Exchange City
Comments
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Mammatwinz- You must'n be to far from me here in Va. because it has been the same for me, cold. drizzly, achey TE's. Also pain under my arm where they removed the lymph nodes, and THAT has never bothered me! Using heat beads under there. Cheryl E. and others of you having surgery this week, best of luck and love to you all. -Romey
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I am excited that my exchange surgery tomorrow was switched from 12:30 to 7:30 AM. I'm ready to get on with it, and that's 5 less hours of anxiety. I've been reading through some of these posts, and I'm also wondering if I've taken all the observations that this is a "piece of cake" compared to MX too literally! Its good for me to be reminded that I won't have the morphine etc. pumping through me so I may actually be in a little pain. But I'm excited that I should be home by noon, and nervous how I'll feel when I see the results. Uggh!! Weird trip!
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good luck windy..
) Romey..yes my incision was tight stingy today too..like a crabby body today! I am close to RDU airport..not too far, right??
I remember hitting my PCA pump repeatedly..not sure if I was getting any or if I was time locked out..didn't care..hit it anyways.. :P I am sure not this time if I am going home same day.. Percocet did well by me..and I have 1 left..keep it as my "in case of emergency" pain.. My mom is coming in the following day and I am soo grateful..!! Yeah, and mine is not til later in April..no I am not anxiously awaiting this at all... ))) Good luck ladies..seems like ther is a big group in March!!! YAY!!!0 -
Hi Cheryl,
I had something similar. They will naturally fall and separate according to your body type, but they can do adjustments. My PS could have made them closer on the 1st exchange, but I didn't know about it until months later. That's when he said after the fact it is much harder because it will leave an extra pocket on the side of where the implant is coming in from, which will require more stitches, scar tissue and possibly a drain. This came up because I had my appointment set to have an exchange to my exchange.
So do ask him about it, because now it the time to get it right. It's easier to adjust and fix on the initial exchange.
For me, I had my 2nd exchange last Wednesday (this was due to one of my saline implants rotating, and he wanted to sculpt me some more and remove some scar tissue), and he changed the cc's just a tad and now they look really close. I must have needed a little less. I also read that if you are prone to having a wide cleavage, that the larger you go, the bigger the gap will seem. Some PS say that is not true, the bigger you go, the more it closes the gap. But with me, he went down just a tad (15 cc's) and sure enough, it brought the girls in just fine. I'm so excited, as I took a sneak peek today.
Your PS will welcome your comments and ideas - and he wants to make you feel beautiful, so he will certainly appreciate you bringing this up to him.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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Just wanted to wish all of you ladies getting the squishies this week the best of luck and a speedy recovery!
I was more nervous for the exchange than the BMX and when people tell you the exchange is much easier, it's hard to believe but it is. Had my surgery Friday morning, was off percocet by Saturday afternoon, and could have gone back to work on Tuesday but I was so bloated from the anesthia and percocet that I coudn't fit into my work clothes. Went back to work on Wednesday and have been feeling fine ever since. And there were no drains this time around which I was very happy about. My PS said I cannot work out for 6 weeks but I'm hoping my recovery goes faster and I can get back into the swing of things.As for getting them moved closer, my TEs were sooo far into my armpits it was hilarious looking back. I didn't really notice until I looked at the pictures taken the night before my exchange and then pictures we took the end of last week. Wow, talk about armpit foobs! My PS moved them closer. They don't touch (I'll need a good bra for that) but they are better than what the were with the expanders.
I will be thinking of you ladies and look forward to your post-op posts. Hugs and prayers!
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Cheryl...Not sure but I believe they place the implants like the body and chest muscle allow. I feel like mine pull away from the center but there isn't much they can do for that.
