Exchange City
Comments
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Good luck today, Goldie and twoam!
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thinking of Twoam and Goldie this morning!!
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Surgery tomorrow and the jitters have kicked in. You'd think since this is my third exchange I'd be an old pro at this! I'm going to spend the morning cleaning the house. I have to be at the hospital at 10:15. Sure wish it was earlier!
Good luck tomorrow, frostecat!
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Hello everyone, I am new to this forum as well as this site. Boy, am I glad I found it! Diagnosed in February of this year, which was a complete shock since no one in my family had/has cancer and all my prior mammograms were clean. I was totally blindsided. Did not know where to turn. Had a BMX (unusual,per my BS, to have cancer in both breasts pre menopausal) and nipples could not be spared - loaded with cancer cells. TE were inserted at time of BMX, and subsequently had chemo and radiation. Am looking forward to the exchange October 6, actually am ecstatic. I have had so much pain with the TE, had to see a pain specialist. I feel that I have a very tight belt strapped to my chest and that the TEs are pinching my chest and ribs. My PS will insert Mentor Memory Gel implants, but I have not seen much about them on this forum. Has anybody had experience with them? I am so nervous that they might not be the right ones for me. Any input is greatly appreciated! So I glad I found this site!!
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Calibea - Hi and welcome! Although I'm sorry you've found yourself here, BCO will be a great source of support for you in the coming months. There are some wonderful women here on these boards. So let me save you some time. Follow this link and read the L O N G header at the top of the page. This particular thread is run by whippetmom and she's our resident implant guru. (Hence the name of the thread - BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101.) If you give her your stats (height, weight, etc.) as outlined in the header, she can advise you on what you'll need to attain a good result. Trust me, it will be the best FREE advice you'll ever get! She's helped hundreds of us along the way. Good luck to you!
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hi girls...new to this thread but want to join:). I've been on this breast cancer journey for a while; getting through each phase of treatment. The good news is that I should know my exchange date by the end of the week. Couple of questions...1) should I expect drains? 2) how much time did you take off work (if working) 3) gummies vs. silicone. I know there are threads on this but thought I'd still ask. Any info is much appreciated
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Hey Calibea, I also had DCIS in one breast and LCIS in the other. My BS said only 6-8% of women manage that. Lucky us! (Turns out I had very small invasive lobular carcinomas hiding in the LCIS.) Her theory is that some odd genetic thing must have triggered it. I have a daughter, and I sure hope she never faces this.
You've been through so much--I hope you're super comfortable after the exchange!
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Girlstrong - You're probably going to get fifty different answers on this - I only had drains for BMX, but never after that. It all depends on (literally) you and your PS. I took two weeks off for exchange, which was about right for me - but it depends on what your job entails physically. If you lift any kind of weight on a daily basis, you may need more time as the first two or three weeks are usually when the lifting restrictions are in effect. Hope that helps you a little! Good luck to you!
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Girlstrong, I just had my exchange last Tuesday and just got my drains out today. Yes, every surgeon is different about the whole drain debate. Mine was adamant that I would have them. And I have the dreaded elastic strap too. Another one of his "must haves". My pain has been so minimal I can't even call it pain. So much easier than the BMX and the TE's. I just found out today that he put in 650 cc medium profile round silicones. I left it completely up to him as to what I ended up with and I am very happy with the choice. I know a lot of the women get quite involved in the choice but I was not comfortable doing that and just told him I wanted to look like I did (as much as possible) pre BMX. He took 9 different kinds into surgery and picked what he thought was best!
Best of luck to you!!! You will do fine. You are Girlstrong!!!
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Frostecat and Andrea - Good luck today! Will be thinking of you both
Goldie - Hope all went well, and you are doing well
Thank you all so much for the warm wishes and positive thoughts. I am still kind of dopey, so please forgive. Surgery was a bit longer then expected yesterday, and all I want to do right now is sleep.
