Implant Exchange (oYo) ~ Anyone go/stay SMALL?? (B cup)
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They won't do the surgery if I don't have someone to bring me home. My husband of course is taking the day off (Friday) but Monday & Wednesday I have appointments with the PS. I can very easily catch a cab… oh wait not sure I can open car doors either. Well there is the bus.
Husband may be going into work late those 2 days. 0 -
Oh crap I hope you have someone to help with that door!!! My recliner is permanently open because I still cant push the button....or I call a kid.I went out of the house yesterday for the first time since surgery (day 5) and felt crappy the rest of the day.
I want to feel better!!!!0 -
Sorry you still feel crappy after 5 days. I'm sure I will too but after suffering with shingles I bet I won't think so 0
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Sorry you are still feeling crappy Sue. How soon is your road trip?
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We are going the 30th. The 28th is my post op. My crummy feeling is all my stomach now. I dont need pain meds at all - not even Motrin...I have tenderness around the edges of the implant, presumably the pocket work....but if I dont reach or use my pecs I have no pain.
Last night I tried sleeping in bed...it was a laugh. For an hour I was flat on my back all stiff and clenched like "dont move, dont move" and thought that this was stupid so went back to the recliner....I moved once in bed and got a zinger in my left (I think it was audible!) that made me scream a swear and that was it.
I guess my stomach ache is just telling me to take it easy. Thats fine. I Have nowhere to be. Once I have that post op appt, Ill have to get a new bra probably and get ready for the trip. But I told DH I am doing NOTHING on this trip so not to expect me to do laundry or cook. Id rather go out for lobster of clams every day anyway!!
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Sounds like a perfect plan to me!
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Hi Everybody, I've been out of touch for a while but am glad I didn't wait too long to catch up with everybody. There's so much going on!
RedSkyAtNight, I think our husbands deal with our cancer and reconstruction from a very different viewpoint. I can't believe I'm writing this but my (slightly) understanding, compassionate side would say they have their own needs, pain and issues as they put up with us as patients. BUT I find for the first time in my 26 year marriage, I am annoyed at my husband for so many little things. Doing my own psycho-analysis, I think it stems from being disappointed at how eager he was for the larger boobs and when I didn't end up with them in the end, he doesn't understand how hurtful it can be when he tells me "You look fine" when I ask his opinion. He's truly a kind, loving, fantastic husband but he's still a man so I think he just doesn't get it. Who wants to be told they look "fine" after a boob job of sorts? Anyhoo, RedSkyatNight, hang in there. He's a guy. He's good for a lot of things your female friends aren't, but clearly he may just not be able to relate, even if he thinks he can.
Man, I already feel better just unloading on you ladies. By the way, I refer to you all whenever I'm trying to give my viewpoint credibility. You all have been a big part of my breast cancer process. What a wonderful support group!
Sue, I'm worried about you feeling so bad. A friend who works at NIH once told me that she eats a can of peaches a day whenever she is on meds. I found my system handled ibuprofen much better than the narcotics. But I was taking 800 mg every 4 to 6 hours for quite a while after the BMX. Stool softeners helped too.
I went to the Victoria Secret sale this week. Probably too soon since I just had my exchange a week and a 1/2 ago but I didn't want to miss the sale! Anyway, the young lady measured above my breasts and then over my breasts and informed me that I was a 32C or 34B. What the heck? I wore a 36A before the surgery. I don't think she knew what she was doing because the 34C's were pretty good but even some of them were tight. I think I need to head to Nordstrom's for the real thing. Anyway, the slightly padded bras weren't my friend as they didn't push anything up, they just added volume below the breast which made me feel saggy. Anybody else notice this?
So one question I have for the post exchange ladies: Do you have rippling? And is it significant? My bathroom light is overhead and it looks pretty bad every morning. But in a regularly lit room it's not as significant. I know they do fat grafting to lessen this but I also read that you can switch the implant to a smooth rather than textured one to help. It's not too noticeable in a bra. Do I just let it go? Is this the new norm?
Susan thank you for starting this thread! It has been a true blessing to be able to confide, seek answers, and know that I am not alone!
