Exchange City
Comments
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mkw1 - thanks for your kind words!
I'm currently on my third week of Optifast, and loving it. The products are good, and I am never hungry. I did get DH a chocolate bunny for Easter, and was looking kind of wistfully at the ears, thinking "just one little nibble..." but then I got on the scale and discovered I've lost ten pounds in three weeks. So much for the chocolate bunny!!!!
My primary reason for joining this very strict (and not cheap) weight loss program was the look on my MOs face when she found out I was doing it. She told me she was THRILLED, and that the best thing I could do for my overall health - AND my ER+ breast cancer was to drop this weight - NOW.
I didn't need chemo or rads. So I can certainly stick to a diet for the next 14 weeks that will bring me so many benefits. I just look at it as part of my breast cancer treatment, and totally necessary.
Now I just have to get off my fat butt and WALK!!! They issued us all pedometers......I need to just DO it and quit procrastinating.
I'll be your cheerleader!!!
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Blessings: My insurance is different than yours, but I am looking for a weight loss program that keeps me filled and motivated. I finished chemo about seven months ago and I am just starting to feel almost back to normal. Keep up the good work and thank you again for the encouraging report.
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Blessings count me in on the band wagon to lose weight. I am glad you rmeinded us all how important keeping your weight down is when your ER+, I know my MO stressed that as the best thing I could do. Breast cancer like fat. So I have been cutting down on what I eat but I am weak and caved on the chocolate. But I resolved to do zumba today and I will. It's not easy for em to exercise my feet kill from working on retail. But I told my PS I will lose at least 24 pounds in 3 months before my nipple surgery. Then I can really judge how my implants look.0
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Ladies: Do you know who do I send a PM to access the picture forum?
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Does anyone have insight to recovery from fat grafting? Swelling, bruising, donor site issues (pain?)? Thoughts on how long recovery will take (as in, going back to a desk-ish job after a week sound reasonable?). Also, I need a small implant on my intact (unreconstructed) side, I imagine that recovery will be easy-ish after MX with TE and exchange surgery....but I would love to hear thought. THANKS!! Looking forward to one step closer to *done*!
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What has your PS and/or your dentist told you about antibiotics when you have your teeth cleaned?
My PS's office said 500 mg Keflex 30 minutes before and 500 mg again 8 hours after the appointment. My dentist's office told me 2,000 mg Amoxicillan 1 hour before and none afterwards. My pharmacist says most women are on the regimen recommended by the dentist. I already bought picked up the Keflex from the Pharmacy so had hoped I could just use that and adjust the dose.
The kicker is that I somehow missed these instructions when I had my BMX with TE placement back in September so didn't use antibiotics when I saw the dentist in October. That was an "overdue" appointment. My PS office staff seemed to have trouble coming up with what he recommends while the Dentist's office knew exactly what they recommend. My appointment is a week from today. I'm leaning towards having the dentist's office call in the prescription for Amoxicillan for me. What do you think?
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I still have my TEs in, so I asked my PS if I would need antibiotics before I had my teeth cleaned.
His answer was "No."
However, I'll bet anything that my dentist will call in a prescription for me as soon as I make the appointment! He's a really proactive guy.
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I have my TEs with an exchange scheduled for the end of May. My doc said "NO" to cleanings until after my exchange. Had a TE infection last October and he doesn't want to risk any bacterial infection from the cleaning. Visited my dentist a couple weeks ago and he said, "I hate to say this since you should have a cleaning every 6 months, but the cleanings can wait until after these tissue expanders -- the cleanings are not first on the list."
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AnneEM,
I had fat grafting to correct a "dent" on my upper pole of my MX side. It was harvested from my thigh area. I, myself, had good results. Minimal discomfort. Took it easy for about a week then back to normal thereafter. I had the grafting 2 years ago & the results still present. I just had an appt with my PS recently she was very pleased that my fat grafting was successful.
Someone mentioned about adjustable saline??? I had an adjustable saline in my augmented side. I have a saline implant in my MX side. The adjustable saline was placed so that PS could adjust the size of my augmented side to match my MX. It was a success! It took a few months for me to decide when to have the port removed. I think .about a year after my exchange. If anyone has access to pic forum, My username is NEDEZA... If anyone's intereted I can bump it up for all the uni's. Having the adjustable saline allowed me to have control of my "appearance". Of course, it's nice to have a great PS who did an awesome job....
Good luck to all of you! I am nearly 3 years out.. You will all reach the light at the end of this journey girls! I did & I can truly say life is beautiful again!
Bless all of you!!
NAE
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My exchange is scheduled for tomorrow morning! Ill update once I come to my senses. I dont do well under. Plus I am having my uterus removed.
I have had a dental cleaning during the TE process. My PS has not restricted me from anything. Maybe because I havent had any issues thus far w infections. I dont know. GL ladies!
