Exchange City
Comments
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Lindsey update:
she is in a lot of pain and has a terrible headache. DH is waiting for the PS to call him back. The meds she has just aren't keeping her comfortable.
DH has requested we all send our thoughts and prayers her way!
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Justagirl, Lindseys DH, I was in a lot of pain after my mx. The meds seemed like they were doing nothing. So for my TE surgery we went strong to be safe. I had a fentynal(?sp?) patch & dilaudid 4mg pills. They seemed to do the trick....a HUGE difference in pain between the surgeries. I had a special pain doctor at the hospital just to manage the pain. So many docs seem afraid to prescribe the really strong stuff, but I say why should you suffer?!! You only need these strong meds for a short time & I say use them.
Try to stay ahead of the pain with the pills....keep on a schedule....it's easier to manage if you don't have to try to catch up to the pain. What I'm trying to say is take them before you feel pain, whatever is prescribed....every 4 or 6 hours....even wake her to take if necessary. That pain patch was great for that...it released it slowly for days.
I really hope she gets some relief & feels better soon!0 -
Wow, lots going on here...
Annie, nice to hear from you. Glad you are well. My nips turned out just fine, they shrunk a lot, thank goodness and now are low beams so I can get away without a bra in prints and they look fine when they actually "show", just enough. One was a little bigger than the other so I had it trimmed when I went in for fat grafting in April. Very happy I had them done, DH too.
MBJ, mega-yay on almost being DONE!!!!!!!!
Satex, glad your are through and on your way!!!!!!!
Best to everyone else on the verge of exchange or recovering.
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HeatherLS I sent you a private message.
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Wooho! Exchange surgery today with a reduction life on the other side! Can't wait!!
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SATEX12: So good to hear that everything went well.
Emaline: I am so excited that you are having your exchange today.
Tina: I noticed that you had IMF incision. Where was the incision for your exchange? I have IMP incision and I'm just wondering if there are problems with weight from implants. I don't know why that suddenly worries me since there were no problems with T.E.'s but T.E.'s didn't weigh too much for first few weeks.
O.K. I hope everyone is doing well and happy with their out comes.
Vickie
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virokie - My exchange incisions are also IMF. I was told could wear whatever was comfortable (including nothing) after my MX/TE placement and for the past 6 months. When I had the exchange 2 weeks ago I was instructed to wear the surgical bra except for showering. I don't know if it's due to the implant weight or just to be sure that final healing should happen with everything in best position ???
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Thanks Delilahbear, you helped put my mind at rest with the whole exchange thing. Will have my new nipples reconstructed 6 wks after exchange with tattoo to follow. Just so ready to get done with this part.
Congrats and good luck to every one who had or will have surgery in the next few days.
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Had more saline put in the temporary expanders today. They still look pretty small to me. Implants are a completely different shape than natural boobs I have discovered. I tried on one of my pre mastectomy bras and although there was some extra room in there, since it was lightly padded, once I put a top on I almost looked like I used to, well except for the huge scar running across both breasts, having no areolas or nipples and numerous scars in my armpits. Other than that I look normal........ :.)
I asked my PS why the 3 month wait from last fill to exchange and he said it's to get the skin to adjust and settle. He also said since I had quite a bit of skin left over I may not have to wait that long. And he will be putting the implant in through the same scar that the DMX was done through.
Not sure how long the filling is going to take. I only get 50 cc's at a time but once I get to a "C" that's it for me. No more D or DD's for me. There has to be some kind of up side to all this crap. I can buy a bathing suit without underwire!
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Lindsey: So sorry you are in such pain. Sending wishes your way that you feel better soon. Just as TLC said try to stay ahead of the pain. Take the pain meds on time even if you feel like you could wait longer. Take Care!!
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Almost there!! My 41 year old son arrives Sunday & exchange surgery is Tuesday. He was a good nurse through BMX, but definitely thinks this will be a snap. The power of positive thinking? I'm told one night in the hospital & I'll come home with 2 drains. Also hoping the PS will unbend and try to meet my desired total chest measurement - think small. I'll have the gummies & I hope at least two sizes down from the current 560cc expanders. I've asked too many questions for his taste but still getting wonderful support from the BS, MO and my GYN so I know I'm not crazy.
