Exchange City
Comments
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Hello ladies. I am back in action and feeling prety good considering surgery was just yesterday. My PS made lots of markings for all the revisions she was going to do and said she would be narrowing the pockets. She also did some lipo under my arms and added the fat into other areas. I won't be able to see the results til Thursday for now I am all bandaged up and in a beautiful surgical bra. I am on pain medicines and antibiotic. I pray I get the results I deserve this time.. Think of you all.
Jennifer
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Hi everyone. Just want to check in and let you know that I had my exchange (left MX breast and augmentation on natural) last Wednesday. Had alot of excitement on that day between anticipation of another big snow storm and the FDA announcement of ALCL link to breast implants
. The surgery took about 3 hours and in recovery room another 3 hrs. Was home by 7PM just in time before the storm hit. (GOD was watching over me
)I had alot of pain for a a few days due to the drains . They were actually wrapped around inside the breast on both side. But once removed (last Saturday), I felt fine and hardly any discomfort and didn't need any pain medication since .
Both side are just a bit smaller then I had expected. But PS said that for my anatomy, he did not go bigger to achieve a more natural look (500cc on MX side and 225cc on natural side).
(Whippemom: you were right on target on my sizing )
I have the usual restriction of not raising or stretching both arms for a week and not lifting any thing heavy for the next three weeks.
Eastcoastgrl: My PS also suggested that I have the exchange done in the OR in his office ( which is only around the corner from the hospital). But I felt more comfortable (in case there were complications) going to the hospital instead.
I don't post much but have been reading and following the postings here through out my journey and want to thank all you wonderful ladies for sharing.
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YAY Jennifer! (But I don't remember you going by that name in Vegas???) I'm so happy your surgery went well & you are darn right you deserve FABULOUS FOOBS this time! Take care, Joyce
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terry54 - Congratulations! It's easy when you're feeling good to overdue ... so be careful. Enjoy your softies! wooo hooooo!!!!!
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Deborah I really am the same size, even measured I am the same. I the implant on the left sort of reshaped me so its as perky as if I was wearing a bra. I think between losing weight during everything and I am on Tamoxifen which changes the density of breast tissue, I just think if I didn't have Lefty augmented I would be smaller now (not as perky and firm) Maybe in a couple of months when things "FLUFF" up it will change but for now..I am a 34c.
and yes my TE was 800, then reduced to 750 during chemo. My first implant was 750 and now I am at a much happier 600ccs.
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Hi ladies, thank you all for the good congratulations! Mind you, my mammos did not catch my 2nd cancer, the mri did, so I'm still having those yearly until prophy.
As to size, I had had a previous lumpectomy in that breast and when we used (mentor 600ccs)
we were adjusting for that. I'm a 38 for comfort, 36 for fit, full C. DD on the right, which points, uh south, but this will be fixed with prophy.
Re: the OR vs the PS OR suite, in no way would I do that one esp. with the lung puncture! What if there were complications! I am sure he'd do a great job, but personally, I'd stick with a hospital setting since you will be opened and infection prone.
Good luck! Jennifer, I hope it all turns out beautifully as soon as the fluff and settle sets in!
xoxo
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kitty cat, I am very sorry for your loss of your friend. You are beautifully honoring her by speaking at the Susan G Komen gathering.
Perhaps a nice GC to a restaurant for dad and the kids. He must be overwhelmed. My prayers for all of them and you, too.
Thank you for speaking, dear. It's brave and wonderful of you.
xoxo
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Kittycat - when my dad died some friends sent my family a nice gift basket of gourmet cookies and brownies (each individually wrapped) and it was the best ever. tasty comfort food. Thats my recommendation.
Karyn
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Kittycat -- so sorry to hear about your friend. But so impressed that you are giving a speech! You go girl. What's the cause of your sleeplessness? If adivan works, why not use it? Especially as, I imagine, the sleep issue is short term?
Jennifer -- glad you go through surgery well and I'll add my prayers for a great result to yours!
Re: OR vs surgical center... I guess it's all the same to your insurance company? I agree with the others that, given what happened last time, you might feel safer at the hospital.
Karyn -- that basket sounds like the perfect solution!
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Trying to catch up on posts I was amazed at how much information you all have about your surgery. My doctor told me he basically has one way he does TE and implants for everyone unless there is a reason for that person to need something different and he does not feel i do. So far all i know is he is able to get me to a large C/small D. He only uses round slicone. Of course i have not had a formal preop appointment yet where he will schedule the surgery because we are waiting for medicaids approval. Is there a checklist somewhere of all the things i should ask him? I don;t have my pick of surgeons because of meidcaid so don't want to offend him. He is the only PS at the learning hospital where they did a really great job on my BMX.
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Hello ladies I had my exchange surgery yesterday. It sure was so much easier than MX. I have taken tylenol about three times. Not really very painful. The antibiotic makes me sick though. That is the worst thing about this. How long does it take to know what you will really look like? Or is this it?