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Hi,
I'm scheduled for exchange surgery on May 16th. I know a couple of you ladies from the TE Trouble thread (hi Tatina:). Very nervous and excited. This will be surgery #5. I had a TE infection on the right side and was lopsided for 6 months. Finally just got the surgery date yesterday. I thought it would never happen. I'm sure I'll have at least one drain - PS needs to break up a lot of scar tissue in the left side, which has been in for a year now. Soooo ready to close this chapter and move on.
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I am currently 13 days post op from my exchange from TE's to my soft implants. I gotta say, I am so sore--STILL! I have been sleeping in the recliner from day one (March 28th). This was outpatient surgery and they sent me home from the hospital with a pretty good pain level. We had an hour + drive to home and it was horrible. I felt like I played catch up to the pain the first day.
At my recheck, 6 days later, I asked the doctor WHY was I so sore and brusied?? She said she expected it as she did a LOT of work (body conturing, lipo, exchange on both sides). I literally have been cut from side to side. I have a 30" incision!! I am 42"around. My left side is still so bruised and sore and has lumpy swelling under the skin. My foobs look fine, even though weird without aerola's or nipples and they don't hurt..it is the incision line and sides that are killing me. WoW....I had no idea it was going to be like this. Luckily, I didn't need drains!!
I am scheduled to return to work this coming Monday. I hope I can do it. I am still taking pain meds every 4 hours and if I don't....I am reminded by the ache. It is like poke, poke, poke, burn burn burn...hello...don't forget I am here...
My doctor didn't say anything about not raising my arms but she did want me wearing a bra 24/7. Of course, I can't wear a bra because I am cut practically in half! I have been living in sweat pants, yoga pants, and a stretchy tube top.
As for diet...I am starting the 17 Day Diet as soon as I get the book. I can't wait to begin my new journey of weight loss and hope that this exchange pain will soon go away. Sometimes I feel like you ladies are the only ones who believe me and what I am going through. I feel like my doctor's office poo poo's my complaints of pain.
whew...I feel better for venting. Thanks for listening!!
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How soon after exchange is it ok to sleep on my side? I saw my PS today 2 weeks post exchange and can't believe I forgot to ask this question!
Ilivtoknit, hope you're feeling better soon. My surgery was on 3/28 too. I feel good, but am surprised they still feel kind of hard. Hope they soften up soon.0 -
Any thoughts on saline vs silicone?? Both PS I met with suggested silicone for better results. Saline seems "safer", although I know that's an old way of thinking. What does everyone have? And do you love them or hate them?
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I've got the silicone gummies. Love them. I hear they are softer than saline. Certainly are softer than my TEs.
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Nedeza - sounds like you had mastectomy on one side only (like me). MY PS was on the fence about a lift or an implant...but I am not loving the *potentially permananet numbess* of the lift, so for now, I am doing a small implant only. Did you have to do a lift? I am not happy about how difficult *matching * is...and it sounds like lifts cause numbness. Really kicking myself right now for not having a bilateral MX.....would have been easier in the long run, if numbness is a surgical result of the lift, what the heck? What is the difference? Then I wouldn't worry about recurrence.....any thoughts anyone? Not so happy about this, longest freaking year of my life!
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AnneEM, I am a bilateral, but just saw your post. I think you can also have numbness with an implant. Lifts are done often with implants too. It should not be to late for you to have MX on other side if that is what you want. Just my thoughts, good luck.
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mkw1 - Send a PM to Lilah, firni, or Dawne Hope (I think) to inquire about access to the picture forum.
Kim137 - I get confused with all the names because, sadly, there are always new women signing on here! If you haven't already done so you might find the Implant Sizing 101 thread helpful. There is much info at the top of the thread that you should read. However, most of the discussion is about silicone implants.
Golden01 - My PS recommends antibiotics for dental procedures, including cleanings. However, he prefers to leave the actual prescribing up to the dentist, which mine gladly did. I take 2000mg Amoxicillin one hour prior to the appointment and he wrote the script so I would have enough for four dental visits.
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Just got my exchange surgery date May 21st....add me to the list please :-)
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TinaT - Thanks, after checking things out, I decided to go with what my dentist recommends (same drug and amounts as your dentist prescribes). Am picking up my medicine tonight so will be ready for my appointment bright and early on Monday morning.
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This may not be the correct thread for this question, but we may have some here who are farther out from their exchange surgeries.
I just had my final post-op visit with my PS after having my exchange last November. As I was leaving, I asked when I was to return and for the first time, the medical assistant told me there was no schedule for me to return. After more than a year, that was a differnet experience when leaving. She said that there was a 1, 3 and 5 year follow up mandated by the FDA and that Mentor, the manafacturer, would send me a reminder card.
I guess they expect me to call and schedule when I get that card. Really? Does anyone actually do this or do you just stop? It seems pointless to me to go in for some visual exam for something that cannot be detected visually: a leak. So what is the point? I see no reason to do some waste-of-time follow up the FDA makes Mentor send cards out for just so the silicone implants could get FDA approval again back in 2006.
I don't think I will bother going through some motions just so some bureaucracy can check their box on something. It seems like a waste of my time and especially the surgeon's time. Just more government crap. Where is everyone else on this?
