Exchange City

Had my exchange 3 weeks ago two Mentor 800cc ultra high profile. At first I thought they appeared slightly squarish but now after three weeks are rounding out nicely and I have enough projection and I have great cleavage which makes me very happy. I had 40 D's or double D's depending previous to BMX. I am the only person who thinks that I look small comparativeIy. I think I look like I have small C and everyone else thanks I look like I have D's I don't know if it's just that my brain cannot see something different than what I was or what LOL how long did your plastic surgeons ask you to wait for your tattoos?

Shoregirl, it's been over a month since I had nip recon and so far I like the results. I feel like they aren't just mounds anymore. They look very real. So no regrets from me yet! And I had radiation, so I was worried it wouldn't take on the radiated side. My cousin had hers done (nip recon with tattoos by Vinnie) several years ago and she says hers look great.

My PS also recommended against them--maybe because she doesn't do them! I had to get another PS who was known for his work.

I had nipple and areola reconstruction 2 months ago and I am very happy with my results. My inner thighs where the areola skin grafts came from was a difficult recovery. The thigh incisions were very uncomfortable for weeks. I'm not sure I would do that part again. The nipples have flattened out some but I still have nice projections. If I wear a thin shirt you can see them but if I wear a thin bralette they are totally covered. My ps originally was apprehensive to do the nipple and areola reconstruction, I think mainly he just didn't have many women who want the surgery. I just had my 2 month follow up with pictures and he said he was going to us my pictures to start a local website women can go to to see great before and after pictures. I'm so proud of my foobs!!

Hi Carla,

Let me start by saying pre-pec is so easy. Goodness, I hardly pay attention to them anymore and do basically everything as usual now that I'm getting close to 9 months out. However, mine are only 290cc and I have the anatomical which I think works for me.

I believe most, if not all, PS will use an ADM (I think that's what it's referred to) such as alloderm to create a sling to hold the implant so it's not just your skin. Having the anatomical I had to patiently let everything heal in place and I was fortunate to not have issues with that.

Fat grafting does help with hiding edges but mine is so-so as I'm unusually thin through my rib cage. I can tell the edges are there but my PS assures me that if some of my grafted fat hadn't stayed the edges would be much more obvious. A fair amount of fat is needed to help with padding for these, I guess. I have also have rippling but I'm ok with it as I can hide it well in a bra. A little side boobage from the implant width (I was told she even tucked it some to help, but I don't think implants were necessarily made for my body shape!). Overall I don't feel it's too bad. I do select swim suit tops that cover this area (but don't we do all do this to some degree with various body parts we don't love?).

Anyway, I wouldn't rule out pre-pec as an option, but I'd certainly ask a lot of questions. I recall my PS saying that often she "knows" the right choice for a patient. Meaning if sub-pec or pre-pec would be the correct choice. At the time I was only asking about myself so I can't say what she might have suggested for someone with a larger implant size (I think you said maybe 700cc?). In my case she was 50/50 with pros\cons for both options.

Good luck making your decision and hope that helps some!

I had a revision surgery yesterday to fix a capsular contracture I was having on my right (cancer) side with radiation. I had a BMX done in 2015 with TE placement and then exchange surgery in July 2016. Now I've had the revision to only the right implant. I was told my PS ended up putting in a slightly bigger implant and did some fat grafting from my stomach to help around the implant. I'm pretty sore especially in the stomach and at the incision site. I know it is normal but I'm just feeling sorry for myself right now. Want the pain away!

I also have post mastectomy pain syndrome.  I am out 3 years.   It is getting worse, not better.   Don't know what the answer is.  I read columns and people that say they have removed their implants and it is no better.

Carrie,

It took over a month for my stomach to stop feeling weird from the lipo. It was pretty bruised for weeks. But it will get better!

THere is a PMPS thread & the link is below. For the newbies, just remember this is a minority. Most of us do just fine, Chae, I'm sorry for your continuing problems.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/136/topic...

Scottiesmom, I thought you had to wait at least 6 months after exchange? I am very excited for you!! I wanted to thank everyone on this thread. While my right implant is still slightly smaller and slightly off to the right I took the advice to continue wearing tight sports bras 24/7 and the right looks better and isn't moving like before. Left is improving though still misshapen and lumpy. I am much happier with the outcome.

Carrie: Sending you waves of gentle healing and kindness.

I'm on a parallel course: I will have revision surgery on June 30 to fix a capsular contracture on my left side. I had a BMX done in 11/2015 with TE placement and then exchange surgery in January 2016.

Libber: best wishes on your September appointment.

Chae: could a second opinion help?

Scottiemom: congrats on your 3D tattoos!!

Molly: glad you're having some improvement.

noodlesmom: my totally non scientific observations are that the TE seems bigger and more obtrusive because they're so hard. I had TEs filled to 450cc switched out for 475cc silicone implants and the implants seem much smaller and less obvious. I didn't want too big of a result either. I'm just a little smaller than my natural breasts were and my tops do fit better.

Thank you, EastcoastTS. I've heard from several people that the 300 range would be the right way to go. Once I get closer to the exchange, I'll make sure to talk with my PS and closely look at all of his photo books. As for my size, it's

I have a question for you--or anyone who can weigh in--about pain I'm having with the expander on one side. The right side is fine, stiff and tight, but healing. The left side (which I've had some trouble with inflammation and has been drained twice) is giving me almost constant pain. It's a burning, stabbing feeling just under the expander. If I try to do the simple stretches, that side is beyond painful. I reached to get something yesterday and honestly saw stars. It almost feels like there is a stitch that's too tight so when I attempt to reach or stretch, something inside is pulling. Has anyone experienced this? I'm at about 3 1/2 weeks post op. Thank you!!

I have the 300 cc Smooth rounds and feel like they are just the right size. My rib cage is 29.5 inches. After exchange, I wear a 32D or 34C. On your pathology report, it will tell you how many grams of tissue was removed during your MX. I think this is a good way to gauge your final size. For example, I had 200 grams (=ccs) removed and 300 ccs put back in, so I'm about 50% larger than I was pre- MX. I know this is not an exact comparison, but if you want to stay the same size after exchange as you were pre-MX, try shooting for about the same number of ccs as you had removed.

Noodlesmom: I just got back on here after a few weeks and just saw some of your issues. I didn't read too far back in your posts so I may be way off here...

3 /12 weeks is really soon. I know you are probably already over the physical limitations, but my PS was adamant that the pocket needed to heal with as little extra jostling and movement as possible. Also, this seems a little different from what I often see, but I had a hard time the first month or so with my TEs and it got a little better eventually. The plastic edges were so sharp and actually felt better after a few fillups. The edges rounded out and weren't so irritating. When my PS put the expanders in after my BMX, however, he didn't fill them up at all. So, basically, there was just a hard piece of plastic under muscle that had just been cut through. Again, the fillups softened the edges of the expanders and gave me a little relief...

Noodles. . .I agree with all here. I could not reach or stretch at 3-4 weeks after BMX. It was a good three months before I could lift anything, even after I went back to work I was limited for some time. Hang in there and give yourself time to heal.

Scottie