Exchange City
Comments
-
Di2012 thanks for your quick reply, I will look for them!
0 -
Some people swear by Bio Oil. I bought some at Target this week. They gave a $5 Target card with purchase so my 4.2 oz bottle was only $14.99.
0 -
I tried bio oil and only felt "slick".....no change....a nurse paractioner that had BC used Scar Away....and she knows a lot more than ME
I used Scar Away on a 12 year old scar too and it really helped it (after the direction said it could be used on old scars too)
0 -
I had BMX and you can't even see the scars anymore ..I only used pure aloe no alcohol based...
0 -
Goldie-No, I didn't have drains. That does make it easier to manage, but I still feel I could do it. (only bc I work in a medical office)
At this point I'm not thrilled with my results. They are wide and flat. I was a full C before cancer & I'm probably a full B right now with swelling. I can see where I could end up a med B after it goes down. I am VERY pleased with the texture though! I have silicone gel (not gummy bears), and they feel like breast tissue. I honestly feel like if you were blind folded, you wouldn't know the difference. My incisions are an inverted T shape. If I have enough implant (I'm doubting), it should be hidden with IM fold. My PS has the personality of a wet mop, & my implant card was blank except the cc amt. I asked to have it filled in at my fu appt & the girl said she needed my hospital records & they wern't back yet. All I know is my L side is 600, and my R (cancer side) is 400. If it's going to be like this, I doubt I'll even bother with the rest of reconstruction. I'm really hoping they can fix it. I don't want to be a DD....just what I was (I'm a larger framed person). Very much a let down. I knew they wern't going to be perfect, but I already feel less than what I was....Sorry if that was more than you were looking for.
Where are you at in reconstruction? Are you happy with where you're at ( if you're exchanged already)?0 -
My PS highly recommends silicone treatment for scars - either in the form of scar strips or Kelocote gel. He also recommends massage with any lotion. Because the scar strips are pricey his PA recommended getting ones meant for C-section scars, which are large and can be easily cut down for MX or exchange incisions.
0 -
Alcb70 Im with you-not happy with exchange at all. I think there is fat grafting to help fill in and create fullness. I hate the implant the ps chose, very flat, all the sahpe is in my armpit, but i dont wan to endure another exchange. So im thinking fat grafting may help and at some point everyone needs a revision due to symetry or since i had radiation on right breast waiting for potential contracture is highly possible-so would go with a different stle size implant then. Feel free to pm me and we can compare notes.
Nancy
0 -
I am sorry you guys are thrilled with your results. I wish there was something inbetween gummies, and regular old round silicone implants. There doesn't seem to be a perfect solution. You would think with all the reconstruction going on they would come up with something better. I hate the fullness these expander's give me in the upper pole. I look like a football player. I am only 5'3 and really don't want big breasts. I think they make me look fat. When I first had my bmx people kept saying I lost too much weight, well I hadn't lost but what my boobs had weighed. It was because I had no fullness in the pec area at all, now people tell me I've gained weight, and it's because I have these giant pecs. Ugh. I don't want stripper boobs, just nice small perky boobs, with a slight slope up to the pec area.
0 -
Mama,
Regarding my pain issues, I have not tried Lyrica, afraid to try it since I think it's in the same family of drugs as Neurontin/Gabapentin.
I have just started using Lidocaine patches which were FINALLY approved by my insurance! !!! Can't tell yet if they are helping. ..mostly afraid that I'll get a horrible skin reaction as I have SUPER sensitive skin.
Also, I need to try Scar Away strips. ..great tip about buying the kind for C-sections--thanks to whoever mentioned that !
Bio-oil DOES make the scars very soft!
Violet0 -
Violet, I am sorry you are in pain. Can I ask where you are planning to use the Lidocaine patches.
I love my bio oil I think it has done wonder's for my scars, and it helps the skin over the expanders stretch more easily, I think. I massage it in twice a day.
0 -
Can anyone suggest who sells Scar Away the cheapest?
Thanks.
Violet0 -
Violet,
I read somewhere here that the CVS brand of silicone scar strips worked just as well or better than the name brand. I know they are cheaper.
Based on a google search Scar Away is cheapest at some online pharmacies. Not sure about in store prices.0 -
Violet,
I went to my local Fred Meyer (Kroger store) and found it in the first aid department I think it was 18.99 a box of 8 sheets 1.5" x 3".....I cut them in half and had 16, 1.5 x 3" strips and they are washable and reuseable....didn't see the c-section strips there.
0 -
Thanks Dulci.
Di,
How do they work if they are reusable?
Violet0 -
the silicone stays sticky....washing kind of renews it and cleans at the same time....i wash them and put them in the little case that comes with them, and some on the outside of the case or a piece of plastic and blot with a towel and set the case on end to dry and they are ready to use again in a few hours....
the strips are a flesh color nylon on one side and silicone on the other, they come stuck to clear plastic
0 -
One box really does last for a LONG time.
