Exchange City

Giselle7 - re massage, the worksheet my PS gave me said I need to do the massage 3x a day for 3 months, then 2x a day for a year, then 1x a day each year thereafter.  So, I think we are supposed to do it forever.  I wonder if the theories on massage differ as much as the theories on bras?  I don't know.  I know since I've been doing the massage, my left side that has always hurt since the BMX in February feels ALOT better! 

Hello ladies,

I'm just popping in to say I found a new doctor, whom I like.   For those who remember my story, this new guy was unbelieving that any doctor could have treated me the way my old plastic surgeon did, (briefly,  I went to the hospital for surgery and they had forgotten to order my implants and then my doctor fired me.)  He said that after looking at me, it was probably a good thing that he decided he wasn't doing reconstructions anymore.

New hotshot doc said completely different things than the old guy.  He could even recreate my inframammory fold, but I'd have to start all over, which I don't want to do.  Old guy thought I "might" get to a B cup (even though I'd been a C before and am a uni), new guy seems to think there is no issues with me having my old size. He thinks he can make me happy in my appearance although he said HE won't be satisfied, which you gotta like.

So, my exhange surgery is scheduled for November 18, which is 13 months after my mastectomy.  That is a Looooooonnnnnngggggg time to have an expander in when you didn't need rads.  But, I finally have an end date!

Coolbreeze:  Congratulations on you new dr and your new exchange date.  I have thought of you often during all your dr problems and I knew that if you were persistant, the right dr would come along!  If you remember, I went through three dr's before finding "the one" although I was still undergoing chemo at the time, I remember the relief when I found a dr I could not only trust but who could make me look almost as good as new, maybe even better.  I haven't seen my new breast yet as the big reveal will be Tuesday at noon, but I keep peeking at them from above and I like what I see.  I forget:  will he do anything to the other side to get a match?  Best of luck to you and a big, big hug!

OMG! Forever massage! I had no idea! Just thought it was needed till all the scar tissue encapsulated the implant. That will get annoying. At 53 I am more high maintenance than ever! 

MBJ - You just have to peek. It's been in the works for so long. I totally get it!

Coolbreeze - I am very happy you have resolution for your situation. It's not fair to have to deal with a physician who is not listening or willing to work with you. When complications arise, you need all the support you can get!

Hi all.  Best wishes to everyone. Thank you for the 'uni' welcome particularly, MBJ, NVDiane and Lilah!  MBJ--congratulations on your surgery--I can' wait for the reveal! I am up for my exchange this fri, aug 27.  

Here is a uni question...Let me give you the history--I had a breast augmentation three years ago.  It turned out about a cup-size too big--basically from a small B to a D. I had wanted to end up a C. 

 I would never have revised the surgery and certainly not had a lift.  But here I am, a uni.  I had been planning to have the new breast match the remaining augmented one. I wanted to avoid any more 'elective' surgery. But as the exchange approaches, I'm thinking I should 'suck it up' (pardon that) and put up with the short-term pain/discomfort of the added surgery to make both breasts a C.  It's starting to seem a shame to go to all the trouble of this reconstructed breast only to make it a size I'm not happy with.   

I'll need pocket revisions when they swap in the smaller implants on the native side, and to the mx side too, I guess, since the TE was for duplicating my the volume of the mx breast and so is too big. And then, probably a lift to deal with the loss of volume and normal sagging.

  So to the uni's here-- were you happy with whatever changes you made to your remaining 'native' breast.  Do you think the added surgery slowed down your recovery?  Did you have a lot of pain/was it worth it?  Thanks so much for your help.  This countdown has driven me crazy.  I have been back and forth with my ps's nurse constantly.  They will be so glad to put me to sleep!!  xo

thanks, Colleen.  Welcome home and get your rest.  Wow, four of us this week.    My best wishes too for Cleo and Jen.

CoolBreeze- So glad you finally were able to connect with a PS.  It's a long time to wait but it sounds like this guy is worth waiting for.  It'll be here before you know it!

Kay- Hey girl!  Wondered what happened to you.  I'm surprised you don't have a date yet. I thought you were done with all your fills.  Hope they give you something to circle on your calendar soon!!!

