Exchange City
Comments
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NYDeb, I am 5 weeks out from my exchange, and definitely know what you're talking about. I awoke from surgery thinking that I would look like a porn star, but much to my dismay, I was anything but. Now, I have definitely noticed a change since the earlier days after the exchange. I had a BMX, and now my implants are taking on shape and looking like actual breasts rather than the hamburger bun look. So, try to be a little patient. I know this is easier said than done, but you may feel differently a few weeks out. Take care!
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Twylight: I'm so happy to read that you're seeing a difference at 5 weeks. I'm hoping and praying that the same thing happens for me.
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I certainly hope so, Almagetty. We deserve at least great looking foobs after all we've been through and will go through, right?
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I'm so far behind on this thread! I had a little get away with my DH for our anniversary. It was heaven! I think for the first time in over 8 months I went a whole weekend without feeling like a breast cancer patient!
Anyway, thanks everyone for the feedback on the post exchange pain. It does seem to be getting better. I realized it had gotten worse when I started working out again so maybe I was overdoing it a bit. 0 -
Pickles, most women have a pretty easy time with the exchange surgery. Some have had more pain and a longer recovery than most. It seems to depend a lot on how much pocket work has to be done. Either way, you should be go to go anywhere and do just about anything at 2 months out.
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Koryn -- I think if it's a year then the implant is not going to change much more. I have a similar issue as a uni -- my natural breast has more droop than my implant. So though they are evenly placed on my body, the natural breast hangs lower. In a bra it's not really an issue (though I too have to cinch up the natural side to compensate for that little bit of extra droop).
I think it has to do with the submuscular placement. I asked my PS about it and she said she is not able to get more droop (wish she had told me that before I went with her - the pictures I saw seemed to droop just fine). That said, there is SOME droop -- just not as much as on the natural side. I think when a uni goes for augmentation on the natural side to match an implant the match results are MUCH closer/better. If you, like me, did a reduction (or nothing) it's simply harder to match exactly.
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Kate -- happy anniversary! I'm glad you had a good time with your DH. It's nice not to feel like a patient sometimes.
12 days after my 2nd exchange... got unbandaged today but I still have sutures (and bruises). Finally got a really good look. I am happy with these implants, but it's not perfect. As the swelling disappears I can see a little bit of the "shelf" and I'm hoping the shape rounds out a bit with time (a little quirky right now). But I'm NOT complaining -- still much better than before the revision!
I have some serious stretch marks. Has anyone found a product that helps with stretch marks?
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**taps fingers on table**.......still waiting.........=(
Firni~i know! Those bloody drains will be a pain in the a$$ ! but at least they take them out here by day 7 so only have to put up with them for 1 week max
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Hello Spring Exchange Group-
I am desparate and in need of some advice. My exhange surgery is Thursday (9-16-10) and I cannot decided what size to go with. Here is my info: I am currently 5'7" and carrying more weight than I should be. I am back at the gym and hoping to take off approx 30 lbs once this is all over with. I had a bilateral masectomy on 5-4-10 and had tissue expanders put in at that time. Previous to BC diagnosis I was a DD cup size and hated it. I currently had 620cc's in my TE and am measuring a D Cup. There are still too big for me, although I was able to make use of all of my old 36D bras again.
My PS is bringing Allergen Naturalle High Profile Smooth implants to surgery in 500cc and 550cc and he wants me to tell him that morning which size to use??? My first instinct was to go with the 500cc because when I lose weight my boobs will look bigger. I am nervous that I will make the wrong choice. I just want to be a standard C cup and my PS is not much help. I have never been able to wear those cute tops because my boobs were always in the way!! Am I really going to notice a big difference between the 500cc and the 550cc?? Please share your opinion with me. I tried measuring out the sizes in water and it is impossible to make a decision when you are looking at water in a measuring cup??? HELP!!!!
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My exchange is Thursday 9-16-10 and my PS has OK'ed me to drive to Chicago (6 hr drive for me) in 3 weeks!!! I hope that I am up to it. I think that alot depends on how quickly you bounce back. I was back to work waitressing 4 weeks after my double masectomy on 5-4-10.
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Hi ladies. Thanks for your willingness to share. I am having my exchange on October 7 and wondered how long I should stay off work. I have to drive 40 miles each way, but sit at a desk all day. I am really looking forward to sleeping on my stomach again!
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Hello ladies,
Question for you,., How long doing the brusing and hardnes by the arms will be with the operation?? I had my implants put in July 28 and still bruse but my PS also had done fat suction around the dog ears. Can any one help me with that question?? Should I call my PS? Thanks for any help I can get! Still Sore!
