Exchange City

Jen2Mom It makes sense to do the radiation side later, because healing is so slowed down by radiation, and the tissue on that side will ready for more trauma when it's ready, and it takes awhile. I'm sure that your PS is following specific guidelines about that, to be sure that you'll heal okay on that side. Healing is slower because of scar tissue and blood supply being compromised. Definitely err on the side of caution, giving yourself the best chance to heal well on that side.

You'll be more comfortable on the side where the TE is taken out, because an implant is just more comfortable than a TE. Exchange surgery was SO MUCH EASIER for me than BMX, I can't tell you. So, even though you do have this ahead in two steps, they will each be manageable steps.

In my case, new shape w/ final implants was exactly the same size as TE size, and I could use same bras, etc., and my PS said it would be the case, and it was. If that's true for your PS's plan as well, you won't look lopsided in the interim.

I suspect that how you were sleeping, etc. is not the cause of leaking TE. I think they're very substantial, and that issue sounds like failure of the device, not something you caused!!! Ask PS about that.

I had very few restrictions of any type after my implant/exchange surgery, including use of arms, and position to sleep in. I'm sure that this varies by surgical technique, skin, type of implants, size, etc., and each PS gives really specific restrictions to support best outcome. The big deal was the first surgery at time of BMX: creating the pockets (Alloderm pocket stitched to pecs). During my implant surgery, there was much less inner 'work' done, and my recovery was very smooth and comfortable.

Also, I also had a leaky expander with no clear explanation. But the PS never suggested it could have been something I did.

I was unable to do bilateral DIEP as originally planned and a bilateral SGAP would have delayed some further imaging by months, that I could not have with the expanders in, that I did not feel comfortable delaying so I had to switch the expanders out for implants, hopefully temporarily.

This was supposed to be an out patient thing but I am laying here in a clinic in a hospital bed right now because I'm having a lot of pain on the cancer side even with the IV pain meds. I can't move my arm much on that side without my pain shooting to a 9 and it feels like my ribs on that side under the implant are bruised and I'm getting burning, stabbing, aching pains on that side even in areas that I am technically numb. For comparison, on the other side I currently have no pain what so ever.

Is this normal? What on Earth could have happened to the cancer side during the exchange surgery to cause so much pain? I first thought maybe there was a miscommunication and they did post pec implants instead of pre pec but nope. The surgeon says they were both pre pec. The resident doctor said it was a big surgery, but it was just an exchange with a few extra stitches to close armpit pockets, and I had a bigger armpit pocket on the non cancer side and a lot less sensation in the armpit region on the cancer side due to nerves being severed there during the mastectomy so this pain would likely be excruciating if I had normal sensation there to begin with.

Has anyone experienced this problem? Is this normal? I suspect something is not right

So, I am having my exchange on Friday. When I first joined, there was a lot of talk about eating pineapple before and after exchange to minimize bruising. Was that a temporary fad, or does it really help?

I will be so happy to get rid of this water balloon.

wc3, that was not my experience at all. I barely felt a thing after my exchanges, even on my prophylactic side where I have more sensation. What does your doctor say?

Star2017: I'm actually in more pain than I was after the mastectomy.

I don't currently have drains. I was unable to talk to my PS. The clinic sent a resident(?) to talk to me instead and he seemed to think it was from some internal sutures and that the pain will go away in a few days but I think there is something else going on and said I think I need a revision. He said that wasn't going to happen today and to talk with my PS about it at the follow up and then the clinic discharged me with oxy and Tylenol because they needed the bed.

With regards to pineapple... pineapples contain bromelain. Bromelain is reported to help with inflammation. I have had a couple of doctors/dentists recommend it to me over the years for pre/post surgery. As always, please check first with your surgeon before taking it:-)

wc3, that is really upsetting. I’m hoping it truly is nothing of concern, but please advocate for yourself and let your caregivers do the same.

Well, I felt great on Friday, thought I had actually turned the magical corner to where the TEs start to be more comfortable and the burning was just a hint of it's former self. Even gave my Right boob a pep talk lol since it looked like it was healing well and that's the one we were keeping an eye on... went grocery shopping Saturday, came home let the hubby unload everything,we ate then I went to bed a few hours later . I woke at around 1 am sweating ,in pain enough I took an oxy, which I havent taken anything since a week after the bmx, sick headache.

I was up and down all night and all the next day,Sunday. Toughed it out and went to work monday, when I came home monday we hit the ER.

long story short.. stayed overnight in the hospital being pumped up with antibiotics and then surgery to remove the right TE due to cellulitis they said ,then home. I am so disappointed , everything looked GREAT on Friday , now Ive got to start all over with another TE in about 2-3 months. and hope that one makes it! Oh and I still don't know if I have to do chemo! I had that appointment today but had to cancel because of this. very frustrating.. Thanks for letting me vent.

notarobot:

That sounds so disappointing to have to start over but hopefully things will go well the second time.

