Exchange City
Comments
-
FUBC- I had also read that Letrozole (Femara) works better than Tamoxifen on ILC. I'll see if I can find the paper. My ONC did not think it would make a difference in my case, though, and said I could choose among any of the AIs or Tamo.0
-
mvspaulding - the soreness is pretty normal, but the firmness can usually be massaged away. My PS advised that if I had areas of firmness at the donor site to aggressively massage with fingertips multiple times a day - this actually hurts when you do it but helps break up the firm spot. Have you had a post-op yet? If you have and did not have the firm spots at that time, call your PS. If you have not been seen yet, ask about that when you go.
0 -
Hi everyone. I have a question. Did any of you have to wear an underwire bra after exchange and if so can you give me any pointers to purchasing one. Brands, comfort, etc.
0 -
seed - I have worn both stretchy bras and underwire. My current PS advised wearing an underwire bra exclusively for the short term after my most recent surgery as my left implant sits lower (due to all of the surgical intervention on that side) and she wants the underwire to help reinforce the crease underneath. I would advise being fitted - Nordstrom has certified fitters, and I think Soma does as well. Another option is to be fitted in a mastectomy shop. It is important to have the underwire go completely around the implant - not sit on top of it anywhere. This can be a bit of a challenge as the implant is not as malleable as a natural breast - so you can't force the "breast" into the structured cup like you can naturally. Because of this it sometimes necessitates a larger size than you may have worn in the past, which in turn, sometimes means the cups gap. This is the area where a fitter can help - they are familiar with the brands that will work for you. I went to Nordstrom when I exchanged the first time in 2012 - I probably tried on 20 bras with the fitter in the room with me - she was very helpful and I found some great bras. Here is also a link to another long thread with great info about bras that may be helpful for you:
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/753120?page=1
0 -
Special. Thanks for your help and the link. My PS is not the same one who did the original TE placement and pocket work but he was her colleague. She moved really far away. The new PS who will do the exchange first said I would need to wear an underwire bra for a while. But he then said don't buy one yet. Wait until the surgery. He intends to do a few stitches on the pocket work and remove by incision extra tissue and skin on the lateral sides. He said liposuction wouldn't solve the problem and would leave baggy skin in that area. So I thought maybe the incisions might be a problem for the underwire or maybe any bra
0 -
Thanks SpecialK, It is really sore but I will try and do the massage. I see her for post-op on Friday. I was trying to avoid going before then. Just didn't want it to be anything serious.
0 -
seed - you also need to be sure the underwire bra fits so you will need to wait for any swelling to go down first - I have IMF incisions so underwire was not wearable for a few weeks due to irritation of the incision line for me. I don't think most docs want you in an underwire immediately after surgery, just when you return to regularly wearing a bra after healing.
mvspaulding - this is common, so try not to worry. Massage pretty aggressively and those firm spots will soften, but it may take a little while before you really notice a difference.
0 -
I had my 1 week Post-op appt with my PS today. She is very pleased with the results of my revision surgery. I was worried that I may be making the wrong decision to undergo the knife again. I am so glad that I did go ahead and have the surgery. She addressed all the things that I was unhappy with. She said they are amazing for 1 week post Sx. They will continue to heal and improve. So I am 😄
0 -
Dee - So happy that you & your PS are so happy with your results! It's not always an easy decision to go forward with a revision because it's another surgery. But you spent time reflecting on the pros & cons & ultimately you wanted a better result & got it!! Congrats again and happy healing!
0 -
DeeRatz: I'm so happy with your revision success!
mvspaulding: I'm sorry you're sore and I hope the firmness goes away soon. Hoping for a good post-op appointment for you on Friday.
seedsally: looking forward to your exchange next week. I hope all those issues will be resolved.
Love, Mominator
0 -
robinblesse…& grandma3X thanks for your input. I asked my onco last time I saw her to put me on femara as I read someone here say their joint pains have pretty much disappear after switching. She said femara and arimidex are the same type and that's why she put me on exemstane. The joint pain is gone but now I feel the bones hurting.
Seedsally I was told specifically not to wear underwire bras...go figure, every doc has a different instruction
DeeRatz, so happy you love the revisions. I think I have the same issue as you did prior to your last surgery. Im meeting my PS tomorrow and going to discuss with him tomorrow.
SpecialK, I always smile when I see you respond to everyone's questions..one phrase comes to mind : "SpecialK to the rescue" :-)
0 -
FUBC that is Aromison and that was the med that almost killed me with joint pain! You can always get a second opinion from another onc??
0 -
Robin, I think I'll wait another month and push her to switch me to Femara.
