Exchange City
Comments
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I am almost 4 weeks post exchange. I have IMF incisions. The last of the surgical glue peeled off about 5 days ago and I now have a number of small lumps along the incision line on one side. Noticed 2 small ones yesterday and today there are about 5-6 larger ones. No redness. Could these be from the sutures? I'll call the PS's office tomorrow and email some pix if necessary. Anyone else have this experience after exchange surgery?
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I am going in on 4th October for one implant to be replaced with one larger and repositioned due to the atrophy of the LD flap on that side. My PS said she will not due nips at the same time due to swelling and she said when she does the nips it will be a very short same day procedure. Tissue does swell when incisions are made and they are messing around in there and cutting bits out....so I am ok with waiting. I sure don't want nips made and then have them in the wrong spot.
All in all, I am veering more toward 3D nips and areola tatts, as I then wouldn't need ANOTHER surgery and risk of infection, and I have to get the tatts anyway (or should I say I want to) and I don't want to protect my new nips for 6 weeks and then have to wear a bra all my waking hours because they look like headlights on high beam. My 18 year old son would be mortified. AND., I hate wearing a bra and my PS said I didn't need to except when running. Plus my DH says whatever will make me happy.
What would make me happy is to of never had breast cancer!
Now all I want is when I look into the bathroom mirror while naked my breasts don't look like a small size Barbie Doll or that I have two tennis balls shoved under my chest skin. It is just weird. I think having the 3D tattooing done will help me to put all of this in the past.
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O.K., I think I missed the bra vs. no bra discussion but I have been told "NO BRA" by PS. So, is that on the Bra thread or are people just FYI so others know that there are different opinions.
Vickie
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Just checking in with you ladies. Congrats to all those who have had their surgery and good luck to all those this week.
I plan on having nips done about 6 weeks after exchange (Oct 3rd) with tatts to follow 6 wks laster. Hoping to be done with all this right after the first of the year.
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MegM: PM mykidsmom to be added to the list!
chiluver: My PS used the same incision and my scar has faded quite a bit in 6 months. Sometimes they can also make the scar narrower and clean it up a bit and I don't think they open it up as much the second time. He fixed mine as it had a dog ear at the end of it.
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jbennet: In answer to your question re: nipples: I have one natural and one modified CV flap nipple and under clothes there is just a hint of a nipple now-just enough to make it look natural without the headlights.
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Vickie - PS's are all over the place on wearing a bra post-reconstruction with implants. If you read the header to the bra thread it says that wearing a bra "Is only 1 philosophy" that is out there on this issue.
Most of us feel uncomfortable if we don't wear a bra. I know I hurt if I go only 15 minutes without wearing one. Again, PS's are all over the place on their recommendation of bras post-reconstruction.
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Dawne-Hope - .......in addition to about 100 other things on which the PSs seem to differ
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Indeed! So helpful, eh?
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Vickie, nguyeny - thanks for the info on healing time.
Best of luck to those who are having surgery soon.
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Hello, fellow exchange students (this is a learning process, right?)
- I will be having my exchange surgery next Wednesday (9/28). My pre-op visit is tomorrow with PS' nurse. Other than what type of implants will be accompanying me, do you "experienced exchangers" have any suggestions for questions I should ask my PS/nurse? Just want to cover all my bases.
Thanks!
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Question: Anyone post exchange 5 years or more???
How do they feel? Softer as time goes by? Do they jiggle more?
What do they look more and more realistic after awhile (I guess that's what I am trying to say).
Anyone had kids after exchange? What was it like?
What about menstural cycles? Usually your breast get heavy or tender during that timeframe what happen?
Only if you oblige please share what takes place as time goes on.
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I had 2 exchange surgergies; saline & 2 months later replaced to silicone gels. The gels are much softer and I can sleep on my stomach now. I only had 2 days of slight discomfort mainly from the anesthesia. I had to wear a support bra 24hrs a day for 3 weeks. About a month later, my skin & muscles have relaxed more & I'm a bit larger and more natural looking.
This was a much easier surgery than the MX and you will feel so much better getting those TE's out.
Terri
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HeftyLefty - you and I are having exchange surgery the same day. I had my pre-op visit last week. My list of questions (met with PS) included how he would determine which exact size and style to place - a viogrous discussion; discussion of other procedures that have to be done for my particular issues, which include symmastia repair (TE's too close, removal of redundant skin from huge weight loss); clarification of restrictions for first few days and plans for exercise (further questions at post-op visit); whether drains would be placed (yes); discussion about my meds and getting his filled before surgery (pain meds, antibiotics); because of persistent pec spasm for past 4 months PS is going to inject Botox in my pecs, something that would never come up at a visit with a nurse; I want him to mark up my chest in the pre-op area so I could ask any last minute questions - he reassured me this is his usual practice and to ask away, but quickly ;-) Confirmed my choice of anesthesiologist had been secured.
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fighter: I am only a year out, so...anyone?
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HeftyLefty - Yay, it's almost E-Day for you! I would ask about:
~Pain meds, specifically if you can get a prescription filled ahead of time so someone doesn't have to scramble to get it filled after taking you home after surgery.
