Exchange City
Comments
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Dulcigirl and Cheryl , Im so happy for you. Hugs
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So glad to hear post exchange gals are doing great! Glad you got a date, Cindy! dulci..that is funny re NEON shirt!!! ha! I have a few blouses now with my TEs that I cannot wear because of the lovely eyehole that now appears at my chest from..well now having something there! So wondering how many of you guys..have this or have had this experience. So some days I am diggin' my TE chest..and the fact that I HAVE one.. then some days I feel like my TE chest is too big for me and not "me"?? Didn't know if you guys have gone through that and that is just part of this process or were you concerned one way or the other re: size?? Also cannot remember who mentioned feeling the water go down their chest as they drink water... I have that too. I am trying to remember if I had that before surgery too... I do not drink enough water..sometimes go the whole day only with a cup of coffee in the morning..trying to be better.. especially when i get up and see stars and have major headrush..terrible I Know.. and i Know better too.. so anywhoo I attributed sensation to thin chest and dehydration... !*%?!! I'll see if it changes after exchange. I made another appt to see my ps on 4/15..i have too many questions about implants, exchange, etc. So did ps say anything about sun after exchange? Our annual beach vaca with my family, my sisters family, my other sis,etc is July 4th..that will give me about 2 months and a week or two after exchange.. I am thinking that should be enough time that my foobs will look okay in bathing suit.. ??
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Mamatwinz: I haven't had my exchange yet but I certainly would hope 2 months after yours you'll look great in a swimsuit! I took my TEs to St Maarten a couple of weeks ago and had found a couple of really cute tankini tops that looked awesome with them. I'm sure you'll be good to go
And I think I was the one that mentioned feeling cold liquid go down after I drank it. I don't know if I just got used to it or what but I don't really notice that any longer. It was more the first several weeks after BMX and TE placement.
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MamaT
I feel cool liquids too! Not sure if I always did and am just more aware of all chest-related business now, or if it's some weird side effect.
Umm.....if you scroll back up through this thread you will see a certain someone who was OBSESSED with size. Not mentioning any names....or raising my hand....but I'm pretty sure we are NOT alone!!! Lol.
And you'll look great in a swimsuit MUCH sooner than 2 1/2 months! Best cleavage I've ever had...at 7 weeks. And it actually looked pretty great within just a few days of surgery. Go for it!0 -
I still have that cold feeling you guys are talking about even after exchange. I have come to the conclusion that it has something to do with no longer having breast tissue/insulation. ????
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Hi ladies :)question for you... I had a mastectomy on the left side with TE. I also had a lift on my right side. I go in next Friday for exchange surgery, and augment. on right. I'm going to have 600cc silicone on left, and 300cc on right for symmetry. My question is, the PS wants to augment over muscle for right side, but I've heard under muscle looks better? He says they will look more symmetrical with it over, but will do under if I ask. Any recommendations?
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jdevonm,
I have read somewhere on these boards that under muscle is far superior for earlier detection of a recurrence. Makes sense that all the breast tissue is on top of the implant so it would be easier to palpate a lump much easier. Not sure if it matters for future mammograms, though.0 -
Peanutsgal, you are absolutely right. As far as from a mamo point of view, the implant needs to be under the muscle for the best detection of cancer. I am surprised that any plastic surgeon would even suggest going over the muscle on any patient who is at risk of breast cancer. Even on mri the implant will obscure some areas. Even a chest xray. I see this in my job every day. Its a fact that implants hide areas of tissue. When a mammo tech does a mammogram on a patient that has implants under the muscle they basically try to pull the breast tissue away from the chest wall and image that area. If the implant is over the muscle there is less tissue to grab and certainly the areas closer to the chest wall and axilla would be hidden from view. You could always call your local hospital and speak to a mammo tech about this and I would gaurantee they would suggest under the muscle. Sorry about the rant but after the hell that we have all been thru it aggravates me that a surgeon who should know better would dare to risk a patients life for cosmetic reasons. Healing hugs to all
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I agree with both of you Peanutsgal and melmcbee. Jdevonm, we sound very similar. I just had my exchange surgery 2 weeks ago. I was also a left MX with right lift and augmentation. The only difference is my right breast didn't have any work done till the exchange surgery. My right implant was placed under the muscle which is the only way he will do it. He said if it's on top, alot of times you may be able to see the edges.
