Exchange City
Comments
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Hi everyone! I'm new to this thread--I just scheduled my exchange for 8/22 and wanted to get excited to be on the 'squishy side' haha. I'm still deciding on what kind of implant to get and started looking at the breast implant sizing 101 thread as well. Would like to follow along with you ladies on the exchange journey
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thank you very much! I will head over to implant sizing 101...
before surgery I was very small, there were days I didn't feel the need for a bra & days depending on brand I could wear an A or B cup... I can get measurements & photos in a few days to share. I'm currently not home. I am 5'4 1/2 & weigh between 110-115lbs. I've always been made fun of due to my small breast size. After BM & implant exchane my confidence has been boosted up a lil bit, however, the rippling effect bothers me. Also wish that they were closer together. I've always had enough room between my breasts to drive a truck. Hoping to get that fixed with new implant exchange if possible. My Dr. mentioned something about my breastbone though so jot sure if that can be dealt with. I am very boney in my breastbone and chest area.
I decided not to go with the nipple reconstruction. I really didn't want my first tatoo to be my new nipples. I choose to get the fake nipples.
my TE were very tight & hard on me filled to 325cc however, my saline implants were filled to 350cc and are very squishy & feel as though I have water balloons inside. I think they are too squishy. When I return home I am calling my Dr.
My first surgery or BM took me 12 hrs from time I was in surgery til the time I woke up.
My exchange surgery took 6 hrs total.
I did not have to wear a support bra afterwards I wonder why...?
Anyways, Thank You so much for your help. I will post my journey in regards to my BM soon. It was a 2nd opinion, I believed saved my life.
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lilmsSunshine: Happened to come here to see something and found your post. So disregard the question I asked on my thread.
IF you indeed have Allergan Style 20 silicone implants, as you stated on my 101 thread, I have a sneaky suspicion that your TEs were quite a bit larger in dimension than your implants, OR the pockets were dissected larger than the implants. Your TEs might have only been filled to 320 ccs, but they might have been larger in terms of the manufacturer's recommended volume. In this case, the implants would feel a great deal more loose and "squishy" in the pockets. So verify that indeed you have silicone, not saline implants. Getting that information about your TEs would be very helpful.
Deborah
Edited: Check the Exchange City thread for further comments and please disregard the question about your height and weight.....
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Mommyathome, how are things going?? What did your doc say regarding the hard lump you found?? Do you think it could be scar tissue? I posted updated pics on the pic forum. I've been wondering how you've been by our day 12 post exchange. I still have a bit of swelling going on and think maybe I'm over doing things a bit because I get so sore, or do you find that too...at this point. Hope all is well.
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Updated my pics on the pic thread. First implants, gummies, about 4 months after original exchange, and today, 3 weeks after swap to rounds and lipo. The thread is te to implants.
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I felt the same way, then implant bottomed out and now have to do it all over. Am removing other breast. Hope this works or I'm going to be boobless. My PS was inept. Hope you weren't at Danbury Hospital....
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Simplelife,
Hi my friend! Hey I'm doing pretty good. I get zingers every now and then; the nerves still waking up I guess. My right side hurts every now and then when I turn in bed. Can't sleep that well because I'm a belly sleeper and sleeping on my side too long hurts and I can't get comfortable flat on my back! But I'm doing ok. I nap in the afternoon w my 4 year old. It's me and her each day... Come June 19th I'll have all 4... That should be fun..... Not!!! Lol
My ps said its swelling kinda settling in the bottom part of my breast. She said main things to worry about are red, hot and open incisions.... Think she's sick of hearing from me but if I'm uneasy about something I'm going to ask about it and that's that! Learned that through my January sisters here on bco... Be your own advocate
I can't for the life of me remember my darn password to get access to picture forum!! I was also going to upload pics but my husband worries about pics and the Internet so I don't want to do anything that would piss him off right now lol
Met w my gyno on June 10. I'm all set for hysterectomy on July 1. I have to get bloodwork done, and do a bowel clean out!! I need to drink, you ready for this?!?! 238 grams of miralax mixed in 64 ounces of Gatorade to clean out my bowel, just in case they puncture it during the surgery!!!! Sounds reassuring!!! I'll be close to home on the day before surgery running back and forth from the bathroom!!!! Things to look forward to, huh?!? Lmao. The week of June 23 I'm going to go to the school and try to set up my class... I'd like to have it done before I have the surgery. One less thing to worry about. I'll bring the curriculum books home to look at but I won't have to rush back to set up class.
