Exchange City
Comments
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HotPinkMess - Many PSs do recommend massage of implants for reconstruction patients if you have smooth implants. As mentioned above, it is to prevent capsular contracture. It makes your body think that the implant pocket is slightly bigger than the implant so the tissues don't tighten up too much around the foreign body. Mine instructed me to make it a habit to massage each time I use the restroom - a simple sliding of the implants up and down, then side to side several times. However, you have to wait until you get the green light from your PS, if in fact he/she wants you to do it.
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Thank you Dulcigirl and SweetandSpecial for your replies. I feel much better knowing that I am still healing on the inside and will one day wear my pretty bras again. I will wear the sport bras for now and be patient. LOL
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Elsie! So glad it's over and you are well on your way to life post-exchange. Keep us posted, but for now, sleep and heal.
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HotPink - Do check w/your PS before massaging. My PS said definitely DO NOT massage. Both Sandra and I have Allergan 410 anatomical implants so that may be the difference.
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I believe the anatomical are not supposed to be massaged, as you don't want them to shift their position. With the rounds it doesn't matter, but you don't want a teardrop shaped implant to turn in the pocket.
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I had saline rounds before I was switched to gummies and I wasn't told to massage the saline rounds either.
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hmm. I will have to ask about massages. Never mentioned by PS. Be interesting.
Elsie glad you are doing well.
To all much love.
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A word on massages: I am 4 weeks out and had an echocardiogram yesterday which is like an ultrasound of your heart. They use a scanner and go back and forth on your gelled skin around the edges of the implant. It moves the implant, similar to a massage. It takes about an hour. Today I am miserable and it feels like I'm bruised all over my chest under the edges of my left implant. Moving that implant towards the center caused the middle of my chest to feel the worst. The other side did not escape even though no scanner touched it. I had to lay on my left side so the right implant was on the top.The technician was behind me, with her right arm over the right implant to reach down with the scanner to the left chest. All that back and forth movement of her arm "massaged" my right implant on the side and bottom and it feels bruised now too!
It did not hurt while she was doing it, and perhaps it's because I'm not healed on the inside yet, but I can't imagine having to massage my foobs every day. It hurts everywhere a few hours later and the second day is worse. Damn, damn, damn...I'm back on Tylenol again and feel like, ONCE AGAIN, I have gone back two weeks in my recovery.
Just say no to massage.0 -
My PS didn't say anything about massage. When I asked him about it he said it was fine if I wanted to. I don't really 'massage' them, per se, I rub my BioOil into them after bathing.
Sandra - hang in there. Sounds like the echocardiogram was a little too much manhandling of the new girls at this point in the healing process. Take the Tylenol and try not to fret (((((((hugs))))))).
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Sandra, rest. I bet you start to feel better tomorrow. I believe you are far enough out from surgery that no permanent damage happened.
I can say, with some trepidation, that my implants feel a little better the last few days. Not saying they look better, but maybe not so tight.
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about massage: had bilateral exchange in April (silicone rounds), much pocket work/revision early July. Up until last follow up in early December was told no to massage. Last appointment she said it was okay but not necessary. Don't know why we're all told different things, so I would go with what your PS says.
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Ladies, I have to ask... I am a little over 2 month post op and just last week my left foob has been much softer YAY but... it also make a noise like water is moving or there are air pockets. I am thinking maybe the "pocket" it is in is larger than then the implant and it is noticeable now that the implant has settled? Not sure and was looking for your experiences, I have round silicone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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myers421, you may have some fluid build up in there. I had that and had to have it drawn out three times before the air pocket finally closed up and fused together. You could hear it sloshing in there. My PS said not to let it build up for too long as it can cause infection and he would have to start over on that side. The first time he drew out 200cc and the second time (a week later) it was 125cc and the last time (a week after the second one) it was less than 100cc. I had to wear a compression bra with balled up socks against that area to push it in during that time until it closed and fused. I hope this helps.
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Amy - definitely get it checked out by your PS. Good luck and let us know how things go!
