Exchange City
Comments
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Back home and squishy feels better already!!!!
Di, good luck tomorrow!
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4444444......Now welcome to the squishy side!!!
thanks 4444....just another surgery....it will be my 11th surgery since May 31 2012 (not all BC/reconstruction related)....not counting biopsies
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Yes Sandra don't feel behind! I had a little discomfort on my incisions when I would roll over but I was able to adjust myself and move on. As far as my stomach, I wasn't totally comfortable but I was tolerating well. But you have seriously been through the wringer in a pretty short time. I think you are doing great!
I was a complete wimp after the BMX. I had 4 drains and one of them was very tender. I wouldn't even attempt to sleep a little sideways, didn't want to get in the shower or anything because I was afraid of tugging the drains!
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Well ladies, I went for a consult today with a DIEP surgeon. We talked a long time about why I am having more pain than most, and there is more than a strong possibility that I will be doing the diep. I must wait three months from my exchange date, but I really can't live the rest of my life with this vice grip pain around my chest. And, I don't love my new boobs. If I had at least one good thing happening here I might be able to deal better.
So, I get a tummy tuck and boobs made from my own fat. What do you all think?
He explained to me that he would put all my muscles back where they belong, all the stuff that was welded to my ribs will be taken away, and I will be put back to close as normal, then he will stuff the breast envelope with my own fat. I will not have this permanent cleavage (which I think my husband likes) and I will have to wear a bra, which is fine with me, because now I can't even find one that works for this stiff gummy bears. And, I have rippling that they say might never be able to be fixed because my breast surgeon took too much fat from under my skin. So, all opinions and points of view are welcome.
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I haven't done a message board before and just posted this same message but I believe I need to be in here since it's regarding my exchange surgery. So here it is a second time in case you come across it in the other section.
Hi - this is my first post on any BC message board so I'm a little
nervous. I just had my TE switch out for implants on 12/17/13 and have
been so sad crying everyday since and disappointed with the results. I
have not yet met with my PS post op -- doing that tomorrow. I'm
disappointed in the size (too small) and the shape to wide (or too small
not enough projection for the width) -- (I see "a male weight
lifter"). I was originally a B cup had lost a lot of weight (80 pds)
pre-diagonosis so lived with sagging breasts. I really like my PS and
communicated that I wanted to be small (but I think I meant not as
wide). I'm mad at myself for letting my judgement get in the way of her
vision. I lost my since of what boob size I was and what would look
good (especially since the weight gain - gained 40 pds post dbl
mastectomy and chemo). She gave me small breasts but I think the
proportion and shape is wrong and one is smaller than the other.Has
anyone experienced such sadness following an exchange surgery? Do I
have to live with the final results or can I have them fixed (enlarged
with balanced width/projection)?0 -
Cheryl,
I am so sorry. Don't be so upset. I know how you feel. You wait so long and the anticipation of having breasts again is so overwhelming, and then it all looks wrong. It just happened to me. Of course you can have it fixed. You will have to wait a little bit before they can do an exchange, but you absolutely can get then changed to something that fits your body better. While you are waiting to have an exchange I would get on Whippetmom's thread and have her help you figure out what size implant you need. She is very rarely wrong. It will all work out. I know you are disappointed. Believe me, I know. Hang in there.
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cheryla - the thread goldie mentions is 'Breast Implant Sizing 101' and Whippetmom will help you figure out the best implant for your frame. Make sure you read the header at the top of the page thoroughly. Whippetmom needs particular information about you (height, weight, ribcage measurement) and your TEs in order to help properly. This is just another bump in the road for you, don't despair! For some reason, at least from what I've read about on these threads, our PSs seem to have a much different vision of what would look good on us than we do and many end up smaller than they envisioned after the exchange. I found Whippetmom about a month after my BMX and had several months to work with my PS to get him to understand and buy into my result expectations (thank you Whippetmom!!) and am quite happy with my results (175cc LARGER than what he intended!).
Hang in there......
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Cheryla, when you read the header on Breast Implant Sizing 101 you will find that what you feel is perfectly normal after the exchange. For you it's worse because you are still so fresh from surgery. The first couple of weeks they look weird and change shape as they settle in. (I'm 11 days ahead of you, so I've been through it too.) Even those who get what they asked for are sometimes not sure they made the right decision. Some days I think one is bigger than the other but then change my mind and think one sits lower than the other.
