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Exchange City

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Comments

  • dessert1st
    dessert1st Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2014

    happy squishy day simple and mommyathome!  

  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2014

    exchange surgery overall for most ladies, is much easier than lx or bmx especially.

  • dessert1st
    dessert1st Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2014

    McKatherine -  I may have asked you that question before !  I too have Dr. Suh! I love her and her staff. Looking forward to Shari returning!  I originally introduced her to the Genie bra.  They hadn't heard/seen it before last year (Dec 2013/Jan 2013) :)   She has been though a lot with me  and always so patient and couldn't imagine being with anyone else!  I thought of suggesting she could start her own little support group with all her patients :)

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited June 2014

    Mommyathome snd simplelife: Welcome to the squishie side!

  • Huz
    Huz Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2014

    Hi Ladies,

    Joining the group, exchange surgery planned for July 18. I have been corresponding with Whippetmom on implants, mine will be Sientra 425cc high profile shaped. My PS is planning fat grafting at the time of the exchange. She also indicated that I will probably end up with drains again for a week, did any one else have a similar experience?

    Thanks.

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Thanks moonflower. Hoping to get over the nausea/vommiting!!!! I'm a bit dire, especially on cancer side. I'm all wrapped up so can't see much--- surprisingly I'm not tempted! Just want to heal and b ok. I see ps tomorrow for the unveiling. I'm surprised only after a day. Is that typical?!? Once again, Whippettmom was dead on. She suggested allergan style 20 700-800 cc... I looked at my card in the recovery room- allergan style 20. 750 cc!!!! That helps with the nerves.... It's like getting a second opinion! Lol 

    I have to say I almost walked out of the hospital. Too tired and nauseous to explain right now, I'll leave it at the staff prepping me had no flipping clue wth they were doing!!!! Can't stand this hospital. I was originally scheduled for a different hospital, they switched me!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Simplelife,

    Post on when you can- thinking of you!!!!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Thanks dessert1st

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Babs,

    Thanks!!! I've been in the recliner (my home away from home AGAIN) all day since I got home. I've been sleeping on and off. I'm pretty nauseous, hungry but not sure what's best to eat. I had dry crackers and a few strawberries a few hours after I got home and that didn't stay down. It's a day of relaxing for me!

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    hi mommyathome!! So happy to hear from you!! Went well, d/c at 2 pm. Saw my card n ended up with Allergan 15 495. They feel so much better already!! Had some adhesions in pocket on right he said he loosened. They are also lower  in aore normal place! So more sore on right.  Surgical soreness but can handle with 1/2 Percocet. So happy to be squishy!! Much softer feeling on top already. Have ABDs covering and a soft compression bra on. Resting on pile of pillows. Good op experience. Very nice staff. So sorry u did not have good experience. That is not easy!!!! 

    Came to motel and took a little walk to clear my head from anesthesia nausea. Sun shining n felt good to sit in fresh air helped to clear head some. Took a nap. Will try some supper. 

    Keep me posted. Love and hugs to you!

    Thanks ladies for all your love n prayers and support. Thankful for all! Hope I can sleep tonight as well as Mommy

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    thanks dessert1st and moonflwr!! Squishy is good:)))))))))) 

  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 1,619
    edited June 2014

    Simplelife and mommy at home

    Happy you're both on the squishy side now.  Mommy, eat foods that are easy on the stomach-crackers, baked potato, toast maybe a little jelly, coke w/o the fizz.  I would not eat any fruit yet.  Did you have general anesthesia?  There are meds to help with the nausea-just call and ask the DR-no reason to suffer!!!!

    Babs

  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2014

    I can't wait to be squishy. Exchange surgery on July 17th!

  • janett2014
    janett2014 Member Posts: 2,950
    edited June 2014

    Lorbgoo, my surgery will be the day before yours. 

    The soreness and tightness from the expanders have definitely let up (finally!), but i will be glad to exchange them for the implants.

  • naiviv
    naiviv Member Posts: 308
    edited June 2014

    Good evening to all,

    I am a failed DIEP flap on left with a so far succesful right one. Is there anyone here with a one side implant ? or a side flap and implant?

    My failure was not the flap but the receiving veins in my chest were fried from chemo and infections. So any flap must have it's own blood supply limiting me to side/back flap. I am concerned about matching now and in a few years. My thoughts are going to Implants and a matched set. Not more cutting to get flaps. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with a mixed set.

    Thank you,

    Vivian

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Thanks babs. They gave me zofran and Zantac in hospital. I have some zofran at home to use. Thanks!!

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited June 2014

    MAH, I hope the zofran works for you. Feel better. It's not much to be puking after sx. But it beats the D after. Ask me how I know that! LOL.  

    Simple glad you feel giid. 

    Both of you welcome to the squishie side! 