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I had my nipple reconstruction and fat grafting on new years eve.....last night I looked at both in the mirror for the first time....previously I would medicate one and and cover with the sponge donut before I would take care of the other not looking in the mirror
My fat grafting did not work.......my nips are not even....one is about an 1" lower than the other....I am so depressed.....see my PS on Wednesday.....another surgery that didn't work foobs: ⊙(.)
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I will have my exchange surgery next Monday, the 13th. I am also having one nipple removed. Pathology showed live cancer cells in it. So I will have one with nipple and one without. My radiologist would not start radiation until I have the surgery. I was supposed to start radiation four weeks after masectomy. Ready to get it over with.
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chinneymae thanks for the response, I was on the fence about calling my ps but for sure will dial his # tomorrow!
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Algranna good luck tomorrow will be thinking of you.
Di2002 sorry to hear about the fat g, isnt to early? i think mine dint work either i keep waiting but it is still ugly rippling as if my implants are smaller than the pocket, me too i am depressed but hopping it ll improve. I see my a h PS this Thursday and i will ask for all that i need in order to start seeking another PS. I wont give up.
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Oh Di, I'm so sorry to hear that! I'd be pretty upset too. I hope your PS can offer a solution on Wednesday. After all you've been through, you deserve to be happy with the results. (((Hugs)))
Amy, I felt the same way and my PS wasn't concerned about it, since there was no redness or fever. The air bubble feeling went away, but it don't remember how long it took. But do call your PS and ask him about it.
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Good idea, Myers421. It's better to be safe than sorry.
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I will soon be facing a revision with fat grafting. So discouraged to see so many of you saying it did not work. Where do they normally take the fat from? And was that really painful? Every time I think I'm coming down the home stretch it is always something else that needs to be "fixed". Don't mean to whine, but this stinks!
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mgster - i had my fat grafting 11/7 and had very good results - i am very happy with the outcome. They harvested from my belly & yes that was painful for the 1st few days but got better every day. I hope u have a good outcome too!
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mgster, remember most people who are happy with the results feel no need to come on here for support. So you get more people with problems reporting. So keep the faith that you will have a good exchange and fat graft! Much love.
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thanks, ladies for the encouragement! Do they do the fat grafting and revision all at the same time?
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I saw my PS today to discuss my right breast, which has a large puffy area on it, and just looks too big. I had radiation on that side, and he had placed a larger implant in it than on my non-cancer side, but I can tell the difference, especially in some of my clothing. Some days I've been so unhappy with it that I've cried. So, he is going to replace that implant with a smaller one that will match my left side, and lipo the fat bump off the top of the breast. I am very nervous about it, like I am with every surgery, and I hope this evens things out so I won't feel so self-conscious anymore. I'm having it done soon, on January 22! Apparently after the end of the year, things slow down for surgeons!
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Hello! I've been lurking on the discussion boards for quite some time and absorbing all the great information and words of wisdom. I had my BMX with LD flap and TEs in Oct 2013. Fairly uneventful recovery except for a persistent seroma at my LD flap graft site that required several different drains but is healing nicely now. My expansion is complete and now I'm waiting for my exchange surgery scheduled for Mar 25. It seems a long ways off but my daughter is getting married in Feb so I decided to wait until after the ceremony for the surgery. Thank you for sharing all your stories and advice. This forum has been a blessing over the past year--that what I'm going through, feeling or thinking isn't so different than all of you.
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Hi nodak. Glad you popped in to talk! And if anyone else is lurking come on in and join the party!
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It seems most people are happy with their results. I wish I was one of them. Don't get me wrong, I am really happy for everybody this has worked out for. I am so tired of the tightness and discomfort. It takes everything out of me.
I see a pain management doc this Friday, and I hope that get's me through till I can have my diep flap. They believe that will get rid of my extreme iron bra syndrome. My muscles just to not want the implants under them.
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Goldie - there's a thread for PMPS - post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome. It's not too active but I found it helpful when I still had the 'tortise shell' TEs. Maybe that would have some ideas? Sorry for your problems.
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Goldie - I'm so sorry you still experience so much discomfort. I hope the pain management folks can help (((((((hugs)))))))
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