~Lifting and stretching limitations - my PS didn't seem to have an issue with me raising my arms, but some do. Try to get the kitchen, etc. set up for that period. Similar to after MX, but this should be less intense and less lengthy time-wise.
~What will they want you to wear after surgery? Will they provide that at the time of surgery or should you have something purchased ahead of time?
~When will you be able to drive?
~Reminder for surgery day - don't forget to get that card that has the implant info! I put my husband in charge of that because I knew there was a good chance I would forget to make sure it was included in my discharge papers.
For me, it was pretty much a mini version of the MX experience.
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I have my pre-op consult and nurse visit/bloodwork tomorrow.... I am so nervous that I didn't expand enough... PS doesn't like high profile... Will I be tiny? Sometimes I trust he'll do his best for me and my shape. Other times I wish I had done more reading and research...acckkk. Other times I don't give a blank I just want to get beyond all this and I don't care that much....
My date is oct. 12 I will PM soon... Thanks all for your posts...0 -
LMichele - Are you on the Implant Sizing 101 thread? If not, you might check that out if you have time today. Whippetmom has some great info posted at the top of the thread so many of your questions might be answered there. I think reconstruction is one of the few parts of all this over which we feel we have a little control. Plus, it often happens right after the very stressful period of diagnosis and surgery and it's so easy to say, "Enough already!". Hang in there!!!
Good luck!
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It's been 4 weeks today since my exchange surgery and I'm still a happy camper! I just posted an update in the photo forum...
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I had a bilat MX with nipple sparing on the left and nipple removed on the right. My right side has a flat spot where the nipple was. Has anyone had this, and if so, does it get better when the nipple is grafted back on? Also, how hard is it to match the remaining nipple with a graft and can you tattoo the real nipple as well?
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jyg & TinaT: Thank you so much for the list of questions to ask. I wrote them down so I don't forget any of them. I already had most of those in my head, but you both hit on some that I had not thought of. I really appreciate your responses. What a great support group this is!
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This came up on another forum so thought I'd start the discussion here as well...
I'll be taking antibiotics prior to dental procedures (including cleanings) to lessen the chance of implant infection per the recommendation of my PS. It's a bit overly cautious, but my dentist is in agreement and has prescribed Amoxicillin for me to take just prior to any dental appointment. This might not be something you hear about unless you specifically question either your PS or dentist. My PS preferred that the actual prescription be handled by my dentist since, in theory, I'll only be followed by the PS for a while but I'll be seeing the dentist indefinitely.
Better safe than sorry, that's my take on it!
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Hi all, thank you for the insurance info...my BS got denied my PS, but we still have to fight for the MRI..can't go anywhere without that. The first level has been sent, return receipt, certified mail. Let's see where it goes. I did "cc" the insurance comissioner as I'd gotten that advice also. If denied, I will then:
Ask the onc to call the radiologist and talk to them on why the "not dense" letter. Seems to me, the radiologist is dense. The mammos couldn't find my 1.5 cm tumor in 7 years of post bc monitoring.
Call the insurance commissioner or have my onc call him.
Will keep all posted how this goes.
Good luck to all getting those wonderful yippee squishees!! I was back up to speed in about 3 weeks. For the mom who has toddlers, I put my knee up, held the hand, taught them to crawl into the car seat. This works from about 18 months on. To hug, I squatted. No lifting for awhile yet!
good luck all, thank you!
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Thanks for posting insurance stuff, interesting how the MRI thing seems to be coming up, maybe it always has. I've heard that many get it through eventually.
I did not know about antibiotics and the dentist. Thanks for bringing this up.
My dentist was the first person who suspected something was a bit off with me. You know how everything is connected through the mouth. Well, I had inflamed gums and went in, my regular dentist sent me to three different periodontics, the second one I saw said, "something doesn't seem right here. I think you need to go to your regular doctor and get checked out first." I just happened to have an appointment the next week and that's when they found bc. Isn't that interesting that the dentist knew something was not right?
Vickie
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ibcmets-just curious. Why only 2 months with saline before silicone? Complications or was it your choice and if so, did insurance cover it?
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emersongrace: I had a skin graft/modified CV flap and tattoo and I gotta say-it's a really close match. The only thing is that my nipple shrunk quite a bit in 6 months so my PS, when he does the trial on the cylinder implants, will put one in for me.
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Survivor11,
Yes, insurance did cover my exchange to silicone gels from saline. My saline ones were too hard and I healed well so I was able to swap out to gels in a couple of months. There were also some slight imperfections with the saline ones that needed to be corrected.
Terri
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Thanks for the info Terri. My PS will only put saline in to start but think I'll want the "feel" of the silicones soon after I heal.
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Survivor -- why on earth does your PS "only put saline in to start"? That seems like an unnecessary step. Does he actually say "to start"? Did he explain his reasoning? (I know you posted elsewhere that he is a "god" type... but still!) -- is there something about your particular case that he feels requires saline?
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Can I ask another dental question?
I had exchange on 9/13 - no pain meds but Aleve since 9/17. Still on antibiotics since drains were just pulled yesterday. Food still tastes like cardboard, but now my mouth is actually sore. Yesterday I got blisters on my lips eating salad with ranch dressing. Today more rawness with turkey sandwich. Did anyone else have problems like this? Thanks in advance.
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