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Exchange City

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Comments

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited August 2014

    I had a hyst/ooph nine years before my breast cancer diagnosis - have wicked hot flashes hourly.  The compression garment I wore had no effect on my hot flashes, it was a Spanx high waist panty, with a snap crotch (very important - you don't want to pull it off every time you need to use the bathroom!).  My bruising was gone within a week, but I have had very little bruising with any of my surgeries.  You can use Arnica topical, and definitely don't take any aspirin or ibuprofen for a couple of weeks prior or after.  I was sore - both deeply and on the surface of the skin, but it was like car accident soreness - not bad at all, and basically gone in a week or so.  I had surgery on Friday and drove to the mall to get Spanx on Monday, lol!  The rationale behind compression is that when they move the cannula around under your skin they create tunnels - a lot of them.  Compression keeps those tunnels from filling with fluid, and forming a belly seroma.  If you don't wear the compression, either long enough or often enough, those tunnels may fill with fluid that doesn't go away, or is visible.  If you are looking for a good cosmetic result at the donor site I would err on the side of caution and wear the compression for as long as you can stand it, including at night.  I was also forbidden to do anything athletic besides walking.

  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 1,619
    edited August 2014

    I wore the compression garment for 8 weeks too. It wasn't that bad but I found jeans uncomfortable to wear. I preferred leggings

    Babs 

  • andrea623
    andrea623 Member Posts: 572
    edited August 2014

    SpecialK, that's good advice. On my doctor's website, it says to wear the compression garment 4 weeks, 24/7, except for showers. I guess having a second one would be good, since I don't want to wear a smelly one for a month. I'll ask him about switching to Spanx too. Where did you get your's? I wonder if Kohl's carries them. Do you buy your normal size or size up? While I'm getting pre-surgery jitters, I wish the date would hurry and get here. 

  • Goldie8469
    Goldie8469 Member Posts: 59
    edited August 2014

    thanks for explaining that Special K. I never understood about the tunnels. 

  • andrea623
    andrea623 Member Posts: 572
    edited August 2014

    Babs, I confess, I've never worn leggings. What do you wear with them? I think I'll have to get a few pairs, but I don't want to look like I'm running around in a pair of tights. I need fashion help, lol!

  • 3littlebirds
    3littlebirds Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2014

    Thanks for the info, Special K. I'll discuss it further with my PS when I see her for my pre-op. Maybe I had such a look of horror on my face when I asked about 24/7 that she just took sympathy on me and told me I could take it off at night if I couldn't sleep with it on. I have no idea how much she fat grafting she wants to do. This is the first time she mentioned it to me, and I'm afraid my reaction was less than enthusiastic. Now that I've had more time to think about it, I've come to the conclusion that I'm willing to put up with temporary pain for long term gain:)

  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 122
    edited August 2014

    8 weeks???!!!! I have to go back to work 3 weeks after exchange. I cant wear something like that at my job. It is one thing after the other. Makes me feel so depressed and tired.

  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 1,619
    edited September 2014

    I also wore regular pants at work. I could not wear a dress because you could see the garment. With the leggings I wore long tops. 

    Babs

  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2014

    I wear jeans and scrubs to work. Its a very physical job. I cant even imagine trying to move around freely with a compression garment on for that length of time. Hopefully my PS will do FG at a later time, because I just really need to get back to work.

  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2014

    So is everybody on this board implants?  I'm still trying to decide whether lipowhatever is the best solution.  I'm trying match a size D on my other size?

    How did you all make your decision and did you have dual MX?

    Debby

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited September 2014

    I wore Spanx as a compression garment - I could have worn it under jeans, scrubs, whatever.  It didn't restrict any movement.  Here is what I am referring to - and I wore true to size or tighter.  There is no reason this would not fit under any clothing.

    http://www.amazon.com/Assets-Spanx-Waisted-Shaper-Panty/dp/B009O9HQ6E

     

     

    image

  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2014

    Thank you SpecialK. Will they outfit me with something like this at the time of FG, or do I need to purchase it ahead of time? My PS is always very imformative, but to be honest, the closer exchange gets, the more nervous I get, and I am forgetting everything :/

  • vettegirl
    vettegirl Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2014

    Curiously-how many of you did lipo at same time as exchange?  Did you do just belly?  Were you happy with your results?  I have gained 20 pounds during chemo and really want to do lipo with my exchange in December.  Would love to hear your experiences, thank u.

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

    Here's a question totally unrelated to BC - how difficult is it to get into and out of those spanx garments?  I've tried a couple of body slimmers in the past and nearly cried from frustration just trying to get them on!  And I'm not all that must overweight - just occasionally would like to tame the fluff for certain outfits.

  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 68
    edited September 2014

    How long is the exchange surgery?  I am sure it can vary for everyone but an hour, 2 hours?? I never thought to ask.  No fat grafting at this time.

