Exchange City
Comments
-
Andrea, I had my exchange 5 Sept and I definitely experienced the shortness of breath and still do when I'm pushing it--for example, I live in a townhouse and pretty much go up and down the stairs endlessly--especially this weekend when I had a half dozen Tween girls over for a sleepover to celebrate my kid's birthday. I found myself feeling like I couldn't get enough air a couple of times and that's scary and exhausting.
I'm sure anesthesia has something to do with it, as does the general de-conditioning associated with surgery. For me, my first stage of surgery was in May and lasted 10 hours, then the implants were swapped out in a 3 hour surgery a few weeks ago. So, I may not have even been over the last surgery by the time I had this one. I feel like each time I find myself breathing hard, I'm doing a little more to make it happen, i.e.. I'm going a little further and longer. That being said, I will mention it to my doc when I see her in the next couple of weeks. And, if you are troubled at all, tell your PS about it.
I'm sorry your rad side is so tight and grumpy. Is it at all possible that the tightness is making you take shallower breaths or worse, holding your breath, unconsciously? Having surgery and doing that even a little bit could make it hard to breathe.
0 -
Hey ladies,
I have a question about the "iron bra" feeling. I had my exchange on 5 Sept, and things are mostly going really well. My PS told me not to spend money on bras yet as things are settling. I'm discovering that I am prone to the iron bra feeling--not all the time, it comes and goes. And, I can make it pretty much go away by wearing a compressive sports bra. But, that eventually gets uncomfortable. Is there anything else that can help make that feeling go away?
Like I said, it's not an all the time feeling, but I really think that my pre chemo bras were all too large in the band and now I don't have a single ordinary bra that I would say fits. I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead and get some new bras or just keep wearing sports bras or what i'm really hoping is that there is something that maybe I'm not doing that would help..Anything?
0 -
Turtle, so glad that things are going well! I go for my exchange on Friday and hope I bounce back as quickly as you!
Angelia, the PS makes a "pocket" to hold the TE or implant in place at the time of your MX. This is done by stitching your tissues and sometimes Alloderm. After the swelling goes down and your TEs are filled, sometimes one side may be higher or lower or your breasts may be too far apart or too close together. Sometimes the pocket is too loose and the implant moves around or rotates. The PS restitches or does "pocket work" to shift things around a bit or tighten things up. Hope that helps! At my exchange my PS in going to move my right side up & in a little for better symmetry.
0 -
My pec muscles feel just a little tight after I walk. My mastectomy recovery was rough. Then the fills were really painful for me. It was hard to move much for about 3 says after each fill but we did 90cc fills each time.
That's why I am so surprised that the exchange surgery went so smoothly. I figured it was going to be a rough recovery. I'm still badly bruised but I really do feel almost 100% and it's only been six days.
My PS said no lifting over 15 lbs for 3-4 weeks but other than that she said if it hurts don't do it. She knew I wanted to go back to work quickly (I am self employed) and she approved it.
0 -
3littlebird, thanks for explaining that. I guess he may explain that when we get to the visit just prior to the exchange. Right now, I am filled but he waits 3 months to do the exchange. Seemed a lot of people were seeming to have more pain if they had pocket work done and I wonder why that is if its only stitching? Hope mine is ok and don't need a lot of extra. I am a uni so he has to match the other side but plans to lift that side if I will allow it and it looks pretty well even wish now, if you lift the natural side.
0 -
hi Pilates,
I'm glad to hear that your iron bra feeling isn't all the time! Unfortunately I have iron bra as badly as when I had my TEs and am desperate for a solution! Regarding new bras, my PS told me to hold off until about three months post-exchange. Hope you continue to improve!
0 -
When I previously had Iron Bra, it felt like a too tight bra band. Now it feels like I'm wearing a bra that's really tight in the cups. These 410s do not feel as comfortable as my old rounds did. I hope I get used to them.
0 -
Turtle42 - My exchange surgery was on September 23 like yours. I had a rough first night and next day but no problems or pain since then. The tight wrap chafed me on Day 3 because I had swelling and was doing too much. We walk about 5 miles a day and have had no problems. I will be so glad to see my PS tomorrow and have the drains removed and this burrito bandage taken away. I've peeked by stretching the wrap and am amazed at how good everything looks. My implants are Allergan 410's - 425 cc - and I'm happy so far! Like you I want to encourage others to be optimistic about a smooth recovery. My surgery was a 3 hour ordeal because this was the first 410 implant she had placed. She is a perfectionist and cautious and that is why I went home with drains and an antibiotic.
0 -
I had my last fill this past Friday. My boobs are very symmetrical to one another, but they seem to bulge out more on the outside than on the inside. In fact, they seem to be in the way of my arms. Is this "normal", and do you know if this will be resolved with the exchange (gummy bear implants)?
Thanks!
