Exchange City
Comments
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blessedby4 ~
Many hugs!!! After my surgeries I always felt "fantastic" until a day later...a different story! Probably because the pain meds. given at the hospital were much stronger that it helped with the pain until my body finally metabolized "everything" & my body was left with nothing! That is why II finally started feeling the effects of the surgery a day later! Take care...hang in there!
NAE
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Blessedb4 - Yes, as NAE said, hang in. Pain is such an odd thing - very real and our bodies way of demanding exquisite attention and rest. Gentle, gentle.
Packergirl - thanks for your story. I too have very (freakishly) wide expanders in and I have been concerned about the final outcome. I'm not quite sure how if the skin is being stretched out laterally, the more medial skin (when they do a capsulectomy to be able to place the implants medially) will be stretched enough to accomodate. Faith, faith, faith. Your story helps. My exchange will be 1/20/10 and I'm just practicing a form of Radical Acceptance until then.
Sending out healing prayers to those of you having surgery this coming week and thoughts of gratitude for all of you!!!
Peace,
Geena
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Wow..... I have been in Chicago for the week and apparently have missed a lot. Good luck to all those having surgeries this week.
I had my exchange two weeks ago and I have having some questions. When I lie on my back, I get a dent in the cleavage on the left side. Ths skin between my foobs feel like I have been burned. The foobs are very soft and nice but there are fat lumps under both my arms now and I also lost most of the feeling in both armpits - makes shaving a scary experience - can't feel the razor and I end up missing a spot or two. Will the burning sensation go away? Will I get the feeling back in my pits? I don't see the PS until the 18th of January - but I am thinking about making an appt sooner to discuss these issues. Have any of you experienced anything like this?
Allison
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I just want to share that after 3 weeks of exchange surgery for silicone implant I had hematoma on my right breast which is the radiated breast. The PS schedule me right away for surgery yesterday to remove the hematoma/clean up and put back the implant. Now I have drain and the PS will remove it on Monday.
This is the black discoloration on my right breast that I thought is just a bruise. Thank goodness I saw my PS because it is something that will infect my implant.
Now I'm in antibiotic and percocet. I need to ask my ps when I could go back to work again.
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((((Theresa)))) My hands are folded and hoping you recover quickly. Thank you Laura and Jazzy for keeping us posted. Is she in a hospital close to home or near the PS?
Judy- Thanks for educating us on celulitus. Does protocol dictate we supposed to be on antibiotics after exchange surgery when we have no drains? I know I got several doses in my IV on my way into surgery and when in recovery overnight but wasn't sent home on anything. I didn't think anything of it until hearing about our Theresa.
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Geena- I can reassure you that the wide set expanders are quite fixable. I should get some pictures out there soon for you to see. My PS didn't have any concerns he would have skin medially despite the fact all my expansion was so laterally. I know that the low profile - wide set expanders were at a point one me that they were compressing my ribs and there was no point expanding further in my case- plus the pain was far too much to bear. I will be sure to post when I find out answers from my PS why we had to go much smaller than we planned. You keep the faith girl- it is all going to work out great.
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Protocol- everyone seems to have their own. I don't know what the protocol is- I have gone home with antibiotics and I have had none going home, just in the hospital. Unless you have an infection, I guess it is not required. I imagine it also has to do with the amount of actual surgery - (capsulectomy, liposuction, etc) they did...I wouldn't worry about prophylactic antibiotics if your doc doesn't use them.. JUDY
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Jazzy your story is simply amazing. I am glad you shared here. I am in awe of what the human spirit can endure when I hear what you have been through and no one would ever be the wiser when they meet you. You are so full of love and life with a beautiful smile.
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Blessedby4,
Hay girl. I also had a rough time after the exchange. Got sick in the car on the ride home. But the patch, scolopomine, has helped with the nausea at home. However PS called me Sat morning to see how I was feeling. I told him my old rad side really hurt. He said he had to work on that side as it was higher. My guess is that he did a capulectomy. I can't tell yet how they look. He has me wrapped in a large ace bandage from underarms to almost to navel. And do I itch under the ace bandage. I did sneak a peak and they look good and feel squishy. Can't wait to have the bandage off on Monday. I also know that he said he moved my new ones in closer as 1 was almost under my arm. So that must by why I'm so sore. But I'm only taking the Percocet every 8 hours or so and of course the antibiotics 3x day. I did go out with DH a little today food shopping and that really tired me out. I hope you are feeling better. I saved my vacation till after Christmas so I can relax the next 2 weeks. Take care and relax there also.
Janet
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Hi girls...I haven't heard from Teresa yet today. I left her a voicemail, so I hope this only means that she is resting and getting better. I told her that all of us here are thinking about her, wishing her well, and praying for her...and let her know that she is loved.
