Exchange City

I had drains for exchange - but still - two weeks off was plenty for a desk job.

Good luck, nomorekindofccuos. Exchange side feels pretty good already. Just a little sore in armpit but nothing major. Wishing you a good surgery and recovery

Thanks everyone for the real deal input on recovery time with the exchange surgery. You are giving me hope that it's an easier and faster recovery! I appreciate it...!!

I saw PS today, just about 4 weeks out from exchange with FG. I was told that FG is not even an option going forward because my skin is so thin there is no where else to put the fat. So I was basically told that there is nothing to do with the bilateral rippling I'm having (which is pretty noticeable). The only option was switching to the most cohesive implant although I was told it's very hard/uncomfortable and can sometimes flip. And even with that there's only a slight improvement with rippling (so really not worth it).

I had the urge to cry. I don't know why I got so emotional. I want to be clear, I am very very thankful that everything was caught early and I needed no further treatment besides surgery. But at the same time, no one really warns you about the reality of things. You are pretty much told don't worry your going to have nice implants/look great. You can't wait to get to the "final" surgery and try to begin to move on.

I am only 34 and single (the dating world is not easy to begin with) and I think that has a lot to do with it. This is such an emotional roller coaster ride and just when you think you're fine and feeling better you have another moment. Can anyone relate? Hope you guys don't mind my babbling. But I know you ladies will understand.

LiveLove - I agree. Get a second opinion.

First - thin skin is a judgement call & another doc might think differently about fat grafting.

Second - I have cohesive gel implants and NO rippling - none! Assuming you have a very experienced PS who does this surgery all the time & knows how to make the pockets correctly to start with, there's very little danger of them flipping. Yes, they are a little harder, but since I had hard fibrocystic breasts all of my life I don't find them that different.

Some docs are unwilling to take over in the middle of the process (I think you have TEs??) But most would at least be willing to take a look & give you an opinion. Not sure where you live, but an NCI hospital would likely fit the bill. Also not sure if your current PS is experienced enough to do cohesive gel.

A second opinion for sure. And a third or fourth if you need. I find it pretty hard to believe a 34 year old woman would have paper thin skin. It just does not compute!

The surgeon's credentials may sound great, but while there is the “best or most skilled in the department" remember that there is also the “worst or least skilled" too. Fat grafting is not everyone's forte.

Ask around for recommendations on your area. Check out their websites and online reviews and go from there.

Hugs,

C

Week out from my exchange surgery. Was just sitting on couch two days ago and I felt something feel like it came loose. Assumed it was my nerves waking up. Now there’s a bit of dumpling. Anyone experience this? I see my PS Tuesday so i will ask. Just get paranoid.

Thank you, MC.

Feeling very well, livelovelaugh. Few stabbity stab pains every now and then but the tissue expanders get you prepared for that. Healthy breast that had mastopexy is healing well mostly. Seems I can't type well though, writing “dumpling" rather than “dimpling" in earlier post! Wishing you and everyone a good rest of weekend and a positive week ahea

I'm now 3 days out from exchange sx and a little fat grafting. I switched to Tylenol yesterday - so much easier than BMX. Just a lot of bruising. And hurray to the end of the TEs!!

The one thing I really found a problem though is the tape they used everywhere for the gauze pads. The adhesive is super strong, and I ripped 2 areas of skin off(!) before googling how to remove it. I finally got all the tape off using moisturizer, but was still covered in sticky adhesive residue. Second visit to google ended with my extra virgin olive oil and a washcloth.

I hope this helps if someone else is "stuck" with this predicament. Pardon the pun. ;-)

Thanks, MinusTwo, I'm going to check out that thread and. I've never had issues with tape before. I'm kind of concerned about the raw skin (it's on my hip - pads taped for the bruising from fat grafting). It's still draining pus, though it's just been a day... I've got polysporin on it and a gauze pad with the wimpy paper tape we used with drains last time. Maybe tomorrow I'll let it just get some fresh air. I vaguely remember skinned knees that benefited from that, you know, many decades ago!

Nomore same thing happened here. It was way worse than a wax! I had red marks for days but thankfully didn't break the skin. Ouch, sounds like that hurts! Keep it clean and hope you have a speedy recovery.

NoMore - it might feel silly, but the Kotex pads or Light Day Panty liners really work much better than gauze pads - especially since there's adhesive on the back side that will hold them to your bra or underwear.

Yup VegGal - I do list tape allergy. If there's a box, I check Latex to get their attention, but that's not really the whole issue. At least it starts the conversation.

I always carry either Medipore of Hypafix tape in my bag when I go to see docs in case they don't have any. Most hospitals, surgery centers and infusion centers have one or the other but not many doctor's offices. The OR convinced me to try the new silicone tape at my latest cataract surgery. Oops - just about ripped my face off when they were removing the 'drapes'.

What did everyone use on their incisions to help with healing?