Exchange City

robinblessed54

Shoregirl, NO PUSHING on anatomicals! That is where they are very different. The rough texture adheres to your skin and muscle to prevent rotation. That is why I think under muscle is very important for them. That makes a very nice pocket for them to live in. They are more static than smooth ones too.

Can't wait to hear about the second opinion results. Have a great weekend.

Robin

MrsB88

Shoregirl, I'm glad you are getting a 2nd opinion so you'll be fully informed on all the options to consider. The ladies here provide great info. & are so supportive & helpfu as well. Wishing you all the best & I know you'll make the right decision for you!

Shoregirl

Thanks MrsB, I am so grateful for you ladies!! Such a blessing. I would feel so alone without you!!! I am anxious to get the consult. I called John's Hopkins today to give the new insurance ID# they need to schedule my appointment. Unfortunately they still can't schedule till August 4. I have to call back on the 4th to make the appointment.The receptionist said I could get in within a week though, so I just need to tough it out. It's getting hard, more uncomfortable. When I lay down the implant sticks out like a flying saucer up on it's edge straight out the front of my chest. Really pulling on the incision. I tried to grab it and flip it back but not working. I will just try to stabilize it with a tighter bra to sleep.

Robin, good to know on the no pushing! I wonder be if being under the muscle reduces CC chances...

Carla, my implants are 470cc, which gives me the same full 36-38D I was pre mx. I am 5'71/2" and 145lb for the record. The implants are the ultra high projection so they are a bit narrower, no "side boob". The PS had planned to fill me to 525 but had to stop bc of my 53 yr old thin skin. It was getting all shiny. I can't imagine how big I would have been had they put 500s in, maybe a double D. How tall are you? I will say that I would have some reservations about a bigger implant with pre pec if you have a slim-ish build. The 470s are heavy, pull on my skin. When I lay on my side they fall together and it's not comfortable. If I end up keeping implants I will probably have him go smaller, in the upper 300- low 400 range and he will have to do a ton of pocket work. Have you held the various sizes in your hand? Even the 300cc feels heavy in my hand. I meant to ask you what you meant by "removing the capsule?"

VegGal

Shoregirl, thanks so much for all of the info. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry you are having such a time with your implants! It must be so uncomfortable physically and emotionally.

Yes, I am thin. I weigh 135-140 most of the time. My BMI is 19.2. I worry about the skin for sure. Shoregirl, do you know if you have any Alloderm or Strattice or other "support materials" in your skin envelopes? I have a thick ridge of Alloderm along the IMF and up the sides and Strattice covering the tops of my current implants. It supposedly is an internal bra. If you have neither of those, that could really be the problem for you as our thin skin can't do it all by itself.

As far as "removing the capsule" goes, my PS will remove the entire scar capsule around the left implant because of capsular contracture. She will remove most of the right one as tissue supposedly adheres better to fresh tissue rather than scar.

Have you seen any prepec photos? I saw three different ones in my PS's office, allof which were revisions from sub pec. They were beautiful, and one was from a patient very much like me--410's to SCX.

Keep me posted!

C

PugsMama

Shoregirl:: wish I had words of wisdom, I'm having my exchange next week. Looking forward to hearing how your JH consult goes...giving love & support!

Shoregirl

Carla, you are most welcome, anything I can do to help!! Thank you for your support. Yes, I do have Alloderm, I did not see pictures of pre pec, but my PS told me beforehand that is what he wanted to do if he could, which he wouldn't know for sure until the mastectomies were done. He said much easier recovery, less pain, less capsular contraction and no distortion with muscle flexion. And Alloderm was standard with pre pec. Again, my results are beautiful. That is one reason I am so discouraged. If I go with a flap, I have seen pictures of that and they look like patchwork, with the football shaped graft. I wonder if the ps can just graft the tissue and fat, but leave my breast skin intact. And I wonder if a much smaller implant would be less annoying to me. I have no problem going to a B cup. I actually had a breast reduction from a Double D to a B back in 1993. I LOVED IT!! No more gapping button shirts, I could wear any top I wanted. But I had dieted down to an unrealistic weight for me to maintain, 128. The doctor back then never told me that weight gain would cause the boobs to grow back!! That 2nd opinion consult can't get here soon enough! I will keep you posted, you too!!

