Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Join our Webinar: REAL Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment - Jan 23, 2025 at 4pm ET Register here.

Exchange City

1…11151116111811201121…1387

Comments

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Hi ladies,

    Wow, thanks for your replies. Yes my ps thinks that the implants are quite heavy for the skin right now (I have 750cc). She just want a bit more support at this point. I went for an outing to our local Victoria Secrets and got fitted. Dive Cat your right about the larger cup size. The bra I had on, the only other underwire I have is also Victoria Secret and it was a 38c. I measured to be a 38d!!! No wonder why this bra is uncomfortable- dear lord!!! Lol anyway I chose a new bra that fits nice, it feels comfortable and soft. I will still be alternating back and forth from sports bra to this new one, but I think it's best to follow my ps orders. She was in there, she knows what's what!! Lol 

    One thing I have noticed is when I'm laying flat on my back on one side theres like a flat spot - is it the implant just shifting? Is that normal??

    Simple, thanks for being so concerned and supportive! I'm taking it easy- I guess. I try, it's not easy. My house is in shambles!!! I went off on the family last night about needing help around here, it wasn't pretty!!! It's like my motto is if u want it done right, do it yourself!! I've been doing it myself! But I told them last night I'm done! I literally walk behind everyone cleaning up! It's ridiculous. Today's their last day of school u know what they're doing when they get home? Cleaning!!!!!!

    Anyway, next week is the only time I have to set up my classroom. The following week is my hysterectomy and I know I won't be able to do anything for awhile! My plan is to set up as much as possible w a friends help, take curriculum books home and then finish setting up the third week in August. I'd really like to get it 100% set up between June 23-27!!! 

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

    You're right Divecat. I should have left out the sentence about the PS doing the job correctly! Sorry, I did not mean to  criticize or offend. I should think before I type next time!

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

    It's important for each of us to feel like our doctors are doing the best. Sometimes when you read how other PS advise their patients and it is different that what you've been told (especially if lots of other women are getting the same advice), you either begin to wonder if your doctor is "right", or you thank your lucky stars that your PS didn't give you that "bad" advice. It's maddening. Direct to Implant or TE's, shower or no shower ,compression 24/7 or no compression, fill fast or slow, wait 1 month or 6 months to exchange, anatomical or rounds (etc, etc, etc), go home the same day, the next day, or in three days, no exercise or walk as far as you can as soon as you can, massage or no massage, underwire or no underwire, only at night or never at night...OMG! What are we supposed to think? I wish there was a standard of care for breast surgery and reconstruction and I'm sure you all do as well. One thing for sure, if there was an ONLY way to do it and the results were terrible otherwise, BCO would know about it and would let us know. Until these doctors get their **** together, we will continue doing the best we can...completely confident, confident but with fingers crossed behind our backs, confused and bewildered, scared to death, or frustrated as hell.

     

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

    image


  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    Mommyatahome I just went to Soma this past Sat. (someone on another thread here recommended it).  All of my old bras did not fit (NOT even close!)   They were really nice at Soma and sized me so now I know what to get..   I bought 2 non underwire bras (hey it was a sale) and I think they look great! My PS said not to wear under wire but I am not sure for how long so I thought better safe than sorry.  They only had one bra style that was not under wire so that really helped me pick one out fast! hahahaha I hope you are healing well.  Take care. 

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    I am about 6-7 weeks post exchange and I still have some pain/irritation on the top my left side where a bunch of pocket work was completed but I am hoping this is normal and still healing due to the extra work I had done.  It is not terrible pain by any means so I am not worried about it right now.  I am still not comfortable without a bra either.  I wonder if it is because that side has radiated skin that according to my PS is "paper thin".  Sometimes it seriously feels like the implant is too heavy for the skin so gravity wants to pull it downwards.  I hope that makes sense?? SillyHeart

  • Dnice
    Dnice Member Posts: 156
    edited June 2014

    hi Janet.  Sorry for delay in responding. Surgery went fine for exchange.  Healing went smoothly but I am so disappointed with rippling. PS said fat grafting may improve by 30%. Went to Yale for 2nd opinion. Then to Boston for 3rd! Boston doc said this can be fixed. Brava method

  • Dnice
    Dnice Member Posts: 156
    edited June 2014

    hi hjpz. I know the feeling! Yes implants are heavy. I still have tugging sensation 5 months PO. Is anyone else considering brava method and fat grafting for revision?

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Dnice!  It is always good to know you are not alone :)  I also value second opinions (or in your case 3rd) so I hope you found a PS you are comfortable with.  I have a small amount of rippling on my left breast but am surprised there is not more with the minimal amount of skin there from the radiation.  Mine is towards the outside of the breast so it is not really noticeable which I am thankful for.  I have none so far on my right breast.  Darn radiation!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Soma? Is that the name of a store? I don't think we have those in Connecticut. 

