Exchange City
Comments
-
I guess they look fine. No bruising but swelling especially up near top and near armpits on sides. They look good, I guess I liked the firmness of the Tes.... Hope my incisions will fade w time.
Simple, where u from?
0 -
Mommy, I wonder if you are experiencing the beginnings of lymphedema? You could go to one of the threads for that and ask your question.
0 -
Thanks Sandra.... I sure hope not!!! My mom has it and I know how difficult it could be
0 -
sorry simplelife2! I was trying to read too many posts at one time. The Arnica helped with bruising and the Bromelain helped with swelling. I also took Vit. A & C before and after surgery. I hope you are healing more each day
0 -
Mommyathome is the tingling when you wake up or are laying down? I noticed since my exchange I have some weird tingling when I wake up in the morning sometimes but it goes away after I am up and about.
p.s. from what I have read tingling is not really a major sign of Lymphedema. More often the major symptoms are swelling or heaviness or tightness in the arm.
0 -
Question to those on the squishy side....I am 4 weeks post opt and have random deep pains under the implants. they are different from the nerve lightning with the DMX... sometimes across or in my incisions themselves? Should I bother my PS about it? I go back for my check up on the 30th....
0 -
Hjpz,
No, it's been throughout the day.... When I'm walking around, sitting, lying down wtc....
Just noticed this morning too on one side instead of the implant being totally soft and feeling like breast tissue, there's a hardened spot... Any ideas?
0 -
I'd mention it to your PS but it just sounds like nerves. I had a real zinger that went almost like a zipper across the whole incision. And it hurt! For like about a half a second! LOL. I thought it was weird because it went the whole way. From my back to my front. Just weird. But always if it worries you call the PS. The nurses know when to bother the P'S and you'll be less scared.
Much love.
0 -
When you have your exchange, does it feel TOTALLY different than with the tissue expanders? I have a feeling of wearing an uncomfortable bra with my tissue expanders. I must say it has gotten a lot better in the last 6 weeks. I go to see my PS on Wednesday to schedule exchange and to decide what implants.
Thanks
0 -
Everyone is different. Many feel big relief right away. I wasnt as tight as the te but not loosey goosey. Have to wait and see.
0 -
Olaf everyone is different. You will find 10 different answers for 10 different questions here! I am about six weeks out from my exchange and while it feels less tight than with my TE's it is still not comfortable for me so I wear a bra or a camisole 24/7. I have a lot more sensation still in my chest area than I thought I would so I think this adds to the issue because I feel more. Having said that, it is still more comfortable than the TE's but I never had a major issue with those either except that my husband ran away from my hugs because he said my chest hurt him! hahahaha
0 -
Mommyathome I would concur with Moonflwr that it might be something to do with a pinched nerve (or at least that is what is sounds like). I did find info. online about pinched nerves after breast augmentation and one PS said this: "Occasionally stretching of a nerve can cause pain and discomfort that is relieved as the nerve expands and becomes less taut over the implant. Exercises could help achieve expansion of the pocket." so hopefully it is just something like this and can be remedied.
0 -
MereMere - At 4 weeks out I was still easily reminded that I was not healed all the way when I over did things (and by over did things this could be as simple as me lifting a grocery bag) - when this occurred my chest would become tender and achy and I would have to take Advil (I try not to take anything ever so it must have bothered me). Not sure if it is the same as your pain. Do you get it after you have done anything at all physical?
0 -
and everyone, please don't forget the mantra after exchange! Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Don't try to do too much. You have to heal inside too.
Much love
0 -
Thank you, moonflwr912, those are indeed words to live by! Now I don't feel so bad for finally resting today.
0 -
Mommyathome, I saw my PS for my post op yesterday, he said everything looks good. I too have more swelling in the top and under my arms, and I wake up with the tingly hands sometimes. But healing is going very good. The steri strips are still covering the scars, so I haven't seen those yet. I did ask about wearing a bra 24/7 and if my implants could move (like under my arms), and he said "No they won't move, you don't have to wear a bra, it's totally up to you, see you in a month and we'll talk about nipples". So, I got my 3 minutes of reassurance. (He's always in a hurry, but I have total trust in him, he has been doing this for many years) he always says to call if I have any questions or concerns. I live in Wisconsin. Oh, and he did tell me they will still be changing (as our foobie sisters have told us!)as the swelling goes down (the lefty is still odd shaped, as in squarish) So, onward.......as we evolve:)
I was very sore after my long day, as I travel 1 1/2 hrs each way for appts, and I went by myself (so driving there and back, and I did a bit of retail therapy!!) DH really needed to work, and I felt like I needed that time alone, I could cry if I needed to, (or howl) and not be stressing anyone else out. My family is very supportive, but they get worried if they think I'm "not handling this"! Sometimes it all catches up with me and I just need to let it out, then I feel better. And....as we know, retail therapy always helps, right?:) love to you..hope each day is better for you.
Thanks friends, for the reminders about the healing on the inside too! I have to repeat to myself many times a day the mantra you teach..."just because you can....."
0 -
Note to self: do not make something in the oven that sets off the smoke detector that causes you to have to flap a kitchen towel at it-- two weeks after chest surgery!
