Exchange City
Comments
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the coldness that some of us feel more than others has to do with the thickness of your skin covering the implant n how much fat is under it. They remove your breast tissue n not necessarily all the fat. For this reason one breast may seem colder than the other. I honestly don't even notice it anymore unless I brush my arm against my boob. This is just another new normal I've come to accept.
When they raise u into a sitting position in the OR it is actually the bed your laying on that is raised. They do not pull or prop u up with their hands so no need to worry about that. This is done by many PS to observe symmetry n see if anything else needs to b corrected b4 they permanently suture u closed. When they sit u up u only have a temporary staple or suture in. In my second revision my PS sat me up 3 times she said to make sure that everything was the way she planned n would b what I wanted.
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Hi everyone.
My breasts are cold too. But I prefer the cold over the red hot feeling I had a few weeks ago when I developed an infection, which cleared up, thank God.
And for a laugh, as soon as I read the first post about cold breasts I immediately felt mine up. LOL. The things we do.
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Mine are cold too. I thought it was weird at first when the rest of my body was hot and the foobs were cold, but as MJH said, it's part of the new norm. Audrey, so glad the infection cleared up.
Scottie
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SpecialK: The operating table is what moves in a lot of surgeries -- it did in mine. I have low back issues and was worried they wouldn't fix the pillows under my knees when they laid me back down, so I discussed the possibility with my ps. She explained that the operating table bends upward, and they don't pull on my body at all. So people should ask the ps if they are worried about it.
And to all the small chest seekers -- I'm with you. I wanted to be small, even though my body is big (5'11 230 pounds). It took 700 cc high profile Allergan rounds to get me to a small chest though, and one week out I'm still a little worried it won't be big enough haha. But my pec muscles are relaxing and the implants are dropping and fluffling and things are looking good; I'm happy.
I had no problem getting agreement on my choice of small chest from my ps and her PA -- could it be because she is a woman? I said I wanted to be small and she said "ok" and I never heard another word about it. I hate to sound cynical, but I guess I am. A male ps is discussing your wants with HIS viewpoint in mind; and he would want to see a woman with big boobs, right? I just could NOT have a male ps. Of course there are exceptions, and everyone will probably chime in with their wonderful male ps stories. But I think in general a male ps is looking at what "looks good" from his viewpoint, which is a man looking at a woman -- he can't help it, he IS a man looking at a woman. A female ps can understand more easily what it is to be a woman wearing clothes and being comfortable in her skin, and when she looks at you she can understand more easily why you might want a smaller chest. Ok, that is just my humble opinion.
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My exchange surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Thanks to all of you that have posted information. It really helps to know what to expect. I'm nervous about being put to sleep because I usually have nausea problems. I'm hoping to lay around 4-5 days and then up and about. My Ps has told me no lifting more than 5 lbs for at least 2 weeks and to wear a soft bra when the bandages come off to help with the soreness. I enjoy painting on porcelain and am to teach a class Nov 3 and 6. I hope I will be able to paint some each day after a short time after my surgery. I welcome any pointers from those of you that have already had the surgery. Now to housework. I want to have things ready to do nothing for a couple of weeks.
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Chinapainter, I experienced nausea after anesthesia in the past too. Now before each surgery I tell it to the anesthesiologist and they give me a scopolamine patch behind my ear and I don't experience anesthesia related nausea anymore.
I would imagine you shouldn't have any problems painting soon after the surgery. I was knitting a couple of days after the surgery and I went to work (desk job) two weeks after.
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Good Luck, China Painter - you'll be fine! I was so nervous the day before my exchange but it was all good (as the ladies here reassured me it would be). I am just over a week out and I took my kids to an amusement park yesterday for my son's 11th birthday.....I have to ride all the rides as my hubby get sick! I feel good, just have to remind myself not to do too much.
I would think you could paint almost straight away if you feel like it. I was told no heavy lifting (over 10lbs) for 1 week and to be sensible with my activities there after. Thursday he told me I can work out my arms using biceps but not to engage my pecs until week 3 or after if it feels weird. I know all PS have different guidelines.
Be thinking of you, keep us updated.
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Had to pop in here and add my 2 cents! Yes, I had nausea after the BMX surgery, but not this. It is much shorter, thus less anesthesia. I did mention that to the nurse and they also put that patch behind my ear. It is what people wear if they get seasick. Tiny - dime size. And, also, yes, you can probably paint in a few days! I was so surprised - up and doing things much quicker than I expected. Good luck and don't worry!
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Best wishes Chinapainter. Talk with the anesthesiologist beforehand about nausea. Certain antinausea meds don't work on me so I tell them what does. Versed is also great. Makes you loopy before and you remember nothing.
Had a post EX followup with PS today. Sadly she said my nerve pain may not resolve. Nerves are looking to connect and can't. I'm going to look on the bright side and hope it is temporary.
Also she gave me the info on the famous Vinnie Myers for my 3d tattoos. I have to get on his 6 month wait list and go to MD so Road trip it is.
Scottie
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Funny you mentioned a road trip for Vinnie Meyers...my girlfriend sent me an article that was in the Today.com website on him, and we both said "road trip!"
Good to know it is at least a 6 month wait list.
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scottie & lharry - Vinnie also works out of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans part of the time - might be closer for you.
