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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Lastthingiexpected
    Lastthingiexpected Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2016

    Thank you Seedsally. I will take you advice and do lots of nothing.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited November 2016

    Last thing,grandma,

    Yes, remember the mantra; "just because you can, doesn't mean you should!"

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited November 2016

    Robin - thanks. I kept trying to think of Moon's mantra last night and couldn't get it right. So here it is again - the most important thing for everyone recovering exchange:

    JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2016

    robin thank you so much for your advice I'm looking so forward to not wearing this sports bra !?

    Grandma Hope all is going as well for you as my exchange is!

    Seedsally hope they are settling in well!!

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited November 2016

    I had my tattoos in July 2015 through my PS office. They were "ok" but have faded and don't have a 3D look at all! They look like targets. I have found a tattoo artist in my area highly recommended and a former star on LA Ink reality show. I am so excited! He will be giving me west coast "Vinnies" so I am going to call them my "Cory's". His assistant and office manager is a BC survivor herself. That makes it even sweeter. She has had many surgeries due to complications with TE's, radiation and seromas. She has decided to not get the nipples but to have Cory tattoo over her scars with beautiful designs. Being 62 I don't think I would go that route, but I am so excited to have realistic tattoos. At the PS office, they use cosmetic grade ink and that just doesn't last. This will be permanent. He charges $600 but that is cheaper than Vinny.

    Robin

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited November 2016

    Robin - How exciting. Please be sure to report back. If I decide to go ahead with tatoos, I'm out in CA a couple of times a year so he may be easier for me too.

  • Keiki
    Keiki Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2016

    Glad to see these exchanges going well. NSM girls, any issues?

    Truly concerned about my outcome, wandering nip, TEs getting higher on my chest, above my IMF. It's hard to believe they are sutured down. My Exchange 12/15.

    Tell me about your results, everyone happy so far? Are you wrapped up at first?

    Thanks for hope


  • smilethrupain
    smilethrupain Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2016

    Hi ladies, I'm joining the thread for advice. I'm planning my surgery date and would like to know how many days should I expect to be "out of commission"? I'm exchanging the TE for a silicon implant (smooth round). When I had the UMX I couldn't drive for 15 days due to the drains and soreness (seatbelt was uncomfortable) and limited range of motion. I wonder, what your experience has been). I have two kids -one in preschool, one in 4th grade, that need to be driven to school and activities. I feel if I have the surgery before February school vacation, then they will be at home, no driving. Would I be able to do chores around the house, cook, even sit and have dinner with family? My mom stayed with us after UMX and during chemo. So I was blessed with tremendous help. I just want to know if my husband and I can pull it off by ourselves. How was the pain compared to MX ?Thanks!

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 297
    edited December 2016

    Keiki - my TE also migrated northward so I had about a half inch between the bottom of the TE and where the IMF was supposed to be. I had my exchange in Oct. and the PS had to recreate the IMF on that side by pulling tissue up from below the IMF and suturing it to the tissue covering my rib cage (this was how it was explained but I may have missed something). It was a little uncomfortable at first - I could feel it pinching when I moved certain ways- but the discomfort went away after a couple of weeks.

    Smilethrupain - I had my exchange surgery on a Wed. and took the rest of the week and the following week off of work. I felt good enough to drive after the first week. Recovery was pretty easy, but I do not have young children. You will be able to do some chores that do not require lifting anything more than 10 pounds. I could do the laundry within a day after surgery, for example, but not carry the laundry basket. Sitting at the table for meals was no problem.

    I hope everyone else is healing well. I feel good - counting the days until I can sleep on my side again (1 more week!!). I won't see the PS until Dec. 20, so don't know what the plan is going forward. There is some rippling and the lower outside right foob looks like it is not filled in - it's kind of flat compared to the left. My nipple is also displaced on the right. No nipple on the left, so I will need to make a decision about what to do about that. My right nipple is always erect as well. I will have to wear a bra with padding to cover that up, or will look lopsided with one nipple always on and nothing on the other side. I have heard that erect nipples can be flattened during revisions. Does anyone else have this problem?

  • Wildtulip
    Wildtulip Member Posts: 470
    edited December 2016

    Keiki, I have a TE that turned and my PS says he will fix everything at EX. I believe TE's have a textured surface and aren't supposed to move, but we are proof that they do! Have you had pre-op with PS yet? If not, be sure to point out concern. I'm sure you will be told, though, that things will be taken care of at EX. I was told I will be wrapped up until I go into office the next day for post op and then I will be wearing a bra 24/7 for 3 weeks, but I know this varies GREATLY from PS to PS.