A piece of advice though. MAKE your PS bring in many different sizes!! I went into surgery expecting a 400cc on left and lift only on right. Woke to 600cc on left and lift and 120cc on right!! I freaked out. Thought I'd gotten stripper boobs when I asked beforehand to remain a 38C or even better become a full B since I'd lost some weight. When I talked to him at my followup he said he'd gone in with the intentions we discussed but 400 just wasn't enough. So he kept putting in bigger and bigger till he got to 600 (I was filled to only 500 and had a TE diameter of 13cm. Now I had 600 with diameter of 14cm!) Then he felt right looked to small so he put in the 120. He felt I really should have had an 80cc but he didn't have any in stock so I got what I got.
Now....2 weeks out, I'm still swollen but boobs aren't that bad. Almost symmetrical which I very hard to do with a uni MX. One lady measured and said 36D but I think she's wrong. I can still wear an old 38C bra. The only bad thing is that I (and my husband) think the right lifted side is now too big. I have a bit of shelf near the cleavage which I think is the edge of the implant. I think if I'd gotten the 80cc it wouldn't show. He said to give it a few months and see where everything settled and we could talk exchanging the implant. It would be a very simple procedure. I'm actually starting to be ok with it because lefty is sort of a flatter shape and this implant makes right a bit flatter as well.
The point is to make sure he's very prepared! 300cc seems like alot to add to normal breast tissue when the MX side is only 600cc but Whippetmom would definitely tell you if that's the case. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Oh, and one question ladies....does anyone know if I can expect "drop and fluff" if my PS used Alloderm? My PS told me way before surgery that my new boob wouldn't drop any more that what the TE expanded me to but he's not as good at all this "other" stuff as ya'll are so I thought I'd ask. My new uni and my old, now lifted, one are pretty darn close (I have to say my guy is a genius with a scalpel despite having the personality of a stick) and I'm wondering if I'll see alot more evening up over time. Thanks!
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I have alloderm in the IMF. mine dropped but lefty dropped more. Problem is righty had a skin revision for a better margin 2 weeks after BMX so the skin is tighter, therefore she sits higher.
I'm going for another revision in may. This time for lefty. Ps is going to tighten the skin on the left to push the implant up slightly. This will make them even.
The difference is very slight now but noticeable.0 -
Cindy,
That sounds like what mine are doing! I'm obviously giving things more time to settle, but if I push lefty up and in just a little bit everything matches and the sort of ripply line on my lower left cleavage line disappears. Righty has changed some...but not much. I have wondered if it was due to tighter skin...two biopsies plus the left side was expanded more. Both sides look the same size-wise, but righty is just kind of uptight. Lol.
The thought of anesthesia again makes ME uptight!! Not sure right now if I could bring myself to a revision...but did your PS say how difficult recovery would be for moving your lefty up a bit?
Right now I'm attempting to train lefty to stay where I want her while allowing righty to drop a bit. Not sure if it is possible or likely, but I have well fitted underwires and tighten my left strap more than the right. At any rate they look the same in a bra! I figure it's worth a free try in case it does work.0 -
By the time I have the revision I will be 16 weeks post exchange. She said its easy outpatient surgery. She said she will only tighten the skin, has no plan to touch the pocket, implant or alloderm.
Im going to ask about twilight, each time I had general I felt worse than the time before afterwards. Ugh...I'm more worried about that than the surgery.0 -
DULCIGIRL .... I had my revision Jan. 17th. I also had a skin fold at inside bottom. It has just filled out first of April. Don't despair, you probably aren't all the way settled in yet. You were a month behind me in exchange.
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Nope...not in despair at all. I'm actually pretty pleased, though wish they were a bit smaller to make bra finding easier. I had quite a divot under righty for a while and that is nearly gone. However if lefty settles more I can only see the issue on that side getting worse. BUT it is still not at all revision-worthy!!!! A good bra with a slight amount of padding on the side would totally take care of it and I really never wear lower cut tops.
Thanks!0 -
Hi gals, I am new to this website all together and hoping I found the right place.
I am 36, was diganosed a year ago- have had medical issues that prevented me from having my mastectomy done but right now I am 3 weeks away from bilateral mx and I am so scared about the pain from the expanders. Can anyone give me insight on how bad it is. I just feel so bad for my kids having their mom in more pain- I've recently had back surgery and knee surgery for injuries that popped up and they are sick of their mom in pain- I am more than anything worried about that and also of course, for myself, I do not want another set back and in so much pain I cannot function.
