Exchange City
Comments
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My doctor and the pt people all said to avoid excercises that build chest muscle, including push ups, chest press etc.
The reason they said was that if the muscle was built up it could displace the implant.
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What's been said about the pecs and so forth makes a lot of sense. For another perspective my PS said I can get back to all the exercise I want eventually. He talked about other patients doing weight lifting so I guess he's not as conservative about this. His time frame was starting up 4-6 wks after a surgery, but building up gradually. I primarily do yoga. Both my PT and yoga teacher warned me agst doing things in my re-start period that simultaneously stretch and put significant weight on the pecs. I.e. don't fully stretch and fully load the muscles simultaneously. Makes sense to me. My yoga teacher is also working me back into things very slowly; he's mentioned lymphedema risk as one of his concerns, as well as not injuring the surgery site. About the only thing he said I may never do again are what we call jumpings or sun salutations in which we jump between the poses. We'll see.
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Sorry gals! I hit the chemo wall today and just woke up! I went to work and started to feel woozy. I went home and never turned on my computer until just now!
My mole turned out to be slightly abnormal, but NOT CANCER. I told the nurse I was up every other hour all night. I'm a 2x BC survivor and was so worried. Waiting for results is the worst. She totally got it. She used to work in oncology. She kept saying, "you can breath..." The derm was going to have it checked in 4 weeks, but I told her to check it next week.
Tomorrow is our 11 year wedding anniversary! Woo Hoo!!!
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Kittycat I am so happy you have enough opn your plate.
Congrats on the big day tomorrow.
Rebecca
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Kittycat -- so glad it's not another cancer diagnosis... and sorry you hit the wall but indulge yourself girl -- sleep, rest... I swear chemo is the only time in my life I ever was so completely about ME and what I wanted. So you need never apologize
Happy Anniversary!!!!0 -
So sorry your feeling so poorly, but so happy the mole was not positive.
Happy Anniversary!!!! I hope its a wonderful day.
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Big Apple (and anyone else with gummies) -- just curious: did you notice any sort of drop and fluff with your gummy (X number of weeks or months after surgery)?
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Waldo: When I thought I was going to have to take care of the entire bill by myself without any insurance I reached out to every single cancer orgainization out there. I have a friend of a friend who had her bills paid by the Ralph Lauren Cancer organization in New York. I don't know the details but also contact the Susan B Komen for the Cure (I think that's what it's called). All my resources are here in California but I know there are so many out there that will take on your cause.
mstar: I am cheering for you here on the sidelines and you sound as determined as I am to not be forgotten by the boob fairy again LOL. My last fill was really the most painful and it was the smallest amount: only 65 cc's. I'm about to burst! They want to do 50 more and then it's a wait until my exchange. Here I am, with one huge breast, walking around in circles, with my blond wig and my ginormous breast and chemo brain, I feel like a freak show. Funny thing is, I don't know if it's the blond hair or the big boobs but I sure am getting attention from an entirely different kind of male animal--I got hit on by the car wash guy today and I was at least a foot taller then him. He was stuttering that I was so beautiful and I just had to laugh because I think I look like the most obvious fake blond I ever saw. Maybe it's true, blondes do have more fun, haha!
Lilah & Kittycat: You are right--the chemo should kick but on everything so no worries about that one. If it's anything it won't be after chemo.
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Kittycat....Happy Anniversary..hope you feel better....chemo sucks but it does work..just take care of yourself...rest, drink water....
Ladies...thanks for the exercise info...I do want to get back in to yoga, etc. I have been walking but starting to get flabby arms...so want to do some weight exercises...I guess they will have to wait.
We are heading to Outer Banks, NC for the week...and will be sharing my laptop with DH...needless to say I will be playing catch up next week.
Lilah....I too am curious about gummies (drop) My PS told me to massage it downward.
Good luck to ladies having surgery next week.
Hope all have a great weekend.
Pat
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kward70
AHHH!
I'm similing now! thanks for the clarification!
QUESTION :
Just out of curiosity... Has anyone had any other instructions and cautions from PS regarding limitations with Silicone Breast Implants?
