Bilateral Exchange surgery on Wednesday. How long for recovery?

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wallan
wallan Member Posts: 1,275
edited January 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hey all:

I have had full TEs on both sides in for close to 4 months and my exchange surgery under the muscle is scheduled for Wednesday.

The left side I had a mastectomy (no radiation) last March and the right side I had a mastectomy 14 years ago with rads. I had fat grafting on the right prior to the implant of the TE to build up the radiated skin.

My question: how long for recovery from this surgery? Do I get drains?

wallan

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  • ps0705
    ps0705 Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2018

    Good luck tomorrow. I am still in the process of building up my TE's so don't knoe the answer but am curious also as to thr recovery time.

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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited January 2018
    My exchange after 10 months is scheduled for Jan 30th!! A week from tmrw🙌! I can't wait to get these rocks aka expanders out. Interested in recovery time also. My plastic surgeon said no drains and about a week recovery but I'd like to hear others experiences also.
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  • Sitti
    Sitti Member Posts: 230
    edited January 2018

    Hey Wallan, March surgery sister!

    I had my exchange in September. Recovery is easier than MX by far. I was suppose to have prepectoral implants but the way my skin stretched on cancer side (too thin, I think cancer was close to skin) I ended up subpectoral. And also had to have more Alloderm placed to protect my thin skin. I say that because i did have drains for almost 2 weeks and maybe that is why. Told 95% wouldn't need them but I still ended up with them. I know every PS is different regarding what you can do. Mine has been pretty freeing the whole way, doesn't restrict much, not even after BMX. Mainly, no lifting more than 5-10lbs for a couple weeks. No heavy exercise. I just tried to not over due things since I felt pretty good.

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited January 2018

    Hi wallen I did my bilateral exchange Nov 13th or 15th - I did my exchange in my PS office in his surgical suite. AND THANK GOD THOSE DAMN HARD COCONUTS ARE GONE!!!! Me and the TEs were not speaking terms by the time they came out....

    1) no drains.

    2) recovery time much easier vs double mastectomy. I felt "good" by day 3 - but truly 7 days to feel out of the fog - BUT I also had hysterectomy Oct 23rd - so anesthesia twice in short time might have been the reason I felt that.

    3) I used OTC pain meds, but I had a big bottle of vicodin that he rx'd in case I needed. Also rx'd antibiotics that I took for 7 days.

    4) he went in through my smallest previous incision at my request. I the steri-strips on my incisions and he asked that I try my hardest to keep incisions covered for 2 weeks. I could not shower for 4 days. So I stayed in.

    5) My implants are silicone and at first I still had the belt around my chest sensation that those damn TEs brought on 24/7, or so it seemed. BUT I will say after 2 days I felt different after surgery and they were/are much more comfortable. I was worried about size. My PS pushed for larger, and I pushed for smaller. Smaller was the final decision/outcome and even after surgery I thought they were a little big..but now they are settling and I am pleased. So just knows yours will settle in their pockets - give it a good 4-6wks.

    6) To date I have had no complications and the belt around my chest feeling comes and goes but it is starting to fade....

    I had 5 surgeries since May and when I woke up from this one - I was elated to be done! Happy exchange surgery to you!!! Sending happiness and healing thoughts your way for a speedy recovery and a fantastic outcome!!

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited January 2018

    Oh and yes lifting limitations for 4wks (nothing over 5lbs )- he still says max 5-10lbs...but I have a garage door that weighs more that I lift 4 times a day... After 1 week I was cleared for the precor or tread mill or longer distance walking if I wanted. I know that many PS's still recommend a bra....mine does not. However, he and I agreed I would keep them supported at night while I slept until further notice from him. So that is what I do.

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited January 2018

    Hi Peacetoallcuzweneedit : Thanks so much! This helps tremendously. Its funny that your PS was pushing for larger. Mine is pusher for smaller. LOL. I am getting bigger than I was naturally, but not as big as I would like. I was always very tiny so having boobs is awesome for me. I can't wait to have them feel softer and not so rigid. I too have had several surgeries this year so this will be my last one and I will be "done". Hard to believe.

    Hey Sitti: March surgery sister!! My PS is not restrictive either except for no lifting for 4-6 weeks anything over 5 lbs. I do want to return to work as quickly as I can. So I am hoping no drains and quick recovery. Are you still happy with your results now that things have settled some?

    Hey LeesaD: Good luck with your surgery! It is exciting....!!!

    wallan


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  • adrachim
    adrachim Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    My exchange surgery is tomorrow as well.  I was told that I would not need drains unless I bled more than normal.  I am so ready to get these expanders out.


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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited January 2018

    Hey adrachim:

    Good luck tomorrow!

    Me too... I can't wait to see the end result either.

    wallan

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  • adrachim
    adrachim Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    Hey Wallan how did the exchange go?


    I am so relieved mine is done.  they are so soft and so much more comfortable. I tog.  ok a quick peek and I think they look pretty amazing.  Will do some touch up and start nipple construction in about 6 weeks.

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited January 2018

    Hi:

    My exchange went well so far. At home recovering. How did yours go?

    I have a bandeau bra on for 24 hours a day for two weeks. They did revision on the right side to lift up the implant for symmetry so it is a bit more sore than the left side. In fact, no pain on the left side.

    My boobs do look smaller than with the TE's but the same size implants were put in as were the TE fills. I think its because they are somewhat compressed in the elastic bandeau bra and are way softer.

    The "reveal" will be in two weeks so I can assess then.

    I must say I still feel whoozy from the anaesthesia and all the morphine they had me on after surgery. I can't wait for that to pass. And a hoarse, sore throat from the breathing tube. I think Arimidex dries up all my membranes, so the sore throat is worse than normal. Diffusing essential oils I think will help with that.

    As for restrictions, no lifting over 10 lbs for six weeks, no pulling/pushing heavy doors etc and no strenous exercise for 6 weeks. And then no muscle work outs for 12 weeks.

    I will return to work Monday probably if I feel better - ie not whoozy. I can drive once I have no pain. Pain is minimal really.

    Thanks for asking. I will keep you updated

    wallan

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    Wallan:

    Sorry I missed this but head over to this forum for any and all Exchange questions. Maybe you've already found it! Helpful even after for bra advice, etc.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

    Good luck to all. Exchange is a breeze compared to BMX. Other surgeries I can't compare. But give it time. It's taken about 4 months for me to settle down and really see good results!

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  • BringOn2017
    BringOn2017 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2018

    Hi Wallan I remember you in Moonflower's TE thread back in March. I had my exchange 5 weeks ago, and I'm doing fine. Glad you're doing well too. Take care. Keep us posted.

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