    Viv I believe there are a lot of BCO peeps with implant/ flaps. But if you don't get replies on here that might be a good thread to start!  I can't think of anyone in particular with both but I know I've read it in signagures. 

    Hugs and lor boo you will be on that side before you know it. 

    Much love to all. 

  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2014

    my soreness and tightness have let up too Janet but they are still awkward and not comfy. 

  • pinklotus
    pinklotus Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2014

    I had breast reconstruction surgery on March 10. The swelling is gone but on one side I have scars that are hard. That is the breast that I've had past biopsies done. I have been massaging and using castor oil to soften. This side hasn't softened and the implant hasn't really settled into the pocket like the other one.  The outside of the bottom of this implant is flattened because the scarring is distorting the implant. Any advice? I stretch this side well and teach gentle yoga that creates space and lengthening in the chest. I do feel pulling in the bottom portion. The incision is inframammary (under the breast). I just want to avoid additional surgery and we'll address that in late August if this doesn't soften. I'm ready for this to be done.  Thanks.

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited June 2014

    pink, it sounds like you are doing pretty much what anyone here would suggest. Keep doing it is about all I can say! LOL.  Maybe others will have better ideas? 

    Lorbgoo, I've never heard any say expanded TES were comfy. Maybe before they are fully expanded they're not so bad but once you are almost filled, yikes!. I had a half filled one on my right side in for 2 years and it was fine. But once I got them filled up I ran into doors! LOL

    Much love. 

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    mommyathome and simplelife I hope you are both doing well!  It took me about 24-48 hours and I felt much better once I got rid of those meds.   I hope you heal nicely. I didn't have any wraps when I woke up and almost fell off the bed when I looked!  I hope your unveiling goes smoothly :)

  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2014

    mom I run into doors too! Hehe

  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2014

    moon I run into doors too! Hehe

  • janett2014
    janett2014 Member Posts: 2,950
    edited June 2014

    Huz, my exchange surgery will be on July 16. My PS said I will not have drains. I hope that doesn't change -- got nervous when I read that you will have them.

    7/16 me, then 7/17 Lorbgoo, then 7/18 Huz

    We will have to keep in touch. 

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    Hipz, I get to shower tonight so will get a look!! Peeking from top I can see the skin fold is still there on my right side....earlier PS said he would fix that at exchange, then yesterday he said "we can fix that later"  does anyone know why he couldn't have done it yesterday during exchange ?? Home today and don't feel too bad but certainly feel the anesthetic drugs lagging around. It's so yucky how it makes your head feel. I have to make myself sit or I want to start doing things and accidentally pick up stuff I shouldn't. Took  nice nap and have a niece bringing support soon :)) will let you know how I look!!!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Hipz and simple life,

    When I had my big unveiling today I cried. Just wasn't what I had expected!! Since the BMx in January I've been going weekly for fills for this big day and I feel I was let down. I think the Tes looked better! I feel that these are like flattened hamburgers, there's not much projection... They're just there! What an emotional day!!! Of course my husband was like you're crying? Why? Just kind of expected something different I guess....

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 1,750
    edited June 2014

    Mommy, I think it's the rare woman who is actually happy with what she sees. In my opinion, the permanent implants look close to half the size of the TE's, even when they have the same amount of cc's. They are wide and flat mounds. More like hamburger buns than coconut shells. At the beginning they are often misshapen too and you might see edges even. Every day they will change and by about 3 months, they will be smoother and rounder - less like hamburger buns and will look more like breasts in a minimizer bra...you know, compressed. Those of us who didn't have nipple sparing also have lost the "ends" so when you try to find a bra to fit, it's frustrating not to be able to fill one out all the way to the end. We have mounds now, not cones. I tried on about 30 and found 3 that were ok. They were Wacoals with the soft stretchy kind of cups. Reconstruction patients just aren't built like we were before. I should say that a few women say they CAN wear their old bras, so this is just my experience plus things I've heard from others.

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 1,750
    edited June 2014

    Simple, I've had 4 breast surgeries now with a 5th coming up. Each time I encourage the PS to do everything that still needs to be done so I don't have to go through another surgery, and each time he explains that he can't do that. I understand your frustration! He tells me that more incisions mean a greater chance of infection or healing issues. Having already had one infection, I sure don't want to do ANYTHING that might increase my chances of having complications, so I just suck it up, go with what he is willing to do, heal for two months, and wait for the next phase. Scared If he is able to finish everything in surgery #5 in September, it will be a 13 month ordeal.

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Sandra... It's just that build up of anticipation and excitement and then I was like oh........  I need to be kinder to myself I know but right now I'm not there.... 

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 1,750
    edited June 2014

    On these threads we try our best to prepare women but each person thinks it won't happen to them. When it does, they are shocked.

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