Exchange City

star2017

hi everyone! my exchange surgery for the prophylactic side is scheduled for mid-January. I plan on having my ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed as well

rachelcarter35

I'm almost two weeks out from my exchange and am still sore where the surgeon did revision work on the outer part of my breasts under my arms. I wake up in the middle of the night needing another Tylonal. I already forget how long the incisions took to heal from the mastectomy. I thought I would be healed by now.

Gramto4

rachelcarter35

Sorry to hear that your still sore. What type of revision work did your PS do

rachelcarter35

My expanders had moved laterally towards my armpits. They were also too wide for my frame. He moved them back inward and narrowed them a little....actually they still feel too wide but I'm going to hold judgment and am unlikely to go under the knife again. I want to get on with my life.

CBK

For those of you that had just a successful exchange surgery; no fat GRAFTing or revisions could you let me know how long your recovery process was?

I understand you need to lay off lifting and weight bearing for some time so implants don’t migrate but I want to get back to modified exercise as quickly as possible.

Thanks!!!

TrmTab

I was on a walking only exercise program for 5 weeks at which point I resumed my yoga/pilates classes but in restarting after 5.5 weeks I had to build back into them...so no planck on the first day!

Mominator

CBK:

I started gentle walking and gradually began my daily routines probably about 7 days. I was careful with lifting and started with small items. I waited maybe 5 weeks or so until I lifted groceries bags or gallons of milk.

I can't remember how long recovery was. I did everything slowly and built my strength up gradually.

I did have a revision for capsular contraction in June, 2017. I have just started lifting weights, push ups, and planks, and probably could have started much, much earlier. 

Ask you PS for guidelines. Your body will tell you as well.

Best wishes

Nursepatient35

I had exchange surgery only, no revision or fat grafting. My implants are subpectoral. I took just one week off work and then went back with no restrictions. I lift patients, bend, etc. My coworkers went easy on me but things were fine. I had the drains in for 1 week so as soon as those came out, I went back to my normal activity. I will say, I'm not much of an exerciser. I tried lifting some light weights probably 2 months after surgery and it felt like my chest was ripping apart. But...that could also be because I'm so out of shape 😜

Nursepatient35

I had exchange surgery only, no revision or fat grafting. My implants are subpectoral. I took just one week off work and then went back with no restrictions. I lift patients, bend, etc. My coworkers went easy on me but things were fine. I had the drains in for 1 week so as soon as those came out, I went back to my normal activity. I will say, I'm not much of an exerciser. I tried lifting some light weights probably 2 months after surgery and it felt like my chest was ripping apart. But...that could also be because I'm so out of shape 😜

Goldfish4884

Hi Rachelcarter35: I have pre pectoral implants after tissue expanders. My pocket was way to far under my armpits towards my back so my ps put stitches in on both sides to make the pocket smaller. Now, I have severe dents on each side going in towards my implants. I was wondering if you had this problem. My ps originally said maybe we could do fat grafting or take out some of the stitches once the pocket completely heals, like 6-8 months down the road. I saw him yesterday for my 3 week post-op and he said it would be pretty hard to fill in the dents with fat grafting and pretty much said there was nothing he could do to fix the deformity. Just wondered if you had this problem and any plan to fix it. Thanks.

rachelcarter35

Goldfish488 I'm only 2 weeks out and am trying not to judge how they look for awhile. My new PS put in much larger implants than we had discussed and they seem to bulge out wider than my rib cage if that's what you mean by dents. I'm not going under the knife anytime soon again so am just going to live with things for at least 6 months and see how they look then. Things shift and settle in for quite some time I think.

Krose53

I’m not sure if this is right place for this question. I had a BMX at the end of December 2017. I then had chemo but no radiation. I have tissue expanders in now with about 300cc’s in each. I want to be a full B. My PS said he will be using 100 cc range of implants and decide which is best. He also said this will give me a full B cup. I just tried several bras on and I’m a 36 C. How will a 100cc implant make me a fullB when I have 300 ccs now. I asked my PS and he said that size will give me a full B. My surgery is October 9 and I’m panicking. I’ll be using Mentor round implants that are high profile. Ian 5”6’ and 137 lbs. Help, please!

Mominator

Krose, have you been to Breast Implant Sizing by Whippetmom? 

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/746448

Read the original post and follow all of the instructions. Whippetmom will answer your questions. She's amazingly accurate. 

She was spot on with the range of my implant sizes. Of course, discuss with your PS. My PS had a range ready and did a lot of pocket work at my exchange. 

Best wishes,

Madelyn 

Sitti

Krose53,

I think you want to ask your question on this thread:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

Just be sure to read the header for instructions so whippetmom can help you out. Navigating all this is challenging, I've been grateful for all the wonderful people on this forum. Take care.

rachelcarter35

Went to three week follow up with PS. He said I should wear a bra 24/7 for at least 3 months! Wearing a Walcoal wirefree during the day and a snug jog bra at night.. I also got the great news that I can get my origami nipples pigmented with tattooing right away. I thought I was going to have to wait 6 months but he said the nipple area is 5 months healed ( they were done during mastectomies) and far enough away from the new exchange incisions. There is some rippling but its okay for now. Gonna get the tattooing but otherwise ready for a good long break. I've decided to have my PS do my tattooing after talking to him. I trust him.

