Exchange City
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Just looking for a supportive group...had expanders, replaced with d sized silicone inplants, they hardened, had surgery this last Nov. for replacements, left completed, right one was completed, infection and suture infection problems and had tummy tuck, belloybutton and iliostomy scar done, all with complications...suture maybe issue. In contact now with 2 doctors to see now what my REAL options are...my story is long, but that's behind me now, all I want is to MOVE ON....need you gals for support...thanks.
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Just looking for a supportive group...had expanders, replaced with d sized silicone inplants, they hardened, had surgery this last Nov. for replacements, left completed, right one was completed, infection and suture infection problems and had tummy tuck, belloybutton and iliostomy scar done, all with complications...suture maybe issue. In contact now with 2 doctors to see now what my REAL options are...my story is long, but that's behind me now, all I want is to MOVE ON....need you gals for support...thanks.
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Mstar --- waaahooo! And thanks so much for letting us know. You have been missed!
Stephanie -- welcome!
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Hi! I'm new to this thread and I'm in the process of exchanging out my implants for smaller ones. I am just a little over 2 months post-op. I presently have 469cc implants and after talking with my PS she will be exchanging them out for 340-354cc. She wants to wait till I'm at least 3 months post-op. I was wondering if any one else has gone smaller that soon after DMX. My concern is loose skin and/or sagging. My PS isn't concerned because I'm not fully dropped yet. I trust my PS but was also looking for input.
Thanks, ladies!
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SMH: Welcome! I would trust your dr.--waiting 3 months for additional surgery is standard. Whippetmom on Breast Implant sizing 101 would be able to help more.
Stephanie: Welcome! Whippetmom might be able to help you, too!
MStar: You are very much missed here! Yippeee Squishees for you!!! What size did you end up with? Was the breast fairy generous? Makes such a huge difference once they are soft, doesn't it? Congratulations!!!
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Hello girls!! Finished herceptin last week, had exchange surgery Monday...I'm kind of pouting...I think my new boobs are too small - went with the largest silicone avaiable, but they appear so flat to me! In the beginning was told, I'd have to go with 850cc to be the 'same size as before' - But I thought 800cc up where it should be, would be as good, if not better than the droopy 850's.
Looking to hear from you who've gone before me...I think I hear more of girls wanting to downsize after exchange rather than up it... my husband really doesn't want to hear talk about another surgery...was rather sick from anesthesia this time:(
Thanks!!
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DiDiT: Welcome! I had my exchange on 8/20 and my MX side is just now starting to drop and fluff. "The "hamburger bun" effect is temporary and it will take sometimes months for your body to adjust and for your new breasts to drop and fluff. Give the muscles time to relax and I am sure you will be happier.
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Just got back from the doctor - it's been 10 days since exchange - everything fine - he said to take vitamin E, and that they will soften up some - is this the drop and fluff?
M-Star - glad you are ok - sorrry you had to have drains - no fun.
smh - may I ask why you want to go smaller?
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Great to hear about your exchanges this week... great!
Bonnie.... my arms are hugging you now.... I hope you feel better!
Stephanie.. welcome... just hang around for awhile.. get to know some of the ladies here... ask any question.. and see who can give you the best help.... hang in there sweety... we all seem to need support at some point in this journey... some of us needed support from day 1....
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I'm home! Had the exchange at noon today and was in recovery by 2:30. I finally got to leave the hospital at 4:30 and my husband and I went out to eat dinner. I wanted matza ball soup! It's really hard to put an IV in me. It took 3 times and it was finally put in my hand, and that's the only thing that hurts right now! I did just go ahead and take a pain pill. I hope I'll be awake to watch the Ranger's tonight!
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Congratulations to everyone who had exchanges this week. What a great feeling! So much better than having those expanders.
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the implant on my augmented side is popping out a bit on the bottom..what the heck is going on??? I am three weeks out with a 400CC ?????
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Just thought I'd pop in to say "Hey!" to all the fabulous women of EC! I may not check in often, but please know you all are in my prayers every night! To those of you who are new.....and scared.....feeling alone......EC is here for you.......it was for me for MANY months.....the support here is amazing and beautiful!
Hugs to y'all!
and asr51......Ranger fan.........I'm in Ft. Worth.....
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Val - we watched that playoff game on Friday night that put them into the series. I must say it was quite exciting!