0 -
hi cookie...mine bulged out at the sides too! My ps said he'd take care of it during surgery through some lipo and he did. My implants have definitely created more cleavage than I had with the TEs. I still have some bulging on the sides (I'm only 2.5 weeks post exchange) but ps said this is normal swelling and could take 2-3 months to resolve. My advice would just be sure to point it out to your ps and ask for a plan to address it. Yay for finishing your fills!
0 -
Thanks for the swift response teachermom!
I'm confused about the lipo though. Since we have no breast tissue, where did he extract fat from, and how did that correct the problem?
0 -
It is confusing, right?! In my case, the pressure from the TE's had pushed the fat under my arms and created these "mud flaps" thus the lipo. Perhaps someone else might have a more medical description to help clarify? Either way, it was a pile of fat that seemed to be there due to the TE's.....not pretty..
0 -
Iwannacookie, I felt like my TE's were under my arms more than on my chest. I had a four finger space between my TE's. My PS said not to worry he would fix it at exchange. I didn't have the lipo because I never got the mud flaps people talk about. He just made a little adjustment in my pocket and moved the implants in. I don't really the left side much at all but I do notice it still on the right side a little. Hoping it is just some swelling and will go down in time. I am only 3 weeks out from exchange.
0 -
Been off the boards a few days, so trying to catch up. I too have a shortness of breath so I'm relieved to read that this is somewhat of a normal experience. My lungs ache when I overdo. Back on the tamoxifen yesterday - yuck, here come the hot flashes. It was nice to be off of it for awhile.
Still healing, lifted side still sore and red, have to wear some type of pad under to keep the skin from skin contact at bay. Did a little shopping yesterday and wore my Genie bra. That thing just does not work for me. The band rolls up under my exchange side and hits that thoracoepigastric flap and the pain becomes unbearable to me. I'm surprised to read that I'm the only one that seems to be having problems with this. The only thing that works for me right now is tight fitting tank type undergarment, with no bands or cups. But I can't keep doing that forever - I certainly don't want the lifted side to start falling after all of this!
0 -
Thanks again Teachermom and Mischief. Mischief--I do hope it's just swelling. This process just takes so much longer than I'd anticipated.
0 -
Frostecat, I hear you. I can't find a comfy bra right now either. I've been wearing my Bali 3484's, which are the most comfortable, but they seem to really emphasize how lopsided I am. I wish I could find a good cami with a built in shelf bra.
I go back to work tomorrow. I can't say I'm excited about it. I've loved being home with my dogs.
0 -
Hi Frostecat. This might be the time to try the Bali 3488 bra and stick a maxi pad in any areas where there is an incision. I have an 8 inch long incision on my exchange side where a extra roll of skin was from the mastectomy and I find it easy to hold a long (unscented) maxi pad in place there while I put on my bra. Much easier than trying to hold on several gauze squares. I wish I had used them after mastectomy and lift/reduction. I do use a gauze square on the small IMF incision. I still find that bra to be really comfortable, but you will most likely need a size or two larger than what their size chart shows. It showed a Medium for me and I am very comfortable in the large.
0 -
I remember back to my BMX when my skin was so sensitive I couldn't stand to wear anything. I finally cut some strips of fleece and tucked them into the band of a leisure bra. That was during the winter, so it might be too warm depending on your weather, but it worked for me! I suppose you could even stitch them into the band to get them to stay in place. Good luck!
0 -
Scubalady, I have the Bali 3488 and 3484. The only difference between them is the 3484 has no padding in the cups. Like you, it sized me in a medium, but I felt the large was more comfortable, especially after multiple washings. I'm wearing a pretty pink one right now. One thing I like about them, besides being comfortable, is they come in lots of colors! I love colorful undies!
My skin is always uber sensitive after surgery. I remember being at work one day and sticking a microfiber eyeglasses cleaning cloth between my skin and the bra. Something soft like that really makes a difference.
0 -
grammakathy it's nice to talk to someone on the same time frame. I didn't have any drains but I'm on antibiotics. My surgery was about three hours too. The first implants she tried ( the ones we agreed on) were too big. My skin was stretched too thin. So she had to put smaller ones in. I have the paperwork but keep forgetting to check what size she used.
I see my ps tomorrow for follow up.
Hope your recovery goes smooth.
0 -
OMG - I am so glad I hopped back on this board once again. I just got back from shopping was at Kohl's and tried on the Bali bra - eureka! They were kind of pricey at Kohls, buy one get one at 1/2 off at $40 so that would have been $60, so I thought I'll go online to see if I can get it cheaper, plus I didn't want to buy two if it didn't work out. Well then I came across the 3484 or 3488 - online, oh geez, I don't remember which one it was. Does the 3488 have super soft cups? For some reason I thought is was the 3484 but now I am wondering. I tried on the XXL and the XL I probably could have wore either, but I wanted to go with the XXL it just had more material and seemed like the band was lower. I am so leery of that stupid band riding up but I think the hook in back should help keep it in place, unlike the Genie.
