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  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2018

    TWillis- Small world! I saw a surgeon at Moffitt, where I'm being treated. Dr Dayicioglu. I know a few people who work there and those that know her, say good things about her. I think maybe we're on different wave lengths!

    Shoregirl, thanks for your note! I'm glad things worked out for you! I'm not really looking for big implants, I'll put fat grafting on the list to research.

    MinusTwo, thanks to you, too! I think I really need to get more opinions now that I have a better idea of how things go.

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  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2018

    Flynn- I have Alloderm, but I had radiation so my skin is very thin. You might want to explore the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. I didn't go there, but have a few friends who did, I live in the South so its one of the easier places to travel for surgery. I also felt a little rushed on my surgery and was told I wasn't a candidate for DIEP (I had lost a ton of weight during chemo, which was temporary, but surgery after chemo meant I didn't have much to work with.) While I had my TE's in, I did go get a second opinion on a DIEP from someone who does just those and did end up being a candidate. But once I heard more about the process I decided on implants. So far so good. But you are the point now where you shouldn't feel rushed. I had my expanders in for almost a year-- take your time and make the right choice for you. Traveling for reconstruction isn't as bad as you may think. I traveled for mine (but went up to Boston.) I had to stay near my surgeon for a couple of weeks, turned it into a bit of a vacation, my husband went with me and drove me around and we ate out, went to museums, etc. It was actually FAR less tempting to overdo it when I was away from home, things that temp me are laundry and heavy kids backpacks, etc. I had grandparents come and stay with the kids for that time, they got some quality time with them. Another option could be to have a good friend or other family member with you for surgery. Happy to share any logistics I can if you go that route.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2018

    Minustwo and I both have the Allergan 410 gummies. I have mine under pecs and my PS used my own muscle instead of alloderm. My pockets were perfect and hold my implants perfectly. He doesn’t like to use alloderm because there is some risk of rejection.

    I have 3D nipple tattoos which finish the look! My friend had a lat dorsi with saline implants. They look great but that is such a serious procedure that took a lot of recovery. My EX surgery was so simple and much easier than bmx. Just remember, just because you can doesn’t mean you should!

    Robin


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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited January 2018

    Flynn, I'm sure you're in great hands at Moffitt. It's so daunting trying to figure everything out, especially with reconstruction. Good luck:)



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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    Flynn:

    I have pre-pec implants and alloderm was used with TEs but I don't think she added more with Exchange surgery. (I know I should know this.) I'm doing well with implants though mine are small compared to many here. (275cc) But I'm about 100 lbs soaking wet! And they look big to me! ;)

    I didn't have fat grafting but many do. I may do that with a later revision due to very minor rippling. Not enough to do now (bugging me, that is).

    Good luck!

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  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2018

    meg2016, thanks for your note! I’ve read other people on here mention New Orleans as an option. It’s good to know that you were able todeal with traveling pretty easily. I’ll get back to you if I end up going that route.

    Robin, I’m happy to know that there are people who do implants w/o Alloderm. This is shaping up to be more complicated than I realized but I think I’m getting a good list of questions. Thanks for your input!

    EastcoastTS- it’s amazing to me how many different ways there are to do this! I think I need to learn more about rippling, I’m not sure what that looks like. Thanks!

    It came up at my fill appt today that I can’t have an MRI while I have the TE’s in. Since I’m TN, I’ll have to see how that plays out with whatever path I go with. I was expecting an MRI at 6 months.

    Have a great weekend, everyone!!

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  • amtreb
    amtreb Member Posts: 29
    edited January 2018

    Hi ladies!

    Just wanted to post that I had my exchange surgery yesterday and it went great!!!

    I was on the fence between round and anatomical implants, and went with round. Since I am pre-pec even with fat grafting I figured you may see the implant and i'd rather have it look round that how some have described the anatomicals to look squarish.

    He used the Natarelle Inspiras high profile 420cc's that look great day 1 :)

    Any tips on keeping the transferred fat to survive???

    Thank you to all who have been of help to me!!!

    A

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    So glad it went well, Amtreb!!!

    I didn't have fat grafting, so will leave advice to more experienced ladies.

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  • BringOn2017
    BringOn2017 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    Hi amtreb glad all is well. Take it easy. No experience with fat grafting myself.

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  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited January 2018

    Hi amtreb, glad it went well. I had some fat grafting done at exchange, not alot, but some. I was told NOT to wear any type of compression bra so that a good blood flow could get established to the fat. Pretty much stayed in Coobies or yoga type bras so that I had some support without being too tight. Don't know if that conflicts with what your PS told you to do/not do but thought I'd sound in. I think I've kept some of the fat but probably not all of it, since it wasn't alot it's hard to tell.

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  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 178
    edited January 2018

    Hi!

    My exchange and symmetry surgery is set for April 24th.

    What should I expect for recovery time if I'm getting silicone implants (no fat grafting) in both the reconstructed and the healthy breast (my PS will remove fat to place implant)?

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2018

    amtreb...glad it went well!

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    Sweet Pea:

    I'm not sure exactly how to answer because I had implant exchange to both sides. Prior to Exchange, I went back months on this forum and read a lot -- just to read other's experiences.

    Exchange is SO much easier than mastectomy surgery. So much that you'll be tempted to do more than you should early on. I had a lot of pocket work, so that delayed my recovery a little -- but honestly, I felt very good right away. But some soreness, again, due to pocket work I think. I really tried to take it easy for a couple of months on lifting and all that to preserve the pocket and protect it.

    Good luck. I'm sure someone with more relevant info will chime in!


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  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    I’m joining this page too. I’m on board for an exchange in March or April. It’s a relief to know the worst of the surgeries is over.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    Welcome, Ghionik!!!

