Exchange City
Comments
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kfinnigan, my chest feels like I am in labor, only in my chest. My chest is trying to give birth to my silicone implant:/ It feels ok in the am, and by the time I get home...well, it doesn't tickle. I sure hope my body can adjust. I feel like throwing in the towel. But, I will try to stretch out more. I did go to PT after my bmx because of cording over my abdomen and ribs on both sides. No more cording so far, so I will count my blessings. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Also, how can I go onto the picture forum? Good night.
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Kingster--My chiropractor is certified in Graston Massage; it is not something you can perform to yourself. "The Graston Technique® incorporates an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function." The "instrument" my chiro uses kind of looks like a butter knife. He uses some type of cream on my skin and then rubs the instrument on my skin to break up scar tissue. It has worked wonders for me along with PT, swimming, yoga, stretching, massage, and chiropractic--I have accepted the fact that I will need to continue to do these things the rest of my life to keep my range of motion and avoid tightness. Just another reminder that this journey will never be over--just different in a good way!
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Hello ladies,
Tomorrow's my date for my exchange. I'm a little nervous but I mostly want rid of these tissue expanders. The rad side is so tight
. I'll post how the switch goes when I can. Thanks for all the info here, it has really helped me to relax knowing how exchanges have gone for you.0 -
Hi sisters-have a question for you who been through this. Had my exchange 11 days ago. In the beginning Jan 2014 had BMX to direct implants-lt failed due to necrosis-5 surgeries later-TE was exchanged to implant on lt. Anyway-he did lipo under both arms to remove mudflaps, also did some contouring on both sides and exchanged to implant on lt. Thus my problem-on the rt there is considerable bruising, swelling and pain. There is a area about 4in long by 2 in wide that is hard and very painful! Some bruising is beginning to fade but more is coming. Is this normal? The exchange side is great-little discomfort, even with the lipo there also. Normal? Char
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Okay this may be a silly question, but here goes.. Today I was sitting in the yard watching my husband work.. It was pretty warm out and my husband informed me that I was starting to burn. I came inside to see and put on some sun block, as I pulled down my tank top I see on both breasts at the area of the metal on the TE, was really red. Has this happened to anyone before?
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willowreed, I hope all goes well with the surgery tomorrow! I am jealous. I can't wait for my exchange.
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Good luck tomorrow Willoreed! Hope all goes well. I'm excited and impatient for my exchange on the 9th
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CindyK,
You have to be VERY careful with the sun after MX even if you are one of those lucky ones who does not usually burn (not me, I am a pale redhead!)...it's not just a TE thing. You have very, very little tissue left and it is sensitive! Lots of sunblock and try and cover up where you can. And do not expose the scars to the sun for at least a year (be careful of thin t-shirts if you are going braless...they won't do enough without sunblock)
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Good luck Willowreed. Hope all goes smoothly for you today. My exchange was set for today also until it got postponed.
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Good luck Willowreed!
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how exciting you're finally getting those TE's out!!! Good luck!!
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hi all
I haven't been on this site for a while. It was great when going through radiation and then I had a break for a couple months. I'm going in tomorrow for exchange of my tissue expander for an implant on the right and a breast reduction on the left to make them match. I was doing good but am suddenly very anxious about procedure. Anybody have any tips for what to expect. How does this recovery compare to my mastectomy? Any words of advice o r wisdom from anyone who went through this would be much a appreciated!!
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I'm back home and had a short nap already! I got to the hospital at 5:30am and I was home at noon. Pain is minimal compared to bmx. Thanks for the well wishes. I can feel the difference already.
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willow - great to hear all went well and you're home. Wishing you a speedy and happy recovery.
LMVerna - Exchange for me was a piece of cake compared to BMX but all I had done was simple TE exchange and no other work. My revision surgery I felt like I had bruised ribs for two weeks because he had to sew my IMF to my ribcase to raise it. It really all depends on what's being done and every person is diferent. You should be excited about finally getting that TE out. I can't speak about the reduction in the other boob but I'm sure someone will come along and hopefully give you some peace. Good luck tomorrow!! Keep us posted.
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LMVerna---good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted. I am curious to see how it goes. I am scheduled to have my exchange next week--Mon.--4/6. I am excited but nervous too.
Willow--so glad it went well--gives me hope that it won't be as bad as my bmx.
kfinnigan--thanks for your input. I am still nervous about the LE issues. But I haven't worn my compression garments for two days and nothing major has happened. My BS said this is my new normal and that if I feel like wearing the compression sleeve, then wear it. I'm taking it day by day. IT's not super swollen, prob stage 0, but definitely different than the other thumb/wrist. Need to drink more water too--I drink a lot of coffee (decaf) but should prob drink more water with lemon or cucumber!!
Nothing like getting ready for a surgery and a holiday! When I had my bmx it was Halloween. Someone up there is keeping me on my toes, making me prepare for EVERYTHING! I have two young girls to get dresses for, easter baskets, school work, after school activities, in addition to the day to day things that need to get done. Thanks for listening ladies.
