Sandra1957

pasha ~ You're not a big baby, take them as long as you need them so that you have the energy for healing.  I didn't have immediate reconstruction, but I will say that expander surgery was way harder than the bilateral one was and I was quite uncomfortable.  I can't imagine doing it all at the same time. 

I had the same dx as yours only two years prior, and also had a bilateral.  Do you know yet if you're doing chemo or rads??  Just curious. 

Best to you,

lini

I was 48, premeno when dx'd, 4mm ILC er/pr+.  Never have taken hormones, nor the Pill.  No anti-hormonals either.  Still pre-meno two years later.

Mom and two aunts were all post-meno IDC, not ILC like me. 

Oh, willsfarm.  I hadn't read your post when I posted.  Just read back.  OUCH!!  I do have muscle contractions, mostly on my right front and left back sides.  They are a pain and constant reminder of what I've been trying to forget about.  Stretching helps some.

I hope that your swelling goes down and that you can have your exchange soon.  Maybe that'll help with the contractions.

I haven't read back, so I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, or not.  I had the OnQ ball for both my bilat and expander surgeries for pain management the first couple of days after surgery.  It was all that I needed.  No Vicodin or Percoset.  I highly recommend this.

My PS and his medical group will only use Saline, so it's what I have.  It could be softer, but it's fine.  No regrets.

1. Did you have  Unilateral Or Bilateral?    Bilateral, Feb. 06

 Delayed Or Immediate? Delayed

How long of a Delay if delayed?  8 months

Did you have Radiation? no

2.  How long for Initial healing? - To where you felt good enough to leave the house.  one week after bilat/a week or more after exchange/two days after exchange

  How long has it Been total?  a little over two years bilat/1 1/2 expander placement/10 months exchange

3. Was the Pain More Or Less then Expected?  Not pain per se, more discomfort than anything.  Tightness, achiness.

4. Any Complications with surgery?    No    What?

5. Any Problems with Implants?  No What

6. Saline or Silicone?  Saline  What made you decide? PS will only use saline.

7.  How painful Were Your Fills? Very tight, hard. Couldn't sleep on stomach. Drove myself to and from appts.  Took Aleve or Advil for the discomfort, but it eventually raised my blood pressure so I quit taking anything for the last few fills.  I also didn't go for the overfill and stopped as the muscle contractions and hard rocks in my chest were beginning to drive me batty.  About how big was each Fill? 60cc How Often?  The first few times were biweekly.  The last few were once per month.

8. How did you look during fills- shape wise- Did you need loose tops?  Right after expander placement I wore lose blouses, but then part way just wore whatever I felt like it, including tanks and such.  My right side was a bit higher up than the left, but not too obvious.

9.  How long from Surgery til Exchange?  3 months.

10.  Shape of implant you chose?  Mentor high-profile.  What made you decide on that shape?  I told my PS what I wanted to look like and he made the decision.

11. How do you like your Finished Look?  Good cleavage.  Hate the scars.  Wish there was a little more softness to my bony chest.  Overall, though, they look fine in clothes, but I wouldn't pose for playboy with these.  Do regular Bras Fit Well? Underwire? I have found a few that do.  I measure out at a 34DD, but really only look a C.  I have found a couple of 34DD, but they're too plain and have too much coverage for me.  So, I've been wearing 36C wireless bras from Warners and Olga.  They ride up a bit, but add a little more cleavage.

12. Do you wear a bra now?  Or do you prefer not to? Yes, I feel naked without one.  I'm also afraid to bend over and have someone catch a peek of my scars or fiplets.

 13.  Before surgery Size & After surgery size (cup) 38DD(was 30 lbs. heaver).  Now 34DD/36C

14.  Did you have Nipples done?  What kind? Yes, twists, just a couple of months ago.  Scheduled for tattoos in June. 

15.  Did you sleep in your own bed during this whole phase? Yes, with a wedge pillow.

16.  How Long Was your Surgery?  Bilat was 5 hours, Expander was 2 1/2, Exchange 1 1/2.

17. How Long Was Your Hospital Stay? Overnight for Bilat and expander surgeries.  Went home a few hours after exchange.

18.  How many drains did you have? For how long? 3 with bilat.(one of them stayed in about a month.  4 with expander for one week.  None with exchange.

19.  How long did you need someone at home with you after surgery??  I think it was about a week with bilateral, or maybe two.  I did need someone to drive me for three weeks with the bilateral, two expander, and one with exchange.

Best wishes to you and your reconstruction process!!!

"They are not picking our fields, or washing our dishes or making our beds!
Wake up! "

Then who is??  I know who is in just about every field, restaurant, and hotel in California. 

I guess that the "standard of care" depends on where you receive your care.  

I saw an onc only once, right after my bilat.  No chemo, no rads, no adjuvant therapy.  I've been seeing my BS every 3-4 months.  Two years out now, and will see him every 6 months with bloodwork prior to each visit.  Chest xray yearly, no mammos.  Pap and vaginal ultrasound yearly by gyno (have all parts, still pre-meno).

Call me confused.

ruby - yep, tried the bra (overnight).  The cleavage was great, but the sides in the 34DD were cut too high for me.  I'm short in the armpit area and the bra kept cutting into my pits, plus it showed with many of my sleeveless tops and the 36C kept riding up.