Exchange City
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Di, sweet Di, we've been on this thread for months. Please, hide out or lurk if you wish but please do not delete any posts. If they continue to upset you, just don't read them. Hoping you decide to leave them as posted just in case it could offer someone else some strength or hope. Lets face it, you definitely have not been treated with the dignity, compassion and respect from your medical team or insurance (now I didn't say professionals as they have NOT been treating as you so rightly deserve). We (and I know I'm not alone here) care so much for you and wish we had the magic wand to make the situation all better for you! So even if you choose not to post, you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, my friend. Vent here (or PM me if you prefer), let me know if there's anything I can do to help ease your distress right now. ((HUGS))
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Thanks so much Jen! I know all the prayers and kind thoughts have helped me!
Lori, woo-hoo! Starting a new chapter on your bc journey!
Again, just a reminder to all of you who have just had exchange or are about to: do NOT outcome of exchange to implants for at least 2 months. They will look flat and funny, not at all what you expected, so just be patient! It takes 3-4 months for the drop and fluff process to complete.0 -
Two more days till my exchange and the nerves have kicked in. How does anyone stay calm?
On a side note, the per-registration nurse told me not to wear makeup to the surgery. The thought of wearing makeup had never even entered my mind! Do women really go into surgery with a full face on?0 -
Andrea623 - you made me chuckle about the make up...I have to admit, I am one of those gals that has to have at least some eyeliner, blush on to go out into the world...so ya, if I was allowed I would probably worn something (lipstick too lol) to my exchange. Call me vain
So, an update, if anyone is following...I am now 12 days out, post exchange. While both sides have started to settle in, it seems like they are settling exaclty where the TE where. Lefty is hanging low, no lumps or bumps, just a nice, natural hang, and righty is high up, round, and I have a lump on my pec where she begins...JUST like the TE. I told the PS about this prior to exchange and she said she would bring it down. Maybe it will keep moving down? From what I am reading the Natrelle 410s don't move down as much? My PS told me at my post-op last week, that once the incisions are not so sore, to try to massage/push this thing down. Anyone with any experience with these things? I look like I have two totally different boobs. Also does not help that I lost the nipple (still have the areola though) on my good/left side. Just fell off...so much for NSM.
Also, when does the "I am wearing rocks on my chest" feeling go away...every morning I get up, and wham, they they are. I am not sure I can feel like this forever. Already thinkin maybe I need to go another route and have a flap procedure done.
On the bright side, projection is good. My TE were a 490 I think...but PS said with the port they were around a 520 volume. My implants are a Natrelle 410 MF 580...and they look pretty close to the TE size with a nice droop. So, I guess to get the illusion of what you have in the TE, you really need to go a bit bigger in these things. I am 5'5" 128-130, and thought 580 would be huge, but they are just right.
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Momof5, I'm a makeup junkie myself. Believe me, I'd love to go into surgery with a little foundation on to hide my old zit scars!
I'm sorry the implants are still in the same position as the TEs. Is there any chance they'll improve with time? To be honest, I wish I could've had flap reconstruction, but I've had 2 plastic surgeons tell me I don't have enough fat to make decent sized breasts. I don't feel like pursuing it anymore, so if the implants don't work out, I'm just going to go flat.
Thanks for updating on your progress. Please keep doing it!0 -
Andrea623 - I was told the same about not having enough fat. I had 5 kids and my abdominal muscles separated, so several years ago I had a mini-tummy tuck - he removed some skin and fixed the muscle. But even then, not a lot of fat. I have read they can take from the buttocks area, though it is not a lot there, now that I am in my 40s, and things are moving south, I wonder if they can get enough.
I would hope the implants would improve some, over time, but it concerns me that a) they are in the exact spots as the TE and b) I am reading that these Natrelle 410s don't drop/fluff much. But, I will try to be patient and see what happens in the next 3 months or so.Good luck with your exchange!
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Andrea, same here, no makeup, no lotion, remove all nail polish and jewelry plz. Guess they kind of assess your well being by nail color and skin color to make sure you are getting enough oxygen. Any surg techs here that might know?
momof,yep those 410 look interesting since they are anatomical shape. They wouldnt need to drop and fluff I would not think they would need to.
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No nail color is for the oxygen monitor thingy they put on your finger. Doesn't read correctly if you have nail polish on.
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I asked at my pre-op about nail polish and I was told it doesn't matter if I wear it or not. Interesting. I would do as you've been advised.
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So toenail polish is okay?