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By the way, Lago, I'm hoping Sue is the exception. Or maybe I was. I had the easiest exchange ever. I took pain meds to be cautious for 2 days but a friend who brought a meal over to me on Monday (the day of my surgery) was almost wondering why she brought it over! I was helping HER load it into the oven! Hopefully that will be more your experience too.
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Thanks Sandy I think I will be fine but my PS does fat grafting so I will be sore from that. I just can't believe it would hurt more than shingles or getting 14 nodes & 2 boobs removed. Never took any drugs after BMX.
You know we drive our husbands crazy when we ask the questions. When they don't give us the answer we want we ignore them. We we say we want them to be honest and they are we are not always happy with the answer. You husband's "their fine" answer really means this isn't important to him. What is import to him is you are healthy, alive and not in pain. You husband will always look at you and see the women he met years ago. At this stage of the game the cosmetics aren't as important as you think when it comes to the person he loves and shares his life with.
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Thank you, Lago. Your comments actually brought tears to my eyes. Very thoughtful response.
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I should clarify that I just had a stomach ache from the meds. This was FAR easier than the MX was - much less pain - much better reach - much better everything.... which makes me worry I am going to start to do too much too soon....because I generally do NOT sit still. Because I had incision trouble last time, I am trying to hardly move at all this time....lesson learned. I just dont want to get this far and have a problem. I took the pain meds for 4 days because PS didnt want me to take Motrin and I was taking the meds so I would stay sleepy.
I feel fine today. Eating well and have been off the pain meds for 24 hours. I just dont like being still.
Lago hit the nail on the head. The husbands want to know we are alive and healthy. They make missteps in this whole thing for sure but in the end they just want their wife with them, whole and happy. My husband has been really patient but he is getting tired of being nurse!
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Sandy/Lago/Sue, Thanks, You all have hit the nail on the head! I totally identify with your comments about DHs. Mine is definitely taking the perspective of being thankful to have me back free of cancer and healthy. With the cosmetic side of things, he thinks I already look good in clothes with the TEs (although they look unnatural), and he sees no reason why I am worrying about having the same good result with the implants. 20 years ago he fell for me as an athletic, lean-looking woman- I've never been a voluptuous one. So, now he thinks I will get out of this 1. larger breasts than before and 2. perkier ones that defy the effects of pregnancy, breast-feeding, effects of gravity, etc... I think he has played nurse, massager, counselor, and has picked up the slack a lot around the household and sometimes gets weary of it and impatient. This process is just so long... I gather post- exchange it continues on... I can see how tough it is on our significant others. I have always called my DH my "doula" (as when giving birth) or going thru bc appointments and surgeries. He's always been my advocate and good at it. I am thankful that he can see here from all of you that, as Susan says" I haven't gone bat-****crazy in my thought process"!
Sue, maybe you should touch base w/your doctor about how to handle tummy pain. Are you still on pain meds/sleep aid at night to help you sleep more comfortably? After my BMX I had to sleep in a recliner and take either pain meds, over the counter meds and/or a sleep aid for literally 8 weeks in order to get decent sleep. I was sad not to be in my bed w/DH, but the PS said to sleep in the recliner if that's where I could achieve the best night's sleep. I think my case was out of the ordinary having to stay in the recliner so long, but do what you have to to get the rest you need- it's important especially since you'll need your rest to heal and be prepared for your upcoming car ride and travel away from home!
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p.s. - my recliner is right by my bed. We borrowed it from a neighbor way back in January and still have it. From what you are reporting, it sounds like I need to hang on to it for a while longer-- my e-day is July 21. I have to keep the thing reclined as it is old and very difficult to push the lever.
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LOL!!! True!
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You ladies are the best!
My hubby has done the "fine" comment as well. And I know he is just happy I am okay. It's been quite a journey in this short time span. It hasn't always been wonderful and there are times I would have liked him to do/act/say something differently....but in the end I think it has definitely brought us even closer than before.
Regarding the ripple question, Sandy, yes I have some ripples/folds I can see. Also so thoughtfully pointed out by my dear husband!
