Exchange City

Catherine, wow, you have soccer balls!  Mine were coconuts and I thought they were big!  haha!  There is a picture forum where people post pictures but you have to get special permission to go there.  You need to PM Timtam and she will decide if you can go there or not.  She checks to see how much you have posted and stuff like that... it is for the protection of the women that post their pictures, so that not just any looky-lu can go on and see our private pictures.  PM her and she will get back to you, but don't be discouraged if she doens't let you through yet, I see that you only have 114 posts, I'm not sure what her criteria is, but I know there is one.  Good luck with your upcoming exchange!  It feels soooo much better!

Paula

Kristinka -- what a lovely story!  I'm sure your friends wish they could do more.

Thanks all for the info about the difference between MX and exchange... my exchange is in two weeks and it's reassuring to hear that it is mostly a better experience.

Firni - why could you not have coffee after exchange?

Good luck to everyone having surgery this week!

Thanks for the infoo n"pocket work". I think I will be getting quite a bit. My PS says she will be doing a lot of lipo suction on both sides for "dog ears"--weird looking corners sticking out of my sides left over from the BMX. SHe is also doing contouring under my "breasts" to make them more defined. She said this part will make me feel as though I've been "pummelled", but the exchange will be relatively easy.

pbebow - Well not soccerballs, but I explain to people they feel like soccerballs if you were to press them! So coconuts are closer to size! LOL!!

Go it! Timtam. I will PM her.

THANKS!
-catherine

Well- I'm back!!  It was quite a ride.  NOTE TO ALL My experience is not typical.

I had my exchange on 3/30/10 after 9 months of expanders.  I was really happy to get them out. Painkillers for a day or two  and then only advil. No drains!! YAY..  Then OMG. It turns out I am allergic to Tegaderm- the adhesive they put on all the wound afterward..but I didn't know it yet.
I got blistering from the Tegederm, AND from the (radiated) skin being so thin.  The surgeon had to essentially do another MX, removing all the muscle and all the tissue that had formed around the expander.  With a 600cc implant in it, the skin just couldn't take the pressure, and started breaking down (read: necrotic).  Good thing I didn't have much feeling so I was not in pain.

The surgeon took a look at it and said I needed another surgery.  He would do an LD flap to strengthen the area, take out the implant and clean out any infection that was there.  And yes, he put in another expander.  So the second surgery was on 4/16/10 (2 weeks and three days after the first)  This time there were three drains, two coming form my back, where he did the flap, and one from the pocket in my breast.  They all came out in the same area though.  Well to say I was wiped out is putting it mildly.  This time, I slept constantly for nearly a week, only being up to walk, and to see the surgeon. This is when we discovered I was allergic to Tegaderm.. I was blistered all over the edge where the adhesive was..Fortunately it was only on for two days.  After 5 days two of the drains came out,  On Saturday or Sunday I came out of the fog and I'm "alive" again. WAHOO..

I expect to get the third drain out tomorrow.   The results were awesome, both times.  Now I have to go back in four months or so to get my exchnage (AGAIN)...  So one side is an implant and the other is an expander, with a flap over it and feels very secure.  I'm good.  It may take a little longer but the result will be great...  I love you all for being there, for caring, and I feel your prayers and love coming through.   JUDY

JUDY:  You go girl!  You are an inspiration to us all!

Rebetata - Sorry I didn't post over the weekend.  I rarely get time on the computer at home without little hands "helping" ...  We spent the weekend trying to clean up again, too.  Changing the sheets tonight (or tomorrow LOL!) and dragging out the bedrest pillow.  Hope your graduation went well.  Good luck with your exchange this week!

I am LMAO re whippetmom's "Candida/Texas Diet"!  I actually did both - wine Sunday night, margaritas Saturday night ... I know, I know but I'm getting nervous for the surgery.  Also love the "besides Jesus drank it so it must be a requirement of some sort"  I'll have to remember that one ...

Kittycat - good luck with your appointment today and biopsy.  Sending benign/scar tissue thoughts your way!  This is my worst secret fear.

 I am not sure of who specifically can answer this but I will put it out there.  I will be having fat grafting during my exchange I have spanx to wear home. Will that be OK or will I be expected to bring something more binding to wear home.

I really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Rebecca

Rebecca:  Spanx are okay, but you want to make sure they have a trap door - an open crotch.  Otherwise you will be pulling them up and down and that can be very uncomfortable.  That said, however, some women who have fat graft transfer have very little bruising or soft tissue swelling in the area liposuctioned and only need something for a few days or so.  If you have just minimal lipo - you might be okay with your up and down Spanx. 

I remember I got so frustrated, I actually took scissors and cut out the crotch of my Spanx, but I must have cut it way too much, because my husband said it reminded him of a baboon when he saw me getting ready for bed one evening. 

  Deborah I really got a good laugh about the baboon comment. Thank you for the info and I am happy mine laready are open in the crotch.

Rebecca

Baboon?

Deborah, why is this metal visual NOT what I wanted to picture today...LOL..... only your husband.. how does he come up with these things????

BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Judy

I am so sorry you have to go through allof this.  We can all realte to the joy of getting rid of drains!! Some of our small triumphs!  Although your results arent typical , your right, your story will connect with many and you are so generous to share.  SO glad you are healthy and feeling a little more like yourself.  You are super woman!

Kristen

OK for anyone who is interested.  I posted pictures of this journey..My name is different on the forum..look for rise and shine.  

Laura, I didn't post under radiation, although that was the cause.  I posted under construction since it is all about expanders, implants, and LD flaps and I thought the pix would be more useful there.  I posted only the pix of the radiated skin under radiation..  JUDY

AWWWW.....VAL.........How adorable is that photo....and how sweet that you remembered all of us on your walk!!!!  Thank you so much!!!!