Exchange City
Comments
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Hey, thanks NAE for the info on premedicating for dental treatments. I absolutely agree with you that we need to not overdo antibiotics, but at the same time we should use them if we need them. I'm pulled in both directions on this because my own PS (actually his nurse, but she knows him very well) said I didn't need it for my teeth cleaning a couple weeks ago, but then there are others like yours that say yes. On that one we'll just have to muddle through with our own docs and dentists I guess. The most intriguing thing to me is the evidence that ongoing dental infections like absesses or gum disease might contribute to infections elsewhere. It seems to pay to take care of our mouths! On a related note, just this a.m. on NPR they were discussing recent data showing that chlorhexidine as a pre-surgical skin cleanser prevents more surgical site infections than the traditionally used iodine-based agents. I wonder how many surgical centers have switched since this was published in January? There's even some suggestion that patients wash with this in the few days before surgery, but I couldn't find any studies of that specifically. Anyone else heard anything about this?
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Psalm 121: I am post exchange almost 3 weeks. Please take it easy. If I still had my job, there would be no way that I could have worked.
All the best to you.
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Oh, Dear EC Friends!
You have warmed my heart with your welcomes! Thanks so much!
Colorado: Yay for June 4th! The Bible verse is very special to me, I repeated it over & over during my breast MRI---which for some strange reason, had me stressed out more than the exchange surgery!
Laura/Jizogarden: Your Dolly dream was so funny to me, reminded me of a dream I had because of a comment my husband made to me.....he told me last year "Eating (whatever it was, can't remember now) will put hair on your chest!" This is something he says to our 14 yr old son when he is teasing him, and I just laughed at him when he said it to me..Well, that night I dreamed I had a hairy chest and was so upset in my dream that I woke up crying! It's funny now, but it's amazing how upsetting silly dreams can be, isn't it?
cs777: Before my mastectomy, my BS gave me Hibiclens to use in shower nite before and morning of surgery. Felt like I'd been sterilized, for sure! Is this the same stuff you mentioned? I asked my PS about Hibiclens before exchange surgery and she said she would take care of cleaning me before surgery, that I could just shower with my regular soap.
Thank you Julie & Ronna for your kind words.....I'm home and being well taken care of by DH and DS and I promise I am not overdoing! I feel really restless but kinda tired at the same time...typing and checkng in with all of y'all is the biggest effort I've made today, believe me! Well, I did wash my hair(s) and sponge-bathe, too! I have been approved to be off work all next week, Ronna, and will see my PS on Wednesday, so definitely won't be going back before then. So how are you doing, being 3 weeks post-exchange and what kinds of activities are you finding easier to do now?
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Here is something I found that may be helpful...
Q: I have breast implants. Do I need to take antibiotics before going to the dentist?
A: When dental treatments cause bleeding, they can cause infections in other areas of the body, especially around implanted devices. Infection of breast implants following dental treatment has been reported in the medical literature.1
Many dental procedures cause bleeding, and when that happens bacteria and other organisms in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and migrate to other parts of the body. The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream ("bacteremia") following such procedures is usually temporary. However, the presence of any artificial devices in the body can increase the risk of the bacteria remaining in the body for longer periods of time. Bacteria and other organisms can "colonize" these artificial devices, sometimes leading to chronic infections that can damage surrounding tissues. This is one reason, for example, that the American Heart Association recommends that any person with an artificial heart valve receive antibiotics before undergoing a dental procedure.2
Breast implants are also artificial devices, and it is not unreasonable to ask whether breast implant patients also should receive antibiotics before dental procedures. It is already well-known that surgical wounds can become infected after breast implantation and that the implants themselves may become contaminated or infected.3, 4 In one study, 139 breast implants were removed from 72 patients who were suffering from symptoms such as breast pain, contraction of scar tissue (called capsular contracture), changes in breast shape, or unusual sensations in and around the arms. Upon examination of the implants after surgical removal, 47% were found to be infected by a variety of bacteria.4 Some studies have suggested that bacterial infection of breast implants is an important cause of the sometimes painful capsular contracture that is the most common complication requiring the removal of those implants. 3, 5
If a patient takes antibiotics before a dental procedure, it is not clear which antibiotic should be taken. For patients with artificial heart valves, the American Heart Association recommends antibiotics that will protect against some of the more common bacteria present in the mouth (such as Amoxicillin). However, bacterial infection not only depends on the source of the bacteria, but also the potential site of bacterial colonization. Breast implant devices have unique physical characteristics, and a variety of organisms are known to have infected them, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium perfringens. 1, 4, 6, 7
Although some believe that breast implants may increase dental patients' risk of serious infection, there is uncertainty about how frequently this occurs.8 It may be wise for an individual with breast implants to initiate a discussion with their physician and dentist regarding the option of taking antibiotics before undergoing a dental procedure, as they would if they had other kinds of implants.0 -
Sorry it was such a long article!!! It all comes down to is talking to your doctors and dentist. As I emphasized earlier it is unfortunate that dentists & medical doctors are not always on the same page & this is where the confusion lies.
