Exchange City
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Makingway, hope you are recovering well. Misty123 and Linda 54, good luck on your exchange tomorrow. Jean, my prayers to you and your family.
I too am having excruciating pain. Massage, massage and more massage everyday for me. The last fill last week was the worst ever and I still have to visit my ps next week 8/14 for another fill.
Good luck te ladies, I hear your pain and I know that we are going through this last phases of the te. Take care. Celine
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(( Jean)) So sorry to hear about the loss of your family and these much wanted children. I hope your pathology report comes back soon.
((Judy)) I am still thinking seriously of visiting you in February around the 11th or 12th, this is still contingent on when I get the fip done, most likely in October.
I think I saw Sandy at Costco, she was at the sample booth passing out Hoodia! Jan
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Jan.............................. ROFLOL.......................
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Jean: No news is good news, so I hope that your mind will ease soon.
My heart breaks for your children and their losses....and yours. I know exactly what this is like, having lost 2 children, one at 4 1/2 months gestation, one at 6 months gestation. I named them and I put headstones for them. I always remember their due dates as I have no birthdays. I will say an extra special prayer for all of you tonight. In time the losses become part of what happened, but not what you are about anymore. My love and hugs to you ((((((((((((((xxxx))))))))))))))))and your family.
Linda, please post when you can, my prayers for a beautful outcome my dear.
xoxoxo
for jean and her children (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((xoxoxoxo)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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vision4utoo - I think it is pretty normal to be having TE pain - at least it seems to me that most of us do and it really hurts! But I know what you meant about wondering if something else is going on the blink!
Jean - So sorry to hear about the loss of the babies. That is so sad...
I have my exchange scheduled for 8/17 and I am having mixed emotions. I can't wait to have these darn TEs out but at the same time I am dreading the whole operating room scene. I wish I could be knocked out before I even leave the house and then just be brought home to wake up in my bed!!! I had a horrible time after the BMX - pain & throwing up- had to stay an extra day in the hospital. I know everyone says that the exchange is way easier but just the thoughts of having the dry heaves like that again - well almost makes me sick to my stomach. Does anyone know if they use the same type of anestethia for the exchange? They told me that was what made me so sick last time. I blame the morphine too cause everytime I pushed the button the room spinned.
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Jean- Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I am an ultrasonographer specializing in high risk obstetrics and infertility. I see firsthand the devstation that comes with losing a child, or the inability to conceive a child. It is a heartbreaking situation . I pray that god will see them through this difficult time.0
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Kookiesmom- I had the same concerns as you about my exchange. I also get really nauseous with many of the pain medications, and also ended up spending an extra night in the hospital after my BMX for that reason.
Happy to say, for me at least, the exchange was completely different. They didn't have to put me as far "under" (so the anesthesia was different from BMX) and the surgery isn't as long. Plus, I asked them NOT to give me any pain pills with morphine or oxycodone after the surgery, since those are the medicines I reacted to most. Instead, during the exchange they gave me anti nausea meds AND gave me some others (Zofran?) afterwards as well. For pain at home, I took Dilaudid (hydromorphone), which I didn't seem to react to as badly. And I only needed to take that for a few days. I had so little nausea that I even ate some dinner the night of surgery.
It might help if you can talk to the anesthesiologist when they visit you before surgery (assuming they do?) and tell them you'd like to try something else for pain since you were so sick before. I think there are several options (I got Toradol in the hospital after my BMX, and that worked great, but my PS didn't want me to do it this time since it can contribute to bleeding (it is related to ibuprofen, I believe). I also told my anesthesiologist I wanted to be 'out' as soon as possible, so she gave me some medications in the pre-op room.
It really was MUCH easier than expected all around.
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Thank you aoandrews43! What you say makes sense about not having to be as far "under" for the exchange. I remember now that once I was off the morphine they gave me dilaudid and then the spins stopped and I felt a little more human. How long ago was your exchange and how are you feeling now? PS told me I would only need 1 week off from work. Do you work & how long were you off? Oh I am so relieved to hear from someone else who has had the same naseous problem and that it wasn't too bad!
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Jean, prayers to you and your family, dear. I wish there was something better to say, but I know there is not. Just so sorry....
