Exchange City

Hi everyone!  I don't have a date, yet, for my exchange but I thought I'd come on here and read some posts to motivate me.  Today was kind of a rough day and am so ready to be done with these TE's.  

TNgolfer- Your description of your experience with TE's was right on.  Loved the turtle shell comment.  It is so true.  I don't think doctors really prepare you for the whole TE thing.

MBJ- It sounds as though you are having the same issues with the TE's.  I started out my fills at 100 cc's and am now down to 25 cc's.  It will take a little longer but it was too painful doing it fast.  I did see a lot of posts that recommended a muscle relaxant called Flexerile (sp?) so I asked my PS if she would prescribe it which she did.  I has really been helping and is very inexpensive.

boromom- Love the boob obsession!  I think I have it, too.  I haven't read too far back on this thread but I've seen a lot of women recommend going to Nordstrom's for bras.  They said the women there are even specially trained to help women after MX.   

Astorm - I didn't ask my PS either, but I fully trusted him.  I told him I wanted to end up just slightly smaller than what I was currently (I had a breast aug previously and felt I was just a little too big).  Anyway, I expected to be a C, but ended up a D.  I think having an aug actually helped me because I had already researched the heck out of plastic surgery.  And my skin was already stretched from the aug. I didn't use the same plastic surgeon, though.  The one doctor I trusted most (and still do) is my plastic surgeon.  He did a better job on me than the previous surgeon. 

Good luck to our surgery girls this week!!!!

Melissa - We'd make quite the team, Deborah and me, huh?  She can help you choose your foobs and I can help you support them!  Seriously, though, if you need help, PM me.  I'm working on a "bra dissertation" which I hope to post soon....just waiting for Deborah to help me put the finishing touches on it......Look for it probably next week as I have another son graduating this week - crazy!

Can't remember who asked about sleeping on your back after exchange.  I slept on my back - per ps orders - for about 6 weeks.....I'd done it all through my TE's, so it wasn't so bad.  The worst part for me was doing it again after my revision - and again NOW after nips - since I'd gone back to side sleeping..... just one of the things we have to deal with that those outside our sisterhood just can't quite "get".......

I've decided I must be a wimp.....I still was having "discomfort" yesterday.....my dh thinks it's because I'm 17 months post-bmx so the nerves are finally starting to regenerate.....funny, since I didn't even feel my ps draw out my nip flaps....and I'm always bumping into tables and doors....lol....maybe it's deeper sensation that I didn't lose?

cs7777, best to you today, and happy results with your new soft "stuffing"! 

mbtic and geneskirt, best to you as you get ready for your finish, exciting week!!

Luna, great  post, if you don't mind, I'm going to add it to BRAS on page 417.  Anyone needing suggestions on bras can go to that page.  I'm trying to add names mentioned here.  Not sure what Val has planned, but till then check it out.

Rock on Maggie!!!!  That is so cool!!!!  I am so happy for you!!!  That is a big deal indeed!!  And here I was thinking I really did something awesome by playing a round of golf yesterday!  Nothing compared to surfing!  You have inspired me, I really need to get onto bigger and better things...  Since I live in Michigan, I don't think it will be surfing, but I will be doing more!!  Congrats on the surfing!!!!

Paula

 Someone asked about questions for the PS.  I copied and pasted a list below:

1.  What are my options for breast reconstruction?

2.  What are the risks and complications of each type of breast reconstruction surgery, and how common are they?

3.  Will reconstruction interfere with my cancer treatment?

4.  How many steps are there in each procedure, and what are they?

5.  How long will it take to complete my reconstruction?

6.  What will my scars look like?

7.  What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breast?

8.  How much will my insurance cover, especially if there are any complications that may require surgery?

9.  How much pain and discomfort will I feel, and for how long?

10.  How long will I be in the hospital?

11.  When will I be able to resume my normal activity (sexual or athletic).

12.  Who is the manufacturer of my breast implant?  Does the manufacturer have a warranty? 

You may already know the answers to most of of these.  Hope the list helps.

Kathy - I too had NSM for ALH - are there many on here that made that choice?  When was your surgery date - mine was May 6th.

hurleygirly - if your nipples look normal I think you are out of the woods, my PS said he would be able to tell 1 day after if they would be ok, one of mine turned really dark purple, but the BS said she had seen some turn black, they blister and are fine.  You are lucky to be sleeping on your side - I can't get comfortable - when was your surger? I haven't had a fill yet either - suppossed to be this week - good luck.

Thelma312 - we had the same surgery date May 6th - I feel really good, just tired - how about you?

danielle321 - your surgery was the day after mine, I had 2 drains also removed on the 13th - how are you feeling?  When is your first fill?  Mine is this week - let me know how it goes.

dace  - I couldn't shower until my drains were out either - worst part, they were out a week later and I could shower that same day - hang in there.

m-star - I too want to go bigger, but not fake - was a nearly A before surgery - I'm thinking maybe a B cup?  Are the expanders really that bad - I am only 11 days post op?

