Exchange City
Comments
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sandra. No you definitely should be here! Revisions are part of exchanges so here you should be!
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shorfi - I was told to hold off on my colonoscopy until all treatment was finished and my blood work was back to "normal". I know white & red cells are still low. I plan to ask MO the end of April if that means I have to wait through a year's worth of Herceptin too.
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Thanks for that advice Minus.
Sandra...that is what I was trying to do, schedule colonoscopy during the two weeks when I am off work. I have been working at this place for 40 years and there have been so many changes, and it makes for poor morale. They have taken away so many things from the employees, yet spend thousands and thousands of dollars doing NOTHING. I work in a hospital setting. I worry about my time now and if I have enough to cover myself. I have months and months of sick leave, but you can't use it unless you are out for 5 consecutive days, then your sick leave kicks in. But to call out sick for one day, you are penalized. I am at my desk now still dealing with this sternum pain. I did have a chance to talk to my PS nurse and she said it was normal and prescribed some Percocet.
So I guess I will just hold off for the colonoscopy. All this worrying makes me physically ill. I have a GYN appointment in April, but will reschedule that too. Haven't seen doctor in over 2 years because of the new insurance saying if you have a normal PAP, there is no need to see your GYN doctor yearly. So many changes
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sandra4611 - Are you kidding? You belong right here (or anywhere else you want to be) after all you've been through. Now don't you start falling apart on us quite yet - it's not even Thursday!
By the way, be sure to wear your shirt with BIG pockets on Friday...they're a lot of us that will be there watching over you! So fall apart if you need to, but know that we'll put you right back together when it's over! Sending you strength and calm for Friday.... somehow I have a very good feeling about this one.0 -
Hi Everyone,
Been lurking here, interesting discussions. I realize more than ever how tiny my breasts are....I had told the ps I wanted to go bigger than usual size, but they are looking sooo small (expanders) cc's a measly 350 total. So I forgot to share the last time I posted that I was told before any invasive procedure I would have to take a one time antibiotic for the rest of my life, even for getting my teeth cleaned. If I had an infection and it spread to my blood stream , infection would zero in on the implants.
It baffles me how different the ps direction is with women. I was even told to be careful with sex, to avoid increasing my heart rate and blood pressure for the first month. For something that is a "piece of cake" seems like they are sure fragile. Its all doable compared to the mastectomy.
Oh well, I am just glad the surgery is set (as long as my platlets are still stable)
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Sandra, wishing you a successful surgery on Friday and a speedy recovery!!
Lori - my PS also told me I would need to take antibiotic before seeing the dentist too, even for a cleaning. However, right after my bmx they told me I shouldn't cut my cuticles and to be careful and avoid any cuts because the infection like you mentioned will travel to the TE's. Not sure if it still applies 4 months out.
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wow! How different all the PSs are. Mine never said a wrong about anything like that. And I've been to the dentist just before the exchange and going back on May 1.
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Smaarty, give your PS a call to confirm. Every doctor has a different opinion, but to me it makes sense to be on it before the dentist because the mouth is dirty and they do make you bleed even with a cleaning.
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mommyathome: my PS requires 2 weeks off work, even for a desk job like mine. Lots of internal healing is still going on even though everything external may look all healed up. I was fortunate in that my exchange was a breeze - it was a bit hard to follow my restrictions because I felt great.
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Oh no...I went to the PS today because I was a bit worried bout the looks of the "bad" side just 9 days from the 3D visit. Much to my surprise and now very very sad, the PS said he needs to do a repair. The implant might be coming up thru the muscle. WTH??? I am very very upset by this and now have to have another surgery. Not what I expected him to say at all.
So I had to cancel the airline ticket, the hotel, the rental car, and the airline parking. Will this ever end?0 -
I'm sorry, notme. That is very disappointing. And what does implant coming through the muscle actually mean!!! Hopefully the repair can get everything sorted and then can go forward with the 3D tats down the track and ensure that they are in the right place!
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I'm seeing my PS on Monday for my six week post exchange visit. My implants have been two different shapes and sizes from the get go and it only seems to be getting worse, not better. I'm so upset over this, I'm a small person so I feel like it's very noticeable, even in clothes, one projects so much more than the other..... What can he even do at this point? It looks like there were two different sizes put in honestly, I know there weren't but that's the appearance. After all this and chemo I though this was going to be my time to put this behind me but I can't imagine it can be fixed without a surgery. I wish I had been prepared that this might happen. I just expected them to match, I had prophylactic on my good side and that was one of the reasons. I love my PS but I wish I had been warned of potential complications.
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Sorry for your struggles Pamela. MIne were looking different too. one dropping into place and one getting higher. And they were different sizes intentionally to even out the rad side and it was 100cc bigger and still looked smaller.
Not-Me, So sorry to hear of the set back. I am sitting here with a drain and waiting 3 months to heal and start over on my rad side which is now completely deflated. I didn't look or feel like this with the MX and set backs SUCK!! I was done. I have my aereolas and didn't even want the nipple surgery. I was done. Now I am further behind than I was to originally start with. It is very depressing at times. I hope they get you sorted soon!
