Exchange City
Comments
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tenaj, I hope the antibiotics do the trick and you can avoid another surgery. Yikes!
Thanks, Summer...I thought maybe that was it too but it seems odd (to me anyway) that it didn't start until 5 weeks after surgery. I took a mucle relaxer last night and slept like a rock all through the night. I can't take them during the day, don't think my work mates would appreciate me being that medicated. LOL!
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Ladies- although I hate that you are experiencing issues as well..I feel relieved that I am not alone. After all we have been through it just seems that this should go smoothly. I pray that all of our numbness, tingling, tightness, and of course infections clear up quickly and we can resume living our lives!
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Very well said Kelley.... Healing, comforting thoughts to all. MTnester, thanks for the well wishes. I love your name!!!(I'm dealing with that now on top of everything else)
The good news is that the IV antibiotics did the trick & I'm being discharged on oral antibiotics for 10 days.... I hope that's it!!!! I want to move on & live without thinking & dealing with this BC crap daily!!0 -
tenaj, YAE you're going home! My nest emptied out one week before my BMX last August. It was a lot to deal wtih all at once, so I know how you're feeling. And yet....I was glad my boys were both off to college so I didn't have to put on a brave face all the time. My husband has been a saint, he didn't care about fancy meals etc - just wanted me to heal. I would have felt pressure to be The Mom if my boys were home and I didn't have it in me.
Kelley, I echo your prayer. And it is somewhat comforting to know we aren't alone in our issues.
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Yeah Tenaj, I'm so happy for you!
MTnester- the muscle relaxer worked like a charm for me, too.
I agree, Kelley, it is helpful to find someone else who has not had the instant relief just so you know that your not the only one. Hang in there, your body has been through A LOT
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What did you ladies wear after surgery and what are you wearing now? I started out in a velcr binder thing and switched to a sports bra..today I switched to a camisole with a liner in and because the sports bra was rubbing on the area that has been bothering me..it feels better but I cant help worrying that I will screw something up. My PS told me to wear whatever I want but the nurses all gave me different info..is there any consistency to any of this crap??
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I am 3 months out from exchange and still have some pain and tingling. The 29th will be one year since my BMX and I am happy to say it was a fast year. I am also hoping this tightness and discomfort will go away....... soon.
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Glad to know I am normal and not alone in the horrid pain and discomfort rest of time in the TE,is there anythng we can wear for swimming while sporting these TE? I was planning on a vacay in July. After the fills,can we go in a pool or ocean? What did you ladies do during the summer for swimming or water play while having the stupid TE? Hey here in FL,its already 82 degrees.
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I just happened to read this thread tonight and see so many of you experiencing things similar to me. I am NOT happy for all your discomfort, but very happy to learn I am not alone and that there is nothing wrong. My exchange was Nov 16 and the swelling was so great, I had to wear a band over the top of my foobs to push the implants down into the pocket.
At physical therapy today, the doctor said "let's take a break for 2 months. We really need the swelling to go down before I can work deeper on the scar tissue." She said the best thing I could do for the pec muscle was to roll up a bath towel and then lay on it face up, so my spine is right on top of it. As my shoulders bend back, it will stretch out the pec and hopefully help with the tightness. She said if it hurts too much to not fully roll up the towel. I tried it, ahhhh it feels good actually. I too take a muscle relaxer before bed. I am getting sensation in the backs of my arms, but my armpits still feel like they are on a hot skillet.
On another thread yesterday Kate33 asked me if the pain was outside or inside. That helped me realize that my pain is really outside, where my bra touches, so it is most likely nerves regenerating. THAT I can live with. Glad to meet all of you and feel very comforted to hear your stories. Thank you for sharing. I too hope the squishy part comes soon. Too swollen--still after four months to tell.
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LindseyS- so sorry you are having pain- my pain is very similar..tightness across pec and under arm but it does feel like the pain is on the outside also. Today I switched to a camisole with a liner instead of the sports bra which seems to have decreased the rubbing..I am so thankful you posted as although none of us wish pain for each other, it sure helps knowing that we are "normal"..whatever normal is these days!
