What can I expect from exchange surgery in 2 weeks?

EmbracingToday

Hi,

I have my bilateral exchange surgery on 11/28. I'm dealing from chemo brain and have a hard time navigating this site to find specific information. I can't find what I'm looking for, so I'm writing this.

1) How should I prepare for my exchange surgery? I have 3 kids, what will be my restrictions? How did you feel in the first days/weeks post-op? Is it as bad as a mastectomy? (I hope not!)

2) I'm taking aromasin, need to be on for 10 years. I'm having a hard time with side-effects. Primarily severe joint pain. I do yoga moves/stretching/walk when I can. But, want to cry by the end of day and end up taking Norco for pain relief. Can someone refer me to where on this forum I can find information on this?

3) Is there a big difference in rates of reoccurrence if I switch from Aromasin to Tamoxifen?

Thank you!

CaliKelly

The exchange surgery was way easier than the mastectomy! 4-5 days I felt fine, even though Doctors make you go easy. From what I understand, the difference between Tamoxifen and other AI meds is not that great, as far as effectiveness goes. Keep trying different ones they all react a little different. When I got on Gabapentin for chemo neuropathy, it also helped with hot flashes and joint pain

Anonymous

The exchange surgery was so much easier than the mastectomy! I returned to work full-time after 3 weeks. After my mastectomies I came home with 4 drains. 2 of them came out after a week and the other 2 after 2 weeks. After the exchange I came home with 2 drains. They came out after a week. I was supposed to have fat-grafting done during my exchange surgery. But it couldn't be done at the time because I had an infected cyst in my belly button. So it had to be put off to a later date. I had it done about 4 months later.