Exchange City
Comments
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mommyathome - Hang in there, although I know it's hard. It's been three weeks from today since I had my exchange and I am seeing some improvement. Hamburger bun like is indeed a good description, but now some of that is going away. I think it still likely has a ways to go, but there's hope.
Hugs to you. I don't post here a lot but I read the posts and think of you ladies here often... None of this is easy.
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Techlady,
Thanks for the post and support
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my ps said I didn't need drains either. I was happy,to hear that.
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If you have rounds there is what we call fluff and drop. They flatten at the top a bit and droop a bit like a normal breast. Anatomical don't droop as much as they are built in. But the mantra fir exchange is wait. Just wait. They Do improve. We will never look perfect because there's nothing between us and the implant. When implants are use to enhance what you already have of course you have better projection. But they do look pretty good after 6 months or so. But they just can't make us as big as we were. I have the 2nd largest size of saline rounds 700. They are over filled to 800 on one side 850 on the other. I look pretty good in clothes..but I only filled a C cup barely before BC. Now I do fill most Cs. But i only have two good bras. Most of the time I just use my cami's cause they feel pretty comfortable. Remember to give it time. And also our other mantra- just because you can doesn't mean you should. So you might feel pretty good but don't do too much because you are still healing inside!
Much love.
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hi, I ended up with a drain on one side after exchange. The one that had a naughty TE which migrated north. As a result, needed more "pocket work" on the right. Drain was only in for 48 hours and was happy that fluid was out and not in (me!)
after reading these forums I avoided looking and getting too stressed post exchange. I had anatomicals so there is already a bit of droop. In the end they look great with clothes on (have even had a couple of comments at work!). They look alright in the nude but I don't think I will be sunbathing topless! ( although think that stopped up 20 years ago!)
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I'm having my exchange July 11th. My dr said the real implants will look smaller but frankly I can't do the expansions anymore. I'm at 500ml, been doing 50ml weekly and the last two really hurt. Not the injection but I'm so tight that it's causing pain and muscle spasms for 4 days after, so I said I'm done. I was small before, 34B and now small coconuts (that was a good word to use). Sometimes I think may want bigger but I tired of pain and just want to get back to living and want this over. I have not been able to sleep in bed since the BMX surgery in Feb. Its not comfortable. I can't lay flat on my back due the back issues and my breast get sore if I sleep on my side, it pushes on the sides of my breast and it's tender still, so I sleep in the recliner. Anyone else still having sleeping issues?
I hope I don't have drains after the exchange. I had them in for 4 weeks have the BMX and that sucked. I didn't have an infection or problem but I think I was too active and kept draining too much. But looking forward the getting these expanders out and on with life. Good luck to all, this has been an experience, right?
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Sandra, thanks for the info, I was just surprised that it would be another procedure since to me it sounded good in theory to do it once he was already in there. Wow, you have been through a lot! And I agree I don't want to do anything to increase risk of infection. So whatever it takes, right? I will try to be patient. I just wasn't prepared to think of another procedure
( I don't have any time off work left after this recovery, but can't think of that yet. Mommy, I didn't get too worried about what I looked like after unveiling last night as this board had really helped to prepare me that it won't be good at first. If I hadn't read all the experiences here and advice you better believe I would have lost it. I'm quite misshapen and swollen with a new flap on left and still have bigger flap on right that I thought would be gone. I also have stretch marks from being over filled. I really can't picture what the end result will be yet but I can tell I will be smaller than TEs, and for sure half the projection. The surgeon said "you are happy with the size right?" before going to surgery, I said yes and he said "I think we can get you to about the same size" I was filled to 455cc with TEs, and ended up with Allergan 15 @ 492cc. So we can try to be patient together. I too felt emotional before and after surgery, thinking ok this is forever now and it is really how you will be. I think it maybe brings back again those feelings of loss of our own breasts. I want to feel these are part of me, not think of them as fake.....but I'm not sure if that happens eventually.
