Exchange City

I totally agree with Robin, we're all entitled to a melt-down. We are trying to get back to the best degree something we've forever lost and in our minds we're hoping for the best outcomes and want to be included in the process. I have driven my poor PS crazy I'm sure. I've looked at his before and after photos and I have to admit, many "afters" were better than the "befores". I know this doesn't diminish the affects of the emotional loss and the stress we've been under mentally and physically so I hope that statement isn't offensive to anyone. My PS comes highly recommended and I've talked at length about what I want and don't want and shown him pictures and given him a world of advice to which here lately he just looks at me with arms crossed, smile on his face, and shakes his head. I've had to resolve myself to the fact that he is the professional, is aware of my wants and expectations, and with that in mind, will try his best to give me the best silicone implants for my situation to achieve the best outcome for me.

I hope I'm not sounding irresponsible for giving up so much control but the more I read the more I'm confused and now its nice to know its outta my hands. I wish everyone whose taken this journey the best and much happiness. Everyone deserves it.

Hi ladies! I'm scheduled for exchange and fat grafting on 9/20...just 1 week away...ACK!!! I'm nervous because it's surgery but I'm excited because I want this expander out! The general consensus, from what I've read, is that recovery should be much smoother and quicker than mastectomy (I had SMX). So, I'm looking forward to that! However, I'd like to know if anyone could offer any tips or suggestions for supplies I should have on hand, any items for comfort or even "do this, not that" type of info. I'm also having my left breast augmented at the same time.

Any info would be appreciated!

VegGal-Thanks for that info!

When does the swelling begin to subside? For now, I'm scheduled to return to work on Monday, 9/25 unless I'm just not feeling up to it.

Yes, ice packs. I wasn't expecting to be so bruised...but I am really bruised breastbone and under breast on L-MX side that had implant put in on Friday (I'm 5 days post-op) and on the medial side of my native breast -- that was really a surprise. I hadn't expected this to be a big blood surgery but as the pocket needed to be "scored" to remove scar tissue, this created blood/bruising.

As of this morning, my swelling is going down but I am still really swollen...on Monday and Tuesday I measured around my chest...45", today 44" which would make me a DDD and my native is a D, so hoping swelling will continue to go down.

My MX side is starting to go into the yellow range of bruise, so that is also progress.

Had surgery Friday, went to my office Monday...total desk job with private office so I can moderate how active I actually am...or am not...but with 82 y.o. mother at home, better to be out of the house and slow moving than in the house and having to take care of someone else...but I only took Tylenol once I left the hospital, so didn't have restrictions based on taking meds.

Buffy - one of the most important things to remember is Stay Away From the Mirror. Swelling can last several months (yes, months) while everything inside heals. The final appearance won't be in evidence for 3 months or more. Good luck.

I had my exchange surgery after my BMX and I found it to be such an easy surgery I was so surprised they had prepared me to have a moderate amount of pain afterwards. I had no bruising however I did have a moderate amount of swelling. I took pain pills to sleep because I had to sleep in my recliner for a couple of nights and I don't do that well so the pain pills mostly were just to be comfortable enough to sleep. I had 800cc Inspira extra high profile. My only issue is my incision initially my incisions were supposed to stop just after my armpit and not up onto the breast Mound but they had to keep extending it because it was healing in like three little jagged lines on the end. Because I'd had 38 double Ds and my breast tissue went under my armpit and partially onto my back they did a long scar and at exchange they did a lot of liposuction and I have to say for any big breasted women out there it is awesome and you look so much thinner just not having all that breast fat under your arms or the back fat LOL I hope all you ladies have successful exchanges and a minimal amount of pain. I figured my minimal pain during Exchange was a blessing because the pain after my BMX was on a scale of 1 to 10 a 25.

Buffy, if they're taking fat from your stomach, expect that area to be sore. It helped to wear sweat pants and not jeans or anything with a zipper. I even bought a few pairs of dressier pants from Macy's that were pull on that I could wear to work. The pants with zippers were pretty uncomfortable for a few weeks.

Sent my PS office pictures of my bruising (they said yes it looks horrible, but not concerned given 6 days post op) BUT, when I mentioned I was using ice packs that the hospital sent me home with ...NO, stop ice packs,vasoconstriction...if the swelling or bruising is bothering me take a pain med vs ice pack! I feel you never get the same answer from two people...oh well, no more ice packs.

Buffyjc, I have my exchange on the 20th too! I'm glad you asked your question as it's helpful. I'm ready to relieve these expanders of their duty! That being said, I'm still pretty nervous, I think about the final outcome. Wishing you the very best.

Public service announcement re fat grafting: the breasts must NOT be iced after fat grafting. AT ALL. The cold impedes the newly transplanted fat from forming a new blood supply, which it needs to survive.

Do not count on all medical professionals to know this. My PS and the PS's nurse warned me repeatedly not to ice the breast area after the fat transfer ... yet, I woke up from the fat grafting surgery with two ice packs right on top of my breasts. I immediately told the nurse that I thought icing was a no-no? She checked with someone and then removed them immediately.

Icing the host site, on the other hand, is great.

Thank you for this! I remembered "no ice packs" for BMX in order to preserve skin integrity (and because lack of nerves means no clue whether it's too cold), but GREAT information to have since I'll be heading in my exchange--with fat grafting--1 week from today.

Thank you!!

I had fat grafting done in March (outer thighs). I used Dermend for the bruising and it worked great. You can get it from Walmart or any drug store. The pain from this procedure was minimal BTW, but I think I lost a lot of it. I have a second FG scheduled in October, this time from my lower back.

Hav a great weekend everyone!

Just a quick heads up, while Arnica is great for bruising, if you have any kidney problems, check w/your Nephrologist. Mine told me NOT to take Arnic or use it topically. Apparantly it acts like NSAIDS which are contraindicated in kidney patients.

Wishing Sitti, Nooodlesmom and Motheroftwins positive outcomes w/your upcoming exchanges!!

I am having a revision Nov 29 which will include fat grafting. Since I can't use Arnica, I will eat lots of pineapple in the weeks leading up to and following surgery as it is also supposed to help healing.

2Fun yes, there are little Arnica pellets (Homeopathic) you can take orally. It is highly diluted for oral use because the herb itself is highly toxic. Source Arnica Montana WebMD I got the tip from a plastic surgeon at Georgetown University Med Center in Washington, DC. Here is a link to an article supporting this claim. I love fresh pineapple!!

Hi Ladies,

I am scheduled for my exchange surgery on Nov 3rd (woo-hoo!!!). I have two questions:

1) My husband will be with me for the surgery and two days after but then is traveling for work for 2 weeks on the 5th. My PS has given me the restrictions of no raising arms and no lifting >5 lbs for 2 weeks and no driving until off narcotics. If I have food prepared ahead, use Lyft for all rides I need and hire a snow shoveler (in case of snow--in our city we have to keep sidewalks shoveled), then I should be OK alone, right? Or should I have a relative come? I actually think I heal better when relatives aren't here and I can just rest.

2) Did anyone else here get saline implants? My PS uses Mentor smooth round, but I prefer saline. Would love to hear from others who got saline and the comfort of them compared to TEs. My PS says saline will feel harder than silicone.

thanks everyone.