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Tampa- My exchange was Oct. 27th and my PS said she would see me in a year. I think I will go because I may want to talk about how things look and if I need any tweaking. I also want to know if I will be doing an MRI at any point to make sure there are no leaks.
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Has anyone taken advantage of being under and opted for additional PS? I'm thinking of lipo, but not sure PS will go for that in same surgery. Unless its commonplace....
Two surgeries I always wanted but would never have done voluntarily. I could bea new me after June 6th...0 -
Guess I'll join in - I'm scheduled for June 7. BMX was in October. Iluv2knit and Ginger - Good to see you here.
Tentatively I'm suppose to be moving out of my apartment at the end of June. I got a 6-month extension because of my bmx and chemo, then had to postpone May 31 surgery by a week. I'm guessing I won't be up to lifting heavy boxes after 3 weeks...
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AnneEM
Take a deep breath... I am very happy with my unilateral decision. It may be difficult to match but having a BMX...according to some...can be as difficult. I also pondered on this soon after my single surgery but I have to admit I am sooo happy that I have...at least..one breast that I can look at & feel "normal"...to actually still having feeling in my breast...in my nipple...to feel sensation. With a BMX..this cannot be possible. Think about the whole picture. I know it's a difficult time & just as difficult to decide. .I had an implant to augment my good side. Intially, a lift was recommended too but during the surgery my PS felt that we had a "good" match. We decided a couple of months later, a small lift would be a benefit for a better match. As far as numbness...after my implant was placed in my good side I experienced numbness along the skin from my areola to the fold of my breast. I still am numb. I, also, had a small lift a couple of months later.. My PS raised & moved my areola to create a small lift without having to make the classic keyhole incision. I guess what I am trying to convey is that there's always a possibly of numbness from having an augmentation too not just from a lift. Whatever decision you make is yours to make...it's a difficult journey...and we all walk with you here!
NAE
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Tampa - I have been told by my surgeons (PS and BS) that I'll have an MRI every two years to check for leaks. Interesting about the reminder card. If you hadn't asked would anyone have told you to notify Mentor if you move, etc? I guess I've been so focused on getting through the reconstruction that I never asked (or heard) about long-term PS follow-ups.
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Tina, I didn't ask about the FDA followup schedule. When I was leaving from that final post-op and going to the front desk, the medical assistant said something about when my next follow up would be, looked at my chart and said there was not one planned. I asked "now what?" and was told about 1,3,5 year checks and she said Mentor would send me a reminder card. Good point about moving, which I won't likely be doing though.
Ginger, I can understang about going if you want to see about revisions. But if your PS doesn't really want to do anything, or you don't for that matter, would you need to go anyway? I have heard about some recommending MRIs after a certain number of years, but I don't recall ever being told that for me. When reading that others had that recommendation, I guess I thought that it would be ordered by the BS as part of long-term follow up medical care while the BS is watching for everything. I've been in this process for 18 months now and no one has said anything about MRIs so I don't think that is planned for me. Maybe some only recommend MRIs if symptomatic? I don't know.
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Hallujah for the day that I'm not going back to the PS office every other week! That might put a little closure on this whole ordeal...
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I agree, Lauren. But like so many implant recons, I need and want revisions. At my final visit, my PS said he would not do anything at all until the end of the year, but I do not know if I will even care anymore. I am pretty beat down by all of this. So I am either at that point of everything is all done or not. Maybe we only know when we look back after a period time and can then say "That is when I was done."
I have big events, personal and professional, from the end of June until end of August and really wanted to look good for those. But I won't if I don't have revisions, at least fat grafting on the upper chest were the divots and ridges are showing the outline of the implants.That shows above the neckline of my party dresses. My shape issues have not changed one iota since 8 weeks post op. It is because of all of the activities of mine that my PS said nothing until end of year.Actually, he said not until fall, but my work in Sep, Oct and Nov will make the summer look like nothing but an extended vacation. But it won't matter then after the summer events are over. This does not seem fair.
Photos every 4 weeks look like they were all taken the same day so I don't think that is going to change anymore for me and the shelf issue is getting more prominent. I know I have to make some major decisions regarding everything because I also have pain issues, but those are being treated now. I was at least hoping for the possibilty of some minor tweaks in a small window of available I have in May to get me through until next year and bigger changes then. If I want to find a way to get that done by then I will really have to scramble. I don't know if I have it in me to do something that might put me in a better place, so I sure don't have it in me to go through FDA requested wastes of time.
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Hello everyone! I am having my exchange surgery on May 17. I finished my chemo on 2/21. I had my TEs put in when I had my BMX on 9/19. In 2008, I had radiation in both breasts for treatment of DCIS.
Did anyone feel a lot of pain with their TEs before their exchange surgery? I am in a lot of pain and my PS said it is because of the radiated tissue. I have trouble lifting my left arm. This is the side where the lymph nodes were removed. I should probably stop with the fills but I have come so far and I only have 2 left.
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