Relief after exchange?

Options
OG56
OG56 Member Posts: 897
edited June 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I will be having my exchange surgery in 2 weeks I have found my tissue expanders uncomfortable most of the time. Did the majority of you find it a relief to have implants versus expanders and how long did it take you to recover after surgery?

Thank you,

Linda

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited April 2017

    Anything is better than TupPerware foobs. Of course there will be surgical pain and probably drains,but at sometime you can even sleep on your Tummy again. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited April 2017

    Thank you for your response🌼

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WIhockeymom
    WIhockeymom Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2017

    I'm with you OG56! I am anxiously awaiting my exchange in June. The T.E.s are incredibly uncomfortable! They told me to expect about 4 weeks off of work, but I am hoping for closer to 2.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited April 2017

    I only took a couple of DAYS off work. If you can manage 2 weeks that would be great and you'll feel much better. At least no one will be shoving a needle in you all the time pumping those expanders up!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited April 2017

    Do I need actual care for more than 2 days?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2017

    I just had my Rt TE taken out with an implant over the muscle on Friday, 4/21. My lt side was already done. The pain was next to zero. I teach and went back to work yesterday. I'm tired, but that's about it! Easiest part of the whole process. Oh, and now I have two soft foobs instead one soft and one rock hard. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited May 2017

    had my exchange one week ago and it went very well I had minimal to no pain afterwards which was wonderful because my BMX was really awful. The foobs have a little rounding out to do but it's only been a week so I will not focus on that I have great cleavage and I think my breasts are big enough I just think they look a little squarish right now but my doctor said that that will change so I will patiently wait for that. Thank you ladies for all of your input really appreciate it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jennyannk73
    Jennyannk73 Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2017

    Thanks for posting this. I'm upset tonight this evening and think ive made a terrible mistake in choosing to reconstruct. Mine was delayed due to whole breast radiation. Had TE's put in (under muscle) a week ago today , as well as having my port and ovaries removed. I am still in a great deal of pain, I can't sleep worth a cr** because I am normally a side sleeper. My double mastectomy was a cake-walk in comparison. I expected pain, but this has been off the hook miserable. Since the narcotic police are so active my ps will only gives enough for two days, and then muscle relaxers are all we can get and they aren't helping much ....I can hardly wait to start filling process next week. I'm hopeful that once I exchange I will get to feel comfortable again. Sleep on my side. Sorry for the rant, just wearing out from constantly hurting. I wish I had never done this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUUZBEE
    BUUZBEE Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2017

    I hope things are feeling a bit better now Jenny...

    I have only had the BMX with the TE's under the muscle in the one surgery.... not all you've gone through... But i do feel your pain. My chest is so tight, and I can't sleep anywhere buy on my back... and that has now given me back aches! I go for my first filling tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited June 2017

    I had pretty severe pain from my TEs, and during the fill process the thing that relieved my pain the most (besides pain killers) was massage from my physical therapist. Just want to reassure those with similar pain that the relief I felt at exchange was pretty much immediate. I healed from the exchange quickly and my implants give me no trouble at all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited June 2017

    Loving this thread. I'm interested in Exchange surgery advice, too, as I have it coming up in Sept.

    However, for those early in the TE stage, at least for me, it got A LOT better once I healed from BMX and started getting fills. Yes, fills were uncomfortable for a day or so...but they relieved some of the edges digging into nerves or muscle or whatever the heck they were digging into. It sort of seemed to lift them off the pain points.

    Hugs to all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories