Exchange to implant and lift

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JulieSim
JulieSim Member Posts: 94
edited June 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

I have a subpectoral expander on one side, and it's been 9 months since I've completed radiation therapy. I received a phone call from the hospital that my surgery is happening in just a three days! Exchange to implant on one side, and lift on the other to match uneven breasts. The expander side is getting better, but overall gas been swollen on and off and I might have a JP drain.

Just wondering how long a recovery could take, what to expect from the lift. At the moment I am doing an office job, but my pain tolerance is very low and I feel that there's also lots of anxiety going on.

Would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

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  • morrigan_2575
    morrigan_2575 Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2020

    I had a breast lift and tummy tuck several years ago. The breast lift didn't really bother me, I had 1 drain per side and that was probably the worst part. Oh and sleeping on my back for a month, that was a pain because I'm a side sleeper.

    The tummy tuck was the more painful portion of the surgery.

    I haven't had my mastectomy yet but, I met with my PS yesterday and asked him to compare the two (lift and mastectomy/reconstruction) he said they were about the same pain level wise. The only added issue is the nose removal under the arm.

    I don't know how they compare yet since my surgery isn't until June but, I'm hoping it's around the breast lift level because that was tame.


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  • JulieSim
    JulieSim Member Posts: 94
    edited May 2020

    Thank you for your response morrigan! Gives me some perspective. My mastectomy wasn't bad, the uncomfortable part was swelling and expander. And drain of course.

    I am a side sleeper too, so that's definitely something else I need to do, same as last year - have tons of pillows in my bed :)

    Good luck with your surgery in June!!

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  • AnnC2019
    AnnC2019 Member Posts: 203
    edited May 2020

    Good luck Julie Sim. Let us know how it goes.

    I have had my tissue expander in on the left side since last August. Going for my consult soon to do a prophylactic mastectomy on the left side. I don’t want to take any chances of having to undergo radiation again. The radiation on the right did some damage to my lung. Does anyone know how long you have to wait to get expander out after the mastectomy?

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  • JulieSim
    JulieSim Member Posts: 94
    edited May 2020

    Thank you AnnC2019,

    Usually it doesn't 6ake long, however radiation will postpone the exchange surgery. How long will depend on breast size, healing from radiation and your doctor plus hospital waiting list too.. I was told 6 months, then 9, then a year. Now because of covid there's no waiting list in my hospital, so 9 months is good again :)

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  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 238
    edited June 2020

    Hi JulieSim, I had this exact surgery on May 27th so am currently recovering. Exchange to implant in the left side and lift on the right My recovery instructions was to lie flat for 2 hrs, get up for 30 minutes and back to lying flat. Ugh! I didn't realize how hard it was to follow. On Sunday, I sat in a recliner for a couple of hours watching TV. I felt relaxed. then when I went for my post-op appt yesterday my PS asked me sternly if I was lying flat the whole recovery time. I had some swelling and redness on the radiated side and the nipple area of the lifted side. she scolded me when I told her I was sitting for a few hours the day before watching TV. The first week is critical and she told me of the high risk of infection especially on radiated skin, etc... so as soon as I got home I went straight to bed! LOL

    Recovery is 4-6 weeks but could start driving and doing light activities after 2 weeks. It's been 3 years since my mastectomy so I don't remember how long recovery was. But I did travel for a friend's wedding after 4 weeks.

    Did you have your surgery already?

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  • JulieSim
    JulieSim Member Posts: 94
    edited June 2020

    Sunnyjay,

    Thank you for reaching out! My surgery was done on June the 1st, it went well and I was discharged home right away. I have a JP on the implant side, pain is tolerable with some painkillers, and I will be on antibiotics as long as the drain is in.

    My PS has never mentioned lying flat, I wonder why.. she said no to exercise until my next appointment in two weeks, and lifting only up to 10 pounds. That's about it..

    I wear post op bra to prevent myself from swelling, and taking it easy for now.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery, let me know how it goes.

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