Had my one week post op with PS today, he says everything looks good, and thinks I can go back to work on Monday, so I am pleased about that! My goal of returning to work today was a pipedream...still feel a little "boggy" on one side, and he says that I need to now get out the the compression bra, as that is likely making me swell. So no bra for me for the time being, per his orders. I am still totally "hamburger bunnish" and feeling like they are perhaps more like Kaiser rolls...big and flat at the same time? I hope to see some fluff action now that I am out of a bra...PS told me to start massaging implants down into the pockets. I am pleased that he is pleased, as I trust him....and just so happy that everything is going well! Looking forward to hearing from Misti and Linda...hope things went GREAT!
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kookies - My exchange surgery was last November and it was only about 45 minutes! So, the anesthsia was much milder and easier to return from. Plus there really isn't much pain associated with exchange and there are no drains or anything. I hope all goes well for you. I was released to all activities within a week. OncRN - massage really does help with the fluffing and healing.
Still sending prayers your way, Jean.
Bobbi
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Kookiesmom -- I also was back at work in a week (I just work at a desk though), and I even did some work at home the same week. My surgery was almost 4 weeks ago. I did have drains, and 1 took a week to come out, so that was the main hold up to activity (aside from the lifting/running restrictions that I hope will be lifted next week or so). But I think I had the drains because my ps did some lipo on each side.
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Jan: Hope you can make it on the 11th or 12th of Feb.. We are having a large party on the 13th (to celebrate my partner's 60th) so I won't be able to play with you over the weekend. Bummer. But we'll get'er done on the 11th or 12th.
DEBORAH: I am happy to report that I saw the PS today, and he agreed that reconstruction patients ALWAYS need a high profile implant for projection. He had the Style 20 or the Mentor High Profiles in mind for me already.. He will fill me to 600cc (if my skin can take it--I hope and think it can) and will go with a 550cc implant... You are so right. I'm so glad my PS and I are on the same page. Whew, I can breathe now. Thanks again.
I will probably be the longest waiting member of the Exchange City Club. I joined the Club on the first day it started, and I probably won't have my exchange until April 2010.. My PS likes to wait 9 months after radiation until he does the exchange. Yours in waiting, JUDY
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Judy - Should I put you down as "Exchange in waiting" - just think, you will be an expert by the time your turns comes up. Hugs my dear.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. They officially lost the baby this morning. At least now they can move on to the morning step without the pain and unknown.
I did finally get my colonoscopy results today - B9! Thank goodness. My father died of colon cancer, so it is a (nother) worry for me.
Hugs to all of you w/ upcoming surgeries.
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Mykidsmom...
So sorry for your family's loss these past weeks. It is almost sometimes too much to bear at the same time...yet we do...and hopefully everyone is as supportive and understanding to each other as you seem to be. I know in my own family recently I can hardfy find anything going "well"...so much heartache and concern about children, health, economics, jobs, marriages. We are definitely in a tough time in our world. This community is such a support for cancer concerns. I would wish that everyone in every concern we are dealing with had such a place of info, ideas, support and comraderie.
Her's to the TaTa sisterhood!
God Bless each of you!
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Fantastic Jean! B9 results!!!! Yea!!!!!!!!!!
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Jean: Oh I am so sorry....one of heaven's youngest angels arrived today....0
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Judy: Great news and what a relief!
Does anyone know what happened to the frame on these threads? The avatar side is really wide and the text side is tiny. Is it appearing like this for others, or just me?
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Deb -The frame looks as you described to me as well. I have no idea why???
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Deb.. Not me. mine is fine
JEAN... God is so good...B9,,,,,,,,,,,, honey.. We are the TA TA SISTERHOOD! ANGEL SAID IT!
Ok...
Linda is home and she is resting. She is groggy and told me she did ok.
She will be on here when she can... you know her.. TOUGH GAL... it will be sooner than later!
Misty.. I PRAY ALL IS GOOD!
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Judy... 7 months ago I felt like you.. Like I would be the LAST sister to get exchange....
... that time flies... as does all time I suppose... we will be here when you get to the finish line...:)Here is hoping you stay to help others after you reach that line...:).. you have a service for these gals... Love ya!
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Hello all. I haven't posted here in a while. I have my exchange scheduled for 8/17. I was supposed to have the scar on my back (from the LD flap) fixed, but it seems to be getting much better on its own, so we are waiting on that.
I am 5'3", and my ribcage, measured just under my breasts, is 33". I had my tissue expanders filled to 400cc. Sorry I don't know the brand or type of TEs I had. Anyway, I was/am very happy with the way the TEs look. They give me nice round breasts with good projection and cleavage.
