Exchange City
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Sandy - I know! I was so excited when I saw this new Mentor implant. I told my PS yesterday that if I ever need to be switched out I am going for the extra full projection implants. She said, "you would be too large in the upper pole. It would look too fake - you wouldn't want THAT!" I said, "Oh yes I would!"
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Sandy and Deborah:
You two are amazing...Deborah: How did you get access to the PS's manual?
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Judy - It is all online!
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Meggy - I am 5'3" and have 400 cc style 20 implants. I am a full C, a little bigger than I originally intended, but it looks fine.
Georganne and Shelly - We will add you to our list.
Deborah - Can you imagine 100 pages of comfort and support!!??!!
Ladies - Question for you all. I am three weeks post exchange and still so tight. Is that normal?
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mykidsmom! Yes, I think its normal to be tight, I am 9 weeks out and still tight, I didn't anticipate it, so its been a bit of a surprise, its getting better week by week, plus I am also in physical therapy due to two frozen shoulders - ouch! which seems to be helping a lot! hang in there it does get better, its just a little sloooowwww!
L
ox
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I just heard from Linda. She had a rough night last night - nausea and not feeling well at all. Very likely an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. I am sure she will let us know how things went and how things "look" when she is, as she says, back to her "perky" self. I am praying she feels much better today!
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Attention: New York gals, read this thread:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/733717?page=1#idx_1
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Hi ladies! I am so glad to have found you! I had BM on 3/25 and TE in at same time. My questions is - : My PS can't get the needle into the left TE to fill it because the muscle is so constricted and tight. He has been filling the right one - had two fills so far and although I find it painful I know we are making progress at least. He told me yesterday after 3 tries with no success that it happens sometimes and he may have to do something at the exchange surgery instead. Anyone had this happen to them?
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Welcome kookiesmom!
I wonder if the TE port has migrated or if there is a defect with the port and this is preventing needle entry? I have read that this sometimes occurs and ultrasound is needed to guide the PS to the port. I don't know about doing "something at the exchange surgery." What is that "something" he will do? I would want to know what is going on with that expander. It is likely a very simple fix and why not investigate now so that you can catch up on the fills.
Maybe I am entirely in left field about this. When your brain works like mine, you spend a lot of time there.
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I think he finds the port with no problem - I can feel it & find it too but thanks for the thought about there may be something wrong with the expander and not me. I will mention it to him next week when I go. I do feel the muscle constrict as soon as he puts in the needle & I can't control it. I start PT next week to try and get the muscles in my chest to calm down. Maybe that will help. I'll try anything at this point as I want to get the exchange done as soon as possible as I am very uncomfortable. I am not sure what the PS was talking about when he said he could fix it when he did the exchange. Will have to clarify that next week too!
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Hello All
I have posted my surgery update on the May recon thread......
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Actually I think Deb is a spy and she just doesn't want to admit too it : - )
I didn't get over to the may thread
But I hope Linda is doing better
would muscle relaxers help kookie, so gals take those with fills
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Kookie: I'd seriously ask to try a muscle relaxer for those muscle spasms he thinks are keeping the fills from happening. I hit on it by accident to help with the pain from the fills. I'd get spasms after that were painful. Once I started taking ativan before the fills didn't have anymore trouble. I would think its worth a try at least
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hello from my hospital bed......ugh!!!!! went to see PS Wed @ 4pm.....and by 6pm I was in emergent surgery ......guess he finally listened with both his eyes and ears.....I lost m right implant ( the second one on that side) and was admitted for IV antibiotic therapy.....so now have a " flat tire" on the right along with a drain.......I hate those pesky drains.
The strange news was the pocket of fluid was not down by the inframammery fold/ incision but up near the outer upper right quadrant.....everything was sent for cultures.
I got my family to bring my computer up this afternoon so I could keep up with this thread, or at least try.
I am bit fuzzy from the pain meds so will write againlater.
I hope all the exhanges for this week are going well.Hugs and prayers to you all.
Can I get my name back on waiting list for exchange ??? Don't have date until the infection is all cleared up....but hope it will be by end of summer.
Thank you all for all your kind words and support....Elaine
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Thanks kmmd. I did mention it to him but he didn't think it would help (although I think it would.) I too get painful spasms afterward! I wonder if I call him he can call in a script. I hate asking for drugs but if it does the trick I'll do it!
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I agree with kmmd - use of a strong muscle relaxant might help.
Also, ask your PS about using Botox...
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ELAINE (((((hugs))))) ((((hugs)))))
I am sooooo sorry that you are going through this....My thoughts and prayers and with you dear sister........it's just not fair
Linda
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Meggy - I saw your post on another thread and I think we were confused here. I NOW see that you do NOT yet have your tissue expanders. Call your PS and ask if he uses Mentor, Allergan or Silimed TE's [or if you have a choice] and we can help you select the TE's to suggest to him. As I stated on one of your threads - a 600 cc TE is far too big for where you want to be.