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I had no drains either time of exchange. But no shower till I was unwrapped. I was not able to have fix up work at the time of my original exchange- he said after a few months we'd see how they look and see what needs to be done. This time I pushed for the lipo that was needed to be done at the same time as the implant swap out (got different size and shape), and he agreed- I had no radiation, dont smoke and am in good health. He asked me that stuff when deciding if he would do it or not. I just wanted to be done with surgery.
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mommyathome, I am sending gentle ((((hugs)))) your way. Are you in a lot of pain? How are you feeling physically compared to the BMX? My surgery isn't until the 17th and I am not looking forward to it. For symmetry, I'm also having a lift and implant on the right... and part of me wishes I could leave well enough alone, then I wouldn't have to worry about the scars or possibility of nipple sensation changes. Ugh.
Claire
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Claire,
The pain is manageable but there. I'd say like a 1-2 on a scale 1-10. I'm nauseous at times. The hardest part is being "happy" with the new me. I'll get there- I have to!
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Hugs mommy!
MsMay, I still sleep in my recliner. But mostly because the stairs are too much to deal with at the end of the day. I will be having knee surgery on the 18th of this month and hoping for better movement after! But I bought the lift chair for my BMX because I knew I would not be able to pull myself out of chairs after surgeries. It was one of the sleeping chairs that actually go to a negative position which came in handy as after sleeping I slid down in the chair and if I tried to raise up with the chair I would fold up with my neck in my chest. So i out it negative and pushed with my feet to put my but in the right position to raise myself up to sitting and then it put me on my feet. After 7 sx in 3 years it paid for itself. Once shortly after my BMX I sat down on the couch without thinking. It took me over an hour to figure how to get off without pulling with my arms. It also was'nt pretty! LOL that being said, all the sx were so much easier than the BMX. However because it was so much easier, I had to make myself remember, just because you can doesn't mean you should. It seemed like I wanted to grab things off the high shelf, lift up heavy things, mop and vacuum. I had to keep telling myself not to over do. Ok enough. I'm clearly in a talkative old today. I'll shut up now! LOL
Much love to all.
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Thanks moon
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Question for you all...I'm probably being paranoid as it's only been 3 weeks since my exchange (and nipple reconstruction at same time), but I have thickening and orange peel like skin just outside of my areola on one side. If I touch it, it's a little tender and definitely feels harder than the other side, but no redness.
Is this just because of normal swelling that should go down? Anyone else had this after their exchange?
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TechLady - When in doubt, always check with your PS. Is your PS or his/her PA open to pictures via email? If you can take a good close-up shot and they are good about emails perhaps it would ease your mind. If it's tender where it wasn't before I would definitely check it out!
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TinaT - Thank you for the reply! My PS hasn't mentioned email before so I'll likely just wait until morning and then call. It's been a little like this since the surgery but it seems a slightly more pronounced now and that side has been more swollen so maybe it's just that. It's hard not knowing what's "normal" for recovery (if there is such a thing), and what's not.
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Techlady, I had orange peel skin on one of my breasts after my BMX. Actually, I called it chicken skin...but my PS told me she prefers "orange peel" less horrible sounding
Anyway, she said it was swelling, and something to do with how the swelling pulls at the pores. But if I was you I'd give your PS a ring and let her know about it. Kendra
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pinklotus-could you have capsular contracture on the one side giving you problems? What type of implants did you get w your exchange (smooth or textured?). Have you talked to your ps about this?
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I'm glad things are going well for you ladies. Honestly I'm focusing on trying to feel better at this point. I don't even look at my low slotted hamburger bun foobs at this point. I don't wear a bra. ( What's the point? I don't fill one anymore.) My exchange was back on march 24th. Esthetically I liked the way the TE's look but they "pinched" if that makes sense. The scars are so deep I can see them through shirts. ( I guess one reason to wear a bra.) I can't remember how many lymph nodes were removed. They said they took them out " like a cluster of grapes so you don't know exactly how many right away." My foobs and pits are still numb but I ignore that too.
