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  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited March 2011

    Rebecca:  I am still just so happy you are okay :)

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Posts: 727
    edited March 2011

    Me too, Rebecca.

    Love,

    Brenda 

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Posts: 28
    edited March 2011

    Any recommendations on support bras?  I am wearing exercise bras that I found at Walmart that hook up the front.  Thing is that they are not very long and seem to sit close to my incisions.  In fact, one that I thought was healed more was weepy when I took off the dressings.  I think I need something longer.  My last surgery was the 15th.  How long can these incisions take to heal?

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited March 2011

    congrats to everyone who is done with their exchange...cc you look amazing! And I am so excited for those having their surgeries today and the next few weeks...It is so nice to have something exciting to look forward to....I am having my exchange on Wed 3.16 and doc said should be up to something like snuff following Mon...it is a wait and see kind of thing as we all heal so differently....I have a business trip to NYC on 3/27....doc said, you can most likely go with little problem but you will be dragging butt hahahahaha....since I will be able to walk (only excercise he allows though this whole damn process-NY is actually aperfect place-since that is what I do when not working...I walk, and then I walk some more, then a little more walking for good measure. I hope everyone has a wonderful perfect weekend...either healing or prepping...hugs

  • lovesnature
    lovesnature Posts: 15
    edited March 2011

    Hi ladies,

    Has anyone had their nips done, at the same time as the exchange? My PS has asked if I would like to do it then. I trust him, and like his work so far.

    My exchange date is March 28. Soooo nervous!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2011

    Skippycris -- check out the Mirena bras (they have a website)... some of them are longer.  In fact, post exchange my PS gave me one of these and I wore it for about two months 23/7 before buying big girl bras :)  Also: check out the Bras 101 thread for other ideas... or just post this question there.

  • 4Darla
    4Darla Posts: 8
    edited March 2011

    Can anyone tell me if areola tattoos are completed in one visit or a series of visits?  My PS office offers tattoo but they use one color and they look like a bullseye.  I found a cosmetic tattoo artist in my state that is a 5 hour drive away.  She told me I would need to return once a month for a total of 4-6 sessions.  A 10 hour round trip once a month does not sound worth it to me.  I haven't read of others here who mention several sessions to achieve a good looking tattoo.

  • deb1012
    deb1012 Posts: 12
    edited March 2011

    I made it through my exchange this morning.  Whoo Hoo!!  I will say that on the expander side, I am not having any pain but on the left where they had to lift and reduce is hurting.  I have an area under the breast that decided to start bleeding an hour after I got home.  We used extra guaze and finally got it stop.  I am very loopy because of the meds, but happy that the date finally came.  Good Luck to all on upcoming exchanges and sending hugs for those who have had it already done.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited March 2011

    Deb:  Congratulations on getting through your surgeries!  Rest up and take it easy for a couple of weeks.

  • jan508
    jan508 Posts: 724
    edited March 2011

    Again, everyone is different and the PS protocol is different. But I guess it depends on what you have done.

    My PS says no drains but I'm not having any lipo or fat grafting.

    Whatever, I wish everyone great healing!!! Be kind to yourselves and take it easy.

    Jan

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Posts: 28
    edited March 2011

    Thanks Lilah!  I will check them out.

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011

    Deb,

    I see you are from Jonesville,NC.  Do you mind me asking where you had your surgery done?  I am in the triad area.  Still doing chemo, exchange this summer.

  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Posts: 87
    edited March 2011

    quick question...my exchange was about 3 months ago and I have a stitch that worked it's way up through the skin.  It's still there just hanging out.  It catches on my shirts.  Anyone else have a stitch hang on that long?  I called my ps office and since that side was radiated they don't want to 'pull' on it.  It's just kind of annoying.

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Posts: 727
    edited March 2011

    mom3:  Maybe they can just snip it off? 

    Brenda

  • catbill
    catbill Posts: 102
    edited March 2011

    East coast Gir; and Deb1012-

    Hope your exchanges went well today.  I am still sore but doing fine...on to nips in a couple of months.

  • deb17
    deb17 Posts: 1
    edited March 2011

    I have a stitch that is sticking out of the incision from my nipple reconstruction. It's been there since August. At first my PS didn't want to open things up to fix it, but I'm having fat grafting on Wednesday so he's going to fix it then.

