Exchange City
Comments
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Fe - Anatomical implants are not to be massaged as you want them to adhere properly. If you have silicone round, the purpose of massage is so capsular contracture does not form. Massage techniques differ by PS. It's best to ask your PS exactly how he wants you to do it.
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I had my preop appt today with my PS. Surgery is two weeks away. She had a good way of putting how I feel- I have a new normal right now, and while I don't exactly like it, I've become accustomed to it. And so there's anxiety about the surgery, what it will bring- what will they look like, am I going to screw up my good boob with the lift, how can I deal with 6 weeks in a bra 24x7 and limits on lifting things, chores and exercise?It's a lot to handle, I can't wait to be on the other side.
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JustAJenn I will be sending you a Happy Birthday wish!0 -
It really isn't hard to wear a bra that long. I just passed 11 weeks post EX and still wearing a very light sports
bra at night and just started to wear a stretchy cami instead of bra a few days a week. It is like a security blanket. I have gummies anatomicals and it is worth it for the results. Good luck
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Still in my surgical bra too, three weeks post surgery. It is not too bad. Saw PS yesterday-my new nipple is coming along. Still not healed but is pink and nice and plump-like I wanted. Headed to the beach for the weekend so cant get that wet in pool or anything yet-but will wear a bathing suit with guaze over to be outside-just have to be careful keeping it clean and dry.
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Justjenn- I hung onto my "new normal TE" for a long time. I'm so happy to have finally done my exchange 4/9. Surgery itself was fine, quick and I was home that eve. I am much more comfortable and feel my range of motion on implant side is even better. My lift side is fine- it's not as perky as I'd like but not as droopy as before- works better in a bra which I really wanted. The lift side feels pretty good at this point and hasn't affect ROM or anything like that.
I had radiated skin so I'm really happy so far it's working out- fingers crossed. For surgery, i didn't have surgical bra- maybe because I'm smallish- he just put small bandage over incisions and a square saran wrap type seal over that- I could shower the next day- kept those bandages on till I saw him two weeks later.
I had to take it easy for a few weeks which is hard for me. I went back to yoga yesterday- and it felt good- didn't stress my arm or pecs and I did short planks and down dog. Felt much better without TE.
Good luck!
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Fe_Princess- I was in instructed by my PS to massage my implants a few times a day. He instructed me to put the palm of my hands on the outer sides and push inwards. I have Mentor smooth round implants and he wants to prevent capsular contraction. I hope you thoroughly enjoy getting back to running! I have 3 more weeks until I'm cleared to start running myself.
I notice that when I do my massage that I can see the implant moving around under the skin on the right side but not the left side. Anyone else experiencing this?
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Well--my PS confirmed today that I do indeed have rippling (on both breasts). It's possible that it could resolve itself or at least improve, in a few months, but not likely. She said I'm too thin to do fat grafting and that putting in larger implants is probably the best solution. But even that won't guarantee smooth boobs.
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Both sides are still sore...its been 9 days since surgery. My MX exchange side still feels heavy and almost feels as though it swells more at certain times..then goes down,...starting to worry about whether or not this could chest LE..which is what I was concerned with when I had TE in. Anyone else experience this sort of feeling after the exchange. Also my entire chest still feels tight.
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Hi Trailrose, I have the mentor memorygel silicone gel. I am doing the massages. I guess the outer side of my mx breast has really tight pectoral muscles. When I push the implant from inside to outside I can see it move in there. I know it's not the final result at three weeks, but it feels like it. I was reading a blog and a woman said something that makes so much sense to me: breast reconstruction is not a boob job! I am grieving my old body though.
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Fe, I also have mentor memory gels, smooth rounds, silicone, 700 ml. My ps told me massage wasn't necessary because the te already did that. I massage my scars and move them around a bit anyway because it feels better. I mourn my old self as well. I hate having a numb chest and no nips. But, I continue to try everyday to count my blessings. I think it is good to mourn. Not good to internalize, right?
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Hey Kingster, I allow myself to grieve when it comes up. I don't stay there too long but let it play out. My reconstructed breast is not symmetrical to my right one, especially the nipple. My fear is that if I want to have it fixed, I won't be able to because I'll be in another country. I am grateful but sad that we all have to go through this cancer experience.
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Iwannacookie- I'm sorry that you got that news! I really think that my right side has some rippling even though my PS says I don't. The waiting for a few months is hard. And the thought of a revision and downtime is harder! Do you think you'll have bigger implants put in? What kind/size do you have in now? I called my PS yesterday to explain I can see the right implant move around (it looks ripply) when I massage it and I was told that is normal and to give it time since the massaging should help. Also I was told that the left one may have a tighter pocket and that maybe why I don't see the implant move around in that one.
