Exchange City

mye

Hi Robin, thanks for the feedback. I will take your advice to step away from the mirror. I didn't think I would be so concerned about how they looked. I didn't mind how off the TEs were, but I guess I knew they were temporary. I'm in Altadena.

Heidishorizons

Hello to everyone!

My bilateral was 10 weeks ago (approx.) where my PS placed Alloderm and the TE's. I am approaching my last one or two TE fills, so now I am trying to decide on how long I would like to allow them to just sit and rest and allow the pockets to heal. My PS normally likes to allow them to rest for 2 months. When I was interviewing surgeons I found that some waited 2 months, some 3-4 months, and some want 6 months after the final fill. I am thinking of letting mine rest for 3 months which would be 6 months after my mastectomy. Looking at this forum it appears that most women seem to have the exchange done at 4 to 6 months after the mastectomy. I guess I am looking for opinions on how you all feel about how long you waited to exchange affecting the outcome of your exchange look and feel with your implants. Does allowing more time seem to produce a better outcome? And, do you all think that the size of the TE's and implants plays a role in that time frame, such as, larger TE's need more time to heal before exchange?

Thank you so much for the advice! I am so happy that I have this amazing resource with all of you wonderful women.

Mominator

Mye, I do think mine do look more even because of my PS's decision to use a bigger implant on one side. After BMX, they looked about even with the TEs filled to the same amounts. Of course, I did not see how they looked after he removed the additional tissue. I just saw the end result.

Now they are almost identical. Both PS and I think that leftie may be slightly bigger than rightie.

Incidentally, before my BMX, rightie hung down much lower than leftie, was almost a cup size bigger in volume than leftie. BS removed more tissue from that side, and PS removed more skin.

Medicine, especially surgery, is both art and science. I think my PS excels in both, and I'm sure your PS does as well. Talk with yours, and best wishes.

Mominator

Welcome Heidi!

My BMX was 11/11/15, TEs were filled to 420 cc during surgery. I was happy with that volume right away.

PS did first fill of 60 cc on 12/8/15. I didn't want a fill, since I was already happy with the volume, but PS says he always does one fill more to make sure the pockets were big enough. He thought I wanted to go bigger and wanted to give me a chance to think about it. On 1/5/16 we made the decision to go ahead with exchange.

My exchange surgery was 1/18/16, which was just 6 weeks after my last full, and 10 weeks after BMX. There was a lot of pocket work done (see my post above). I wore my surgical bras 23/7 (only off for a shower).

Even at three months, the implants felt like they were moving when I lay on my sides. I felt that was because of the extensive pocket work. It's now six months post exchange, and the implants feel more stable.

There are so many factors, ask your PS what is recommended for you.

Best wishes

robinblessed54

Heidi,

My surgery was September 2014, last fill December 2014, EX March 2015, 6 months from EX.

VegGal

Surgery was March 11, expanders placed and fully filled to 450 cc's. Exchange was June 10 and 595 cc implants were placed. Glad all was done fast!

Seedsally

I have a question about post BMX with TE. My BMX was 4/19/16 TE 750 cc. Only had 1 fill after surgery to get to that amount. I think the fill was 150 cc's. I have what looks like side boobs of fat. Now it looks like fat underneath the bottom has pushed outward especially on my left ADH side. I am supposed to have TE with 800 cc's done in late August or early September. Does this fat roll at the bottom seem normal? It is not painfull. I was told liposuction would be done. Has anyone else had this side boob and fat roll problem

Heidishorizons

Thank you so very much for the replies!

Mominator, robinblessed54, CarlaEM, I really appreciate your advice and time.

It's interesting because my PS's whole philosophy is that she feels her passion in life for both art and science are represented by her career choice and the work she does with reconstruction. So I trust that she knows how she wants to work with my particular needs. All my best to you!

Ringelle

Hi all! I am scheduled for my exchange this Wednesday the 27th. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My BMX was in Aug and I had the TEs placed in February. The surgeon who placed my TEs and did all my fills retired after my last full. I loved him and was hanging on a thread hoping he would stick around a little longer. I've met with my new PS twice and I do like him as well. I just don't know him as well as the other. I guess I just didn't realize just how much decision was left to the surgeon in the OR as far as size and style. Anyway - any last minute advice? I know everyone says the exchange is a breeze compared to the BMX but how long until you start feeling like getting back to lif

BethL

Ringelle- my exchange is 6 days after yours.... Woo hoo!! I'm so excited to get these things out. I am having fat grafting too and bought my spanx online tonight. My bmx with te placement was dec4. I am sooo ready! I'm in Richmond and made several trips to va beach this summer for concerts. I'm glad you like your new ps, but if you ever find yourself needing another- I have a great one not that far from you.

I was told 2-3 weeks off work at least but asked for 4 so I could do something with my kids before school goes back. As long as they do all the lifting! can't wait to get a good nights sleep.