PS used 410-FF-535cc. I was very glad he ended up going with the FF instead of the MF we had discussed earlier. I did manage to remember, at the very last minute, to take TE pics before leaving for the hospital. All your stories and pics have helped so much, and I would like to be able to help others someday too.
Right now I am all bundled up in gauze and a surgery bra, with 2 drains. Much better then the 4 drains after BMX though, so no complaints! PS said absolutely no unwrapping, or peeking, until post op appt on Thursday. I can see the very tops, and the right side is flat and lumpy. Thanks to you all, I know to not even pay attention to that right now
One very pleasent surprise....A lot of woman have said that the 410's are very hard. I can touch the little part that I can see, and they feel very soft to me. I did not have firm breasts pre-BMX.
I have more pain than I had after BMX, but definately not NEARLY as much muscle weakness. Most of the pain is in, and under my arms, and burning sensation in my chest. I dont want that to scare anyone waiting for exchange, because it is definately manageable. I was also much more physically fit at the time of BMX, and that probably helped over all.
I know every PS is different, but mine said no lifting at all, no shower, no doing dishes, no reaching....pretty much just rest. He even lectured hubby on having to do everything for me, for a few days. PS knows me all to well lol.
Sorry this is so long and all over the place. I still feel a bit dopey, but all in all, pretty darn good
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Congrats Twoam, we are implant sisters with the same size!!! Glad all went well with surgery, follow your PS's instructions and Im sure your going to love your results!
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Congratulations, twoam! Your post was very helpful and you didn't sound like you were "all over the place" at all. I'm looking forward to your updates as the week goes on.
Thank you for your well wishes for today. I don't have to be at the hospital until 10:15, and am a bundle of nerves. For my previous surgeries, I was always first up, so this waiting is driving me crazy.
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twoam - WOOHOO! Welcome to the squishie side, girlfriend! Now rest, relax, and drink plenty of liquids! Every day will get a little better!
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Twoam, I'm glad you're feeling ok!
Question for y'all: I had my exchange on Thursday, and I've had very little pain. Just little aches and mild soreness--except for a very sharp pain in my back. It's around the lower part of my shoulder blade, and I only feel it when I move a certain way (rolling over in bed, for instance). I don't feel it at all most of the time. It's less scary because it's in my back--it's got to be a muscle that's irritated by the changes in my chest, right? I'd get sore muscles in my back from TE expansions, so I'm sure the muscles in the back react to the muscles in the front.
I had hoped to be back at work today, but I suppose that was unrealistic. I feel like I should be back because I'm not in pain, but I'm so darn sleepy!!
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Cateyz - I remembered that!!! I know we are different body sizes/shapes (I am bigger then you), but when PS said what implant he was using, all I could think was "Please God let them look as good as Cateyz!". LOL
Elizabethaw - I wonder if it could be from how they have us lay flat on back for surgery? I had a lot of back pain with TE's. That part already feels so much better! I have quite a bit of pain under, and in my arms. Nurse also thought this may be because of positioning during surgery. I can tell that under all this guaze, the drains are quiet high up on my sides. So maybe it will help when they come out.
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no drains for either exchange. no chest strap or bra. Took 2 weeks off for each one. Im having a more minor exchange in Nov and trying to do it with about 12 days off. But we are and our Drs are all different.
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aviva - Absolutely. And what type of implants are used, alloderm, how much pocket work is done.... Lots and lots of variables.
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Hi All,
I am going to have my exchange on 9/11 (still tough to type that date...) and have a question. After my BMX I was told no needles or blood pressure cuffs in my arms since I had lymph nodes removed on both sides (3 on one side, 2 on the other). Since then, I have asked to have my bp taken on my ankle and blood draws in my hands. Should this be the case during the exchange surgery? I know they always have that automatic bp cuff on the arm--will that be a problem? I sure don't want lymphodema if I can prevent it? Also, will they run all the anesthesia through an iv in my hand? What has anyone else experienced?
Thanks!
