2nd stage surgery

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lvtwoqlt
lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
edited June 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am back from my bi-lateral exchange surgery on Nov 2. All went well. The expander discomfort I had has gone away. I am filled out nicely but one side still hangs lower than the other. I am hopeful that they will settle down and look more symmetrical. I go back tomorrow to get stitches out.  My PS said I will get nipples by Christmas!

Sheila

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited November 2007

    Glad you're doing well, Sheila. I look forward to the day that I don't feel these expanders. If the other breast doesn't "hang right", what can be done? How does your PS do the nipples?

    I know you're glad to be done with this part of the reconstruction process!

    Anne

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited November 2007

    He said that he was going to release a few stitches on the high side during the exchange, mabe it will settle down to the other side. That is on my list of questions to ask tomorrow. About the nipples, he said that he likes to wait 8 weeks to do the nipples. He told me early on in my process but I forget how he said he does the nipples. I will ask again tomorrow. At least he is trying to get them done before my insurance rolls over in the new year. The tattoo is the least expensive and will be done in the new year.

    Sheila

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  • katesf
    katesf Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2007

    Congrats Sheila:

    Good to see your name again. Sounds like you're doing well. I just had my exchange Nov. 6th with silicone gels. What type of implant did you end up having? It is so nice having those expanders out! I don't have any pain, but it's still tight. I'm told they'll settle in after some time. I think I'm being impatient. It's only been a week. I still have steri strips on which will fall off or I'll remove by the end of this week. I have to massage the implants every hour which I hope will help soften them up.

    Keep us informed on how you're doing. I'm having my nipple twist construction Jan. 11th and then the tattooing to follow. Just one more fun filled adventure!Undecided

    Take care,

    Katie 

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited November 2007

    I got teardrop saline implants. I also have the steri strips but tomorrow I go back to the doctor to get the stitches out. He said that he will schedule the nipple before the first of the year to keep the insurance paying 100% this year. I will get the tattoos next year.

    Sheila

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  • katesf
    katesf Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2007

    Sheila: How is your projection with the tear drops? I knew mine wouldn't be too good with the round shape, but my ps suggested the Inamed round moderate style, so that's what I went with. I'm thinking the nipple construction will make them look more normal anyway. Just curious about how yours are looking so far and are you feeling a bit tight too?

    Thanks.

    Katie 

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited November 2007

    Katie, my projection is better with the teardrops than with the round expanders. My PS says he gets better sillouttes with the teardrop than with the round. I almost fill out the bra's I wore prior to my surgery (38 C), I just don't fill out the very tip of the bra. I am happy in that my boobs actually look very similar compared to what I had before surgery. Because of previous biopsies/lumpectomies I had an A cup on the left and a C cup on the right, I wore a filler in the small side to allow bras to fit. I actually am not feeling tightness like I had with the expanders. I am scheduled for nipples Dec 20. I am trying to get all I can done this calendar year before my insurance deductible rolls over.

    Sheila

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