Ringelle

Bethl - yes! Getting these things out is very exciting! It's only been 6 months - I know some that have lived with them for years and I have no idea how! These have been more emotional than the BMX for me - a constant reminder of the cancer! 2-3 weeks off work? Is that because of the FG? I'm taking the rest of the week and the following. From what everyone is posting I've got the mind set that this recovery will be more like the 2 LXs I had last summer. - okay maybe a little more than that.

BethL

I think I could go back sooner, but I do get short term disability and I'm taking what I can get. I've been on medical leave 3 times already in the past year, with no personal time that I could actually enjoy. I'm hoping this is the last surgery, so I'm gonna stay out and spend time with family. I'm a nurse and I do some lifting , which is probably why I'm able to get that much time off. I have heard the fg is the hardest part of this. However....sucking fat out of my stomach and putting in my chest? Dream come true!

pab

Hi all! Wow there are so many posts here! This is just an amazing place to get first hand info. I had nipple sparing bmx July 7, 2015 with TE placement, chemo then radiation. My TEs were filled a little, not sure exact amount. I'm 48 and was a DDD prior so I think they were maybe a B ish cup and I was really ok with the size! I felt like I was 13 again!! Lol! Anyway my PS didn't start filling again til 3 months after radiation and she wanted to do a lat flap but never discussed this with me until the 3 mo after rads visit. Needless to say I was a little taken aback. I did not want that surgery and she agreed to do implants. I had my exchange surgery July 6, 2016. I'm a good 40 lbs overweight so the gummy bear implants did not look quite right- my PS said. So I have 800cc high profile silicone implants. They do not look at all alike. I'm not even 3 weeks post op and I'm told there is still swelling but I just don't see how they are going to look alike. --oh I have some nice saggy fat side boob thing too after my bmx! Just a nice little reminder that I was totally altered! Ug

I just had such high hopes and feel so let down. My nipples are still turned out quite a bit and I'm not sure how that will change either. PS said she tried to pull them in but didn't want to smoosh the implants. I go for follow up this Thursday so hopefully I'll get more clarification.

Sorry so long! Hope you are all doing as best you can. Hugs and prayers!!

GreyKat

Hey everyone - a few questions. My exchange surgery is scheduled and my pre-op is a couple weeks away. This is a bilateral deal. I have had a horrible experience with every surgery I've had and am still dealing with a nerve injury they gave me (by crushing it) during my mastectomy. So I am trying to make this exchange a one-and-done deal because they are being very callous about the possibility of my getting injured again in surgery.

1. Right now my TE are set too wide across my chest - I catch my arms on the outside of them when I do anything, and I can lay my whole hand flat in between them on my rib cage (which I certainly couldn't do before!). My PS doesn't seem to see a problem with this. Is this fixable at exchange? How? It looks awful. He's going to have to raise the left one because it's lopsided and lower, but I definitely need the implants set center on my chest and not out towards my armpits.

2. I have a size in mind, and I'm happy with my current projection, etc, and I know roughly what size implants match those measurements. However, my PS specifically wants me to tell him if I want to be bigger or smaller in the OR if I fall between sizes on the sizer implants. I don't want to go bigger, but I really don't want to go smaller, but I really don't want to go bigger...and I have no answer. If he ends up going smaller, which it sounds like he might (making comments about my skin not "taking much" (which would make me lean towards an A cup, which is smaller than I began!), is it possible with implants to pad things out with a bra to look more proportional?

I will not be happy to end up smaller but I also don't want to go any bigger because the pec muscle stretching has aggravated my shoulder and it pops all the time now, with every move, and I can feel wiggling over by my collar bone/sternum. Something has gone wrong there during TE expansion and I don't want a giant implant making it worse. Any ideas about this?

JessieJake

Hi GreyKat,

for your first question, it seems I have read along the way here that many, if not most, TEs seem to be fuller towards the underarm. Mine certainly are. I can't even properly get a razor in there right now. I have a really narrow rib cabbage, but I can almost put my hand flat between mine. I believe it's done this way to encourage good stretching; pulling skin from the sides towards the front. My PS is the same and has reassured me she can correct everything during exchange. Additionally I also have one TE that is lower than the other. I've questioned this each time I've seen her and she firstly explained that it's more important the incision line is even (it is) and that if she should truly find unevenness during the exchange she has options to correct that.

My exchange is in early September so I can't say much on your other question. I can say, though, without clothes my chest looks fairly ridiculous right now!

Good luck with everything!

robinblessed54

bethl and Ringelle, I took 2 weeks off for my exchange. I probably could have gone back after a week, but really glad I had the extra one to feel strong. I went back to work after 3 weeks with my BMX, but I have an office job and lots of people assist me.

Best of luck to both of you ladies. Remember; "just because you can, doesn't mean you should".