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I've found David Jay's photograph's to be such a huge part of healing emotionally through this whole crappy journey. Here's a great article explaing "The Scar Project" and his endeavour to get the word out that BC affects young women too! Love this guy!
http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/breast-cancer/awareness-month/scar-project?ncid=webmail
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asr51: Congratulations!!
twirlandcurl: Have you PM'd whippetmom or posted your pics on the picture forum to get help?
dawnehope: Love those pictures. Powerful!
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Hi all! I am having my exchange surgery Nov 29. I never thought I'd get used to these damn TE's but I have and not really excited about another surgery. Can someone please tell me what recovery is like? My PS said no drains (yea)!. What about mobility? I was really hurting after my mast but I'm thinking the exchange should be easier than that. I am a little worried about my rads side as it's so achy feeling and tight. I know I have really good ROM but it's not 100%. I feel like I have arthritis in the rads side.
thanks,
k
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sweetie,Valerie,Lilah,MBJ.
sorry i've not been on much ladies. Yes i managed to get the 370gram gummy in the MX style. They still dont look as big as i thought they would but maybe i was just used to the projection of the Te's..
They are not a bad projection and the width is quite good so they dont look tiny....just not as big as my Te's. Still look good enough in a vest so that i don't need to wear a bra though so that good. I know they may still end up a bit smaller cus of any swelling but when i asked the surgeon about this he said they shouldn't change too much at all.
Wearing a light support bra/top just to help a bit but the PS said there is little room for them to go anywhere as they are quite snug and its not like they're huge so they wont be flopping to the sides etc! lol
Had the right drain taken out this morn and it got stuck.was awful.The nurse tried 3 times to pull it out and ended up ringing the hospital for advice.They just said to keep going and it wouldn't damage the implant. The drain entry site has been very sore on that side so glad it's gone.
Going back for a check-up next Thursday at 4.30pm .The other drain should be out in the next day or 2 providing it drains less than 30ml in 24 hours.
So thats my update! I have taken a few pics on my fone and will upload them asap to pic forum but not sure how to do it yet as i have a new fone! =D
take care and i will be back on soon,
Kay, xxx
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M-star- so good to hear from you! I'm glad your doing fine and looking good. Sorry about the drain ordeal. Not fun! Did you see Fore's pics on the forum. She just got gummies too and they look fab. I hope you get some rest and keep us posted on your progress. You know I didn't get the gummies right? I opted for the rounds and they ended up being 450, smaller than I wanted but that's what fit.
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Stephanie - Sorry you are having such a rough go with your foobs and infections. Hopefully you can find a good doc who can fix you up right and get you on your way to the finish line. Thoughts and prayers are with you and big ((((HUGS)))) too.
Jen
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Bonnie, I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable. I hope you realize that I didn't mean to make light of your surgery by saying I had little pain when scar and cc'd implant were removed, I hoped to ease some of your fear. At the time I was very distracted by the mx side, plus, I don't think I have much feeling on cc side. I too had drains and just to prepare in case you do because it was a little scary, had a humongous (but again no feeling to it) bruise down side. My best to you for a quick recovery and getting the drain out soon!
Welcome new friends to EC! Best wishes to all that are recovering!
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Can any of you that have already had your exchange tell me if you were told to put ice on your chest? I haven't heard anyone mention it, but my doctor's assistant told to keep an ice pack on for 3 days. She said put it on for an hour and off an hour. It's pretty uncomfortable and even though I have bandages on under my surgical bra, I don't really feel much swelling.
Thanks,
Ann
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Hey ladies -- thanks so much for all of your lovely comments. So far, I have no idea what my chest looks like, but I feel less pressure there already. The implant felt like a TE -- very hard, tight and uncomfortable. I'm still sore from the surgery, but feeling better today than yesterday. I don't know what they did with my arms in that surgery room, but my opposite shoulder (right) hurts like crazy every time I lift it over my head. Hopefully, that will go away quickly. Tomorrow I go back to the PS for drain and bandage removal -- the bandage is super itchy and it will be wonderful to be rid of it. I can see a huge bruise on the top, inside of my arm, so am expecting more of that where he worked on the scar tissue.