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    Meremere

    Right on babeSillyHeart that would be me

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    Yup Soma is a store. I had never heard of it until someone on this site mentioned it. Mine is only 3 blocks away!  They are all over -- even in Ct.  :)

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    Thanks everyone,  guess I need to start looking for a few new support bras!! Don't want my newly acquired girls going anywhere but where they are intended to be!!!! I have 2 mastectomy sports bras from right after 1st surgery, which I wear most days because it feels like I need the support right now. The band on the IMF gets so raw by the end of the day I can't stand having a bra on any more. Not been sleeping with a bra this past 4 days either. I'm so confused. Guess I'll just bungle along in this new jungle and hope for the best results. My PS says "do what you feel like"  Shocked

  • simplelife2
    simplelife2 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2014

    Sandra, perfectly said!! Love your drawings and pics!!!

  • 2-boys_mom
    2-boys_mom Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2014

    I am new to this board but thought I would check it out!  I am scheduled for my exchange on June 30.  My PS has reassured me that all will be fine!  I am so ready to the TEs out!  Any suggestions to have an easy time?!  Thanks a bunch!

  • sherry67
    sherry67 Member Posts: 370
    edited June 2014

    mommyathome, 

    I was told no underwire bras.. I found a very pretty nonunderwire bra from Victoria secret and another from bali. But I also use the genie bra with the cami on it for at night . Good luck searching. 

  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 290
    edited June 2014

    The only thing I would caution about VS is....they often do not measure properly. They will add 4" to band, and try and jam you in cup sizes they offer or have in store...which is very, very limited...band sizes from 30-40 and cup sizes only up to DDD and they may not have all in store. Other brands offer 28-44+ bands and cups up to KK/L or beyond by custom orders in some cases. I generally try and sway people away from being fitted at VS as lots of women end up in a bra that is still too big in band and small in the cup. I have known so many women to be told they are a 34B or 36C at VS, to find out they are more like a 30F or G for example. They use to try and tell me pre-surgery I was a 36C...ha, nope...I was a 30DDD(F)/32DD(E) depending on brand and bra style. Now, 36C is technically a distant sister size to 30DDD/32DD so the cups technically fit but given 80-90% of support comes from the band the 36C was doing noting for support, and would ride up on me, and so on, meaning the cups weren't able to do their job either.

    Your bra might feel better than you had before, but that does not mean it is right size yet! A surgical fitter at Nordstrom's is a good idea, but for now you can try putting your measurements in here and see how close you get to what VS fitted you to, if it very off, it is worth going to a surgical fitter or ordering some bras in those sizes from a place with a great return policy (like herroom or bare necessities) and trying them out.

    http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/

    This is a calculator developed by a reddit member on http://www.reddit.com/r/abrathatfits and is one of best online calculators I have found. It is based on the measurement guide from the subreddit. Now, as you have implants you still need to consider cup styles and the root width/shape of your breasts too. It is worth checking out the reddit subhead and the guides on size.

  • sweetandspecial
    sweetandspecial Member Posts: 1,669
    edited June 2014

    hipj - does the pain you're still feeling feel kind of like an internal 'bruise'?  I had some minor pocket work done with my exchange and that's the way I described the pain in the pocket work areas.  It wasn't acute or chronic pain, just kind of a bruise sort of ache with certain movements or when I would touch the area.  Also, I remember my implants feeling quite 'weighty' or heavy poste-exchange and needed the bra support for 2-3 months to be comfortable.  At this point (10 months post-exchange) I am very comfortable going bra-less if I so desire.  My implants are 750cc silicone rounds and if I remember they weigh somewhere around  3 pounds each!

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    sweetandspecial - my pain feels like a cross between a bruise and a pulled muscle (if that makes sense??)   As I am a weight lifter I would qualify it more as a mulled muscle feeling but I could see how it could be described as a bruise too.  I am so glad to hear you too had the heavy feeling and it went away!  I keep hearing all these other ladies say they don't wear a bra most of the time and my goal is to join them.  I am not sure if it is because I am kind of petite (5'2 - 115 lbs) but I really feel like my skin/muscle are holding these weighty things up all day/night long.  If they are around 3 pounds that would make sense.    Mine are 650 cc and 550 cc but I went from a B cup to C cup so my body might not be ready for the change yet :)   Thanks! 

  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 215
    edited June 2014

    Welcome 2 boys mom!  I would say the best idea is to rest your upper body as much as you can for at least a month after surgery.  I took some pre/post surgery supplements that helped me with recovery and bruising (Vit. A & C plus Arnica Montana and Bromelain) and my PS was good with those but if you take anything you really need to ask your PS about it before and only take them if ok'd by them ( I found the regime on another PS website btw).   Also, don't expect perfection right out of the gate.  I have been lucky to be pleased with my results since day one BUT it appears the majority of other women on here are not and it takes weeks/months for their implants to drop and fluff to where they want them to be.   The most important thing is to go by what your PS tells you because you will find on this thread that nearly everyone's PS tells them something different (they really need to get it together!)  Mine told me to wear sports type bras for 24 hours per day for the first week and then it was up to me whether to wear them at all - but he preached no underwire.  Other ladies have PS that tell them much different info - including to wear underwire.  It is all so confusing that you really just need to trust your PS and go with their recommendations :)    Best of luck to you!  