I am getting fat grafting so I'm not concerned about it. It is mostly on my cancer side where there is less between the skin and implant. I am curious to see if the FG will work in the long run. I can have more grafts (2 month wait in between) and PS claims it "takes" better after each time. I hope it works, but if it doesn't, i could be okay with it.....but as long as I have belly fat, I'll keep trying. 0 -
I talk about BC in short bursts with my DH. I throw it all out there, we discuss (i.e., I talk, he listens), then I'll ask him what he thinks. His replies are generally brief. Then I change the topic and ask him something about him (his work, car, kids). If he comes back to the topic of BC, I really listen — because that means it's important to him or is bothering him.
He is not a boob man and has told me repeatedly that I already look fine! I don't think I do (esp. considering I only have 1 1/2 boobs!) but I get what he's trying to say.
He's been though BC before with his late wife, so he is rather unflappable. He's also cautious and careful about not allowing BC to consume us, and for that I am thankful! 'cause it is *so* easy to be consumed by all this *&%^!
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Red - my recliner is so comfortable. After mx, I think my drains came out in 9 days because of the weather (should of come out in like, 3) and I tried the bed then and struggled for days after that. I havent given it that much effort this time...I KNOW Ill sleep in the chair! If I take something to sleep tonight, I may give it a try.
Susan Im very curious about your FGing too. My PS was adamant I wouldnt need it....Ill see when my swelling goes down I guess!!! Rippling is so common out here, I cant imagine not having them.
Renn - my DH is a butt guy. As the TEs were getting bigger he was like "You dont want to be any BIGGER, do you?" LOL....He might feel different now that the hood matches the trunk. Good thing I didnt get BUTT cancer...oh well, Im getting older, I guess that would be a possibility. I dont think I would get a butt lift out of that one though.
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Sue - it is good (and scary) to hear how it is going. I forgot about all the pain meds and the number is can do on your body. Sounds like you should stick to the chair! Milk it, baby. No pun intended! So glad (I think) that things are squishy. Does it feel like a good kind of squishy? Or post having a baby and feeling all squishy and hanging down to your belly-button squishy? Hoping the former and not the latter! Hang in there and take it easy!
Susan - so glad to hear that MY e-day is your hubby's bday! Me and my hubby are both in July (1 and 2) and I almost scheduled on his date, but did not want to be in pain on July 4th. Good luck with the fat grafting!
Off to sleep!
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Well, I slept through the night in bed...it was all about persistance this time. I kept a pillow propped behind my back to avoid rollover as I couldnt QUITE make it fully on my side but I can only stand my back for so long. I woke up about 1 and almost moved but kept plugging along. It wasnt the most restful sleep but it was progress!
Annie- even my recliner can get old. With our upcoming vacation I was realizing I better get used to the bed!!! It wasnt horrible like it was after mx but you kind of lie there thinking that youre a sneeze away from a complication. Or exploding. Good thing the bra is keeping me in! And the girls are squishy but different. The natural side is firmer for sure. The mx side is like a waterballoon right now...lots of squish and give - the left is tighter but not hard.
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I don't have a recliner. After my BMX I slept in my bed. I slept at an angle propped up by many pillows. As I felt better I would remove pillows and lower the angle. Lucky for me it was late summer so Target had all these inexpensive pillows for college on sale. I did keep all the pillows for this surgery. Thank goodness for space bags!
BTW to those who have had the exchange… and one have LE? If yes were you able to get your compression sleeves on? This humidity is aggravating my LE so I am wearing my sleeve regularly. Just a little swelling in my lower arm but both arms a bit sore. It feels better when I wear the sleeves. I hope I can get them on.
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Well I don't have LE but I did have to wear spanx (for the FG areas) and those suckers are not easy to get on. I was able to get them on though! However, that wasn't until about the 3rd day because I was in the hospital Velcro thing at first. Are the sleeves something your hubby can help with before he leaves for work?
Rennasus, I forget about your hubby having lost his previous wife to BC. He certainly does have a whole different experience going into this with you than an average hubby would!
Annie, my hubby will be honored you chose his bday for your exchange! I also found out my "markings" appointment is TWO days before my surgery. This means I have to go to work with sharpie all over my chest! I should wear a low cut top that day! Lol!