KatRNagain92 - thanks for the scarf suggestion, worked for church.  How soon were you sleeping on your side with the TE?  I can't do it and am so uncomfortable!

MBD - thanks for the ruffled top idea. Won't I get used to the TE's?

Luna5 - thanks for the camisole idea too.

dani42 - I don't know why I thought I would be in this surgical bra til the exchange?  That will be the first thing I will ask this week!!  The warner bras and gel inserts sound like they would work - thanks.

QUESTIONS FOR ANYONE - What is pocket work?  When is it done?  How long did everyone have to wear the surgical bra? What is the expected time from TE to implants? (likes like anywhere from 3 - 8 months?)  When were you able to do exercises and stretch?  MyPS said said no lifting my arms out to side, or anything over 5-10 pounds for 3 weeks?  Are the TE that bad - has anyone found them to be bearable?

I too have been looking at boobs?  Just to see what I think would work for me - it's quite funny - my DH says it is totally up to me, but he is wonder how big I will go as I was a fried egg before!!We aslo took before and after photos, my before didn't look great because of the numerous biopsies etc. so I think the new ones have to look better!

Hopefully I will figure out how to PM TimTam so I can go to the photo forum.

Thanks everyone and good luck and best wishes to all!    Valerie

vmudrow,

you will learn that everyone's stories and experiences with the same procedures are different.  But here's some hopeful news from me:

Had a bilat Mx and the operation went fine.  Had a complication (a 200cc hematoma) and was back in emer surgery within 14 hours....Stayed in hosp 4 days.  My only complaint was that I was tired.  Tolerated the pain well (and never filled any of the pain med's--only had pain med in hosp)....but that is me.  I have more difficulty tolerating pain meds and anesthesia than I do with pain.

To be honest, the TE's are uncomfortable.  But let's be serious....think about their job....it is to stretch the muscle (that has never been stretched) and the skin.  Just remember YOU are in control.  Depending on your recovery from the Mx and what other treatments you have had or are having, your PS will decide best time to start fills.  In my case, the one TE inserted immediately after the MX was fine, the other where the hematoma was had to be removed, cleaned, deflated and replaced.  It was left unfilled while a torn muscle healed....so my first fill was on one side only.  My first fills were 100cc and I tolerated them.  I found the fill itself was not painful....just feels a little strange.  I found the first and last fills the most uncomfortable, but the ones in the middle were fine.  I also switched from 100cc every week to 50cc every other week.  It all depends on YOU.  Remember it is not a race.  Sleep was a challenge as I was also a side sleeper, but you indeed can sleep on your side with TE's -- trust me they are pretty durable. 

I was able to resume exercise about 5 weeks after the Mx (probably a little longer in my case and the PS a little more cautious because of repair on one side that wouldn't normally happen.  I saw a personal trainer (and yes you can and probably should exercise with TE's).  When they are uncomfortable, massage them, get in a warm shower, exercise.  If you help to stretch the muscle during exercise, it will be easier....but please do supervised exercise.  The personal trainer I saw had experience working with women with implants and TE's.  It truly helps. 

If you have trouble sleeping, try a little benedryl...

I can't speak for the others, but I will tell you it is bearable, it is worth it.  The worst part of all of this is not knowing what to expect or what to feel.  That's why this website exists.  We are here to assure you -- we have been there -- we survived.  It was very comforting to me to hear from others who had experienced what I was about to.

Relax.  Pamper yourself.  Try breathing exercises, yoga, a good book, anything that takes the stress and anxiety away.  You are not alone----we are all here waiting to help you and for you to lean on, vent, whatever you need.

Our prayers are with you!

Marianne

Here are some answers to your specific questions.  "Pocket work" is when the PS has to resize or reshape the pocket in the muscle where the TE was placed.  A pocket in cut in the muscle to insert the TE; sometimes the TE's will shift or move and the TE's will not look symmetrical.  Pocket work is when the PS goes in during the exchange surgery and makes sure the pockets that the implants rest in are of equal size, height, width, etc.  They are truly artists.

Re surgical bra's.  I was required to wear no bra at all after the exchange.  My PS (in my case) wanted them to fall naturally until my first post op appointment.  Some of the women are in surgical bra's immediately.  It is different in each case.  Some PS's will insert drains after exchange surgery, though I think that is not the common practice.  After my exchange surgery, I woke up with 2 small gauze bandages over the center of each squishy new breast!

