Exchange City
Comments
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Do they recommend bras (or specific bras) for higher intensity activities like running or aerobics classes after the implants are placed? I've always had to wear 2 bras during exercise due to how large my breasts were, and I hated that. Right now with my tissue expanders in, I've only been doing low impact cycling and walking, and my binder has been good enough for that for now. I never really thought to ask my surgeon about bras for more rigorous exercise after the exchange, though!
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NisaVilla - fat grafting was a breeze. PS took it from my belly and I am 5 weeks out and all healed. It is still a bit sore if I push on it but it really was easy. The tiny incisions where they put the fat is sore for a few days, but nothing major. You will do fine.
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for those of you who have implants (we all do?), does the feeling of having them on your chest go away and feel like "normal". Meaning you don't really notice them anymore?
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Hi all! I appreciate all the feed back and concerns you all have posted. The redness looks a little better, when I took my bandage off yesterday there was nothing on it (which I think is a good sign) before there was yellow liquid. I think the antibiotic is working. I did have a scare yesterday... My breast was really aching me and on my drive home from work I called my husband and said I think you need to take me to the ER. I got home took my temp (it was normal), took the bandage off, and.... LOL Silly me I had the tape on way too tight the relief was almost instantaneous.
Dr. visit tomorrow I am anxious to find out what he plans to do, I am praying it won't be complete removal with no replacement. My skin is paper (I mean paper) thin on my left side. I was wondering can he fat graft there to give it more protection? He does not like to use aloderm, I had that in at my 1st exchange (put in by my original ps) and it did not stay in place.
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LaVie,
Doctors are all over the place on the subject of bras. Mine only recommends them if you are exercising. Keeping them from bouncing around is the goal. My doctor says there isn't any evidence that bras are a requirement or make one bit of difference in how you heal. Others say just the opposite. Some even have you in a bra twenty four hours a day. Others have their patients wear tight ace bandages for a period of time or compression garments. Apparently it's a matter of opinion, just like virtually every other detail of this experience. Doctors disagree on EVERYTHING as far as I can tell from reading the experiences of a thousand women all over this country and others as well.
I had a soft surgical bra when I woke from all three of my breast surgeries which kept the gauze or bandages in place. Once that wasn't necessary, I was free to go without unless I was doing something that would make my new breasts bounce in which case he asked me to wear a supportive sports bra. He said if I decided to wear one, I should not wear one which rubbed or irritated the incisions. (Well, of course!) Also the bra had to be wireless. For everyday a very light sports bra was fine - again only if I chose to wear one.
I was bra free during the fill process with no problems, even when the TE was about to explode! I tried a soft sports bra and it made me very uncomfortable during an already uncomfortable process. I've tried them from time to time (included the expensive custom fitted kind) during all the phases of this journey and they have never helped or seemed to make one bit of difference so I chose not to wear one. (For the first time in 53 years, which is GRAND!
) There are other threads devoted to bras and much advice on this and other threads about camisoles and kinds of bras which others have found helpful. It's up to you and how YOU feel. We are all different and can even vary with our decisions during this long journey. A year from now I might change my mind...nah, who am I kidding? I LOVE being 65, feeling comfortable and free, and looking good in clothes without one. 0 -
Amy - So glad it's looking better! Fingers and toes crossed that you're on the mend!!!
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Smaarty - I'm a little over 6 months out from exchange. The implants did still feel noticeable and kind of heavy or weighty for several weeks but now that's not a problem. No pain, no discomfort and very soft, but 'different'. They will always feel different, so please don't expect that they will ever feel like your natural breasts. When your pecs flex it's weird, yes, but it eventually becomes your new normal and you should become less and less conscious of the 'strangeness' as time goes on.
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I am a over a month from exchange surgery & for me it was much harder than my MX - don't know why. Anyway, I had a UMX and so had a 'lift' on the left & the exchange with some fat grafting on the right. My implant is just as hard as the TE except for the magnet part of the TE (so it's not as hard as iron, but almost
). Is this just a matter of waiting for it to soften up?0 -
Ziggypop, yes, they will soften up with time. While they'll never feel like the real deal, mine feel a lot softer than right after my exchange.
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Well thank goodness, and thank you Andrea. I was getting a little worried about having the iron hamburger bun effect forever.
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Ziggy, my exchange was harder too so you're not alone. What kind of implants did you get? I'm 2.5 months out and notice changes all the time. Some days they feel firmer than other days and I still get that tight bra feeling from time to time. I have Allergan 410 gummie bears.
