Exchange City

Wheatscapes

Thanks everyone -

I consulted with a different PS yesterday. He corroborated my first PS’s stance on needing an extended incision to remove the side boob, and that lipo doesn’t give good results. He didn’t agree that insurance wouldn’t pay for it, as it’s part of reconstruction. He was nice, with a much better bedside manner.

I have another consult scheduled with a PS at an NCI next week. Very highly recommended; he has trained at Johns Hopkins and received awards from other physicians for excellence in his field. I will keep you all posted.

star2017

Wheatscapes, I also agree you should look for a new plasticsurgeon. Somewhere on this site is a list of recommended ones. Where are you located? Maybe someone can help.

star2017

oh just saw your update—great news

Buttons5104

Hello All,

I am wondering if others might weigh in on what silicone smooth implant might aproximate my expanders in appearance?:

133 FV 400 McGhan but expanded to 200 cc fill?- and at 260 fill?

Note: full fill 133 FV 400 (full fill is 400 cc) McGhan expander measures 12 wide, 12.5 high, and 5.3 projection.

I am short at 5' 1" and 107 pounds and 31 ribcage. Implant and expander is under the muscle.

Or if you too are similar proportions- what implant you used and liked? Thoughts on under the muscle? I want to be small-- B OR C-- is fine. Nothing more however...

Thank you for your help!

HikingLady

Buttons5104 My Plastic surgeon said: "Keep doing fills until you like the size. How those fit in a bra will be almost the same with the implants." I also had implants/expanders behind pecs---it wasn't a choice to do on top because of thin skin. My PS makes a point of matching the implants to the size of the expanders at the end point of fills, and he also matches for rib cage size. My PS takes 2 or 3 sizes of implants into the OR, and decides based on best fit/balance with each torso (rib cage dimensions, torso length, etc), also matching for patient's desired size of the 'look' of final implants. In my case, the size bra I used with my expanders in, when they were at target size I wanted to stay at for implants, was EXACTLY THE SAME once healing was done and swelling was down. He was completely right, and so the look I got as a permanent thing was really the same as how the expanders were (but more natural, because expanders are sort of cubed or squarish).

I'm short and medium statured, and I have B-cups, and they look just fine on me. My original breasts were size D, and I kind of wanted slightly bigger Foobs, but it was not possible. My skin had previous (16 years ago) radiation damage from first time w/ breast cancer, so at a certain point, stretching kind of stopped, and that's the size I am.

MinusTwo

Buttons: Check out this site. If you read the header carefully and provide all the requested information in a post to Whippetmom - she really is the breast "whisperer".

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

JaynerK7

Hi,

I’m having exchange to implant Jan 31, along with mastoplexy on healthy side. Can anyone advise me on how long to be off work. I’m active and fit and have a desk job that allows me to work from home when needed. Thank yi

VegGal

Two weeks would probably do it.

robinblessed54

I agree! Robin

MinusTwo

Robin - good to see you. Happy New Year.

HikingLady

JaynerK7 I didn't have a mastoplexy, but I had two implants put in, so I don't know how much less or more healing is required for the mastoplexy side. Healing was smooth for my exchange surgery. My post-surgery instructions from my plastic surgeon were for me to reduce activity to almost zero for at least 3 weeks (to minimize risk of infection or any other type of complications). Plastic surgeons usually have clear guidelines for your question.

JaynerK7

Thank you Hiking lady, robinbless and veg girl for taking the time to respond. Cosmetic Surgeon is very nice and very cautious, so I appreciate this opportunity to hear from women who've been there, done that.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Hi JaynerK7, I'm having my exchange surgery (both implants) on Jan 31st as well. Funny to see your post today - I just finished telling my boss this morning that I was planning to telework for 2 weeks after surgery. Thanks to all for the responses.

JaynerK7

Love that timing too! All the best.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Best to you too!

Next questions to those who've been through this:

Did you find that after surgery you had to sleep in a recliner (not flat in a bed) and if so, for how long? With the mastectomy/TEs, it seemed like it took me a good 5 weeks before I felt comfortable sleeping in my bed again.

Since there are no drains, it sounds like showers are permitted within 1-2 days post-sx. We're you able to lift your arms over your head (eg pullover shirts) right away? Or did you have to work your way back to that?

How long before you could take a good soaking bath? Or swim? Any other restrictions? Exercise?

Thanks for helping me get mentally prepared!

HikingLady

NoMoreKindaCCups Exchange surgery was MUCH MUCH easier to recover from than BMX + TE's. No drains. Very easy, and smooth and comfortable. Almost no pain, which I think is because I have no more nerves, and a pretty numb torso, so that was a GOOD thing as far as comfort. All that huge inside work (creating pockets, removing breast tissue) is horribly traumatic surgery, and exchange surgery was just a piece of cake comparatively.

I did not have restrictions on arm movements after my 2-foob-exchange, but I used common sense, and did't do anything super strenuous for 4-6 weeks. Swim restrictions are that if there's ANY small amount of not-healed incision, that can be a place infection can get in, so my instructions were 'at least 6 weeks, and then see how the incisions look.' My husband is an RN, and he decided it was safe for me to go in the pool at 8 weeks because it looked thoroughly and completely and cleanly healed---this was a big deal, because I normally am in the pool 5 days a week, but I took this seriously, and waited for complete healing. I was a slow healer on my (2003) previous radiation side. My plastic surgeon wanted me to have 'reduced activity' for 4-6 weeks, as I recall, which lowers risk of infection.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Thanks so much, Hiking Lady! This is great information.

robinblessed54

thanks Minus!! Happy New Year to you too! I hope you are well. Robin

VegGal

I pulled out my bed wedge and slept with that. I’ve used it for 4 breast surgeries and one foot surgery...so far.