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Jkz so glad to hear it went well for you yesterday! Glad your back in action
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soccermomofthree - Congratulations on your exchange! I'm glad you're not in much pain! This is sooooooooo not it! They're going to settle and change a lot over the next 3 months or more. It's fun to photojournal it ... it is rather dramatic how much they change.
Sorry about the antibiotic. If you let your PS know ... maybe he can change it up for you. Congrats!!!!
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Thank you Dawne-Hope! What a good idea to photojournal it
I am glad to know they change. Still in my bra but a very smooched shape-aka...flat:)0 -
Kittycat: I am truly sorry to hear about your friend and I agree, a gift certificate would be much appreciated or even a basket of goodies. You are honoring your friend by speaking and you will be representing all of us women on the boards! Melatonin was a god-send for me! You just have to build up to the right dose. You take 1 the first night, 2 the second and so on until you can sleep all the way through. I take 4 x 5 mg sublingual melatonin and I still wake up but I am able to go back to sleep. If I take 5 I can't wake up or get going in the morning. It's really good for BC, too.
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Ladies, I'm having sleep torubles as well, don't know why PS or regular doc's will not perscribe any meds, I don't take squat, any advice please? I had muscle relaxers which worked well expecially now with more ab issues and pain, going to TRY again Thursday when I see my PS for fill. Do drink camomile tea, helps well, I'm more of a "natural remedy gal" then meds but would like them for those days that I can't tolerate the pain and such....thanks.
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Stephanie -- read MBJ's post re: melatonin just above yours... sounds like great advice.
Carrol2 -- have you been to Breast Implant Sizing 101 and talked with Whippetmom? Sounds like you need her
Have you already had your MX and are you in a TE now? If so, you will need to know the make/model of the TE (for Whippetmom). Sounds like you've got a PS with a less than thrilling bedside manner (it can happen). I'm concerned about the one-size-fits-all approach... though encouraged that he does make exceptions where he feels they are needed. 0 -
Thanks so much for the responses everyone. I think I am going to have to decide and make a call soon. History and physical is set for Feb 18 and surgery is scheduled (at plastic surgery center) on Mar 4. So, will have to rearrange everything if I decide to go to hospital. Not sure what to do. So many pros and cons....but ultimately think I would feel better being at the hospital considering past experience.
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Soccermom.. When did your plastic surgeon say you can remove the bandages, the bra and get showered? Mine told me I can do all of this on Thursday. I cannot wait. I have sponged bathed but my hair could really use a good washing.. Mine implants are flat right now too. I took a couple of peeks..This is actually was my 2nd set of implants so I know they change dramatically in the next 3-5 months. I had to have revisions because my old PS made the pockets way to big and they were basically under my armpits. Oh yeah, one hung lower than the other too.. Not a pretty sight!
I have quite a bit of pain since my new PS did quite a bit of pocket work and some lipo. She did say she cannot promise that I will not need some more revisions but we will see how things go. I was happy when she told me this because she understands the outcome I am looking for. My old PS said no revisions! This is not augmentation it's reconstruction.. So basically if you don't like the results too bad. That is when I started searching for a new PS..
Hopefully all goes well. Talk to you ladies soon.
Jennifer
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Hi Jennifer! He actually said I can today! Bless your heart I hope the pain gets better soon. That pocket work can be so very painful! I Just had my right breast pocket "opened up". I hope that are beautiful this time and you don't have to do this again...but on the other side if it needs it glad you have a PS that works with you! Does insurance cover it if I don't like what I see? I am glad you told me about the flat thing...I read once someone said hamburger bun...yep good analogy! I feel my implant hanging out on my right side more...my TEs were huge like that. My pockets were smaller than my implant so I don't think they could shift too much...but I don't know! Take care! Tonya
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So glad to see you ladies discussing this. I am waiting a bit yet to go back to talk to my PS about a potential revision. I know he isn't going to necessarily agree with me and will probably tell me I am being too picky. However I feel one of my breasts is larger than the other (I don't know how that happens when they used the same size implant in both) and hangs a bit lower. Deborah is going to take a look at some photos for me and see if maybe the breast fold is just naturally lower...but my natural breasts were even. My husband thinks its not that noticeable and is not encouraging me to pursue it...but it is really bothering me. My exchange surgery was on Dec. 21st. So it helps to hear others stories.
Thanks, Dawn
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Tonya with regards to insurance my doctors got pre-approvals from the revision surgery I just had and thank good everything was approved. I have asked many woman on here about the insurance and there is some kind of federal law that insurance companies have to cover any "necessary" revisions if the reconstruction was cancer related. I actually think it was either Laura (Estepp) of Deborah (whippetmom) you sent me the information.
