Exchange City

Tina1969

Thank you Patty and Phyllis. Today is day 2 and feeling a little better. Still taking the pain meds though. I'm a side sleeper but I'm afraid to sleep on my side. I wasn't told that I couldn't i just don't want to mess anything up. Lol. I've been sleeping with my husband pillow and the traveling neck pillow and it is working fine. I seem to have more pain under my breasts this time. I know it is going to take some time but I'm really looking forward to the day when I wake up with no pain. That will be wonderful!

Suzanne50 you are up next.....not long now. You are going to be so much more comfortable on the other side. Those expanders were horrible.

BethL

Tina--so glad surgery went well!! I have a ways to go still with expansion but all these posts about how much better it is after exchange are helping me get through.

Rest up and prayers for an uncomplicated recovery

PNY

Tina1969, Glad your doing well. Underneath is where all my pain is/was. PS says its the pocket work done. its like an internal bra they create to keep the implants here they belong. For me it was moving them in toward each other as I could have driven a Truck between the TE's. Now they are so much closer and nicer looking (and of course softer). (although I would have even liked them closer) But they are fine.

When you first hear you have to go through all this your thoughts are not on the reconstruction and what you will look like, its let me get through this and come out a survivor. Once your in the thick of it, you say hey I may as well get some benefits so you want to look like a movie star:) I was never large and had no cleavage to speak.of. I nursed 7 children so they certainly were no longer perky. But when your not large saggy is not a big deal:) Now I am so picky I want perky and I want cleavage. I definitely have the perky and I look nice. But if they were a drop closer I would have that cleavage:)

Suzanne50

I am counting the days till I get this expander out. Today is my pre-op appointment. Less than 2 weeks to go! I just want it over with. I am taking a week off of work - i can take more if needed but that is what I am planning for (I'm a teacher and need to leave sub plans). I hope that is enough.

And I know I am being pushy, but I really want to resume my exercise routine as soon as possible. Exercise makes me feel so good! I don't think I can go 4 weeks without going nuts. But I assume I can at least walk. I did that after my mastectomy.

katykids

Suzanne, I was always encouraged to walk. Maybe to a fault with my doctors. But, yes, I could walk after the exchange. And I did. It felt so refreshing. Although, the boobs took a bit of getting used to. They move differently.

PNY

Suzanne50, I did walk as much as possible after my BMX as well as my exchange. Good luck

DeeRatz

Tina-Glad you are doing well. I was very bruised on the bottom of my boobs from the pocket work. They are finally looking better 2 weeks post Exchange.

I had my post op appt with my PS today. I told her about my concerns re size. She said to leave these for 6 months and see how I feel about them. If I'm still not happy then she will exchange them with larger ones. She said she put the biggest ones in she could at the time of surgery. She said my skin was pretty stretched. It made me feel better that I can change them if I want.

She cleared me to do light cardio. No weights for at least 4 more weeks. I am not feeling like I could do any weights at the moment. I can still feel things pulling in there when I do too much.

Suzanne-you will find the implants much nicer to exercise with. I don't feel the pec muscle flexing over the implant like I did with the expanders. I think it is due to the fact that the implants are soft and squishy, rather than the muscle flexing over top of the rocks(aka expanders). Oh and my implants aren't in my armpits.....that is nice.

Shelly74

Hello, Ladies! Prepping for my exchange surgery on March 1st...finally! I had radiation and am nervous about the increased risks. Anyone else have implants put in after radiation? Please share your experience and tips. Thank you!

Shelly74

Hey Dee....read your post that you had a pain between your shoulder blades before exchange that is now gone. Very encouraging as I have had the same pain...hope it goes away after my exchange. My TEs have been in over a year...since 2/6/15...so very much looking forward to squishies!!!

Tina1969

Hi Shelly74,

I'm 3 days post op from the exchange. I too had the pain in between my shoulder blades with the TEs and it is now gone. I am so amazed how much better i feel without those hard TEs. The tightness, heaviness and just the overall uncomfortable feelings are now gone. It's amazing! You will love the squishy side.

DeeRatz

Tina-I'm glad to hear your back and shoulder pain is gone as well. The squishy side is very nice

Shelly74-I was having to go for massages post expander fill because I couldn't stand the pain. I hope you get the same relief once you have your exchange.