MCBaker:

I hope things continue to go well for you!

Hi everyone. It doesn't look like anyone has posted on this subject for a while. Unlike many of you incredibly brave women, I am very fortunate to be able to say that I do not have breast cancer. I was diagnosed with the chek2 genetic mutation. My maternal grandma, mom and one sister all had breast cancer. My twin brother had tonsil cancer. I have lost two sisters and one brother to various cancers. I had genetic testing done after yet another breast cancer scare. My breast surgeon called me personally with the results. I met with him the following Monday to discuss the results and options. He also set up an appointment with the genetic doctor who performed my test. Needless to say, the thought of going through cancer screening every three months was daunting. I decided to move forward with the prophylactic double mastectomy with reconstruction. I am fifty years old, 5'5 140 pounds. My husband and I celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in Hawaii from June 26th thru July 3rd. I went back to work for a couple of weeks and then began this journey on July 25th. I was completely not prepared for the physical and emotional aftermath. I'm sixteen days post mastectomy and am wondering if I am ever going to feel right physically and mentally again. My doctor removed my drains last Monday (positive step) and began filling my TEs. I have 190 cc in both expanders currently and will be going in for fills every Monday until I (we) are happy with the size. Here's my concern: my PS (five star rated) hasn't been very forthcoming with information that I feel is pertinent. Example: I had no idea that he was using Allederm tissue- I don't have a problem with that. I have a problem with not being informed about the procedure fully. As I prepare for my next fill, I want to go in armed with some really good questions that will position me to be more knowledgeable as we move forward. He mentioned that he was going to fill my TEs to probably around 500 cc. I'm not in too much discomfort and have not had any complications. How do I find out about specifics size, type, shape etc. without feeling like a total idiot? I feel as if I took control of my health appropriately by going this route, now I need to understand the plan. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs to you all...

Michelle

hang in there. I just went through basically the same thing. However, I did have a cancerous lump, but after three lumpectomies I decided to give up and remove them both. No chemo, no radiation needed. My PS also used alloderm tissue and tissue expanders. I wasn’t happy with the first implants (smaller than my original C cup) so he swapped them out for larger. Very easy surgery.You should be able to google what he’s using to gage the size. I have mentor 500cc. I’m 5’3” 130 lbs. I’m a c cup now. Email me at crossh12@gmail.com if you want to talk.

Hi crossh.

I'll be emailing you soon... thank you!

Hugs to you!

Michelle

chek2inGA Hang in there--you'll get through this. That Magic Lady will help you understand the implant size information. It's specific to chest wall size and height and width of torso. Also, Alloderm DOES have a long, very successful track record, and it's standard of care. You can definitely look that up, and see that it's successfully used, etc. As for how you're feeling, it does take awhile to recover fully from that first surgery. The 'exchange' one later is MUCH easier. My PS explained that this type of implant/reconstruction is hard up front at the beginning, and easier for the second surgery. I chose this type of reconstruction because I didn't want the trauma to be shared by other parts of my body for grafts (lat flap, ab flap, etc.), but there are many choices for those, and also revision choices down the road.

My PS predicted that my new foob (final implant) size would be almost the same as how my TE's filled a bra. That once I liked the size and it felt right, new foobs would be super similar. This was absolutely true. The final implant shape was better, and the TE's were more uncomfortable than final foobs, but almost identical in how they filled a bra. Final foobs are now 7.5 months in me, and they feel quite comfortable. My PS also explained that when he does the implant 'swap' surgery, he always has 2-3 possible choices available, and he sets in the one that fit the best in the pocket.

Questions to ask: what to watch for during healing, PT referral and Range of Motion guidance for recovering upper body strength, restrictions for same, how long is it uncomfortable/tight after a saline injection and how to decide how often and how much to inflate with that process, how long after final saline injection can final exchange surgery take place, which style of implant does he recommend and why, does he do fat grafts and revisions or does he refer those out to another PS

Personal story : what freaks us out is individual and different for everyone. I found the saline injections to be quite unnerving. It took screwing up my nerve to tolerate them, emotionally/psychologically. One time, I took an Ativan first. I don't have the heebie jeebies about many things, but it did not feel easy to show up and get those. For me---it might be no big deal for a lot of people, or just one more thing we just find the courage for and DO IT, but it was not all that easy for me.

Hi everyone... I had my TE exchange 8/1 and wanted to know from any of you who swapped out the implants from the original to a different size.....how long after the original surgery did you do it?

I think i am too small and have a lot of rippling. I didn't think i would care so much....but it has taken so much to get to this point i was hoping to be happier!!!

Appreciate any input