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Yeah windycity!!! The first surgery of the day is the best slot you can get (imho)!! As for the results, I can only offer that what you see initially may not be what you get in the end. Everything needs time to heal and settle into place. My exchange was Dec. 27th and I think the implants are still trying to find their place to call home. Initially, I was actually disappointed because they looked so small (I think some women have called it the "hamburger syndrome"). When I shared this with my PS he said "let's give it a couple of months". That appointment is next Friday (3/29) and I have to give him credit.., I went for a fitting yesterday and I am a big B / small C.., exactly what I asked him for!!!
So my boobs don't actually need to be any bigger.., it's my body (weight) that needs to get smaller!!! -lolololol As for the pain, if you made it through MX, you will make it through this! Simple as that. I think one of the only reasons you would have pain would be if there is extensive pocket work to be done. When I had my MX the surgeon set me up with a "Q-ball" - it's an anesthetic that keeps the chest area numb for up to 72 hours.., what a dream that was! I seriously NEVER felt pain after my mastectomy. Yes, there was discomfort, I had just had major surgery after all, but really not a lot of "pain". So when I had my exchange surgery I really didn't know what I was in for. As the anesthetics wore off from surgery (and I only did twilight because I felt I had had enough general for a lifetime at that point).., I took my pain meds and I think I was off of them in three days.
One last thing.., I know this is a long one <sigh>, BUT I was just wondering if you are from Chicago? Because of your screen name "windycity". I ask because we have a thread for IL Ladies where women from all over the state have come together. It's a great group of women with a lot of knowledge. They often try to get together socially. If you are interested please hop on over and take a peek: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/504025?page=899#idx_26958
Sorry to be so long winded but I guess I had a lot to share. I will be thinking about you all in the coming days and I look forward to hearing how everyone is doing when you're feeling up to posting a status report. Don't worry if you can't sleep.., the anesthesia will take care of that for you!
But seriously, do try and get some rest! 0 -
Thank you all so much for your stories and advice. I think I will start out by asking him what he plans to do exactly and then go from there. I will ask him if he can put them a little closer together if he doesn't bring it up with the things he plans on doing.
I will keep you all "abreast" of things!
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Hi Tina! I'm back, Hope you are doing well. You always were so kind, and supportive. It was your responses that kept me from going over the edge numerous times. Especially with the nipple necrosis!!!!!! Holy cow that was scary!!
I did take a little break. It's been such a crazy journey and since my docs techniques were sort of unconventional I was really starting to freak out a bit with nobody to compare particulars with. I just decided to lay low for a bit. Of course I continued to grill the heck out of my surgical team, LOL! Ultimately I decided to let go and trust in the process, as well as their 30+ yrs of experience. It was tough letting go, especially for a worrier like myself. In the 6 months after my NSBMX I never required a fill, if you can believe that. The initial surgery served as a serious lift-BMX so there was enough excess skin left behind to support the implants. The bottom half of my breasts ended up with that dbl layer of skin, that eventually became the sling. I just posted a post op photo on the picture forum last night. My left one seems larger. Is that normal? I go for my drain removal Wednesday. I'll ask then. For now I'm trying to keep cool, and be grateful.
Debra, thank you so much for the tea advice. I'm sending hubby to the grocery tonight! I've weaned off my Percocet and just using Motrin now but soooooo bloated!
So sorry you've had to go through more then one exchange. The first PS I consulted with made it clear from the beginning that this whole reconstruction thing more frequently then not is a journey. I really appreciated her honestly. I hope you continue to heal well, and get the results you are so deserving of!
Romey, wow you sure have had a lot going on! I didn't need chemo so can't imagine how tired you must be. This exchange was my 6th surgery in just a little over a year. I wasn't in a hurry myself. Sometimes we just need to recoup both physically, and emotionally before going into another surgery. As you've read on all these posts everyone is different so it's hard to know how you'll be feeling post op. Nobody knows your body like you do. Having said that I'd imagine any work requiring lifting isn't a good idea initially. I'd totally recommend discussing the details of your work duties with your doctors.
