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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    MrsB and Lady. Thank you so much for your comments. Maybe I should be nervous but I'm not really. Just want to get on with it. Not getting my morning coffee is worrying me though.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    Seed - DITTO on the coffee!!!

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

    Happy Exchange Day Seedsally!! - I'm thinking of you today. All my best wishes for a smooth surgery, quick recovery, and a great outcome!!

  • Wildtulip
    Wildtulip Member Posts: 470
    edited November 2016

    Grandma, Congrats!!!

    Seedsally, Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Lady, Thanks for input on temp of implants. I'm glad you are happy with yours! Happy healing.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    Thanks mominator and wildtulip. I am prepped and waiting for surgery right now. It's been delayed a couple hours.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    Just got home after a 2 1/5 hour drive for my daughter. Doing surprisingly well. My PS was amazed at the job my first PS did. I am bruising pretty badly from liposuction. I guess I got the EX, lipo, and excess skin removed all st the same time. My PS injected long acting lidocaine to get me through first 24 hrs. He said probably won't need much pain meds but he wrote a script and said plain Tylenol may be all I need. I'm sore and have a little stinging. Not much real pain though so far.

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited November 2016

    Seedsally

    So glad to see your posting, that you are home and doing as well as can be expected...we have all been keeping you in our prayers today.Get the rest you need, (2.5 hr drive home! wow, feeling every bump) and post when you are able.

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2016

    seedsally so glad you made it through! Take it easy

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    TrmTab and Lady thank you so much. I am feeling good and glad to get my permanent implants in. My daughter is here watching me closely. She is a nurse practioner and later my granddaughter (who is a nurse) is coming to be with me.

    I used tobe a nurse so I know to be careful. But I was able to help my daughter fix breakfast. DH is not here right now so I can do some napping soon.

    I am so pleased with the implants look so far. So happy to have this step behind me When I am healed well enough my PS is having my nipples 3-D tattooed.

    So beautiful day today and a happy Seedsally.

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2016

    wonderful seedsally!! It was a relief for me also to get those dreaded expanders out!! I'm going to get nipple reconstruction in the spring then get tattoo artist to give me nipple color and create aerola!

    I'm looking forward to being able to sleep 'normal' one day but for now I'm glad to be cancer free and have new and improved breasts !!

  • Imkopy2
    Imkopy2 Member Posts: 214
    edited November 2016

    Hi ladies hopefully this finds everyone well. Just curious if any of you had rads prior to getting your TE exchanged for implants. A couple of questions...how did your skin hold up and how does one side compare to the other? Also, how long after finishing rads did you wait to schedule your exchange? Any advise you have would be great!

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    Seedsally - It is indeed a beautiful day! Congrats on your successful exchange & so happy you are pleased with the results! You are now in the home stretch & I hope it's a smooth recovery. How lovely to have 3 generations of nurses in your family. You can all take care of each other! I wish my PS had your PS's attitude about the 3-D nipple tattoos. I saw her on Wed. & her facial expression when I said "I don't want nipple surgery" was one of total shock! She can't understand that I don't care about actual nipples. She told me to come back in 6 mos. to discuss it. I've already made up my mind - NO MORE SURGERY - unless absolutely necessary! Each one of us has to make our own decision about what we will be most comfortable with.Take care & keep us posted.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    Imkopy2 - Welcome to the exchange site! I can't help you but there are many ladies here who can. There is a ton of knowledge, experience & support available for you.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited November 2016

    MrsB88, my ps is against nipple reconstruction. His reasoning is that they often flatten out as they heal, and cause additional scar tissue. So, after asking other ps's in my area their opinion, the vast majority said the same. So, I am having the 3D tats only. Reconstructed nipples will still be numb and unresponsive since no nerves are there anymore. Seems like to me...that breast reconstruction could easily become an endless string of surgeries. I have had 4 total surgeries, and that was more than enough for me.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    kingster - Thanks for sharing your Ps's opinion. I have read several posts on this site echoing the same sentiment. Several BC sisters have said they weren't satisfied with the results for a variety of reasons mostly the flattening out. I don't want to risk potential infection or worse possibly compromising my 2nd set of implants. I've had 4 breast recon. surgeries myself and that was definitely more than enough for me as well. Besides, we have to think about replacement sometime in our futures. Implants don't last forever! If a woman feels strongly about getting nipple recon. then she should. It's not a right or wrong issue. It's a very personal decision & our docs should respect that!

    P.S. My decision to nix nipple surgery & get 3D tattoos was pretty much based on the excellent info.& experiences shared by our BC sisters on this site! Thanking all of you ladies who shared your nipples vs. 3D tattoos input!

  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 166
    edited November 2016

    I still have a hard painful lump in my stomach from my fat grafting surgery on 10/27. I am wondering how long I will have to deal with it. I couldn't stand wearing the binder anymore so I got some Spanx. Just uncomfortable. My PS just acted like it was a normal thing.

