Exchange City

Stepangel. Welcome but sorry you are having problems. I'm with the others. That was a very fast turn around. My last TE implant was in August and I had my implant in December.  I thought that was fast! I would say that the speed of the sx definitely has a lot to do with how you are feeling. Also your PS foes not sound like he took the time to inform you about the differences between TES and implants. I'm sorry. One of the things we try to inform people about us TES have much more projection because they are meant to move skin and muscle and reform them. The implants we call squishies because they conform to your body and do not push out like the TEs. It just is that way. I'm sorry you were not informed. Hugs. I would still give yourself time for your implants to settle in. If you aren't happy then, there is revision sx which is usually covered by insurance. 

Much love

Hi, stepangel, and welcome to Exchange City!  Like the others have said before me, two months is really rushing the process - no wonder you're in pain!  You'll find the more you read around here, the more the protocol varies PS to PS.  It's just crazy, but yours takes the record for speed so far!  Generally, it's about four months from TEs to exchange so your guy cut that time frame in half!  Some PSs require a specified waiting period after the last fill - anywhere from one to four months - and prior to exchange.  (My exchange happened ten days after my last fill - so there you go...yet another exception.)  I know exactly how you feel because I had a PS who had her own agenda, regardless of what I wanted.  She was very condescending post exchange and tried to convince me that you can't expect perfection from reconstruction (or anything close to it).  The only thing you can do at this point is give it some time  - you are only three days out from exchange and we all looked like we had hamburger buns on our chests at that point.  I know - that's easier said than done, but try to be patient.  Because there's always the distinct possibility that the drop and fluff phase is not too far away for you. Mine took a good three to four months before I saw any major changes - but most women start to see changes within the first month or two.  

So take this time to heal completely - keeping in mind that there's a lot of healing to be done on the inside (we all forget about that part), as well as on the outside.  If you're still unhappy in a couple of months, then we can help you deal with that.  In the meantime, remember to take it very easy for the first few weeks.  'Just because you can doesn't mean you should' has become the mantra around here for good reason.  Best of luck to you and please let us know how you're doing! 

Stepangel - Just chiming in to agree with the others that 2 months is an EXTREMELY fast turnaround!  What size (cc) TEs did you have and how many cc were you expanded to and what size implants did you exchange to?  My BMX was November 2012 with 600cc TEs. Expansion to 750cc took until April 2013 (had a lot of pain early on so we slowed WAY down on the filled to avoid the misery. It worked - I never had any pain or discomfort with fills after that) and my exchange was in early August 2013.  My PS told me more than once that the exchange to implants was something you could never do too late and that you do NOT want to do it too early. He's a big proponent of waiting a minimum of 3-4 months after the last fill to allow the skin and muscle plenty of time to stretch and relax.  It worked for me, I was tickled with my implants from the moment they were unveiled, although I think I'm an exception to the general rule here. They were nice and plump, not hamburger buns at all.

So, be patient because it's likely you'll see a lot of change in the next 1-3 months at least.  If you're still experiencing major disappointment at that time I would recommend going over the to 'Implant sizing 101' thread and talking with Whippetmom.  She can help analyze your situation and if necessary recommend a good PS in your area for a 2nd opinion.  You do not have to be 'stuck' with what you currently have.

Hang in there!

2nd time around- that's great! Glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you like the progress you see!