Hope you're doing well! Think of u often! Hey what do u do for work?
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Wolfhoundmom, you're in Connecticut??
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Yes,Danbury and I'm a teacher too. I'll pray for your speedy recovery, my surgery is July 17th,prophylactic left MX and immediate reconstruction with implants over muscle. Got to get back to work is Sept, another summer spent recovering from surgery ;(
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Nice I'm in Thomaston. Went to college at WCSU though!!! Good luck w your surgery!!!
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Mommyathome,
Hi my friend, I'm so happy to hear you are napping each day. I only got a couple of naps in this past week, as I had 2 wedding showers to go to, then did the relay for life last nite. But today I ended up sleeping quite a bit. Must have caught up with me! Tonight I am so sore and have burning pain in my breasts and under my breasts. I think you are right that the nerves are waking up! Having to take 1/2 a Percocet at end of the evening yet, I'll be so glad to get rid of the pain meds!!
I was really nervous too about posting pics on internet, because even when things are safe they are not always 100%… but after reassurance on the protection on that board, I decided if it helps someone else as it has helped me, then I would do it. I still have more swelling in my left side than the right, but keep wondering if it's because that TE and pocket were so odd. I'm hoping it goes away and looks more natural.
I'm a nurse. I work in a small hospital and in all the department's. I love it. Going back to work July 1st night shift, but I will still be thinking of you when you are having surgery.
Oh yes, I remember those busy days of 4 little kids so close in age, and school was out it got even busier. I hope you will have some help at home after surgery. Hang in there, you are a strong women and strong mommy.
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Thanks simplelife2. Just read your post. I have a pounding headache, but I'll write more later!
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jan 2014 -exchange surgery
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Hi Dnice,
So how was your exchange surgery in January? Are you happy with your implants?
How are you doing with Tamoxifen now that it's been six months?
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1/27/2014 exchange surgey. Dnice
Completed
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5 weeks tomorrow since joining the squishy club! I am happy to report Flo and Bobbi are slowly migrating south and I can finally see a change! A small change but a change none the less... pain is better and it is mostly from me over doing it at work and home.... I will post an updated picture tonight on the pic forum....
Hugs and Love Ladies!!
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MereMere, so happy things are going better for you!
I am 7 months out. They look great in clothes. Got a few dimples around the scars but heck so much better than none. I'm not messing with them. I am having another operation this Wednesday though. Just a total knee. So I'll not be doing anything with the foobs for a long time.
Much love
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Moon,
Good Luck tomorrow. You've looked forward to getting new knees for so long. Now it's finally time for the first step. Hope all goes well. I'm in your pocket, girl. Relax and sleep. I'll keep watch for you.
LOVE & Hugs,
Sandra
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Jun 6, 2014 01:24PM AZ85048 wrote:
Hi AZ85048,
Thanks for the feedback. That makes sense why I didn't notice with the TEs. I have pulling on the outside of the breast/implant from my underarm to the inframamary incision. I've been doing PT exercises and maybe it's helped a little . I got some scaraway sheets and using on the incision since that one on the side that's pulling is raised and hard. Hoping that if that flattens it might help with the pulling. It is almost as if the scar that's the incision site on the outer corner is the beginning of the pulling. The PS recommended the sheets and exercises. I go back in late August. I am still doing massage but to be honest I feel like I've irritated the lymph nodes on the outside of the implant since I keep massaging vigorously as recommended. I feel lumpy now and that's the last thing you want to feel after this whole ordeal. I know if you press on lymph nodes they can enlarge so I'll take a few days break from that to see if the lumps go away. When you mention restructuring the scar tissue, did they go back in and try to shave some of the scar tissue away and smooth things out? The PS said that we'd reevaluate in August and he may have to go in and remove scar tissue but no guarantee that it wouldn't build up again. Did you have your revision surgery to restructure the scar tissue yet? If so, how did it go and how do you feel? Pink
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Hi ladies! I need your help/advice. I'm going bra shopping for the first time since my exchange. Any suggestions for comfort or look? I was told by ps to get underwire or something that will support me. She specifically said underwire and I was like, oh! I've worn sports bras for the past 13 years or so only!!! She said I could look for fabric underwire... I need your help! Want something comfortable and supportive!!! I want to be able to move in it lol!!!
