Exchange City

I am 3 weeks out of exchange this week and I'm still having some pain. Is this normal? I can still feel my stitches when I run my hand across my incisions.

I'm not due to go back to PS until 4/21.

any insights will be helpful

Jan

Beacher and Joan - I had to wait a month from my last chemo to have the exchange, so when I went screaming into the ps office GET THEM OUT AND GET THEM OUT NOW!!, I had to wait 2 weeks to fulfill the 4 week minimum wait time for the exchange.  So I proceeded to get fills 2x a week and was filled to 450cc by surgery date.  I had the exchange and the resumed chemo again like 6 weeks later.  Both onc and ps were fine with it.  I had already had neo-adjuvant therapy and a bi mx, so everything from this point on was future prevention efforts.  I took massive amounts of pain meds but nothing helped.  I just had to sit very very still and not move a muscle for hours.  When I did move, the pain pushed me immediately to tears.  No way could I have gone on 4 more months.   Sorry for the confusion.  Hopefully less confused?  If not, write back~   Joan, you will do fine tomorrow!  Healing thoughts are with you.

Happy Healing to those of you post op.  Each day will get a little better.  Take time to rest and heal--it's important. Go slow, don't lift, your body will appreciate it. 

Rebecca, so glad you are doing well.  Must feel good to you after everything else you've been through..

Dawn and other ladies in waiting, you will not believe the relief in getting rid of the TEs.  Really, really.  So soft.  Have fun counting the days.

Hi Jan,

I am about the same as you since my exchange was on 3/9.  Yes, my stitches still pull and slightly burn.  I cannot sleep on my side at all so it's all back, all night.  I switch between the surgical bra and the sports bra but I HAVE to wear a bra since they burn if I don't.  I am assuming this will eventually end.  All in all, I am still a lot more comfortable than with the expanders.  Do you massage tem every day to soften them up?  My left side is softening faster than my right and it feels more like a boob

Just had revision surgery on Mar 24, 2011. We are starting over with tissue expansion. My new PS removed my implants and revised the pockets and inserted new TE filled them with 450 cc each side. I am so happy I changed PS even though I must travel . It was so worth it. If what I see so far is any indication of what's to come I will be very happy. If any of you remember how unhappy I was with my exchange a year ago (I have posted on pic forum) I am so glad I went ahead with revision and especially a different PS. I will post new pics soon.

Paula, stay on a schedule of meds so the pain doesn't get ahead of you.  You'll end up taking less meds overall and have less pain and not trying to play catch up.  Every 2-3 days you can wait and see how you feel and adjust accordingly.  Some of us need them 3-4 days and others 10-14 days...do what is best for you.  You'll be less stressed if you're not fighting pain.  Good luck on your recovery !!

Kit - I would contact your insurance company directly because they are legally bound to pay for your surgeries relating to BC which includes the exchange and lift/augmentation of the otherside (if you are a uni) to make you semetrical.  They do have the right to make you pay for your yearly deductible and any co pays but they cannot refuse to pay the remaining balance.

JenC -- different doctors say different things; some say "no underwires" and others say "underwirse REQUIRED" for example.  My PS said no underwires and when I asked her if that meant NEVER she said NO.  So, for me, about 8 months post-surgery, I started wearing underwires again (I did not like the feel of wirefree) and I've been fine.  She said no underwires especially initially because of worries about the wires rubbing/pulling at internal sutures and also the worry about a wire poking through the bra and puncturing the breast skin (which for many women is numb and therefore would not feel it).  For more info/advice re: bras... check out Val61's "Bras 101" thread on this site -- it is FULL of great advice!  What does YOUR PS tell you re: bras?

Breastless -- yay for you!  Glad you are happy with the revision so far.  It takes a great deal of strength to make that step but so many have found it a rewarding choice.  As for the extra pain, often with revisions (as I've read here anyway) there is more pocket work done (to fix various issues) and so, yes, it is not uncommon to feel more pain at this point.  This too shall pass!

Lilah - Thanks for the advice and I will check out Bras101.  My PS has not really said anything except the mastectomy bra after the exchange for a few days.  Unless I need drains then it will be a bit longer. 

LADIES.. I am trying to get another sister here on BCO into our Picture forum.... is it down??

Update... I am home from my exchange surgery and feeling surprisingly good, but I suppose that may have something to do with the anethesia yet.  Surgery was 90 minutes and spent a few hours in recovery room. The best news.... NO drains.  PS decided not to do any fat lipo right now as he didn't feel it was needed.  He said he may need to so some when I go back for my nips later this summer.  I have a wonderful BLACK industrial strength compression bra so I still feel like a ton of bricks on my chest.  Have to wear that as much as tolerated until I see my PS in 10 days.  I love the new squisshy feel of the implants. Okay, I  am back to my couch.  Going to take a little Norco soon, go to bed early and see what tomrrow brings.  Thanks so much for your support and well wishes.  I'll check in again tomorrow.  Hope everyone is doing well today.

Yay Joan!!! so glad u r though it. You rest now.. Take care

OMG I just realized I didn't have to scroll!!!!!!!

Wahooo!!!!!!!

MBJ:  I'm so glad you're doing well!

Big step back for me.  Just heard tonight that I have to go back tomorrow for either another debridement or to the OR to resect more tissue and remove/replace the expander on that side.  My exchange is looking further and further away