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Layla,
I wore a relatively modest 1 piece bathing suit, (bikini not workable). The 1 piece worked out OK and was fairly comfy. If the TE's make you look insanely huge, maybe some loose-ish coverups? I had luck with a very airy button-down type. And I swam after fills, went on vacation, flew, (drank wine) without any issue. I did expect some issues with the x-ray screening at security, never happened.
82 degree water? Lucky girl. I can't go in the ocean until September here in MA....so cold.
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1 week post exchange on uni mx side and left/reduction on other side. So far so good. The exchange side is way easier than lift side, but lift side is healin well so I can't complain. The thing that bothers me the most is wearing the sports bra 24/7. I am not one for wearing bras to bed. I also work from home, so a bra during the day wasn't needed. Now I feel like I'm in a vice grip. Just how tight does the compression have to be? Do I have to wear it ALL day?
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exchange Thursday March 22
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LindseyS - I use Arnica Montana for swelling. It is something you might want to give a try. Here is a website that I order it from. You can also look in your town and see if a store carries it. You might even have a homeopath in town. I found one at a local chiropracter office and it was great to be able to talk to her.
http://www.1-800homeopathy.com/pain/first-aid/arnica/arnica.html
Going to try you pec stretch tonight!
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Hi ladies
I hope I'm not repeating a common question here there are so many great topics and pages and pages of forums to read through. I'm having my exchange next month and wondering how long you keep bandages on after surgery. My husband may be going out of town the day after my surgery and I'm wondering if I'm going to need him to help with dressing changes or drains or if I will feel up to making myself small meals. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.0 -
Cyn,
I had a horrible time with pain and discomfort after my exchange surgery and did not get out of bed except for absolute necessity for at least three or four days after the procedure.I was barely getting out of bed the same day my PS had said I would be back at my desk almost like nothing had happened.
But I am an exception I think, as I have read here about women going out to dinner the very same day. So my message to you is that you cannot predict. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
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Tomorrow marks one month post-exchange for me. Perhaps I was one of the more fortunate - very little pain, no drains and, other than no lifting, pretty much back to normal after a week.
Last week (3 weeks post exchange) I started sleeping on my side again. Still wearing sports bras 24/7 - per PS instructions. While not the most comfortable thing, it holds everything in place while healing internally. The first week or so, I definitely felt better when they were snug. When I didn't have any bra on, the implants felt "loose". Weird, I know, especially since I have very little sensation, at least on the skin surface. They don't feel that way when I am bra-less now, or perhaps I've just begun to grow accustomed to how they feel.
Layla asked about a bathing suit while in TEs. I have to say, the thing that bothered me most about the TEs was the way that they jutted out at 90 degree angles from my chest. There is no slope, so from the side view any sleeveless top creates a hollow triangle. At least in the winter in the Northeast, I could wear long sleeved shirts and jackets. I guess a loose top over the bathing suit straps would camouflage, too. The lack of slope really had me leaning toward gummies, but I went for rounds after discussing it with my PS. Happy I did, the implants lay down more than I had expected. In clothes, even with short sleeves, they look pretty natural.
We all go through this differently. Best wishes on your exchange tomorrow, Hailey. Hoping for the best.
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Hi ladies,
New to this forum. Had my BMX last September. One TE got a nasty infection and after a hospital stay it had to come out. Fast forward: new TE, fills done, exchange scheduled for 5/29. I'm sure the nerves will kick in the week of. Due to the infection on the left side, skin was removed. So at the time of the exchange, skin will be removed from the other side and I will have a lift to even out my new implants. What we women go through for a new set of foobs, huh?
Take care,
Tatina0 -
Cyn- I had exchange 10/27/11. Did not have drains. Was able to care for self. Just no heavy lifting. I had some fat grafting done and had pain at lipo sites. Good luck.
Welcome Tatina- glad you will finally be able to exchange.0 -
Cyn, I'm curious...did you have pain with the mastectomy surgery? As far as pain with the exchange surgery, I can't answer and am wondering myself since my exchange surgery is coming up at the end of April. I have been told by my ps that the exchange surgery is not as difficult as the MX. I hope Tampa is the exception too!
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Flintviolet,
The exchange was NOT as difficult as the BMX. I did not mean to imply the exchange was worse. I had really great care surrounding my BMX and less than ideal care during my exchange, and the BMX was still the more difficult recovery by far. So comparatively, the exchange was much better. It was also a difficult recovery for me.
