Exchange City

I'm so thankful for your posts about being patient with the reconstruction process. My exchange surgery is April 24, so it's coming up although it feels far away and I'd like to get it over with already!

I was also glad to hear from women who felt upset with their new (smaller) size. My PS warned me that I would be smaller than before and I cried for 3 days. I think it was my mastectomy mourning period, I just had to get it out of my system. Nobody understood, all said things like, "You should be glad not to have cáncer anymore" and "I don't like my large size, anyway, it's not all it's cracked up to be." But I know you people understand, even if you haven't gone through the exact same thing. There's a special kind of empathy in this thread that I really love.

So I just wanted to get my surgery over with and see how I looked, but from what I can tell from your posts, that'll be a process of waiting and staying away from the mirror in moments of anxiety. My TE already looks small to me so I'm dreading being smaller than that. I'm overweight right now but had balanced curves before my unilateral masttectomy. Now I try to console myself with the fact that eventually I can go back to pushup bras with padding if I feel I need an extra something, although I don't really know if I can, to tell the truth!

I hear ya Sweet Pea! I can’t wait to get this step behind me! I’m T-16 days! Haha.

Ladies, in regards to recovery, how soon did you get back to any exercise? I’m usually fairly active, and it’s also a stress coping thing for me, so I’m eager, yet don’t want to wreck incisions etc

Wisdom from earlier in this thread:

"Just Because you Can doesn't mean you Should" Be sure to get your doc's approval before starting ANY exercise program. I wasn't even allowed to raise my arms above my shoulders for 3 weeks.

And secondly - "step away from the mirror". As several of you have recently mentioned, the final "LOOK" may take a long time. No point in trying to guess the outcome for several months.

Landri, the pocket work might be necessary to lift or lower the pocket to get symmetry. I had a tiny bit of pocket work on the right side to even it out with the left side. Not painful just like was said above, protect any sutures that are inside that you can't see. I have the tear drop anatomical and they require lots of protection so they will not rotate. They are textured so they can adhere to the chest wall/muscle. I couldn't lift my arms above my shoulders either for a long time. Be careful, you want those girls to sit right and tight in their places. Best of luck and get good after care instructions.

Robin

If you have anatomical implants (teardrops) you need to make sure you PS has lots of experience & creates a really well fitted pocket. That way you won't have possible trouble with rotation.

Hello all,

I will be having exchange surgery in early June. I had BMX with TEs, four rounds of TC, and then 28 rads with a bolus. My last rad was January 12 so I will be about 5 months after that for exchange. I was wondering how many of you had rads? My skin held up pretty well but I keep reading about problems with rads and implants and my PS is suggesting I consider lat flap or DIEP, both scare me and I don't really want that long recovery. Appreciate hearing any positive results with implants and radiated breasts.

I have GOT to remember to talk to my PS about anti-nausea drugs before surgery. I had a relatively easy time after lumpectomy and mastectomy, but exchange is at a different hospital and I sure don’t think I want to be puking after surgery! Maybe they can get the information from my hospital records from mastectomy. He was there so hopefully he has the notes on anesthesia making me so sick.

Dafne - Give it time....I was also sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed about the iron bra feeling...I am 4mos out from my exchange and it is getting better...so hang in there. I feel like I really turned the corner at the 3mos mark...and I am starting massaging underneath my implants, right where I feel the tightness and it is or seems to be improving!

I used the patch as well to prevent nausea during surgery post op....I put it on the night before. Had a dose of Zofran when I awoke and then took the patch once I got home.

By all means do ask for a "scop patch" (scopolamine) behind your ear before any surgery. It makes all the difference in the world coming out of surgery. No nausea at all.

Sweet Pea, I have always had an issue with anesthesia. My first lumpectomy several years ago, I threw up for 6 hours after surgery. They couldn’t let me go home till I stopped. It was awful. I told my BS and the anesthesiologist before my lumpectomy and mastectomy and they gave me some good drugs on board IV and I had no problems this time. I sure don’t want any after exchange either.

Geonik, I know, but lay low! Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! So enjoy the down time and give your body a chance to heal properly and not set yourself back.

When I had my EX, I was wrapped up tight for a week, just like with the BMX, just minus drains. But I have the textured gummie anatomical and they require a tight fit. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

Robin

Hi Dafne so glad you are doing well.

TaRenee I had problems in the past with general anaesthetic with vomitting even 2-3 days after. It waa terrible. But I spoke to the anaesthetist before my BMX and TEs and he changed the anaesthesia complety giving me total intravenous and avoiding the gases. And it worked like a dream. Ask about it. It was great.

Hello all!

I just want to chime in and say that I have been following you all! My exchange won't be until late May/early June but I want to be prepared. I was so happy to see Dafne chime in - I was waiting to hear how it went for you!

I am so glad to hear that the exchange is easier and that Kim had such a positive experience.

I also got sick after the BMX and a tissue expander replacement due to infection. I'll be sure to let everyone know ahead of time for the exchange.

Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences! It really does ease my mind - and I am sure many others who never post as well

Annie

@Dafne, be careful not to do too much with your unpacking! The boxes can wait but from what I hear, you can set yourself back a bunch if you overdo it. So glad you're feeling so much better tan after the BMX. Maybe the size difference will even out with time? Are you seeing your PS these days? Maybe tomorrow to have your stitches removed? I would ask because I can't imagine that they wouldn't have tried for near symmetry...even if you didn't say anything about the different sizes, that's their job!

Advice needed: I live at home alone with my 8 year-old (who will be at her dad's for my exchange surgery). After my mastectomy I went to a friend's house to stay a couple of days and so I would have some help (it was luxurious because I ate all my meals cooked by my friend for her kids, for instance). Do you all think I should stay the first night home (or two?) at her house again? I'm having surgery on both sides and staying one night in the hospital. I'm just not sure I need it with this surgery, everyone says it's so much better. Otherwise at home I'll be alone. Opinions? Experiences being alone after exchange surgery?

SweetPea - yes the exchange is much easier, but I still had drains and instructions not to life my arms over shoulder height and not to drive if I took pain pills. I spent one night in the hospital and my grown son spent two additional nights before I drove him to the airport - so three days total. Mostly I slept but wouldn't have done well watching out for a little one.