I wore a good bra to the plastic surgeon, and told him that this is exactly how I want to look in clothes after the exchange. He looked at the bra (it was a VS underwire with a slight pushup) and said that the bra was lifting my breasts up a bit, so we discussed that and agreed that was what I wanted. He then looked at me with the TEs and sort of moved them around to get a consensus as to how I wanted to look. I told him I don't want the "hamburger bun" look, I want projection, and while I don't want to be huge, I do want largish breasts for my size. I was a 34 D before all of this, and am a 36C now with the expanders, which is really more or less the same.
After spending quite a bit of time discussing it all with me, he recommended the Natrelle Style 20s in 450 ccs. (I think it was 450, it could have been 425). He said that in order to get the same size as I am with the TE, he'd have to go to more ccs in the implant to make up for the room the expander was taking up.
This all made sense to me, and I feel comfortable with the choice.
Can the experts on here comment if the Natrelle 20s in 425 or 450ccs sound like the right choice?
My exchange surgery is 8/17,. can't wait!!
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20... 450cc????????????? LIfegoeson??
DEBORAH.... does this sound right for a 36C/34D???????????????
Hang on LIfe... Deb will step in here and just give you her opinion and advice if needed.
Laura
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Jean I am so sorry about all the difficulties in your family./ I'll keep you in prayers. On the other hand, Thank goodness for good test results.
Ladies with TE's - I too experienced discomfort, and sometimes PAIN BIGTIME especially at the end of my time with TE's. At the time, I wondered if it was psychological, but as soon as I got my implants (5 wks. ago), I felt relief.
Baxter- Your songs are a beautiful blessing. Thank you for sharing with us.
Ladies - I am so blessed to know you and to be able to share with all of you. I haven't signed in as often lately, but DAILY, I assure you, I remember you in prayer. We're all going to come out stronger and changed forever from this experience.
Linda54 - I hope all goes well with your nips procedure. Let us know how it goes. I await mine most likely in November.
HUGS - Georganne
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((Kookiesmom)) Make sure you tell the anesthesiologist this and MAKE sure that he gives you anti-nausea meds with the anesthesia. I get very sick with anesthesia, and I told this to the anesthesiologist at the MX and he told me he wouldn't let me get sick! and he didn't! I told him I don't do opiates of any kind, I did get nauseous with the exchange, I had a different anesthesiologist and he gave me Morphine in the OR, Thanks Pal! read the chart! Fortunately it didn't last long and they gave me something for it and I was home within 4 hours of surgery. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers, let the forum know how well you do!
Jan
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with a 33 ribcage I might add?
I am not an expert.. I have just read a lot here.. so I leave the knowledge to Deb
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lifegoeson: Could you call your PS and ask him to order the Allergan Natrelle Style 20 in 475 cc's? I really like that volume of implant - it has more projection in relation to width of the 400 to 500 cc implants - even a little more projection than the 500 cc implant. I just personally feel you are going to need 75 to 100 cc's extra volume in the implants to get the look of your TE's.
Deborah
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((Judy)) If it all pans out, I would get the tattoo on the 11th or early on the 12th. I will be leaving late on the 12th to fly home. So our time in Sarasota will be short, but long enough to say hi! and and get a new hat for my lady.
I still have to get the fipple made and then the tat's! Woo Hoo!How great that you are doing a big doo for your partner! I hope it is something fun and memorable. When my sister turned 60 she paid for all of her sisters and husbands to go on a Carribean cruise! It was a big boat party and didn't cost us anything but the airfare Jan
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Thanks for your quick response Deborah! Yes I will call him tomorrow.
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Judy: I will be out here for a long time with ya sista! I am a delayed reconstruction so I get to ride the slow boat to exhange city too! (Too bad this boat isn't a luxury cruise ship) I thought I was close to done expanding and was set for an October exchange... but I went to a new PS who thinks I need to expand more and once expanded I have a 4 month wait before exchange. So out the window with the October exchange and in with the gosh knows when... We can both be ladies in waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttting............ (it best be worth the wait right??)
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Laura: I will be here long after I'm done. I think I'm addicted to this board..and I know of no 12 step program to get over it... The good news for you was you got to move up the exchange. I doubt that my PS will move on the 9 months. So it's April or so, but at least I know I'm getting a nice set!
Jan: OK, Can't wait to see the little cherries on top.. They'll look great with the tatts.
Jean: Sure I'll be a Lady in Waiting.. At least I'll be on the list!!
JUDY
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