I showered after 24 hours, even with drains. I was happy about that. Swimming was restricted to at least 4 weeks. No scans allowed in the pool!

I put on shirts carefully and just slowly and gradually resumed my activity. I was back to full steam in about 6-8 weeks.

Good luck

ucfmom

I'm having surgery next week to remove my textured implants and replace with smooth ones. I had my pre-op appointment Friday and was told I could shower after 48 hours. I'm planning to stay home for two weeks and work from home the second week. I have a super comfortable recliner but hope I'll be able to sleep in the bed at night with extra pillows. I remember that being the hardest part after my BMX and original reconstruction surgery.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Thanks, VegGal and ucfmom, and good luck on your upcoming exchange!

I know all drs have their own protocols (post bmx, I couldn't shower until all drains were out 10 days later). I'm wondering about bras. At my last fill 2 months ago, I think they mentioned that I'll come home in a (horrible) hospital bra to be worn for 3 days, but what about after? I know some people are told not to wear a bra at all, others want at least a sports bra. How did that go for you after your exchange?

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Hi ladies...

I've been reading these posts for months and always meant to sign up and here I finally am. I am in my 30's and was diagnosed last summer with DCIS and opted to have BIL NSM. It has been a crazy few months, and quite the roller coaster ride where you can feel so alone. My family has been so awesome and I'm so thankful for them but it's so hard for someone to understand everything you are going through and how you feel unless they have been in your shoes (which I hope no one ever has go through).

I just had my implant exchange surgery with fat grafting 1 week ago. I know you've ladies have said not to try to focus on so much now and it takes months for everything to settle but of course I went peaking lol The first couple of days were a little emotional as I felt much smaller than my expanders (those dreadful things I hated so so much and counted down the days until they were out). And I am also noticing rippling on one side which I never had with my expanders. Which is why I guess I was a little disappointed but I'm trying to focus on the positive and am thankful that I was diagnosed early and did not need any further treatment. My implants look great don't get me wrong but I guess at the same time after everything we've been through I feel like we deserve to be fully happy with our results. I feel so much better just a week out so I'm sure this is just part of the journey.

Anyone feel the same way? Any thoughts?

Thanks for listening!

crossh

Hi LLL,

I went through they same thing last winter., except I had my nipples removed too.First let me say what a difference a year makes. Things will get better. I was unhappy with my first set of implants as they were smaller than my original C cups. So I had them swapped out for the next size larger. The swap surgery was a piece of cake. I also had nipples made and areolas tattooed on the last few months. SO much better. Also no pain whatsoever. I guess the nerves are all severed. I have some rippling when I slouch, but not when I straighten out. This is normal. It takes time to get used to the new boobs, but you will eventually. They loosen up and feel more comfortable too. Good luck!

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Thank you for your response crossh. I'm glad you are doing well now. I was previously a B so I'm bigger than I was but just wasn't expecting the rippling as I had none whatsoever with the expanders. How long after did you do the swap out? I'm waiting until I see the PS in a couple of weeks to see what he has to say as I only saw the NP this week. I am already glad with how comfortable these are compared to those expanders!

Anyone else have fat grafting?

MCBaker

Yes, I had fat grafting. I think it took fairly well. Not real happy with the hollows down by my hips, though. Evidently my belly was just flabby skin.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

I'm glad that it took well, I'm hoping for the same. Sorry I can imagine, I don't think anyone would be happy with that as well.

crossh

I forgot to mention I also had a fat grafting procedure after the swap. I had a major hole under my armpit from three previous (Unsuccessful) surgeries in an attempt to remove the cancer and save the breast. He put fat there and above my breasts to help smooth the top. My PS took some fat from low on my belly, under the bikini line. There is some indentation there, but not too bad. It definitely helped make things look better. I wear wired push up bras now, and the look pretty good in the bra. No rippling with the bra. I was surprised how much they dropped, but I don’t have to wear a bra if I don’t want to. They’re definitely not as saggy as my old boobs. I’ve come to accept them the way they are. They’ll never be perfect. I think in the beginning I was expecting too much. But now I’m just grateful that the cancer is gone. My husband has been very supportive, which helped.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

How did you do with the fat grafting? Was that the first time you did it?I agree they'll never be perfect as our original ones weren't either! And nothing is perfect anyways. That's great that you have the support of your husband.

crossh

the fat grafting was nothing. Slightly sore where they took the fat from. Slight indentations on my lower belly. Wish he took more from my belly! He said I didn’t have a lot of fat there. Although it looks like there’s plenty there to me lol.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

I had my thighs done and it's still pretty sore and bruised but tolerable. I thankfully haven't noticed any indentations or divots but I guess I'll see when the swelling is done. I was also told they weren't able to get a lot of fat so I'm pretty sure I may be doing it again down the road. I get what you're saying, It always looks different to us and we're like seriously?! lol