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Thanks girls.
Tina, I started with Femera but was so exhausted I wasn't functioning well. I was just existing from one opportunity to sleep to another. So they switched me to Arimidex. Oh man! I do not recommend it! The weakness, bone, joint, and muscle pain was unbearable. Couldn't even go up a pool ladder the other day bc I didn't have the strength to lift my legs. So the onc mentioned switching to Tamoxifen. Haven't heard good things.
How are you doing on the Arimidex?
How long have you been taking it?
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Mommyathome, I don't even wear one. I figure what's the point? Once in awhile I do put on a sports bra if I'm wearing white or something thin to try and mask the scars from showing through. They're pretty comfortable. What size implants do you have? I wonder why your ps is stressing an underwire so much?0 -
Moonflw, goog luck today!! Thinking of you on your day! You will be so happy to have your new knee, and not be hurting all the time. Rest well. Hugs to you !!
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Piano-Girl, good luck today on your exchange!! It is so much better after getting those TEs out! Softer is the first thing that came to my mind after my exchange. Rest lots this next week. Take care of yourself first. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you go to surgery today! (Hugs and squishes) welcome to the squishy side of life!!
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Mommyathome, my doc says I don't really need to wear a bra, only if I want to. But right now I feel like I need the support. The nurse who gave me discharge instructions at the exchange said absolutely NO underwire. So, I get kind of confused as to if eventually underwire is ok, or not.
I hope you are not over doing it! I know you said you wanted to get your classroom ready next week, but please be careful. You have another big surgery coming up, don't wear yourself out before your surgery. Rest lots and let your body heal. Thinking of you lots. Take care.
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Mommyathome,
Check out the Bras 101 thread! If you are on picture forum, there is a great thread there too!
I too am on the search for new underwire bras, and starting to think I will return to try my old favourite pre-surgery brand, Chantelle, after trying a couple other brands that did not work out for me. Some brands apparently work better with implant reconstructions than others, like Wacoal, Chantelle, Freya because of the shape of their wires and cups but of course one bra does not suit all, and there are plenty of other brands out there that might work. I am a smaller band size though (30 or 32) and there are brands that don't start below 34, so what is available to you may vary.
I am tired of the Genies and post-surgical bras I have been wearing as though comfortable they are not very shaping or terribly pretty (and I just am NOT comfortable without a bra at all), and yes, I think a proper fitting underwire is very important for support and shaping of implants, and also help prevent lateral or vertical migration (bottoming out) by encapsulating the implant. We may not have breast tissue, but we still are asking an awful lot of our skin and muscle to hold up that implant in the long run! My PS agrees, but also left it up to me as to when I moved into underwire, as long as I waited until my IMF incisions were healed and I made sure the bra properly fit. I am 2 months out from surgery now and I am so eager to get back into underwires.
A proper fitting underwire really can be very comfortable once you get used to how they are supposed to fit, so don't stress about that. But definitely get fitted as the right fit is super important, especially with your implants. You will likely need a larger cup size than you appear as your implants are wider, but certain styles won't work as you won't have the projection anymore either. Try Nordstrom's if you have one nearby and ask for a surgical fitter, or call around to bra boutiques
PS's do seem to vary on this issue, but I personally am all for a pretty, good fitting bra.
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DQ77, welcome here!! It has been so helpful to have these wonderful, brave, beautiful, amazing women to follow on their BC and reconstruction journey! I have learned a lot!!!
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Mommyathome, my PS said I could wear any kind of bra I like that is comfortable. He also said lots of his patients wear a camisole, and I could do that too or go braless. Wow, doctors really do have differing philosophies, don't they?
I feel like if the PS did his or her job correctly, you shouldn't need an underwire bra for support! Btw, I love wearing a Genie bra: stretchy, no underwire, very comfy.
