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Exchange City

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Comments

  • LoriWNY
    LoriWNY Member Posts: 178
    edited March 2016

    Audrey-Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience.

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited March 2016

    Thanks for the well wishes ladies! I am definitely excited to get this done. I have to be there at 10:30 so I am assuming my surgery is around 12:30. I am really hoping he can do everything tomorrow and I will be done. We shall see. I have been waiting for this day for a long time!!! My husband has the flu so he is sleeping on the couch. Need to stay germ free!

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited March 2016

    Suzanne, all the best to you for your surgery! Welcome to the squishy side.

    Love, Mominator

  • bbwithbc45
    bbwithbc45 Member Posts: 367
    edited March 2016

    Suzanne50, we are surgery buddies. Smile I have my second exchange tomorrow, swapping my implant for a slightly smaller one. I have to be at the hospital by 6 am. Yikes.

    Good luck tomorrow!


  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited March 2016

    BBwithBC best wishes for your surgery and a smooth recovery!

    Love, Mominator.

  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited March 2016

    audrey - congratulations!!!

    image

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited March 2016

    Surgery complete! My PS was able to do everything he wanted to do - the TE replacement, the lift on good breast and the saline implant on good breast as well. He wasn't sure he would be able to do both of those things.

    I am very sore. Ouchie! Yesterday was bad but today a bit better as long as I don't move. I took a week off of work and it's a good thing. I go back to PS next Tuesday to be "unwrapped". I can't shower top half all week so not sure what I was thinking when I thought I might be able to go back earlier. PS thinks more like 2 weeks. We shall see how it goes.

    Thanks ladies for all the encouragement along the way! I won't be seeing my new boobs for a bit since they are all tucked away but hopefully they will be just right!

  • LoriWNY
    LoriWNY Member Posts: 178
    edited March 2016

    Congratulations Suzanne. Make sure you take it easy and listen to your body. Take the time you need to heal properly or you will regret it! You don't want to mess up your PS's handiwork.

    If you are really in need of a shower, I did this: Wrapped myself in Press & Seal (think tub top) and used the handheld showerhead in my hand to wash my body below my chest. Then, I leaned over in the shower (make sure you can do this comfortably before you get into the shower!) to use the handheld showerhead to wash my hair. This method in combination with the Press & Seal kept my chest and the bandages bone dry.

  • Anniekay80
    Anniekay80 Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2016

    Hey everyone! I haven't posted much for a few weeks but I've been trying to keep up with everyone's posts. My exchange surgery has been scheduled for Thursday April 28! Yeah....I get to join the squishy side club! My TEs are rock hard and painful, but I have been really lucky so far on this BC journey from diagnosis (could have been much worse) to surgery being the only treatment necessary to no complications thus far and healing really well.

    Here in Flint, Michigan we finally had sun and 70 degree weather yesterday.....a huge improvement from the snow and cold of the week before......seriously, we were shoveling snow and helping to push cars out of snowbanks they got stuck in just last week!

    Anyway, with the beautiful weather yesterday I was already in better spirits and then I got the call to board my exchange surgery. I now see light at the end of the tunnel......the squishy side is now within reach and I couldn't be more happy. I've been stressed and depressed for a long time now......but I'm focused on embracing positivity and looking forward to all my tomorrows. Life is good!

    Cyber hugs to all.....

    Annie

  • bikefam
    bikefam Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2016

    Annie, So glad your surgery is set and things are looking good for you. Attitude is a big part of this journey. I'm a couple hours north of you, in Gaylord, and we had 58 degrees yesterday. Snow is really melting. Yea!

  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 185
    edited March 2016

    Congrats Susanne!!! Hope you are doing well!!! Take it easy. Just remember just because you can, doesn't mean you should!!  I am 3 weeks post op from implant, fat grafting and pocket work. I still have 1 drain in. I am going to go nuts. It hurts at site. Draining 20cc every single 24 hours. 

    Audrey- so happy you love your new tattoos. I bet it looks great and makes you feel complete!!

    My PS has had me on antibiotics since day one. He won't take out drain until it's less then 5 cc per day. 

    He has no problem with showering day after. I'm glad since I'm limited by no baths. 

    We are supposed to leave for Maui on March 20. Praying my drain slows down! 🙏🙏😁😁


  • Nebraska917
    Nebraska917 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2016

    I'm newer to this board, but have been following along. My exchange surgery is scheduled for March 22nd. Has anyone had lower back pain with their tissue expanders but then it stopped with the implants? I have started to walk again since chemo has ended and my lower back has started hurting pretty bad... I'm hoping it resolves with time and with the removal of the expanders.

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited March 2016

    I am two days out from surgery and I am still moving super slowly. I don't know why but I thought I would bounce back faster? When I had my mastectomy I was able to sleep on the other side and I could drive favoring the other arm. With this, both sides are so sore. But this too shall pass. Sleep is challenging since I am not a back sleeper. Today I will attempt a shower - a partial one that is. Yesterday I couldn't even think about it. Hurt too much to move.