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  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    Thank you!

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  • BringOn2017
    BringOn2017 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    Hi Ghionik Welcome!

    I just had my exchange (no fat grafting) 3 weeks ago. My doctors told me to ease back in slowly and yes this surgery is nothing like my first. My PS nurse still gave me same instructions of not raising my arms above my head for 6 weeks and keeping the post op bra for 6 weeks. Also to avoid carrying anything heavy for the first few week.

    I started walking for about 20 minutes to half an hour from about 3 days post op. I can do somethings around the house but I am careful not to overdo it, as if I try to get  I get pain over my sternum, - I think that is where the insertion of the muscles is. And I get by with some help from my little one and the DH. I have a cleaner in once a week to do the regular cleaning, but I can cook and wash the plates, though I cannot do the bed as the quilts are heavy. My work involves a lot of physical activity so I haven't gone back yet - no chance of easing in at work. Once I'm back, I'm back! I've been told to avoid jogging for a few months and even weights. I found the following post op instructions helpful and reasonably sensible. 

    http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/Surgery/PlasticSurgery/BreastReconstruction/BreastTEexchangepostop.pdf

    I haven't got back to driving yet. How long did the rest of you take before you got back to driving?


    Good luck but believe me this one is a dream near the mastectomy and tissue expander insertion. 


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  • Sweet_Pea
    Sweet_Pea Member Posts: 178
    edited January 2018

    Thanks EastCoastTS and BringOn2017! This information is so helpful. Hopefully more people will chime in too! That will give Ghionik and me an even better idea of what to expect. :)


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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2018

    Congrats on the successful surgery!  I didn't drive for 4 weeks (originally my PS said 6 weeks but then changed, based on my healing..)

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  • TrmTab
    TrmTab Member Posts: 832
    edited January 2018

    Wow, I had surgery on Friday and was driving on Monday post-exchange. I was told 48 hrs after opiods, but as I didn't take anything but Tylenol after I left the hospital Friday afternoon, I was clear to drive on Sunday afternoon and did drive on Monday.

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2018

    yes...my PS said that it was not that I couldn't drive but that he did not want me getting into a situation that caused me to suddenly steered hard to turn or twist around to see behind me...both moves could unsettle things too early. So much about driving depends on other factors I think. Maybe nothing would have happened but I just played it safe according to his advice.

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  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    Thanks for the info Bringon2017! I’m not having fat grafting done - just the implants when I do the exchange surgery. I’m hoping that is a faster recovery. My PS did say I’d be restricted again for doing things, but I didn’t really go into that with her as that was the day she released me to exercise again with these expanders. I left her office and went right to the gym to try a run on the treadmill! Lol

    One question to those getting the exchange. Are you all having to deal with the drains again like we all had for the mastectomies? I’m planning to donate my 2 camisoles I bought that have drain pockets, but am not sure if I will have drains on this second surgery so still have them

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  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2018

    Welcome, Ghionlik! I’m a newbie so no advice but reading along to try to learn more about everyone else’s experiences.

    Question for you ladies. How did you handle having some symmetry during expansions? I had a bilateral mastectomy but we are expanding my right side prior to radiation. So after my 2nd fill today, I can see my right side is definitely bigger and will continue to change whereas my left side remains flat. Today a baggy shirt is working but I started a LiveStrong program at the Y and I’m wearing workout clothes twice a week. Also have a couple social events coming up.

    Thoughts?

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  • Shoregirl
    Shoregirl Member Posts: 375
    edited January 2018

    Ghionik, I didn't have drains with my exchange even though the ps said I would most likely have them, but did have them with my revision. Everyone is different, and I guess the ps doesn't know for sure if you will need them until they get in there. I think I got the drains at revision because more Alloderm was placed.

    Bringon2017 I returned to driving 5 days after last revision. I think with my initial exchange I waited longer. For some reason it was tougher on my than my revision.

    Sweet Pea, recovery after my revision w/fat grafting was quick, I was out at the malls Christmas shopping 4 days later, with the drains!

    Amtreb, good to hear you are doing well!!

    Flynn, maybe you could pad your bra on the flatter side and just wear baggy tees to workout?

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  • Mimi68
    Mimi68 Member Posts: 112
    edited January 2018

    Ghionik,

    I am POD #2 of my exchange to downsize and I do have drains. I also have some discomfort that wasn’t there after the first exchange. So far they look very promising in terms o being smaller. I had extensive pocketwork due to downsizing.

    Mimi68

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2018

    Flynn - if you have TEs in both sides, why don't you ask them to start filling the opposite side part ways?

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  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited January 2018

    Ghionik,

    I also had drains after exchange. My PS said 95% chance I would not need drains, 5% chance I would, and I did end up with them. I actually had them almost 2 wks. I do know of ladies that didn't need drains after exchange but you may want to hold onto your camisoles until after your exchange just in case.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2018

    No drains for me and I have the Allergan gummies. There was a small possibility but when I had my BMX I only had drains 6 days. He was pretty sure I wasn’t going to need them. I drove after one week, but had the lifting restrictions like before. And not putting arms above shoulders. Just remember “just because you can doesn’t mean you should “. It is easy to overdo. I had some pocket work on one side to level them out.

    Robin


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  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2018

    Shoregirl, I guess it’s time to go back to bras. My old bras seem so big but maybe I can buy a smaller one and pad it. Thanks

    MinusTwo, my RO wants to only fill right side now b/c she thinks inflatiing left side may interfere with the beams. So, I have to fill one side, do radiation, then fill the left. It’s quite a process, apparently!

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    I did not have drains but was told it was possible. Had drains with BMX for 10 days.


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