My big issue is treatment. I'm so sore and can barely get up from a sitting or laying position after 30 mins or more. My knees crackle like twigs in a fire and after my review last week it took several minutes of trying to be able to walk upright. My boss said " Wow, you look like you're in a lot of pain". I said "Oh, it'll pass." I didn't want her to start thinking about replacing me due to my health.
Anyone else struggling with stiffness and pain?
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Tessa - Good to hear from you and sorry you are "settling" for results you're not happy with. You sound quite sad and disappointed
. You've been on the Breast Implant Sizing 101 thread, right? Can Whippetmom give you a name for a second opinion or is that just too much to absorb right now? Many of us have had revisions. It's awful to think about after everything, but once you've given your body enough time to heal completely it might be worthwhile to at least speak to someone.I'm having a pretty difficult time on hormone therapy (I'm on Arimidex) and there are very active threads because side effects are not uncommon. There is likely a Femara thread. Posts about bone and joint pain are quite common and some women do better when they switch from one drug to another. It might be worth it to find a Femara thread if you haven't already and/or discuss switching to another drug with your MO.
Best wishes...
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Wow. This thread never cease to amaze me with how different everyone's Dr.'s are with these procedures! It is crazy.
Simplelife and Mommyathome I am glad you are both home and recovering. I am guessing by today you should *crosses fingers* be physically feeling a little more like yourself.
I am really saddened to hear of all the disappointment people feel with their implants. I hope that in time they all drop and fluff like everyone says they will. I have the rounds (Natrelle 45's) so I am not sure if they will change (so far a month out from the exchange they haven't), but mine are not flat like a lot of others describe so I am sincerely glad for that and have no idea why this happened but I am just going with it!
Tessa - so sorry to hear you are still not happy with your results. Have you discussed your issues with your PS? I hope they are open to your concerns. There is nothing worse than not feeling heard by a Dr. so I hope this is not the case with you. Best wishes being sent you way.
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The New York Times has featured Vinnie Myers, the 3D nipple tattoo artist, in this article and video.
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that's great, Sandra!! Thanks for sharing!!! Can't wait til October!!!!!!!!
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Awesome! I'm going to save up after my knees, my nips are next!
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Moon - When is your knee surgery anyway? You've been waiting so long for that!
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Two weeks! June 18th. Scared but happy. Scared because I know it can go wrong. My sis had 5 ops on her right knee. My Dad died after his leg had to be removed because of an infection in his knee 2 years after replacement for the 2nd time. His first had worn out after 20 years. So i know it can go wrong. But i also know it can go right. My other sis had both knees done without any problems. My 2 cousins also no problem. So eyes wide open on this. But I'm shooting for being on the express train for this ride! LOL
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That's LESS than two weeks! Good for you! I think you've had more than your fair share of 'scenic detours' with the northern region of your body. Praying that the southern half of you isn't quite so temperamental.... We'll all be in your pocket on the 18th!
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Sandra: Thanks for posting the article about Vinnie.
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Great article and video Sandra! What a brave woman for allowing all that to be filmed. I wish I lived closer to his shop! My PS thinks my skin is too thin on my radiated side to consider nipple reconstruction the normal way but is going to look into 3D tattooing for me since it is so new around here. I hope someone closer to me does it.
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ive read other articles on Vinnie but she really was brave to do it on video. I think she will have led to a very busy Vinnie! LOL! There are a couple of other people learning from Vinnie. Also I know of one in i think Colorado and one in Chicago who do this. I think there will be more people doing this too. There's so many of us choosing this option.
Much love.
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Oooo I live in IL Moonflower so I would go to Chicago if I found a person as good (or nearly as good as) Vinnie! I hope my PS finds someone before our next apt in Aug. Otherwise I will look into it myself
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