PUGS!! Wow, next week...the countdown begins! Thank you for your support as well! Stay positive, don't let my setback worry you. Even though its discouraging, after all we have been through we can certainly get through revisions if needed. I think I would have been better equipped to handle my necessary revision emotionally had I gone into my reconstruction not with the thought that I was nearly done, but with the thought that some more tweaking will be likely. You will do great!! One thing is for sure, these implants are way better than TEs!!

I am wishing you ladies with your upcoming exchanges Pugs, Carla, Anniealso...much love and positive thoughts. And those in recovery that I know of, Farmdream, Mominator, Bevmom, Pepper; hugs and best wishes for smooth sailing and speedy recoveries!!

2FUN

so I am 2 and a half weeks post pre pec exchange, and I'm getting some good sharp pain from my pec major and minor tendon. When I had my TE I had no pain or discomfort at all. I have had no pain at all up to this point. Anyone willing to share experiences?

Shoregirl

2Fun, I have no idea where the tendon even is but I had a few different pains following my pre pec exchange, I figured it was nerves awakening and pocket work. The only sharp pain I had was while flipping over in bed I felt an internal stitch pop. That smarted!! Then I had a small fold at the edge of one of the implants, felt like a little knot. I had it looked at with ultrasound and was told it was ok. Also pain under the skin across the top of the implants on certain movements, like crossing an arm over my chest or reaching and stretching. I didn't really turn the corner as far as no pain until between the 2nd and 3rd month post op. But it was never bad enough to require pain meds. An occasional extra strength Tylenol once in a while.

Have you been over active? At 2 weeks post op I dug holes and planted 5 rose bushes. It really took a lot out of me. After that, I had to make myself not do too much. Even though the surgery and recovery is easier than the mastectomies, it is still major surgery and there are TONS of internal stitches. Feel better soon, and if it persists definitely get it looked at!!

Hugs and healing!!

robinblessed54

Shoregirl and 2Fun, remember, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ". This is our mantra after exchange. Also, walk away from the mirror. Things WILL change, I promise.

Robin

2FUN

I have been taking it easy, but a little pain is a good reminder that I need to keep taking it easy. I hope I am ready to return to work, and lifting patients in 6 weeks!

TrmTab

My TE deflated 2 weeks ago, PS on vacation until today. He wanted to move forward with the exchange...but at this point the only hospital time he has is 3 months out...so he wants to do the Exchange in his in office surgical suite! This seems very scary to me...anyone had their exchange in the office???

Molly50

My exchange surgery was in a small plastic surgery surgery clinic next to my PS office. I was afraid but they were great and I had a fantastic anesthesiologist.

robinblessed54

I had my exchange at the outpatient surgery next to the hospital. It was great, and I also had the best PS and anesthesiologist! I wouldn't hesitate.

Robin

TrmTab

have no concern about out patient places (had two LX at them)but question is about in office surgical suites

candles1

Sometimes these small in house surgical centers connected to offices have much better infection records (less exposure to really sick people as in hospitals).

TrmTab

Have been given a slot at the hospital's out patient surgery center for Sept 8th. So Aug 28th in the office or Sept 8th out patient...I hear you Molly about being scared, it is somehow scary enough to have general anesthesia, but to be double worried that something is going to happen...

So I guess I am finally on the board of Exchange City with an exchange date! Yeah!!!

Tomorrow's my birthday...is this my b'day present? Hope DH comes up with something better!

2FUN

Happy Birthday! I hope this is the best Bday present ever!

Molly50

Happy birthday, Trmtab!

Herculesmulligan

trmtab......happy birthday!