Sandra! You keep your butt right here!!! Good Luck tomorrow. In the pockets, I'll bring the bubbly!!
My PS said it would be a good idea to take antiB's when having dental and such too.
Happy, I think the cuticle thing has more to do with the Lymph Node removal and your abiluty to fight infections in that arm now. At least that's what I was told and have read in regards to LE. Kind of like not using that arm for IVs and blood pressure. My LE therapist says if they need to draw there it is ok but don't put anything in there (like an IV or flu shot) and squeeze too long like taking BP!
Too all you beautiful ladies! Have a great weekend!
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I'm back home from getting the PICC line put in. Now all I have to do is do some spring cleaning, then pack for a "vacation" tomorrow. I sure hope I'm first case. The waiting is the worst. I didn't sleep much last night, worried that something would go wrong in the PICC procedure. They had a little trouble getting it in last time. But, this time was the smoothest yet so I'm ratcheted back the anxiety level to something approaching normal. No more sticks...I show up tomorrow morning, they plug in the Versed, and then I don't care what they do after that.
I'm excited by the possibility of no pain. I learned about Exparel on another thread which is injected into the incisions at the end of surgery. It's an anesthetic foam that lasts up to 72 hours. I asked my PS about it and he said yes, my hospital has it and we'd give it a try. Since I'm allergic to all pain drugs except Tylenol, I'm used to pain after a surgery. Maybe this time I won't have any.
The worst part of having general anesthesia is post op nausea & vomiting. I'll be getting an Emend capsule and scopolamine patch before surgery and Zofran during the procedure plus after in my room. Fingers crossed that it works. I'll be having reconstruction of my left pocket and Z-plasties on three muscles that were damaged seven months ago in the infection after the BMX. This is surgery #4.
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Good Luck Sandra! Big Prayers for NO pain!!
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Sandra, hope the anti nausea stuff works for you, hate waking up sick! Luckily, only once out of 7.
Talked to PS and dentist, don't need antibiotics.
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Good Luck Sandra!! Will be thinking of you tomorrow
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Sandra,
Looking forward to your happy report! Thinking of you!!
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sandra4611 - The information on Exparel is fascinating and I so hope it works well for you! Wishing you the very best of luck tomorrow and please let us know how you're doing when you're able!
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Good luck Sandra!
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Sandra and sweet and special,
Thanks for your replies!! Sandra, good luck tomorrow! Positive thoughts... I'm in your pocket too!! Keep us posted.
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You all are the BEST! Thank you for your support.
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You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow. Let us know how it went when you can.
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Sandra-wishing you god luck!!!!!
Babs
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sorry I am a bit late, but good luck Sandra. 4th time the winner and hopefully last!
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I'm in your pocket too...hope all goes well for you!
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Hi, everyone, just checking to see if we've heard from Sandra yet... Well, then I'm going to hope like hell that no news is good news!
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Has anyone had their first implants replaced with smaller ones?
I am almost 3 months post transfer and my breasts look too close together. Not awfully close but not the same distance as before. Everything else is great. Asked PS who said going smaller wiould resolve problem but to wait 3 more months before scheduling new surgery. I got gummy bears 470 which are a cup B same as my native ones. They don't look any bigger and the projection is perfect but I want more space in between.
I don't know what to do. I would like to hear if replacing implants is a common procedure, and opinions about what to do next. I feel I am complaining when maybe I should just be grateful for what I have.
Thanks!! Nisa
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Hi, Nisa! As I recall, Dulcigirl 'downsized' hers, so you might want to PM her if she doesn't swing by here over the weekend... Good luck!
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Hi Nisa,
I did go smaller. I waited about 8 months. I tried really hard to accept the original ones, but they were just too big for my personality and I had some pain from the weight. I'm about 5 months out with the new ones and am very happy.
PLEASE send Whippetmom your questions because there is SO much to consider when making this choice!! I had rounds both times. The first pair fit and helped to set the pocket created by my TEs. Because of that we only considered one implant to change to...it HAD to be the same width as the first. If not, it would have required extensive pocket work and risked more divots/stepoffs. So the implant with that same width had less projection than the original set. That was FINE with me because I WANTED less!! But you've said you like your projection.
And of course, it's another surgery with all of the inherent risks of surgery, anesthesia, healing, etc.
When I was considering this Whippetmom and my PS both said that there will be tradeoffs. If you gain space in your cleavage you will be trading something else for it....possibly projection, possibly stepoffs.
You have to follow your heart, but my suggestion, since you said, "eveything else is great" is to go to a professional mastectomy fitter (like at Nordstroms) and search til you find a comfortable bra that helps create some separation. There are some brands that are better than others at that. You'll want well-fitted underwires that totally encapsulate the sides of the implants and go up in the center. But be sure the underwires do not press on the implants. Chantelle, Freya, etc.
My personal opinion is that if you like everything else, you might regret changing them. But you are the only one who knows how close they are and how much it bothers you. My recon both times were closer than my originals, but I have adjusted to it. I actually kind of like it now. Wearing high-quality, well-fitted underwires has kept them separated. And I think they look good.
Wishing you the very best!!!
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