Exchange City
Comments
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Hi AZ85048 - thanks for info on Dulcigirl.
Dulcigirl - thanks so much for detailed post. Yes, I like everything else about my new breasts but its a bit like wearing an invisible push-up bra. I will go to Nordstrom and buy the right bra. I have been going without lately because I discovered a little camisole is enough. I understood it was the width of the implant that created the lack of space. If it has to be the same width, then I don't think I want a change. Will PM Whippetmom for her feedback. I am afraid to make this change and end up with something I don't like. Big decision, its a good thing I can take my time to think and learn more about this. I am now wondering if my insurance will cover a new pair
Again, thanks so much! Nisa
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My insurance did cover the revision, but of course I still had my copay which was significant. And yes, the width (if you like the outside where it is near your arm) would make them closer together. You just need to realize that if you trade cthe same style implant for less width it will involve pocket work (lots of stitching to tighten things up...which does mean more healing time and soreness). And a smaller implant in your same style will have less projection. I don't know how MUCH less. If you've not been wearing a bra you may be surprised at how much the right one can do.
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Ahh I don't want pocket work. I don't wait pain. I was hoping that going from larger to smaller would mean no pocket work but now I get why it will be necessary to keep them in place.
I realized why this week I have been paying a lot of attention to this. Tomorrow is my first anniversary of biopsy results, when after multiple imagining testing the results confirmed that I had invasive cancer, and a lot of it. I took the news as if it wasn't about me. I think I am having this week all the feelings that I didn't have then.
Thanks again Dulcigirl, Nisa
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I understand, Nisa!!! Hugs to you!! I had a delayed reaction, too. And that "anniversary" hits us all.
But we are HERE!!!!
Take some time, get a good bra, talk to Whippetmom.....
When you think of all you've been through this year, be proud of yourself!!!
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Hi,
Surgery was yesterday morning. I was able to leave the hospital earlier today so I'm home in my recliner finally getting some rest. The only bed available was in a room for 4. It was noisy with hospital staff coming and going all day and all night as well as visitors tromping in and out. Since this was surgery #4 and he knows me so well, my PS agreed to let me go a day early. I'll stay on IV Vancomycin for another week and have a home health nurse do blood draws, but my husband knows how to take care of my PICC line, do flushes, wound care, etc. So far so good. Temp is staying down and no "hot spots" so I may have gotten out of there without an infection.
The PS took out the left implant, revised the pocket and added another line of sutures before putting in a new implant That side was where the infection was seven months ago and has always been fragile, with thin tissue. It's had 4 surgeries with three implants and a TE in 7 months, so it's complaining pretty strongly right now. Enough is enough! I have a large incision in a Z pattern from the front of my left shoulder down into the axilla towards the implant. The muscles that I lost have gone through some repair. They should grow some more muscle fibers as they heal and give me a better range of motion. The PS did some lipo on the right mudflap so it should be gone now. Haven't looked yet. The lipo caused the most pain - wow it stings. I've never had it before. The left mudflap (aka mini-boob) is still there because the PS decided not to do another incision in that left side and also decided not to do the fat grafting this time. It's ok. After four surgeries, what's a fifth?
For those of you who haven't had surgery yet, ask your surgeon about using Exparel. It's injected into the incisions and is a foam anesthetic that can last up to 72 hours. It doesn't take it all away, but it dulls it. For someone who can't take narcotics or opiates and has to rely completely on Tylenol, Exparel is GREAT! I feel super swollen, my throat hurts from being intubated, and it hurts like hell when I cough, but I made it and I'm home. Let the healing begin!
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Sandra - so glad to hear that you are home & can start healing.
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Sandra!! So good to hear from you!! Rest, rest, rest!! Speedy, complete healing wishes coming your way!!
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Aw, Sandra, I'm so glad you're home and have apparently dodged the infection bullet! And happy, too, that the Exparel has worked for you - well at least a little, as 'dull' beats 'hurts like hell' any day! (I've got to look that stuff up.) So now take it very easy and let your DH dote on you. From the way it sounds, you're in very good hands but you also have a lot of healing to do. Rest well and here's hoping that your recovery is relatively easy and complication free this time. Sending you a hug and a prayer...
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Sandra, So glad to hear things went well and you are home resting. Let that recliner be your best friend for a while!!
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Sandra so happy you're back home! Keeping fingers crossed for you. This times the charm. This times the charm. This times the charm. X 3!
Much love.
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Sandra, can't believe you sound so coherent day 1 post-op. Sensational. I swear I could barely string a sentence together for days.
Glad surgery went well and make sure you get lots of rest.
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So happy for you Sandra. Rest, rest, rest and take care.
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Sanda so glad you're home and that you sound so good. Fingers crossed for you always!!!!!
Babs
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I had no real fears about my exchange surgery until I started reading this thread. I am going to try to think positive that everything will go smoothly. I feel sorry for all of you ladies who have had to have multiple surgeries. I hate surgery and thought long and hard about just going without implants just to avoid a second surgery. I am hoping I only have to have the exchange and that is it. I wish I would have known the information I know now when I had radiation 12 years ago (same with mammograms) because I likely would have skipped it. All that damage to my skin and who knows if it was worth it.
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hipz,
Please keep in mind that there is a larger percentage of "issues" represented here as people come seeking help with problems. Often, women who do not have issues simply don't come back here. They move on to other threads, or spend far less time on the website as a whole. Be informed of the risks and possible complications, particularly with radiated skin, but also be hopeful because there are plenty of success stories.