I would like to get some encouragement or at least info about expanders. Are they that bad? My reconstruction dr said they would be in for 3 months. Is that the norm? And how weird is it to have lost all your breast tissue. Does it feel like your skin is paper-thin? Or do the muscles make it less weird. UGH... I am so overwhelmed emotinally right now. I couldn't sleep last night and woke up thinking I couldn't go through with it- that is why I jumped on the computer to find help.
Thank you!!!!! I am so thankful to have support on here.0 -
Hopex3-
I am in Vancouver also. Crazy...
I have a ?? for you, how painful are the expanders? And do you by chance go to Dr. Gabriel since you are in Vanc?
I'm facing my bi-lateral mastectomy in 3 weeks and I am really freaking out- mostly about the pain of the expanders and feeling like I just have thin skin for breasts until they start filling up the expanders. I'm so lost right now.0 -
I'm glad you found your way here. This site kept me sane!! ;-)
Okay. EVERYONE has a bit of their own expander (TE) story, so keep that in mind. On the days that I had fills I was uncomfortable for a day or two usually. During the daytime between fills I could have mostly forgotten they were there! Nighttime was hard for me. I had discomfort in my sternum area. I found that my best bet for sleeping was in the recliner. I had mine in for almost exactly 4 months. My skin did not feel thin at all. I'm sure being under the muscle helps!
I am so sorry you've had so much pain! For me, the expanders were something I would rather not do again, but if I had to I would! The time passed. I had my exchange. And things are looking and feeling more normal each day. My only trouble with them was at night if I tried to lay down flat.
Now I'm getting used to the odd feeling of having them under the muscle. If I yawn my boobs move! Sometimes it feels kind of odd to do certain things because of the way the pec muscle contracts on the implant. Nothing too bizarre, but it was something nobody ever told me about. If I was a professional gymnast or rock wall climber I would have needed that info!!
Hang in there and keep asking questions!0 -
Chantel.. you are worrying for nothing. Tissue expanders were uncomfortable at most.. The fills are small and done over a period of time. Sounds like you have been through so much and having to deal with BC on top of it all is so not fair
Since you are from Van yu should check out the BC tread ... Canadians in British Columbia... as well as ... The Canadian connection..calling all Canadian women.. Lots of knowledge and great women
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Thank you Dulcigirl-
I have been going crazy on this website for hours. I think it is going to keep me sane too! I will keep asking questions and really appreciate people like you responding.
I need to remember it is different for everyone. Also I have had implants for 4 years so I have an idea of the feeling of breast surgery- at least I have that on my side! To hear that the skin doesn't feel super thin helps- I was really worried about that.0 -
Chantel... Just noticed you are in Vancouver Washington Not Vancouver British Columbia.. sorry (You can still check us out though)
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Thank you Ossa-
I am actually from Vancouver Washington (state)
I appreciate your input about the expanders. So you didn't feel a lot of pain?0 -
Chantel, welcome. I am sorry that you are going through so much stuff right now. I had my expanders put in during my mastectomy which was about 9 months ago. I had to do chemo for 6 months and then radiation. I have to wait 3 months after radiation to get the exchange. At first my tissue expanders bothered me but then after a few fills they quit bothering me. I also took neurontin for burning with my tissue expanders and that helped. I'm sure someone else will come by who can help you. Healing hugs
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Chantel.. I only had pain (pressure) after one of my fills. tylanol took care of that.. The other fills (60cc once a week) were only light pressure Some ladies have bigger fills and that could cause some pain,, talk to your PS ask for smaller fills,, I was filled to 240 during placement, then 60cc a week until I was 540cc (small c cup) My painful fill was at 420 very tight, But only lasted about a day or two The uncomfortable part of the expander was that they do not move and are rock hard... Good luck with your upcoming surgery
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I think I answered you on another thread, so I'm sorry if my answer is redundant. I've had my TEs for nearly six months now. After the initial surgical recovery, I'd say mine are annoying but not painful. Like the other gals, they can feel tight after a fill, but Tylenol took care of that. I've been able to sleep on my sides since about 3 weeks post op. I remember telling someone they felt like dessert plates under my skin right after surgery. Now they feel like cereal bowls. lol
One of the weirdest things to get used to is the numbness. It wasn't that big of a deal before my expansion really got started, but now that they're nearly done, I occasionally knock into something (or someone) and can't feel it.