I think (just my opinion) that people are surprised at the results because they don't really know what a reconstructed breast with implants will look like. They are wider than a natural breast and they don't stick out so far. They are flatter and more like mounds than breasts. I thought mine would be sort of cone shaped like a young natural breast. Wrong. I was surprised to find that the implants fit nicely width-wise into a D cup bra, but did not even come close to filling out the cup. I think the pictures I saw pre-op were of augmented breasts, not reconstructed.
I'm still happy with what I have...kind of flattish Barbie boobs, currently free of cancer (hopefully free forever from cancer) and that's what really matters. I look good in clothes too!
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Cheryl. Hugs! Yep sometimes things aren't as we want. I know I am a bit smaller than I thought but it's not bad and besides I haven't finished with the swelling from my exchange sx 2 weeks ago. Oh well. It's wait and see for me. I am just grateful that I am doing so well. Knock on wood! LOL Just don't do anything in a rush. Take the time to think about it and really know what you want before you do anything else. Much love.
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Goldie, if I had enough fat for a diep or sgap, I would have gone that route. I know you were looking at that procedure before your exchange. What made you decide on implants? If it's what you want to do, I say go for it!
Cheryl, I understand your feeling completely. Your exchange wasn't that long ago, and the shape of your new breasts will change as the weeks go on. Hopefully when you see your PS, she'll be able to address your concerns. You may be surprised at how they turn out a month or so down the road. Gentle (((hugs))) coming your way!
That being said, my exchange was 6.5 months ago, and I am not happy with my right side. It's much too bulgy on the top, and when I wear certain tops, it's very evident that it doesn't come close to matching the other side. I am very self conscious of it, and hate how it looks. I have an appointment with my PS on Monday to discuss a revision. He had previously talked about liposuctioning the top of my right side to get rid of the bulge, and doing fat grafting to the indented flat area under it. I really do not want another surgery, but do not want to have one misshapen breast. I would really like implants that aren't as wide too, but my PS wants to do the lipo/fat grafting first, because he thinks I'll be happy with the results. I'd rather have the less wide implants done at the same time, but he just doesn't do it that way.
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Cheyl, there were several reasons I attempted the implants first. Lack of tummy, my perforator veins didn't look great and I might have to have a muscle sparing tram (which isn't the worst thing, but not the best), and if I wanted to be a full B cup they were looking at putting implants under my flaps anyway, so I gave the implants a shot. At first I was told I couldn't have the implants because of strong possibility of skin failure, but then they changed their minds. Then there were some other cancer scares thrown in between all this other stuff (spots on liver that turned out to be nothing). The whole thing is so long, and crazy. I could write a novel. But, now with lack of activity and attempting to gain weight, I did it!!! I grew a nice little tummy for two B cups boobs. I am so miserable with these implants, and I have had iron bra since the day I woke up from my bmx with expander recon back in April, and they don't foresee it getting better if it didn't improve after exchange. So, I am going for it. As somebody pointed out to me, I am not looking at this as a implant failiure, but a chance to have a diep flap recon that will look like an immediate recon because I now have skin envelopes from the implants.
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OMG girls, this is a super busy thread! I it's like watching little kids grow...you blink and so much happens.
4444444 - Hope all went perfect for you. Di - Feel better soon! Cheryl - Give yourself more time. I was told 4-6 weeks to truly assess outcome, Goldie - Sound like a big surgery but boy it wil make you a star. Andrea - Hopy you find the right implant for you. I expected mine to have more projection but it's been only 4 days since exchange so I need to be patient.
Moon and everyone who gave me advice about sleeping - thanks so much! It worked out great last night, and today I took a brief nap horizontally, yeah. Even spent a bit of time on each of my sides. Now I peek 3 times a day and see swollen boobs, no brushing but plenty inflammation. Right side seems a little higher.
I have been doing little camisoles and no bra since the TEs. PS said I can go bra-less in a week post- exchange, that it was up to me. Thinking of buying a new support or sport bra... What brand and style should I get?
Sending hugs to all, Nisa
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Nisa, I found that wearing anything too tight after my exchange bothered me, but that's just me. I have been the most comfortable in these cotton t-back undershirts I got a Target. They had them in quite a few colors. I just got white and black. But I like having something between me, and my clothing even If I a not wearing a bra in hopes of preventing irritation of incisions.
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Nisa - As corney as it sounds Wal Mart has this tank type bras called "The best bra ever". I've found them to be very comfortable, come in many colors and were only $4.95 a piece. Just my 2 cents
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Layla so the fat grafting went well, I know you were pretty anxious about it. I weighed more right after because you are so swollen and retaining fluids they gave you during surgery, and swollen with fluid from the surgery trama. I have an apt jan 14 to discuss fat grafting surgery. im hoping for local and not general, I feel so much better, not sure if its possible. They were able to do local for my lumpectomy and I felt great! Last exchange I was barfing and sick as heck plus in pain-fun times! and they kick you out because its outpatient surgery, im barfing on the way out the door, wth?
