Exchange surgery

SUSIEQGIRL
SUSIEQGIRL Member Posts: 3
edited November 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am having my tissue expanders exchanged for implants.  My question is I have have had lymph nodes taken from both arms.  So where will they start iv and blood pressure.  I do have a port for my chemo and blood draws but the surgeons office only uses the arm.  Any suggestions?

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  • teachermom4
    teachermom4 Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2014

    Hi SUSIEQGIRL,

    I too had lymph nodes taken from both arms so when I had my exchange surgery last week, they put "Limb Precaution" bracelets on both arms, put the blood pressure cuff on my left lower calf and my IV in my right foot. It was quite an effort to get it started in my foot--they ended up calling a pediatric anesthesiologist because my veins were so small there, but he got the job done and all went well!

    Best wishes for you!!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2014

    Welcome to BCO SISIEQGIRL, we're glad you found this fountain of wisdom and experience.

    You are certainly best to avoid any IV, blood draws or BP Cuffs on your arms - better to be safe than sore. It is not uncommon to use the lower limbs for these - may not be as easy or convenient, but less risk to you.

    You can buy from a number of suppliers soft sleeves, that have printed on  them NO IV, NO BP, No Blood Draws, so may be worth investing in them as they can be used in any future visits to hospital as bracelets are sadly not always noticed by staff at night. Just Google "no iv bp sleeve". We can't recommend any brand, but they are worth while.

    We wish you the best with your exchange.

    The Mods

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  • kareenie
    kareenie Member Posts: 339
    edited September 2014

    TLC (American Cancer Society) carries one called G Sleeve. Also there is an extensive discussion on the Lymphedema forum on how to get the medical staff to use legs for IV and BP. Sorry can't do link on phone.

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  • SUSIEQGIRL
    SUSIEQGIRL Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2014

    thanks ladies my exchange surgery went well. I have five more doses of Herceptin. I just wish my oncologist would do follow up testing, but he only does blood work every 12 weeks.

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