Pay attention to your PS's instructions.  When he says no lifting, he means no lifting.  Don't jeopardize the process.  Everyone heals and recovers at different rates.  If he has experience, he will know what is best for you. 

I am an avid golfer and was able to golf 6 weeks after my bilat Mx with TE's!!! and I exercised (weight-bearing and strength training) with the TE's right up to the day before exchange surgery.

Ms. LRG -- are the TEs maybe putting pressure on your ribcage? Yikes, you are a brave one. I'd probably smack a doctor who didn't show concern! (or at least get a 2nd opinion) I had some trouble near the end of my expansion but not as bad as you are experiencing. My PS said he could actually draw saline from the implants to relieve the stress on my skin if I didn't mind going smaller with the implants, but my body adjusted after a couple of days.

vmudrow:  Since I have only one side done, for me it's all about the camouflage!  I have padded cami's, I have ruffled camis that I wear under ruffled tops that I wear under a curvy vest that all gives the illusion of breasts.  I mostly try and go without wearing a bra.  However, as I get more lopsided this will be harder to do.  I ordered (JCPenny I think) something called Style Solutions by Fashion forms.  One of them is the Ultimate Peel & Stick Push Up Cups.  They really don't push anything, lol, however, they stick to your clothes, not your chest, and they give the illusion of breasts.  Although I don't recommend these worn with anything tight, they look good in certain clothes, you'll just have to experiment.  The other product I purchased is called Half & Half Shaping Pads which are malleable silicone pad inserts for your bra or cami to help even you out.  A while back I purchased some cami's that take inserts.  Many of the ones I purchased are no longer available, however, Victorias Secret carries some with their own removable pads and so do many others.  I just did a google search at the time and found many options.

Best of luck to you!

Hello all,

I'm way behind on posts...with teaching and gardening this weekend I'm completely lost.  So I'm just going to jump in  

Maggie you post brought me to tears....just picturing you surfing with your boys was a wonderous image....congratulations on a beautiful milestone

cs7777 and Texas wishing you both all the best today! 

Melissa thank you for sharing such a beautiful story about your Komen walk...sounds so special to have been among so many wonderful people....I can't even imagine the husband without his wife by his side

Kay...you background in gymnastics could make a nice shift toward yoga? maybe? wonderful for stretching, lengthening long muscles, strength and core....but it is also a huge benefit towards peaceful mind....away from stress.....all those things that cancer brings to our lives  As soon as I'm taken off restriction I want to return to my practice....it helps in so many ways.

Deborah, so glad you liked the link  Glad to contribute.... 

For all the newcomers you have found a lovely bunch of ladies...they have helped me through so many questions and the support is unmatched....

I have posted updated photos on the forum......all comments welcomed  

Strength, courage and healing,

Laura 

Laura2 I agree it is so nice to put a face to the ladies we talk with.

I have been down for the count all weekend with what I thought was the stomach flu. But I think by now I should know my luck I am waiting for the hospital to call me with my surgery time as apparently I have not been thru enough and I will be going in for emergency gallbladder removal as it is about to burst. I am told in th next 48 hours I was able to break the fever so that bought mew some time so I can hopefully get my surgeon on the case.

I am only nervous because it has not even been three weeks and now more anesthesia ugggghhh well I am very drowsy and nauseated I will post when I get home

Rebecca

Rebecca:  Wow, I am so sorry you are having such problems!  Ask your dr. about using Tramadol plus a local instead of Morphine.  I had zero nausea after surgery and my recupperation time was amazing.  Up and walking by night after my mx and I ate a huge meal, too.  I still needed pain meds but I didn't do the morphine drip.  Some studys show that morphine can reduce the ability of your NK fighter cells to work.

Hang in there and get some rest.

Hey Ms. Lrg, I don't know what employee laws are in CA but if you've been there long enough to be eligible for FMLA than they can't fire you for absenteeism related to your breast cancer.  You might not have the exact same position you had during your FMLA but they'll give you something.  Document, document, document! 

I'm so sorry Rebecca about another surgery!  My heart is going out to you.  The stress of another illness on top of BC is more than you should have to endure.  Follow the path of least resistance and I pray for your speedy recovery! 

I get to see my actual PS tomorrow morning.  I'm pulling my daughter (junior) out of high school to drive me to my appt at 0815.  YaY!  When I called to find out who I was following up with I had the choice of some PA I've not met or the PS before he goes out of town.  No brainer!   

I'm excited to see what is under this criss cross bio-occulsive dressing and to have my lung sounds listened to.  Remember to deep breath and cough all you new surgicals out there! I don't know if the resp issues I'm having are viral or related to anesthesia.  Keflex isn't doing anything so it makes me think it's viral.  It's good though to have an antibiotic back up in case the virus turns secondary to a bacterial deal.   

Laura, you're beautiful! 

Kat