  • 2-boys_mom
    2-boys_mom Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2014

    hjpz-  Thanks so much for the advice!  My PS told me about 6 weeks recovery time and no underwire bras for awhile!  Just ready to have is all behind me!  So glad to hear that you were lucky!  Praying I will be also!  Thanks again!

  • Olaf
    Olaf Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2014

    Is recovery time, post exchange, longer than a BMX? Or is it just a personal choice?

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

    Hipz I had the bruised feeling too.

    Olaf, my recovery after exchange was harder than the BMX or my second surgery but that's unusual. First surgery I had Direct to Permanent Implants, no Alloderm or Strattice but obviously mega pocket work. Took Tylenol and did fine. Second operation was two weeks later when one implant was taken out, pocket work repairs done and a TE put in. (Plus removal of dead tissue and muscle because of infection.) Again, pretty easy recovery with Tylenol. I did add Valium for muscle spasms for a few days that time. Haven't had them since.

    The third was the exchange. We changed BOTH sides even though I had only one TE. I went from rounds to gummy bears and had a lot of pocket work. It seriously felt like the PS had whacked me in the ribs with a baseball bat.  It actually felt like broken ribs, which I've had before. There was no bruising on the skin, but it sure felt like I was one big bruise. It took a full 4 weeks to recover.

    The fourth surgery repaired muscles and included pocket work on both sides again...but this time it was an easy recovery. Two weeks later I was walking in the Race for the Cure. I have no idea why pocket work done in four surgeries should be so painful in just one of the recoveries. Makes no sense. Even the PS doesn't know. In the fourth surgery, he put Exparel in the incisions which is a powerful foam anesthetic that lasts 3 days so I wasn't just relying on Tylenol for a change. Worked great! Easy recovery.

    So your recovery definitely can depend on what else the PS does in the exchange surgery, especially pocket work. Most people say a simple exchange is no big deal and they are back at work a week later.

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

    hjp, listen to Sandra! 

    Hugs. 

    Thank you all for the well wishes. I am doing pretty good right now. I am on major pain pills but I've already walked down the hall. Met with PT and OT. My pain is better than I thought. Reiki on Tuesday must have really helped. 

    To those just getting your squishies I am praying that you have a smooth journey with no scenic detours. But Remember not to so too much. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Give yourself time to heal..

    To all, Much love

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

    Moonflwr, so glad the knee surgery is over, and it's impressive that you've walked down the hall!

  • Piano-girl
    Piano-girl Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2014

    Thanks for the well wishes simplelife2!  I have apparently gone to the squishy side, but until I get these bandages off I cannot confirm!  The surgery went well and I came out with 350cc moderate plus round smooth mentors. My PS brought in "a slew" of 300-400 sizes in both moderate plus and high profile.  She used sizers too. I had trouble keeping anything down at the hospital because they forgot the anti-nausea patch so once I got that under control, the pain meds were more effective. I am so much better at day 2 than day 2 of BMX.  But...I am definitely sore and feeling a lot of stinging.  I hope I don't have to go through nerve pain again!  I have one drain on each side and am hoping to get them out tomorrow as they really aren't pulling much out of me. Tomorrow is also the big reveal.  Wish me luck!  (and yes, I will step away from the mirror).

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,422
    edited June 2014

    Moon:  So glad to hear you're "up & around" - literally and not just figuratively.  How long will you stay in the hospital?  Looking forward to your updates.

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Piano girl!!!!!! Glad to hear ur ok. Why drains??? How long we're u at the hospital? Listen, when u have ur big reveal just remember its not the end all!!! I cried when the bandages came off cuz I thought I look squished!!! I know we want to get to the squishy side, but I was literally squished!!! They looked like flat mounds on my chest. They're better now, I think one is a little bigger than the other but ..... And I still have glue everywhere!! Lol I'm afraid to pull it off! I don't want to open any incisions!!! Any one have that problem? Well I'm glad u made it through my friend!!! I'll be thinking of you!!!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited June 2014

    Hi ladies. Man, I can't sleep at night!! Do any of you find it uncomfortable/sore to sleep on your side after exchange? Am I not supposed to? I'm a belly sleeper and I know I can't do that for a while but geez and side sleeping hurts....

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

    Mimus, Well I'm up late too. LOL they gave me Norco. Then they had to bring on the Morphine..it hurts a bit more now that the.block they put in faded..

    MAH,  it's hard to sleep on your side at first..give it time. 

    Some one on here s couplr.of years saif.her implants looked like 2 fried eggs. That got better though..

    Much l9ve..

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.