April Exchange Surgery Group

Sweetpea, my expanders are under the muscle as well so sub-pectoral. I have nothing to compare it to but I guess it made recovery worse. I'm still hopeful the implant exchange won't be too bad. I'm so ready for this surgery already. Sleeping with these rock hard balls in my chest is getting real old.

I had my exchange surgery with fat grafting on Wednesday. I wish I could say all is well but not feeling very good today. Nauseous most of the day although I did manage a shower. Very swollen up top and around my torso from lipo. And one strange symptom of facial numbness, particularly both my upper and lower lips. I had bloodwork done yesterday to rule out an electrolyte imbalance, all is fine there. So I guess I just wait and see what happens and hope the feeling comes back!

Day 5 is thankfully going better, however the feeling in my lips has still not returned. I haven't taken any pain medication other than ibuprofen since Saturday so that is good. Still tired and very sore from the fat grafting, but otherwise doing well. My chest is swollen, not much pain. I have been wearing the post op bra religiously with the exception of last night where I changed into a more comfortable one that did not cut off my circulation. I woke up the night before with terrible muscle spasms which I think was the result of the tight bra band. I have also switched to spanx instead of the binder that I was sent home with. The implants are as advertised, large round doughnuts I had Allergen 133 TE 15 inch diameter filled to 600cc, now I have Natrelle Inspira Cohesive SCF (smooth cohesive full)-650cc. I'm hoping to be no bigger than a D size, however time will tell. I am just happy to be at this point!

Sweet Pea and others. I had the exchange done on my right side. I got the round gummy bear implant Sientra 440, and while the tissue expander looked like it was about the size of the left breast (that I still had at the time), this just doesn't look right. It's too small or too high or too flat or too something. Maybe it's the lack of a nipple. it's funny because the whole time I was telling my PS to make sure he didn't go too big.

I guess part of the problem is my postpartum body. I was diagnosed while pregnant and am only 5 months postpartium and just not happy with the belly pooch. I suppose that's one reason things don't look quite right, the proportions are off. I have a follow up with the PS tomorrow and will definitely ask him, but would love some advice for those who may have experienced something similar.

The left prophylactic mastectomy side is doing okay. If you recall, they weren't able to do immediate reconstruction due to poor blood flow, so there's a tissue expander there instead. The area looks less bruised, so i assume that's a good sign. I'm waiting to hear back from the radiation oncologist to determine if I have to wait until after radiation (May-July) before starting fills and doing the exchange.

When I left the hospital I was prescribed Vicodin, Valium, an antibiotic, and colace. Yesterday I tried Tylenol rather than Vicodin, and today I dropped the valium and added ibuprofen between Tylenol doses, to see if I can manage that way. It's been okay.

I was feeling pretty overwhelmed and frustrated. I can't hold my baby, can't drive, I have tons of help and it's driving me crazy. I am lucky to have so much support and it's not them, it's the situation. I hate being dependent and out of control. I was finally starting to feel better, but the prophylactic mastectomy has thrown me back into those vulnerable days, and I've had a couple big cries today. I just want my husband to be home and I want my space. I've retreated upstairs with the laptop and left the grandparents to deal with the kids for much of the day. I either want to be in charge or left alone. Not sure how to address these feelings.

TaRenee - So glad to hear you're doing well!

I met with both my breast surgeon and my plastic surgeon today for post-op visits. They were very pleased with the way the left (prophylactic mastectomy) side was healing, especially since there had been concerns about blood flow. I'm supposed to apply Aquaphor regularly to encourage healing. I did talk to my PS about the right (implant, no nipple) not looking quite right, but he also reminded me that there was no reason we couldn't make adjustments in the future. But it's best for me to get past radiation and past the post-partum phase. I think I'll take the next few months to eat healthy and be a bit more active. I think if I lose 10lbs, I'll look much more like myself and more proportionate. Larger boobs always make me look chubby and matronly, and I want to avoid that! When it's time to reconstruct the left, we can think about if the right needs revision. I still have my drain, so I'll need to go back next week, but I'm generally feeling better.

