Exchange City
Comments
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Good Morning - Happy Friday Eve!
I love reading everyone's comments...it's so nice to have you all to talk to and read about. I had never really thought about it before, but, Rebecca54, I agree - it is odd that we get to pick a body part, LOL. And it's really nice that we can discuss it and do research to find out what's worked for others and what doesn't. Kind of similar to a Consumer Reports of breast implants
. Just wanted to say hi and have a great day!Blessings to all, XOXO
Suzy
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Hi Lovewins1,
You are posting in the right area. Welcome.
I am 44 and had my exchange on August 20th. It was much easier for me than the BMX. I also got the Allergan 410, but mine are 640cc MF. Wish I had gotten the MX, but don't think they are available yet in the 640.
I had two drains and had them in for five days. I was able to shower with them though which was nice. It felt really great to get them taken out, but it was much easier than my first surgery with four drains in for two weeks. I felt really good a week after surgery and was able to go to two parties 7 and 8 days after surgery. I was still a little sore at that time, but not terrible at all. I realize that everybody heals differently.
I am five weeks post surgery today and I feel really great.
I know this is a lot to go through and I hope all goes well with your surgery and that you have a speedy recovery.
Mazy
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Just posting to vent and moan. Sometimes this is all just too much to deal with. As I've described in earlier posts, I developed an infection about 2-3 post exchange. Wound up hospitalized and the implant was surgically removed. I'll probably need to wait at least 3 months to start this entire process again and I'm just so sad when I look in the mirror.
The area looked much more normal post mastectomy because I had my TEs in and they were partially filled. Now the nipple area is indented and I'm as flat as flat can be (not a good look on a woman with curves!). To top it off, when I called nearby stores to make an appt to purchase a prosthesis and special bras, I found out that my insurance won't cover any of these stores at in-network prices (only at 60%). Prosthetics are around $400 on average so not OK!! This is US Healthcare for goodness sakes! I complained and asked for a gap exception, which essentially means they must cover my expenses if they cannot find a provider of these items within 30 miles of my home. Well I called back today and found I was denied coverage. The rep gave me the name of a few other places but when I phoned them I found they don't cover mastectomy products---just things like orthotics or other orthopedic-like items. My DH told me to keep complaining but I just gave up and ordered a basic "puff" online with two bras that have pockets. The whole thing has been so upsetting for $75. Losing the implant then the endless fight with my insurance. Bad enough my copay for the surgery itself was over $3000---but now they won't even pay for a prosthesis? Oh, and DH broke his hand last week and needed surgery on Tuesday so now I'm nursing him!
Thanks for listening ladies. I'm very grateful to have this support system.
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marketing - you can get a free Knitted Knocker here, I have one of these (I have a 650cc implant on one side and nothing on the other - very difficult to match), it is super light and comfy:
http://www.knittedknockers.org/
http://breastcancerfreebies.com/prosthetics/
Also, if you live near a Hope Lodge (American Cancer Society) often they have a gift closet. My insurance didn't cover prosthesis either when I had my left expander removed, but I was able to go to the Hope Lodge here in Tampa and get a free prosthetic.
Also, sending you a PM.
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Marketingmama, so sorry you're going through this. It's bad enough with out the insurance headaches! I REALLY dislike (Since we don't hate in this house) insurance!
OK Ladies, so a friend asked me a very basic question that I'm embarassed I never asked PS....just to back up, I am scheduled next week for a gummy bear implant. She asked why silicone and not saline? I felt both and really liked the silicone feel better but of course you have to have an MRI every 2 years with silicone. What do you ladies think about the pluses and minuses of both?
xoxo!
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SpecialK, you're amazing and I thank you so much for your PM. I actually read about Kitted Knockers and ordered one (found this on the "flat" thread). Just was concerned it could take some time to receive since each one is kitted by hand. My implant is also 650 but I really don't look very large (C cup). Going to the freebie site now!! It's somehow nice to know that my insurance is not the exception but on the other hand, what is wrong with these companies! If a law to require coverage for reconstruction, the same should hold true for prosthetics. Burns me up!
Thanks for the kind words Rebecca. Just one of those days. Work stress didn't help. I'm starting to calm down now (additional thanks to SpecialK!).
