Exchange City
Comments
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Girls good luck on your up coming exchanged .. It's been 2 months and I started to run. I feel good and they look great and feel great. Not perfect will probably need more of FG. But I'm not ready for that. My main concern is that I have a lump right on my arm pit so they did a CT scan. Results will be in in Tuesday. Soon as it comes back I will have surgery to remove it and send it back to biopsy. When all this stop. I feel that move two steps forward now back. I stay positive I hope it's scar tissue or fat!!! I love fat I love fat that's all I can say!! Thanks ladies
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Have my EX scheduled for October 5. PS says will have to do some pocket work on 1 side. Says I will need a week off from work but from what I'm reading here that doesn't sound like enough time. Am getting the 410 gummies. I use my hands/arms a lot a work but no heavy lifting. Does 1 week sound like enough time off? We have a vacation scheduled exactly 1 month after the exchange surgery so I am hopeful that all this reconstruction will be behind me. PS said 1 month after EX it would be ok to swim but what I have read here makes me nervous. Do any of you ladies have advice for me? Please share your experiences. Its been very helpful to me to read what you are all going through and to know I'm not so alone. Thank you.
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Audrey, How are you doing? You were going back to work.....are you there? Are you still happy with results? Fill us in! Pharmergirl, my exchange is scheduled for September 25. My sister wants drive up to Disneyworld on October 8 to meet her daughter and family. I told her I may ride along and chill in the hotel. ? Those of you already through this, do you think I could walk through the park? No rides for sure!
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Hi pharmergirl,
I had my ex on Thursday and had some pocket work done as well and I'm still pretty sore, three days out. It may drastically improve over the next four days but right now, it seems like a pretty quick turn around. I took two weeks off and I basically work at a desk most of the day. You might be fine a week out but if you can take a little more time, you might appreciate it. Good luck on your surgery. I'm so happy to be done with reconstruction (hopefully)
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pharmegirl--I have had two exchanges. One to smooth round silicones without pocket work and the more recent one to 410's with pocket work. Everyone is different and every PS has different restrictions. For me, I was able to work from home so this is what I did. The first exchange (without pocket work) was on a Friday--very easy, one pain pill, but took Tylenol as needed thereafter, and I worked from home the following week before returning to the office (desk/computer work). The second exchange (with pocket work on both sides) was a little more painful but nothing compared to the BMX. The second exchange was on a Tuesday and I took the rest of the week off from working, even from home. I then worked from home for the second and third weeks, although I could have probably gone back after the second week but I am glad that I was able to have the three weeks at home. I needed Rx pain meds for the first week pretty much around the clock but only at bedtime the second week. When I did return to work, I did not lift anything (large files, etc.) heavier than 5 pounds over shoulder height for about a month--it's not that I could not do it but I have learned "just because you can, doesn't mean you should."
As far as swimming goes, my PS for the second exchange told me that I could swim seven days after the exchange, however, I did not feel comfortable enough to do so. It think is was about six to eight weeks before I got back into the pool to swim laps and do water excercise. However, if you are vacationing, just wearing a bathing suit and standing/floating in the pool, I think you will be fine a month after exchange--just don't do laps or jump/dive off the diving board!
After everything you have been through, you deserve a vacation! I hope you have an unevenful exchange and a wonderful trip!
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Mysunshine, I think you'll be ok to walk around the park, especially if the hotel is close by so you can go back and rest if you want to. I think once I'm off the narcotic pain meds, I'll feel pretty good but I can't imagine strapping into a ride right now haha. I hope you can go and have a wonderful time even if you can't ride many of the rides. You might surprise yourself and feel really good! I hope so, you deserve it
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Hi Robin - it's nice to hear that you're happy with them! I'm not interested in revisions either, I've had enough surgeries! Did it take a while for yours to settle down? Mine seem very ... High? Hard? Flat? I can't imagine putting a bra on (still in a sports bra) because it would do nothing to shape them.
