Exchange City
Comments
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moonflwr912 - I hope the meds are finally working and you were able to get some sleep!
Mommyathome - I can't sleep on my side much either.
I'm a few days shy of 6 weeks and I can sleep for a short time on my side (one side more than the other) if I settle into the position slowly. I suppose it just takes time like Moonflwr912 said. I may take a Valium or Advil PM this weekend as my back had just about had it with sleeping on it for 6 weeks. Hang in there!!0 -
Piano-girl
Wishing you a great recovery and hoping the drains are gone soon!! Take care and remember how long it takes the "foobs" to become like "boobs"
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Olaf I rebounded much quicker from my exchange than my double mastectomy but everyone is different. My mastectomy surgery was 7 hours long and my exchange was only 1.5 to 2 hours so obviously not being "under" as long really helped my recovery time. I am fairly healthy and was up and about within 2 days of both surgeries (obviously not running any marathons but enough to make some food - run to the store with my husband - etc..) I was off work for 4 weeks after my double mastectomy and 2 weeks after my exchange and felt that that was more than sufficient time for me to rest up. Hope that helps?? Best of luck!
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Thanks Sandra and Moonflower! I feel much relief to know that this is "normal" and like I said, it is not painful enough for me to be worried so I am just going with it!
Moonflower - best of luck on your recovery from knee surgery! I know that is a long recovery process so as you always say to us- let yourself heal
Pianogirl - I hope all is well and your drain(s) are out. I am SUPER glad I did not need them with my exchange so I feel your pain there. Take care of yourself!
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Missingmommyathome - I had some irritation sleeping on my side for the first few weeks so I bought one of those travel pillows and placed it under my implant and that seemed to help. I also feel weird sleeping without a bra or camisole so when I do I bought one of those neck roll pillows to place in between my new "girls" because otherwise they kind of lay on top of each other and the heavy feeling irritates me too much to sleep. I have adjusted now that I am a month and a half out and can sleep on my side without the pillow now so give it some time. I totally recommend a little pillow for now though! Best wishes.
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Hjpz,
Thanks. Ya I get heavy feeling when the foobs "lay on top of each other". I'm afraid it's going to shift everything permanently. It definitely makes it sore. But when I lay on my back they're not "full". It feels like they're spread out... Like flat spots specifically in cleavage area. Oh well, I guess this is one of those this too shall pass things
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I'm exactly three months out from my last surgery and while I can sleep on my side, I cannot do it unless I have a small pillow hugged to my chest. I agree that the feeling of the top implant pressing on the bottom one doesn't feel good at all. I have to keep them separated. At first I also had to put a small soft pillow under the bottom one too, but in the last month I can do without it, although it still feels better if I have it. I've also gotten over the fear that my husband, who is a restless sleeper, would turn over and accidentally hit me in the chest with an elbow or arm. We have a queen bed. I moved into the guest room for the first month. Since then we've done some traveling and slept in the same bed with no problem.
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for me much shorter and easier.
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I had reconstruction on March 10th. The inframammary scar on the right is harder and more raised than the left. My ps said that I could massage which I’ve been doing to try to break up the scar tissue. I just got some ScarAway sheets and hope they help. I just realized that when I raise my right arm, along the outside of the implant, there is an indention (really an indention line from the inside of my arm pit to the outside of the incision under the implant/scar on the right). It feels like it’s pulling (like a rubber band) and I’m guessing it’s scar tissue from two old biopsies and the past 8 months of surgery (mastectomy and exchange). You don’t notice the pulling if the arm is down but that side hasn’t softened and settled as the other side has. That side is a bit less centered than the other as the outer side of the implant hasn’t fluffed. The big thing is that I was noticing that when I was performing my breast self-exam with my right arm behind my head, I have a lump that feels round/not hard and wondered if this is normal. I haven’t performed a self-exam since September because of expanders and then the swelling had just subsided completely at the May checkup. I don’t want to be anxious and maybe it has something to do with the scar tissue/band pressing into lymph nodes. I just don’t know what’s normal. I read something about oil cysts after surgeries. Anyone had this happen?
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I noticed a lot of new ladies on here, and thought I would share my experience (in the hopes that I can help them like others have helped me). I am 1 week post exchange.
I felt really good the first few days, and it was definitely an easier recovery than BMX. Then I felt tugging and slight pain on my sides when I would bend over, say to get a pan from a lower cabinet, or reach up. I thought that might get better over time but it didn't. Saw the PS today, and he took out some stitches I had on the side (didn't even know they were there). Now when I bend or reach there is no more tugging sensation!
I'm scared to sleep on my side, probably won't try for 6-8 weeks. Scared they might shift, so think that sleeping on my back is the most neutral/least disruptive position for them. When did most of you feel comfortable sleeping on your sides?
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mommyathome are you sleeping with a bra or supportive camisole? That is the only way I can sleep on my side so far.
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Danbury Fair Mall
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Amelia - I was sleeping on my side within days. Had one drain tube each side for 3 days and didn't have any trouble side-sleeping after that.