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I am quite sure my PS did his job correctly, as did Mommyathomes. I am not sure why a PS having a different preference than yours = incorrect job? PSs vary on many things, everything from showers after surgery to implant choices...that does not mean they aren't doing a "correct job". I was direct to implant, but things look and feel great in terms of placement, shape and so forth. He used Alloderm as well to create an internal bra/sling. But my PS still can't waive the effects of gravity in the long run, especially with thin tissues. There are many women with great results from well known PS's who recommend underwire, or who choose to wear underwire for better support and comfort. Many PS's also prefer their patients in underwire to properly shape the crease/IMF, to allow scarring to form in the proper area during healing to properly encapsulate the implant, and to reduce risk of lateral migration over time (this is when implant moves into armpit, which while may often be result of overdissection of pocket, it can also be due to gravity/weight of implant over time. Implants aren't like TEs...implants do and will move (exception may be textured implants which will in time ideally adhere to tissues, but you want them to adhere in the right spot!).
I don't think underwire is mandatory, and no one can force someone into it, but I do indeed believe it offers great shaping and support (implants can be heavy, and unlike augmentation patients we don't have breast tissue to help out...we are asking a lot of our skin to hold those babies up and in!) in the long run. And as I said, there are so many beautiful, comfortable underwire bras out there so I am not sure why an underwire sounds like a punishment! I find being in a supportive bra with my implants (and they aren't very big, 435cc, and I am smaller than I was before surgery) more comfortable than without, and for me a good fitting underwire feels much better than a wireless (and are often much prettier)
Mommyathome, here is the link the the Bras 101 thread (it is 170 pages long, so have fun!):
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...
From the header of that thread:
Why would I need a bra after reconstructrion? To keep those lovely implants where your PS placed them
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Because underwire bras provide such excellent implant support and
stabilization (when properly fitted), many plastic surgeons advocate the
use of them soon after the exchange surgery. The wire provides
"encapsulation" to help prevent implant migration. This was my
experience. My PS sent me for a professional bra fitting (at Nordstrom)
as soon as the drains were removed. I wore that underwire bra 24/7 (I
bought two - worn VERY tightly in both band and straps - for the next
3 1/2 months.....yes months! That is the time it generally takes for
scar tissue to form the "capsule" around the implant. Until then gravity
and arm movements can cause the implants to migrate.Some have asked if underwire bras could harm the new sutures and
pocket work after exchange. While those of you whose incision line is
along the IMF (inframammary fold) will likely be unable to wear
underwire for awhile, most of us with traditional trans-aerolar
incisions will be allowed to wear them. My PS's belief is that an
underwire is absolutely necessary to provide adequate support for the
implants, as there is little else to support them initially. We need to
think about what's supporting our implants. Many of us here have had
TE's [tissue expanders], so our implants are essentially held in place
by our (often very thin) expanded tissue coupled with the various chest
muscles and sutures. (Not the case for those who've had flap
procedures.) Eventually (3-4 months according to most PSs) scar tissue
forms the capsule, which then adds some additional support. Despite
rumors, there is no need to fear about missing the often discussed "drop
and fluff" of the implants; wearing a bra will not interefe with that.
Even with support from a bra, the implants will settle into the pockets -
promise! The degree of "drop and fluff" is greatly influenced by the
expansion process (style of TE & fills), so there is a lot of
variability among us.There are some PSs who believe that reconstruction patients need
never wear a bra - a topic hotly debated around these forums, for sure.
As with much of the reconstruction process, philosophies differ among
physicians. There are some PSs (mine included) who feel that
reconstructed breasts will ALWAYS need the support of a bra except for
short periods. And yes, that includes during sleep - especially in the
first several months - perhaps much longer for many of us. Believe it or
not, many of us actually discover that it is more uncomfortable to NOT
wear a bra. Gravity is not a friend....to faces, fannies, or foobs!We realize that not every PS or sister with reconstructed breasts is
as "pro-bra" as we are. But for those of you who want to maximize your
reconstruction results by minimizing implant migration-and have no
contraindicating factors- hopefully this information will be useful. Of
course, we want to clarify that the quality of the bra is essential. Not
all underwire bras are appropriate for the purpose of encapsulating and
supporting the implants on the chest wall. A high quality bra, which
uses better fabric and wires in the construction, will provide superior
fit and longevity while doing its job of providing proper implant
support. Many insurance companies offer coverage for even non-surgical
bras, so be sure to check.0