    Smile, I haven't had EX yet, but I also have children to care for, and I can tell you what my PS told me to expect for recovery. I have a 5 lb weight limit the first week, 10 lb the 2nd week, and then gradually increasing after that. I was told to call in favors for driving for a week..my doctor is cautious about people driving with a clear head. I'm hoping to be able to drive my kids to swimming lessons after 5 days, but we'll see. I have pre-cooked food, which I know will be helpful. Even just browning ground beef..think spaghetti, tacos, etc..is a huge help when you're not 100%. I'll be able to give you first hand experience next week.

    My EX is next Monday and I'm getting nervous, yet SO excited! I've been holiday shopping and cooking food like crazy this week. I have rides for my kids arranged and they will be with their dad for a couple of days. I have to stay with my mom Sunday night and Monday night (to get to hospital early Mon, and then to be supervised afterward), so hopefully that will go well. I'm rambling...have a good day, everyone! Oh, something funny to leave you with...this morning after a hug my DD said to me, "I can't wait to feel your boobs when they're squishy!"

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2016

    wild tulip and smile .... I had my exchange same day as grandma3x 10/26. I only used 1 week off from wk. I could've gone back in half that time I think !! Nothing at all like BMX surgery as far as pain and recovery. I didn't lift and moved slowly but overall walk in the park comparatively speaking between exchange and BMX.

    Grandma3x I'm healing very well but am nervous to try and sleep on my side lol afraid I will 'push' or displace them lo

  • bikefam
    bikefam Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2016

    I'm 6 months out and still am afraid to sleep all the way on my side. They just feel strange-all misshapen-when I try to lay on them. I hope in another 6 months that I won't even notice them anymore.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited December 2016

    bikefam, It took a good year before they felt like they were "mine". And sleeping on my side happed about the same time. Do you have gummies or rounds?

    Robin


  • Wildtulip
    Wildtulip Member Posts: 470
    edited December 2016

    Is the back vs side sleeping Dr dictated, comfort, or personal preference? I haven't been told I'll need to stay off my sides and I'm not expecting to have drains. TIA

  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2016

    I started sleeping in my side as soon as I'd had my exchange..it was wonderful! They don't seem like mine when I look in the mirror but they feel fine and I think we'll get along fine. I'm just 3 weeks post exchange. There is definitely fat grafting in my future though. I wish comfort to you all. :-

  • bikefam
    bikefam Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2016

    Robin, mine are round. Tulip, my ps said I could do anything after 5 weeks. It just feels strange to me. When I told the ps that they feel all misshapen when I lay on them, he just said "Like a real breast, right". Well, not exactly. You can't feel ripples and folds on a real breast. So I'm living with it and hope eventually I will go back to normal sleeping.

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2016

    bikefam. .... I hear you!? I will be 6 weeks from exchange next week and I want to sleep on my side so bad but worried about doing it !

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 297
    edited December 2016
    Me too!! I'm afraid I'll wake in a panic and have to check to be sure I haven't dislodged something!
  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2016

    All Ladies wondering about sleeping on side - I have anatomicals (don't know if that matters) & my PS said I could sleep on my side at 6 wks. post EX. She did say if you only sleep on one side it could create more pressure to that implant but didn't say it could cause a problem. I wore a surgical bra or sports bra per her request for the first 6 wks. I tried sleeping w/o a bra on my side at 8 wks. & it didn't feel right to me. Like Robinblessed & other ladies here have mentioned, they wore support bras to bed for quite a long time post EX so that's what I'm doing & I've had no problem sleeping on my side. It just feels better to have the girls supported!

  • deeratz
    deeratz Member Posts: 318
    edited December 2016

    I have been sleeping on my side since 2 weeks post exchange. Nothing has shifted. I do wear a sports bra to bed though. I am almost at 6 weeks.

  • bikefam
    bikefam Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2016

    Maybe I am being too cautious as far as sleeping on my side. I haven't tried sleeping in a bra (except at first when I had to). This is also my second implant-the first one ruptured at 5 months. I've posted about it in several forums, so maybe some of you remember. We have no idea why, but it has made me a little "gun shy" for getting back to normal activities. I sure don't want another set-back. But maybe I'll give it another try.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2016

    I wear the genie bra to bed. Keeps the implants from shifting around as much, which pulls on my muscle and scar tissue. I couldn't even imagine what this was going to feel like without having been through it. I also hug my pillow pet to my chest before turning over on my side which also helps with support. I have only muscle covering the top half of the implant and alloderm on the lower, and skin...that's it besides scar tissue. My ps put no restrictions on side sleeping. All in all, they look pretty good considering. I have smooth rounds.