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I had my 2nd exchange on 9/01 and was able to drive 40 miles to a doctor appt on 9/09 to get the drains pulled. It actually felt good to be out of the house and I was fairly comfortable. The next day I decided to go bakc to work. I visited 2 clients (about 8 hours of work plus 35 mile drive each way). Then I got stuck in rush hour traffic -- took 2 hrs to get home for a total of about 3.5 hrs driving and 7.5 hours working. An 11 hour day 9 days after surgery was probably pushing it! I was miserable by the time I got home. I was really sore all weekend and mostly had to relax at home.
I would take off more time if you can. Since you are supposed to keep your arms down, you should adjust your seat in the car so that you don't have to stretch your arms too much. I adjusted my seat but could only get the 10&2 position if I was so close to the steering wheel that my legs were cramped so I adjusted to 9&3.
flacracker - have you tried arnica? I had an oil that I used last time but this time I took arnica 1 day before surgery and 4 days after. Vitamin C supposedly helps too. I still have some bruising but almost gone now (my exchange was 9/01).
Landy - we finally get a choice (about size) and we suffer with it! I just went larger (2nd exchange) and they look much better because they fill the capsule better (I had terrible rippling and shelves), I have thin tissue. I'm your height but maybe smaller framed (125# with small upper torso). With the 1st implants (450cc filled to 480cc) I was a 32D which sounds huge but I needed the 'D' because the implants have a wide footprint and you need to fit the cup around that. I didn't actually fill that D cup though, but with these implants (600cc silicone gel) will probably fill the cup. They do look big and round right now but I can button my old blouses. Not sure what will happen with bras because I still have sutures. My natural size was 32C. Have you asked whippetmom? She's awesome with this!
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Landy: Go to Breast Implant Sizing 101 immediately and give Whipetmom your TE, measurements and goals. Everything yu need to give her is listed atthached to the top of the thread. She will get you to a size that is perfect for you. She may need you to privately email her pictures so she can help you better. She is a lifesaver!!!!
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Hi everyone,
Just an update -- I got a second opinion yesterday about my contracted implant and was offered a tram flap as my best option at a natural looking breast. The PS said he could also do a capsulectomy and TE and start all over again with a larger, textured implant, but my radiated skin may be a problem. I don't want to go through a tram flap procedure, but may explore the textured implant option. (If I get brave and savvy enough, I'll post pics and show you what's going on.) Fat grafting isn't done here and it isn't a good option for me anyway because of prior radiation. Still stuck, but muddling ahead as best as I am able. Thinking about all of you..... --bonnie
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Bonnie: Does this PS use fat grafting when placing the TE and/or implant? I hear this really helps with avoiding further encapsulation. Best to you and it sounds like there is hope after all!!!
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Yeah Bonnie -- I don't understand why you would say that fat grafting isn't possible due to radiation... I know that Whippetmom has posted in this thread (somewhere) a study that showed that fat grafting was VERY helpful with the issues related to radiated skin. Even if you don't want to post pictures you might consider PMing Whippetmom and sharing pictures with her privately... she will give you GREAT advice!
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Hi everyone. Been busy and haven't been around. I still can't get on the pic forum, even tho I've gone through all the steps. Oh well, I'll keep trying. Had DH take pics of me at my full TE 475cc's. I've been so stressed about all this sizing stuff, I talked to my PS nurse. She's been as sweet as she can be and has encouraged me to keep asking questions that it's not an inconvience. Isn't that great?? She put my mind at ease and said PS would not make me look like Dolly Parton. So. I'll leave it up to his judgment.
I've used the Palmer's but then read about the parabens in it. Stopped using it. Does it make a difference?
Almagetty: So glad you're working!! That's good news. And it sounds like a great job!
MBJ: You're such an encouragement and seem to have such a great sense of humor. Mine's very quirky and I'm pretty vocal about joking around with my BC. Laughter is a good medicene. Although some I don't think "get me".
Deborah: Thank you so much for the info you supply. You've been very helpful.
Went and had my pre-testing today. Exchange a little over a week away!! Yay. Have gotten so used to not wearing a bra, I didn't put anything on under my shirt. The poor tech(female) who did my EKG I think was shocked. I made light of it. Oh well. I've also told my DH I have to be careful, cuz I just think of walking outside with no shirt on! hahaha
On a more serious note within 3 days I found out a 2nd cousin (maternal) mid-30's had a BMX. Then my mom heard from her sister (78) that she has BC. She's having her surgery in Oct. But a lumpectomy, then radiation. I talked with her for an hour. She's panicked, of course. She doesn't know what the biopsy said. Told her to get her path report! 2 family members in 3 days of each other? Crazy!