Thoughts & prayers to everyone recovering or undergoing surgeries!
NAE
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Thank you, Nedeza!
The information you have provided will help so many! We have to be very careful, especially if our systems are weakened by treatments, surgeries, etc. Thanks for all the research you have so diligently provided!
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I wrote a book... and the Lord said. NO! I lost it with the touch of a key... LOL
Soooooooooooo
I say in short order...
Judy... I pray you are riding a lovely vicodin wave tonight sister...... heal!
Lilah.. yes.. me about three days ago.. this is the length of my hair...WAHOOOOO...!
And I am not cool....lol.. I am a huge dork..hehehehehe...Colleen.. LOVE the smile you let us see... AWESOME!
Laura2 ( I am 1....roflol)... you are going to do GREAT in 10 days.. YES YOU ARE!
Psalm.... I try daily to bring light to BC patients and survivors.. Thank you for saying you can 'see" this in my posts... I try very hard to bring this attitude into a dark place for us. TY!
Ladies... I am just amazed at the WONDERFUL... that is......US.......US........US
keep living and LOVING... and being part of this sisterhood. Here on BCO and bring it to your state...
I started this almost two years ago.... THE TATA SISTERHOOD... This is US...And I am so PROUD of US! ...
Love to you... have a great Saturday..
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Laura...I am here! The "101" thread has been quite active and I have had a lot of private messages in the past couple of weeks. I do not know if it is easier for women to find bc.org now or what is going on...but membership has soared in the past month...
So I have lurked here...to catch up on what is going on with everyone...and so that I do not get too far behind on this busy, busy thread...
I love all of you women.....you are all so dear to me!!
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OIC Deb... I do not have 101 bookmarked.. I thought that thread would bring them here... if you need any rads help.. you know where I am.
I too have had many PM's about rads as of late...
I hate to see this site getting ANY busier...:(.......... I love the girls.. but the more we have Deb... well, you know...:(
good to see you...
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Deborah -- I am a lurker on your other thread (always collecting info and so amazed at how smart you are about all of this)... you GO girl!
Laura -- well haven't you heard that dork/nerd IS the new cool?
Rebecca -- WELCOME! And my goodness you look young... and adorable!
Colleen -- your mother is RIGHT! I never thought I'd get BC in a million years and never worried about it... go figure.
Julie -- aw thanks! I am resigning myself to worrying... before my MX I worried and worried and then a week before the surgery I went into some sort of denial or maybe it was just faith and I completely relaxed and it was rather nice to be at ease... so I'm waiting for the ease to kick in
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Estepp-- let us know if you figure out which key that was... happens to me a lot!
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Ok..you all got me going on this. Here's a little more FYI:
Bacteremic breast implant infections are truly rare. The fact that only one case of possible oral organism-related breast implant infection has been reported among the hundreds of thousands of breast implant patients lends credence to that assertion. If bacteremia truly put breast implants at risk of infection, then any woman immunosuppressed by virtue of drug therapy or disease would be an easy target for oral organisms. Hundreds of breast cancer survivors with breast reconstruction implants would presumably be at substantial risk, but no case reports confirm this. Despite the apparently negligible risk, some authors continue to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis prior to invasive dental procedures.64,65 The prudent dentist should always weigh the risk of prophylactic antibiotic therapy against the potential benefit in a particular group of patients. For the hundreds of thousands of women with breast implants, the decision not to prescribe prophylaxis is clearly justified.41 If the patient's plastic surgeon is adamant about the necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis, then that physician should write the prescription.
NAE
Also, in my field, if an MD (surgeon) does not recommend premedication or deems it not necessary...then YOU need to get a written statement from your surgeon that he/she does not recommend premedication or even if he recommends you be premedicated. Either way...it is best to get a statement from your attending surgeon regardless. It is always easier for us in the dental field if you have a clearance from your MD so that we do not have to turn you away by having to reschedule your cleaning. Hope this helps!
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Nedeza, thank you very much for your information regarding any dental work. Due to the bc, I have put off visiting dentist for checkup and cleaning, but I will certainly have all your info in my mind when I make the appt.
Psalm121Exchange did not affect me mentally as did mast. However, I find my new girlies a little heavy and am getting used to them. I just suffer with the side effects of Arimidex which I am trying to keep under control. Two advil every 4 hours under advice from onc.
