Exchange City
Comments
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Hi all,
Val - your pics really do look great. I commented on the pic forum. I agree with Jean - do what you need to do to feel at peace in your body. (But really.... you look great!
)Jean - I'm also really glad to hear about your mom -- what a relief!
3 Questions for thoe already done with exchange - My surgery is Wednesday and I'm wondering about a few things in preparation... So my 3 questions are:
How long did some of you go before movement/exercise after excahange?
How long does it take for a new pocket to form after a pocket revision/capsulectomy?
How quickly were you able to drive after exchange (I live alone and like to be as independent as possible...).
Thanks!!!!!!
Geena
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Geena ~
I just got the full OK to do anything from my PS this week...this being my 7th wk post exchange. I tried going back to elliptical 2 wks ago & I still felt not ready as I felt uncomfortableness in my chest. Earlier this week...I went back & WaaaLaaa...it felt a lot better!!! I've found that with each PS their recommendations varies. I think, for me, my body must bounce back post surgery at around 6-7 weeks cuz 7 wks. after my MX I went back to cardio full blast!
Take care!
NAE
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I had a lift in 2001 on healthy side, implant on mx side. I had been told that lift would eventually sag especially because I was premenopausal. I wanted it done and needed leaked implant replaced so did both at once. I remember being surprised at how difficult recovery was, guess I expected to bounce back quickly. It looked great for awhile, my daughter told me I looked younger:) But yes it did sag again and I guess like facelifts need touchups. But as some of you know instead of a redo on lift I had another mx on this side and the implant saga begins again! These breasts are tired of being cut open!
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Thanks, Big-Apple, for your comments. I will check in with my PS and ask his opinion.
Bobbi
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Geena - I'm a compulsive planner, too, so know how you feel. For my last three surgeries, my circle of friends has provided meals for my family for a couple weeks, but I really don't want to ask one more time. So, I've been cooking like crazy to fill the freezer - way preferable to having my dh try to cook! My ps had me completely restricted for upper arm movement for about two weeks - had to keep elbows at my waist. After that, he allowed arm movement, but nothing involving the pecs - that's when I started driving again. (Driving after the exchange is much more comfortable than after the mast and TE's, though.) No working out - "breaking a sweat," as he said - for three weeks, then easy cardio but nothing involving arms. I teach aerobics and although I went back to teaching at 7 weeks post-exchange, I could only use 1-2# weights for the strength training. I also take Pilates (reformer/chair) classes, and resumed lower body work at 3 weeks, but it was probably 6 weeks before I could do much with the arms. I'm still not back to where I was pre-bmx..... GRRRRRRRRR.........
As for the pocket revision, I also had a lot of pocket work done at my exchange, as my TE's were quite out of line. Not sure exactly what you mean by when the pocket forms, but my implants took 12 weeks to "settle" and soften up. My ps also uses an underwire bra as soon as the drains are out to help define the IMF and form the pocket.
Jean - yippee on the good news about your mom!
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Jean -- great news about your mom!
Val -- love your pics (saw them on the forum)... I agree with those who said you already look fantastic, but it's your body
Can only get better from here!Cheers,
Lilah
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Firni: did you hear anything from the doctor? Sending you good thoughts.
Rockport: you inspired me, I downloaded an app to my iPhone called couch to 5k, that is a running coach that interacts with your own music, and I actually got out there and ran before it started raining.
((((((((Everyone)))))))))))), cause we all deserve a hug.
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Sending prayers and positive thoughts for all our girls having surgery this week - (((((MilleD, Juliempw, Volleygirl, Wabiwoman, and Smore)))))!!!!
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Post exchange movements: I was driving the next day ... just carefully. The first two weeks I wasn't allowed to lift/pull/push anything over 5 pounds, and the first week I wasn't allowed to raise my arms over my head. So grocery shopping was a bit of a challenge that first week. But except for vacuuming, I pretty much did everything around the house. I postponed upper body exercises until 4 weeks. Now my PS wants me to do them regularly to help prevent scar tissue from building up.
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Val- Love the photo!
Sandy- you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Geena- it did not hurt nearly as bad as the initial BMX and TE insertion! And getting over it was no biggie. I think I didn't drive for about 4 or 5 days. I was ready to walk briskly in about 3 weeks and only on tylonol (no pain killers) after about 2 days!!! Ummmm started running about 6 weeks and am still trying to get to the speed and distance I used to be (5 months later! grrrr!)
I was cooking by the next week!!!
Let us know how you do!
Sending warm thought and prayers to all of you this week!!!!
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Ditto the good wishes for those having surgery this week!
Lilah
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Skip the LAT ?
My PS feels I am doing much better than he'd expected following my radiation. He has proposed moving my exchange from May to late March. Further, he has proposed that we just do an exchange and not the LAT that we were originally planning on. He said there's a 30-50% failure rate depending upon which study you read, when it comes to capsular contracture.
Has anyone done this? It will require a graft for a nipple at a later date. If successful, I would have no muscle loss, shoulder issues, or scar. Any thoughts?
Be good to you -
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It's completely your call Little Red, I for one did not choose anything more invasive than an implant for those reasons: less recovery time, less scars, no recovery anywhere except the breast. I figured if it did not work or look good or feel right I could always opt later for something more invasive. Ask him what happens if the implant alone fails? My guess is: you do a lat. So why not try the implant now in the hopes it works and looks good.
But that's just my opinion and what I would do if it were me (and I did NOT have radiation). You have to do what YOU want.
Cheers,
Lilah
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Little Red, I did have 36 rounds of radiation and chose to try the implant first. The LAT is my backup but I'd rather not have another "big" surgery and more scars than I already have thanks to BC. My PS quoted up to 75% failure rate but then she told me that it's a matter of degrees: some of that 75% is very very minor. Right now, my radiated breast is slightly harder and higher than the prophylactic side but it's not enough for me to consider LAT surgery yet.