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Had my 3 week post exchage exam today.....all good!
I sww him in a month. I am wearing Cobbie bras....stretchy, nothing binding. Scottie, sure wish your nerve pain would go away!
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SpecialK. . .I heard that Vinnie goes to New Orleans. My PS said he works out of a hospital there and that might raise the costs and require going into deductible/OOP. If I go to MD it's a reasonable cash price. Dh would love a road trip to Nola so we'll have to see. LOL
Scottie
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scottie - here is a link on Vinnie's site that has the phone number for info at NOLA - it would be worth a call.
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Do most ladies get 3D tattoos alone, or with nipple reconstruction? I read the cost for Vinnie's was $800 for bilateral.
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I'm not having nipple reconstruction. It's another surgery and not havingto wear a bra is liberating.
Definitely going to check out Vinnie's NOLA connection.
Scottie
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Personally, I chose not to have nipple reconstruction. It's another surgery and not having to wear a bra is liberating.
Definitely going to check out Vinnie's NOLA connection. Kind of ironic that $800 is probably the least I will pay for anything on this journey.
Scottie
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I spoke to Vinnie's and got the number for the scheduling person in NOLA a couple of weeks ago. She said they were absolutely NOT taking new names for a waiting list for Vinnie there. She said the list got too long. She also said that he wasn't scheduling for the second half of 2016 yet but "might" have some spots open when they do, but would not give me any information beyond that. I asked her if I should just periodically call back and she said no. She was polite but very firm and sounded like this was a frequent conversation for her.
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Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again
Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1
Link to the mainboard donation page
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Summerangel. . .I'm going to call Vinnie's Maryland facility. I can wait as long as it takes. I think my PS worked with him at one time. Guess I'll see if they'll put me on the list.
Scottie
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Can anyone tell me about nipple reconstruction ? Pros/cons. Had mastectomy on one side so I think it would look weird with one tattoo and one real. Thoughts. And if anyone could tell me how they go about adding a nipple. Ned to make a decision. Would like to get it done this year since my insurance deductible has been fulfilled in January. Don't want to take the chance that our insurance gets worse next year. Have always heard that if someone uses the insurance the next year the company will be looking elsewhere. And I sure used it!
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Do most women still wear a bra after reconstruction with implants? Just curious.
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@Lharry, I was wondering that too - my PS told me I could wear what I liked or nothing at all - pick my comfort level....everyone else seems to have to wear bras for a lot longer - I have the anatomical 'gummies' if that makes a difference?? I love not wearing one....I never wore one before (well not for the last 8 years), now I feel constricted and annoyed with the bras, but don't want any problems or sagging:) ...does anyone wear theirs 24/7? I read somewhere that you should 'train' your new boobs? Any thoughts?0 -
Englishmummy and Lharry,
I have the gummies as well but I am 7 months out from EX. My PS instructed me to wear a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks after the wrapping came of a week after surgery. Since there is a greater chance of the anatomicals to rotate, they want to make sure they are securely in place. They put a slightly higher cc fill than the expanders are filled to in order to make a tighter fit in the pocket. The surface is slightly rough so that it adheres to the muscle/chest wall or skin. I wore mine much longer than that because it was like my security blanket. I still wear a very soft lounge bra or very light sports bra. but at times I do go braless. I had such ginormous nipples that it is so awesome to not wear one and not show through! I just had the 3D tattoo nipples and they are just fine. I am going to get them darker and defined more in November. All in all, I am very satisfied with my outcome. Some days you feel like you have fake boobs. But other times they feel very natural. It's better than the alternative! Happy Friday to everyone tomorrow!
Robin
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I only had the wear the surgical bra for two days after EX. I go Braless sometimes, it's liberating. Most of the time I wear a loose sports bra.
Scottie
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im with Robin. If u have gummies u definitely want to wear a bra for first six weeks to prevent rotation (happened to me) unless u had FG also done as part of exchange. In my second revision I had FG also done so I was told no bra for first 2 weeks nn to absolutely do nothing until I could put a soft bra on inorder to prevent rotation again. While it was wonderful to not wear a bra n still will go braless when the outfit looks better without one but I've gotten so used to the coobies or genie bras that I just feel more secure in them n even wear them to sleep still. I'm almost 2 moths post op n it honestly sometimes doesn't even feel like I have implants. I finally found a PS that could get it right n am thrilled so far. Going to wait another month n go to Nordstrom for a proper bra fitting. I hear gravity does affect implants too although maybe not in same way so I look at it as protecting my new gems.
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Thanks ladies.
(Eyeroll) I wish these Dr's would all get on the same page! Oh my! Scottiemom do you have anatomicals or rounds?
Mjh- my PS did say turning was a possibility but he also said he got a good tight pocket on me, so he felt it would be unlikely....mind you, my lifetime risk for BC was 4% and I had it both sides at 41! Think I'll take your gals advice, just to be sure, for the next 6 weeks anyways..., glad yours are sorted now.
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mjh1- I'm so happy that you are happy with your outcome after your revision surgery! My revision surgery is tomorrow.
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Trailrose, wishing you a successful revision surgery. Prayers and hugs your way!
Mjh1, so glad to hear everything is going well for you now. How many different plastic surgeons did you have to see before deciding on the one you see now?
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Thinking of you, Trail Rose.
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