0 -
sime, there's a very good reason for that mantra. Because we usually feel pretty good after exchange we try to get back to normal as fast as possible. But we all need the time to heal. That's why we are kind of obsessive about reminding people. Some of us have stories of the things that go wrong if you rush it. LOL. Right Sandra? LOL
0 -
Well Ladies today I had my appointment with PS to discuss revision surgery and after much discussion we have decided to exchange from the Style 20 550cc to the Allergan 410 anatomical in 650 range. As he explained it will address the rippling I have and also give me a bit more cleavage and fill in the area of my bony chest cavity. He will also correct the scar tissue indent from original biopsy incision and will do a small amount of Liposuction to remove some fat in the area of my breast bone under my foobs that was missed during bmx.So the plans are to have surgery towards the end of August, which will work out great as so many people have vacation time right now at work and no one is scheduled to be off the month of September. I should have a date as soon as scheduling calls me in a few days.
0 -
0 -
Catey, such good news! I know you are happy now that you have a plan.
0 -
Catey, I'm new to posting on Exchange City, though I have been "observing" for a while. I was very interested in your discussion with your PS because I have a similar situation and my PS says I am the perfect candidate for the Allergan 410s. While I don't have a lot of rippling, I do have a very bony chest with a prominent sternum that is visible even in clothes. I'm encouraged by the description of expected improvements because they are what my PS said could be accomplished. I currently have Mentor silicone rounds and am not totally unhappy with them, but now that I know an improvement is possible, I'm very tempted to go for it. Just don't want to invite trouble! Does anyone have any pros and cons they would like to share?
0 -
Sandra, thank you and yes I feel a bit of relief.
Pinkwalker, I too could live with them but would prefer to have the revision. For awhile I was considering not doing anything but then after a few nice days spent wearing a swimsuit, I knew I have to go through with the revision
I too would be interested in any thoughts about the 410's any of you ladies would like to share
0 -
Sandra, thanks for the cue pic and the support!:)
0 -
I love my 410s. No rippling, no turning, no worries. Like Sandra said - they are a little harder than the rounds, maybe more like a 20 year old. But I always had hard breasts - fibercyctic breasts but I guess they don't call that a disease anymore? Anyway my 410's certainly aren't any harder than my "original" breasts. They look very natural & I was thrilled to get rid of the sagging, nursing, aging breasts that were headed down to my waist.
0 -
Having had both kinds, I don't think they make a huge bit of difference. The taller 410 gummy bears do cover up parts of your chest that are bone-y. That's why I changed. My gummy bears are nearly 6.5" tall. (I have the biggest kind - full height, full projection FF 740. My rounds were Style 20 800 cc.) The difference in feel is not worth going through another surgery for in my opinion. Neither are hard. Both have cleavage & move around. The shape seems about the same...just taller - so the upper pole has a little bit more fullness. Compared to a natural breast, the projection is not much with either kind of implant. Mine stick out 2.4" at the bottom and look about 1/3rd as much as the picture below. The breast does not go out in a cone shape like this. The end 1/3rd is gone. It's a mound, not a cone. (Maybe it's different with nipple sparing.) The upper pole doesn't slope much. Certainly not like the picture. Maybe half that much. They do look much rounder now after several months. No more "hamburger buns" like in the beginning.
.
0 -
Heading back to ps... I have a spot on breast that feels hard... Like the te port... Any guesses to what it may be?
0 -
im one that switched the to the other kind, to rounds. With my shape you couldn't see the gummie shape. So I went round and smaller. They are a bit softer. I also had lipo...you get very very very bruised and sore...be prepared Catey!!!took a good week to start to feel better from that part.
0 -
Hello, Everyone.
I just recently have gone through a BM in Sept of 2013, immediately had TE put in. Had exchange surgery in Jan 2014. Noticing a lot of rippling in my saline implants. Dr. did not discuss this with me prior to going with saline. Really wanted the teardrop gummy implants but didn't want to deal with the drains again.
Anyone have any of these same issues?A lil bit about myself I'm 38, 3 kids! Found first lump at 29. Each time I found a new lump I was going through hot & cold flashes waking up soak & wet. Had lumpectomy in 09. Another one in 2012. Decided to go with BM after the third lumpectomy in 2013. Dx had LCIS in both breast. Along with other issues... They took my nipples. Having a hard time with that but, trying to adjust...
Visited family in Dec. Asked my sister if she wanted these bras I had that didin't fit. She says laughing, I can not wear those. I asked why? Knowing they would fit. She's laughing saying, God blessed me with these huge nipples. I need more support & padding. I was hurt by the nipple comment, but, for a blonde I was quick to say, God Blessed me too! I can take my nipples on & off as I please . LOL...
Anyways, thinking I need to call Dr. & make appt. to see if I can exchange these from saline to something else... Any comments, thoughts & or experiences to share would be greatly appreciated! Love to All!
0 -
lilmsSunshine,
You might want to head over to Breast Implant Sizing 101, read the detailed thread header, and post a query to whippetmom including your concerns and likes with your current implants, the details of your current implants, as well as measurements, and your goals for size and appearance/outcome. She might ask you to send her some photos as well to see what you are starting with, but I am sure she can come up with some implant recommendations for you!
Saline does tend to ripple more than silicone implants (be they cohesive or gummies) but depending on your skin tissues you might get rippling no matter what implant is in there; sometimes fat grafting can help with this, but sometimes only minimally. I know some people do get drains with exchange, but I know a lot of people who got gummy implants who did NOT get drains at exchange. Did your surgeon tell you he would give you drains for sure if you got gummies?
Have you considered nipple reconstruction? Or 3D tattoos? You can get some pretty amazing looking nipples, though of course this is cosmetic and won't give you back your nipples. I liked your response to your sister, sounds like she left her brain and compassion at home that morning!
0
