Basic exhange questions

I believe that most plastic surgeons use the same incision, mine did.  I did not have drains, but this may vary from person to person.  If your plastic surgeon needs to do any additional work on the pocket, etc., you may have a drain.  I thought the exchange surgery was easy.  Good luck!

My ps used the same incisions but I did have two drains post exchange. Even so, very easy surgery. Had the surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Monday.. The drains seem to vary on PS preference.....Hope yours goes smoothly.

ShaneOak, just had my exchange on the 23rd and yes my PS used the same incision, just cleaned everything up. I also had a lift on my healthy breast so I have been a little sore. Overall the exchange seems to be a much easier surgery. It is still a big surgery so you will still have restrictions to follow. Hope this helps.

How many days did it take you all to recover from exchange?  

Steiner18,  I was back to work 10 days after my exchange surgery.  I worked a part day the first day back, but then was able to work a full 8 hours after that.  

Shane Oak, My PS used the same incision,but only about 2 inches of it.  My original incisions are about 8 inches long (from underarm to breast bone).  I've read that with silicone implants the incision needed to be quite large, but that wasn't my case.  My implants were 450cc on the right and 475 cc on the left.  

Taylormd, I hope everything goes smoothly with your surgery and you have a boring recovery.  This surgery is easier and so it is easy to overdo afterward.  Be mindful of your surgeon's instructions and take it easy.

I second odie16 on the drains varying by PS preference. Mine used them and I was a "drain-hater" from my 4 week tangle with them after my BMX. They came out in less than a week, though.

Shane Oak, I had the same incisions for silicon implants & they were nice and smooth and no wider than before.

46and single, I had a BMX for DCIS, one side prophylactic, because I didn't want to deal with the wondering and worrying between mammograms- it's easier for me to just get it off my plate because I have a pretty hectic life. Some women chose MX because they have DCIS over larger areas that a lumpectomy wouldn't be a viable choice. Good luck, everyone!

Kelly...my exchange was done after radiation.  I had my TE's fully expanded before I started radiation, and then my PS said I had to wait at least 6 months before he would do the exchange.  I ended up waiting about 9 months (he really preferred a full year, it was our compromise), and had no trouble.  He said I had good elasticity back in my skin, and it would be fine, and it was.

Since you're going to have a bunch of time after radiation anyway, maybe you can look around for a 2nd or 3rd opinion? It really shouldn't be that uncommon - just look for someone experienced. 

Good luck!!

Itsjustme- Your PS wanted to wait a year before exchanging? I can't imagine going that long with the TE's in. They are so uncomfortable...I have had 3 fills and plan on one more before rads. My PS said he could do the exchange about a month after rads if I was happy with the size or I could do the lat flap if I wanted to go bigger. But now I'm nervous that maybe a month is too soon??? I really wanted it done before summer rolls around because I can't imagine the TE's look natural in a bathing suit. Am I unrealistic here? Thanks!

I didn't end up having chemo or radiation but my PS had said waits a minimum of 3 months after chemo and/or radiation is completed before doing exchange due to immunocompromise.

okay, my sweet bc sisters!  Tomorrow is my exchange surgery!  This morning my DH woke me up with the declaration that "Today is our Valentine's Day!"  He has made it a wonderful day already, and now we are about to go eat at my favorite restaurant!  I will be one happy and well-fed lady when I'm wheeled back to OR tomorrow morning!

I'm sooooo looking forward to getting this TE "outa here!"

Til later, Blessings!

Kelly...my PS said 6 months was the minimum he would wait - he said a year was ideal, but was willing to do it at 6 months - we just couldn't work out the date, so the 9 months was when my schedule and his worked together.

I wouldn't do it in less than 6 months - as a matter of fact, if he's pushing more surgery than you want, I would look around and get other opinions - 1 month iscompletely  irresponsible for him to even suggest - your outer layer of skin might be healed (ad probably won't even be), but there is no way for you or I to determine if all the layers have healed.  He flat out told me that anything under 6 months after radiation, and there is a good chance it'll fail.  Radiated skin heals differently than normal skin. 

Please get another opinion.

Oh - you'll be able to wear a bathing suit, it'll look OK, not perfect - like the ridge with the tubes, a string bikini top won't work for you, but other than that, you should be fine.   Your doctors will let you know how much sun exposure will be OK that soon after rads ending.

Eek! No sun exposure after radiation too?! I am a teacher so I'm off for summers and live at the shore...last summer I couldn't go to the beach because I was on chemo. This is brutal! Thanks for letting me know that I should be waiting longer before doing the exchange. I am definitely going to be brininging this up to him when I see him on Monday. I do really like him and I hope I don't need to find a new PS. I guess we'll see what he says. 

Hi, Everyone!

Well, I had the old TE removed on the 14th!  Can't tell you how happy I am to get that "booger" out of there!  Even in the Recovery Room I could tell how much more comfortable the implant is than the TE. Surgery started at 10:10 AM and I was in our car heading home at 2:30 PM!  I have been amazed at how good I feel!  I have a drain and will probably have it taken out this coming Tues.  I haven't needed any pain meds since 36 hrs. after surgery!  I had some nausea last night and this morning, but took Phenergan and got rid of that! I definitely have that "healing feeling"!  Take heart, you youngsters! I'm 71 years old and can tell you that the exchange surgery is nothing to fear!

Blessings to all of you!

Mary