  • Wildtulip
    Wildtulip Member Posts: 470
    edited December 2016

    Thank you for all the responses about side sleeping! I love to hear about others' experiences. Thanks for sharing!

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2016

    thank you dee and mrsB.... for the reassurance!! I guess I will give it a go next week just nervous about it lol. It's been such a journey and don't want anything to go wrong. Also sleeping on my back for 6 months has been a journey as well

  • lunderwood
    lunderwood Member Posts: 31
    edited December 2016

    I had my exchange 10 weeks ago. In June I had a unilateral mastectomy. After 3mos with the tissue expander, I had a 290cc natrelle silicon implant on the cancer side and a breast lift and small implant on the native side. I wore a surgical bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks I switched to genie bra 24/7 for another 2weeks. Not doctors orders - but it did seem to help provide support. I have slept braless the past 2 weeks and wear genie bra during the day. I was able to sleep on my side at about 4-5 weeks on the mastectomy side - surprisingly the native side with the lift and small augmentation has healed more slowly and still seem to need support. It may have made a difference with my healing and sleeping that my implant was so small. I occasionally use a body pillow or another small pillow for extra support. At the end of December I am going to have the orgami nipple procedure. Right now my implant looks fairly similar to the tissue expander just softer - in fact two nurses have asked if I still have a tissue expander. Hopefully with the new nipple it will look more natural. But when I am clothed, my reconstructed breast and the lifted breast look great! Prior to surgery I was a droopy 34A-B and now if the online bra measuring sites are accurate I am a 34DDD. I am excited about bra shopping in the next few weeks. I have only wore padded undwire bras previously so this will be a new adventure.

    One other quick note regarding return to physical activities. I did struggle for the first 6 weeks after the exchange due to the activities restrictions and gained a few pounds due to inactivity. At 6 weeks all restrictions were lifted and I gradually resumed running and lifting weights. I am still fighting with the extra pounds but I have full range of motion and am back to about 80% of regular running and weight lifting. (including pushups) I am trying to do some extra stretching and yoga to increase my flexibility (which has never been great) but I don't get any feeling that the implant seems likely to move or rupture.

    Hang in there ladies!!!!

  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2016

    thanks lunderwood!!!! Great to hear!! I too was droopy small boobed lady so these 440 anatomicals are new to me but I'm liking them more everyday !! Going from no boobs wearing padded bra to huge (for me) and won't need padding is nice!

    I want to try my side so I think I'll try the pillow hugging!!

  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2016

    LADY - Give the side sleeping a try with a supportive but comfortable bra of your choice first. Then, once you are more confident about it, try w/o a bra. You can always have one nearby in case you don't like the sensation of less support. The pillow idea sounds like a good way to ease back into side sleeping. Like you, I didn't like sleeping on my back at all & am grateful to be a side sleeper again! Best wishes for a much more comfortable nights sleep!!

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 188
    edited December 2016

    On the side sleeping, I have Tissue Expanders, so side sleeping is uncomfortable if I am pushing on them, but mine will be in for awhile so I needed to find a way to get comfortable and I am normally am a side sleeper. So I found a position that I can sleep in that feels like side sleeping but with no pressure on my expanders. I put on pillow along my body behind my back be nestled right up against me and another pillow in front of my chest along my front. So I am in a "U" shape made of pillows. Then I lean a bit on the back pillow, just enough so no pressure is on my chest, but my side is still in contact with the mattress. The front pillow helps to balance. Not sure if you can envision it, but it has helped me to be able to sleep immensely!

  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 297
    edited December 2016
    So I was visiting relatives over the weekend and had trouble sleeping in a strange bed. Last night I said the heck with it and decided to sleep on my side. It felt wonderful!! But... then I had a dream that I woke up and my implant had broken into several pieces with a huge dent in the middle :) I guess I'm not psychologically ready to do this yet. Three more days until I hit the 6 weeks mark. I'll try again then.
  • Novmoon
    Novmoon Member Posts: 41
    edited December 2016

    Had BMX in July with TE then implants end of September, no radiation or chemotherapy. Wondering how supposed to feel like after 9 week. Back to normal activities but still feel some tightness and uncomfortable at times. I worry about capsular contraction. Not wearing any bras, just tank tops and camisoles. Chest muscles feel right. TIA

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