Exchange City
Comments
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Beacher: After my MX they put me in a too small post surgical bra that left indentations for weeks after! Glad they are looking good! Rest up!!
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Beacher -take it easy, I had ROM issues after bmx and after exchange (still have winged scapula and tightened chest muscles) . It will take a bit but when you are cleared get to PT to help you concentrate on those ROM spots. I am now out of PT, I am not "better" but as good at PT could get me, now I just have to do my exercises for the forseeable future! I am 10 weeks post exchange and at the gym 4 days a week taking aerobic classes. I am lifting weights and testing my muscles as far as I feel comfortable..,take care of yourself and relax over the next few weeks,
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Suebee--I checked out your photos--yes, I finally am learning my way around that site, and I agree, you look great! Next week I'll try to post some "before" pictures... I agree that you should take it easy on yourself--let everything heal!
Beacher--good to hear from you!
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fire-dancer... so encouraging to hear that you are back at the gym and working out. I can't wait to get back in action again.
I got to remove the bandages and take a shower this morning. Things look very good, but I am alot more sore than I was with the first exchange. Spent last night peeing every hour on the hour, but did manage to get back to sleep every time. Thank you Norco! Hanging out in really comfy clothes today, no makeup, nothing. Seriously considering taking another Norco and going back to bed. My DH is home from work for several more days and he is taking good care of me. That means take-out dinner tonight.
Hope beacher and Suebee are continuing to do better today. I didn't take any pictures until the day before I went in for this second exchange so not sure I have really have much post, but will post a comparison between the first and second exchange once things heal up a bit more.
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Hi everyone! Today is day 4. The left side is definitely worse but thats the side that had stuff done to it for the first time. I slept through the night without pain meds! Well, after the Bruins won, I still had almost 2 hours before meds and just fell asleep waiting. I woke up at 7:30 absolutely ready for the meds though - and was out of it all morning. I even tried napping up in my BED for 2 hours!!! I think I can return to my bed tonight as it was a success!
Joan I vote staying on meds. If I felt awake and alert, Id be wanting to walk, getting out of the house etc....Im trying to not move! Its going to be HARD next week!
Rowan thanks for checking things out and I hope youre able to get pix out there...its a little freeing!
Beavher - slug is good! How are you today!
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Suebee, beacher, firedancer-sounds like you all are doing so very well. Rest up and enjoy the new softness!
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Has anyone been unhappy with their new foobs? I am very unhappy with mine especially after bra shopping today and seeing PS for month post op. Cameron I want your foobs!
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Grey - whats up? Yes there are women who are unhappy with their exchange. Is it size? Symmetry? pain? What's going on friend? do you have pix out on the forum? So youre a month out from exchange....what size did you get? Can you remind us of your stats and expectations?
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I am unhappy with results too. I have gotten good advice on this blog. I would like to see results to see if I am over critical. I can't find the before and after pictures on the web site. If i could see pictures I would give my pic's to see if I am expecting something I will not achieve. I have been told 800cc would of been better then 650cc. If I could see results in the 180 lb range person that would be great.
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Hey Girlies!! Did anybody notice how tired they were from exchange surgery? I had exchange and a lift on native side its been 5 days and i have NO energy ...I am now of course thinking i am anemic
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beacher4209.... well, I was relieved to find someone else still suffering from fatigue with exchange surgery. I had very little with my first exchange, but this second one this past Wednesday seems to have wiped me out. Feeling less sore today, but slept in and then after getting a shower and getting dressed, I was ready for my morning nap. Took just one Norco last night before going to bed so I am going to try just using Advil from now on and hopefully, I can get some energy back.0
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JOAN, glad you got your 2nd surgery done hope its all good now:) ya had my exchange mon and soooooo tired still! I am barely taking any meds some tylenol and xnax at bed,but i have done that for years even before bc. Maybe cause its we have had so many surgery in one year i have had 3,i am figuring you had at least 3, and we had to be put under so many times????
ANYONE who has had this please let me know and what should i take or eat? and should i get my blood work done for anemia?
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Beacher Im pretty tired too. Its a GOOD THING! Im just trying to stay calm. In general even without surgery, the more I sit around the more tired I get so looking how much I have slept over the past 5 days makes me feel OK with being still tired today. Although I am OFF meds now and feel better than I have been. I DO NOT want to have a lot of energy right now because I will start to do too much.
I do a boost shake every morning for extra vitamins and protein....and lots and lots of water. I also have a spinach salad with dinner and make sure to take my citrus fruits. SO I know I am getting my protein, iron and vitamin C all important for healing. My incisions opened after 10 days last time from doing too much too soon....I was on a high protein diet from there after for another 6 weeks before I could start fills. I dont want to go there again!
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I was very tired after exchange/reduction surgery and it turned out my red blood count was way low (not sure why) due to the surgery. If its been a week or more and you're still tired, ask your GP to test your red blood count. Mine was low and fortunately I was able to restore it with red meat/iron rich food and iron supplements. But you should get a blood test before taking supplement or changing your diet (to confirm if that is the problem).