  • PNY
    PNY Member Posts: 90
    edited March 2016

    Suzanne50, I am six weeks post exchange and I can tell you, everyday gets better, but you need to have patience. Listen to your body and don't overdo it. Let your body heal.. I found the internal stiches the hardest.

    Take it easy

    Phyllis

  • JulieAggie03
    JulieAggie03 Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2016

    Hi ladies! I have gone back and forth between DIEP and implants and have decided at this time I don't want long surgery and recovery this year and I don't want to wait too long to get these darn TEs out, so implants it is!

    Scheduled my exchange surgery for 5/18 so I am a little ways out but I am following this thread so I know what to expect, thank you all for sharing! Hoping I don't need too much additional work, aside from being uncomfortable my TE's are perfectly placed and actually kinda pretty, PS did a great job. Hopefully the implants will just slide right into place and I can be done! I won't be having nipples reconstructed, thinking about seeing Vinnie sometime in the future after I am sure surgeries are done. From his website looks like he travels to Dallas a few times a year so I might eventually try to get on his schedule then.

    I go next month for my implant consult and sizing. Anybody get textured silicone implants, pros/cons? My PS said he is almost exclusively using those in his MX patients now as he sees better results. He did say it would possibly mean drains again as the texture causes a little irritation and fluid buildup. Any other questions I should ask?

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2016

    Hi Julie,

    I have the textured Allergan 410 annatomicals, or gummies. I was told it was a possibility that I could need drains and didn't find out until I woke up if I had them. I didn't have them. I had some pocket work done on one side and that caused some tenderness, but wouldn't call it pain. I was out for two weeks, but could have gone back to work in one or one and a half. I had no complications. If your PS uses them most of the time then he is very skilled at it already, that is very important. I was told to wear a sport bra 24/7 for 6 weeks because the textured exterior needs time to adhere to the muscle/skin. Good luck and let us know what you and PS decide.

    Robin


  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited March 2016

    Day 4 post surgery and definitely feeling better. I have more mobility and could probably drive at this point. The right side is a bit more sore than left side (that was where I had the TE). But I haven't taken any advil today and I am not feeling badly. The only tough part is sleeping on my back. I like to sleep on my side and that isn't happening. And not a big fan of partial shower but whatever. At least I don't feel like I was hit by a truck anymore. Progress.

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2016

    Happy for all the new squishy ladies! Sorry this thread got bumped off my favorites list. I hate that. LOL.

    Much love to all.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2016

    Yeah, I got kicked off of my favorites too! Couldn't understand why I hadn't seen any posts. Just because I didn't reply or post doesn't mean I don't read them!

    Happy squishy side to all and heal well!

    Robin

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited March 2016

    Susanne. . .take it easy and take your pain meds on schedule. You will recover faster if you are comfortable. It can take a while. Welcome Nebraska. . .I had to work up slowly on treadmill after returning to work from BMx. Same thing after returning from EX. PS banned me from exercise for 6 weeks after EX. Now nearly 9 mos post, I am working very hard to get back into shape and I am seeing the results.

    Scottie

  • patty101014
    patty101014 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2016

    Hi all! I had my exchange yesterday. I'm doing really well in the non cancer side. But I am in so much pain in side where I had contracture and a lot of pocket work done. My right side ribs are killing me.

    They put a compression bra on me but when I met with the surgeon, he said "that bra is for your comfort. If it isn't comfortable, don't wear it. "

    Well, with the swelling on my side I can't bear to wear it. But I'm worried about all that I am reading about the bra to keep inplants in place. I don't know who/what to listen to.

    I don't want the impact to migrate up or into my armpit...

    The implants are wider than my expanders and are anatomical rather than round... The seem flat tome today, but I know that will improve somewhat.

  • Lkscolo
    Lkscolo Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2016

    I am catching up on this thread after not reading for awhile. To all the exchange comrades as I read these recent posts I am almost 6 months post exchange and it reminded me that yes, I remember the first few days post surgery I almost felt TOO good and it hit me around day 5 and I knew I needed to slow down. So listen to your body! I had no drains with my anatomicals but everyone is different there too. Secondly, I remember I had to wear the compression bra for the first week and then it was up to me thereafter. I remember I felt less achy and heavy if I wore it so I stuck it out for awhile longer. And my anatomicals did look very flat and wide at first. I remember being in a panic the first week thinking I was stuck with those sand dollars but alas as time goes by and the swelling goes down and the muscles relax things look better. Not perfect but better. I have a little minor asymmetry now and trying to decide if I can look past it or if I need it addressed. Lastly, I was a big time tummy sleeper and have yet to glean that back. I can sleep on my side very comfortably now but it took awhile to get to this point. Every day is part of the journey. So glad for this forum. Then and still. Best wishes to you all!