Do you all buy them online or at a local store?
Andrea - do you have a preference for one over the other? I was reading a review on Amazon and the lady thought she was buying the 3488, but it was the 3484 and she seemed a bit disappointed as she liked the light padding and she said it seemed like the band didn't roll as much, which as you know is a huge concern for me.
Scubalady, I bought some Kotex's yesterday to pad myself, because the medical pads are pricier, well that was a dumb mistake. I bough maxi pads, but they all have this contouring in the pads now to wick away the wetness, and well that just ended up digging into me and leaving an imprint in my skin. So I just put a panty liner there today and it seems to work ok. So now I have a whole bunch of Kotex's that I will never use (went through menopause) haha.
I hope to get this right soon!!
0 -
Hi All. Anyone feel like their implants were too small immediately after the exchange surgery and then later they seemed larger after they settled? It's only been a day & I can't help but feel my implants are too small.
0 -
Frostcat, I only have the 3488, which I originally bought because it had the light padding (moulded cup), which helped to match up my TE with the other lifted/reduced side, and it is super soft. I'm not exactly skinny around the middle and the band doesn't ride up on me, or doesn't do it enough to be painful or annoying. I tried the 3484 when I had the TE and found I needed to slightly padded cup to camouflage the difference between the TE and my native side. That one might work for me now that I had the exchange.
I've only purchased mine at Kohls but managed to hit a sale or had a coupon.
I know what you mean about the contouring of the maxi pads. It took me a while to find one that didn't have wings, didn't have any scent, and was really pretty plain jane. A panty liner works too but isn't quite as thick, however if they have the adhesive, you should be able to double them if you need extra padding.
0 -
Frostecat, when I wear a bra I also wear the 3488. I'm still in the TE phase so the light padding hides the lumps & bumps a bit (I had a NS BMX). I still prefer to wear a cami rather than a bra, but when I wear a solid color I need a little more camouflage!
0 -
Frostecat, I prefer the 3484, the one without the padding, because I get hot flashes and the 3488 makes me feel even warmer. The 3488 would be better for me right now cause I'm lopsided, but when I'm pouring off sweat, any additional padding is not wanted.
0 -
Is it necessary to start wearing a bra after the exchange?! The one positive thing I was hoping to come out of this ordeal was never having to wear a bra again. I got rid of all my bras, do I need to start buying some?
0 -
Calibea, I never wore one after any of my exchanges. My PS said it was up to me.
0 -
Turtle42 - Were you able to have your drains removed today? Mine were and I found out that the area where the drainage tubes were taped was irritated. No wonder I was going crazy! It feels wonderful and I hope you are enjoying the same comfort. I still have some swelling and my PS wants me to wear a tight bra 24 hours a day for the next month. What instructions were you given?
0 -
Calibea, every doctor has his own list of "you must do this, or else" instructions. Funny thing is they rarely match another doctor's list. We constantly complain about this here. It seems if there was one way of doing something that would ensure success, they ALL would give the same advice. But n-ooooooooooo. Drives us crazy! The fact is that we all do things slightly differently and for the most part, we end up fine.
I looked high and low for some kind of study showing that wearing a bra (or not) made a difference. There are none. There are lots of articles my doctors giving their opinions one way or the other, but no acceptable data. I quizzed my PS about this issue and he told me the same thing. He had never read anything that would lead him to believe that bras were necessary for the average patient. He said it would be wise to wear a sports bra if you are doing something that would make you bounce up and down, but otherwise, if you want to wear a bra, do it. If you don't, it's your choice. He said some women feel better wearing one and others have such sensitive skin after a mastectomy that they can't stand to have anything next to them. He said unless there was some specific reason why you needed a bra, you didn't need to. So I didn't. After having to wear a bra for over 50 years, going without was HEAVEN. For someone else, it might be hell. We are all different.
0 -
Calibea - again as everyone says all PS opinions on this seem to be different. Mine wants me to wear the surgery bras for 3 weeks after the exchange and then a sports bra. His opinion is that this will help with making sure that the pocket heals where he wants them and that the implants stays where he put them. I HATE these mastectomy bras but I am being a good girl and doing what he says cause right now the placement of my implants look just about perfect and I don't want to mess up his work LOL. If your PS wants you to do the same ask him/her for extra surgery bras. I left the surgery center in one and they gave me two more at the office . Don't go bra shopping at this point as you have no idea what you will need after the implant settle in and if your PS thinks you should wear one or not. Also I think that the recommendations or requirements of our PS on this issue may vary by patient and what adjustments are made at exchange.
I went back to work yesterday - worked for about 6 hours then I was tired so I came home - but in general I feel very good. My incisions look good and are very thin so I think my scaring is going to be minimal and are a huge improvement over the BMX incisions. I am definitely more comfortable on the squishy side!
0