I had my implant exchange surgery this morning at 8 and was released from the hospital at 11. I have 2 drains again. He also put in the numbing exparel before closing and I had pectoral blocks placed pre-op. So I guess we'll see how it goes when that all wears off but already a million times better than the mastectomy. I'm so happy to have it all over with. My mobility seems the same as it was before so that's good. No nausea here either but I told them to hit me hard with the nausea meds so I got Ammend ( a magic pill) and a scopalamine patch.

I haven't taken a peek yet but at this point will do that later after a long nap. The PS told my husband it took about an hour so longer than I thought, but overall I'm on cloud 9 on how good I feel. (Again, could also be the drugs )

Glad to hear that everyone is doing well!

Fortunately, no pain on my front...but a lot of itching. And this AM, it seems I developed a rash, all over my chest, below the incision site, shoulders and upper arms (but not on the breasts themselves!) I contacted my PS, and they said they think I may be experiencing an allergic reaction (ya think?!?!?) and recommended Benadryl. I also dumped the post-op bra--it is made of nylon and polyester--for a cotton one that closes up front, lest it was the bra that was causing the reaction. Assuming it doesn't get worse, I will hold off on panicking til I see my PS at my post-op meeting on Tues.

Oddly enough, when I examined myself a day after surgery, it seems there was some orange-colored stuff applied to the same areas where I am now experiencing a breakout. It took a while to wash it off. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Day 1 post-op and I'm a little sore. Nothing terrible or even close to how the mastectomy pain was. I do feel like they're smaller than with my TE's. It feels so light too. I think I got used to that lead heavy feeling with the TE's so now it feels like there's nothing there. The drains are annoying again but if they can come out next week, I can handle it. I feel pretty drained and sleepy though. I'm guessing it's the anesthesia lingering in my system. Good luck to everyone with their surgeries and healing.

I am 6 days out from my surgery and got my drains out today! That is the best feeling ever.

Sweetpea, yes I would say I feel more sore today than I did right after surgery. More of an ache maybe? I would say it's worse after I sleep when I'm laying flat. My doctor did say that should all get better so I guess for now everything is normal.

I go back to the doctor again next Friday so hopefully everything will remain on track.

Shadie, I'm glad they figured out what the rash is from. Here's to hoping everyone heals up nicely without any complications!

I was so envious of all you getting drains out so quickly, and realized this was mostly just for exchanges. I was lucky not to need a drain for my exchange side, but did need one on my prophylactic mx side. It's been two weeks, and I'm hoping that drain will come out tomorrow at my appointment.

Pain is manageable, but I'm still sleeping in a chair. I find lying down hurts, and I remember with the TE it's hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Every position hurts after a while until the fills start, and I will probably need to wait on those bc of radiation starting soon.

Thank you for the book suggestion, jadalulu. Looks interesting

Had a post op appointment today. The drain on the mx side is out! Woo! One more step toward feeling normal. I also think that the implant side looks pretty good/real/natural, so I'm feeling better and looking forward to things getting better with each step.

Still sad my PS is leaving, but I'll talk to him next week about the game plan for next steps and also find out if he'll still be practicing nearby.

Hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve barely remembered/noticed my exchange side, but I guess it’s bc the mastectomy side is just constantly uncomfortable.

Re: the drain

My mastectomy/TE side looks like a small boob now. I wondered if the ps had done a fill during surgery and had forgotten to tell me, tho that seemed unlikely bc of his blood flow concerns. Turns out it’s the fluid that would’ve gone out in the drain collecting behind my nipple. PS didn’t seem concerned, and google seems to suggest it’s not uncommon, but I can’t help help worrying. Apparently it will be reabsorbed by my body.Anyone else experienced this?