Exchange City

Good point, Mamatwinz. I hunched over a lot too

How much time off work is needed if a lot of pocket work is done? My exchange is on July 10, and I'd like to know what everyone's healing experience was like. I know it's been discussed before, but sifting through all the posts is a bit time consuming. Thanks!

step mic, I had back pain after my last fill. I had planned on one more after that, but I decided I couldn't handle it, so I stopped.

Andrea and Mom: My exchange is on August 7 so I'm just around the corner!  My PS told me to plan on 2 full weeks off work with another four weeks of a certain level of weight and workout restrictions.  I know I'll have two drain tubes for 5 days for sure (his standard, he's a very cautious and deliberate guy).  No special pocket work that I know of but he is going to excise some flab from my sides/underarms (not the armpits but just below them).  I'm just going to enjoy being home - this two weeks will be sooooo much less miserable than the first two weeks after BMX/TE placement!   He also said no underwires for 6 weeks but after that it's whatever feels comfortable.

I had a week of restrictions similar to after BMX, then slowly got back into things.  I'm nearly six weeks out and this morning was the first time I woke up and didn't think immediately about the new girls - "oh. there they are."  Yay!

I've noticed that they've definitely "dropped and fluffed" in the last day or two.  I've been taking photos every week and will put them up on the picture forum soon.  I haven't really had any complications so I'm hoping my story will show what a pretty typical outcome looks like.

Good luck to those exchanging soon.  SUCH a difference!  

MNSusan, I had to chuckle when you said "this morning was the first time I woke up and didn't think immediately about the new girls".  I was just thinking to myself this weekend, when will I stop thinking of my foobs?  Or, anyone else's for that matter.  I find that lately I am obsessed with what boobs looks like...how they move, how they fall...I think I check out other women's boobs more than most guys!  I never though much of them prior to my BMX.  I guess it is just my way of gauging if mine look "ok". 

Layla, I didn't have a switch but that's the style and size I have and I'm very happy with them.  At first, they seemed too big and were under my armpits a bit, but they've settled in nicely and I like them a lot.  Good luck!

momof5kids: Each PS is different with just about everything.  Mine tends to be very conservative on just about everything.  I had six drain tubes after BMX, 3 came out after 1 week and the remainder at 16 days, so I am NOT looking forward to the two that I'll have (but it will only be for 5 days, thank goodness).  I think it's just standard practice with him to avoid ANY possible fluid accumulation.  I've read here of some who are back to work after 3 or 4 days and I just don't think he'll go for that, even though I have a desk job.  However, I have plenty of vacation/sick time coming and really won't mind having some down time during summertime and hopefully not feeling miserable like after BMX.

Hope your recovery is as speedy as you hope

Thanks for the comforting words about back pain, lol. Sounds pretty common. I will go home and put the heating pad on it. Good luck to those having exchange soon. I hope all goes well.

Carpe diem: Sounds like you're doing wonderfully - great news!!  I imagine it was the lift procedure that made your recovery a bit longer than a simple exchange, correct?  You appear to have a great attitude and good for you for starting a walking program as soon as you were able.  It's soooo important to stay as active as possible as we age and it sucks to get sidelined by medical issues.  Pisses me off that both my thumbs prevent me from doing so much in terms of working out (weight-bearing stuff like push-ups, planks, crab walk)...grrrrrrrr!  I preach the 'be active' gospel to my in-laws all the time.  They're all very, very, very, very sedentary and have almost all developed physical and medical issues as a result to such an extent that four of the seven are on disability and only in their 50s.  I tell my husband occasionally (who has a physically demanding job and has no medical issues) that his family are part of my inspiration for getting and staying fit.  I will NOT become disabled simply because I let myself go for too long!

And that concludes the sermon for this afternoon .

Thanks Stepmic.  I'm certainly not an Olympic athlete but there are just soooo many little things we could all do differently to stay in better shape.  I've travelled to several different countries in the last several years and one thing I notice is that the ratio of overweight to not overweight is far, far different than here in the U.S. We are just such a land of plenty and also a land of so many conveniences!  I graduated from high school in 1979 at 118 lbs and I joined weight watchers back in 2004 at 193 pounds, a 75 pound gain in 25 years .  I learned a ton about better eating habits and portion control.  Lost 53 pounds in five and a half months and while I've gained a fair share back I'm in way better physical shape now than I was when I lost the weight because I wasn't working out at all then.  It will continue to be a struggle as I age but I'll keep on doing my best as long as I'm able.

If anyone needs a fitness cheerleader give me a holler!  Keep on truckin......

Thanks for the reminder on exercising. I try to walk at least 5x a week, but sometimes I just flake out on it. I gained some weight after I finished rads, and they sure are harder to lose than they were to put on.



Another couple of questions for those who have had their exchange, did you have to have a catheter for the surgery? I just want to know what to expect when I have my surgery. And so I can clean up the old bikini line, lol.



How long did your surgery last? My BMX took about 5 hours, I think, and I hope this will be shorter.

Andrea, my exchange surgery lasted a little more than an hour and I didn't have a catheter.  

MNSusan ,

Have you heard of making nipples with cartilage...my PS suggested when he does revision...I'm switching ro the Allergan 410 640 MF on the 9th..my implants I have now have both rotated and I will be a lilltle bigger with a little more projection that I'm looking for I hope i made a good choice the Nurse said I will be happier and they are suppose to cause less rippling.. So we shal see...

MNSusan,

Honestly not interested in nipples only was for hubby, my BS left my aerolas and just made them smaller...thanks for replying..this web site is the only site that understands ..so thank you

hello again,

I saw PS today - I had exchange in Feb.  I have very large divits on both sides - worse on Left side - right side she said has too much skin (already moved a bunch last surgery.  Her suggestion was this:  wait awhile and then either exchange implants for teardrop shaped or do fat grafting on left side and take more skin off right side.  

I really don't want major surgery again. When clothed it looks fine (bathing suit another story but I am fine with it for now).  Those who have done fat grafting what were the results - pain level.  I have plenty of fat in the stomach area to take and replant.  

Those who have teardrop shape are you happy - she mentioned and I know I read on here that they do tend to flip so that is a concern.  I am torn of what way to go and when to do so .  I don't plan anything until after fall since I have a vacation scheduled and I don't want to worry am I healed enough to do fun stuff.

Michelle