Exchange City

My lift and reduction was surprising. He (this is the way I understand it) cut the skin around the nipple, then rotated the breast tissue with nipple a quarter turn, and trimmed the fat away to make it look natural, and reattached the nipple to the skin which covers the breast. Then sewed up the incision under the breast. The reduction is essential to the surgery, unfortunately. I asked, and he said that, in theory, I could still nurse a baby on that breast. I was 69 at the time, and, irrational as it may be, this was important to me.

I can answer about exchange only. It depends on the amount of correction your PS is going to make and your general health. From my experience (bilateral exchange with some additional work) the first 2 days are not for working.

I just got back from my doctor appointment to clear me for the exchange surgery. My doctor wasn't available so I saw her NP. All she kept talking about was bariatic surgery and I should get tested for sleep apnea. Neither which I complained about. She talked about everything that I just finished chemo. My heart rate was high and she didn't even know that could be caused by dehydration and diarrhea that I had this past week. I just finished chemo 1/8. 10 days.

So now I have to get cleared by a cardiologist before they will clear me. UGH I am so upset. I just want this expander out. Since it is 700 ccs of saline now it is pretty hard and uncomfortable. I hadn't had any trouble with mastectomy and expander surgery in September. My surgeons said I did terrific. I had appendix and gall bladder surgeries a few years back and no problems. Anyone have this problem with getting cleared for surgery?

Do you think the cardiologist will clear me? My heart rate was 104 talking to her with a mask on and I was upset. I told her that it is usually high for awhile after chemo since I get dehydrated and it goes back down before my next treatment. I am done with treatment now but it has been 10 days and I'm still dehydrated.

JulieSim,

Sorry I know your post is almost a month old but it seems there are less sub-pectorals around these parts these days!

I can do planks and other chest exercises just fine. It took a little while for it all to feel normal, but I am very active and honestly don’t even notice my implants are there anymore (I did notice more when I had my 410s just because of their fitness and more apparent “edge” for me). I can see a bit of distortion time to time doing chest exercises or working my chestbut that’s less apparent after my first round of fat grafting as if softened and fattened up over areas where distortion was, and I am going for another.

My PS required no compression after day 3, but I felt better with some bike shorts or compression leggings. She said most of her patients did the same.

You will probably come home with a surgical bra, which will feel good for several days. Your PS should guide you on what to wear next.

My exchange surgery and fat grafting (love handle area only) will be on March 26. My girlfriends want to plan a girls' weekend to celebrate me being done with this journey and my birthday. They are looking at a date 3 weeks after my surgery. Will I feel good enough then to want to get away for the weekend?

Hi all, I'm looking for some experience from members that have had reconstruction with unilateral mastectomy. I just had my exchange one week ago, 2/16/2021 with a lift and small implant placed in my remaining breast. Right now my lift/implant side is so much larger than my exchange side. I know some of this is just swollen tissue. I'm really, really hoping that the two sides will match in 3 months or so. I so don't want a revision surgery! I'm sure you can all relate.

Anyways, I would love to hear of positive experiences of asymmetrical breasts at one week actually evening out after a couple of months. Or, if nothing else, please tell me to step away from the mirror. Thanks!

Yes, thank you, MinusTwo! noted. I just had to have someone else tell me I'm stepping away from the mirror and Dr. Google. thank you for responding.

I have my exchange surgery on Tuesday and am wondering about recovery time. PS said I'll only need 3 days worth of pain medication. Just wondering about others experiences. I'm looking forward to getting the expander out.

Hi! I just wanted to circle back and give a three week update, particularly for anyone that might be where I was mentally a couple of weeks ago. I had reached out when I was one week post-reconstruction surgery and was not happy with my results and, frankly, questioning my decisions for the reconstruction. I felt like I had made a terrible mistake.

What a difference two weeks make. I am much more at ease with my new breasts and can actually say that I like the way they look and they already feel like mine (like they are a part of my body). Two weeks ago I was feeling very disconnected from my breasts and that was rough!

MinusTwo - thank you for responding and confirming that I needed to step away from the mirror and take some time.

And to anyone who may be feeling discouraged/sad/depressed after exchange surgery, please give it some time. My experience is that it truly does get better. Hang in there.

I’m over a week out from exchange surgery (SMX). I’m so glad I checked on others experience so I knew what to expect. I had one night where I took pain medication and have since been taking Tylenol for any discomfort. I was able to drive 3 days later with no issue. Although I still have some limited arm movement and PS said not to bend over, I’m able to do some light laundry and cooking (with help). I’ve been out walking now that the weather in our area is nice. I see PS next Monday. So far, my breasts loo pretty even in a bra, but expect once swelling goes down I’ll need a small prosthetic.

Yup Lucy

You are going to get fills on the implant, more water put in, right? The indentations are because it is not filled to capacity. I had some bumps around the outer edge of the implant, maybe attachment points.

You look AMAZING!

When I had the exchange, he replaced the implant, made an incision under the left breast, and around the nipple, twisted the breast tissue of that one about a quarter turn, stitched up the two incisions, took some fat off my hips, softened it up, and injected it into those hollows, particularly where the breast tissue had extended towards under my right arm. Then called it done. The details of the lift procedure are extra information, but lefty never gave me or my babies any problems. Righty was a problem even when I was an adolescent.