  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2014

    Mischief - My PS said about 1-2 hours. I do not know if he will do FG at that time. I was actually pretty shocked (pleasently) that he said we may have to do some. In my haste to leave the office, I forgot to ask if he would be doing it during exchange, or later on. I think I am just tired of asking questions, and trying to keep up with everything.

  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2014

    Vettegirl - Only going from what PS told me here, but the amount of FG is not hugely noticeable from the donor site, because not a huge amount is needed. Maybe that is just in my case. I would be happy if he took all my belly fat lol.

  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 1,467
    edited September 2014

    S&S - I saw this video and thought of you.... Winking

    http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/60652a7c20/how-to...

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited September 2014

    I did wake up in a compression binder with Velcro but it was too big for me and kept riding up and chafing, so I switched to Spanx that I purchased several days after surgery.  My PS will not do fat grafting at the time of exchange - you can't know yet where to put the fat until your implants settle and the swelling subsides.  I waited a year to do it.

    twoam - some PS use specific garments, but will bill your insurance for those as post-surgical garments - mine was OK with any kind of Spanx, or similar, that compressed the donor area firmly.  Most people do not see much of a difference in the donor area as for a revision coding your PS can only take out what they will put back in, otherwise your insurance company will view it as cosmetic. 

    sweet - it does smart a bit to pull Spanx on over lipo-ed skin - that is why I recommended if the donor area is abdominal get a high waist panty type and make sure it has a snap/hook crotch so you don't have to peel off the Spanx to use the bathroom!  I learned this the hard way!  Since I had to wear mine 24/7, I only took it on and off once daily - to shower.

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

    AZ - that's what I was afraid of!  lol!  I haven't had FG but think I will ask my PS about it on Thursday.  The shape of my implants is quite good but they're almost always chilly or downright cold to the touch.  If FG can't guarantee to keep the nice shape as well as provide some warmth I wouldn't be interested, but it's worth asking the question.

    Thanks Lago - I do remember you mentioning the snap-crotch and it makes perfect sense.  Reminds me of the 'body suits' we used to wear in the 70s!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,360
    edited September 2014

    Nite - welcome.  You'll find just about anything here, but yes most of us have had implants at one time or another.  If you are looking for more info about implants and how to make the decision you might try going to Breast Implants 101 and reading there.  If you read the header it will give you a wealth of info before you jump in to ask questions.  I read almost all of the back pages before I started posting but I imagine I'm in the minority.  If you already have TE's, that changes the discussion too.  When you get a chance if you fill in your data on your profile page we'll have a better idea where you are in the process & which direction to point you.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,360
    edited September 2014

    AZ - love the video.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,360
    edited September 2014

    Nite:  Here's the link

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/746448?page=1

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2014


    Andrea623

    I had my exchange and revision from rounds to anatomical 410's a week ago and just wanted to let you know I am quite pleased so far with the results. My PS did do some extensive pocketwork in addition to Liposuctioning some left over fat from the BMX out opposed to fat grafting and adding fat as your PS plans. May I make suggestion as the whole time with rounds my PS said no need to wear a bra, however after my post=op appt and my compression bandage was removed was told to wear one 24/7 for awhile. Needless to say I didn't have any  so had to go shopping and try various ones on so soon after surgery, took forever as I was extremely careful in my movements. I know theres no way to know what size you will need but Walmart does have some zip up sport bras, or the genie bras are very stretchy to pull up over hips.

    I do have pictures on the other forum to see the difference in  implant look, however yes its still early and I know they will change a bit

  • andrea623
    andrea623 Member Posts: 572
    edited September 2014

    Catey, I'm so glad to hear you're happy with the 410s! I have to admit, I have mixed feeling of excitement and dread for my upcoming surgery on Tuesday. I still have all my front hooking bras from my last surgery, so I'll dig them out of my storage bin. My PS is doing the fat grafting because it's supposed to help radiated tissue, and my rads side is still stiff. I sure hope it helps! How much time did you take off work?

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2014

    Scheduled for 2 weeks and will probable be off 4 as I was during my 1st exchange. I am a USPS mail carrier and walk a city route with very heavy lifting, stretching, reaching and pushing/pulling of heavy carts loaded with mail and I don't want to do any internal harm

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2014

    Andrea, did you ever get access to the picture forum?

  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2014

    still waiting on receptor report. Scans of bones, cats of chest and abdomin came back clear. Detailed boob MRI Friday and genetic testing.   BS wants me to do lumpectomy with radiation then reconstruct?

  • andrea623
    andrea623 Member Posts: 572
    edited September 2014

    Catey, I forgot to ask! I just sent Lilah a request for permission to join.

  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 223
    edited September 2014

    My PS talked me into the abdomen lipo while I'm doing this.  Normally, I am not the type of person who would do something like this, but he said as long as I'm under and he has to do some anyways, I may as well go for it.  The overall cost would be lower, and he thinks he will have better overall results too.  He said a lot of women get it after BC, just to help them look and feel better about themselves after this god awful experience.  I hope I made the right decision both physically and financially

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