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Elizabethaw,
I too, suffered from neck/shoulder pain since mastectomy. I currently have TEs and see a physical therapist and chiropractor weekly. I've been told that my pain is from the radial nerve and having been irradiated and operated. I do lots of stretching for the shoulder (e.g. wall angels, child's pose, etc.) to work the latissimus muscle and shoulder. My physical therapist does a great job trying to break up scar tissue and "move" the nerve back to its proper place. I suggest you find a good physical therapist and do lots of stretching exercise. Good luck!
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Calibea, MNM7 on the picture forum has Mentor Memory gel implants. Maybe you could PM her to ask questions.
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twoam, I happy happy to read that all is well. My surgery was later than scheduled last. I have 410 filled to 475.
This surgery was so much easier, I can raise my arms and I am not in much pain. Honestly, I feel like since the expanders are out, I feel better. I don't have that punchy feeling. I have not needed much pain realized. The BMX is much, more to deal with. Don't have anxiety. You will feel immediate relief from the expander pressure. Thank you for the encouragement.
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Superbody, thanks so much for the info! I had tons of serious cording with the BMX, and I found an OT who was able to resolve it with massage. I'll make an appointment with her to see what she can do. I'm glad you've found someone who can help you!
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teachermom4, take a look at this good article on lymphedema:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC365257...
I lost one node on my left and five on my right, so I use my left arm for IVs and blood tests. I had my exchange on Thursday and had one of those "do not use" bracelets on my right. Apparently there is a lot that is simply not known about what triggers lymphedema, but there is a lot of fiction out there.
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Teachermom - I was told by my ONC and Nurse Navigator to NEVER let them do blood pressure, IVs or any needle on the arm that Lymph Nodes were removed from. I purchased a Medcial Bracelette, but they gave me a special one to wear during surgeries, that has no metal on it.
Very good article Elizabethaw, thanks for sharing it.
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Teachermom4, I understand that when lymph nodes are removed in both left and right, all BP and I believe IV's can be done thru leg or foot. At the hospital they have pink band that are placed around wrists indicating this. There is also a website and I forgot where that will mail you some plastic ones free of charge, try google search.0 -
Elizabethaw - hope your OT helps minimize your pain! I was in a lot of pain and tried numerous modalities to help out and really found that time and a good PT were my best choices. Like you, I had pain in my shoulder blade, right under it, and would request my PT to "dig" in there to release tightness. Really concentrate on the nerves since they can be "caught" and not "glide" in the muscles, as well as breaking up scar tissue. I found that the more aggressive the PT worked on me, even if I was in some uncomfortable pain during and after (ice helps post-treatment), then the better was my mobility of shoulder/arm and over time less pain. Let me know how you feel after your OT works on you!
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Thank you everyone--you have all been so helpful!! I feel like this issue is not widely understood. At my pcp office, on two separate occasions, the nurses looked at me like I was crazy when I asked for the bp to be taken in my leg! Hopefully the surgical staff will be more aware but I will make sure to have the bracelets and/or permanent marker on me!
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I can't peek either. I want to peak do badly. I will post pictures when I figure it out...I am not doing something right.
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I can't peek either. I want to peak do badly. I will post pictures when I figure it out...I am not doing something right.
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Goldie- I cant see anything either. He has me wrapped up pretty tight. If I tried to look, I would never be able to re-wrap it LOL. I can see the very tops, and am amazed at how soft they are. I can see some uneven spots on the very top, but we had already talked about doing fat grafting in the future. Yesterday when I peeked inside the bra a bit, I could tell that the right side was definately flatter. 3 hours later when I peeked, it looked the same as the left side. This is just top peeking though! It really helps to have heard ladies who have gone before us, talk about how this and that can be fixed. They have definately made it much easier on us by sharing their stories. I just cant get over the softness. I was really expecting them to be very hard, after all I had read. I was always looking to go smaller then I had been, so I am definately happy that the coconut shell projection is gone! Its exciting isnt it!!!?
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