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 188
    edited November 2016

    Imkopy2 I am finishing radiation with my tissue expanders in. I have six treatments to go of 25. So far, my skin has held up well. My PS said exchange surgery needs to be six months after I complete radiation to give skin time to heal. So I am going to be living with expanders for awhile. But I really want my exchange to be successful, so I'll be patient.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    Meg I was not given IV chemo or radiation but it was a close call on the chemo. I feel for you. I just wanted to let you know I had my TEs from April to Nov atotal of 7 months. I grew accustomed to them but they caused some discomfort continually. It may be too soon to be sure but I had my EX last Friday and the implants feel so much better so far. Almost natural. I was worried that they would be more like the TEs but I can hardly believe how much better they feel. I just hope and pray nothing goes wrong and life can settle down a bit for me. I'm still dealing with this new way of living. I think I'm handling it pretty well. When I read posts like yours I feel ashamed to complain any at all

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited November 2016

    Seedsally

    Good to see you back and posting, I go for my pre-op appt tomorrow...scheduled to have Mentor UHP 800...I think you are the same? Any questions you wish you had asked? Are you wearing any special post-surgical bra? I'm making my list, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    TrmTab I wish I had asked if I should be wearing a support bra. I ordered a few different underwire bras after putting in my measurements pre EX surgery and the Natori fits and feels wonderful but I am afraid to wear it until I see my PS today. He first told me I would need one for a while then he told me I might not. That was pre op I forgot to ask him right before the surgery. So no I'm not wearing anything but I think I would like to be. These implants (and you got that right about size and type) feel so much like the real thing I feel like I should be wearing a bra. I love them so far. Otherwise I wish I knew if he'd let me drive. But I'll ask today. Originally he told me 6 weeks restrictions. My PS really otherwise told me everything without me even having to ask anything. Good luck on your procedure

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited November 2016

    Seedsally

    So great to hear you doing so well...I am a UMX, so will have to wear a bra of some kind as my natural R side is larger than the 800 implant and clearly needs a bra! I am still wearing the front hook post-surgical white cotton bra or coobie pull over leisure bras...so expect to return exclusively to the front hook for some support as PS plans to extend IMF out to the side to remove "redundant" skin! I fear that will be the most painful part as the chest is numb from the MX but my side isn't.

    I haven't been told of any driving restrictions...except for the first day or two if I am on pain meds...the reference to 6 weeks of restrictions has been focused on no lifting for 6 weeks. Not no driving or going to work.

    Do you have drains?

  • Lkscolo
    Lkscolo Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2016

    Recently relocated to the Phx area. Anyone recommend a good recon PS here? I am still debating some fat grafting. I got my implants a year ago. I am seeing some minor assymmetry and not sure if I can live with it or just ignore it. Might want a consult here just to help me decide if it is worth it.

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2016

    Seedsally-I had my surgery on a Monday and was driving by Saturday. I think as long as you aren't feeling pain it is ok. I'm glad you are happy with your implants. They are much nicer than the expanders.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    SeedSally - So glad you posted. I've been thinking about you and how your recovery was going. I'm thrilled to hear you love your implants! They will continue to feel even better the further out you get from surgery. I know what you mean about feeling like you should be wearing a bra. I've decided to wear support 24-7 since exchange on 9/15 mostly because many of our BC sisters on this site have done so & they believe it may have improved their final outcomes. My PS told me I could go braless at 6 wks. post-op so it's been my choice to continue on. Last night was the 1st time I forgot to wear one to bed & I have to say it was the most comfortable sleep I've had since surgery. Oh well.-

    TrmTab - Good luck at your pre-op appt. tomorrow. I can't think of anything more to add to SeedSally's suggestions.

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2016

    DeeRatz - Glad to see you've posted as well. How is your revision recovery going? Hope you're still loving your implants!

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2016

    MrsB-I am extremely happy with my results. I don't regret my decision to have surgery at all.

    I too am wearing a sports bra 24/7. I don't like the feeling of them not being contained. If ladies are looking for a comfortable alternative to a sports bra I have some of the Lounge bras from Victoria Secret. They don't have any underwire and are very comfortable. They are nicer to wear under fancier clothes than my sports bras

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited November 2016

    Ladies, yes wearing a bra most of the time did give me my great results! I am convinced of it. The bralettes at VS are nice. I also found a nice one at JC Penny, their brand. Cheaper too. I had my EX on a Thursday and I was driving a week later. I was very careful not to lift or push anything heavy. I don't want to have any more surgery!

    Robin


  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2016

    TrmTab. I did not have drains and today my PS told me there were 3 things I could do now: drive, take showers, and wear bras or not if I didn't want to. He has a sense of humor and the way he said it made me laugh. I am restricted for 6 weeks to lifting no more than 8 1/2 lbs and I'm not supposed to lift my arms above my head.

    MrsB88 I can't really wear a bra due to the incisions on my sides I think due to the pain. But mostly they don't hurt much at all if I wear loose clothes.

    I get 3D tattooed Nipples in February from someone in my PS's office, see my BS and Oncologist in May, and get a bone scan as soon as I'm well enough for my PCP to order it. So I think I'm done with appointments for 3 months unless something new happens.

  • trmtab
    trmtab Member Posts: 869
    edited November 2016

    Just had my pre-op ... I never leave there feeling settled, just more confused/upset...I had a list of questions but the PS is all about "trust me" I do this all the time and frankly I left without all questions answered, very disappointed.

    I am now having Allergan SRX 800...I had been doing all my studying on the Mentors, so if anyone has the Allergan I would be happy to hear some thoughts.

    In looking at the Allergan site there is the SRX and an SSX which is slightly stiffer...anyone with thoughts on one versus the other???

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited November 2016

    trmtab - these are Inspiras - I have them also. They provide more projection than smooth round Mentor - may be why your PS chose them. I had Mentor smooth round high profile 650cc previously and my Inspiras are smaller by 200ccs but I can wear the same bras I did with Mentors. I am totally happy with the Inspiras, they have a more natural shape for me.

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