Please stop with the kind words from my story...lol enough already! We ALL have a story!! And we ALL are AMAZING!!! ALL of us have fought the BIG fight and we are definitely WINNING!!! WOO HOO!!!!
My ps ALWAYS has me start antibiotic imediately after surgery. He also has me put the patch behind my ear before I go in for surgery so I won't get nauseous from the anesthesia when I wake up. He has ALWAYS put in tubes. I have absolutely HATED them, but this last time I was thrilled to have them in. I had to have them in a bit longer than normal because I was still draining too much. Well when I developed cellulitis, which btw was the day after I ended my antibiotic, he told me that had he taken the tube out he would have had to insert another one because of the cellulits. Can you imagine!!! Man I was happy to have that tube in there because it drained sooo much that the bulb was filling completely up often!
I do think people who get cellulitis are more prone to it. Just like when I get a cold it always turns into a sinus infection or bronchitis. Here is another copy and paste from the mayo clinic website:
Cellulitis (sel-u-LI-tis) is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly.
Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected, though cellulitis can occur anywhere on your body or face. Infections on the face are more common in children and older adults. Cellulitis may affect only your skin's surface - or, cellulitis may also affect tissues underlying your skin and can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream.
Left untreated, the spreading infection may rapidly turn life-threatening. That's why it's important to seek immediate medical attention if cellulitis symptoms occur.
This is something funny...well I thought it was a bit funny. I had that dang tube in for so long that it was coming out by itself!! I actually could have pulled it out, but I called the ps and told them that I thought IT wanted to come out, since it was draining all over my body...lol I went in and the nurse just touched it and out it came...all 2 or 3 inches of it!! LOL That's all that was left in the rest had already come out.
Anyway, all of us need to be in tuned with our bodies. We have gone through so much CRAP and we don't want to go through it again!! PLUS we are more prone to getting things than others. Even if our Dr.s think we are crazy we need to ease our mind and get things checked out. If our minds aren't eased then who knows what will happen. Our minds are very powerful and can make us sick if we THINK we are sick. We definitely need confirmation, in my opinion.
OK on to me now...:-) I get my port out this Thursday!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!!!! That dang thing has been in my chest 14 months! My physical therapist will be able to work on my implant more now that it will be out of the way. Last month should have been the end of my treatment, but because of getting cellulits so many times, my treatments were postponed during those times. SO now I am DONE with treatment and getting that port out will give me more confirmation that I am on to a more normal life!!! YAY!!!
I think we all need to realize that we will never look the same, feel the same, or react the same. What we have been through has changed us inside and out. I feel that we need to realize this and move forward as a new person. A new person who will appreciate the things in life more and hopefully learn to love ourselves as we are now. I just KNOW all of us are inspirations to everybody we come in contact with, and that is a gift we all have been given. Having all of us here means so much. The love we have for eachother is priceless!
WE ARE THE TATA SISTERHOOD!!! WE ROCK!!!
I love you girls!
HUGS! Jazzy
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Jazzy.. I do nmot get it... Teresa has NO redness and NO hot spots...???? Just swelling.
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For all of you, and Teresa, recovering from surgery and scheduled for surgery and in the hospital, I am sending cyber hugs. My friend is going in tomorrow for her mastectomy (one side) and tram flap. She is, understandably, emotional today. Please send her hugs and prayers as well. Thanks my friends!
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Jean...Sending BIG HUGS!!!
OK just got off the phone with Teresa. MAN does she sound like a different woman!! The fever is gone! YAY!! They did an ultrasound and there is NO fluid. So that's good. But they are treating it as cellulitis until they know any different. They are waiting for the blood results. Personally, I think they will release her tomorrow. I will keep you up to date! Oh...she told me that they have her IV in the bend of her right arms so she has to keep it straight, so no typing for her.
Laura, there is a pinkness. My cellulitis turned a beet red asap right when I started with a fever. But as we all know everybody is different. I will be curious what the blood test shows.
Teresa is very thankful that you all are thinking of her.
HUGS! Jazzy
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Ladies did any of you experience itching in the clevage and upper pole area after your exchange? Does that mean I am healing (the old wives tale).
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Packergirl - yes, I've had the itching. At times I thought I had a hair caught in the cleavage area, but even 4 months PE I still have itching, although it has lessened considerably. Innervation of those nerves - possibly due to healing? Someone with more medical expertise might know the answer to that one....
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Alitman ~.
Good to hear from you! I noticed a dent (dimple) on my upper pole area of MX area. I, too, have some of the fatty tissue going on near my armpit of MX side...maybe this is what is making this "dimple" look all the more noticeable...to me at least! My aug. has dropped & feeling uncomfortable due to the port along the fold of breast...along the incision...what a place to put that thing I think. Oh...I also have 3 Mondor's cords there too which is not fun...very sensitive. My PS was right...my exchange side will be a cinch & that my aug. side would be more painful...she was right!