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 221
    edited March 2016

    Thank you for sharing Lkscolo- my husband and I took a peek into my compression bra and the first thing he said was "they look smaller". So I feel better knowing that time may improve everything. I definitely have swelling. I guess I just have to be patient.

  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 166
    edited March 2016

    I just got scheduled for my exchange surgery this week. It will be Apr 7th so I thought I would come on over to this thread to see what to expect. I can't wait to get these expanders out. Just in the past few days I have had increased pain with them and having an even harder time than usual with sleep. I'm 4 weeks out from last chemo treatment and I've had a bad cold for over a week with chest congestion and a lot of coughing. I also started Tamoxifen the same day I started getting sick. Not sure what to attribute the increased expander pain to.

    Anyway, all along this journey I was hoping to be done and ready to start my golf league that starts in May. I know it seems silly but that was my thing to look forward to. Does it seem feasible to you all that I could be ready to golf in 3-1/2 weeks or will it take considerably longer?

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2016

    Myspalding, I don't think you will be able to golf that soon. You can't lift your arms above elbows for a while. You don't want to rip anything that was stitched inside. You have to allow the implants to settle and swelling to go down. It also depends on what kind of implants you are getting. I am a year out now with annatomicals and they need to adhere to muscle and skin. Be patient it is worth it!

    Robin


  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 263
    edited March 2016

    i found a great organization that offers free retreats to women in all stages of BC survival to learn fly fishing for a weekend and bond with other sisters. They have them in different states at different times. Downstate NY is in September out on the island. Not sure if I can post the link here but if anyone wants to look into it PM me. It would b great to finally meet all my NY sisters!!!

  • teriberibin
    teriberibin Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2016

    Vinnie Meyers did my nipple tattoos in the San Diego area on October 27, 2015. I live 600 miles from San Diego but was able to stay with my daughter, who lives in the area. The cost was $700 for each side, total $1,400, which was higher than anticipated but he did have travel and accommodation costs for himself, his wife and Richie. I began calling for an appt 6 months prior.

    No one that has seen my tattoos can tell they are not real. My daughter was shocked by how real they appear, especially the added nodes. I am pretty tough but I was caught off-guard and cried when I saw the completed work. I want to scream to all those having a mastectomy, DO NOT RISK KEEPING YOUR NIPPLES! JUST GET THE VINNIE MEYERS TEAM TO DO YOUR TATTOOS!

    I chose to have my nipple reconstructed 8 months before and my PS did a fantastic job. Vinnie does a great 3D nipple but I wanted nips. Vinnie had nothing but compliments about my PS's work. I had my mastectomy and reconstruction done in San Diego. I was going to have to travel to have the mastctomy done so I chose somewhere I liked with a gynecologist oncologist I felt comfortable with to do my oomphectomy/salpingectomy. I loved my PS.

    I originally wanted a Diep flap but wasn't a good candidate. As it turns out, it was fortunate my PS went with implants (he is talented a micro surgeon). I have lost weight due to another issue and I have lost most fat around my breasts. Had I gone for the Diep, I probably would be deflated.

    My PS graduated from and did his residency at a highly regarded Baltimore hospital and recommended Vinnie for the tattoos. He's the one who told me Vinnie travels to San Diego twice a year but I did not go thru his office. My PS does not do tattoos himself. He said he only uses "my guy", lol.

    I am currently fighting with Anthem Blue Cross to get the tattoos covered. They are denying me based on his not being a covered provider. Their own paperwork says nipple tattoos are covered and there appears to be some gray area as to whom can provide the service. I plan to not only send pictures, but provide a copy of a pamphlet he provided. Perhaps his connection to two breast cancer centers will sway things my way. I'm not holding my breath but shouldn't a tattoo be done by a person gifted in tattooing the nipple and not necessarily a physician? I knew going in it would be an uphill battle. You'd think that by now, this issue would be resolved in the favor of those who have gone through this difficult process.

  • bikefam
    bikefam Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2016

    Thanks for the upbeat information, Teriberibin... I am seriously considering going to Vinnie's in Baltimore (my daughter lives near there) when I am all done with my reconstruction. Everyone seems to love their Vinnies.


  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited March 2016

    Teriberi. . .let us know if you succeed with BC. My PS has someone in house that does tattoos, but she knows Vinnie and wants him to do mine. Maybe next year, too many other medical expenses this year. We'll have to fly to wherever so San Diego sounds fun. I was told he only charges $800 total in MD so may have to be Baltimore.

    Scottie

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited March 2016

    Moonflowr and Robinblessed: the Add/Remove from My Favorite Topics links are very close to the Back to top/Jump to bottom links. It doesn't take much to hit the remove link, especially when view the board from a phone.

    In fact, I just posted on the technical forum and suggest that those links be separated.

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