Our nephew sky dived last weekend and as we watched the video, i was reminded of some warning once about high impact/force activities (like water skiing or roller coasters) being contra-indicated. Not that I'm planning on sky diving, but.... I am curious.
Seriously...lol!
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Happy Anniversary Kittycat! These are the kind of Anniversaries we are suppose to be celebrating!!
As a Braca2 gene carrier, my care automatically included an Oncological Dermatologist, and regular annual screenings at minimum. F(For those that haven't been thru this.... they litterally photograph and document EVERY square ince of your bodys skin surface on a grid form. VERY humbling....
Is your dermatologist a referral from your medical onc? Sorry to be nosey.....Im just being protective I guess darlin....Hope you are less SE today, and are able to eat Anniversay cake WITH icecream!!!!!
xo
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Kittycat, BigApple and all those healing, thinking of you!!
Waldo, I've been out of network in past, some surgeons will give you a break, talk to whoever you can in the office.
Good news! Had my nip done yesterday! After way too much anxiety it was very easy! I was awake, so nice to leave hospital without anesthesia fog, my dh stayed in room and held my arm! Listening to some beautiful music on my ipod kept me calm, and having the kindest and talented ps sure helped. There was absolutely no pain, tho could feel some pulling and pushing of the skin. Have a pretty thick bandage on which will be fun disguising, I'll change it every day, can take a shower later today, no swimming tho till stitches come out in 3 weeks. And of course no use of the pecs till then. My old side was done with a skin graft, this one not, so after I get the tats I'll report back, should be an interesting comparison. I'm very glad I went with local and no graft this time!
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Hi Liliah:
I don't know if it dropped or fluffed, mine was hard to tell because the right side was so messed up, once the bad implant came out of the right side the left side felt much softer and has the slightest movement to it. I did not really notice a change until December (when the bad one was taken out) which was a bout 6 months after the surgery. I was also one step, we did not use any expanders, so it may have taken longer. I now don't notice the gummy at all, I was very aware of it all the time until the 6 month mark.
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RE: exercise- I guess free weights are ok- then? I was doing pushups pre BMX every day. Is there a weight limit on the free weights?
When I had TE's- after my 4 week post op check up my PS gave me the ok to exercise- "do whatever you want-wear a good bra". Everyone is at a different place exercise wise and I was at the high- end of the spectrum as areother fitness instructors like Val. I went back to teaching spin after 4 weeks and was fine. I tried to do a pushup, yoga with downward dog and it was majorly painful. Now I feel my arms and abdomen thighs becoming mush. Again, like with bras- they don't have a clue!!! We cannot do whatever you want!!! Is anyone running?
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Kitty- so glad it wasn't cancer!!! Happy Anniversary!
I will check on some of those places- I feel funny talking to the doctor but I will especially since my phone calls are not being returned. I need to go there june 30
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Waldo, great idea to check out MBJ suggestions. Rather than talk to doctor, can you tell someone else your problem at their office besides the insurance person you spoke to?
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Kittykat~that's great news on the mole! You must have been going out of your mind!!
MBJ~ Well......the boob fairy is another one to add to our "kidnap and ransom" list!! Ha ha! The carwash guy must be into blondes! Wear your dark wig next time and see if he pays the same attention! (purely for research purposes
). The top outer edhe of my TE's are very tender since my last fill. Right where they meet your armpit. If i flex my muscles,i can feek it and its yukky. I have to wait 1 whole month for my next fill! im so pi$$ed off!They wanted to see me in 2 weeks but im away.So they said 3 would be fine,but my BS is away and my PS is fully booked.So i got a letter this morn saying it will be july 15th which is 4 weeks. This is going to set my exchange back and i was hoping to get it done before the start of October as i'm umpiring at a tae kwondo tournament (English championships) on the 9th/10th Oct. If they cant do it by the week starting Sept 19th i think i may ask them to leave it til the week starting Oct 11th. Also its my birthday on 8th Oct and i don't wanna be laid up for that.
I think my PS is getting awkward with me now cus i ask so many questions when i see her!!! LOL
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M-star you are too funny keep asking questions you are your own advocate so don't get intimidated.
Rebecca
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I had my exchange yesterday and so far, all is very good!
I'm a bit sore, I think because there was a bit of pushing and pulling in there during the exchange. Pain meds are taking care of it though.