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Hi All. Had my exchange last Monday so almost a week out. I was expanded to 520 but he put in Mentor round 650s high profile. As I'm only 5'2", you'd think I would be huge. But I'm not. I think I'm looking like I have wide set hamburger buns. No cleavage. Feeling sad. PS said not much he can do since he released the inner breast area and closed the outer edges. Also already seeing some rippling. They don't yet seem to have a normal breast shape for bra fitting and I was instructed to stay in sports type bra 24/7.
As for the surgery, it went fine but there was some strange "gunk" on one side that required irrigation and culture and release with a drain. No infection found thank goodness. Pain hadn't been bad compared to other things. My incisions are under the breast so the bra band doesn't help in terms of discomfort . It is great being soft and having TEs out. Best part for sure.
I'm just sad and thinking I'm never going to have pretty boobs. Get the feeling my PS may not want to do fat grafting or anything to remedy the issue. He said the right bra could probably help me with cleavage.
Best to all of you now on the squishy side. Hope you're happy and comfortable
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marketingmama - I hear your frustration and I'm with you. Mine look exactly like wide-set hamburger buns. Yes, they're more comfortable, but definitely don't look normal. I asked my PS what he would do if I was unhappy with them, and he said he'd change them out .... In a year! He told me to be patient. I'm a week and a half out. Let's be patient together -
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I agree with you, mine seem wide and flat as well. I'm trying not to get discouraged and honestly, I don't even want to think about more surgery. My TEs seemed to have more projection than the implants do. I was filled to 320 and have 375 implants. No cleavage whatsoever. It's a bit defeating
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Oh, my! I hope things improve for you both. I am about 4 weeks out from my exchange. My pre op is September 9. I am going to talk about some of your comments and experiences.
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Hang in there my sisters. This certainly is not an easy ride but at least we all have each other.
Thanks to all for the well wishes as I head in for yet another revision tomorrow.
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Good luck mjh1;) Wishing you all the best!
I took 2 weeks off after exchange. No pocket work. Physical full time job, long shifts, lots of lifting pushing and pulling. Very little pain involved. Just wanted to make sure that my incisions were closed and secure:)
I do think implants look like hamburger buns. They have no droop like a natural breast. My friend told me that I have to have " realistic expectations". To be honest, I didn't know what to expect because everyone has different results and/or complications. I guess it is a wait and see how things turn out. Just hope and pray all cancer is gone and never comes back!
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Kingster, you are spot on, thank you for the gentle reminder.
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Yes! That is the important part!
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Just remember we all have a "new normal" now. They will never look or feel like a natural breast because we have no tissue left and most of us don't have nipples. We are all so blessed to have the reconstruction that is offered to us. Yes, everyone will have different outcomes depending on our situation, size and diagnosis. But as Kingston said, as long as the cancer is gone and stays away, that is the most important part of this whole situation. Best of luck to all of the recent exchange sisters. It does take a while to see your outcome, give it time and try to not look in the mirror as often as you might like.
Robin
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Patricia prayers for your scan and biopsy.
Ladies, each exchange is different. One week out sounds short for recovery but may be fine depending on pocket work etc. . .I am going to amusement/water park for Labor Day. I will be just shy of 6 weeks post EX and will be swimming in lazy river and wave pool. No rides for me. I did have difficulty riding 3 hours each way in car when only 2 weeks post EX.
Best wishes for all
Scottie
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mjh1, best wishes for tomorrow.
My sunshine, I am doing really well. I went back to work this past Thursday, so 8 days past surgery. Feeling very strong, SX didn't take too much out of me. My new girls are doing well too. I look amazing in clothes, still have surgi strips on but saw scars during post op on Tuesday and they are much the same as before. I'm just getting into the mindset that I have to be patient to see what my final results are. I'm symmetrical, cleavage is compromised due to muscle on right side but I'm dealing with that. I did buy bras, 36D (655cc smooth round Sientra HP). I hope you are doing well.
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Happy for you, Audrey. My exchange is scheduled for September 25. I hope my results are as good as yours. I am getting 650 smooth round too, I think. Pre op on September 9. We will make the decision then. I am so ready to get these hard coconuts out!