Robin

robinblessed54

Greykat

My right side was slightly lower than the left so at EX my PS did some pocket work and they turned out perfectly even. They can do a lot of adjusting during EX. Just make your wishes known and point out anything you think isn't right. You want to get this right the first time if at all possible.

Take care,

Robin

pab

Greykat, I had my exchange on July 7th. My ps asked if I would go a little bigger than my TEs were at my last fill. I said 'I guess so' but I was a DDD prior to bmx so going to a full C-D was certainly smaller. She used 800cc silicone high profile. (I'm about 40+ lbs overweight so they don't seem huge!) My TEs were very lopsided. During radiation I think they really turned so I figured it would be way better after my exchange. And they do feel 100% better. My issue is that they are not even prob due to radiation on one side. My bigger issue is that I had nipple/areola sparing bmx and they point a bit outward and I was hoping they would be turned in a bit more. I thought I made it very clear to my PS but she said she didn't want to squish the implant by pulling them in more. Which pisses me off prob cuz the size she used. So here I am 3 weeks tomorrow and I'm not so happy. I think if I didn't do nipple sparing they would 'look' a bit more even but it's nice to have them still!

They can do wonders to lift and even out but it really is a different ball(or boob!) game with bmx patients as apposed to augmentation. It sounds like you have a great repour with your PS just keep telling him what you want and what you expect. I tried!! I go for followi up Thursday.

Sorry for the long post😨

pab

Greykat just keep telling your PS what you want and what you expect. They can do wonders with lifting and fat grafting and pulling and tugging!! Implant feel soooo much better than the TEs!! My left feels like a 'normal' boob now!! At the end my TEs were really high and turned a bit I think due to radiation and constantly raising my arms for 7+ weeks for it. So they do kind of have a mind of their own they are nothing like the implants.

I do believe you can and I fully anticipate wearing a bra that will help even things out for me. Spend a few bucks and get and nice padded maybe even push up! Never needed or wanted that before!! I'm not sure if we can do underwires with implants?? I think I'm a ways away from it though.

Mominator

Ringelle: Happy Exchange Day!!

Sending love and prayers, healing and strength your way.

Love, Madelyn

robinblessed54

pab,

PS are all different. They should tell you if you can wear underwire. I was told NEVER wear underwire. I have anatomicals and you really don't need underwire at all. They stay put. Just ask, that is what they are there for.

Robin

Ringelle

Well ladies - today was an epic fail! I couldn't believe my ears as I was waking up and heard the nurse telling someone that I had drains and "TISSUE EXPANDERS" I will find out more about what happened on Monday at my follow up but basically the bottom was expanded enough but the top portion adhered and they couldn't get an implant of any acceptable size in. I'm not even filled close to where I was pre-surgery so back to the pain, fills and sitting and waiting again! Needless to say, I'm discouraged but I do see a little silver lining. Now this surgeon gets the time to get to know me before picking my implants.

mye

oh Ringelle, I am so sorry. Did the PS have to do major pocket work or take more tissue out and that is why you needed drains again? I ended up waking up with different implants than we had decided but waking up with the dreaded TEs...I can only imagine your devastation and frustration. I am glad you see the silver lining through all of it. Hopefully the TEs won't have to stay in as long. Wishing you quick recovery from this surgery

Mominator

Ringelle, I am so sorry. That is very disappointing.

I'm glad you see the silver lining. I hope you have a smooth recovery and the road to your implants is also smooth.

Molly50

Ringelle, I cannot imagine your disappointment over waking up with TE's again!!

Anonymous

Ringelle, I'm so sorry. Having a set back really stinks. I hope things go smoothly from here on out.

Leslienva

Has anyone NOT had fat grafting? I think my implants look okay, but my PS says she could make them look better with fat grafting. I just don't want another surgery, two weeks off work, drains, etc. But she said not to get the 3D tattoos until after the fat grafting so until I make up my mind, I can't get the tattoos. Has anyone gotten the 3D tattoos then had fat grafting afterwards?

robinblessed54

Leslie, I didn't have FG, I didn't need to. I have gummies and they fit the pocket completely. A lot of ladies here have had it and they can tell you their experience. You need to take your time and see how you like your look. It can always be done. I got the 3D tattoos but also got the Pink Perfect prosthetic nipples. I am currently thinking of getting nipple recon.

Hugs, Robin

Mominator

Leslie, I didn't have FG. I have gummies and I have some dimpling. My PS said he could fix the dimpling with FG. I really don't want any more surgery, so I am just getting used to my new normal. The dimples bother me less and less each week.

I had NS BMx, so I don't have to worry about recon.

I'm sorry for your dilemma. Ask your PS, would it be so bad to have 3D tattoos and then FG?

HUGS

Madison4568

I am having my exchange surgery at the end of August before I leave to go back to school. What are the restrictions after the exchange surgery? I never really asked and I am wondering when I will be able to lift my arms to blow dry my hair?