Exchange City
Comments
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Jeanne: I just saw your post and I am so sorry you aren't feeling well and that you have a rash from the steristrips. Can you contact the PS nurse? She does alot for my PS when he isn't available and maybe she can get you in to be looked at. Gentle hugs!
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Jeanne - this is a very traumatic time, so just go ahead and be upset/annoyed/mad! With the help of many wonderful women here, you'll get thru this and get it all figured out. From what I hear, revisions are covered by insurance and there is not a strict time line. I am looking at a reduction after I get over the trauma of the last 9 months....I asked for B and got D. I am thinking (hoping) it can't be near as bad as the exchange, and as much as I hate this prolonged recovery, I'm going to do it.
I know you're frustrated, but hang in there. Hugs!! and if you just need to vent...there is a 'bitch,moan...thread I enjoy a lot!
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Jeanne - I'm so sorry to hear that you will have to go through another surgery because you asked for B and got D. Why would a PS do that? Must have been his personal preference. Best with swap out to B.
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Switch it around...Jeanne asked for D and got B....I got it the other way....we should have switched ps's! I think we need to get a guarantee from the ps that they will give us the cup size we request...how hard is that doctors?????? Whippetmom- bestowing upon you an honorary MD!
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Jeannie, so sorry you are struggling. I agree that calling th dr on call or your PS nurse is a good idea. Can't hurt and you might get a good suggestion. If they told you to put antibiotic on the incision, do it. Your biggest enemy is infection so you want to keep that at bay.
I, too, get major skin issues from anything other than paper tape. My skin was sensitive before but it was chemo that changed it to hyper-sensitive. Of course, there's rads. Forget anything sticky with plastic! Ugh.
All the other sisters summed up the post exchange business. At some level, we grieve for our lost breasts and lives before bc and I think the exchange magnifies those losses--very emotional time. BUT it is the start of a new phase that hopefully will be okay. Let these new breasts settle in and know you have choices in the future. We are here for you. hugs, deekaay
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Ditto what Jerusha said. Most of us feel what I call post-partum depression upon exchange. I think at MX we are prepared for it but then we are so relieved it is done and the cancer is gone (we hope) that we focus all of our energies on the TE process and the end result (the exchange). But the true end result does not really come into view for a 3 or more months (the drop and fluff, Chicago, is when gravity works on the silicone and it takes on a more breast like shape -- settling down and also a little more out). I too was very depressed post-exchange and it took several weeks for me to feel better... months till I got to where I am now: which is content with my results. Some end up more ecstatic, some content, and some go for revision (larger implants being one option, often going to a different PS in the process). Ultimately it's about accepting the new you... and understanding that these are not replacements (as Jerusha said) but something else that is way better (for most of us) than having nothing but not the same, exactly, as having your old breasts.
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Well said Jerusha and Lilah!
I have periods of "buyer's remorse" when I look at my breasts but I'm hoping that will get better as the implant settles and the skin issues improve.
As I told my hubby - I'm too old to go to the nude beaches and my stripping days are over so as long as I look good in clothes I'll be ok.
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Hope you are feeling better MBJ! My exchange surgery is coming up (March 4th) and I'm trying hard to dodge all the sickness! Hard with kids.
So far so good....I have not worn bras with my TE's. Just NO way in the world, nothing fits and it's just uncomfortable. I have, however, worn tanks with the little elastic built in bra type underneath most sweaters, shirts, etc. It's wonderful not having to bother with a bra but must say I'm looking forward to shopping for some pretty ones and wearing them again. Part of the whole feel of being feminine again. (these TE don't feel very feminine or sexy ha)
I do have the TE with the tabs that are sutchered into place though. These things don't move a bit.
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ah....... MBJ............ honey........ crapolla..............
Sorry you are putting nips on hold..........GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
xxxooo
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Marie -- I think you will be happy long term... and you know what else is nice? Being done with surgery for awhile and getting one's energy back! Nothing like feeling like your old self again to make the new normal feel NORMAL.