Wishing all you gals going into surgery the very best! Thanks for letting me be here with ya on this awesome sight. You women are incredible in so many ways. You each deserve to be happy, healthy, and above all have peace of mind!0 -
Mamatwinz-
I am actually about 1 1/2 hours from RDU! So I am south of Richmond close to the N.C. State line. The weather here yesterday was horrible, cold and drizzly! I didn't realize how close our surgery dates were until I checked the schedule! Unforturnately I didn't get a pain pump after my surgery (so no button to push) this was a PURE accident on the part of my PS. As soon as he found out the next morning that I had went without a pump all night he was horrified and wondered why the on duty nurse had not called. This was AFTER I had asked her were the pump was that the dr. said I would have after surgery!!I did get my pump the next morning 26 hours after my surgery, but ended up having it less than 24 hours as I was scheduled to leave the next day. I ended up staying an extra day because of the mix ups (crazy, unusual, don't want to scare anyone) lack of pain control and all. When I do my exchange surgery on May 2nd, it WIll be an overnight stay. I live an hour from Richmond as well and my PS said I likely wouldn't be up for the ride after the exchange. I am like you, I have emergency Percocet and Morphine on hand if I need to pull the emergency cord!
Through all of this, I feel very lucky that we only have 2 kids living at home (4 kids total!) and my surgery is scheduled on a Thurs. so hubby will take off Thurs., Fri. and then he's off the weekend, so I am hoping that by Monday morning I will be up and able to fix my own coffee. The PS said my TE's and healing look so good he didnt think he would need to do much tweaking, so hoping for a quick recovery! Enjoy the warmer weather today as it appears it's not going to stick around too long! UGH-Romey
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Cheryl I talked to Dr H right before surgery. We were talking size and he asked me if I liked the general size I was with TE's and I said yes. He said well then I will get as close to that as I can. I was really happy with what I came out with. Just talk to him then and he will get you fixed up. Be sure to let me know how it turns out!
Righty is starting to settle a little bit and not look like that big "pancake" everybody talkes about. I'm 20 days out from exchange, starting to feel a few strange "spots" but am not going to worry about it. I'm going to give it the full 2 months until I see him again.
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Hi Everyone- I am home from my exchange surgery. Yay! I'm wrapped in an ace bandage so won't see his handiwork for 24 hours, but its a relief. NO drains and I had MAC anesthesia- not general. I am definitely sore- moreso on the left side b/c he had to make a couple incisions under the breast and on the side to "move it over" (with the expanders it was under my boob). So I'll be taking my pain meds for sure the next couple days. ANyway, I'm so happy to be home!
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Yay, windycitydcis!! Take care and get some good rest. Thanks for letting us know.
Heranch, thanks, that is encouraging. I love Dr. H and know I can trust him. Just so ready to get this over with. I'm staying very busy at work today.0 -
Welcome home windycitydcis!!! Are you from Chicago, by chance?
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Hi C Squared- Yes, I am from chicago, so I'll check out the Illinois discussion board. Thanks for giving me the heads-up, invite.
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windycity~ that's great! Where did you have your surgeries? I hope you are feeling well. Remember.., just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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Got my final fill today and scheduled my exchange surgery. June 7th! Would love to hang with you all while I wait.
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Sounds like you are doing well so far, windycitydcis. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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kestrelgurl~ only if we can hang at your pool!
lolololol.., just kidding! Congratulations on your final fill and scheduling your exchange. <sigh> what a relief, huh?!?!0 -
Yes, it is a relief! I do have to admit that my avatar is actually at photo of me in the pool at the end of a giant inflatable slip 'n slide. I gots no pool.
Well, at least not in my backyard anyways.0 -
No pool? And you live in Tucson?! Isn't that unusual? Maybe one of those mis-perceptions but I thought everyone in AZ had a pool! Whatever the case, your Avatar looks like a very relaxing, fun and comfy place to be!