0 -
Just got back from seeing plastic surgeon for fill #2...another 180cc's this week. I'm well on my way! We are crossing our fingers that the scar-crossed, re-operated on skin will stretch enough enough to put the 800cc implant back in by the end of the year. Because there was still a good sized empty pouch where most of the implant used to be, the area could easily take both big fills. From now on, however, the doc says we'll go slower each week...maybe 60cc. There isn't much loose skin left because of the necrosis on the side.
It's exciting to look down now and see a foob! It doesn't match the other side, of course, but it's getting there. It's been totally painless so far.
0 -
Violet,
I took one Lyrica...the feeling was more intense than Gabepentin. Not good.
0 -
Violet,
Forgot to add that I have used Lidocaine patches for years with no problem to my sensitive skin. I haven't used them on my breast however, just on my knee and shoulder. It is NOT a strong pain reliever, but does help. Another thing to try is Voltaren Gel. It's been prescribed several times for pain in my knee and shoulder and works nicely. I've used capsacin cream on my knee as well and it does work. Just read on another thread about a BC survivor who uses it on her painful chest and had great success.
0 -
Sandra,
Thanks, I'll ask about the gel/creams.
And I'll get some Scar Away--thanks Ladies!
Violet0 -
Hi Sandra, can I ask what capsaicin cream you are using? I got salon pas today and will try it overnight. Thanks!
Karen0 -
I tried Scar Away as well as Molnlycke scar sheets and personally prefer Scar Away. I used for imframammary incisions so the sheet is subject to folding and rubbing from bra bands. Both seemed to stay put equally well, but I found that once the Molnlycke brand had folds in it the strips were more difficult to re-use as they stayed sort of creased. The Scar Away seemed to hold up better to washings and flattened out nicely so were easier to reuse in the IM fold. Has to do with the backing material rather than the silicone side. Looks like you can also find tape, etc. which might have different backing materials. These are just the two that I tried...
I haven't purchased lately, but I recall doing a pretty extensive price check and Amazon was the cheapest at the time.
0 -
Wow ladies you are all awesome and full of helpful infomation. I ended up getting scar away strips from Amazon since I have prime and should get it tomorrow. Thanks again!
0 -
There is a difference in the cvs brand c-section strips and the scar away strips. The cvs brand were much thicker and did not conform to the curves of my foobs as well as the thinner scar away strips. Like was mentioned previously they also washed better and I seemed to get more wear out of them.
I definitely recommend bio oil for the skin over expanders. It helps to moisturize and keep the skin supple as it stretches. After my exchange I quit using it.0 -
I tried several brands of capsacin cream...again NOT on my chest, but I read on another thread that it helped someone with chronic chest pain after MX. I would sure ask my doc first. It makes the area you rub it on very hot. I found it helpful but don't know if I would try it unless my incisions were really, really healed.
0 -
Hi...had my exchange in earlier June and thought I was ready for the nipples in mid September. NO...the PS said that he had bad vibes and that he thought he might be Fing up (he really said that!) due to the radiation 9 years ago. Now, I am reduced to skin grafting for nipples or just 3D tattoes. After much thought and consideration, I am going with the #D tattoes. I just do not want to go thru more pain, restrictions, costs, and scars. Appointment is in late March and yes, I am going with Vinnie.
0 -
Tina,
Thanks so much for the link!!!
Violet0 -
Nancy- I'm sorry you're unhappy too. I was wondering about fat grafting & whether it would help with size/shape. Like you, I don't know if I want another exchange....especially since they went through the verticle incision. I always think of them as a bit more fragile. I have tons of family in right now, but will pm you when they leave & I have my life back again. Haha
Goldie- Expanders are the worst! My cleavage was insane! I went & got a Victorias Secret bra to wear bc my foobs freaked my husband out. It was a D! Too big. Know what you're talking about...stripper boobs! I agree about the in-between shape. My PS said the teardrop ones look bad in reconstruction bc there's no fat at all. He said you end up with ski slope boobs. My round ones aren't like you see in tv personalities where it is SO obvious they're fake. It just still feels like my arm hits it bc it's wide & even though my PS mumbled something about high profile....the are flat. I'm afraid if you put a nipple at the top of my verticle incision, it'll look like an elevator button! LOL0 -
Andrea, strange but my PS recommended same thing. I have same questions. I worry about complications and how much experience she has had with that. I have one puffy at top and the other one is not puffy so they don't match. She says we can lipo the puffy one. Then take fat from tummy and put in the other one since I will be under for surg nipples anyhow. I am thking to tell her too scary, skip that and just put the nips on. I dunno. So scared and wondering what I might regret later. The lipo thing I have seen on videos looks very hap hazard.0 -
Layla, I agree! Plus, I had radiation on that side, which makes me even more cautious. I'm not sure I feel confidence in my PS anymore. This isn't a good feeling. When are you having your revision?0