However, to date I have raised almost $900.00 for the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure which I plan to participate April 25. I just received my official tee shirts and Survivior Hat yesterday, which made my day. I just hope I don't poop out during the walk, but really looking forward to my first walk for the cause.
Have a great day everyone. HUGS
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Well, I can say Squishy, but not Yippee Squishy.... I never once cried when I looked at myself after my BMX with TE's, but I have been crying all morning looking at the new girls, little girls I should say. My PS and I talked about full C cups, I always said large C cup and he said full C... well, pretty sure that I ended up with maybe a ful B, I was a small B before. I am so not happy... I was never happy with my size before and I was so excited to be going up to a full C... and these are not it. And they look kind of saggy already, what's going to happen when I drop and fluff! I am so angry and sad!!!! I wanted some kind of bonus from this horrible disease, and now I still have saggy B cups with Big Nipples and scars and no feeling. So he made my ugle boobs uglier! I am so not happy right now. The pain isn't bad I guess, it doesn't feel good, but not bad. I'll try to post pictures some time this weekend, haven't ever posted before so will have to figure out how and I have to go to my kids soccer games all morning, so I'll try when I can.
Judy, hope your outcome was wonderful! Has to be better than mine!
Paula
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Paula! I'm so sorry you are disappointed today. Hang in there, many women here are at first disappointed then pleased as the breasts will keep changing week to week as they settle. Recent scars aren't the prettiest thing, the redness will go away and there are cremes and silicone tapes to help them become less noticeable. Please try to relax and take it easy today. There will be another soccer game if you're not up to today's. Gentle hug to you.0
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Thanks Katey, but I don't think settling is going to make them any bigger or perkier, just the opposite I think. And as far as the scars go, I was fine with the scars that I had, but he had said that he would go in through the original scars and create the nipples out of the scar area, but now I have a whole new set of scars, I don't know which set is the new ones, but there is a scar line above where the nipple is and another where the nipple is. And in my opinion the nipples look very low, like they are pointing down slightly. And if they settle and do the drop and fluff, they'll be pointing down even more. I am trying to just look at the fact that I am cancer-free and I'll just have to learn to live with ugly boobs, but I so wanted to be boobalicious! NOT! anyway, bear with me, I am just pouting right now. I am getting older, fatter and wrinkly and I just wanted at least one part of my body to look good, but I guess it wasn't meant to be, I'll just have to deal with it.
Paula
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cs7777: Before each of my surgeries, my PS had me wash with a chlorhexidine solution the night before and again the morning of surgery. My husband was told to do the same thing before his total knee replacement. They still used a betadine solution during the surgery. I'm fairly certain of this because my skin was bright orange.
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Paula, I am so sorry. I wish I had the right words to say. I'm feeling very emotional right now with thoughts of you, and I finally went on the picture forum. I can't thank all you women enough for the help you have given everyone. I know we don't like to always be told we're brave, but each one of you that have shared your story and photos are oh so brave. I wish I had gone on months ago, it would have helped with some of the scarier moments. I don't know what made me wait, denial? acceptance of my new body? fear? But each of you have helped me take a new step forward today. Thank you.0
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Paula,
Sorry you are disappointed. The same happened to me. Stay away from Vistoria's Secret (they told me I am an 'A'). Things do round out a bit as the implants settle. It has been a couple of months for me now and I wore a sweeater yesterday that got me 'va-va-voom' looks and even my self-centered teen daughter told me I'm stacked. I'm trying to forget about what I used to look like and find clothes that flatter a smaller bust. When all else fails, GO SHOPPING!
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Paula~
The one thing about this thread & all the others in this BC forum is that...WE DO TRULY UNDERSTAND what you are going through! We are here to listen! We will always BEAR with you any day!!! That is what this is all about!!! I pray that things look a little brighter each day.
Hugs,
NAE
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Paula: This is NOT the end of the journey. Do not accept something less than you expected. If you have the motivation and desire to achieve something better, then go for it, as many others have before you. I think of Dani42 and Hood and MooreTennis and sftfemme and "me" over on the pictures forum especially...and come on, help me girls, so many more who were unhappy after the exchange. But these women either pushed their plastic surgeons for improvement or [the majority of them] went elsewhere - sought the consultation of another PS and are now very happy with their results. This, again, is why I tell you gals to never trust when your PS says he is going to make you a "C" cup. It doesn't happen that way. It might make an augmentation patient a "C" cup - but not a mastectomy patient.
Paula, please PM me if you want to send me photos. I can help you...
Deborah
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Paula - sending you a great big hug, sweetie! The emotionality of this whole journey can catch up with us, especially right after surgery.....give yourself a few days......it's really early yet. Just remember, though, that barring any medical contraindications (skin integrity, etc), you CAN fix the situation with a revision.....I know that's the LAST thing you want to think of right now, but just keep it in the back of your mind.....for your sanity....and maybe try not to look at the girls for a day or two.....easier said than done, I know.....I still obsess over mine on a daily basis..... You have every right to desire BEAUTIFUL BOOBS, so please don't give up yet!!
