Exchange City

Myspalding, I don't think you will be able to golf that soon. You can't lift your arms above elbows for a while. You don't want to rip anything that was stitched inside. You have to allow the implants to settle and swelling to go down. It also depends on what kind of implants you are getting. I am a year out now with annatomicals and they need to adhere to muscle and skin. Be patient it is worth it!

Robin

Vinnie Meyers did my nipple tattoos in the San Diego area on October 27, 2015. I live 600 miles from San Diego but was able to stay with my daughter, who lives in the area. The cost was $700 for each side, total $1,400, which was higher than anticipated but he did have travel and accommodation costs for himself, his wife and Richie. I began calling for an appt 6 months prior.

No one that has seen my tattoos can tell they are not real. My daughter was shocked by how real they appear, especially the added nodes. I am pretty tough but I was caught off-guard and cried when I saw the completed work. I want to scream to all those having a mastectomy, DO NOT RISK KEEPING YOUR NIPPLES! JUST GET THE VINNIE MEYERS TEAM TO DO YOUR TATTOOS!

I chose to have my nipple reconstructed 8 months before and my PS did a fantastic job. Vinnie does a great 3D nipple but I wanted nips. Vinnie had nothing but compliments about my PS's work. I had my mastectomy and reconstruction done in San Diego. I was going to have to travel to have the mastctomy done so I chose somewhere I liked with a gynecologist oncologist I felt comfortable with to do my oomphectomy/salpingectomy. I loved my PS.

I originally wanted a Diep flap but wasn't a good candidate. As it turns out, it was fortunate my PS went with implants (he is talented a micro surgeon). I have lost weight due to another issue and I have lost most fat around my breasts. Had I gone for the Diep, I probably would be deflated.

My PS graduated from and did his residency at a highly regarded Baltimore hospital and recommended Vinnie for the tattoos. He's the one who told me Vinnie travels to San Diego twice a year but I did not go thru his office. My PS does not do tattoos himself. He said he only uses "my guy", lol.

I am currently fighting with Anthem Blue Cross to get the tattoos covered. They are denying me based on his not being a covered provider. Their own paperwork says nipple tattoos are covered and there appears to be some gray area as to whom can provide the service. I plan to not only send pictures, but provide a copy of a pamphlet he provided. Perhaps his connection to two breast cancer centers will sway things my way. I'm not holding my breath but shouldn't a tattoo be done by a person gifted in tattooing the nipple and not necessarily a physician? I knew going in it would be an uphill battle. You'd think that by now, this issue would be resolved in the favor of those who have gone through this difficult process.

Teriberi. . .let us know if you succeed with BC. My PS has someone in house that does tattoos, but she knows Vinnie and wants him to do mine. Maybe next year, too many other medical expenses this year. We'll have to fly to wherever so San Diego sounds fun. I was told he only charges $800 total in MD so may have to be Baltimore.

Scottie

thank you, lkscolo. I've read many posts over the past few days but have been very groggy and tired from surgery and meds. Much clearer today. I already think they look a bit better, not quite so sand dollarish .

I worked from home today, rested at lunch time and still got the "slow down" message loud and clear at around 5pm. I'll pace myself better tomorrow.

Question for the group... I'm noticing that my radiated side is more swollen than the other side along my ribs. And where the radiated skin had turned a light tan before surgery, it is very red now. Should I be concerned?

thank you. I went to bed last night planning to call today. But when I got up, the swelling was down and the skin less angry looking. The non cancer side is very bruised looking and starting to fade to yellow bruises. I wonder if the color change was bruising that is starting to fade? I feel much better today

Happy to hear progress in all our exchange ladies!

Some progress on me: this morning I had my first run since my two surgeries (MBX, Exch). If you can call it a run, since my pace was 14 minutes per mile (some speed walkers are faster than that). See, Monica, I started slowly. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD, LOL!

BTW: I asked the Mods if it's possible to move the Add to/Remove from My Favorite Topics toggle to the right side of the page, leaving the Back to top/Jump to bottom links on the left, alone? They're going to pass that along to the technical team. Yeah! Those of us viewing on small screens are less likely to accidently drop our favorite topics off our favorites list.

Happy Spring to all. The birds have started a chorus outside my window in the mornings.

I saw my PS today - one week after surgery. He said everything looks good. Still some swelling but not a lot. Tape stays on till next week but I can shower now. Yay! The right side (mastectomy side) has a lot more discomfort than left. He said that is because 1. totally different surgery and 2. I had a lot of scar tissue due to radiation on right 3. had to go through muscle on right.

So my arm movement, he said would improve greatly over the next week which I was happy to hear. He doesn't think I will need PT.

I decided to stay home the week. I didn't want to rush going back and feel crummy. So just taking it easy.

Phyliss and all new EX ladies; I am one year post EX. One day you will wake up and finally feel "normal". My foobs feel a part of me now. You get used to the new normal. That doesn't mean that sometimes you won't feel a pull here or there but life seems to be back to the day to day things. Do what the PS says and you will come out of this ahead.

Robin

Mominator, you must have silicone rounds if they move alot. I have the textured anatomical implants so they don't move much. But I love them!

Take it easy with the running. You want to keep these babies for a long time, don't rush it. I was overly protective because I didn't want to have anything go south.

Robin

Jackiegray, I had Lipo and fat grafting with lots of pocket work also. 4 weeks ago today. I had my final drain removed yesterday. This surgery was as bad or worse as far as pain, bruising than my MX. With the Lipo and fat grafting the bruising and tenderness is pretty intense the first couple weeks. It's hard with the compression garments too. It will get better. Are you on antibiotics?  I used a heating pad and it was really helpful at the drain site. Watch for increased temp and increased red areas. Hope you feel better !!

Patty 

Robinblessed: I also have the textured anatomical implants. My PS did extensive pocket work. I told him at 5 weeks that things felt like they were moving. PS examined the breasts and said that all felt fine. They move around the right amount. He told me to wait until 8 weeks to resume running. I didn't feel anything move in my breasts when I ran. Things feel only a little bit weird when I lie on my side.

How did you all decide on what type of implants to get? I have my pre-op appointment with PS on Monday. Saline vs gel. And what are the anatomical implants? I have been so preoccupied with treatment that I haven't really researched this like I should.

Robinbelssed 54. Thanks and now 7 weeks post EX I do see improvement daily. And I am confident the tightness and intermittent pain under the exchange from the internal stitches will also subside in time.

I go to the PS next week for my second post op appt. Hoping she says i can go back to the PT for the myofacial release as I found that so so helpful.

Thanks

Thank you Lori and Robin, I will check out that thread and spend some time this weekend looking into everything. I already know that I am going smaller than I was. I was a DD and we decided on a Full C, small D range. I have been having so much pain in the last week in my right expander, I am not sure why. So this exchange surgery can't get here soon enough.

Hi: I'm new to this forum and have spent a lot of time over the past couple of months reading and re-reading these threads. I had lat flap surgery and tissue expander placement on December 1, plus two additional surgeries on an area where my incision had been leaking fluid. All appears to be healed now, and I'm having my exchange surgery this coming Monday, March 21 (plus a reduction/lift on the opposing side). Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well and that the healing issues are behind me. Cautiously optimistic, yet a bit nervous at the same time!