Exchange City

Kristen, yes I have been reading about your bra shopping addiction!  haha!  I know that I was starting way too early, but I was there getting the sports bras, because that is what he wants me to wear for a while, so I thougth I'd give it shot, I knew I shouldn't.  I am kind of bummed, because the closest Nordstroms is about 2 or 2 1/2 hours from me.  Luckily I have a friend that lives close to one so I guess I'll have to make a weekend out of it and go visit her and visit Nordstroms while I'm there.  But that will have to wait a while, I'm definitely not up to driving there myself yet.  My DH is a farmer and this is planting season so he is gone all day and evening, so I am on my own with a 5 and 7 year old, so there is no lounging around!  We have school, soccer, conferences, volunteer day at school, all kinds of things going on. I rest in the evening after I put them to bed (luckily they go to bed at 8:00 pm).  The good thing is, I have a good friend and my parents that brought me over a few dinners, so all I have to do is heat dinner up, so at least I don't have to cook.  Just have to keep the laundry going and keep the kids picking their stuff up and the dishwasher and  and and... okay, so it's a lot.  I try not to over do and I am not lifting anything heavy.  Anyway, thanks, I definitely plan on visiting a Nordstroms eventually, when I am finished with the sports bra stage. 

Have a great evening!

Paula

Hi everyone

I haven't been on here for awhile, sorry. But I had nipple and areola reconstruction 7 weeks ago (grafts from inner thogh, skate method) (photos are posted) and was wondering when I can (ahem) start using my breasts without any restrictions, if you know what I mean. When I saw my PS 3 weeks ago, he said "soon" but that didn't mean much to me. Hope everyone is well and than you in advance for all of your helpful comments.

I have not posted in a while, but for those that know me...I had my exchange surgery last Monday along with a hysterectomy AND fat grafting. Lots of surgery at once and lots of emotional and physical pain. Today is my second day of feeling "o.k" and happy for it. I had lots of surgery and ended up with both a urinary tract infection and a breast infection on my radiated side. I am on heavy duty anibiotics and hope the infection heals fast...The fat grafting looks great for anyone that is thinking about it, so natural and thick under my thin skn and softens the radiated side alot. I was at 265cc's in my expanders and my PS put in 325 grams (?) and I feel huge!! Not happy, but he said they will shrink amd change due to all the swelling. I don''t have my card saying excatly what I have (go figure the hospital never gave it to me on discharge and now they are looking for it) so I can't say much else. Good luck to anyone else having exchange soon. It is not too painful at all! Also, I read about someone worried about getting the ER patch folllowing DCIS and mastectomy....well, I am one that has the patch. I did not need Tamoxifen, was gonna live life with my E as is and opted to have hysterectomy and have a fraction of the E my body would be pruducing. I met with many Dr's, sought many opinions and since I was in a "grey area" (no breasts, DCIS, but ER+) we still opted for a patch.

Paula,

I used to get really bad foot cramps and found out that I needed calcium. Not sure if that is your problem but the calcium really helped me. I haven't had a foot cramp in a long time.

After surgery I always have digestive woes. The anesthesia really wipes out my system, plus for the MX I was on IV antibiotics. I ate a lot of yogurt. You should check in with your doc though if you have any concerns post-op. 

So far I am pleased with my results.  Just gotta wait and see what happens with the drop and fluff I have heard about. I definitely like the softer implants.  I will try to get some pics up soon.

whippetmom- Thanks for the help you gave me on implant sizing 101.  I was filled to 450cc and he put in Mentor round high profile filled to 500.  

Now I just have to decide about nipples.  I am really considering just having the 3D tattoos.  Anyone on this thread just do the tattoos?

Becky 

Hello everyone,

Gentle hugs to all the post-surgery ladies and Best Wishes to all on the schedule for up-coming surgeries!  Wow, I thought I felt really good...crashed today, guess the post-anesthesia affects finally hit me.  Slept most of the day and boy this place moves fast!  My incision is fine, not hurting, but I have that same tight feeling in the area where breast meets armpit.  It pulls and cramps, couldn't sleep last nite....even my pillows didn't help, soooo back up & to the kitchen for the pain meds. My sports bra hits right in that area and just drives me crazy.  I'm using the JCPenney zip-front bra, too. Love it!  It's a great bra, but arm-pit area and side-panel area where drain-tube scars are is still really sensitive .

Dublin:

Recommend the JCPenney zip-front sports bra and take soft pillows with you for the car ride home.  Also a button-front or zip-front shirt for post-surgery is much easier than trying to pull a t-shirt over your head.