Tina1969

Thanks Dee. Yes I was seeing a PT/OT for massages post fills as well. She really helped me with the back pain and the tightness.

mjh1

marketingmama - so glad u have no sign of infection and are happy with the girls. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the inspiras!will keep u ripple free.

Specialk - so thirilled for u that u r inching closer to the finish line. U have certainly had quite the journey n u can bet that we will all b in your pockets in June. Your journey was filled with many detours but u have given us a wealth of knowledge in that process. Sooooo glad to have met u here!!!

As for an update on me, I am almost 6 months post 2nd revision n after a new PS n third set of implants im loving the new girls or the twins as I refer to them now. May need another session of FG in the future to address a small indent at top of 1 breast becaaus of the pec muscle detachment but that's not even on my radar now and don't see my PS until end of year for a checkup. It truly is amazingly what a skilled PS can do. It took 6 consults to finally find Dr.Choi of NYU n she made all the difference in my second revision being a success. She was definitely the boob whisperer for me.

But putting all that aside, tomorrow is two years cancer free for me n that's what matters. Two years ago I never thought I'd b here. I have been blessed to have been able to share all the highs n lows with all my fellow BCO sisters on this road to Boobyville. A.special thanks to whippetmom, specialk, n downdog for your advice and wealth of knowledge to name a few. Hugs to all my sisters!!!!!.

LoriWNY

mjh--Tomorrow is THREE years cancer free for me. Thank you everyone for your knowledge, love, and support. I never would have made it to this point without YOU!

new__me

MJH1 & LoriWNY... CONGRATULATIONS on your milestone anniversaries!

trailrose

mjh1 and LoriWNY-Congratulations on your anniversaries!

Specialk- Thank you for your knowledge. You have helped me understand so much during this whole process. I'm sending you LOTS of positive vibes as you get closer to closing this chapter in your life! Hugs to you.

mjh1

new_me and tailrose - thank you.


Loriwny - this is definitely one anniversary I hope u n I will share for many years.to come!!!

Scottiemom11

Congrats mjh and Lori.

Scottie

Mominator

mjh1 and LoriWNY - Congratulations on your anniversaries! Wishing you all the best for many more anniversaries!

SpecialK

Thanks ladies - had my last fill today, I am at 480ccs - which I would have never thought possible -  and will have exchange surgery probably in May, or possibly June, with bi-lat fat grafting, downsizing of the right implant and removal of the right nipple.  I originally did skin and nip sparing in 2010, but due to all of these surgeries there is no way the nips will be symmetrical.  Removing the right nipple allows my PS to also remove some skin since we are downsizing the implant by at least 150ccs, I will then get a 3D tattoo on the right to line up both sides.  Weirdly, the left (trouble side) nipple is better positioned. so, progress - yay!

kingster

Special K;) That is so awesome! Glad you are having success this time. I decided to go with 3D tattoo without nip recon. Less chance of complications and additional scarring. So I made my appt for November to make sure everything is in it's final position, lol;) Gonna do it over my pre thanksgiving vacation. Those tattoos can look very realistic. I hope mine does anyway;) I'm going local with Luke, a tattoo artist that works with a plastic surgeon here in the burgh. Their website is "forma naturalis.com". Has anyone had their tattoos done by Luke? I'd love to hear from you;)

SpecialK

kingster - I am cautiously optimistic, but a bit worried about the nip removal.  Will discuss again with the PS at the pre-op - my concern is that on the left side my exceedingly thin skin has never stayed closed when their is either a TE or implant underneath it.  It has only healed when there is no foreign body present.  My PS would be removing the nipple, excess skin, placing a new and smaller implant, and then stitching directly over the apex.  My previous incisions were in the IMF, so I am nervous about this but want it to work because the lack of nip symmetry will drive me bonkers - I am talking one would be about 2 inches higher than the other - not a good look on what will already be a bit of a train wreck, lol!

PMR53

Yea Special K!! So happy you made it!! That's great news!! Will you have Vinny do Tatoo ? Is PS getting fat from abdomen? My PS took more than he needed he said. I guess that's a good thing. 

Have a great weekend All!