Sweetandspecial- you are bringing up some other reasons I have been completely frustrated with my journey. My PS never told me anything about my TEs and I didn't know to ask. One of the first things he said to me was he didn't want me going online and looking things up. But he didn't tell me anything, so what choice did I have?! I had been doing my own research about the expansion process because nothing was explained to me and started asking questions. I found out that I was started at 350 cc's in each at the time of my BMX. We did fills starting at 3 weeks after that of 60 cc's. I was in a tremendous amount of pain and I have a pretty high pain threshold. I nearly passed out at my first fill, but was told by the nurse that I shouldn't be having any significant pain! Ummm....I WAS having significant pain! We had never talked about what size we were going for. I only said that I wanted to be similar to how I was before. Nobody gave me any idea of a ballpark what that would be. When I asked, I was told that we stop the fills when I was happy with the volume. I tried to explain I was having trouble translating the volume of the TEs into what a normal breast was like. But the nurse I dealt with for my weekly fills (I never saw the doctor) said they wouldn't give me that guidance because if I ended up unhappy with the size they didn't want to be blamed. At that point I insisted on meeting with the PS again. He was very dismissive of my pain and struggles. He totally contradicted his nurse and said I just needed to leave it up to him what size and style of implant we would use. I was somewhat relieved because I didn't feel qualified to decide and would want to take his recommendation, but I still wanted to KNOW. When I asked, all he said is he uses high profile silicone. That's all I know. I got expanded to 670 cc's. (I'm 5' 10", pretty average weight, larger frame). After the exchange surgery I saw a different nurse 2 days post op to get bandages removed and check my drains. I asked her what size he ended up using and she couldn't tell me because the computers were down due to a power outage. I will be able to find out when I go back on Monday to get my drains out. I also asked for the manufacture card for the implants. She said he doesn't give those out! 

So many red flags the whole way with this guy. I feel foolish for using him as my PS when everything about it felt wrong from day 1. I had melanoma 3 years ago and had 2 surgeries including lymph node removal and really like my BS so when he sent me to see this PS I just went along with it. I was in such a state of shock I guess I wasn't thinking very clearly and never even thought of shopping around. By the time I was really suffering from the aggressive fills, I felt stuck.

I worry now hearing how ridiculously fast the process was that not only am I suffering so much more than I should have to but that the quality of the work long term is going to be poor because it all went too fast! 

That's good advice. Thank you... And thanks for listening! 

Hi,

I have a question re compression after fat grafting. My exchange is scheduled next week, and the PS will do fat grafting at the same time. She indicated that I would have to wear a girdle to compress the area where the fat was harvested (stomach) and that many of her patients switch to spanx after a couple of weeks. Any recommendation on the type of spanx or other similar shape wear? The climate is pretty hot and muggy where I live, and wearing a girdle in July and August will be pretty uncomfortable, so I'll be eager to switch to something more bearable.  

Thanks

Huz

Thank you ladies for sharing your experiences.  I am new to this thread and the information you have shared is so helpful.  My exchange is 6 weeks away and I'm getting really excited to be done with these TE's.  I am also having a hard time translating TE to implant size and worry I'll be too big.  I am currently filled to 450 cc's, am 5"3' and 115 lbs.  I was a large B/small C before children and barely a B after breastfeeding.  It's kind of strange having projection again.  Just not sure I want this much projection.  It's just so hard to tell.  My PS said he needed to get me to at least 350 cc's to fill in the skin I already had.  I woke up from surgery with 250 cc's in each.  Fills have not been pleasant and sleeping has been difficult since they mound out at my sides and stomach sleeping (which I used to do) is just about impossible.  Does that get better for those of you who have implants?  I am such a stomach/side sleeper and I miss it.  Thanks for any information you can share.

Holly

Thanks Olaf - I am actually about 5 lbs heavier than my normal 110 lbs. that I hope to get back to now that I'm finished with chemo.  I'm so glad to hear that you can fit into your clothes.  I've been struggling with that since the TE's don't move much.  I don't want to start wearing baggy clothes because my breasts end up too large.  I don't know yet what implants my PS has in mind and I don't actually know the size of my TE's other than they could be filled to 500 cc's if I wanted (which I don't).  I have a consultation coming up and I'll be sure to ask!!  Congratulations on your recent surgery!! How are you feeling?

Holly, when you have your consultation with your PS ask for your TE information (unless you already have it). My PS gave me a card with all the info upon leaving the hospital. As AZ said, with this information you can PM Whippetmom to ask for advice. It helps to have extra expert advice while trying to make important decisions. 