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Rebecca, I chose silicone at my PS encouragement. She reassured me that they are safe and basically sat me in her office with a saline implant in one hand and a silicone in the other and the silicone just felt more natural to me. I'm not very big and according to her, I didn't have a lot of extra skin and/or fat so she was afraid I'd have a lot of rippling with saline. A BC friend of mine has saline and says she wishes she had opted for silicone. I wasn't sure either but I trusted my PS and I am happy with how the silicone feel as of right now. Just like everything else, it's such a personal choice.
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SpecialK, I did not have a good experience at Nordstrom's with a bra fitting after my mastectomy! The fitter seemed to avert her eyes and had no comment or interest in the fact that I was shopping for bras immediately after my mastectomy and 'immediate implants'.
I had a much better experience at Soma! They also have free shipping both buying and returning bras and they sell post mastectomy bras and prosthetics via mail. The bra they sell that I love and have bought in many colors has extra padding in the top of the bra or 'upper pole' which is what so many women who've had implants after mastectomy need after BC need. Sold in stores and online.
Bright Blessings..
Ocean Sky
Btw...Ask for Ian at Stella McCartney if you need the beautiful free post mastectomy bra..
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Rebecca, one of the reasons that I choose the silicone implant was because of the MRIs. I hate them with a passion, but at least I'll know that there isn't something there which my BS can't feel on exams. Also, I like the feel and shape of the silicone implant better. I never thought I'd say that but then I never thought I'd have BC.
Marketingmama, sending HUGS. Believe me I know about fighting with the insurance company. It was my oncology treatments. They approved 11 monthly ones and then denied payment on each claim until I got a supervisor on the phone. It happened every month. I stopped the treatments over the summer to take a break so I could straighten out the payments and just went back on them. If they deny this claim, I am reporting them to the Insurance Commissioner. Can you do the same. Out state has an online form. So sorry about your dh and for all you've gone through.
Dh just found a really cool product online. Tender Tanks. This was in an article about BC and reconstruction and our need to have clothing that works for us after surgery. I wish I had had these for my exchange. BMx was in winter so button up jammies worked, but I had a hard time finding summary jammies for my exchange. I live in tanks in the summer. Hopefully this will help those coming up.
Scottie
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marketing - I think it took a couple of weeks to get the Knitted Knocker, I think they have a stock of them - not sure they are knitted to order, but I guess they could be! What impressed me most was how comfortable it was - incredibly lightweight. That, and how generous the ladies who make them are!
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I am 5 week post exchange and met with PS just now and specifically asked about massaging the implants and she said "yes" to start that now. She said that people who have implants for cosmetic reasons (versus reconstruction) are supposed to move the implant around when they massage but she doesn't want me to do that. She said to simply move the skin around the implant. I do have an area on my right side that always seems to develop a band of scar tissue and I can feel it a little there now and she said to pay extra attention to that area and do work on range of motion exercises. So, I guess I did need to massage after all, I just wasn't instructed to start it until now. I told her I'm opting out of nipple reconstruction. I just don't want another surgery but I am getting tattoos. I'm very excited because she also released me from the post surgery bra and told me as of today, I don't need to wear anything if I don't want to...woot woot!!
I hope everyone is doing well and that you all have a wonderful weekend.
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Good news: No capsular contracture!
Bad news: Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording) with blood clot.
Sheesh, it hurts! They are treating it with 325mg asprin, 400mg Vitamin E and hot packs for now. I want off the struggle bus. Hopefully, I'll be better next week.
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Hugs Angie. . .how does vitamin E help? I can't take aspirin. Still have to take muscle relaxers a couple times a week on PT days.
Hummingbird woot woot. I luv not wearing abra sometimes. I will probably get the tattoos next year but not recon. Having no nipples is liberating.
Scottie
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Ocean: I am just making hard decision today, I think, to proceed with a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and am planning to schedule surgery in the next month. This bra looks awesome! Two questions:
*Do you know what kind of verification the company needs that I am a BC patient and am eligible to get the item at no cost?
*Sizing info: They offer small, medium, and large, but I don't see a size chart. Any idea what a 34B (before and after surgery) should pick?
I'll be on this board a lot in near future trying to figure out how to prepare for TE surgery, most likely. This feels like a good way to start!
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Hi Ladies, checking in. I had my exchange the day before yesterday. According to the PS it went well. I've been taking pain meds yesterday and the day of the surgery, but started getting dizzy and I haven't taken any today. I'm also on antibiotics, which are messing with my stomach and taste buds.
