Surgery rescheduled

Anonymous · May 2011

I was scheduled for PBMX on June 21'st but the PS office called me on Wed. to reschedule. I'm now having the surgery on 6/14. I'm relieved, in a way, that it's sooner, but in another way, I'm (of course) scared.

I had my first visit with the PS a month or so ago. He spent two hours with me and I don't think I took it all in-to say the least. What I can remember at this point: I'm having both breasts removed with the PS coming in and putting in TE's immediately. I will go home with drains, which he will remove in a week. Then he will begin the expansion.

What I do NOT remember talking about was the exchange surgery. He said (I think) everything subsequent to the surgery would be done in his office. Could I be mistaken about this? I have another appointment with both he and my BS before the surgery, but any experiences you have had-and information-especially about the exchanges-which I'm reading alot about, would be great!

This is the right decision for me-after 6 years of close monitoring and two LCIS dx's, dense breasts, and a family history-so I'm comfortable with it-just not so sure I understand exactly what I"m facing.

Sandy-your information and talking with you has been Wonderful! Need all the information I can get. I'm in CT, by the way-I know I noticed someone else who identified as being from CT-so would love to hear from that person-perhaps we're using the same treaters?

Anonymous · May 2011

Did I post this in the wrong forum? Can't help but wonder re: the lack of responses. I guess it's difficult not to take it personally-on the other hand, I know people are all in different places and this may just be where I'm at. Just wondering about the appropriate forum?

edwards750 · May 2011

Pat - don't take it personally. I am clueless about what you are asking or I would be more than happy to help. Sometimes I pose questions and it is days before someone has time to respond. We are all going in a zillion directions. It may be that it isnt something a lot of people know about. Hopefully someone who does will answer your questions. diane

Anonymous · May 2011

Thanks Diane....being overly sensitive this week seems to be where I'm at. Any number of reasons-not the least of which is the bumped surgery date and being 1 week closer than I was. I am happy to have it scheduled for sooner rather than later, but feel the need to increase my information gathering and getting some of the things I will need for the surgery etc. etc.

37antiques · May 2011

Hi Pat, the weekends are very slow except for the humor and games boards. I'm sorry I don't know much about this, but there is a breast reconstruction board and maybe you can get a lot of answers there? I believe most everything is done in the office, you will get a lot of fills after the TE's, and finally the exchange, but that should be a long way off. Good luck with everything!

Emaline · May 2011

Does he automatically remove the drains in a week? My PS will not remove until I am putting out under 30ml in a 24 hour period or I hit the 3 week mark. At 3 weeks he said the risk of infection goes much higher. I'm only a week out, getting to be less each day...but dang I wish it was gone The drain is pain in the dupa. My PS will not start filling until 3 weeks out as well, to give time to heal. However one thing I'm learning is that no two doctors will do anything the same. A friend here, hers is doing fills and her drains are not out. Some doctors say absolutely no showering for 2 weeks, others say the day you feel up to it, go ahead and take a shower.

I think the exchange is fairly simple but did not think it would be an in office procedure! I know the fills are but I always assumed the exchange would be outpatient at the hospital.

Anonymous · May 2011

He did say drains out after one week-but I have to assume that's based on how much drainage there is and how things go-I don't see it as a gurantee. And then, he said he would start to do the fills the next week. Again, I simply don't remember discussion about the exchange, but he was so detail oriented, I think I had just "shut down" by then. My visit to him reinforced this decision, but the conversation with him also made it very real. I went back to work after the appt. and several people said I 'looked like I'd seen a ghost" (not everyone knew where I was or even about my decision-nor will they-I plan to simply tell people I'm out on medical leave.

Still, as I said gathering info. to try to make sure I ask the questions before the surgery and wake up to as few as possible surprises. No gurantees, I know.

Emaline · May 2011

My PS is not big on details about the exchange either. His words were we would discuss it as we go along, meaning what style I want, what size I want, etc. Since I had a unilateral, what needs to be done with the other side to match up. I think he is just focused on this first part. I know he said there is about a 4 to 6 week wait after the last fill prior to the exchange.

I understand the being overwhelmed. Even knowing that this is the right decision for you and being at peace with everything, it is just so overwhelming. Plus you have all the racing for the appointments, then it is stop and wait. Then race again, then stop and wait again.

You are almost there.

CAROLMARIE427 · May 2011

Hi . Good luck to you in your upcoming surgery. Just to answer a few questions about exchange. During surgery, when your surgeon is done, the plastic surgeon will come in and put in tissue expanders. After the drains are removed, which is different for everyone, depending on the output, you will begin fills. The expander has a magnetic device and your surgeon will find it with a small magnet each time. That is where the saline is inserted with a needle for the fills. It is slightly discomforting at times especially towards the end when the muscle is stretching. Take advil before you go and you will be fine. After the desired size, which takes about three months, you are ready for exchange. Most times this is done in the hospital as an outpatient under general anesthesia. It is a relatively simple surgery where your doctor will go in through your previous stitch line and remove the expander and replace with implant. A few months after, nipples can be created and
tattooed. You can look under reconstruction forum to get more feedback. Best of luck and hugs to you!

Anonymous · May 2011

Carol, Thank you very much. As I read your post, some of what you were describing I remembered-he did talk about using magnets to find the TE's and also said no MRI's while they were in. I didn't know about the time frame-and I suppose that may be somewhat dependent on the size you will end up. Again, I will see PS before the surgery, but having as much info. before I see him is helpful because that way I will remember all the questions (which I'm making a list of now).

vmudrow · May 2011

rehm046 - I had PBMX May 2010 - I think you will feel a sense of relief after it is done. The surgery was not that painful for me, one night in hospital, pain pills for three days and then tylenol. I had my exchange surgery at my PS surgical center - yours might have one in the same building as his office. That surgery was outpaitent and quite easy for me. Are you able to have nipple/skin saving - ask not all surgeon do it, I'm so glad mine suggested it. Good luck - let me know if you have any questions.

Anonymous · May 2011

Thanks Val...3 weeksand one day away-but who's counting. In to see my PS and BS later this week, so I'm sure I'll have my questions answered.

Surgery rescheduled

Comments

Categories