I feel pretty good. Range of motion much better than after BMX. He did some extra pocket work on right side so I am sorer on that side. Putting my car into reverse (manual drive) is where I really notice it. Took pain meds for a couple of days only.

Keep us posted!

Holly, one thing you should know is no matter what size implants you get the projection TES give you will not be in the implants. That's the usual complaint of so many women. Not enough projection. Whippetmom should give you an idea of what you will have. 

Just for comparison, I have 750 Mentor saline rounds filled to 850. I am just a C cup. But i was a C cup before so it works for me. Certain bras I actual fill. But usually on most bras the front of the cup is a bit empty. It takes a while for the implants to settle as well. We call it the fluff and drop as the settle in. 

And olaf, welcome to the Squishie side!

Holly - I'm nearly a year out from exchange and have been able to side and stomach sleep since a couple of months after surgery.  I also recommend that you reach out to Whippetmom on the breast implant sizing 101 thread.  I went with the exact implants she recommended and am very happy with them .  Stay in touch and keep us posted on your plans, k?

Thanks to all who have offered encouragement and advice! I am 2 weeks post exchange and can actually see some positive changes in the look of my implants. Hard to explain, but they just look a little more "normal" to me and my husband agrees. I do think some of it is just the memory of those unrealistic TEs is wearing off. I was just reading some posts from you ladies who are awaiting your exchanges and want to tell you, as so many others are, that TEs really look nothing like the implants will! You do get really used to what my husband and I called "barbie doll boobs" that are hard and stick straight out so when you are back to something more normal it is a shock!

The hospital ended up sending me a card with my implant info: Mentor HP 650 ccs. I was a C cup before and still am although as Moonflwr pointed out on some bras the front doesn't quite get filled because the projection just isn't there. I haven't had my follow up with my PS (not for another week) but I plan on asking him about the wrinkling on the tops of my breasts that is showing up as the swelling goes down. Not when I'm using my pecs, just at rest. Also still in a significant amount of pain although still so much better without the TEs. My exchange surgery wasn't just that though as the BS also went back in to get wider margins. The cancer went right up to the edge of the breast tissue so they were either going to have me do chemo or have this re excision at my exchange surgery. He said he actually removed a bit of tissue so I'm thinking that's why I'm still hurting so badly. Plus I went into this surgery absolutely miserable. The only way I've been able to sleep since the BMX on May 1st is in my recliner or in bed propped up on a foam wedge pillow, and unfortunately I don't see that changing any time soon

Another issue I'm having is finding a bra that I can tolerate. The only ones I can wear even somewhat comfortably are the ugly surgical ones with the giant velcro straps that bulge under clothes. I have to wear a supportive non under wire bra for 4 more weeks. I have gone to Walmart and Kohls and tried on dozens but they all seem to inflame the whole area and my pain intensifies for a few hours after even trying them on! I hope this doesn't last much longer. I can't stand these awful surgical bras! 

To all of you with upcoming surgeries, I wish you speedy recoveries and great results! 

You are probably being charged the full rates.  I had lipo  just for fat grafting, fat grafting to both breasts and revision of right breast due to capsular contracture and total charge by surgeon was $7500.  Insurance paid less than $1100 of this charge which was accepted as in network provider.  It does seem high if you are having surgery at same time that will be covered.  You should try to get it discounted.

Believe it or not, that was discounted!  Wow, thank goodness for the insurance write-offs! This quote would have been out of pocket.  But I questioned the quote, some if it seemed like it should have been covered as part of revision, so she is double checking. 

Hollyhope,  I had my exchange about 3.5 weeks ago and I will say the implants look smaller, but way more natural. The TEs jutted out so much, so implants appear smaller.  My TE's were filled to 420 and my implants are 400cc, ultra high profile rounds.  

Kendra