  • Lynkoura
    Lynkoura Posts: 8
    edited March 2011

    I'm six weeks out from my uni exchange. I stayed small. I have 250 cc Silimed anatomical textured which matches pretty week in looks to my other side. My problem is that it still feel incredibly hard  and huge. I feel upset about this as PS thinks it is lovely and soft and I can't imagine living with something this hard for the rest of my life. Does modern cohesive gel soften up all all? I need some

  • Lynkoura
    Lynkoura Posts: 8
    edited March 2011

    help with this.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2011

    Catbill -- what kind of dog is that in your avatar?  It's adorable!

    Lynkoura -- I am sorry you're unhappy with the feel of your implant.  Can you tell us the make and model of your implant?  "Cohesive gel" sounds like something between regular silicone and gummy, but I'm not sure.  All in all though most silicone implants (even the gummy, which is the firmest) get softer with time.  I noticed a lot more softness in my gummy implant after 3 months.  6 weeks is still on the early side.

  • deb1012
    deb1012 Posts: 12
    edited March 2011

    Christine, I had my exchange done at Medical Park Hospital by Dr Schneider from Forsyth Plastic Surgery.  He is wonderful, he has done a great job so far.  I will meet with him at the end of next week for a follow-up.

    I didn't have any drains, but I do have an area under the left that is still seeping.  My hubby is going to go get me some more gauze today to hopefully keep it from getting on my clothes.

    I took one of the percocets last night and actually slept very well.  I am taking it very slow and easy.

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited March 2011

    Deb - that is wonderful!!!!!!! Congrats and can't wait to see the pics on forum

  • deb1012
    deb1012 Posts: 12
    edited March 2011
    annettek I tried getting on the pic forum but I can't get the security on my computer to allow it.  I have tried everything.  I got timtam to get me the info but can't get to them, otherwise I would post.
  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011

    Debbie,

    I have had my bilateral mastectomy at Baptist and PS is also there.  His name is Dr. Pestana, and I really like him, so far everything has gone well, but nice to know other good surgeons in the area.  Good luck to you!

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited March 2011

    it is a tricky lil booger, but once i got on, i was in....calling out to all pute wizes to help deb getinto pic forum-=== you might also PM whippetmom...

    good luck

  • deb1012
    deb1012 Posts: 12
    edited March 2011

    good luck to you as well Christine

     Thanks Annettek, I will pm whippetmom and ask her

  • EastCoastGrl
    EastCoastGrl Posts: 206
    edited March 2011

    Hi there! I had my exchange yesterday. All went smoothly. My PS had to open up the pocket on the left side because it was higher then the right as well as open my cleavage a bit on that side. I haven't really looked as them yet. Just what I can see around the sports bra and guaze. (which is coming off today when I shower and get my first real look!) I am very sore this morning (and had a rough night of sleep....was like BMX for me) didn't expect that. But expansion process was not easy for me either.

    I had 550 TE filled to 600. He took Mentor HP 600 and 650's into the OR. He told my husband and the nurse told me that they tried those and sizers and decided the 650's fit my frame nicely. So that is what I ended up with. Right now, from what I can tell, less projection and wide. Hoping some of the wideness is swelling and will go down. I have the lovely flat hamburger bun look. Can not wait for drop and fluff. That does change right? The hamburger bun look? 

    I did have him remove a mole on my right breast, same side as my BC. I also wanted him to remove something else but he said that he really didn't want to open me up too much for the exchange (my biopsy scar but it was right by my orginal incision....I don't know why, but I don't mind the BMX scars but I just do not want to look at the biopsy scar for the rest of my life) 

    Anyway, he said he just wanted to get them in there with minimal cutting to reduce chance of infection. He said "we'll get to those in a revision because the end of the scar over here we may want to revise as well". So guess it's true that most have more then one surgery for these things huh?

    Hope everyone who had exchanges this week are doing well! And to those that have them coming up will be thinking about you! It really was quick and smooth process.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2011

    Deb - have you called your PS's office about the "seeping"?

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited March 2011

    EastCoastGirl:  There is quite a bit of swelling after surgery and yes, the hamburger look goes away in time.  It took mine almost 4 months before the drop and fluff.

  • deekaay
    deekaay Posts: 254
    edited March 2011

    Deb, EastCoast, you are on the other side of exchange.  Yay!  Get lots of rest, heal well.

  • Lynkoura
    Lynkoura Posts: 8
    edited March 2011

    Lilah

    Thanks for responding to my message. My implant is Silimed® Nuance® Textured Shaped Silicone Gel. It feels really hard to me. I would like to know if I can expect it to soften or if this is as good as it gets.  

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