Irish- I think you'll be ok with 2 weeks off.  For most, this surgery is so much easier with a lot less pain.  You still have to make sure you don't lift anything heavy or stretch too much.  My PS cleared me for walking at 2 weeks, walking and light workouts at 4 weeks and at 6 weeks I was cleared for any exercise except those that worked the pec muscles. Not sure what you do in your job but that will give you some idea.  Good luck on Friday! 

Kay:  I have truly missed your posts!  I have been sneaking quite a few peeks and I am quite amazed that I actually have a chest.  I may actually achieve some cleavage if I can push them together in a push up bra!

Giselle:I told my DH about the massaging every day and he is excited to be able to help with that hehe!

joansf:  What I have learned from the breast whisperer, whippetmom aka Deborah, is because implants are made wider then a natural breast, a C cup in an implant can end up requiring a D cup bra.  So what you may want is a B cup that will put you in a C bra.  Has Deborah helped you at all with sizing?  She did a great job instructing my PS how to do his job LOL!  Good thing he was open to it and was willing to give me what I wanted.  I wanted a C cup also, but I may go into a D with bra sizing.  I guess I will know when I can finally go bra shopping.  The weird thing is, you may be a D cup in a bra, but in clothes you will always look like a C cup.  Crazy world of implants!!  In answer to your question:  I am so glad that I did my natural breast to match.  I started out a small B cup but if I didn't augment my natural side I would have ended up an A cup or smaller due to the difference in the sizes of my two breasts.  I am not in very much pain.  More pain in my belly area from lipo and much more pain from the surgical bra they squeezed me into!

Irish:  Listen to Kate as she has just gone through all of this.  I am fine except for this d@$* surgical bra that is too tight.  Arrrrgggh!  It's more painfull then my sutures.  Take tons of antioxidents to help with your healing.   Us BC girls need lots of vit D3 and C!

Kate:  Good to know about being able to work out and when.  I am going stir crazy sitting around at home.

Thanks MBJ..! I will try to be good and heed Kates advice. I can make no promises though LOL I am looking forward to some softness, still feeling uncomfortable turning in bed, with these TE's. Wont be sorry to see them go. They did their thing, time to upgrade!! You made me laugh, re your DH and your daily massage, so funny, I am sure mine will feel the same (pardon the pun). I will have to ask my PS what he recommends as aftercare, ie massage etc. I just came back from seeing my family overseas, and its very strange, but no one seemed to want to discuss my diagnosis, and subsequent surgeries, I broached the subject a few times, then just gave up. Families can be funny, you think that things would be so much better/nicer if you were with them, but when you are, its not how you imagine it would be. I have learned that its those who are with you on this journey, ie my DH who are the real support, as he has seen this first hand. Thats why I love him to bits

MBJ, yea, I have to agree, the ladies on here have been a great support to me too. I dont post very often, but have gathered a great amount of info on here. Its nice to know that you're not alone in this, and its great to hear other peoples experiences, both good and bad. I really dont know what I would have done without these wonderful girls.

Lilah:  LOL!  Thanks for warning me about the dents and wrinkles.  Plus I still have the drawings done on me prior to surgery that I can't get to till the bandages come off.  We really do go through alot.

Irish:  Love, love, love the ladies on this site.  I don't know where I would be (except alot flatter) without their help!

Heading there now to vote and to look

MBJ - Yeah, I can't wait for DH to help out with massage. Currently my open skin is hindering that kind of activity. The Biafine Creme I'm using seems to be working well. Sounds like you and your hubby have a wonderful relationship.

MBJ:  At my first appointment with my PS after my exchange, he said that once the incision had healed, that the new implant would need massaged daily. But then he looked at me and said, with this cute little grin, if I didn't want to do it myself, he was sure I wouldn't have any trouble finding a volunteer to help! (yes, he had met my husband, several times!). That's one of the things I love about the guy--his sense of humor!

NVDiane:  LOL!  My PS would just blush like crazy even thinking a thought like that but his nurse is pretty cool and has a great sense of humor.  I cannot wait to get out of the surgical bra.  Did your PS recommend wearing a bra 24/7 for awhile?