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My doctor laughed when I asked this. I was able to have toenail polish, but not on fingers. I would double check with your doctor though.
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I was allowed to wear toenail polish for my last two surgeries (hysteroscopy and BMX).
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I should say I was allowed to keep my toenail polish on. I didn't polish them just for surgery
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LOL! I did polish mine just for surgery! Didn't know when I would ever be able to reach my own toes again! Plan to do it again for my exchange in a few weeks!
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When I had my BMX my supervisor gave me a pre-surgery pedi and mani. I called my BS office and was told I could NOT have any type of polish anywhere, toes or fingers, so I just had the pedi and mani with no polish.
Exchange may be different. It's not as long of a surgery.0 -
Well I have revision tomorrow and I have nail polish on my fingers and toes ..like some one said don't know when I'll be able to get them done again...
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Good luck tomorrow Sherry. Let us know how it went when you're able, k?
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Thanks sweetandspecial
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Momof5kids--- I woke up from exchange surgery feeling the "rock hard" thing although my PS assured me it would all magically disappear. I am almost 4 months out and 4 days ago had a 3 hour window without pain for the first time since my mx in Dec. For me, it's all about the gym. Never exercised a day in my life before (not formally, but I ride horses so got some!) and I joined a cancer class at the gym. First, using the stretching/weight machines. Second, sitting in the warm water pool and doing 15-30 minutes of breast stroke motions. Also, walk a mile or 2 and get on an exercise ball for 15-30 min. Building up my core has done wonders for reducing pain. And I do the machines every other day to keep the pec muscle stretched out. I had a massage last week that made a huge difference! And this morning I got a PT evaluation just to make sure I'm doing the right exercises for me. I had to pay a small fee for the PT (one time) and the massage wasn't cheap but waaaay worth it. Everything else is included in the fee I paid to join the class. The massage lady said she could definitely feel scar tissue and as she breaks it up, my pain lessens. I came out of that massage bruised! But so worth it! I hate to exercise! And I hate to sweat! But I hated this iron bra/muscle spasm life even more! So for now, for a 10 week membership (for $70!), I go pretty much every day even if it's just to float in the 95 degree warm water pool! So if you can find something like this, go for it. It will change your life and make all the difference in your recovery!! PT should be required! (and massage too!
) and paid for by insurance!!0 -
Good luck tomorrow, Sherry! I hope the 410's work out better for you than the Sientras. Please post when you're up to it.
I think I did have polish on my toes for my bmx. So I'm guessing my tooties can remain Essie "the girls are out". Oh my gosh, is that not the perfect name for exchange surgery? LOL!
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Has anyone heard from Kestrelgurl since her exchange? Hope she's okay!
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Hi All...Sheesh! I know I've been MIA since my May 21st Exchange...Thinking of all those upcoming Exchangers!
Soooo much going on (2 Wedding Trips to boot...1st one down, 2nd in 2 Days/10 days apart!)...I WILL post more about my experience soon...I had Sientra (non-teardrop Smooth)Rounds...they look great, finally dropped about 5 weeks out & swelling went down..still no crazy odd "drop-off"--yay! they move around, are squishy, etc. A bit smaller boobs since swelling went down a bit...but that's okay...I'm a full B, but wear a 34 C bra.
However, I have been having some recent problems w/ my LEFTY "problem foob"...:( I am having some Serious tightness feeling in both boobs, but especially my L...Not sure IF it's the scars healing/shrinking/tightening...and normal OR if it's the beginnings of capsular contraction...
???? Wearing ANY BRA kills me now--espec. on L. side...and the bras are LOOSE & don't "hit" on the foobs...Also, I STILL have pain/exhaustion when I "overuse" my arms/pecs...but it seems to me that should be getting better not worse! And, it comes from simple every day arm use...I'm trying to be careful...but IS THIS NORMAL? Did I over-do it too soon after surgery? Am I just still healing?
I have an appoint. w/ my PS when I return from my L.A. trip...
Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!
Layla, I see that you have had issues w/ CC...any insight?
HOW are all the MAY Girls Doing?
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lala-good to hear exercise is working. Have investigated some programs as well. I have my first appt with PT this week, hope to start stretching these muscles as well as help the back muscles I have now strengthen, due to the Lat flap procedure. I too have never been a regular exerciser. I was also told of a pilates class just for mastectomy patients I am going to check into as well after the PT. I do feel it can only help with the aches and pains as well as getting my energy restored after all of these surgeries. Thanks for the info!