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Friday my drains came out and I had my "big reveal" -- so far so good! I was surprised that my PS sent me straight to the store to be fitted for an underwire bra which I have to wear 24/7 for a month at least. My implants were placed through my old scar (Inframammary fold) and I was told if the underwire bothered the incision, to put some gauze under the wire. What happened to the soft, comfortable cami I was hoping for? Oh well. I guess we want to keep the girls in the right spot. Ha Ha. I ended up getting a Natori "Feathers" bra in a 34D at Nordstrom. Then, went right to the Rack and found a few others for a lot cheaper!
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Piano-girl:
Woohoo on getting the drains out and on a great reveal!! That is interesting about the bra but it seems that every PS has their own method to handle the girls. I am sure you will get a great result!!
Gotta love the Rack! Hope the rest of the recovery continues on such a great path!
Ally
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Congrats Pianogirl
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I cut a strip of husbands soft old tshirt and folded it up the long way, tucked that under the bra bottom to cushion the imf incision.
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Congrats pianogirl! Asia that's a great idea for the IF area.
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Thanks everyone! ... and I will try the t-shirt idea. I find myself obsessing about how well these bras are holding the girls in place - don't want them to get uneven or anything! ; )
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Kotex or panti-liners work too.
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I have never posted on any websites, I had my TE exchange for a 800cc/45 Natrelle implant on my left breast, I am scheduled for my right breast lift(only had left mastectomy) for July10th, more nervous about this procedure as still have all nerves and tissue, can anyone give me any pointers for this procedure?
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jeanie, I can't give you any advice since I had a BMX. But I did want to wish you all the best on your surgery. I don't think it could be more painful than a Mast, that was the worst feeling ever. Since you got through that, I hope this next surgery is much easier on you!
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Hi-I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction(tissue Expander) on May 9, 2014. I am scheduled for my exchange on July 11. I would like to talk about the TE's. I don't know about you gals, but mine are driving me nuts. They are SO uncomfortable. They go up to my armpit which actually blocks my arm from reaching across to my other side which makes it difficult to wash and bathe my underarms. They just feel so weird on the sides and along the bottom edge. I am not being a baby about it either, I can deal with pain and discomfort quite well. I just didn't realize that they were doing to feel this way and if I had known how super uncomfortable they were I would have thought twice about doing it. I can't sleep on my sides at all, they feel really really weird if I flex my chest and they keep me from doing allot of stretching especially on my left side. The move I do during the day the worse they are. I end up taking a pain pill in the evening just to escape the discomfort. I read that some of you gals don't have any of these issues with your TE's but certainly I cannot be the only one out there feeling this. Also I would love to hear from you gals who have finished and had the implant. How long did it take for you to feel more normal? Did the pressure and discomfort from the TE's go away in quick order? ANY info would be greatly appreciated as my PS just dances around the subject. Of course he does, he has never experienced it. Thank you and God Bless all you brave warriers.
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Hey hjpz- I too also lift weights and used to be a competitive body builder. Now I just work out for fitness. I have big pecs and am scheduled for my exchange on July 11 from my double mastectomy. Just wondering what kind of chest workouts you are doing now with your implants. I heard that the docs don't want you to work pecs at all. What have you been doing?0 -
surfer girl you need to read a bit on TE Trouble. Yes many many people have trouble living with TEs. I used to run into doorways when I turned toward the end of my fills. You'll hear frome more. It gets better after exchange. Much love
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surfergirl - the first thread I found here was the 'continued Tissue Expander pain' thread. Check that one out, you'll find all sorts of sympathy there, it's what kept me sane during the early TE phase. I can't believe your exchange is only 2 months post BMX! That was just about the time I was starting to feel more comfortable with the TEs, but still had a lot of expanding to go. My final fill was about 5.5 months post BMX and exchange was almost exactly 9 months post BMX. Aside from the inconvenience of having a couple of rocks on my chest, after that first 2-3 months post BMX they really didn't bother me.
How many cc of saline did you get at the time of TE placement and what are you filled to now?
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I had my mast and tissue expanders put in January 30th. I finally will have my exchange surgery July 17th. It had to be put off due to chemo. I can't wait. Yes it is uncomfortable but I'm kinda use to them as they been in like 5 months. Ugh
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Hjpz- sports bra. I was told not to go without a bra for long periods of time because the implants are heavy - 750cc. I told ps today that underwire is uncomfortable she said wear whatever is comfortable....
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Hi Sweetandspecial-I ony have 450cc's. I was really small chested when I was younger which I loved because I was very athletic. When I became menopausal my breasts became very dense and big and I hated them, they were always in the way when it came to running, surfing, the gym, clothes(Idon't know how many tops I had to give away because they became too tight) and sports in general. So when I decided on reconstruction I decided to go back to being small again. If I want to look bigger, well that is what bras are for. I really don't care that much about breast size, I just don't want to look too flat chested, and mostly, just want to be more comfortable so that is why I decided to go with the "sports setting".0 -
1- I had a left lift and reduction originally when I had my right side lx. It was pretty easy. Especially compared to the mastectomy. It should be a pretty straight forward surgery- I think they usually make incisions that look like 'anchors', around the areola , down and under the breast. Ask you Dr...
2--surfergirl- you are close to exchange, so hang in there- should feel better after. The implants should not be so far to the side and uncomfortable. Be sure to question your surgeon carefully about it. A few months after you might have revision surgery also, so dont feel like this is the end of the road.
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