HikingLady

KRose53: My PS says that when my TE's are "fully inflated with the amount of saline that you end up stopping with" is pretty close to the size of the foobs after implants. That is NO help for actual cup size, perhaps, but my PS claims that the look in my clothes after implants will be pretty close to how I am with expanders at the point I stop filling them. He meant this as "decider," like: once I think the projection and size works for how I feel and fill up my clothes, I can expect final foobs to be similar. Ha ha, my TE's look like random lumps across my chest to me, but they can be persuasive as boob-shaped in certain bras.

In my case, I'm stopping at Pretty Small because my 15-years-ago radiated side took a very long time to heal after mastectomies. Not crazy about stretching the already compromised blood supply too much...

rachelcarter35: That's nice to know, that tattooed nipples can go on soon for you. Seems like that final touch that will make it all a bit less weird---I had NNS, and it seems like the incisions go right over used-to-be-nipple area, but perhaps that's not true after final placement....I'll find out!

Gramto4

rachelcarter35 and KRose53

I’m 9 days out from exchange on right breast and lift / reduction on left. I’ve decided to do nipple reconstruction on the right breast. My PS says we have to wait 3 months to do this. My incision from the mastectomy ( 5 months ago ) is straight across the breast right where the nipple would be and looks healed to me but I trust he knows what he’s doing. Possibly because he just put the implant in and we have to wait for it to “ fluff and fall” ( his words) before placing a nipple on it. Maybe if I was going for tattoo like Rachelcarter35 I could have it done sooner. I just want to look in the mirror someday and have a matching pair . Have a great Saturday!

Gramto4

Goldfish488

Sorry to hear that your PS says that there is nothing he can do to fix the dents. Did he say that overtime the implants might settle and the dents would improve? Sounds like this all stems from the TE’s shifting back under your arm. How many cc ‘s did your PS fill your TE’s with?

Goldfish4884

Gramto4: Thanks for the reply. My ps surgeon said the dents won't improve over time, the reinforcement stitching will hold the sides in. My te were filled to 550cc, I was a 36 C before and am now 36 D. Yes, my ps said the expanders were way too wide and went clear around to my back. After living with them with the dents for 3 weeks, they look great in the middle and front and in clothes so I'm thinking no more surgery and just moving on.

Yaniza

Hi Goldfish, I'm glad to know that you are happy with some aspects of your revision as far as the aesthetics go. ( Front and center are important!)

How is the healing process going? Any aches or twinges here and there? I still have a few. It's been slow road back.

Cheers, Yaniza

Goldfish4884

HI Yaniza: It's been 3 weeks since surgery and still some twinges on the sides, pulling on the stitches if I try to tie my shoes, pick something off the floor, turn the wrong way. PS said 8 weeks, no lifting over 10 pounds, no golfing, said I could drive if I'm real careful. I didn't expect such a slow recovery but trying to be patient. I was going to have the nipple and areola surgery but thinking I might go with just the tattoos instead, not sure I want to go thru another surgery and recovery. Glad to hear you are healing well, let me know what you find out with your next ps appointment.

CBK

Anyone get itchy post/op exchange surgery ?

I had my exchange surgery 2 days ago then last night I started to feel my chest and cleavage were very itchy. Actually almost looks a rash (kind of blotchy red) and itchy. Yes, I have already been in touchwith PS.

I'm not itchy on foobs or incision sites.

Could I be allergic to the breast wrap fabric, anyone have this happen to them?

Any words of wisdom are appreciated!

Shoregirl

CBK are you on any different meds/antibiotics....could be an allergic reation to that as well. I had an allergic reaction to Keflex years ago and got itchy hives all over my chest and stomach. Def get yourself seen by doc!

CBK

Thanks Shoregirl for response!

My itchies are isolated to chest and cleavage and yes I'm on Keflex but I've taken it many times before and never had a reaction to it.

I'm not on any pain meds either just Advil. Nothing else new.

Ugh!

HikingLady

CBK Definitely, report it to doctor---probably will want to see you and check it out. Allergies can progress to worse things (anaphylactic shock), so it can be a big deal. Warm wishes for a good resolution--itchies are no fun.

rachelcarter35

I got red itchy spots after mastectomies and now after exchange. I never thought of it being a reaction to the Kelflex. I did go to the doctor after the mastectomies and was prescribed cortisone cream . I thought it might be a reaction to the surgical glue.

CBK

Hi RachaelCarter35

Ugh. I think if the itching and rash is isolated to surgery site it’s more likely not due to meds and antibiotic, but I’ll find out more. I think this annoying breast wrap is irritating my chest and I’m told I need to wear it for at least a month!

I dont think I had any surgical glue applied, but I’ll certainly ask about it- thank you so much for your input!!

Mominator

CBK: it could be a heat rash due to the breast wrap fabric. The surgical area could be overheating. You might not notice it because we often can't feel much post-surgery. 

Best wishes, Madelyn 

CBK

That’s what I’m saying Mominator, but I think I’m just allergic to breast wrap, not overheating. I actually have a lot sensation and no pain just the itchies. I’m not on any pain meds not even Advil I just itch.

Surgeon wants me to take Benadryl tonite. Says she doesn’t want any topical on area yet. Ugh!!

Thanks for your reply!

ReadyAbout

I was allergic to the tape used on the post-bmx wrap - I was super itchy with it and ended up with blisters under the wrap. I talked with some nurses recently who think it was probably Tegaderm tape that was used.