For me this is all worth it, knowing that the cancer is gone and my chances for recurrence are pretty small. There are no guarantees, but this was the way to go for me.
Big hugs to you!
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Hi Chantel... Welcome! So sorry you're here because of bc, but this is the place to be: so much info, understanding, friendship and more (even laughs when you need 'em). I had implants placed Halloween and my exchange surgery is coming up fast, 4/19. My PS wanted me to wait 2 months after last fill, check with yours. I would take the fills slow and easy, my PS was a bit aggressive at times and while I didn't hurt at the time of fills in dr office, hurt hours later. As in life, some days are worse than others
Also remember, as someone else said (sorry, can't remember who said it), "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Ask for help, this isn't a time to show you can do it all by yourself. How old are your kids? Surprisingly, they can understand and may be willing to help. My daughter wasn't 3 yo after my 1st mastectomy, she understood Mommy couldn't lift her so she'd crawl into my lap when I was seated, and we'd nap together. She loved to make me pbj&s (sprinkles) sandwiches - don't know where she picked it up but it made her happy helping me. I taught Special Ed a couple years and a mom of one of my students was diagnosed with bc. She wanted me to know he wasn't taking it well (5th grader with older siblings), suggested she give him some unique thing to do for her that other siblings didn't do (rub her back or feet, sing a special song). Can't remember his unique gift for mom, but she called a couple weeks later to say he felt important knowing he could contribute to helping her feel better.
This is the best place to be, it's available any time, day or night.0 -
Chantel: You have definitely found the right place to help you keep your sanity through this process.
My BMX with TE placement was 11-5-12 and I didn't find this site until about 4 weeks later when the TE pain was driving me crazy. My breast surgeon switched me from Norco (hydrocodone) to the Neurontin (gabapentin, which is a nerve pain med) that melmcbee mentioned a few posts ago. That totally did the trick for me and I haven't had any TE pain or real discomfort since. I'm sure some of the pain was because my PS was doing 100cc fills, which is quite a lot. After BS switched me to Neurontin I also had the PS slow down to 50cc fills. I have 600cc TE's in and am currently at 700cc expecting to go to 750cc I think. My PS requires a 3-month wait after final fill for exchange surgery so I'm looking at mid-July at the earliest.
You're so young to have this happen, and I can't imagine the stress of having young ones still at home during the process, but you can do this! I'm ever so grateful for the reconstruction options available for us today. It's not a pleasant process by any means, but you will be cancer free and live to see your kids grow up, plus end up with the rack of your choice
(sort of)
. The numbness and lack of nipples does kinda suck but in terms of the 'big picture' it's a small price to pay.We're with you all the way. All the wonderful ladies here are very caring, considerate, generous and sometimes absolutely hilarious. No question is too silly to ask so don't be shy about your concerns. Venting and complaining is allowed as well. We want to help you kick cancer's ass and remain sane in the process
.(((((((hugs)))))) to you and hang in there. There's light at the end of the tunnel, I promise!
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Just over three weeks left till exchange and I can't wait to get these AWFUL TEs out! Both keep migrating armpit-ward but now lefty keeps coming completely undone and flipping till the hard back sticks straight out like a Madonna boob. I have to shake it (and sometimes push it) back into place at least once a day. Anyone else had this happen? It hurts, dangit!
On a positive note, the PS said there was no reason I couldn't do the Police Academy this summer! He said I'd be pretty sore,the first few weeks, though. I said I was going to be 41 and never thought I wouldn't be! :-)0 -
unowhoandwhy... Ouch! Can't say I have that - only the very edge in under the arm pit cage flips when I bend at the waist. Nothing really. You're brave, I'd be freaking out to have to put it back. At least you're almost to exchange!
Chantel... Hang in there, you can do his!0 -
Scar care - I am wondering what other PSs have said regarding scars. My scars looked amazing just before they were recut for the implants. In the 3 months between BMX and Exchange they really healed up. My PT lady dry rubbed them (it was icky) and then I massaged them with bio oil or another oil. This time he told me to keep silicone tape on them until the ridges were smooth. The left side is still quite bumpy. But I am thinking the oil and massage may work better. I never heard of silicone tape on scars. My friends PS told her nothing would help except time. She told her to not waste her time or money - nothing will help.
Any thoughts, opinions, advice?
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