After my surgery on Tuesday we were waiting for the doctor to come in and talk to us, and the nurse told me I could go ahead and get dressed. She helped me to sit up and was surprised to find bloody fluid all over the back of my gown -- the drain was leaking. (I thought it felt wet back there!) Two nurses came in and tried to fix it -- one thought I had a hematoma under my arm, so they paged the doctor and he came in pretty quickly. I think he was expecting to tell DH and I how the surgery went and be on his way, but instead he had to reposition the drain, so he pushed it back in rather forcefully, bled the line, and then put pressure on my side and then on the incision to get the drain working again -- it hurt like he**! Then the nurses cleaned me up and the doc wrapped me all over again and I was finally ready to go. Poor DH was so upset -- thank goodness we were done and able to get out of there!
Have a wonderful day, everyone.
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mom3band1g: You will be so happy once your TE's are out and your soft foobs are in. It's nothing even close to the MX-I got stuck at the hospital all day but most are in and out in 2-4 hours with little to no pain. Did you get any help from Breast Implant Sizing 101 to ensure you get the right size for your frame/body? Whippetmom is a genius!!!
MStar: Cannot wait to see your pics!!! What a relief to get the TE's out and I am so sorry you have those awful drains again. Bet you DH is going to be thrilled with your new foobs--Yippee Squishees for you!!!
(((Bonnie)))): So glad that ordeal is over with and I am so sorry you had to go through it!
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Hi everyone! It's been forever since I've posted. Hope everyone is well. (aside from drain pain - sorry mstar).
I get my new nips on Nov 15th! Does anyone know if there is much pain after? Also, I think I heard about some cone-shaped protectors? Is that true? how big are they? I didn't take any extra time off from work, just the surgery day. Do I need any more time off? Thanks!!
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vmudrow - I feel like my implants are just too big for me. I was a 34A before DMX and now I'm an 34C-D. They look great, but it just isn't me. I am looking to be a full B or small C. I'm I crazy for being so particular? I'm feeling kind of bad about going through another surgery just to down size. I'm afraid of making the wrong decision (there's too many decisions to make with this darn breast cancer thing!!!)
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asr51 - Yes, my PS had me wear ice packs for several days, actually. I, too, didn't really have much swelling, but the ice definitely helps to inhibit it. You look pretty stupid, but I held mine in place with an ace bandage.0
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First time that I am posting on Exchange City...Been a very long road..I had a Lat Flap/TE done on my Left at the end of May (had just the TE on my Right in Sept. of last year), then I lost my drain in my back too early causing a seroma in my back (had 560 cc removed the first time my PS did it!) then I ended up having an infection middle of June on one side, then another infection on the other in the middle of July! So, I am now still on anti-biotics until I am done with all my surgeries!
I was originally suppose to have the exchange on Oct. 12th, but I had an appointment with my Onc. and my potassium was low and my PS said she wanted two things to happen before she rescheduled:
1. Know why my Potassium was low.
2. To have it raise to normal.
Found out why (I had my period just before the blood draw) and was able to raise it in 5 days almost one point! So now my new exchange date is Nov. 4th. I am nervous that something else may happen. I love my PS because she gives SO MUCH to her patients..even the other PS she works with bends over backwards for their patients. My last infection, the PS went and got the wheelchair (at 10 at night!) for me because I was so weak and personally took me over to the hospital from her office..I have 3 kids (a 10, 6, and a 2 year old...found the lump when I was nursing my 7 month old at the time)..my hubby stayed out in the car while she was looking at me..They are wonderful people.
I have been through a lot of pain from the TE. I am still on vicoden (don't take it when I drive) and the pain gets worse when I start moving my arms a lot like when I walk or do laundry or sweeping the floor. These things are like a ROCK and hurt SO MUCH!
The implants are nothing like the TE are they? I know that there are a few who have had problems still, but I think it is only a few who do. Opinions?
Please pray for me that everything goes well on the 4th..I am SO ready to have all this stuff behind me!!
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Thanks, Val, for letting me know about the ice packs. Did you just put it on the top or did you wrap it around the sides also? I live in Dallas, so we're fairly close.
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Colette37 - Welcome to exchange city! I'm so sorry it's been such a long hard road. The good news is, the implants are nothing like the TE's. I had so much pain with mine, especially on the left side. I have some lingering pain, but it is getting better! I saw an OT about six weeks out from my exchange and she thought the TE on my left side had sat upon my ulnar nerve.
It is WONDERFUL that you have such caring, sensitive docs! That is a blessing! Hang in there, you're almost done and November 4 is a week away! It will be here before you know it. I will pray for you - health, healing, strength, no infections, uneventful recovery and a beautiful result!
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