I found this grading system for the degrees of capsular contracture:
Baker Grading System - 4 Grades of Capsular Contracture
Baker Grade 1 - The breast is normally soft, and looks natural. (Basically, we all have this, since we all have a "capsule".) It is only when the capsule starts shrinking/contracting that capsule contracture occurs.
- Baker Grade II - The breast is a little firm, but appears natural.
- Baker Grade III - The breast is firm, and is beginning to appear distorted in shape.
- Baker Grade IV - The breast is hard, and has become quite distorted in shape. Pain/discomfort may be associated with this level of capsule contracture.
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In addition to Geena's questions. I work in home care so I drive all day/and can cover 100 miles in a day. For those who were driving quickly, do you think you could have been driving a lot every day or did you try to keep it simple for the first couple weeks?
Val, If you were wanting to start the bra thread, absolutely go ahead. Just figured I'd offer if nobody else wanted to--but I tend to over volunteer myself. :-) I've been dying to get that shirt too but I'm also too shy so I think I'd only wear it camping. Going to check your pictures now.
Millie, Good luck tomorrow. Look forward to hearing how you're doing.Firni, Ugh the thought of an infection after 7 surgeries makes me nauseous for you. Keep us posted.Little Red, I never really considered flaps but it sure does seem like a lot more healing and much more complex which seems like more can go wrong. Implants seem so much more simple but then it's a foreign object in your body so I'd say it's a matter of what is important to you.Volleygirl, Wabiwoman, and Smore if I don't check in before Wednesday. Warm wishes to you this week.Katey, I feel your frustration having to start all over again. Your in a TE on the one side now?Julie0 -
Little red
I went with the implant and alloderm on the rads side and we knew that a flap procedure was the possible outcome if it did not work.
I am now, likely facing a flap and probably an implant under it. Even if I did not have the infection and lose the rads implant, there were issues with that side, but my rads were seven years ago and I'm sure that the technology has improved a lot since then, so your damage may not be as bad as mine is
It really is a personal choice and you have to base it on what your doc tells you and what your lifestyle allows. There are women on here who had great results with implant only recon.
Wendy
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OK, I started the Bra Swap site, since no one else seemed to want to!! Hope it is a success!! JUDY
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Judy - where is it and what is it called?
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I chose to have implants. The way I understood it, an LD flap, or TRAM or DIEP or whatever, is a last resort. As a matter of fact, if my implants don't work, the surgeon said I'd likely have an LD. You can have implants and then if they don't work, you can have the other surgeries.
But, you cannot usually reverse that process.. If a DIEP or TRAM or LD doesn't work, you likely cannot have implants. Is that right?0 -
It is called Bra Swap on the Breast Reconstruction Forum.
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Yes Judy that is my understanding, too, about LAPs, TRAMs and DIEPs... that you can try implants first and if they don't work you can STILL do the more intensive sort of surgeries... but not reverse (NOT Implants as a second attempt). Some women are fiercely opposed to having a foreign body under their skin and do go for the more intensive surgery; I am one who would rather do as little as possible when it comes to cutting into my body, so the implant seemed more appealing. The advantage, as I understand it, of the LAPs, TRAMs, DIEPs, etc is that they do use your own tissue (although some women do these surgeries WITH implants)... and so the tissue will grow and shrink as you do (if you do). An implant will never change (unless of course there is something wrong with it).
Cheers,
Lilah
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Deborah and anyone who would like to lend a hand,
I finally had the courage to post my pictures on the pic. forum. I am thinking that I need to go to high profile and larger implants. Let me know what you think.
I appreciate everyone's advise!
Sonia
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Ladies.. I am back online... LONG STORY...
All who are having exchange this week... GOD BLESS YOU !
I will post those rads pictures this weekas I can..SO SO sorry it did not happen as I said..
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Like the others have said, I'm facing an LD flap (with implant for size) should the implant alone not work. Someone on the pictures forum suggested using a strap to physically prevent the implant from migrated upward. Opinions?
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Julie, I have TE's on both sides, PS thought it would give a better result. Yesterday was a cold dismal day here, I was feeling a bit like the weather, but then I went for a long walk with my ipod loaded with mellow happy music and felt much better!
So I'm getting ready for the exchange, making and freezing soups, love them, am a vegetarian, am trying to think of another to make this week. Love pea soup but don't think that will do it after surgery LOL! Any suggestions out there? Also lifting light weights so my arms have a bit of tone before they shrivel:) Taking gym classes, have discovered NIA which is so much fun and my stiff shoulders feel so good after, also love pilates, which helped me to be able to sit up in bed without using arms after last surgery!
Texas, my ps said I will be wearing a bandage to hold implant down. My '01 lift and implant exchange ps had me wear a strap that held implant side down and lift side up, sort of went around my body and under and over!
Thinking of you Firni. Hang in there everyone
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Texas357 - Yes, my doc said something about a "strap" - she's not sure if she is going to use it or not - she'll decide after surgery. If anyone knows anything about the "strap", please fill us in...
To the others who have given their experience post exchange re: driving and exercise, THANK YOU!!!!
Peace,
Geena
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I'd like to locate a strap. Does anyone know what to search for?
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Texas I would ask you PS. It's like an ace bandage.
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Katey/Geena/Texas....You mentioned the stabilizer band....here is one version:
http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?catid=8&id=33512&procid=1
However, very few "reconstruction" cases require the stabilizer band. So do not use it unless absolutely necessary....
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Does anybody else have mentor gels and find them "heavy" feeling?
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