My PS replaced my 500cc and 540cc TEs with 650cc Natrelle Style 20 silicones, high profile. I'm very happy with the way they look. Barring a lot of swelling going down, it appears all my old bras will still fit - that's a good news/bad news situation. No worries about fitting a new bra, but then again no excuse to lingerie shop.
It's yippee squishy for me!
Good luck and positive vibes to everyone with surgery coming up next week!
Betty
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Great to hear Betty! I also have the Natrelle style 20, 650 cc's and I did not experience immediate satisfaction and I am so happy for all that are. I do love the softness compared to the expanders but I am still waiting patiently for changes. Congrats to you!
Anna
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Kittycat: I missed your post--I should never get on late at night when I am half awake! What great news!! Cancer free is cause for a celebration. Congratulations on your anniversary, too, you now have two things to celebrate.
I always hit my wall with chemo on day 3 or 4 then was bleh for 2 days then bounced back. Unfortunately, I hit every holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, My 6 year wedding anniversary, New Years, Valentine's Day while undergoing chemo. It was worth being cancer free now, though.
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Congratulations on those who had procedures this week and good luck to those who have procedures next week. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Betty, A huge congratulation on getting the exchange behind you. I know what a relief it is. I know you will come up with something but if not we can help you to find many excuses to lingerie shop. Wow, 20's in 650cc. I had to plead my case to get over 400's and I didn't even get high profiles- LOL!
Kay, I hope you get to enjoy your b-day- I'm a libra too- oct 10! An exchange is such a nice gift to receive for your b-day- good luck convincing the doc
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Betty~congrat's on the exchange! Glad you're happy so far!
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Thanks everyone for the kind words. I am resting, while my hubby works today. We are going to do something tonight - not sure what that is, though!
My dermatologist is very thorough. I am just lame and didn't see her for 2 years because of all of the crap going on with BC. I learned my lesson, though. She checks my entire body, not any big scan or anything, but I really like her. She told me I have to come in every 4-6 months now, not every year. I have fair skin (I'm Irish/Scottish/Welsh) and I live in the desert. I wear SPF30 every day, but I'm still prone to skin cancer. I had an abnormal mole about 15 years ago, but it turned out to be okay.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend. For those of you waiting for surgeries - good luck!!!
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M-Star - I know it is frustrating to have to wait, but maybe if I had waited longer between fills, my skin would have stretched better. And from what I'm learning here, it seems the longer you wait to have the exchange ... it could benefit you down the road.
Take a deep breath. Maybe the waiting is really a blessing, because it will help you get to the size you want to be.
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Hey ladies, I found a thread on here last night about the whole working out/lifting weights question. I found it incredibly helpful.
Here it is if you want to check it out:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topic/720781?page=2#idx_41
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Great news, Kittycat! How do you spell relief=NO CANCER.
Wishing you a Happy Anniversary! When I was in chemo, we moved our anniversary and even Thanksgiving around to accommodate my SEs. And you know what, it worked out just fine. deekaay
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HI Ladies~
I have a few questions and I'm looking for perspectives...
On March 30th I had a bilatMX with immediate reconstruction with TE. At the time of recon. I was filled to 300 cc. At my first fill I was injected with an additional 200 cc. At the following 2 fills I was injected with 100 cc each time. So now I have 700 cc's. My expanders can be filled to 850 cc and my PS will over fill them to 900. I am tall and my PS said that will bring me to a full B cup. I really want to be a C cup. B cups just won't fit my frame. My PS said he will fill these TE to capacity and then go in and put in a larger TE and continue to fill them, I am thinking about the possibility of another surgery and If I want to settle for the B cups. I should mention that 5 years ago I had a breast reduction because I was a G Cup....yes you read that correctly, G Cup.
Any comments?
Emme
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Emme: Your height, weight and ribcage circumference? Could you please provide this? You can always PM me with any information as well.
What were you reduced TO from a "G" cup? This tells me you might have gone into the BMX with some fairly substantial skin flaps for preserving.
I cannot fathom what other TE the PS might use which will expand you any larger than 900 ccs...
But let's see what we can do without going through a second TE expansion....horrors!
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