Everyone rest well tonight.....I'll be seeing PS for follow-up tomorrow, but I'll check in tomorrow evening.

So glad ladies with recent surgeries are doing better.  Wishing all strength and comfortable days and nights!  deekaay

OK, questions...my PS has been wonderful and really  made me feel comfortable with the whole thing....but you are all  wonderful...so....

As you all know right now they feel uncomfortable, like footballs under your arm pits.  Just ugly. (although my PS keeps telling me how wonderful I look and what a fabulous result I am going to have). He said this is the ugly part and that everything will smooth/even out.

Tell me again how do the implants feel?  I know soft, squishy, does the feeling under your armpit go away?   What have most of you done about the nipple part...I am still not sure what I want to do, just that I want to look as normal as possiable so I will do something.

How about feeling?  I know that most is gone but I have a ton on the sides, tops and underneath right now, does that change? 

When you go back to normal activity how do they feel?  So many questions....please share, tell and let me know what to expect from all of you who have walked in these shoes. 

I am very excited about the whole thing as I feel that it is the light at the end of the tunnel and it gives me a date to work towards.  As I said my PS has been great, and his work is outstanding...he is rated one of the best in my state...the photos of what he has done are just so good...I just keep wondering will my life (girls) ever feel normal again

Hi All! 

Jean, I like your photo!!! Hi, it is good to see your face!

OK, my surgery is Friday and I am getting a bit nervous.  I really hope this is the last one under anesthesia. So over all this!!!

Katey:  Thanks for the tip!  Hope you have a great vacation and a wonderful visit with your daughter.

Cheri2:  Did you have a surgery without anesthesia?  UGH!  I only had sentinal lymph node mapping and biopsies done w/local at the time of my first lumpectomy.  I sure wished I was under general for both of those!  My PS says it is general for exchange.  I forgot to mention to him my nausea issues and high bp before surgery issues though.  Since he is doing it at the surgery center (that he owns) next to his office and not at the hospital, I have no idea who is doing anesthesia.  Hopefully not Nurse Ratchitt!

Becky

There a re a couple girls on TimTams pic forum that have just gotten the 3d nipples.  That is what I am seriously considering because I have very little, if any, extra skin to 'play with.'  I go to my nipple appt in june so i will keep you all posted.

I have no desire to be 'cut' again.  That is not to take away from anyone that has---they always look good!

IMF: With Val's advice and Kiristinka's experience I am wearing a bra to bed for extra support.  Pain is getting better, however, I am kind-of babying my right side a little.  The fear of those stitches letting loose and the implant sliding to my belly button is alive and well in me.  But I will refuse to let the fear rule me and I make sure I am enjoying the spring weather and all of my son's little successes and failures as they grow each day.

Kristen

So much to read and and think about.

 Kathy/Fairport, so glad you're doing better and that things seem to be headed in the right direction. So good to have some answers. So scary to not know; so much better to know!

Judy, your resilience is inspiring to me. One foot in front of the other is really the only way, and you constantly remind me (in a good way) of this. Glad you're home safely.

KPink, keep talking to your doctor. When in doubt, just go there. Just call and say, "I'll be there and wait until you can see me."

I've started on a no carb, no sugar diet to try to get rid of the systemic yeast situation I have raging. With so many antibiotics this year (and in the last few years, really), my body is a yeast factory. I've already taken Diflucan multiple times, along with many other supplements, so my doctor thinks eliminating anything yeast like to eat may be the way to go. She also thinks it might eliminate the low-grade nausea I've had since September. (I'm a fifth grade teacher in the spring -- no carbs!?!? I'm on day 5 and still seem to have my sense of humor : ) Don't miss cookies or ice cream, but I do miss TOAST! Who knew how impt that was? So, in a way, I feel like I'm back in the pre/post surgery mode of dealing with the current issue one hour/meal/day at a time. Has anyone else done this and has it worked?  Yours in no toast, Maggie

Maggie66

Have you heard of the Belly Fat Cure?  It limits you to 6 carb SERVINGS and 15 grams of sugars a day.  There is a book from Jorge Cruise.  You can have toast!  There is also a website if you want to check him out and he is on facebook too.  I am going to try and do this.  I did it for a bit and lost 5 pounds the first week.  I need to get at it seriously, it is a life style change.

Thank you Rebecca!

How have you been?

Kimberly - really pretty picture!  I still don't have a good one of the new me...