Exchange City
Comments
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has anyone taken a shower with drains still in? My PS told me to take one this afternoon and just let the water run all down the front and back. I had a slight allergic reaction to.the soap they scrubbed me with before surgery and am itchy. But kind of worried about having the drains uncovered and water running over the open incisions.
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I didn't have drains with my exchange but I took a shower with drains a day after BMX.
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Good to know Olaf! I had drains at the BMX too but can't remember how I did the whole shower thing. I guess water in the incisions isn't an issue!0 -
KLJ, my PS told me to use a hairdryer on low to dry my incisions. I had a little cloth "purse" they had given me at the hospital to use to hold my drains. I had one for every day use and one for showering.
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KLJ - I haven't had drains since my BMX, but at that time I tied a couple of shoestrings around my neck and used a big safety pin to fasten my two drains to that. (Kind of like a big ugly necklace, but it worked!)
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I was absolutely not allowed to shower until 2 days after drains came out with both BMX and exchange. Wasn't too bad after exchange but with BMX I couldn't shower until 16 days after surgery!
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I was allowed to shower but had to cover the drain incisions. I used Glad Press N Seal and it worked great. And I used the shoelace/safety pin deal to hand the drains themselves around my neck.
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I just talked to the nurse at my PS office and she made it sound like it was a big deal to be very careful not to get the incision site wet at all. Needs to be covered with waterproof bandages and just a quick in and out shower. 5 mins max if necessary. NOT what he conveyed to me yesterday at all. And I confirmed that with my daughter who was in the room with us. Not very happy right now and will be talking with him! I think there needs to be some work done on communication skills or something with written instructions! Grrrr!0 -
My experience was like S&S...no shower allowed until after drains were out for 24 hours. But my wait was 8 days. I took the longest shower ever after those drains came out. I would never have thought of the Press N Seal..genius!
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Every PS is pretty different when it comes to showering, though the majority do have a "no shower until drains are out" rule it seems.
I think the concern is really with having a direct port of entry via drains and open drain incisions for the things that can live in water or your showerhead, etc. I was paranoid about infection, so though my PS was okay with me showering with drains in as long as I made sure the incisions and drain incisions were protected, and I kept drains out of the way, I found it easier (and better for my peace of mind) to just have a sponge bath/sit on side of bath and use a detachable showerhead. My drains came out after a week and I started showering a day or so later. I had steri-strips over my incisions, which were closed with glue, and at that point my PS wanted me to just let the water/soap run over them, and then pat dry.
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Elizabethaw - Welcome to the squishie side! I hope that you're home and resting comfortably by now... Please let us know how it went.
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Docs for knee surgeries & broken bones w/casts & basal cell derm surgery etc. have been recommending Press N Seal for quite some time. I had to ask my docs about it & then was allowed to shower right away w/incisions covered, whether surgery cuts or drain holes. Hope the BC docs will catch up soon.
I will admit I had to have help to wind the Press N Seal around my body, but it does work. No water gets inside.
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My PS had absolutely no problem with my showering. They say "it's just soap and water anyways". I was able to shower soon after my surgery. I will be having a drain for the upcoming exchange, so I don't expect anything different. If I receive different instructions, I'll let you know.
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Frostecat-Good luck with your surgery. I will be watching for an update from you. You and I have so much in common with our surgeries. I too plan on doing lipo-hate this 20 extra pounds from chemo. Mine is a ways off...just had my last radiation today so I have to wait 3 months. See my PS in 6 weeks to start discussing.
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Same as with some others, my PS said no showers until all 4 drains are out. It really was not so bad. Its not like I was working up a sweat or anything LOL. Baby whipes are awesome. Oddly, after the last drain was out, I was still afraid to get in the shower for a couple days. I think it was a mental thing. My exchange is Monday, and PS has promised me 2 brand new drains. Yay.
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My exchange is Monday, and for some reason I am more nervous then I was for BMX. One thing that has been worrying me is, if there was a recurrencee with implants, how would I know? Aside from the MRI every few years to check on the implants, are there any other preventive measures/tests that will be taken?
