Exchange City
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For tnbcRuth, or anyone who has had capsular contracture- What were your earliest symptoms before the breast actually hardened? My implants just ache and feel as though they are being squeezed. Not sure if I'm developing cc and am just in the early stages. The usual advice given is to massage the implants but I was told not to do that due to the large amount of Alloderm my PS used. (She said it can take up to a year for the new tissue to integrate and massaging can interfere with that.) I have heard that some PS's prescribe Singulair (asthma meds) to treat and prevent cc. So those who have had cc- what were your early symtoms and did your PS do anything to prevent/treat it other than having your implants replaced?0
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Kate33 - I don't know the answer to your question but read somewhere (maybe here?) that taking Vitamin E can help prevent CC. I've been taking it since August and it made a different in my pain level.0
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Facecrafter - Thanks for the info on 3-d tats. Sorry to hear about your infection. Hope you get bettter soon!0
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Judy, sorry to hear that you are still having problems. At least it wasn't your foobs this time. Prayers for fast healing!
Bonnie, I'm just beyond frustrated for you. I don't know what I would do if my PS showed so much indifference. I hope your weekend goes ok.
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Bonnie ... are you saying your PS didn't even see you?
What is this picture forum you guys mentioned?
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Dawne-Hope- I will add some additional Vitamin E to my "arsenal". Thanks! Someone else recommended Iodoral (Iodine) which vanderlady also recommended for my fibromyalgia. Anyone try that?
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re iodine, MBJ mentioned on the scar thread 'lugol's iodine' and it is helping to lighten my scars. I don't know about the 'lodoral.'
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Kate 33 - my PS also said to take Vit. E for three months after exchange surgery.
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Kate33 -- I had capsular contracture twice and my implant got very firm and moved up high on my chest fairly quickly/within a couple of months after exchange. The PS prescribed 800 mg of Vitamin E and Trental (I think that's the name of the drug) along with massage for 6 months. Trental disagreed with me, so I only took it for about a week. The Vitamin E and massage didn't work for me, but my CC was likely due to radiated skin.
Bec9861 and Firni -- My PS did not see me, but did say (via his assistant in a phone call) that I could call and have him paged on the weekend if I had problems. BIG DEAL! I assured him that I am not sick/do not have a bug when that was suggested. My incision is leaking like a sieve and I'm uncomfortable, but will see what the weekend brings. I'm really frustrated and just want this incision to heal so I can move forward. DH said we're going to ER if things go south this weekend. Cross you fingers that my insensitive doc is right and this will take care of itself.
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Thanks for the info, Bonnie! Really hope all goes well for you this weekend. So sorry you're having these complications.
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Kate - I feared I was headed for CC early on but massage per my PS (even with an alloderm ledge) took care of the tightness. I would find out if you can do any sort of massage, because you really need to keep the implant moving in the pocket. After 3 months, I still have numbness/tender skin/aching and engorgement feelings, but mentally, I am putting this mess behind me for the time being. I guess I've come to terms with the fact that things will never be as they were. Somehow, this has got to be good-enough, if only for now.
I did see the pics and posted mine and got good feedback from Deborah. Maybe a year or two down the road and I'll deal with size and nips. I was only filled to 450cc, and I told my ps I wanted to be a full B or small C. I was told he was taking in 500,550,600,650's and for some reason (can we guess why?) he shoved in the 650's. Idiot. I'm a very full C. I just can't deal with anything more right now and more importantly, I really need to get a job!!!!! I need to be at my best to interview and start a new position, so my energy is focused on feeling whole and well. There is a bit of denial in there, but it works for me! MBJ - my hair grows slowly, so I'll be in a scarf or my wig for at least another 6-8 months. Thanks
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Bonnie -- I'm sorry you got so little from your PS. And will say a prayer for you to get through this weekend without incident. Does he want to see you next week?
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Hi ladies... I am wondering if any of you had surgery at Hopkins? I just finished rads and in the last week when I got another tattoo for the boost to my scar, it appears that my TE was punctured. Crazy! None of my drs have seen this (they're young pups). I am scheduled for a DIEP 3 mos earlier than they were going to do it and now am having second thoughts. Sx is scheduled for 3/8/11. My PS thinks I will have better results with DIEP than implants. Has anyone here had rads followed by implant sx at Hopkins? I'd love to talk to you! What a crazy journey this has been! I'd appreciate hearing from you. thanks ~ Daiva
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Daiva I am in Baltimore, I will private message you.