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New photo -- hair! I wonder if I'll have as much as you do Laura (this time next year) -- I am pretty sure you're about a year ahead of me.
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Lilah!!! I didn't recognize you--I had become so used to the hat. Good for you!!!
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LOL -- I figured it was time for an update
I think my hair grows slow (or maybe it was the Herceptin) because you finished Chemo after I did MBJ, but you have MORE hair! 0 -
Lilah -- It's a tad pricey, but Elon Matrix 5000 worked WONDERS in helping me grow back my hair. I lost my hair last year from a completely different illness (yeah, fun year, good times), and the Elon Matrix has helped make it grow back like a weed! It's a combination of a high level of Biotin, as well as Silicone Dioxide and L-Cysteine, two other hair and nail strentheners. Hair juice for sure!
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Hey Lilah, You look super
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Lilah you look beatiful! I love the new picture. I remember when I fist met you in Vegas. I pictured as being a taller women.. but you were just a little bit of nothing or somthing LOL
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Hey everyone!
I had a unilateral mastectomy in April of 2010 with a tissue expander placed. I didn't know I was BRCA positive until after my surgery so hadn't planned on doing anything prophylactic on my healthy breast. Once I found out that I was BRCA 2 positive I finally decided to do a nipple sparing mastectomy at the time of exchange and my plastic surgeon placed 370 cc textured implants (allergan) on both sides three days ago (still pretty sore). I told him I wanted to be a little bigger than I was before surgery and he said he would try. I'm very small with a 28 1/2 inch ribcage, 5'4" and 110 pounds. I have a J-lo booty and am hoping my new boobs match the junk in my trunk.
Anyone have an idea about what size I'm going to be? Thanks!
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Hiya ladies!!
wow...i missed 60 pages.... =((
How are we all? My boobies are settling down ok. Still a little odd . Seeing BS on Wed so will express my concerns. Think i'll have to make appointment to see BS ans PS together to discuss further options. My left upper pole is still flat compared to the right...
But on the plus side.........
I'm wearing a 34C bra!!! WOOOOOOOPPP!!!!!!! =D
Back at work now.Been very busy, hence my lack of posts (sorry).
Hope you are all keeping well and i'll update again soon.
Take care,
Kay xxx
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Kay: Wow, you look amazing in your new avatar!!! Rocking the cleavage, girl!!! I have so missed your posts and updates. I hope that you will be able to have all of your issues addressed when you meet with your doctors.
Rescheduled my nipple/areola surgery for March 15. Still a bit sick with the flu but I am on my way to recovery.
shredbetty007: Welcome to the Exchange City thread. You will be pretty sore for at least a couple weeks after your exchange. Be sure to do no lifting, stretching, or much movement with your arms until you heal up a bit. I remember I felt great afterwards, although sore, and I over did it a couple times. Couldn't drive comfortably for a month!
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Lilah: Your hair reminds me of mine when I went to Spain in October! I use tons of stuff to help make it grow. If you are interested, there is a great Hair, hair, hair thread which talks only about tricks for getting more hair now
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Lilah - Great new picture!
MBJ - Hope you're over your flu.
Jeanne - Hope you're feeling better and that the rash has cleared up.
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Ladies I am having my uni exchange to round silicone and lift on the good boob next Monday 2/28. I have ambivalent feelings about it as opposed to raring to go have it in the last couple of months. This was supposed to be the consolation prize, now it seems so many things can go wrong with it
Please keep me in your thoughts next Monday ...0 -
Thanks Ladies re: the pic. I think I look frumpy and middle-aged (but my inner me thinks I am still 20 and HOT lol). Still, I am happy about having that much hair! This time last year I think I was rocking a good case of 5 o'clock shadow. The post-chemo weight gain sucks though (I lost weight during chemo -- go figure -- but it was because I could not eat... not a great way to lose it and I guess my body overcompensated this year. Sigh).