I had my first follow up at PS's office and I was very nervous about it. I had been wrapped since surgery until today's visit and was not sure what to expect once I am unwrapped. With all the gauze padding I seemed huge on the reconstruction side. It turns out that I am still quite swollen, so I will have to be more religious about icing.
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Scottie, I have no idea how the Vitamin E works. I just swallow it down like a good little girl. Hugs backatcha!
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Angie, did they recommend PT? I have cording as well (one side is worse than the other) and PT has been very helpful. I did not have a blood clot though (scary) so perhaps your doc doesn't want you doing anything until that clears.
Best of luck!
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BB glad to hear all went well. I'm 2 weeks post exchange and I am finally feeling myself and able to do some things around the house. I notice most of my discomfort at night when I am trying to lay down to sleep. My PS had to do a lot of pocket work so those areas are still pretty sore.
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This afternoon I started to feel worse than yesterday. I'm having body aches, feeling very tired and sneezing up a storm. I must have caught a cold at the hospital. Add to this aqueasy stomach courtesy of antibiotics and swollen foob and I'm not a happy camper. Feeling cranky.
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mjh1 How are you doing since your revision surgery?
Fe_Princess What's the latest with you and your revision surgery? Have you been assigned a doctor in Switzerland?
BB Love ya!
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I am 4 months out from my exchange and reconstruction... MX side still feels weird.. not real. Is that normal. I still cannot raise my arm like I can my other arm above my head. All cording is gone which I had gone to PT for, but after May's surgery, it seems my arm cannot straighten above my head without my elbow being bent somewhat. Normal? Not sure what is normal anymore.. At my one year from diagnosis and starting to get into a slump...
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Thinking positive, I am 1 year and 3 months out. I feel like I was getting in a slump myself. After all, it's been a year, so why do I still feel so messed up? It must take a lot longer to feel normal than what they tell you up front. Probably to not burden your soul or something. I suggest just keep up with all those PT exercises. I still stretch and stuff. Wonder if I will feel abnormal forever?
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Thinking positive and kingster. . .I am almost one year to my diagnosis and 10 weeks out from exchange. Going to PT twice a week for the remainder of the year as it's free (OOP met last spring). Every time I get frustrated with my lack of ROM or the continued nerve pain, I have to remind myself that I'm blessed and have to give me recovery as much time as needed. I also have to make myself do exercises, stretches, walking, hiking etc. . .each day or I lose ROM, tighten up and wake up in more pain. I guess I am going to be a work in progress for years. But hopefuily I will be a very fit work when I get to the finish line.
Scottie
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Being mother to a special needs child while trying to recover from surgery and cancer treatments is so freaking hard. If I don't exercise every day in between PT, I hurt. Now once again I have a sick special needs kid. UNCLE. I God never gives us more than we can handle he must think I'm alot stronger than I actually am.
Sorry for the vent but I know y'all will understand.
Scottie
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Sorry Scottiemom, you definitely deserve a break. It's hard enough to stay positive and it sounds like you're dealing with a lot. Vent away, that's what we're here for. Take care of you
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Exchange on Wednesday and my ADD brain has now latched on to the procedure and questions keep popping up in my brain. Has anyone who is past exchange asked their PS to cut out the scar tissue from the mastectomy? I am torn between them cutting it out and keeping it as I have this perception that it won't hurt as much to heal????
Hugs to all my sisters! And hoping everyone is feeling as well as can be!
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Rebecca, good luck on your exchange. My PS never asked me about my preference with regards to scar tissue but she did tell me she released some "areas of concern" at the exchange. It was such an easier recovery than my previous surgeries, you're going to do great.
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Thanks Hummingbird. It's been a rough day. I haven't had a meal all day (just a bagel and a few nibbles), was trying to get my work done and he would not even let me enjoy my bath for 30 minutes this evening. I just have to remind myself that I am blessed, and as they say this too will pass.
Rebecca. . .talk to your PS about this before the surgery. My Ex was almost 8 months after BMx. I had alot of pocket work and lipo on both sides to even things out. Everyone is different. Hope you have an easy Ex on Weds.
Scottie
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Rebecca,My ps released scar tissue during exchange. He also removed my entire scar incision from mastectomy to make a cleaner, fresh scar. My exchange was easy.
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Scottiemom11
I know how you feel, I have a son that is disabled as well, he is full care. I know how difficult it can be. I cared for him all through treatment and let me tell you I had an awful time with treatment . So keep your head up.
Sherry
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