Mom2one - I'll be thinking of you Tuesday.
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Hi everyone.
Exchange done on Sept 8th on my 13 yr olds birthday. All went well. I have mastectomy on right side so it has a drain I had 500cc put in right side and 350 on left my good side. My good side is a lot bigger?? They told me because of the swelling of tissue on that side. I hope. I am in bra now again which is really annoying. Very sore today...... Any info from anyone on here on how long before swelling goes down and soreness subsides.0 -
thank you everyone for your very kind and informative responses...it really helped me a great deal!
Best wishes to all undergoing exchanges/surgeries. My yearly MRI (gulp, gulp) is on the 15th. Anybody want to shoot some stray prayer my way for a "no change", I'd appreciate it.
Glad to see everyone is doing well. Mahometmom, my swelling would get worse the more I did. Rest, I'm afraid my dear. It should start to subside soon, but the more you do stuff like vacuum, or use your arms, the more it's going to swell.
Take care all, hi Lilah!!
xoxo
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Rest, rest and when you get really bored, rest some more! After a couple of weeks you will feel more like yourself but still, no lifting no reaching no sudden movements. After about 4 weeks I could drive but it was difficult opening and closing the door (any door, lol) and I couldn't lift even a pitcher of water without hurting for a few weeks. Give it time, you will feel better. My natural side was fuller and the MX side took 3-4 months to "catch up".
Got my tattoo today and she did an amazing job. It stings quite a bit but I can't wait to see the final results in about a week and a half. Happy weekend everyone.
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I'm going for my last fill Monday. My PS has done 100cc's at a time, but the last one, I asked him to reduce so he did 75 cc's. Tomorrow will be 75 cc's and then we'll schedule the exchange. I will be at 450 cc's after tomorrow and I was a B cup before, so I think, from everything I've read and seen here, it will be about the same. He said 80% chance of no drains after the exchange surgery.
I have to admit, after reading lots and lots here over the past months, I'm a little (more) nervous about the exchange than I was. I had NS BMX and right now, I like how I look-bigger than before, but I know that will change. My PS does the exchange on a Friday and says you typically need to be out of work for a maximum of a week after. It sounds like the "drop and fluff" period is much longer though, so I'm trying to anticipate going back to work being a bit uncomfortable with how I look. And as someone said on this thread, or another-everyone-whether it's unconsious or not-seems to immediatly look at my breasts when they see me.
I've also put on about 20 lbs. since the surgery. My BS said the "threw" me into menopause. I'm typically a pretty small framed person and the weight is new for me. She also said it could still be some "swelling" but my BMX was in June-so I find that hard to believe. But I'm worried about what size I will end up now that I have this pretty different looking body?
Okay, I guess it's just genrealized anxiety. I was looking forward to the exchange and being "done with it", but I've read so much about people being disappointed after that now I'm very apprehensive.
I had an unusual (from what people tell me) problem free recovery after the BMX and since I had nipple sparing, don't look all that different. Do I need to prepare myself for something else after the exchange????? Pat
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Pat: Have you gone on the Breast Implant sizing 101 thread and asked Whippetmom for help? She is the expert in sizing and can help you!
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Minus Two: I send you best wishes for Tuesday my surgery buddy!!! May we both have a quick and uneventful recovery.
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Please keep me updated on how Lindsey is doing... So sorry to hear about the post- op complications... Praying for her tonight.
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A couple days out from my exchange (Friday 9.9) and all is well. No drains, no surgical bra, very little swelling. They are fake and fab! I love my new foobies! They teardrop, feel normal, even jiggle! They look "normal" (less not having nipples and steri-strips across newly created stitches) but they are great. I ended up with 550cc Mentor high profile smooth rounds. I am 5'3" and about 118 now. My last fill was at 500, and they ordered 550, 600 and 650s for me. I am going to go for a bra fitting this week and I am guessing that I am a bigger side of C.
The only issues that I am having are: from laying down, getting up is painful. But once up, I am okay. My abdomen is sore and bruised from fat grafting...but not a big deal. I can't take the painkillers as they are making me vomit. So, I am dealing without. Again, totally do-able.
