Exchange City

TrmTab, my exchange was 6/16. I would have done the revision much sooner but I had to see my mom and both of my dogs through hospice and then my PS vacations a lot in the summers so I requested a date when she was done with that. Ideally I would have preferred to have done the revision after about 6 mos. I was well healed and could clearly see all the issues then.

15.5 is really wide. Have you checked out Natrelle Inspiras?

I have the Natrelle Inspira TCX 800...yes 15.5 is wide and compared to the TE measurements, wider than either dimension...which is why the math teacher in me is thinking the 15 or 14.5 sizes might be a better match...

I had pocket work and the PS says that is why I have so much bruising...

I have been released to go back to yoga/pilates classes as of next week, with the idea that I need to build up to more and more weight bearing postures. So I plan to go to one class next Wed, two classes the week after and if all progresses, go back to my 3 (sometimes 4) classes the weeks that follow...

SRX-700 14.25 6.6
SRX-750 14.50 6.7
SRX-800 15.50 6.7

I can't find a TCX size chart but my PS said the dimensions were the same as the SRX

Hello minute, I had Bmx with TEs then EX 6 months later with perfect results and no need for revision. It is possible! I have the Allergan 410 gummies. Filled to 420, 475 FF implants. Being anatomical, they have a natural appearance because they are teardrop shape and give a good upper poll look. I love them. Minus Two has them too.

I can send you a PM with pictures if you want. I also have the 3D nipple tattoos.

Robin

Minute - Robin is right on. I also have Allergan 410 anatomical implants, installed in Sept 2011 - so 6 years out. I never had any problems and I am happy with the results. Although it did take awhile for all the interior swelling to go down. It didn't take as long as I expected to get used to the implants because they were ten million times better than the TEs. No rippling, no dog ears & the scars are almost invisible.

I think a lot of this depends on the expertise of your PS. When the anatomical implants first came out, there were not many docs who were trained in the very different surgery that it required. It would be useful to find out how many implants of the kind you are considering that your PS does every month.

I had my exchange yesterday. The left with the flap has 750cc mentor smooth round high profile and my right breast 800 mentor smooth round high profile, I know I shouldn't look but I did. As I'm crying they look so flat,. I had fat graphing from my belly. I can see they went thru belly button and 2 other spots. My belly is very sore. My new implants are a little sore. , I pray there implants fluff up😢😢😢

I sure hope they don’t get smaller!

Meg:

So glad you're feeling good after Exchange. One year in expanders. You're tough! I had mine for six months -- and they were doable -- but it's amazing that Exchange brings instant relief from those things.

Thank you!

lynae23 it will be so great to get the expanders out! Hoping Nov 1 comes quickly for you!

Today is 5 weeks post-op, still bruised but that is getting better, my breastbone is still sore where pocket work was done...I take a picture each Friday so now have a slide show to show progress!

I still need to pad my native breast to come even with the implant...tcx800...I think/hope I am seeing some settling and some reduction in swelling...at the half inch level.

I think it will be months, so the 10-14 weeks folks have come back with for loss of swelling seems like I am in that category too before I really know how this looks....

These cohesive round implants are firm, I don't see this as getting my "squishies" as others have said...I would love to get a massage, but can't foresee when I will be able to lie flat on my belly with this implant!

thanks Meg...me too!! I cannot wait to sleep on my sides again and maybe one day my stomach lol! It's been soooo long sleeping on my back! I hope these slicone implants are softer.

Man a massage sounds awesome too...been at least a year since my last!! I had not thougt about the belly pillow! I may have to try that! Did you ladies have or currently have a lot of lower back pain? I sure do and it just seems worse not sure it's normal from chemo or from these heavy TEs

For any of you who had radiation with tissue expanders, can you tell me how long you had to wait for your exchange surgery after radiation ended? Also, how did you fair through radiation? I am getting close to being finished with chemo and will start rads next month. I am getting worried because they said my skin is thin on the cancer side. I don't want to have gone through all of this expansion and then have the rads ruin everything.

OCDAmy I had to wait six months from end of radiation to exchange. My surgeon said she feels the longer the better, the more healing the more likely the positive outcome. So I ended up waiting closer to eight months after radiation (which meant I had my expanders for a year.) It wasn't fun, but I figure I had one shot at these implants working. I just finished my exchange and my skin is in great condition, so far things look very good. I used Mepitel during radiation, I don't if that was the reason but my skin held up very well. You might talk to your RO about it as a possibility. Studies are out there (if you look in the radiation threads there is discussion on them) to support it.

Meg, thanks for the information. I can't imagine having these expanders that long but I guess it's just one more thing to add to the list of cancer crap we have to put up with. I see my PS next week so I'll see what her plan is.

Greetings!

I've been following this thread for about 6 weeks and finally decided to say hello!

I finished chemo on  August 31 and will have my exchange surgery on November 2! I can't wait to have the TE out!

Thank you for sharing your experiences.  I will do the same!