I heard the infection control recommendation, too, and agree that it's an EXCELLENT idea to shower with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine gluconate solution) prior to any surgery. I've done so prior to every surgery - and I've had zero infection issues. We can never be too careful, IMO......
Rebecca - Welcome to EC! And I second Lilah's comment - I pray that you're not really as young as you look! Don't get me wrong.....bc is HORRIBLE at any age.....just particularly sad when it happens to really young women.....
Regarding premeds and dental work - my ps said that for routine cleanings, he doesn't usually premedicate. However, he did put me on one day of Keflex for my cleaning in March because I was just a few weeks post-op. So, you might address that issue with your ps if you're scheduled for a cleaning close to your exchange. For more invasive dental work, he said premedication is more indicated. Thanks, Nedeza, for the article reference. Could you tell us the source?
Colleen - I'm going to go check out the pics on the site.....haven't been there for a few weeks, so need to check back in. I'm hoping to get my dh to take a new pic this weekend, too.....
Katey - I'm so glad you finally found the pic forum. It was hugely instrumental togiving my some sense of sanity throughout this whole mess.....that's exactly why I wanted to contribute.....pay it forward......
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Great pep talk for Paula, Deborah!!!
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It is comforting to know that I can come to this site and say how I feel and voice my concerns and someone else knows how I am feeling. I only wish I had a long time ago. My exchange date is May 27.....I am anxious and nervous already.
Ronna - That is awesome that you have raised that amount for BC....I walked in Phila. four years ago with my daughter, and it was a very emotional day....I wish I could do it every year but unfortunately being that Phila. does it on Mother's Day, it is usually a busy day for everyone.
Paula - So sorry you are disappointed, hope things get better for you...
Pat
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Paula ~ Listen to Deborah and the others!!! You do NOT have to settle!!!! Boobalicious is still in your future if not with this PS then with another one. You will be looking at those babies probably twice a day for the rest of your life and it is very important for many reasons that you get what you want.
Hang tough and fight for the "girls"!!!! Colleen
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Val61~
Most of the info can be found just by googling but here are some sites: CDA (Calif. Dental Assoc), JADA (Journal of American Dental Assoc.), CDHA ( CA Dental Hygienist's Assoc.).
NAE
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Hello All
I wonder how Judy is doing...Praying for her
Anybody have a lot of pocket/infamamory work done with exchange?
I had a CC with TEs and had a lot of pocket/infamamory work done on (that) right side. My bronchitis made it sting and sore again and now the fold is sore where my bra sits. Not sure if this is due to stretching more with pysical therapy or what. He put in internal stiches there. I am 7 weeks post-exchange.
Deborah--the fabulous part about 101 is that there are people that may need to revisit with revisions etc. or learn from 101 their very first exchange. Thanks for all you do.
Kristen
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Hi all
Im experiencing something I dont know what it is and am hoping maybe somebody has seen or heard of it. My exchange was 3/26 (Paula: I was scared they were too small, they changed a lot altho my left is slightly smaller than my right and size wise I like my right better. Im sorry you are sad....they do change but sounds like you are in good hands talking to Deborah)
So: about a week ago i started noticing a kind of bump like about the size of a grape just above where the right implant is (12 o'clock). Its very soft like a balloon, kind of oval shaped. It isnt red. I keep thinking its like attached to the implant but I cant tell. It may be a little sore when I press on it but that might be because I KEEP pushing on it all the time. I really dont think its an abcess, its too soft. So get this: I saw my PS on tuesday (was an appointment already scheduled for a follow up check) and showed it to him and he said he didnt know what it was (he's done over 1000 of these in his career and doesnt know? I am SO sick of being a medical mystery: they still dont know the cause of my bleeding disorder and I dont think anybody will be too anxious to operate on me again unless theres no choice). He wants to see me back in a month but said to call him if it got worse. You can actually see the ridge from one side of it on my chest without having to feel it. I find I've been obsessing about it since tuesday so thought maybe one of you might have a thought??? If it were a leak (I have silicone) I dont think it would feel so well defined....
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Fairport
so he didnt think it was a leak? Mention an MRI? Are you still massaging and moving the implant? Just trying to think of questions to ask if you havent already. I feel a small (size of pencil eraser) bubble on the bottom of left implant. Made PS feel it and he said it was part of my muscle and to keep massaging.
I wish i could be of more help
Kristen
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Ok, I'll listen to words of encouragement too. I've been told that I have unrealistic expectations. Where is the line between not giving up and being unrealistic?
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