Patty

kingster

Special K. Maybe since you already have had an implant on that side for so long, the skin will have enough laxity to heal. My main goal was symmetry, so I would not want to be 2 inches off. That would drive me crazy too. My left side was about a half to 3/4 of an inch lower and that freaked me out, but they are looking much more even now. My right side has finally dropped to meet the left, and next month will be one year since my implants were placed. When I lift my arms, I can see the difference, but that's it. I can't think of how else the ps could correct that.

sandie2sweet

Hi my name is Sandie and I am 57 years young as of 2.20! I have been cancer free for 8 years I am now ready for what I guess is called a implant exchange? My story in a bit different maybe....I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders) on 2.27.2008 everything going well until March 17,2008 when I was rushed to the hospital with a massive staff infection they removed my right expander and did a massive cleaning to the bone. I was what I call a 1 boob wonder for 6 months until I was able to get a DIEP flap reconstruction on my (R) breast. I am blessed that I made it through! It did almost take my life. Here it is 8 years later and I am ready to have my implants removed and replaced. They have ripples and dents and are very oddly shaped. I don't know how or where to being? I do not have the same insurance plan or the same Dr. I was with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and now I have Kaiser. I am not sure how this will work or if I will have to pay for anything...Has anyone been through a Breast Cancer Exchange? Please help me understand where I need to go from here....

Thank you all,

Sandie

LoriWNY

Sandie--We are all thrilled to hear from you and I am sure you will find lots of great information on this site. You may want to investigate the The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 with regard to insurance coverage after mastectomy: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 and American Cancer Society - Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act. I believe there are other women on this board with Kaiser insurance but I would suggest reading information at the above links and then calling your insurance company to discuss coverage. The plastic surgeon you select should also be well versed and a good resource to help you ensure insurance coverage for this exchange.

robinblessed54

Sandie, where do you live? I have Kaiser. They should cover what you need. PM me if you want to talk about it.

Robin

mjh1

sandie - welcome to the sisterhood. You will meet many wonderful women here who r always willing to share what they know and or learned in their journey. My one piece of advice is find a good plastic surgeon with many years of experience in breast reconstruction. Do not b afraid to ask questions and interview as many as u can in your plan. Many plastic surgeon will tell u they do a lot of implants n breast reconstruction is no different. That is your cue to get up and leave. Breast augmentation and breast reconstruction r not the same. Send whippetmom a PM and ask her if she has any PS in your area that other women have had a good result with.

new__me

Sandie, welcome! and belated happy birthday i am having my first exchange in 2 week during which i will trade in my TEs for gummi bear implants . Can't wait!

I am sure there are many ladies on this board who will be able to help you and answer your questions. Good luck!

SpecialK

sandie - you should be able to have a breast revision from Kaiser, it should not matter whether they were your insurer at the time of your original surgery.  The general litmus test as to whether an insurer will pay for reconstruction or revision, is whether they will cover mastectomy - which Kaiser certainly does.  This is the reference to the WHCRA law - if an insurer covers mastectomy, they must cover reconstruction or achievement of symmetry. I have known other Kaiser enrollees who have had revisions after reconstruction/exchange so it appears they also cover that with no problem.  If you have a deductible/co-insurance, or co-pays those would apply, but should be your only costs.  Good luck!

PMR and kingster - I am a bit nervous about the nip removal and tightening of that skin - this is the right non-problem side so I am hopeful that since there was no previous necrosis there the skin won't have an issue, but 100% of the time I have not healed at the apex over either an implant or expander, so...  As far as the lipo goes the PS will probably use hips.  My upper and lower abdomen has been used for FG twice and she feels that is enough (this was done by the previous PS), the FG I had with the new PS used hips (she called it muffin top - what???  Lol!) so she may go there again, or use thighs, which I am less sure about - don't want any more dents and ripples there than I already have.  I will attempt to have Vinnie Myers do the tattoo, but there is someone he trained that is working in California so I may combine a trip there (my BFF still lives there) with a tattoo.  Not sure and it would be a ways off since I think he likes at least six months of healing prior and it takes a while to get in to see him.  I used to live in N. VA, so have a lot of folks to visit there too - may go to Baltimore, but have always wanted to visit NOLA too - lots of choices and too soon to know!