I know that PSs are different, but I was sent home in an ace bandage and told that I can remove it or use it if I want. I have been wearing for sleeping. No exercise for 1 week, but could start light exercising in a week, but have to be cleared after my follow-up appointment.
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Praying and thinking of all those having surgery this week, those recovering from surgery and those awaiting MRI results.
Weeks seem to pass so slowly waiting on exchange. Yesterday I noticed some redness on the underside of my Lt TE and a slight feeling of being raw there. No heat at site, no fever and no red streaks so I'm not really concerned. Just feel like the skin has been stretched beyond capacity since my TE's are overfilled by 100cc. Just can't wait to get by foobies.
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My exchange was Aug. 30.
I now have two brand spanking new 800cc Mentor Round High Profile Gel implants. (I am now a card carrying member of that club). I also got rid of the port that I loved to hate for the last eight months. I also have two of the cutest nipples. (I know cause I was actually able to take my first real shower yesterday. All the yuk was cleaned off and I could really take a good look with my 8X magnification mirror). The multitude of tiny stitches amazed me. I am also amazed that there is no pain with all those self absorbing stitches.
One of the funny things about this whole experience is that people no longer recognize me. I was a C cup in 6th grade. I still remember one of the boys in my class asking my why my titties were so much bigger than everybody elses...LOL I wore a size G bra when it hit the fan last September. I had no hesitation when I told the surgeon to take both off. The pathology was in grams, but I converted to pounds. One weighed 6 pounds and the other weighed 6 1/2 pounds. I gave birth to two babies. I feel normal now. I can walk up to someone that I have known for years with my normal size boobs and curly black and gray hair (used to be straight and colored), say hello and wait for the reaction. It can be comical.
I hope all is smooth sailing for those of you waiting for your time to get here. Hurry up and wait has been my life for the last year. I am sure all of you can relate. My next big decision is what color of tattoo I want. My DH who has been wonderful through all this (we got married in July last year and the bomb hit in Sept). He jokingly says KY Wildcat Blue (won't happen), but it is the joke of the moment. Good luck to all!!!
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KY-Vickie - Congratulations! It's so refreshing to hear someone who is so pleased after their exchange!
Your tat comment made me smile ... I had nipple reconstruction last December but just haven't done the tats yet ... you go for Kentucky Blue and I'll go for STL Cardinals red, ok?
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It is so good to hear the good news from recent exchanges. I am glad so many are doing so well.
For those that are still in the transition I am wishing the best out come for ya'll. I just know that the ladies on the board keep saying sometimes it takes awhile. I hope it isn't too awful, I know emotions can get away from ya during all of this. So, just hoping ya'll become happy with the out come. Plus I have read that there are so many ways to fix things, very encouraging, to me.
I know a couple are having exchange tomorrow, ya'll are in my prayers and I can not wait to hear back.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Oh yea, KY Vickie and Dawn-Hope anxiously awaiting pictures of those tats. ha
Vickie
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Vickie, I had two babies (now 13 and 15 years old) I laughed at your breast weights, same as my babies, one 6 and the other 61/2 pounds. I know you must feel so much better. I was happy just to trade in saggy D's for perky C's. I am now getting excited for nips and lipo with some fat grafting. At least we can see the bright side of this breast cancer stuff. So glad you have a supportive new husband. better give him the blue tats.
Good luck to all this week having exchanges, keep us posted.
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Thanks to all for the well wishes for my exchange tomorrow. Surprisingly I am not nervous, just excited to get these TEs out. Hoping for an easy, pain free exchange with no drains or overnight hospital stay. Your stories have helped make me feel better & more at ease for tomorrows exchange. Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies.
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Good morning everyone. I am so glad that I found this thread. I have been following the July Mastectomy board for months and was hoping that there was a thread on exchange surgery!! I will have my 6th fill this Thursday and my PS said that he wanted to go ahead and schedule my surgery when I come in on Thursday. I will still have 1-2 more fills. My surgery will be in early to mid October. I am anxious to get it done !!! I did not have much trouble with the BX and did not have to take any pain meds but the fills have been very uncomfortable. I am hoping that the exchange surgery will be easier on me.
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Good luck to everyone having exchanges this week!
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TerifromOhio, exchange is a piece of cake in my opinion. Implants are sooo much softer than the TEs. Glad you found us.
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