0 -
Seedsally, I haven't had my exchange yet, but if my memory is correct, my PS said I'll be wearing an underwire for 6 weeks post op. I plan to ask details at my pre op on the 14th. Interesting what you said, Special K. I was hoping to go out and buy bra before exchange, but I guess that's not realistic. You are always so helpful!!
FUBC, I was on Aromasin and had horrible joint and bone pain in my hands and feet. I've been off for almost a month now and I'm feeling better. There is a thread for Aromasin, if you are interested.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics...
0 -
thanks wild tulip
0 -
It's interesting that FUBC has been told not to wear underwire bras, while Wildtulip and Seedsally have been told they will be wearing underwire bras. Thank you SpecialK for your guidance. I don't have Nordstrom near me, but I do have Haynes/L'eggs/Bali with knowledgeable fitters.
It just reminds me that whether or not to wear underwire bras is a hotly debated issue and the ultimate answer definitely depends on your PS and your circumstances.
The underwire bra puts a lot of support directly in the inframammary fold, which can be very good or very bad depending on your individual case.
I had a lot of pocket work done during my exchange. My PS wanted me to wear the surgical bra 24/7 for at least 6 weeks. I wore it about 3 months because my breasts felt unstable. I asked about underwire bras, but PS said that would put too much pressure in the inframammary fold. He wanted the overall support of the surgical bras.
I also want to note that sometimes the breasts are too swollen for any bra, although that happens more often with the mastectomy than the exchange. PS sent me home from my mastectomy in surgical wrapping. At two weeks the swelling was down enough for me to wear a bra, but a 38 band instead of my usual 36. He waited another two weeks before switching me back to my 36 band.
It's nice that we can compare notes and help each other, remembering that our doctors (usually) know our circumstances best.
0 -
I think the instructions from yourPS will differ from person to person. My friend and I have the same PS and we have different instructions. I need to keep my Foobs from rising up to my neck so I need to wear a sports bra that pushes them down. I have also been wrapping them tightly at night to push them down. My friend has the opposite problem. Her Foobs were bottoming out, so she needs support to keep them up. Each of our bodies responds differently to the implants. So listen to what your PS suggests for you specifically.
0 -
Coming into the hot underwire conversation now. I was told to wear an underwire at my 1 week post-op. I had IMF work done on both sides - one to raise up and the other to lower. When my PS told me to wear an underwire she started by saying, "Normally I would say not to wear an underwire, but in your case.....". She was hoping to hold the side she raised up in place while it healed. I had only a vague idea of what size I might be and started at Nordstrom's - horrible experience as I made the mistake of saying I had had surgery. They weren't even going to let me try them on as they thought I was oozing from open wounds. It was embarrassing to say the least.
I ended up roaming the mall until I found something that fit. The most important tip I have (which I had to figure out on my own) was to make sure the underwire travels around the bottom of the implant but doesn't sit on it. I was surprised how many underwires cut up the side of the implant. I believe I read here that implants tend to be wider and so a larger cup size is fairly normal. I found a workable one at Macy's but then I went home and ordered a bunch from Zappos in the size I thought was correct. The brand that worked best (and was recommended to me by someone here) is Natori. This brand and Zappos in general carries even odd sizes. I can't sleep in the underwire but I found an awesome supportive sport bra on zappos that comes in bra sizes - Anita Acitve air. Zappos is great for its free shipping/returns. Although it would be hard to guess the correct size before surgery, you can literally order up a bunch from zappos to try them, and return what doesn't work. For me, easier than the long drive to shopping
I did wear a seamless bralette under the underwire for the first week or so as added cushion/protection on the incision line. I tried using gauzy padding along the underwire but after I kept leaving a trail of that as I walked, I gave up (that was a little embarrassing, too!).
At the end of the day, the efforts of wearing the underwire didn't work for me. I swear the unevenness started returning before I could even get the underwire on me!
0 -
I just had my 1 week postop appointment and asked about wearing an underwire. The NP said that my PS "is not a big fan" of underwire bras - giving me the impression that this is really a personal preference. I read through the discussion thread on BCO about bras and how to fit them. It was really helpful! For now I'll stick with the sports bra and an ace bandage top and bottom to help stabilize the foobs until they have healed.
Now waiting to see the BS because I have a couple of new little lumps in my cancer side. Ugh- hoping it's just a ripple in the edge of my new implant or maybe a surgical clip? Today is my 1 year anniversary of my first biopsy....0 -
Wildtulip...you mention bone pain...that just started for me a week or so ago. I thought I was going crazy. In 55 years I really can't remember feeling my femur, but after increasing knee and hip pain from the Arimidex, and I took a fall..., my leg bone started aching!