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HELLO Everyone, its just me again. I wanted to ask you all that have gone through exchange recently ,how much movement do you do, Or are you only lying down all day and getting up when necessary? I would not think of driving yet but was thinking of having my daughter drop me off at the mall im so bored . My ta ta 's are so firm and hard i do not worry about them moving,is it normal for them to be so firm? no bounce no squish?!! i do not see the point in wearing a bra theses tata'a are not going anywhere..... so is everyone just not moving ,having pain, tired, got firm unsquishy tata's or am i just diffrent?
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Greytcruise; you are sweet to say you want my foobs, and I admit that you pretty much, well...totally made my day! However I'm headed to the pic forum to update my thread with the latest divot report, so remember: everyone has problems, they are normal, embrace them! :-)
Beacher; for the first 2 weeks I did no exercise, I went back to work after 11 days off, but only part time (I have a VERY physical job). I am just over 3 weeks out from E-Day, and now I'm allowing myself casual walks with my two tiny pups, and my two awesome boobs LOL.
My boobs are reaping the benefits of being allowed to heal without cardiovascular interruption :-) DEFINITELY wear the bra!!! You may not feel you need it, but the more STILL they stay, the better they'll heal. I definitely had pain, but I expected it. I was tired, heck I STILL get tired easier. Example: on Wednesdays; I have no choice but to work a full 8 hour shift. On Thursday, I am DRAGGING. Exhausted. Cannot wait for my half-shift to be over. Fridays, I feel better again. So you see: I am not up to speed yet. 3 weeks out.
Everyone has a different experience; some people can't wait to exercise hardcore and go braless, I prefer easy walking and a tight fitting underwire. What can I say, we're all different. Just listen to your PS, if you are in doubt.
Now, as to your squishy/unsquishy question; I think that also is a bit different for everyone. Some people are immediately squishy, some people experience a softening over time, it may depend also on size, and amount of ccs!
I'll be honest, (and if you are on the pic site, read my thread, it's full of the honest details) I had a hard time immediately following exchange. I was prepared for some things, but not others. I was depressed for a day or two... It didn't last long and didn't even have a basis in reality, but there you have it. Some people have an easier time, and it's hard to wrap your head around it. I've read a lot here, not just keeping up with threads, but going into the history of it all...trying to understand WHY people come out of exchange so upbeat, but slowly end up not happy with their results. And what I've discovered is that it doesn't do much good to dwell on the first 6 months after exchange. Swelling goes down and there may be a divot. Gravity checks in and there's a step off. Etc etc etc. In the past 3 weeks, my concerns have been on 3 different areas, and they keep changing. I only look when I'm changing clothes, the only time I'm out of this bra is in the shower! And I DO feel the bra is shaping me. The first week, I felt the compression vest was squishing me in a bad way. My PS agreed, he didn't like the shape I was being squished into. Eight days out I had my post-op and started wearing underwire. Properly fitted, snug underwire. And by week 3, my boobs are starting to look like they should. This is when they are healing. I want them to heal looking good!
I am very interested in documenting the changes, without judging them. Because tomorrow, things change. We cannot control what's going to happen, we just have to let it happen. Do I like how I look right now, naked? Honestly, no. But I look awesome in a bra! Awesome! I have never looked this good in a bra. That part won't change. My squishy hollow spots keep moving around, but I'm still healing, and that's okay. I take off my bra and I'm like "ohh okay, I see my squishy spot on the right has been replaced by a giant divot on the left." Snap a picture for the forum. PUT THE BRA BACK ON! lol
I think the worst part about feeling sad after exchange would have to be that you come here, and you log on, and everybody is cheering on the latest exchanges like they've crossed a finish line, but...have they? And then as things change, it is extra upsetting, because you're like "wait a minute, people were just congratulating me, shouldn't I be freaking thrilled or something?" So there's that to deal with. Don't get me wrong, the support is important and necessary and above all...FUN! I love to cheer people on. I just think it's important for people to know, if you are struggling with your feelings, you aren't alone. I struggle with my feelings but am somehow thrilled at the same time. Above all, I am cautiously optimistic.
Remain optimistic, because in the grand scheme of things...they're just a couple of boobs! And they will ALWAYS look fantastic in a bra. Don't get me started on how awesome they look in a bikini top. Just train them to be the shape you want! The divots...my PS can worry about the divots...
Ok that was probably more information than you wanted. Sorry everybody. I do that.
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I had my surgery on June 8 and I am still not myself.. Still really tired all the time.. I have been quite busy though. My son plays both ice and roller hockey and I have been running non-stop!
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Cameron, I agree with everything you said. I look fantastic in a bra, but once the bra comes off, the imperfections are there. I just keep my bra on and try to avoid studying the imperfections - I think I could drive myself crazy if I picked apart all the divots, ripples, scars, etc. The emotional ups and downs of this whole experience is really draining and tiring. I definitely don't have the same energy as before, but I am sure it will return with time. I just try to take one day at a time and enjoy the fact that I am alive and I have the benefit of looking somewhat normal because of the medical technology that is available in this day and age.