On a happier note, my ins. is paying for my genetic testing. Hallelujah! Already got the results and I don't have the mutation. With as much BC in my family, I'm surprised. Geneticist said someone younger needs to have it done and it might show up.
Kate: I hope the pain has eased. Even tho I still have the TE's, I hurt when I first get up in the morning.
Sweetie, I drove myself crazy. The nurse said the implants will feel wonderful. Not at all like the TE's. She said the TE's were heavier, not to mention harder! I'm at 475 now in my TE's and it's like 2 bricks. Hang in there girl!
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Lilah and MBJ -- I should have said that if I decide to have a capsulectomy and start over with another TE and re-expansion, that procedure would most likely include fat grafting and a textured implant. Yesterday's appointment was mostly a discussion of the tram flap procedure and that's off the table, so I need to make another appointment to see if the other surgery will work. At least there is some hope!
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AStorm: I've heard good things about Avon's stretch mark cream. My friend used it after babies and she said it worked like a charm.
Oh and what is arnica?
Anybody else have any suggestions as to what to take internally before surgery that's been found to help? Did I read somewhere about Vit. E pills? Thanks!
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Hi ladies! haven't been on here in forever, forgive me, life does get going and just nuts....
Am glad to hear everybody is doing well...I did ask re the Palmers' cocoa butter, but my dr. said you can't worry too much about parabens, or the occasional glass of wine (anyone agree/disagree?) or the titantium in sunblock etc. That you just have to be moderate in everything and that she does only reccomend staying away from anything soy if you've had ER+ bc.
I do know Whippetmom had some fat grafting for ripples and loved the results. PM her, she won't steer you wrong! I've got awful ripples, and my PS said there was nothing to be done. I don't know that is because of my extra thin skin, or that they can show up as "suspicious" on MRIs. (even tho it is obvious that the PS would know that it was fat grafting)... I know that they can need several times to "take" but that it can work. I'd like to try it when the nipples are done and after my prophy next year.
Best of luck to all in surgery. I had truly, spectacular amazing results with Palmers' and all my drs. were perfectly fine with my use of it. You can also try good old olive oil.
I would ask your PS about any and all supplements, even vitamins pre surgery. My PS has me OFF everything, even my arimidex and a multi vitamin prior to surgery. Nada. For 2 weeks.
Good luck to you all, sweet sisters!
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Thanks anniealso!!
That helps. And yeah, no soy, for me.
I think I'll go back to my Palmers.
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Happymom: My PS also made me stop my Vit E 2 weeks before and after my surgeries because it can cause increased bleeding.
TCK
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Dee: My PS' instructions said to stop taking Vitamin E at least two weeks before surgery, so I would advise you to definitely call your PS' office and ask. Mine was okay with me taking a multivitamin, the D3, calcium (Viactiv), Vitamin C. I did have to stop the Omega-3 also.
Thanks for the feedback on the Palmer's. I'll continue using it ... even if it makes me smell like cookies.
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Thanks, girls.
This is all good to know. I just wasn't sure if I could/should be doing something pre-op to help with healing. I don't take any of that stuff. Except my Boniva.
It's a good thing my DH likes chocolate.
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Dee -- great news that you were negative for the two BRCA genes... so was I. My ONC said that the test shows you don't have those specific genes but it doesn't mean there isn't something genetic at work (and not detectable)
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m-star- No date for the "prom" yet? Tell your PS that for mental health reasons you need something to circle on your calendar! LOL!
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Hi Ladies,
My mind is so foggy with all of these decisions,
Deborah-- I have been over at the DIEP thread, It sounds like charleston ifs the place to be. Wow I just don't know If I could live thru all of the pain.
My family told me today to "don't go thru all of that--just put falsies in you bra" oh how that hurts
Only you gals know how it feels when someone says something so STUPID>
BONNIEK--- I would love for you to tell me your situation, I am dealing with what I would call a stage 4 CC and I'm only in the TE stage of my reconstruction, I have set my exchange date for NOV 19, but deborah made me look at things differently. PLEASE HELP
Blessings to all
Tammy
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Oh Bonnie I meant to respond earlier -- here's hoping that the new PS can help you have the reconstruction you desire!
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Can you tell me what a capsulectomy involves? My PS said she would be doing a partial on each side (on the upper half of each breast). At the time I didn't hear enough to question her. Now I'd like to know what she meant. I should call her, but I was hoping you ladies could fill me in.
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