Di
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Di....did you find someone to stay with you or to stay with your furbabies?
MBJ: The NB plastic surgeon's technique sounds very interesting. Would you be able to switch over to him for the nipple reconstruction?
JUDY: I am so sorry you have had so many medical complications! I am going to keep you in my prayers...
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Heather: You have the greatest wigs! Where do you get them? I have to say though that the dark brown wig you were wearing when we were all in Vegas was just stunning on you!
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Deborah I bribed my niece to stay with her cool aunt Di for a couple days and then my sister for the end of the week to ring in the new year with me. I am going to have to hire a dog walker for two of the days but I talked to my PS today and he said absolutely no dog walking especially since he is a pup. It's hard cause its the holiday and lots of my friends will be out of town plus my puppy seems to need to go out every couple of hours. He's an Aussie so he needs to get out and run a bit but since I live in Baltimore City I don't dare leave him out unattended. I think I got it almost figured out. Thanks for asking
Di
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Whoever said that the exchange surgery was a snap was RIGHT!
The surgery took about an hour. I was in recovery for an hour and then as soon as I got to the outpatient area, they told me that I could get dressed and go home! In at 10:30am and out at 3:15pm. I have no pain; a little discomfort but that's it.
For the mastectomy, the anethesiologist gave me something to "relax" and by the time I got on the OR table, I was out. This time, I had to wait a little while for everyone to get there. The only glitch was that my PS said that I was having a bi-lateral removal of TEs and since I only had 1 on the right side and my other breast was mine, we had to wait until he arrived to confirm what he was doing.
I had planned to take next week off but the PS told my husband that I would probably need 2 weeks. Since disability in this state takes a long time to process, I will probably end up taking vacation time and then applying for the disability for the second week. What a pain.
I see the PS on Tuesday for a follow up. I also got to see my OB/GYN in recovery because he had a patient there. And I got the results of my left breast's mammogram - all normal. Great news all around!
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DiDel - I had my right implant (960cc saline) removed and the pocket repaired with Alloderm and a sling for the implant made of Alloderm. It made a huge difference in the appearance of my foob as well as improving the scar and color. PS is very pleased with outcome. I had a seroma about 3 days after the surgery and had fluid removed three times, but no infection. Now it looks like the left one is going to have to have the same treatment. It doesn't bother me, but the scar is thinning and flattening out. My skin and muscle are quite thin and with these large implants (which I am very happy with as I am broad shouldered and chested) the pec muscle has shredded so the alloderm rebuild really helped. I would go for the Alloderm to help your situation. My PS says he doesn't really like to use it, but in my case it was the right thing to do. Best of luck whichever way you choose.
Nancy
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Bonnie.... I am so so sorry you are still dealing with ANY issues.... SO SORRY sweetheart... boohoo for you. I hope you have gotten help as of this time tonight...
Judy.... I am so sorry for you too! You told me you were better and not fighting.... Packer told me about her time with you in S.... she LOVED it all btw...:)..... if you wanna talk... call me Sunday. XXXOOO.....
Ladies... have a great weekend.....Keep healing.... Keep strong !
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DiDel - didn't see your post about your decision prior to my post. Hope everything works out OK with all of your scheduling and people to walk your pup.
Judy - so sorry you are dealing with another infection after another surgery. Even though it is another location than breast area, it is an infection nevertheless. Good thoughts and hugs coming your way for a quick recovery.
Nancy
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Judy -- Sorry for all the stuff you have been dealing with -- hope things turn around for you very soon.
My leaky incision has almost closed up, and there is still fluid sloshing around in a couple of places. Hopefully, it will not get worse and I won't need to call the PS this weekend.
I'm thinking good thoughts for all of you. Have a great weekend....
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Let me try again ... What is this picture forum you guys mentioned?