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Ziggy: Second Sandra's question - what kind of implants? Some get softer and others don't.
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My appt. is in an hour with my PS YAY!! he is back in town, I am a nervous about what he will say needs to be done but I prayed that I will be able to accept whatever is handed to me today. I'll let you guys know what happens
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Thinking of you, Myers!!
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Good luck today Amy!!
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Amy good luck..thinking positive thoughts for today!!!!
Mimi
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Good luck today, Amy!
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good luck amy!!
Andrea - beautiful pup!!!! Love your picture!!
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Prayers for you Amy. Let us know how it goes.
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Myers, hang in there girl.
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Good luck, Amy!
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Third time is a charm? I hope so. Conclusion: Not infected, he sutured it up however the skin is still too thin to just leave it. I could either have him perform a diep flap, if that is where they take muscle from the back and he would then put in a TE because I don't have enough fat. OR replace the current 600 rounds with 400-425 anatomical, this is what he suggested, I will find out Monday a surgery date.
Thanks so much for the prayers and thoughts, I am having a difficult time with other people not understanding one saying "Is it really worth it Amy" "Uhhhh YES, what choice to I have" gheezzz stupid question. another person saying "So you are just not happy with the size you have, why can't he just keep it sutured up with no infection" OMGSH!! YES I really want to go through another surgery and recovery of course that is why. Because I LOVE being on antibiotics that dry out my hair, I LOVE being pumped with anesthesia that bloats me, I LOVE pain pills that make me constipated, I LOVE not being able to shower for days, I LOVE not being able to sleep on my tummy YES YES YES That is why.
UGH!
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myers421 - MEH, other people just don't get it and until it happens to one of them, they never will. So relieved that there's no infection! *WHEW* As to your choices... ???? The implant downsizing sounds the 'easiest' but of course, it's your decision. Just know that we're all here rooting for you, no matter what!
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Let it out, girl! We have all had similar comments made to us. Just last week a good friend, who is an R.N.) suggested that I should take a year off of "getting plastic surgery" and try to learn to live with what I have. Damn it, I'm NOT like one of these shallow women with distored body images who are never satisfied and have endless cosmetic surgery.
Do you mean DIEP or Lat Flap? DIEP is from your belly, I think, and Lat Flap is from your back...I could be wrong. My PS has explained the Lat Flap to me and says if my March surgery #4 doesn't accomplish what we want, Lat Flap is my only option. There are some interesting Youtube videos on the procedure if you aren't squeamish. It's a big operation I'm told, which I think means it is a long recovery.
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Amy, we all understand. I believe your PS was referring to a lat flap, where the latissimus dorsi muscle in your back is used to make a new breast. It does involve having an implant under the muscle too. I was not a candidate for a diep due to not having enough stomach fat, which is what I originally wanted since I've had radiation. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck!
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mjsgumbas, thank you! That's Callie, one of my malamutes. I love my dogs and they help keep me sane, lol!
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Smaarty - I am 5 weeks out from exchange and my implants are still very noticeable and often annoying. Some described the TEs as having two turtle shells on your chest, which was accurate and now I would describe the implants as feeling like two plungers have seen suctioned to me. While they are soft to touch, I can feel the edges/rims almost all the time. It is esp annoying rolling over in bed at night and also getting up when I've been lying down. There is also a sensation of tightness like I have a bra on that is too small. It seems worse when I do wear a bra so I go without most of the time. I will say that I barely noticed my TEs at about the 10-12 week mark and hoping for the same now. I do have to say, they look awesome!!! I have Mentor rounds 800 cc.
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Amy, hang in there! So sorry that you are dealing with this. I'm rooting for you.
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Cheryl,
It is really nice to hear that you are happy with the way they look. The closer I get to exchange (still about a month out and unscheduled), the more scared I am about the result.
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thanks cjc, I look good in clothes so I'm not going to complain. They will never look good naked, but I'm the only one who has to see them. My DH has only seen them a couple of times. I don't hide, but i usually go to bed before he does and get up before he does.
Their shape right now, almost 3 weeks, is a little weird and I know that will chance with some more time. The left one bottom edge looks a little loaf like, squarish. The right one is rounded. I did find out I don't have to massage them and they will never drop. Probably no fluffing. I'm curious to see what size cup I am so one of these days I'll go try some bras on.
Amy, I hope whatever you choose, that all goes well. Maybe you get a tummy tuck out of it!
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