Continuing to pray for Theresa & to all many prayers as well!
NAE
Here's a hug for you! I know I am wearing out these words but...."Hang in there"!!!
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What is a mondor cord? I thought something was placed from the bottom portion of my TE under my arm-is that a mondor cord?
I am actually having surgery on it in April because it looks like I lost 100 pounds and is like a fat flap. I hate it. Maybe there was a cord placed in me!! Please explain!!!
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in NAE statement above when she says...My aug. has dropped & feeling uncomfortable due to the port along the fold of breast...along the incision...what a place to put that thing I think.
she's talking about her expandable implant which has a tube and port connected to the implant so they can add and take out saline. Once she's happy with the size they can remove the port and tube. But I don't think that has anything to do with mondor cord. I think that's the cording I heard gals talk about a long time ago but forget what they said. I sure others will come and help explain that part of it...
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Cheri2,
I'm not sure what you're describing is Mondor's Cords.
Go to this link for pics and explanation:
http://www.justbreastimplants.com/gallerymondors_cord.htm
Hmmm. Think you'll have to copy that link and paste it into your browser to see. Anyhoo -- there's a discussion of this on the Reconstruction Forum -- search for "Cording Expanders to Ribs"....
I took some pics of them on me when I had them - see Timtam's forum under my name - wabiwoman.
Peace,
Geena
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Thanks Geena for looking this up (Mondor's cord). I tried looking for the post but there are sooo many to go back on!
NAE
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Cheri2 and NAE - I "bumped" the cording thread I remember - when I was freaking out about them - to the forefront of the Reconstruction Forum.....
Hope that helps, beauties!
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Packer--The itching can probably be a million things, but I had itching after both surgeries, and it was because they didn't get all the betadine off me--even though I couldn't see it. After MX I called the PS and he suggest it was the betadine, so sponged bathed really well, and the itching stopped. After exchange I was able to take a shower a couple of days later and the itching stopped. Just a thought.
Hugs--Karen
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http://www.justbreastimplants.com/gallerymondors_cord.htm
here the link that was posted above
if you just hit enter and go to the next line that's how you get links to work on the threads...
or at least that's what it takes for me
well heading out to Jared's Christmas program
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Ladies... Teresa said she does not have Cellulitious... they are just treating it like that infection. Jazzy.. she told me tonight, she was not red or pink.. nothing...
She will be having an MRI in the morning. The doctor came in at 5pm tonight...
The MRI will show swelling or any infection...
Her PS ( mine too) is calling her daily.. ( as he is 3 hrs away) and setting this all up for her.
So.. after the MRI.. we should know what is going on. She told me the hospital is not seeing the swelling today.. and the sono showed no edema. ?????????????????????/
Anyway... her fever is gone.. and the swelling she saw... is down to her...
Dr. R. is being cautious and having the MRI done...
PLEASE continue to pray for her complete healing!.... NO IMPLANT REMOVAL!!!!!
Packer... If you wanna chat.. I am.... " chatable" the next two days...hehe.... home with grands...
I itched like a mother of pearl..... drove me NUTS.... it was in the areas I had the most work done....
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Ah...... good luck Jared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
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12/15 - kittycat - Exchange surgery (completed)
12/15 - 2xsenough - Exchange surgery
12/16 - Dee1961 - Exchange surgery
12/16 - samiam40 - nips
12/17 - my560sel - Exchange surgery
12/18 - yasminv1 - Exchange surgery
12/18 - Delilahbear - Larger implants and nips
These are our girls this week ladies.... LOVE AND BLESSINGS to you ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Had my exchange Friday and am itching like crazy. I have no doubt that it is from the marker and lotions and potions that they put on you before hand. I think the anaesthia and the pain meds contribute as well. I find that I am feeling itchy, depressed and nauseous these two days following surgery. Anyone else feel this way? I am taking an antibiotic that the PS prescribed with the surgery so maybe that is doing something to my stomach. I am going back to work tomorrow and really wondering when I am going to feel like me again. Thanks all for the good wishes last week and many prayers and hugs are being sent to this week's crew.
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Best wishes for successful and painfree surgeries to all the ladies scheduled surgery for this coming week!! TCK
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Nene:
Will the Dr let you take an antihistimine like Zyrtec? If the itching is from the betedine or markers/tape etc,an antihistimine should help,but check first for contraindications with your doc.
Just my two cents
Wendy
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Thanks Bigapple. I will call and ask him tomorrow. That will help me sleep as well I hope
Does anyone know why regular breast aumentations do not need drains but expanders to implants do? I have been telling people that it is because of the difference in breast tissue but realized I did not know what I was talking about. I really HATE drains.Thanks all
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