch dissolves, or continued inflammation and immune response may keep it irritates and necessitate removal of the stitch. This is not a serious problem, but I understand why it is worrisome. If your PS was really concerned he would not delay for two months - I think he is trying to allow your body to deal with this on its own

Czechmate47

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. I had my exchange in late December, and when I went in for my eight-week checkup the PA took one look and immediately noticed an area I was going to ask about, about an inch or so above my incision, maybe a little less. It looks small and white and is just below the skin (less than the size of the end of a pencil eraser), does not move (the skin shifts above it) and is hard and a little pointy on one side. I was a little freaked out, but my PS said he was "100 percent sure" it was scar tissue or a retained suture or a combination, as he knows that area was where he had to split muscle and then suture it back up, and sometimes it can take 3 or 4 months for everything to be absorbed. I was nervous, because on one of these threads I had read something about looking out for recurrences that felt like gravel, but when I mentioned that and he examined me he said "cancer isn't pointy."

Tina1969

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in for a quick hello. Thank you for all the prayers I truly believe that they help. I'm doing pretty good but that could be the pain meds and the valium talking. Lol I haven't actually seen the "girls" yet but I can already tell the difference just like you all were saying. I don't feel the tightness or the heaviness anymore. It is wonderful. Don't get me wrong I am in pain but it is tolerable with pain meds and valium.

Fipjoemom I hope your surgery went as well as mine did.

Dee I'm so happy to hear you are doing so well. That is great news!

Night Night all

Mominator

Tina, it's great to see you doing well. I hope you continue to improve and have an uneventful recovery.

Fipjoemom, check in when you can. I hope you are resting comfortably.

Mysunshine and Czechmate, sounds like you both have suture granulomas. SpecialK did a great job explaining them. I had neurosurgery in March and I had a bunch of suture granulomas. Sometimes it takes a while for them to dissolve.

Suzanne, thanks for the clarification. The nipple supply has been mentioned on many boards I've been on, usually in regards to nipple sparing Mx. But I understand now, your PS is worried about putting an implant in and cutting off the blood supply to the nipple. I wonder if putting the implant under the muscle would solve that problem? I only know what I've read in the breast reconstruction and breast augmentation brochures in the waiting room, LOL. I'm not a doctor!! Definitely some questions for your PS.

Mominator

Hi Ladies,

I have a question for those of you who have had your implants a while and are settled in:

How long does it take to feel normal again, especially to feel comfortable sleeping on your sides again?

It's been 5 weeks since my exchange. Although it's getting better, it still feels uncomfortable to sleep on my sides, it feels like things are moving in there. The left side feels slightly better than the right. The left had more pocket work done, but the right had more fat tissue removed at exchange. Maybe the left is slightly more settled so far?

I know we're all different and recovery takes time. I'd like to feel normal again.

Thank you for your help.

Mominator

fipjoemom

Good morning everyone. Just checking in to say thanks for all your thoughts for my surgery yesterday. All went well. Having some pain but like Tina the pain meds are taking care of me. Glad you are doing okay Tina. Like you said what a difference in feeling with the tissue expanders out!

ajbenefield12

Good Morning everyone! I am 1 week out from exchange and am very excited for it! I did have to stop taking my tamoxfin this morning. my oncologist said to stop taking it 1 week pre and 1 week post surgery due to the increase risk of blood clots. It is making me feel a little nervous not taking it since I feel its what is keeping the Cancer away. Anyone else have to stop taking meds before/after surgery? Thanks and reading all about your exchanges had me very excited for mine!

marketingmama

Katykids, as for smaller implants and rippling.... My PS said that Inspiras help with rippling. Something about the surface of them being textured. I also had ADM so wondering if the combination of those things helped. I was at 650 with Mentor rounds and he changed to 615 Inspiras. So not a huge difference. He actually brought in 3 sizes and went with the smaller Inspiras. I was surprised but he said that after raising and lowering me multiple time with different sizes (I laugh at the thought of this process!), he felt the 615s looked best (I wanted to be a small C). I also had pocket work done around the entire implant (on both sides) so the "internal bra" might be helping to keep things taught around the implant. Or perhaps the Inspiras are just different in size/dimensions. I was sure I would need fat grafting for rippling at some point but if things stay as they are with these new implants, I won't!! Perhaps speak with your PS about the type of implant. I'm so glad I have the Inspiras! BTW, I'm only 11 days post-op so I should acknowledge that rippling could still occur once the implants settle and swelling reduces. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the well wishes from all of you ladies. Every time I take my Bactrim, I remind myself how lucky I am to be infection-free.