Is an anesthesiologist availBle at the office during the procedure? You'd still need general anesthesia right? They're not proposing doing the exchange under local are they?

ShannonR

I have been very happy with my outcome since my revision. However, I now have an area that the implant pokes or bulges out. It can be seen through a sports bra/shirt even. My PS is recommending switching to cohesive gel implants. I am wondering if I could just get more alloderm and pocket work. I really like the feel of my current implants. Anyone else familiar with the bulging/puckering it is about the size of a quarter.

kingster

TrmTab, I would wait till Sept 8. It's only another week. It seems very strange to do in an office surgical suite.

OG56

Has anyone had the under the skin implanted nipples? I went to the or thinking I would have two healthy nipples coming out but they were unable to save either nipple during my double mastectomy. So now I am looking at either 3D nipples for D nipples or nipple implants because plastic surgeon is unable to do any other type of skin nipple due to radiation. I just read that they are coming out with a type of 3D printed nipples made out of are stem cells probably won't be out to the public for two or three years and though I don't understand that whole process I know that the these new 3D printers are the latest rage for many things so now I'm thinking maybe I should just hold off anybody have any input on this?

Bevmomduck

I would love to hear anything about this,too! That sounds like a great solutio

EastcoastTS

Another Exchange question:

I'm anticipating a lot of pocket work -- both sides. (My TEs are way apart -- big/big gap. Even Whippetmom was like: whoa.)

I'm only filled to 270cc and not going with big implant, so hoping this simplifies in some way. I'm kinda bummed because everyone says how easy Exchange surgery is...until you start reading from folks who had pocket work. Mine is 9/7, so I'm trying to get mentally prepared.

Any good stories from pocket work graduates? I realize no matter what, this will be way easier than BMX. Which I thought was hard but not that horrible. Same with TEs. No love fest but doable.

THANKS!!!

Leslienva

OG56, I had radiation and was able to have nipple reconstruction. Did you get a second opinion?

Herculesmulligan

east coast...I had a wayward TE too, and required some creative work by the PS to get it back where it belonged. He also sutured the implant in under my arm. That seemed to cause some short term twinges but it's fine now. Recovery was still much much easier than after the BMX. I still have tightness and pain under the arm, but I don't think that's From the pocket work per se.

TrmTab

Thanks for all the B'day wishes...I am going to keep the Sept 8th exchange date at the hospital's outpatient wing...that is a Friday and my husband needs to leave for a week long business trip the following Monday, so will need to plan and have the house stocked up as I expect I will be okay to piddle around on my own 3 days after surgery, but don't want to need to do any grocery shopping!

Thanks for the general support to be strong with my PS...who at some level I believe was "hurt" that I would second guess the in-house procedure...even when his office manager was... "like really? well if the Dr says its okay, then okay, but ???" This didn't leave me with lots of confidence!

EastcoastTS

TrmTab:

The days of being told what to do with regard to medical are, I hope, over. We're allowed to ask any questions we need to to feel some level of comfort and be involved.

My exchange is 9/7. Joy to us!!!

TrmTab

Okay, now in the one month count down to exchange...what have folks worn bra wise post exchange? I have been told no compression but a sturdy bra...so not the medical compression bra, but a sports bra? or the hook up the front white cotton job I had after TE placement? I know they make sports bras with front zippers, all of mine are Coobie style over the head jobs...will I be able to put something on "over the head" post exchange???

robinblessed54

Trmtab, it depends on implants. Gummies have a textured surface and I wore the surgical plus ace bandage I was wrapped in the first week. No peeking! After removal I had to wear a sports bra front closure 24/7 for 6 weeks. I wore mine a year. They need to stay put to adhere to chest wall/muscle. You don't want them to rotate. You do have to avoid lifting arms above elbows for a period of time, especially if you have pocket work. Don't over do!! If you have smooth rounds, someone else will chime in. Your PS needs to give you good instructions.

Robin