I saw my MO on Monday, Happy Halloween, and he agreed that I would switch from generic to brand Arimidex when I take off of the drug a week before and week after my 12/28 exchange.
0 -
Trmtab, I had a lot of joint pain in knees and hips when I had chemo last year...it's awful. Interesting that your MO feels that switching to brand may help. I hope it does! It's too bad you have to until end of Dec to make switch. My exchange is 12/5 and it's a happy coincidence that I'm off meds and feeling better leading up to surgery. I'll see my MO a week after my exchange and then we will decide about meds.
0 -
Grandma3x, hopefully it's nothing. I read a few other members having the same issue as you and turned out to be nothing . Please keep us updated.
Mominator, my PS's explanation of why underwire bras are not recommended was the same as your PS explanation . I was told today that I don't have to use a bra anymore , I'm 4weeks post exchange, however I dont feel as if am fully healed so I think I'll continue to wear a supportive bra.
0 -
TrmTab. I saw you are off the Arimidex for EX. Did your dr ask you to stop it prior to surgery. I haven't been told to but I am supposed to have a phone conference today for preop. I guess I need to ask them about it. The worst symptom I have is total fatigue and I think my eyes are a little weak and dry
0 -
Seedsally - I was told to stop Femara before surgery too.
Update on lumps - the radiologist recommended biopsy, but the lesion is right up against my new implant, so they decided to wait a few weeks and do another ultrasound. They are afraid they may rupture the implant. In the end, two radiologists took a look and could not decide if it was malignant looking or not. There was a surgical clip in the same area so maybe (my hope) is that the lump is just my body's response to the surgery and presence of the clip? I got my BS involved (she was in surgery all day yesterday so did not see the images) and hoping for some guidance from her. If they are going to do a biopsy anyway, I'd rather they do it now rather than wait 2 weeks. The worst part of this whole experience is the anxiety of waiting for things to happen.
0 -
My PS said absolutely no underwire!! So they all have their reasons. I too wore a soft bralette at night for about a year. I now go braless at night. But always feel so much more secure with one on.
Robin
0 -
Grandma - I am so sorry to hear this news right after your successful exchange. My hope is the same as yours that it could be scar tissue from the surgery or surgical clip. I'm glad you got your BS involved & hope she will shed more light on the situation on Monday. The waiting is definitely anxiety provoking and I'm sending a prayer that you will have great news ASAP! You know you have a ton of support here!
0 -
Seedsally
I have my exchange on 12/28. My PS had me stop all meds including vitamins a week before/week after MX in June...so...when I saw my MO this past Monday (a 6 month follow up) I told him of all the SE I had been having and asked/suggested (from info I had learned here about potentially fewer SE with Brand) if he would be okay if I switched after the surgery break...aka would he write the Rx for the brand.
He did support the switch, but frankly was also somewhat dismissive of my SEs...trigger thumb, knee and hip pain, femur pain, painful sex...seems like a lot, he thought it was average! Since I have no basis of comparison, I reached out for a one step change and hope in January, I will see fewer SEs.
0 -
OMG!! I had to have trigger finger surgery last March after damage from Arimidex and Aromison!! And sex sucks! I finally found a personal lube called Aloe Cadabra. It saved my mar
0 -
Robinblessed54,
I took tamoxifen back in 2003. I was 50 at that time. I have struggled with vaginal atrophy since that time. Just last year I found a new treatment called Mona Lisa Touch. It is a laser treatment done in the gyn office that only takes about 15 minutes. You leave the office and carry on with your day. You have 3 treatments 6 weeks apart. My doctor said she found breast cancer patients are requiring up to 5 treaments. It has been a lifesaver. No lubricants! The website for more information is www.monalisatouch.com. I know this is off topic for exchange but I'm sure this is a widespread problem and hope it can help any of you suffering.
0 -
Grandma 3x... I am new to this site, although I have been a member and read so many posts..... It has been so helpful. My story is similar to yours. I had my exchange surgery a few months ago (8/16). A couple weeks after, I felt a lump in left breast (cancer side), and near original site. After ultrasound and mammogram (so mad I had to have one), radiologist recommended biopsy and deemed it as low suspicion for malignancy. To hear that word again is frightening. After discussion with my BS, we agreed he would perform an excision, not a biopsy, and send to pathology. He did procedure in his outpatient clinic under twilight anesthesia. Results were benign, thank God. He explained it could have been a left over stitch with scar tissue formed over it. Hoping and wishing you the same results... fingers-crossed.
0