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ciaogina - make sure the nurses & docs know you're at risk for LE and they do the line for surgery in your ankle. The anesthesiologist couldn't get mine started and had to call the head nurse. I wrote on both my arms w/magic marker - 'no sticks, no blood pressure'. I wear a compression bra daily but only wear the sleeves & gauntlets when I'm doing exercise or repetitive activity or flying. It's a preventative thing since you can't go backwards once it progresses.
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LMVerna, good luck to you tomorrow! I had very minimal pain with my exchange surgery. My friend had a breast reduction, and also said that she had little pain. My pain came after I returned to work 2 weeks post op. Actually feeling a bit better now at 3 1/2 weeks postop. Just wish that they looked more like a breast now, and felt more like a part of me. Maybe time will heal. Still is a lot better than the te's, they were horrific.
Willow, glad you did so well. I had my ex on 3/6. Was home by 1045 am (surgery at 0730). I had no pocket work, just an even swap out.
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Hi everyone,
I'm taking it easy today, doing the t-rex arms. My left side is really feeling good, the right side definitely got some work done. PS said he released the scar tissue created by rads on the right. I'm sore but not terrible. The best thing is I can get a deep easy breath for the first time since te placement last July.
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minus two, no chemo just rads. I have an achy ness between collar bone and top of implant on R side (effected side) with the same under armpit. It's like a muscle soreness. IM not sure what is going on? The numbness is off and on in han
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B123 - I agree with Carol's advice on the LE thread. I have truncal LE on top of radiation fibrosis & scar tissue. PT has worked wonders.
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So truncal is tha feeling between collar bone armpit and above breast area? It's better today however still feel achy ness/fullness in armpit area.
I will talk to to MO about a therapist? Thanks so much!! I hope it's just that! Makes me nervous..
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me too B123. I had my exchange 2 weeks ago and had PT prior to the surgery. I have that pain in my back again today and in my arm, that underarm tightness you speak of is what I'm feeling as well with intermittent numbness and tingling in my arm and hand. I thought it was from the TE before, and it is much better... But now I'm wondering if it's LE or nerve damage... Darn it
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Alexa - I had the numbness and tingling down my left arm after the TE exchange too. Some people get it and some don't and a lot of doctors are not even aware of this. it usually resolves on it's own after a couple of months. I also had numbness under my left arm where the sentinal node was removed in my MX and that finally went away after a year. I can finally shave with a razor becaue I can feel again. I'm not sure which your issue is attributable too but if it's the nerves regrowing just wanted to tell you that it can take a while. Someone told me to massage under the left armpit so I did. I can't say if that helped or just time resolved the issue so don't despair yet.
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alexaP, it's terrible! I don't have it in my back, just my armpit, I stretch my arm behind me to pull it, it hurts but it helps. If I push on my chest right side above breast,nits sore. I can see how it would happen 2 weeks after your surgery, but 3 years? I have always had the tightness underarm, but now to feel it on my chest? I was pulled by the arm about a month ago, maybe it triggered some things? I do also wonder if it's nerve as Carol and minus two mentioned as well? I just worry over reoccurance!! But I really don't think so.
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I wore my old chest compression wrap yesterday, feels a bit better this morning.. We will see
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Mjh1 thank you for the words of encouragement! I will keep at my PT exercises as soon as I'm cleared to do them. A week ago, one week post op I felt great! This week I don't feel quite so great but I know it's because I'm doing more. It is hard to not overdo things!
B123 if you were pulled by the arm I'm willing to bet that is the trigger. The pain in your clavicle area could be from a shoulder injury. You should think about getting checked by an orthopedist to make sure you didn't pull a ligament or something.
Fun, fun... There's always something to worry about!
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Ladies - be sure you see a certified LE therapist - not just a PT. Once you are at risk, LE can present anytime up to 20 years out. You can learn more on one of the BCO threads or research at the following link - which most of our BCO ladies recommend.
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Well, we are now into April and looks like all our March Surgery Sisters are coming right along. I am 4 weeks post EX and doing great. The glue is slowly but surely flaking off. I seem to have dropped a little bit giving them the appearance of how they should look. Nice cleavage starting to show. Perfectly even. I am so happy I chose the Allergen 410 anatomicals! Robin
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hi ladies, I had my exchange surgery on 3/31. Went well and the pain isn't too bad (compared to my BMX). He did quite a bit of pocket work to move them out of my armpits. I'm not feeling much pain with the implants, but I do feel like someone hit me in the ribs below with a baseball bat and there is some bruising on my ribs. I'll have to ask my PS about that. Anyhow, I just wanted to say hello. I haven't been on much since my BMX, been pretty busy with my kids. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions about the exchange healing process.
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robin - great to hear you're coming along so nicely. I hope it's all sunny days ahead for you!!!!sunflower - good to see you're on the computer so soon after your exchange and feeling well. I had the bruised rib feeling for two weeks cause my PS had to raise up my skin flap and sew it to my ribcage to raise my IMF. There's really nothing you can do about that except take pain meds because that just needs time to heal. Just remember to take it easy. Good luck!!
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