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Cameron, i agree with all u said. I am really ok with my foobs being imperfect,i mean how could they be perfect one was mutalated,but what i did not expect after exchange is still having the brick on my chest feeling ,only now its on both sides!! i still feel like plastic is digging into me. and before exchange i had just gotten back about 98% of my range of motion now its gotten bad again plus now my native side has lost some range of motion too. i know we are not suppose to reach up or out but if i do not stretch im going to be helpless with frozen arms.... i just wanted some comfort and mobility i really do not care how they look as long as they are both symetrical looking in clothes. Thanks for your input i really appreciate it i wish you well
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Well said, Cameron.
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Beacher, my girls are very firm, too. They are quishy if quished (how's that for highly technical language?), but they don't move around on my chest and bounce is minimal. They are not hard though. I am 11 months out from exchange and I still have an awareness of them. It's getting better slowly. I go w/o a bra in the evenings and weekends as I can. My PS and BS both said when I was planning reconstruction that I'd never have to wear a bra again. I know that is different from the experience from many ladies on here. I just do what seems to work for me. Like you said, your tatas "are not going anywhere". That's how mine are too. I figured by the time gravity does anything to them, it will be time to trade in the implants. Give yours some more time and see where you are in 6 months. hugs, deekaay
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I also don't wear a bra around the house, Deekay
I'm far more comfy without one at this point. But I did wear one 24/7 for the first 8 - 10 weeks post exchange to give the implant a chance to settle in correctly. And even after that I wore a bra more often than not for the next few months. But now -- at over one year post exchange -- I do what feels comfy. I have a gummy implant -- which is textured -- so its not about to go anywhere and is firmly sewn in place if I understand my PS correctly. Even this firmer type of implant is, at one year out, soft and squishy when I squish it but not as jiggly as my native side.0 -
beacher... my new implants are quite firm as well, not like the TE's but very, very firm. My radiated side is bigger or more swollen than the other and I know the implants are the same size. I would think that side would be smaller. Maybe it is swelling that needs to go down yet? I don't think they really have much shape yet and it sure doesn't feel like there is any chance that they could relocate. I am in my lovely black surgical bra 24/7 though as that is what I was told to do for now. Not really liking the new lingerie very much as all my summer shirts seem to be white or light colored. Black??
My recovery on this second exchange is just going much slower than the first so I am frustrated by that... but I guess we all react differently to each surgery. Yes, I have had 3 surgeries in the last 14 months, and this is the slowest recovery for sure. We did go for a slow, gentle walk last evening which felt great just to get out of the house and moving. I skipped the pain meds last night and just took a couple Advil PM to make sure I would sleep after all the all the sleeping I did yesterday. So now, I am up, showered, dressed and almost ready for a nap!
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Joan -- definitely there is swelling post-exchange... which is one reason why the implants tend to soften up over time.
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Ok Ladies,its just me again! My foobs r feeling better not much pain ,only certain ways i move when lying down. They are really really firm still. I see no reason to wear a bra, i could bounce on a trampoline and they would not move (not going to do that... no energy HA)
Now i have another question, did any of you ladies get bloated after surgery? My tummy is like a basketball. I have been able to have bowel movements but still its quite bloated and hard.... Anyone experience that? Oh another question ,should i be trying to massage these rock hard implants i woild stay away from the stitches. Be waiting to hear from you all have a nice day
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Beacher: I haven't heard of the boating-maybe a reaction to anesthesia? I had fat grafting at exchange so my tummy was sore from that. I would wait until your stitches heal before doing any massaging. Also, wearing a bra that compresses your new breasts is part of the healing process and allows not only your breasts to heal, but to heal in the right place! Only now, 10 months later, am I able to go without a bra when I am home. Prior to that it would just cause me much pain.
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beacher - I agree with MBJ regarding the bra ... a bra is important after the exchange so they stay in the same place where your PS put them. Implants like to migrate to the armpits and gravity pulls them down so you need something to support or they will move ... yes, they don't jiggle but they will migrate if you don't keep them in place!
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I had my exchange surgery yesterday. I am wrapped in an ace bandage and am very sore. My ps says I can take off the ace bandage today and shower tomorrow. I will start wearing the sports bar he wants me to wear when I take the ace bandage off. The anethisisa made me sick to my stomach and I could not keep anything down yesterday, but this is not new for me. I can eat a little today. It really only hurts if I move. I am very tired. My PS wants me to be very careful with my left side because of radiation. He tells me he has had patients pop after 2 months. So, I plan to take it easy for three months. I am a sub. teacher and have the summer off.
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shortlady - congrats on the exchange and take it easy! Sorry you feel so tired but its all normal and good right now. Tired means you should just stay put in your chair and heal. Im glad you have the summer to heal up!
For others - I really want to wash my surgical bra. Could I have it off for 2 hours while I wash it and maybe wear another sports bra while I wait? I know they are supposed to stay wrapped up except for the shower but it IS summertime if you know what I mean!!!
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