Fe Princess- I totally understand the grieving. I'm trying to be realistic about the outcome but it's hard. At least I get comfort in that when I wear clothes they look good. Aren't you moving to Switzerland? I'm curious to know how that will work out once you move there since I've heard they have a great healthcare system. You'll have to let me know what kind of sports bra you will be using to run in.
ThinkingPositive- Remember we all have different thresholds for pain. Have you contacted your PS regarding your most recent concern with LE? It's just over 3 weeks for me and I have some tightness in my chest and occasionally have felt some stabbing nerve pains but nothing like it was with the TE's early on.
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I have Mentors 440cc. I was actually supposed to get the newer ones, at 495 cc, but because my right TE had leaked so much, I apparently wasn't properly stretched when it came time for surgery, or something to that effect. So my PS had to go with the smaller ones even though I was stretched maybe a little too much for them. In any case, yes--she will probably replace them with the 495 cc ones. She said I can start exercising normally in 2 weeks so I can at least get back in shape...just in time for my next surgery. For some reason, even before I looked at my new boobs, I had a feeling I wasn't finished with this ordeal. But I know that this entire experience with the big "C" has been so much easier for me than most of the women here, so I'm not going to feel sorry for myself.
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Iwannacookie- Atta girl! You have a good attitude. So true for me too in that I've been very fortunate with how all this turned out for me. I watched my sister at age 27 go through BMX, dose dense chemo, radiation,reconstruction, Zoladex injections, Tamoxifen, and a complete hysterectomy due to being diagnosed with stage IIIb BC (she's also BRCA 1#) It's 11 years later and she's doing wonderful! Maybe the smiley face on the front part of my body is a good sign! I have an abdominal scar from where a fibroid tumor was removed so between that and the BMX scars I see a constant smile.
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Yep--been there, done that too. Had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago due to several sizeable fibroids. Kept my ovaries and cervix though. Then a few months later I had a hernia repair. Both surgeries were done laparoscopically so I have several scars scattered on my abdomen. Plus, I form keloids so they're extra "lovely". Lol.
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Hi Trailrose, I will be charting my journey from the US to Zurich and tell you all about my experience their with my follow up treatment. I will be running in a champion x-sm sports bra. I went down two cup sizes. What do (or will) you wear as a sports bra? I am wearing them now. I put a tank top underneath them because my scars are so tender.
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Fe Princess- I love Zurich and want to go back to spend more time in Switzerland. For our honeymoon we flew into the Zurich airport, rented a car and drove to Italy. My husband suggested we spend our last day in Europe in Zurich so we stayed a full day/night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's great that you'll keep everyone up to date with your experience over there. I'm using the zip front Genie bra and Coobie bra now but not sure what I'll use for running. My pre MX sports bras just don't fit. I tried one of my underwire bras and my foobs don't even fit half the cup which was a 34 C so in the garbage they went. I'm thinking I'll go for a high impact sports bra to hold these foobs in place. Do you run on the road or trails or both?
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Hey Trailrose, look me up if you're in Zurich. I run both. In Portland, there are heaps of paved paths so I try to run on those only. I run a mixture I guess between the two. It depends on how far I am going. What about you?
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Trailrose, so happy to hear that your sister is doing well! Stage III B is so scary, oh my gosh! You have given me encouragement and thank you.
Iwannacookie, maybe after the current implants are in for a bit, then there will be space for the larger ones down the road. I am pretty sure that pain is much less with an implant change, because the space has already been created. I see mild ripples on my right side that go horizontal. My right breast was larger originally, so maybe that is why. It changes with the way I stand or how my posture is, very weird. Breast reconstruction sure is challenging. Wonder if there is anything in the way of massages that could help?
Fe, when are you moving again? Please keep in touch. So curious how this type of thing is done in other countries. I am sad that we have to go through this too, but have really gotten to be a better person and nurse because of it. I find myself more empathetic and caring now, and truly appreciate every single day that God gives me here. There are never any guarantees, even if you don't have cancer. My brother died at age 43 from a massive heart attack on his way home from work in 2007. I have also felt more loved and cared for by my family, friends, and co workers than I would have ever imagined! This too shall pass, and work out in the end I am sure. Give yourself time. Your reconstruction has been really fast compared to most everyone. I had to wait 8 full months before I got my implants. I believe revisions are common and expected with reconstruction. Like you said, it's not a boob job.