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Flint violet
I didn't have a difficult time for BMW. I did take pain meds the first week which kinda knocked me out. I've hardly seen my plastic surgeon during this time because I only ended up getting 3 fills. I was always small busted and finally decided I would go a bit bigger if I was gonna go thru the reconstruction but doesn't look like that is going to happen. My Bs cut very aggressively on cancer side and PS telling me skin very thin there he doesn't feel he can fill more. I did ask if he could do anything about dent I have on chest on cancer side and he told me he could do lippo when he does nipple reconstruction. He said to wait until implants are in and settle before making the decision. Thanks ladies for your help!0 -
For you ladies that are about to exchange or recently done so: I am 2 months out and time makes the world of difference. I was so upset & nervous because of the way they looked initially and now 2 months later I have to admit they look pretty good. I might need some touch up work when I get my nipples but I am much happier with their appearance for now. I took pictures at the beginning & looked at them again yest & they look so much better.....so I just want to encourage and wish you all the best..
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I just had my exchange from the Tissue Expander to the implant. I remember recovery. The pain was horrible. I was in recovery for an hour before being brought to my room. I left the hospital around 3:45 although they said I could stay until midnight. I was glad to go home. I was on two types of pain medicine. I didn't take any last night and slept well. I don't have a lot of pain. I do have a drain hooked to my side. I can't feel a lot of difference at this point except the implant is softer, feels a little more real than the implant. After surgery I had no bandages just a black, pretty surgical bra that hooks in the front. I have a post op appointment Friday morning depending on the weather as the weather here has been weirder than normal. It snowed last night which doesn't happen in March. My office manager said it snowed to keep me at home from work. Awe, I gave the school 1 hour late start. Being back to normal will be good for me.
I am suppose to be on a five day regime of antibiotics. I'm reluctant to take them due to past yeast problems especially in my mouth.
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Evebarry... you mention the antibiotic concerns. I had my exchange surgery last Friday. March 16th. All fine. No pain after a couple of days, except the antibiotic is killing me. Total GI problems. Plus, they have me on it until this Friday. Clindamycin-9 pills a day. 3 pills am, 3 at lunch, and 3 in the pm. Well one of the times it got stuck in my esophagus, didn't go down and basically has caused some type of irritation. Hurts to eat basically.I really want to stop taking them. I know its bad to stop taking antibiotics early, but isn't that only if you had an infection to begin with?0
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Hi ladies,
Just posted some updated nipple recon. pics on the photo forum now that I am at 12 weeks post- nip recon. Next week I am having my tattoos done with Vinnie Myers in Baltimore. I am hoping the scars are ready enough now, but they certainly are still pink!
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I saw my plastic surgeon early this morning. I hoped they would remove the drain. It's not coming out before Thursday. My ps was upset when he heard I had scheduled a colonolospy today. I said to late, I've already done the prep. He gave me another perscription of antibiotics, which I don't think I'll fill. the antibiotics puts me at risk for further yeast problems and very tired. If I see I have an infection I will take the antibiotics. As far as I'm concerned antibiotics are prescriped to much.
Happy to have a healthy colon.
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I have been through the antibiotic routine 3 times now (lumpectomy, mastectomy, and exchange). Can be very rough...but I believe they are necesary to prevent infection...which according to several posts, can be very bad, and affect your cosmetic outcome also. I did try probiotics, that seemed to help with the GI issues. Probiotic yogurt might be good also.
April 24 will be my 4th surgery in a year! Fat grafting and augmentation of intact side to match. I will post results after. Drain required, ick.
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I just had my exchange surgery 5 days ago the bandages came off the next day in the shower with the help of my husband (I had some lipo on the sides so it would look even) it was very painful to raise my arms the first three days but now I can do most everything(cook,clean ect...) no lifting or pulling. The steri strips stay on until they fall off. The PA is requiring me to wear a comprssion bra 24/7 for a few weeks, just off in the shower. I felt a difference as soon as the TE's were gone, no drains either
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New to this I just had the exchange surgery you said you posted pics of the nipple recon/ were do you go to see those pics? I will have that procedure in a few months and would like to see.
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