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C-squared- I had my surgeries at Northwestern- Dr. Bethke (breast surgeon) and Dr. Fine (reconstuctive). I'm lucky b/c I work on the same block as Prentice Women's Hospital and I live about 3 miles north. Also lucky that I have access to Dr B and F through my health insurance plan.
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Brownlee: hoping your surgery went well today!
Cheryl_e & Hwhranch: your surgeries will each go very well in the next couple of days! You're almost there.
So excited that my exchange surgery is one month from today!
Appt next week with PS to firm up decision. My questions at this point are: what's the preference between smooth and textured implants? From those of you who have had your exchanges, would appreciate your thoughts. Also, some say they feel cool to the touch: meaning externally or internally as well? Finding with the TE's, if I get a chill I feel pain in my arm pit, ranging from mild to razor blade sharpness. Hoping this disappears when TE's removed but am still concerned. 0 -
My surgery went well. Pain is just minor soreness so far. I haven't have anything but motrin since one half a vicodin at 11 am. I have very light hangover feelings at the moment. They couldn't find a vein yet again. I have 8 holes in my arms. They ended up masking me, knocking me out and then putting in the IV.
I have just a surgical bra on. I can take off gauze tomorrow when I shower and then I will just have the steri-strips until they fall off. They are 500cc according to my husband. However, I am very concerned because they seem so small. I was shooting for a minimum large C as I was a full C prior. They also still seem far apart but on Friday he will show me how to massage them toward the center opening/pocket he made.
He did remove a large area of scar on my right side which was likely the culprint to my pain on that side. Again, like the TEs if that sat where they belonged in my minid, they size might be ok. Hopefully they will get there. They are soft and seem lighter some how.
Bad news- no running for 6-8 weeks.
Best of luck to all.
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Thank you, 2nd time, I just took my shower with the special soap my PS requires and then have to do that again in the morning. I have to leave my house at 5 to get there by 5:30, so I will set my alarm for 4.
Brownlee, wonderful to hear from you and see you are doing so well. I bet they will do the "drop and fluff" thing and will be much bigger than they are now. Keep us posted.0 -
Brownlee, glad you are feeling well and your surgery went well, too. I am almost 2 weeks post exchange and I still think my foobs look small. My PS laughed when I told her and said she was going to show me my initial pictures (flat chested and all) so I could compare. Measuring at my follow up appt I was D/DD and a couple days ago I was a D. I told my husband I was suprised I had high projection implants because they don't look very projected. I can't imagine what they would have looked like with regular projection. I suppose time will tell once the "hamburger bun" effect wears off. LOL
2nd_time_around, my TEs were cool to the touch and I would experience as you described and I have had none of that with the implants. They actually feel warm/regular body temperature. We had a cold and windy day here in Ohio and there were many times I'd get hit with a gust of wind and to my pleasant surprise, there was no more "chill."
Cheryl_e, good luck tomorrow.
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Cheryl E. Best of luck for a quick and low (or better yet pain free) recovery!!!!
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Brownlee and windycity... So glad your exchanges went well!! Yeah that's three of us today. I am home from exchange and feeling pretty good. Just a little sore but really tired. Ps brought in 600-800ccs and wound up putting in 800. I am happy about that. Just hope they look good :-). She also moved them closer together like I wanted. I can no longer feel them under my armpit! Anyway. Just wanted to check in. Gonna go to bed now. Good luck to everyone else going in for their exchange this week!
Melissa0 -
Thanks, Jaegergirl, what a relief! That would be an unwanted SE, so won't worry.
Melissa and Windycity, YAY! On to healing. Sleep well!0 -
'Twas the night before exchange
And all through my body
Flowed desire for my PS to make Me a hottie.
My packed bag sits at the end of
My bed
While visions of silicone
Dance in my head.....
Okay, I should be sleeping. My alarm goes off in 2 1/2 hours...sigh...0