Jennifer -- you are way too kind saying I'm little! Ha ha ha. I need to lose 20 pounds (working on it and you are an inspiration!) I wear heels all the time (at least 3 inches) and people often ask me how I can do it and my answer is always: "in my mind I am larger than life" -- I think this translates to my forum posts (my self-image of being taller
Ladies -- all of you! Thanks for the nice words about my new pic.
KAY -- OMG YOU LOOK BODACIOUS in that new avatar. Are those your implants? You look terrific and I agree with MBJ: I have missed hearing from you!
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MBJ-Thanks for the advice! i will be sure to take it easy for a couple weeks. I already told my boss I'd be out for around 4 weeks, but she isn't expecting me for 4-6 wks. I'm a triathlete so the hardest part for me is going to be sitting around on my bum for the next couple weeks. Do you know when I'll be able to do push-ups and bench presses again? I'm guessing at least a couple months?
Letlet-
You will be in my thoughts! I was extremely nervous before my exchange on Friday, and couldn't stop crying! I had an exchange on one side and a nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on the other side. Knowing that I would be losing sensation in the nipple of my healthy breast devastated me. however, I knew it was for the best and I feel like I made the right decision. Stay strong girlfriend and I'll be thinking about you!
Cheers!
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shredbetty thanks! I feel more emotional as the day approaches.
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Letlet: Big hugs!!! The exchange was soooo much easier then my MX. I cryed all of the way into my MX surgery, but I just wanted to get the exchange over with. I know that you are having a bit more done then I did (although my PS did do alot of pocket work). Have you had help/advice from Whippetmom about your procedure? If so, then you should be in good hands. You will be in all of our thoughts on Monday.
Flu still hanging on and I am all feverish but today is better then the last few days!
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shredbetty: Great name for a triathlete!!! Well, there are going to be some excercises that will no longer feel comfortable, and push ups may be one of them. The problem is that they usually cut into your pectoral muscle to construct a new breast, so it no longer works the same--It will feel weird and it could possibly undo the PS's work! You may have to modify how you do your workouts. There are a few ladies here who are incredibly fit who will be able to give you more information than I would!
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Thanks MBJ! I keep an eye open for those athletes out there who can let me know what I should and should not do with my new boobies.
I noticed you had fat grafting. Was that because you had rippling/dimplng on your breast after the surgery? It's only been 3 days post op, but there is a bumpy area at the top of my nipple sparing breast...I can't tell if it's from the drain, from swelling, or from the implant. My PS said will go away, but I'm a bit skeptical. Did the fat grafting work well for you?
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Hey Shredbetty -- I think there are some here who were very athletic (like you) who have reported getting totally back to their old routines... though it does take time and I'm sorry, being not terribly athletic, I have not committed it to memory. Try writing a PM to MonandDeclan... I believe she is an aerobics instructor and is one who can specifically tell you how she got back to regular workouts (or not if that is the case).
Also -- 3 days post-op is VERY EARLY -- there is no doubt some swelling going on. You need to rest and heal for a few weeks at least before questioning lumps and bumps (the exception is any sort of rash or any sort of fever). Is your drain still in place? They do thread those well into / around the breast and if your skin is thin you could be feeling that (I suppose). Hang in there!
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Is there a furmula where your breasts should sit on your chest? I googled it but the one formula I could find left too many unanswered questions. It said: bent your arm at the elbow so it sits at 90 degrees across your chest. Your breasts should sit halfway between your elbow and your shoulder. I couldn't decide if they meant your actual elbow or the bend in your arm. I also wasn't sure if they meant the center of your breast or where your fold should be or ???? Of course I'm asking because I am concerned my implants are sitting on the low side. Although, without clothes they seem perfect but when I'm in clothes, they just seem a bit too low. It may be because of the anatomical shape of the gummies makes the look bottom heavy. Anyway, I'm just wondering if there is some formula/measurement that is used.
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