Exchange City
Comments
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Deekay - it almost sounds like a bit of a fungal infection, which I did have after my exchange/lift/reduction surgery (on the lift side). My Onc noticed it... a red line in the IMF... and Gold Bond's powder took care of it. Is it possible that's happening in your case? I would not put any powder on it, though, without getting some medical eyes on it. But it was sore and a there was a raised line... though I did not have an incision in that spot (my incision was vertical on that side). It's hard to really say without seeing it. Definitely worth a call to the PS (or even your GP).
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Hi all, well three days out from exchange and still sore but I guess that is to be expected. I do have to say as many of you have it is much softer than the TE. I actually dont feel like I have a rock sitting on my chest. Although when I get up from laying down I can definately feel things "shifting" and it is quite uncomfortable for a few. MY PS said that I could drive as long as I was not on narcotics and it felt comfortable. The glutten for punishment that I am I went to work for a few hours yesterday and will do the same today. I sit at a desk and type so its not that big of a deal. Just cant sit around at home, then I will most likely do things I really should not. Well glad the rest of you re doing good.
Jen
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geez Jen- be careful- I fooled myself through this whole process BMX and then the exchange that sitting at a desk typing on a computer would not exhaust/hurt...surprise...if you can- just try to rest some more-more than you normally do to give your body a chance to heal. The reason my doc gave me for not driving was to avoid a quick turn or any sudden movement in my upper body-did not want any damage internally while everything is healing...sorry if i come acorss as a nag but why is it we all think we are superwomen?! I am staying home and working from the house today- the last three days while not painful per se, knocked me out- I am leanring to give myself rest when I need it. Anyhow, big hug:)
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Cameron I just checked out your pictures from the beginning of your surgery and you do look amazing. I had my BMX 3 years ago and am finally getting implant reconstuction- I had my surgery done on monday 4/4 - but my TE's are high and I have no space in between each breast - like you did. Is that swelling or did others have that for the entire TE process. I'm trying to figure out what to wear to work when I go back in next week - at the end of the week...I guess winter is a better time with sweaters and all! Thoughts?
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Jan..I am about the same time out as you and going through the same things
My PS told me about 3 months. I've been putting Neosporin on them and it helps but they are bumpy underneath which may be a combo of the stitches mixed with fascia.I walked 9 miles yesterday getting ready for the 3 Day in October and did much better than the 12 mile fiasco a few weeks back. Yup...my boobs are slowly healing
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jan508 my stitches were like that in a couple of places. The PS snipped them. And that was at about 6months.
annettek I loved what you said!
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Yeah Arlene!!!! isn't it great to actually feel ourselves healing after all of this BS:!!!!!!
Thanks determined:) Now, I am off to take pictures of my 3 week old twins and post them on the pic forum:)
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Annette- I asked for full B's, and I got very full C/D. My ps is a perfectionist but apparently chauvenistic. He wants to put on nips, and I said no, and he said 'that's what men live for'. I rolled my eyes. I would ditch him permanently, but he did such a nice job and I don't need any revisions. I love how you talk to yourself with reassuring thoughts
:)Carol-Being at the beginning of the end is a WONDERFUL place to be. It can only get better from here! Great Attitude!
Jan- I'm not a 'dissolver', so my stitches lasted forever and poked out for months. I just kept clipping them and even had to wear bandaids when they poked thru my tops. I gave them a tug now and then and they would come out when they were ready. Its the part of the stitch closest to the skin that doesn't dissolve much, but eventually they will be gone.
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Okay ladies I am ready to get this show on the road! I am on for June 9th!
If I ask too many questions in the upcoming months that sound redundant please forgive.
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tnbc- I talk to myself entirely toomuch (in public it could be odd!) That is crappy that a good PS is like that. Mine tamped me down when I went through a spate of Booby frenzy..he said sure lets just make you double D and send you on the road...you wo't be able to walk ahahaha...I appreciated it...the best compliment I have so far is that I don;t look like I had a boob job...
Fighter- YEAH! and you can't ask too many questions as we alldo the same thing:)
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ok i am really nervous about asking this question...PLease do not think bad of me,BUT had any of you considered having a tummy tuck while under for exchange??? my ps brought that up to me way in the beginning when we first consulted,of course then i said "oh wow thats a great idea!!" not knowing all that was ahead of me on this journey duh!!! so its getting close to exchange time about 6 weeks and ive gained some weight alot of belly fat which is not going to go away even with losing weight,im 54 got menapause behind me kinda ,had 2 kids,after kids my tummy was flat i always worked out but since i hit the 50's got this extra blubber. I would not be doing this to wear a bikini believe me my butts and thighs also are not appealing at all But if i could actually button my pants again and wear them comfortably.....ok give it to me am i just too crazy or what and im just thinking about it honest
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you go for it- do NOT apologize and you owe nobody an explanation for what you choose to do with your body. I see it as to even be thinking about cosmetics as a sign of health...thinking about something other than friggin BC....if you want it = go for it and if you want a bikini- go for that too! BIG HUGS
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Beacher I did consider additional cosmetic surgery. Like you at 52 things have shifted in the mid area.
Not strange at all, after all you have the surgeon, you're already under anesthesia, you know you're going to have some down time.
I ended up not doing it, basically because I just could not make a decision, and ran out of time, Lol!
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Trying to catch up on my reading here...great thread these days!
Arelene: Congrats on 9 miles - yes I can also feel them healing except for the stitch thing UGH. But, all in due time I imagine.
Thanks determined: I'll have to have him snip them when I go back on 4/21.