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Sherry67 - Wishing you a smooth and successful revision tomorrow along with a speedy recovery...let us know how everything went, when you feel up to posting.
Sharon0 -
Di2012,
I am so sorry for all you are having to go through. One wrinkle in the plans is enough, but you have definitely had your share. When all else fails, cry and talk it out with your boston. They are great listeners and never judge. Hope you get things rescheduled soon and your appeal for your "cosmetic" mastectomy gets approved! (Of all the absurdity!). Hang in there.0 -
Hi lala1 - I am so glad your "iron bra" feeling went away. I am trying, but I am not sure if that will be the case for me
Prior to my mastectomy I had been active; walking, going to the gym, finished 3 months of insanity. After my BMX I had full range of motion by the time I was a few weeks out. Went to PT for cording, had massages for the BMX by a trained PT, and was given a slew of post MX excercises. I am still doing them now, in addition to light weights for the arms. After my 7 day post-exchange checkup last week, my PS cleared me for excercise (other than walking); just no "bouncing". Though, I told her I doubted these rocks would bounce even if I tried!!!
So, I am not hopeful, after 5 months of this, that excercise is going to cure me of this feeling. It is not painful, just annoying...annoying always feeling them sitting on my chest - maybe my body is just overly sensitive to foreign objects. I will give it time, but if I have to go in for revisions, I may try another PS specializing in sGAP or iGAP. I wonder if it will be covered by insurance though. If not, I am stuck. I wish now that I had gone with my own tissue. My doctors never even mentioned anything but the Diep (for which I am not a candidate) or implants...looking back, that is because that is what they offer in THEIR practice. I never even knew sGAP or iGAPs could be done with SNS BMXs.
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Hi Everyone. My exchange surgery is scheduled for Aug 2 - YAY! The biggest issue I’ve had with my TE’s is that they both moved right into my pits early on and stayed there. Awkward! But not too much pain (except post-fills for a couple of days), and manageable ’iron bra’.
Violet1 - nice to ‘see’ you again. I knew you were going to be busy with weddings. Glad they are going well. But so sorry you are having some pain issues now. I would hope that the issues would get les and less the further out from surgery, but I don’t think healing works in a straight line like that. Hopefully this is just a bad bump in your recovery road, and by the time you have your appt with your PS you will be feeling better. Stay in touch!
At my final fill appt, my PS and I started talking about what to do for my final implants (we’ll do more talking at my pre-op appt 7/18). I told him I liked the volume ‘look’ at my TE size of around 360-380cc. So he said he thinks he’ll target implants in the 420-440cc range. Sound reasonable, right?Then he mentioned that although he and most other American PS’s have been using the SMOOTH round silicones exclusively for years, there has been some new literature promoting, and he himself has done a few exchanges, using TEXTURED rounds (NOT anatomicals) for certain people, and he thinks I might be one of those people. I’m thinking this is probably because of my TE pit migration, and the fact that I run and am pretty active. I’m thinking he feels the textured surface adhering to my skin and muscle will help keep the girls where they belong for me. He did explain to me that the textured rounds do not ‘move’ quite as much as the smooth, for example when laying down (which again, is kind of the point). But they are not as stiff as the anatomicals either, somewhere in between. This is a big area of concern for me. Anyone have any info or experiences with textured silicone to share with me?
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Rose63 - don't know about textured implants, but we have exchange on the same day! My righty migrated to armpit as well, and will be moved over. So excited, yet getting very nervous as well!
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You know, reading about so many who have had problems with TEs migrating to some extent helps me to be thankful that I haven't had that problem. Yes, they're hard as rocks right now and yes, there's still the 'iron bra' sensation (although I rarely pay attention any more) and yes, they're pretty bulbous looking right now, but they have stayed put, are quite symmetrical to each other and have beautiful cleavage. All in all I've had a much smoother road than so many on this thread (except for initial misery the first few weeks after BMX).
Rose63 and Bayoubabe: I sincerely hope and pray that your exchanges will be successful and give you much pain-free satisfaction and happiness! I'm five days after you on the 7th to exchange TEs for my birthday boobs
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Oh sweetandspecial - I am full of anticipation right now - my biggest hope is to have cleavage again! So jealous you already have some! Did not know it was possible with TE. So ready to be symmetrical as well (one side is much larger). I am so tired of patterned tops on days I can't stand my prosthesis in the heat! Helps hide things a little bit, or at least makes me a little less self conscious.
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