Exchange City

mahometmom62

Have a great week everyone best wishes to the upcoming surgeries!!

lab44

Just had my last fill and exchange surgery is set for Oct. 18th. Overall feel good, during the day but at night, when I'm laying down to sleep - I am miserable...have not been sleeping well. Some questions for you ladies that have your "final" implants:

(1) Do you feel your implants on your chest wall (similar to what the TE's feel like)? If not, what are you experiencing?

(2) When were you able to lift/do things /normal activities? I have 21 mos old twins and would like to know from your experiences, when I can get back to my normal routine with them.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

virokie

lab 44:

My last fill was so uncomfortable  I ended up waiting 6 weeks for exchange and it started feeling much better after two weeks so the last 4 weeks of waiting was really not too bad.

I just had exchange and so far I have to say it is not bad.  I can almost say that it feels normal to me, like it is more a part of me.  I could never had said that about the T.E.'s.

You will get better answers since I am still trying to figure it out.

I have been feeling like I can already do normal activities, but have avoided it.  My neighbor suddendly passed away in his sleep two nights ago so I was over there all day helping out and I am sore today so I think maybe it would be best to try to hold yourself back from doing too much even if you may feel pretty good.  Again, I am sure you will get better answeres,  all I know is you may feel pretty good but it may be best to hold back.  It might be hard with 21 mos old twins.  Wow this was a lot for you to go through. 

Vickie

virokie

lab 44:

My last fill was so uncomfortable  I ended up waiting 6 weeks for exchange and it started feeling much better after two weeks so the last 4 weeks of waiting was really not too bad.

I just had exchange and so far I have to say it is not bad.  I can almost say that it feels normal to me, like it is more a part of me.  I could never had said that about the T.E.'s.

You will get better answers since I am still trying to figure it out.

I have been feeling like I can already do normal activities, but have avoided it.  My neighbor suddendly passed away in his sleep two nights ago so I was over there all day helping out and I am sore today so I think maybe it would be best to try to hold yourself back from doing too much even if you may feel pretty good.  Again, I am sure you will get better answeres,  all I know is you may feel pretty good but it may be best to hold back.  It might be hard with 21 mos old twins.  Wow this was a lot for you to go through. 

Vickie

jbau

Anybody else have nipples done at the same time as exchange? That's what PS is suggesting and it would be nice to get it all done at once.

Thanks! 

KY_Vickie

jbau-  My nipples were done at the same time as the exchange.  My surgery was done Aug 30 and I am still wearing my"nipple guards" for six weeks.  I was amazed by this procedure. 

jbau

Good to hear! I'll be so happy to get all of that over with at one time!

nguyeny

Lab44 - I don't feel the implant at all right now, it is much softer than the TE. I did feel some tightness after my exchange surgery and based on the recommendations of this forum and my PS, massaging the implant really helped. I was massaging the implant several times a day for at least 5-6 weeks before the tightness went away.  

I was able to get back to normal activity about 3 weeks after the surgery. Hope this helps.

JeanneR

Hi All: I just found out that my Exhange Date is Nov 8!!! I just cannot wait to get these rocks off my chest and have a great night sleep!!!

TinaT

I was fortunate to have nipple-sparing surgery, but I did just have my exchange about 3 weeks ago and things are changing a bit as the swelling goes down, etc.  I'm just curious....since there seems to be a settling in period after exchange wouldn't that make it difficult to place the nipples if they're added during the exchange instead of waiting for things to settle in? 

JeanneR - WooHoo!!!!!! 

Fighter_34

My PS is waiting for thing to settle. It's kind of hard to place them if you don't know how they are going to settle.

Hey if some do they may have a good indication of where things will fall.

christine47

Vickie, nipple guards for 6 weeks (yikes!), can you shower, wear a bra?  I am getting mine in 1 1/2 weeks, CV flaps, also some fat grafting.  I need to go back to work the next week.  At least is is getting cooler, so thicker tops if needed.  I am getting excited.

RE pain after surgery, the implants are soooo much better than the TEs.  Sleeping on my back, sides an tummy now. 

Denise2730

I didn't realize my PS was going to do the exchange through the same scar as the BMX. Is that the normal procedure? I thought they went under the breast like when someone gets augmentation. How many times can you open up the same scar before it will never go away? I already had the left one reopened due to a breast infection.

christine47

chiluvr1228, I think it is standard to go thru the same incision.  My PS was able to make nicer scars by resecting he previous scar which had widened some with my expansions.  The scars will never go away, but with care can fade over time.  My PS has me using lotion, massaging scars and avoiding sun (no topless sun bathing, LOL).  When is your exchange?