TNBC: I also wound up with C/D. My PS is also chauvenistic but he too does such fine work!!!
beacher: OMG I think of having a tummy tuck every day!!!! Since BC I quit smoking and am on Tamoxifen and gained 14 lbs...mostly belly fat and I go to the gym pretty much every day.
So, ladies it looks like we are on the road to recovery, thank God.
This journey has been so much easier because of all of you...Thank you!!!
Jan
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beacher I actually did have a tummy tuck with my exchange. I am thin but had stretched out skin from my second child that no matter how many sit ups I was going to do was not going anywhere! It is a painful surgery as your incision is big but I am so glad I did. But just know it impacts your recovery time.
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Kerry: Scarves are your friend--it's that or ruffles. I now have a whole closet full of scarves that can disguise just about anything and they look cute, too. Lots to choose from and they are fairly inexpensive.
JenC: I agree with Anettek: You do not have to be superwoman--even with a simple augmentation you are not supposed to do anything for two weeks! You have just had major reconstructive surgery and should so be taking it easy.
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beacher... go for it! I kept thinking about it, but was just too chickens***t. Already regretting not doing it with my exchange last week. I've gained 12 pounds in the last year going through this BC mess and having a real hard time losing it. It's all on my belly too!
I am 8 days out of exchange surgery and I am feeling really good and no pain at all. Steri strips came off today and the incisions look fine. I drove for the first time yesterday and insisted that I was going to make a trip to the grocery store by myself. Cupboards and fridge had gotten pretty bare. DH unloaded the goods and helped put away. Then, I landed on the couch and took a 2 hour nap! So, I guess I still need to pace myself.
Fighter... Get out that calendar and put a big red circle with a bull's eye
on June 7th!0 -
Beacher: My PS lipoed my tummy to use for fat grafting on my MX side. He will need to do a bit more, because now my tummy is lumpy. I say go for it--I had a botched surgery which gave me a permanent pooch where I used to have a relatively flat tummy. I am half way there to it being flat again and it's so worth it!
tnbcRuth: Sorry your PS is a chauvenist. Mine wanted to make me smaller and I was like, no way! I am 6 feet tall and finding clothes that fit was already a challenge and an A cup would have eliminated my entire wardrobe! I was a small B/C and now I am a full C/D, however, I really don't look like a C/D (unless I where a push up top and something low cut). Implants are much wider then natural breasts and I really don't look like I have had anything done. It's really strange how reconstructed breasts look smaller then their cup size.
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Joan:
You sound exactly like me...just can't lose that belly fat (I think it's hormonal) and you can't sit still. Going to the gym has helped but not enough. Even thinking of maybe I can get away with some lipo. I'm going to discuss this with PS if I don't chicken out
Jan
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WOW!!! What a response! Thanks ladies,you have encouraged me, and allowed me let go of the guilt
You are all so awsome really quite amazing women, bc women are. Kinda makes you think...??? Determined: So ok give me the whole scoop on the pain? i feel like i have been living with pain so long i could handle it but still scared.
Another question did most of you have your t/e put in at time of mx? Then had rads? I did, and i just read on bco actually,that metal ports and radiation is not good ,and that what i got!! and the port area is what usually stings the worst like burning the sight says it mess up the tissue anyone familiar with this?
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beacher: I had an upper eye lift while I was under and I love it! Barely any pain to speak of except in the wallet area. My sister had DIEP surgery in February and is so damn uncomfortable in her tummy area that she wishes she never did it. I heard the tummy tuck was similar. If so, as a lot of questions about the bloating and recovery time.
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ArleneMarie -- LOL ... I actually thought, hmm... where is the wallet area around the eyes?! Good expression (I did get it after a few seconds
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The tummy tuck discomfort is pretty significant. You can't stand up straight for awhile. Let me just say it............ it really really hurt. But hey you know it is going to get better and the results are so worth it.
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ok- so are all ofyou saying i can blame this new pooch in my belly on BC?! YEAH!!!!! I feel better now...now excuse me I am going to go have a piece of therapeutic chocolate;)
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Annettek: Ya ,thats funny!! I just ate a therapeutic chocolate cooke.And i thought its o.k. im goona get a tummy tuck,but now i do not think so sounds too painfull...
Determined : Did you have pain meds? Like vicodin or percocet? thinking to painful for me, unless my ps gives me the med ball i had with mx, that would release pain meds on its own somehow knowing how much i needed..Loved that thing it was attached to me for about 2 weeks until it shrunk. Did you have one of those?
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Arlenmarie; i was looking at my face too, i think i have too much time on my hands right now... i could use a little lift though he he
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i told my ps i wanted some rejuventation-he said wait...get through this &stuff& and then we will see...argh////besides, he knows I don't want to pay for it hahahahahaha
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congrats to all you post exchange ladies, I can not wait to get these hard TEs out, everytime I have chemo, they ready hurt and feel like basketballs instead of baseballs, not sure why they feel worse, anyone experience this. Your posts make me wonder if an upper eye lift would be a nice post chemo treat, I feel like I have really aged in the last few months, even though I am only 47. There must be a little cost saving since you are already there? My DH bought me a fabulous diamond at the begin of chemo, I am sure he will be ok with the eyes. He just wants me smiling again.
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funny how all this PS becomes addictive
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After I have experienced what my PS can do with breast reconstruction, I am very tempted to find out what he could do with my tummy. I am 8 weeks post-exchange but if he thinks we should we go back for any revisions, I would seriously consider a tummy tuck. Funny because my breasts were always my favorite part of my body and that is the part that I had to have re-done. (I think I like my new breasts better).
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