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Audrey. . . That sounds awesome. Fast recovery and great results. I figure if I can walk around braless and look perky, symmetrical and bigger than before then I'm a happy girl despite all of this.
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Hey ladies! I haven't posted much here, but definitely read a lot! I'm scheduled for exchange TOMORROW! I'm going to be getting Inspira implants. My PS is taking in 3 sizes to the OR to see what looks best, somewhere between 540-580 cc's. I'm also having fat grafting tomorrow AND having my port removed! So, it should be a big day!!
My concern is that I'm getting over a sinus infection. I feel good & will finish up my antibiotics today. My PS thinks I will be good to go for tomorrow, but ultimately the anesthesiologist makes the final call. I asked if having recent sinus problems will prevent my surgery & she said as long as I'm healthy tomorrow that I'll be cleared. If I go tomorrow & get sent home I'll be crushed!
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Hey ladies! I am slated for the exchange on wednesday and am stressing over the sizing. Here are my stats:
1. Height 5' 6", weight 142, rib cage 32.5"
2. Mentor CPX 4 550, 13.2w x 13.8h x 6.9 projection
3. I am typically a 34C when I am good about diet and exercise. A full D when I am not.
We decided on the Natrelle Inspira SRX smooth round, responsive gel, extra full profile in 545cc
Currently, my expanders are at 600cc and they seem too big for me. Specifically, I find that I they make my clothes fit a little tighter. I am more inclined for smaller boobs that bigger.
My questions are:
1. I am only going down 0.2 in width with the Inspira - will that give me any real decrease in size (which is what I am aiming for).
2. Will the decrease in projection make the boobies look smaller?
3. Should I go for the 495 or 525? Or do you think that would be too small?
4. What changes in shape/feel/size should I expect when I go from expander to implant? From what I have read the change can be significant so I am trying to factor in the inevitable difference from going from expander to implant when trying to figure out size. - - - - REALLY NEED HELP ON ANSWERING THIS ONE PLEASE! - - - -
Any suggestions on what you think would be good and why would be awesome.
Thanks!!!
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From what I know, implants will come out looking smaller than expanders. Maybe more can comment as well.
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byebye. . .go to Implants 101 Board and give your specsvto whippetmom. She's the expert.
Scottie
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Thank you MySunshine and ScottieMom - I posted on Implants 101 Board and am waiting to hear back. Just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with implants being considerably smaller.
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I'm only 4 days out from ex but my implants do seem smaller than the TEs were. I was filled to 320 and implants are 375
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Just to add to the discussion - - -
the 495 would be 12.50 width and 6.1 projection
the 525 would be 12.75 width and 6.2 projection
the 545 would be 13.00 width and 6.2 projection
My current expanders are filled to 600 (Alloderm 800 CPX 4 550) with a 13.2 width and 6.9 projection
Help! I am going nuts. I feel like goldilocks. I don't want to make a wrong decision.
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byebye. . .honestly I left it up to my PS. I went in filled only to 250cc. Stopped expansion b/c of nerve pain. Luckily the hospital's breast center stocks everything so PS was able to take several options into OR. I told PS that my goal was projection, not width. She got 300 cc high profile mentors under my tight pecks and somehow I ended up a 38C. I was a 34 B at best before BMx. Had to buy new sports bras.
Scottie
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Bye bye -
I was completely panicked too, worrying about making the wrong decision. In the end, like Scottie, I decided to trust my PS and my "new normal" is better than I thought it would be. I feel good, I'm cancer free and I look great in clothes! My implants are not smaller than my TE's, but I seem to be in the minority ;-)
No one can predict how YOU will feel when you have the EX, but if you've communicated what you wish to look like to your PS (I brought pictures), then your PS should be ready to execute based on your wishes. I would reiterate that you should ask Whippetmom (Deborah) about the sizing - her advice is sage and spot on.
Good luck!
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Aaaa
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