Tonya did you PS discuss nipples with you yet? I am planning to have the skin grafted nipples with tattoing but plan to wait at least til May before I decide... Dropping and fluffing can take months. My last PS wanted to pt my nipples on 4 weeks after the exchange. I was actually going to do it before talking to the women on here. Thank god I didn't because I would've had some uneven nipples..LOL
Dawn keep reading the post you will learn so much. These women on the site have become my close friends on this site. They are wonderful. I am so glad I got to meet some of them in Vegas last year.
Marie K. good luck on your surgery keep us all posted on your surgery.
Jennifer
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I thought I'd post a quick update for radiation ladies. I am 2 weeks out of fat grafting with Dr Khouri.
I did my exchange from te's in May, prior to radiation. I had a fairly easy time with the radiation...even with freckled fair skin!
The rads side was flat across the scar line, and the scar line was a bit tight. Dr Khouri made the decision to re-open the scar line during surgery to release the scar tissue. There is no more tightness whatsoever. I had fatgrafting done to plump up the area. 200cc's were added to each side. That sounds like it made me huge...but it really didnt as it was all spread around the chest area. You cannot see the chest muscles like you could before. There is no step-off etc. I am 2 weeks out. So far, so good!
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Jennifer I had a nipple and skin sparing MX. What is happening during the drop and fluff?
Yes, don't get nipples before your sure the drop and fluff is over.Your last PS sounds like a real piece of work. Glad you have a new one! Dawn, I think at least you can go in and talk with PS to see what all a revision would entail for you. With that knowledge, you can make an informed decision and be able to present the facts to your DH. 0 -
East CoastGrl - I had my exchange done at my PS surgical center. I too was a little worried, but when I looked on line at surgical center vs hospital I felt better. It said there usually aren't "sick" people at a surgical center, less bugs to catch, more attentive, hospital is usually not too far away if needed. They did do an EKG, and check up before surgery. Since I was at the surgical center I had a couple plastic surgery things done (since I am looking old) and I got a discount on the surgical center, the doctor's fee and the anesthesiologist. A seven and a half hour surgery and I woke up feeling great and was treated great. They called and checked on me that night, sent out a survey - I was very pleased. Good luck - either way I would try not to worry. Hugs, Valerie
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Soccermom - so glad you are feeling ok. The antibiotics always made me sick too. I think that was the worse part. It's been 4 months since my exchange and I think at 3 is when I finally felt like they were alot softer and had dropped a bit.
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Thanks Jennifer! I'm a bit nervous and excited about tomorrow and a bit worried.
My original time was 6:30 but I got bumped today to 9:15 because my PS is doing some combo work with another surgeon. I hope it doesn't change - my heart is set on having my exchange tomorrow. The new time works out better for us since we can now see the kids off to school instead of leaving them asleep in bed. Always a worry for me with teenagers - oh man can these kids sleep!
It's hard to believe that tomorrow I will be another step closer to the finishing up on this "journey". It's been 19 months since I was DX and I'm not finished yet but I feel like I'm getting there....
I couldn't have done this without the help and support of all of you wonderful ladies on this group and on BCO.
Thanks so much and I'll check in over the weekend!
Marie
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Marie - Best of Luck. I agree, this site "rocks" and the ladies here are awesome. Happy Yippie Squishies to you.
Karyn
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Ladies who just did exchanges.. YAY for you ! You did it !!!! Oh hope all works out well for you !
ANNIE my dear........ YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very pleased to read about you...
Jen... you are right on... INSURANCE HAS TO PAY.... LAW ! And also Jennifer.... I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOUR NEW SELF... so great for you... long road lady... long road..... keep healing!
GEEWIZ......... this is great news ! I have yet to have anyone help me with this... that had rads... I would LOVE to hear your story... if you have anytime to PM me. I think this is GREAT! I see my PS on the 22nd of Feb. ... and I want to have some info going into his office.. even some pictures to take with me.. to show him rads results with fat grafting... if you would be willing to send me any photos to my Private email... ANYWAY... I am probably asking too much...
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Rebecca- you are part of team spread across the world all rooting for you, my friend. I don't know of anything else like it on the planet. Pretty wonderful. If we get scared, sad, elated, terrified, happy or any other emotion on the roller coaster of life with BC, we can "tap" into each other's energy and somehow come away richer for it. All of us. When one is down our collective thoughts and prayers or whatever you care to call it flows out in this incredible surge of power. How cool is that? When one can't be brave, there is sure to be someone else who helps us find our footing again. Even the strongest warriors get tired sometimes. And here, that is ok.
Whippetmom- you are an incredible person-I just like the way you think. What you said to Rebecca was a reminder for us all to pause and think of all angles before going to the lowest common denominator. When I am smart enough to remember to do that I can see things so much clearer. I call it "passover". Yes, it is a bad thing yet possibly spared a much worse thing from occuring. Anyway, I feel better having people like you and so many others here in my life.
I have been gone for a bit from the board so now I will get back to catching up:)
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