Sue~ glad to hear you had a decent night sleep finally! I still sleep with an array of pillows propped around my sides!0 -
Happy Father's Day,Annie, You are having surgery 2 weeks before me- it's going to be here so soon!Just a couple of weeks til my pre-op and then exchange surgery July 21. I recently checked out the size charts for implants and noticed that Allergan's implants in the high profile style 45 have narrower widths than the Mentor High profiles for a given projection and volume. Not sure what my PS will use (hoping the Allergans). He is concerned about implant width as my chest is pretty narrow. My TEs are actually narrower than the implants will be. I wonder if I should ask him about this at pre-op or before?0
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Good for you for looking that up! I guess I forgot to take into consideration the widths of these things BEFORE and thought more about volume and projection. I think you can tell they are different widths but then I think only I will be able to tell that!! I can see now that I could not have gone ANY bigger than I am given the size of my chest...I think Im maxed out!!
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Susan, how extensive is your rippling? Mine covers the top 1/2 of my breasts. It looks okay in clothes so I'm not sure if I should care or not. My hubby mentioned it too so I guess it's pretty obvious when I'm topless. So much for that career!
Lago, I'm sorry I don't have experience with the compression sleeves. Is one brand better than another? Is it more uncomfortable to wear them in the warmer weather?
Sue, I'm glad you made it the whole night in your own bed. The pillows are key. I don't know how you were sleeping in the recliner. I just couldn't get comfortable for any length of time in ours.
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Sandybeach I have only used the Medi brand. I might be able to wear Juzo. My problem is other brands like lymphedivas brand don't come in a long length. I need it for my long arms. Even the fingers on the glove is too short but I really could get away with the guantlet. I just felt with summer I should stick to the glove because everyone's fingers swell in hot weather. I think the Juzo brand might be thinner. I might give them a try next time around. These need to be replaced every 6 months.
Susansgarden I ran into this issue when I was on chemo. My fingernail beds hurt so badly I could not put on the sleeve. My husband leaves at 5:30 in the morning. Back then I wasn't getting up that early. You can't sleep with the sleeves either. I had to wait till he got home.
I too was told to get spanx. I got these from Jockey instead: linky.
Do you think these will be OK? They were a decent price at Nordstrom Rack. The spanx they had came up real high and included the thigh. I didn't want to pay full price since I don't need tummy control. I put on these Jockey things an made no difference in my tummy. I really don't have much tummy fat. I'm a butt/thigh gal. I think my PS is going after my love handles for the fat. How long were you told you had to wear these?
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Sandy -While I prefer to sleep on my side in bed, my recliner and I have a long history together! When my daughter was a baby, we spent the first month sleeping on this recliner, her on my chest...and later we napped every day for 10 months on this chair. It lays flat enough that you dont roll over...and with a couple of small pillows taking care of my arms and neck, I dont get any stiffness either.
But Im back in bed...last night was a piece of cake (kind of!) but I woke up rolled over and got up without a twinge of pain. So good day!
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lago ~ I believe the PS wanted me to wear them for 3 weeks... I think the longer the better to make the area smooth out...I'm assuming that part based on a friend that had actual liposuction. The pic you show could be fine as long as it is fully covering the area he will be taking it from. You don't want it "cutting into" the lipo'd area.
Sandy ~ I don't notice the rippling in a bra...but def when I'm topless (dancing
. I can see it when I'm just standing normal. Mine is on the top left and right sides. But only on the BC side. I think they really scraped it close there because my tumor was in the 11:00 position and close to my skin. 0 -
SusanG what style did you purchase? For $13 I thought the jockey's were pretty decent. If I have to wear them for 3+ weeks I might have to get a few more. I do worry though if he is taking from the love handles that maybe these are too low and I should buy a higher cut pair. Just not sure of the style. This control stuff is all new to me.0
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I got the "cheap" version of Spanx that they sell at Target called "Assets". I got the one that goes all the way up to your bra line because he was taking fat from above my belly button area. I'm sure anything that is labeled "control top" is fine? I know a lot of companies make "spanx" type garments now so it should be easy to find something you like.
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