It seems that your PS also puts in a smaller implant than your expander. He goes down by about 50 cc's. Ask him if he does this because he wants to insure adequate tissue expansion or if his intent is to get a "natural droop".
I can see you are pretty desparately trying to get information before surgery next week. You have been getting a lot of good feedback from other women who are your size and have implants in the 375 cc to 450 cc range.
Hope we can help!
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Elaine - I am so so so so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will add you as "New Exchange Coming Up" I am going to give you a sad face too, many hugs going your way!
Linda- I am sorry you were sick, but I am so glad your surgery is behind you!
Ladies - I have a bit of a touching story. My youngest is typically pretty low key and undemonstrative. Anyhow, his college had a 5 K run for breast cancer recently. I got a card today signed by him and his fraternity friends dedicating their run to me. Of course I cried!
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Elaine ~ My heart goes out to you along with prayers for some fast healing. Gosh you have been through so much.
Jean ~ That is such a touching story about your son. I know I would have cried too.
Skipprcis ~ Best wishes for tomorrow.
Peg
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Oh Elaine!!!!!! I am feeling so sad for you!!!! This is so not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gentle hugs to you!
Hi Linda - Sorry that you had a bad night. I'm off to read your post on the May site.
Jean that story made me tear up with happy tears too! It is so hard to really read these boys of ours isn't it? Mine don't say to much and are pretty undemonstrative too but you have to know that they are talking about it with their friends when you hear something like this. It is a heartwarming story for sure!
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Elaine, I'm so sorry
My Kids Mom: made me cry too
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Any South Carolina women happy with their PS's? I'm looking for a new PS. I had my exchange surgery in Sept. 2008. I told my PS I wanted to be small several times (I used to be an "A" cup) and now I'm a 32D!! My implants are so heavy, I'm 5'4 and weigh 105lbs. These things are pulling me down. I'm totally miserable! My last revision failed and I'm scheduled for another one in 10 days. I think I'm going to cancel the appt tomorrow. Why wouldn't my PS just listen to what I wanted? When I first met him he said I'd never need to wear a bra again, then yesterday he said "You definitely NEED to be wearing a bra". I'm sure he can tell I'm too big for my frame. I feel very intimidated by him, and he does not like it if you say something negative about your implants...like their too big!
ThanksGotta go, hubby just made dinner....vegetarian tacos! Yum!
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OH Mona, how sweet....You have a great mothers day!!!!
2NewBoobs, Tell that PS of yours to try hanging a 5 lb weight on his ba__s....and see if he likes it....I am sooo sorry....I am a petite lady also and can't imagine being a D.....
I would fire him!!!!
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Linda54 - I just got a visual of 5 lb weights on his balls and couldn't stop laughing...thanks! Yeah, he wouldn't like it a bit! He's on his way to being fired....there has to be someone else!
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2NewBoobs....sorry for the link to the DIEP/ETC docs. I see that is ALL they do! I am glad you posted a new thread for SC folk and I sure you will get some responses and you can get going on a second opinion here. I know there are a couple of SC gals who hang around Exchange City and I hope they respond. In any event, you are here and Exchange City pertains to where you are in the reconstruction process. You need an exchange!!!
Deborah
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Elaine, I'm so sorry; more gentle hugs to you!!
Sandy--I'm supposed to get my fipple next Tuesday. This thread has gotten so long, I've forgotten; did you use the Cool Whip container to protect your fipple, or for another purpose? If so, how does it work? I guess I'll need a protector in a few days now!
Linda--I hope you're feeling better by now.
Skipprcis--good luck tomorrow, and soft foobs!
Diane
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Karen--I'm so glad both your surgeries went well. I have a Mentor 800cc in my foob, so maybe we have the same ones! (mine is moderate profile, I think). No menopause, no more appendix to worry about, and a clean path report; yahoo! I hope you're resting and comfortable.
Hugs,
Diane
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Diane yes crazy me used it too protect my nipple
I also heard a gal said she wore goggles like you wear when you go swimming
the cool whip container was originally used with lotion so I did down size to a Tupperware container which wasn't as big
now I have been wearing a little sponge with a hole in the center
my nipple is wide and it helping it get narrower and helps protect the projection of it
I almost forgot to say I just became Great Aunt again
My nephew and his wife had a baby boy
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Elaine......I am soooooooooo sorry that you have lost your implant again.......what the heck is wrong with us?..........and these damn drains..........what a pain.........I hope you are able to get comfortable and get your rest while you are recovering.......and I will keep my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery........I see my PS tomorrow.......but am definately draining too much to lose the drain........I am a little scared to give up the drain for fear of seroma build up again.......things are looking pretty good......will let you know what she thinks after I see her.
Cheers and hugs to all!
Jax
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