MegM

Hi.... happy to be asking to be added onto the board, scheduled for my exchange Oct. 21st.

jennyfrombama

chiluvr1228 I thought my PS also said he was going underneath for the exchange, then my last visit he said he would use the same incision. I thought, why am I putting all this cream on to diminish scars, only to have him open them up again? But apparently that is the case.

Going for my first fill tomorrow! Little anxious but ready!

christine47

jennyfrombama,  I did all the cream too, thats good, keeps skin softer and more supple.  Promise you will be glad he uses same scar.  Why make another scar.  Good luck with your fill tomorrow, I found them to be easy.

MegM, yeah for your Oct exchange!

Estel

It's pretty standard to use the same scar for the exchange that was used for the MX.  My PS didn't want me doing anything to my scars while I was getting fills.  I put only organic coca butter on them.  I used the silicone strips after my exchange for a few months.  A year out from my exchange and the scars are fading quite nicely.

KY_Vickie

Christine

I could not take a shower the first week.  After the 1st week visit, they taught me how to fold a peice of guaze and to cut a small hole in the middle of it.  I take the gauze and guards off when I shower.  I then replace the gauze with the nipple sticking out, then place the hard plastic guard over the gauze and tape them into place using two pieces of tape.  You can wear a bra with the guards.

I had a BMX so he felt confident with placing the nipples evenly.  I am actually amazed when I look at them. (and believe me when I say that I have pulled out the 8X mag mirror..lol)

christine47

Vickie,

Thanks for the info, getting a bit excited and nervous about the nips and fat grafting. My PS tells he will make my nips one centimeter to start (because they will shrink), hope they are not too big.  He is sewing the guards on for the first week, yikes!  All in a days fun, lol.  Let you all know how it goes.  After chemo/BMX this all seems relatively easy in a crazy sort of way.

jbennett38

I'm so happy for all you that have had or will soon have your exchange surgery.  I have a leaky expander and have to get it replaced.  It is disappointing because I was at 400cc.  My PS said he will be able to fill the new one quite a bit.  Just a little setback that I will get through.  I have an appointment tomorrow with the PS and will find out then when the replacement surgery will be. Hoping for no drains but he said he might "loosen up" an area and if it bleeds too much he will need to put in a  drain. I REALLY hope not.

jammies

TerifromOhio, Vickie & Everyone:  Had my double exchange surgery 12 hours ago!  Doing well!  I am a bit groggy, in some minor pain and my throat is sore...but overall...I actually feel great!  I can raise my arms over my head easily and have been moving all over the house.  

For those looking for immediate feedback, hopefully this good news gives you some peace of mind.

 Hugs!! 

mahometmom62

Jammies you keep arms down. I am 11 days out and my native side is sore my mx not at all but my strict instructions were to sit rest and sit some more for the first week and do not raise arms above 45 degrees. Best wishes. Rest.

KY_Vickie

Christine

I was also concerned about nips being too large.  My PS assured me they would shrink.  My surgery was three weeks ago and they are smaller already.  I was very concerned about the constant "headlights on bright".  I never wore a bra with the expanders and after a lifetime of being known by my large breasts, I did not want to go large.

Good luck with your surgery!

TinaT

KY_Vickie - How exciting to have the nipples already done!  I didn't think they could do at the same time as exchange.  Happy healing!

virokie

I just saw PS for follow up after exchange, we are talking nipple reconstruction.  I kind of think I may not do it has anyone else decided to not do the nipple route?  I do refer to my foobs as a bit alien in looks w/o nipples but on the other hand I have had problems with nipples all my adult life so I am thinking WHY.  Then I think because they just look better.

Vickie

Estel

Vickie - There have been several to not do the nip but go ahead and a 3-d tattoo.  It's your body, if you don't want nips, that's ok!    I had decided I didn't want nips but my insurance was being cancelled, so I went ahead and got them before it ran out.  I'm so happy I did it!  Like everything with reconstruction ... it's so personal and there is no right or wrong.  If you're happy without nips ... that's OK.

jbennett38

Dawne-Hope - I think someone else answered this question but I can't remember.  Do your nipples stick out so much that you need to wear a bra all the time?  I never had prominent nipples before the MX and now I'm trying to decide what to do. It might be nice not having to wear a bra all the time.

Lilah

MegM (and anyone else) -- if you want your name and date of exchange to be listed in the header above you MUST send a PM to Mykidsmom!

Good luck to everyone having surgery this week -- and yippee squishy!

Estel

jbennett38 - I wear a bra all the time but NOT because of nips!  I wear a bra 24/7 because it hurts me if I do not.  Gravity is not our friend, either, even with implants.  Need to support the new girls!  

I had a modified CV or skate flap last December and my left side has almost completely flattened out and my right side there is a tiny hint of a nip.  If I didn't wear a bra, it would show thru ... but just a tiny bit ... very natural looking.