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hipz - Jut want to chime in that there are plenty of us who breezed through the exchange with little to no pain and no complications. No one can predict your individual experience until you actually have it. I recommend that you expect the best, but plan for the worst as a 'just in case' situation. Good luck to you and keep us posted
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hipz - As Dulcigirl and sweetandspecial have already stated, complications with exchange are not generally the norm. I, too, had an easy time with my exchange surgery. So much so that I had to REMIND myself every day to take it easy because I felt so good. I took pain meds twice after leaving the hospital (as it was outpatient surgery), and then slept through the next two rounds, so apparently my body didn't need them any more. My body did need sleep and rest, but the pain was minimal and the recovery a breeze. And no drains for me, so that was a big plus! You just have to remember that even though the outside has healed, there are still things on the inside that need a chance to mend as well. Best of luck to you!
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Sandra - best wishes for this to be your last surgery!
Dulcigirl - thanks for your uplifting words!
Hipz - best wishes with surgery. For me exchange was the easiest of all medical procedures so far.
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3 & 1/2 months out from Exchange things are going fairly well so far. I am in the Livestrong Program So Doing Some Cardio AND strength training and the only things hurting are my knees. Since that's normal for me I'm gappy. I can do some lifting with weight machine as long as I keep it small. The pecs feel pretty good and I feel my implants just a bit when I really use thise. Otherwise I forget about them! LOL. That's the goal. I keep checking the incision line just to be sure. They seem to be in pretty good shape too. The ridge that was there after sx is much less noticeable. It may eventually dissappear which would be nice. Of course P'S has said he had never seen that before! LOL
Much love and fast healing to all.
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I have surgery (exchange) on Thursday and am starting to feel the usual anxiety (terror). I just want to say Thank You so much to all of the women here...thank you for sharing your stories. Moonflwr....I can't imagine no pain, and not thinking about these 'breasts' all day long! I don't talk about how I'm feeling (at home) very often because I can only imagine how old that would get.....so it's nice to come here and hear how everyone else is doing, and know this is a safe place to talk. THANK YOU!!!
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mnmbeck - GOOD LUCK to you on Thursday! We'll all be in your pocket that day! Here's hoping everything goes smoothly with both the surgery and your recovery.
Sending you a huge ((HUG)) and a all kinds of positive energy! 
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good luck mnmbeck. Hope everything good smoothly and squishily!
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mmbeck - You will do great. I had my exchange six weeks ago and am feeling so much better. Make sure to rest because there will be a lot of healing going on . Thoughts and prayers.
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squishies, squishies, YES!
Time to get the exchange done
And let Healing start!
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Thanks so much for the positive thoughts ladies! I plan to listen to my "surgery meditation" CD for two weeks prior to my surgery and take the vitamins like I did before my mastectomy surgery. Both things really helped me be focused and positive before/after surgery so I will give them a try again
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mnm - wishing you all the best for Thursday. Minimal anxiety, no pain and uneventful recovery. Try not to stress over it too much (easier said than done, I know). But, hey, you've made it this far, this is going to happen (you're certainly not gonna back out now and keep those gol-durned TEs, are you?), so if possible try not to waste valuable time worrying about it. Easy for me to say, I suppose. I was so excited and looking forward to my exchange, I really didn't experience any anxiety about it at all. You'll do fine and you'll be so excited to wake up as a new member of the squishies club!
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I thought it might be a good time to re-post a few paragraphs from Whippetmom on the exchange to implants. She has so much excellent information in the header to the Breast Implant Sizing 101 thread.
AFTER THE EXCHANGE:
Just remember that just after the exchange, the implants can look misshapen and flattened out and sometimes downright bizarre! You need to give it two weeks - sometimes much longer. DON'T OBSESS ABOUT THE SIZE OR SHAPE RIGHT AFTER THE EXCHANGE! STEP AWAY FROM THE MIRROR!
EMOTIONAL ISSUES AFTER THE EXCHANGE:
Many of us and I mean MANY of us go through a period of sadness and depression after the exchange. It is an emotional journey we have been on since diagnosis and we suddenly seem to start experiencing all of the emotions we have placed on hold throughout the mastectomy and TE expansion process. So just rest in knowing that we have been there and we know what you are going through right now. Try to avoid obsessing over the appearance of your new breasts. Feel free to ask any questions or voice your concerns, but it is quite normal as this point in your journey.
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sweetandspecial....what wonderful advice. I have read it several times. Thank you so much!
And, for all of the rest of you......let's all take the advice....we can't turn back. We can only move forward. For me, my faith has saved me. I hope you all have somewhere to rest your soul!!!
Much love!!!
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i am guilty of freaking out a bit too soon after exchange. I'd decided with ps to swap to a smaller, round, but now after two months I'm seeing enough settling to feel that maybe with the necessary lipo they will be OK. I can't stress enough to wait a few months at least before feeling you hate how they came out.
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My new left foob is warm! I know this seems like an odd thing to post, but I'm really surprised. This is the 4th time something has been there...one TE and three implants in the past seven months. The last left implant was cold, although the right side has been warm through both implants it's had in the same time period. My PS said it was because of that damned thin skin on the left. There wasn't enough insulation and he couldn't put any on top of the implant without taking a risk. He said he could do fat grafting on my chest above the implant and around it, but not on top of it. So I was resigned to having a cold foob brush my arm from time to time.
I'm four days out from getting what I hope will be the last left implant and it's warm! Perhaps it's because of the inflammation and will go away, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.
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