Exchange City

thank you ladies for well wishes.  I have zero ideas on how they can fix this.  nearest i can tell, maybe a patch job and a small implant?  But ???

For radiated ladies...oh I had such a mess!! My fantastic PS (David Passaretti, MD, Aesthetic Surgery Center, Darien, CT) for anyone near him FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I had necrosis, irradiated boob, break down of it all and he put a patch from my c section on it.  It was too tight and like wet tissue paper is how they explained it to me.  It began high and very tight but with time (I am talking about a year, here but youll see changes and lowering in about 6 months) it settled right down and now, honestly it's hanging low.  So yes, absolutely, radiated breasts WILL settle down and soften, too.  It just takes t hem longer, so patience, gals.  It does happen.  It had lots of scars on it, but believe it or not, they faded.  You can hardly see it and it took two patches.  Cocoa butter and plenty of gentle massage helped them fade, but it may just have been Dr. P's expertise.  He is amazing.

Now, I do not know if he can or will be able to fix t his...it's in no way anything to do with the surgery, just a complication that anyone can get.  That it healed bizarrely is also something they can't tell ahead of time...the one thing I had nightmares over was ending up too small in comparison to the radiated breast.  Now that is just what happened.  What can you do.  Life happens. So do hematomas.  I am pretty devastated over it, but resigned to there being not much to be done for 3-5 months and even then I could not afford it....so this may be the way it is.  He is out of network ,and I am broke.  So I may have to stay this way and it's pretty bad.

I had such hopes...

Wishing all soft boobies (yes, they will soften but time is your friend) and better sleep!  It takes a few months, but miracles will begin to happen daily after that time frame.  Every day they will look better and better until one day they just look "right"...but you do have to wait.  Just like christmas.

Take care, all.  Will check back in when and if I ever heal.  Anyone need  help with radiation boobie queries, PM me.

xo

Lovesdogs...glad you're home and comfortable.

well....... It has been 3 days since exchange surgery. Other than them being softer, I really can't tell much difference. He had to do a lot of pocket work, especially on the right. It was about 3cm lower than the left, so that is where the majority of the pain is. Pain is tolerable now with extra strength tylenol or advil. But should they look different? He didn't finish and will have to do more in February because he worked for 2 1/2 hours this time. I just don't feel like much was accomplished

Thanks cmartin! I guess I was just expecting it to look a little different! At least they don't feel like bricks!

My exchange surgery is tomorrow *gasp* - that's scary seeing it in writing!!  Is there anything I should know?

cmartin, how do I get to the photos?

Gemmy1

I am a uni - I don't think the drop & fluff happens with everyone.  I had implant placement early July, and nothing has changed or moved.  

I recently went to another PS for a 2nd opinion and she tells me that she feels I should have been expanded more and have a larger implant along with fat grafting.  She said that when you are overexpanded in comparison to the implant that they use it gives it some room for I think the drop & full, and a natural hang for the breast. 

Mine does not have that now it just sits firm like a stack of uneven pancakes, and almost appears stuck on my chest without little movement.  So I am considering a new PS with a new course of action.  Please let me know if others of you have had to make additional revisions and why. 

Thanks cmartin! I sent her a message. Did you have any trouble with arm pain after?

Each day does bring something new, not necessarily bad. It feels like somebody has pulled it or squeezed it. It is actualyl the non cancer side, but that is the side that they did the majority of the work this time. I will ask the PS in the morning.

Thanks for everything

Laura

itsjustme10, praying for you tomorrow!

I'm going Thursday!!

cmartin, Iknow you are so excited!!!!! I can't wait to hear about it.

Dr visit went well this morning. He said that there were so many sutures to keep the implants in place that I would have to be careful. He said to start massaging twice a day and he will see me in 6 weeks. He said we would wait and see if a third surgery was necessary after things settled.

Laura

simplyaurdrey wow that is super fast. Can't say mine went that quick at all. I had 6 fills 3 weeks apart of 100cc at a time. I had 150cc during the surgery to get my TEs and then my first fill was 3 weeks later. How many ccs did you get? Perhaps you are going much smaller than me. I am now a 36D.

Thank you for all the good wishes, thoughts and prayers... I can't believe how good I feel!!  I went in early this morning, and was home by 2:30.  I've been up and down the stairs all day, and if I weren't concerned about using Advil for a couple of days, I wouldn't have even had to take any pain pills.

Your support and information meant a lot.  Thank you again.

cmartin,

I think so, just not sure that I am pleased. Time will tell.

Laura