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Hi. My exchange was almost a month ago. Everything looks good and I feel great. I have a little stitch poking out of my scar/incision. It is definitely attached to something, I'm just not sure what. It pulls out a little bit, and I can tap it back in. It's odd. Do you think I should call the doc? No pain, just nagging that it's there
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Fe Princess- When we get back to Switzerland I will definitely look you up! This whole process with your reconstruction moved along fast. Did you ask your PS if there is anything you can do for the tender scars? I run trails only unless we are traveling and there is no other option. I've heard Portland is a nice place to be. I live in the Bryson City NC area. There really isn't anyone to relate to as far as running goes with reconstruction! Everyone I know that runs has their native boobs.
kingster- Your post warmed my heart.
Jenwith4kids- I have heard of spitting sutures. If it were me I would call my PS.
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Jen, I spit sutures on my chemo port. 4 stitches worked their way out from inside. They eventually came off but the chemonurses watched them for infections. I would tell your doctor.
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Jen, if in doubt, call your doc. I always say, that's why they get paid the big bucks, lol.
I give you guys kudos for running! I couldn't go for more than 5 minutes on a treadmill...and that was before bc😃 I do cycle class and body works class mainly. My foobs are about half a pound heavier than my natural ones, couldn't imagine bouncing them for too long, ha ha. I do jumping jacks, and my stomach still bounces way more than my chest. It's very strange. And you should see what these foobs do when I try to do a plank or a push up...very distorted.
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Kingster,
I understand what you are saying about the "animation" of foobs when doing pushups or using the pecs! I have been using weights and doing weights, and push up since before my BMX.
Before my 2nd exchange/3rd revision on 3/26/15, I.......then my PS call my right foob sleeping baby face, and after the surgery, he ask, "So how is baby face", I told him it is now angry baby face. I will post a pic of sleeping baby face, which will be deleted in 24 hours. It is the only time my "doc made" nip sticks out and looks a little pink is when I flex the pec....mostly flat. Other side is pink since I had a little bit of areola left on leftie the doc made the nip with the areola.
Thank you for explanations of surgical procedures before I saw my PS and chewed him out for the BP cuff on my left arm for 4 1/2 hours, he said WOW you are pissed off !.....
I was NOT informed, which is my right to be informed, that I had no choice ....and told him I was fighting the anesthesiologist and was going to jump off the OR table. He said the anest. has poor bedside manner but is VERY GOOD.
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Di, mine does that. Only my incisions make a frowny face when I flex...foobs get sad, lol. Anyway, I am certainly glad that you voiced your feelings. Most patients are just afraid to speak up. You have every right to an explanation before any procedure. If you were more informed, then you may have been much calmer, which also helps the surgery process to be better. Getting upset just raises the blood pressure, respiration and pulse which in turn can increase bleeding. Everything works together. The pec muscle and alloderm are sewn together and then the pocket is created. This makes the whole thing one unit, then the whole implant is lifted when flexing. My implants also look pulled in with extreme flexing. Anyway, I just keep working out anyway. My chest is weaker by far than before, so I am trying to maintain as much strength as possible.
Doctors can be very arrogant, but they are stressed and under time constraints too. OR time is charged by the minute, and getting a good working IV line, that should have already been done, is very frustrating to the anesthesiologist. Everything is timed. Health care is very stressful. I think bc has made me appreciate life more, and become a more compassionate nurse. Oh, and don't forget the extremely long hours. That doc may have even been on call the night before, who knows.
It is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so never be afraid to speak up if you do not understand something. By the way, was there any bad effects from the bp cuff? I hope not.
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Hi Kingster, what do you mean by "pulled in" when flexing?
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Fe, when I do a push up or plank, my implants pull toward my chest wall. When this first happened, when I looked down, was pretty freaky. It pulls up and inward. That's just my pecs I guess. Also the left pulls inward at the incision line. I was hoping when the scar matures, that improves. I think this is all normal since the implants were placed under muscle and alloderm.
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Di, Thank you for posting Pic! I just spoke with my PS last week about the animation! I don't like how it looks or feels!My PS said that she can inject them with Botox so that won't happen, it will only last a year though.
Robin
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Robin, wouldn't botox paralyze the pec muscle? . Then you would have no chest strength at all? Is that right? The animation happens when the pec muscles are in use. Pretty sure there is nothing that can be done about that. Implants over the muscle is really not an option for reconstruction I don't think.
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