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My new year eve revision#2 went well....I peeked at my new nips.....NOW I look like this: ⊙⊙
I only have 2 lipo holes by my hip bones......with the fat being taken out...up and down and all around thoses holes towards my butt cheeks......not a lot of pain....(that I anticipated)
I have 4 holes on my left upper pole where my fat was relocated, one suture in each spot, not covered.
I also have an incision between the foobs to pull things together.
I was given a scop patch by the anesthesiologist prior to surgery.....NO NAUSEA! (use them every time we cruise......and they work very well)
Just taking it easy....hanging out in my adjustable bed....watching TV, reading some of my kindle books, snacking and eating meals in bed.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!!
HUGS,
Di
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So glad to hear it went well Di and Nissa. Nissa this thread moves fast right now but I think it's the end of the year effect with everyone rushing to finish the big stuff before deductibles come back! LOL. Much love to all in the New Year!
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Di2012 - so glad it went well for you and you seem to be healing and resting with minimal discomfort. You've had a lot going on so let's hope 2014 is a much less medically focused year for you
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Has anyone been have a nurse put on compression knee high stockings before surgery?
I ask why and the nurse @the hospital said it helps prevent blood clots, and said they also use the pumps on the lower legs that compress and then deflates on one's legs......I felt that was a bit of "overkill".)
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I had them every time. (The pumps...not compression socks.)
Better safe than sorry!
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I had the pumps after BMX but don't remember any socks. Of course, they could have slipped them on me after I was under and taken them off before I came to.....
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I always just had the pumps.....(even in my PS surgical suite)....this must be a new thing a the hospital, as
went home with the compression knee high......took them off today.....one of the nurses said they are nice for flying because the toe part is NOT compress, and it can be flipped back.....so could wear flip flops with my new compression sock
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I had the compression stockings with pumps for all three surgeries I had in 2013 (BMX, exchange as an outpatient, and hysterectomy). I was told the same thing as Di with regard to the reasoning for them.
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Di and Nissa, so glad you are recovery well. Keep it up!
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Surgery tomorrow at 11:40am. Excited and nervous at the same time. Expect to be home same day as PS is doing it at a surgery center.
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Elsie,
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping that everything goes perfectly.
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Thank you to everyone that has responded to me. I do appreciate hearing from others that have been going through the same things. My PS is open to doing a revision 600 cc changed out to a 700 cc but wants to do it early February so that the pocket doesn't close up. Funny, I'm now a bit nervous and feel pressure. I'm not sure a change out is going to help and wouldn't want to go under again if that's the case. I'm thinking if I can get this weight off and with fat grafting for shape I may see the "foobs" in a different light.
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Cheryla,
Have you asked Whippetmom on Breast Implant Sizing 101? She will tell you if that extra 100 cc's will make much of a difference. Then you'll know whether it's worth it to go ahead with a revision. I had an 800 cc implant and now have one about a 60 cc smaller. It doesn't look any different, but that's just me. Whippetmom will know.
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Di, I had both inpatient overnight sx and outpatient sx. I got the socks and the machine all my sx. But then I am diabetic too so that may be the reason. They take the machine off once you are able to get out of bed by yourself and walk.
Elsie hoping things go well tomorrow. Heal fast!
Sandra so glad to hear things going better for you. You were really hurting!
Cheryl a you will make the right decision for you. But i second Sandra advice go ask whippet mom the resident sizing expert.
As for me so far so good. Swelling is gone. Except for the bump all along the incision line. They look healthy. I am afraid to say too much so I don't jinx myself! LOL but with the implants under the muscle I need to buy the tassels and learn how to make those things spin! I swear I could do that now!!! LOL
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Moon, you could get some of those tassel pasties online I bet. That would be so funny! I am feeling so much better today and am delightfully surprised. Last night I had decided to do one of two things: show up at my PS's office and ask why the hell this still hurt so much OR suck it up and move on with life. I didn't know which one I would do at 11 p.m.but decided to sleep on it, suspecting that I would choose the doctor. Instead I woke up feeling better than I have in a long time and had my old positive attitude back. 'Bout time! Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since the exchange. There have been a few uncomfortable moments today because I quit the Tylenol, but I feel sure I have turned the corner. No zings of pain in the middle of the foobs or grabbing my sore lower ribs when I move the wrong way. Progress!
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