Timeline for replacement surgery

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apatient
apatient Member Posts: 22
edited October 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I had BMX with tissue expanders on October 15. They filled with 300 ml during the surgery, and that’s enough for me. In order to accommodate my planned vacation, the surgeon has scheduled the replacement for December 4. That means there is only 7 weeks between the two surgeries. Is that enough?

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited October 2018

    I know my surgeon wanted my expanders overfilled slightly and then wait minimum 6 weeks to go to exchange.

    If you want a break from surgery those expanders can stay there as long as you want- from what my PS told me. You do not have to hurry to exchange, don’t blame you if you want a break!

    Good luck to you!!

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  • apatient
    apatient Member Posts: 22
    edited October 2018

    well I’m done filling—I’m not adding any more than what they put in during the BMX. I’m wondering if just 7 weeks between the two surgeries will give adequate healing time. I read somewhere that doctors like to have the expanders in place for at least 3 months.

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited October 2018

    Ahhh- I will ask my surgeon for you when I’m in next week. I’ve had the longest tissue expander reconstruction ever, one blip in the road after another. Actually its been me being stubborn on what size I HAD to be!

    Are your expanders behind the chest wall??



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  • borogirl
    borogirl Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2018

    My PS said 6-8 weeks between last fill and exchange. I think every dr. is a little different.


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  • apatient
    apatient Member Posts: 22
    edited October 2018

    Well when they say 6-8 weeks after the last fill, they are assuming there’s been some time after the BMX for doing fills. I won’t have that time. I’m happy with the 300 ml they put in during the BMX.

    I’m wondering if doing replacement surgery 7 weeks after the actual BMX surgery is too soon. Like maybe there won’t be enough healing from the BMX yet.

    I don’t know if it makes any difference but my expanders are prepectoral (over thhe muscle, not under).

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited October 2018

    It sounds like it will be fine, especially since they are pre-pec.  I'm sure you will have follow ups between now and exchange and if you aren't healing well the doctor will act accordingly. 

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