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Hey all,
I guess it is time I join this forum! I have been reading through the posts to see what I can expect since my exchange is now scheduled for 12/28. My surgeon used alloderm but the reason is that I am in a big hurry to get the exchange done as my health insurance is changing for the worse on 1/1. So far so good. I did have a number of infections and had to have the left TE removed on 9/9 and both replaced on 11/5. I am hoping that nothing goes wrong as I just can not afford to have any additiona major surgery that I will have to pay the first 10k out of pocket. My BC ride has me going for broke.
BONNIE, I am glad to read that your leaky foob is closing up. I know that feeling of waking up in a puddle of fluid and having my shirt soaked with fluid (i have another name for it but will spare you). lol. It made me sick to my stomach....I hope and pray that yours will continue to get better and heal perfectly.
BEC, I am also looking for the pics mentioned, someone tell us where to find them.
KATE, nice to see you here. You were the first person ever to respond to my first post here and I will not forget you. I am really digging having all of you as new "breast" friends!
To all, peace and loving thoughts for each of you here. Whatta ride it has been for each and every one of us. Here is hoping that 2011 will bring nothing but healing, progress and perhaps a cure so that our children/grandchilren do not have to go through this, ever!! I can dream, oh yeah!!!
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Bec9861 - the picture forum is a separate site from BCO where some have posted pictures. It is private and membership is guarded. I will PM you.
Judy -- I somehow missed your post about recovering from yet another infection from surgery. I am SO sorry! I hope you heal up soon and that there is an end in sight for you -- freedom from more surgery and infections!
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Bec9861: Just saw your post: You can PM either myself, Whippetmom, Lilah, Firni or Estepp and we can show you how to get there! It's a very private site and you have been on BCO long enough that it should just take a couple of days to get you set up. It is the weekend, so be a little patient for a response.
Bonnie: I am so sorry you have such an insensitive PS. It is good news that it is draining on it's own as I hear it can be quite painful to go in and drain it. Hopefully the rest will be now absorbed by your body and you will heal quickly.
Judy: You have always been such a help to all of us in need. I am so sorry that you are struggling with your health and I hope that you heal swiftly and without much pain.
Deborah: I brought it up with my PS (using cartilage) and he said it would remain hard all of the time, so I am not sure that I want that. He seems to be very confident that my breast will not be smaller after the nipple procedure (modified CV) especially since he plans to do more fat grafting. I have tentavely scheduled my nipple for the beginning of February.
Almagetty: When are you going to post your final pictures?!
Kate: I use Lugols iodine for scars but I am also on a low dose of Iodoral. The site that has all of the information is breastcancerchoices.org. You have to follow a protocol--can't just take it by itself and you also cannot take it if your are hypothyroid. If you have any thyroid issues (I do) you have to be careful becuase it can up your T3 count. You also have to detox while taking it using 1/2 tsp of Celtic sea salt in warm water 2 x a day to clear out excess toxins in the body from bromides, which are in many of our foods.
Re: massaging with Allodern: My dr never mentioned any of this and he also sent me to PT, so maybe it's because of the amount your dr used but also because you have the gummies which do not adhere to the skin and needs more healing time. I take Wobenzyme 5 pills 3 x a day with 1000 mg of Vit C for inflamation and this may help your aching. I also take Vit E as part of the iodine protocol.
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TNBCRuth: I have two scarves coming your way. Mailing them today. Found them after finally cleaning house yesterday!
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MBJ -- gummies DO adhere to the skin because they are textured (maybe that's what you meant)? Also: I PMd Bec.
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Dorothy- Good to see you on here and that your exchange is coming up quick! What a great Christmas present for you- Yippee Squishees from Santa! Hope you have no complications!!! BTW- Love your tag line. Have to remember that! LOL!
MBJ- Just to let you know- I don't have gummies, just regular silicone rounds. I am thinking that maybe I should start some mild massage as my PS seems to be the only one that says not to do it. Thanks for all the info about the Iodoral. I was going to order it yesterday but there seemed to be different dosages. I will check out that other site but do you have a dosage you recommend I take? Thanks for the other tips as well. I also got an Rx from my BS to start some PT (is that enough abbreviations? LOL!) so am going to try to start that soon!
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Hi,
My incision closed up on its own last night and I still have a pocket of fluid that is no longer leaking. Also have quite a bit of fairly painful edema under my arm, but am hoping it will go away on its own. Guess I had a bit of a panic attack yesterday -- sorry for the whine.
Have a great weekend.
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