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twoam, I was more nervous for the exchange than I was for the BMX too. But all the worry was for nothing. All went well. Much less discomfort than the BMX. And you're right about the drains. Not like I am working up a sweat and the baby wipes work great! Will be thinking about you on Monday. Check in when you can!0 -
Twoam, I'm nervous about my surgery too, and this will be my third exchange. Maybe it's because my new PS is essentially redoing everything, removing scar tissue, switching to anatomicals, and doing fat grafting. Plus, joy oh joy, drains again. I'm just not looking forward to it. I thought I was handling things pretty well till yesterday, and now the nerves have kicked in. The exchange is a lot easier than the mx. After it's over, you'll be saying the same thing to others waiting for their surgeries.
My RO told me that checking for a recurrence is similar to the breast exams we used to do once a month. Check for changes, thickening, or lumps. And report any new pain that continues or gets worse in areas like the hips and ribs, or headaches that are out of the ordinary. I see her every 6 months for a check up, and if this December, there still is no evidence of disease, I'll go to yearly visits.
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I am two and a half weeks post exchange. I was told to wear a sports bra and that I could sleep without it if I wanted to but I have been wearing the surgical bra to bed because I had pocket work on all sides and wanted to be extra careful. So tonight I thought I'd lay down without a bra and i peeked under my nightgown and to my horror I see my boobs are wide apart! When I stand they have two finger spaces between them but when I am reclining without a bra I can get four fingers between! Is this normal? Going to put bra back on!
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Drains here also! I am getting nervous not so much the surgery but recovery. I feel like I finally feel much better and here I go AGAIN. I will be glad to be rid of these expanders. I had implants before and they are much more comfortable than expanders. I don't like being cut AGAIN.
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Goldie, when is your surgery?
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Goldie, that is exactly how I felt! I have to admit that the implants are much more comfortable than the expanders but the flipping drains, and being careful. Don't lift this, don't do that! Back to square one. And the surgical bra and strap. Don't even get me started! I want this over with...done...finished!
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Oh my gosh, that would scare the crap out of me because my TE's are indeed, very far apart. Oh Lord I need a drink.
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Bethq- I have the same thing standing their perfect and when I lay they actually act like real breasts and move a bit towards my armpits. They do it equally so it doesn't bother me but it is normal unless it makes you uncomfortable.
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Goldie - I literally cried reading your post. I was supposed to hang out with a friend today. I bailed, and told her I was just feeling kind of low. She said "what are you depressed about? Everything is going to be great after your surgery!" I feel exactly how you do. I FINALLY get to were I can do things, and feel sort of normal, and now its like starting all over again. I just cant explain it. Over the past 6 years or so, I have lost 90 lbs and kept it off for about 3 years. I have gained 10 lbs from inactivity after BMX. The panic I feel about this weight gain is very bad. I just want my life back.
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Goldie - What time is your sx? I go in at 7:30 am. I want to make sure and say a prayer for you! I think its ironic that we have our exchange on the same day, and my Mother-in-laws real name is Goldie lol.
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beth - I have about a 1-finger space between mine standing up but they do relax some when I lay on my back. Never fear
. I'm about 13 months out from exchange and go braless at home most of the time and sleep with no bra (unless I pass out from exhaustion and forget to take it off). Having a little of that natural movement (ie: flattening and spreading a bit when lying down) helps me believe they look somewhat natural rather than 'Barbie boobs'. Relax and enjoy!0 -
LOL Sweetandspecial, I love your posts.
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hey Monday exchange girls!
Good luck and well wishes! I had my exchange yesterday--I was so nervous and mentally unprepared. The lumpectomies and mastectomies didn't have me anywhere near as crazy. But, now, one day out I'm feeling really good. Oh I need more rest,--I took a long walk and I'll probably take percocet today. But it's so nice to be squishy! And I feel remarkably well considering.
I'll be thinking good thoughts for all of you!
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So glad that you feel good Pilates! Keep us updated on how you feel about things ok?
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