Special K, thank you so much and I am pulling for you come your exchange time.

SpecialK

marketing - nothing but good for both of us, I hope!  Things are progressing and for the first time in 18 months I don't need a prosthetic on the left, so I am happy.  I think my PS is encouraged, she was reserving enthusiasm as she came into this process late in the game and had never seen my skin healed.  Her attention to detail, use of antibiotics to prevent issues, and efforts to minimize the things I am allergic or sensitive to has meant all the difference this time.  I have an appt with her on Fri and we will finalize the plans - will most likely exchange and FG the left side, and downsize the implant and revise the right side in June - she likes 3 months after last fill.

marketingmama

Great news Special! Sounds like your PS is wonderful and addressing all the risks well. How nice to lose the prosthetic too!

Pulling for you !!

mysunshine48

Special K, thank you for your response on the granuloma - I hope that is what it is!! Still, worrisome.

Good luck on your journey to exchange. I am sure you will be so happy to get this done!

SpecialK

marketing - yes, the PS is a great combo of skill, caution, and is also risk averse - all of this has meant that I have made great progress while under her care.  I am grateful I made the change when I did and this seems to be coming together.  Due to the litany of issues my finished recon will not be aesthetically pleasing, but I will look mostly normal in clothes - that is all I need at this point.

sunshine - hoping the granuloma resolves on its own, but if it doesn't, it should be an easy fix.  I will be happy to have all of this in my rearview mirror, it has been going on for so long it will be odd not to be dealing with it any longer!  I'm sure I will adjust though, lol!

PNY

Tina, fipjoemom glad you are both doing well. I can tell you the pain slowly subsides. I am four weeks post exchange today and every day I feel a bit better. I probably should have taken pain meds or even tylenol longer than a day or two post op as I had extensive pocket work, but chose not to.

Take things slowly; don't over do things, especially don't lift too much. I actually woke up this morning and commented on how I felt nothing, no pain, I was lying on my side and felt totally fine.

Hang in there you will be back to yourselves or at least your new selves very soon:)

Phyllis

PMR53

Tina and Fipjoemom- welcome to the other side!! The Valium and pain meds make recovery bearable. I am so happy you both are happy with your implants. My TE was so horrid I am overjoyed with mine. HaHa! I am 6 days Postoperative and have turned a small corner. I was able to walk yesterday and today do some baking. Be gentle with yourselves and rest!! Listen to your body. 

MarketingMamma- pulling for both of us! No more infections!!

Mominator- I miss my side too, I can only sleep on my back. I am only 6 days though. I had surgery only on my right. My left side had liposuction for the fat grafting so that side really hurts. This crap is not for wimps that is for sure. 

Czech and MySunshine- it's Probably nothing major, praying it resolves! 

SUzanne- counting down the days for you!! It will be so much more comfortable. 

Hugs to all!

Patty 

katykids

Marketingmama, thank you so much for the information. I will ask my new PS about those implants when I see him in a couple of weeks! I have Mentor 620s. I agree, that sitting up and lowering down process sounds pretty funny. I don't know what my PS did in the OR. She and I just didn't get on very well at the end.

I hope you are feeling better and better every day. Fingers crossed--no rippling! Feel good!! And thank you again!!

Scottiemom11

Mominator. . .I believe I am the exception to the rule when it comes to side sleeping. I still have nerve pain nearly 7 months post EX so I can't sleep fully on either side. I sleep curled up with a total body pillow.

Ajbenefield. . .I also stopped taking Tamoxifen before and after EX.

Scottie