Exchange City
Comments
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Ruth -- all of those symptoms (red, fever, hot to touch) are signs of infection. Definitely see your PS right away.
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Ladies I am glad everyone is doing good. MBJ I hope you are comfortable. I need to get my nips before it gets any hotter out here or I will be burning up trying to hide them.
It was 92 here yesterday. Ughh I am not excited about summer coming.
Take care all,
Rebecca
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Ruth I had the same thing happen but it was when I still have tissue expanders in. It was diagnosed as cellulitis and I ended up in the hospital for a week! I hope and oral antibiotic will do the trick for you if it is an infection. My experience was horrible. In the hospital for a week on both oral and intravenious antibiotics then sent home with a pic-line and had to go to a infectious disease center for 26 days straight for inravenious antibiotics while still on the oral antibiotics.. I am better now and have had 2 exchange surgeries since with no return of the infection! I wish you the best. Keep us posted {{{{hugs}}}}.
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JKZ, I remember you describing your ordeal. Yuck !!!!! I did get 2 oral antibiotics and will see the dr tomorrow. how long had you had your te's in before you got the infection?
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tnbcRuth, Sorry to tell you this but after my exchange (to gummies -- but applies to all implants), I asked the PS when I would no longer be at risk for infection at the implant site. He answered...NEVER. A foreign object residing in your body is always at risk. Infection can travel various routes, including through your bloodstream. A scuffed toe that gets infected, a urinary tract infection, a tooth abscess .... these and any other sources of bacteria -- even if you are not aware of them -- can all be potential sources for us... forever. One of the disconcerting things I discovered after the fact.
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MFrog: I don't blame you for not wanting to have another surgery. The closer I got to my date, the more I thought I was crazy for putting my body through this. I am just hoping that I get somewhat decent results. My dr. only does fat grafting if he is doing other major stuff.
Annettek: Omg, you are a firecracker! Your husband is a lucky man, lol! Glad everything went well and I bet you look great.
tnbcRuth: I am so sorry to hear this. An infection is most likely and I hope all you need is some antibiotics. I wonder what could have caused this so far down the road? big hugs that it isn't anything serious.
JeanneR: Timtam is in Japan and hasn't been on line. As soon as everything is back to "normal," which I hope is soon for her, we can get you to the picture forum. Whippetmom, Lilah, Firni, Estepp and myself can only get you there but Fumi is the only one to grant access. Tye us in a week or so and hopefully she will be available.
Thank you everyone for all your well wishes. I am thoroughly exhausted right now.
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Hi annettek ...was thinking about you today. I was suppose to have my exchange done today also, but had to cancel due to DH's work schedule. I sure wish I had this over with. Anyway...sounds like you did well and also took care of business in the hospital's finance department ;) They ought to know by now not to mess with a woman who's just spent several months sporting concrete boobs...lol So glad your softies are in...heal well....
Dee
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tnbcRuth: I'd have to agree with the majority of comments. It sounds like infection. I hope you don't have cellulitis. I've known some people who had it. Just get the doc to look at it and get some meds. Hope you feel better soon!0
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So I am on day 6 of post exchange and starting to feel a little better. My only concern is that one side looks like there is a 'shelf' where the upper pole fullness should be and the other side is full. Maybe swelling? I see my PS on Monday so I'm wondering what is the final result supposed to look like, shelf or no shelf?
I'll post pics on forum
Thanks
Jan
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thank you all for being so supportive and wonderful-
Jan I can't wait to se eyour pics and my doc told me yesterday that noway how I looked in these next days or weeks predicated what would eventually be...and if there were spots to *fix* he would address them after some time went by for he absolutely knows I will be freaking out...I do already peeking down -told hubby in a very solemn tone (whiny even) not to get excited as I was preparing myself to be let down and accept whatever. He shook his head at me and handed me a chocolate. hahahaha..I will zing all over the place I am sure - every swelling will be cause for me to freak and ever ping will be a pang. Just who I am....be healthy and happy to you all today- will check back after doc visit at 1pm
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Jan, I have some issues with mine and yes I have a shelf on one side and high up nice full profile on the other. Actually one of mine looks much smaller then the other as well as lower.
annette....reading your posts and especially the one about right before surgery...you sound like a hoot!
lol Hope you are feeling well today. 0 -
Thanks annettek and jan508 and everyone else for your updates on your surgeries and recovery. Nanadee, I sure hope that you get rescheduled soon! That had to be dissappointing to cancel. I had to delay my surgery a couple weeks so my DH could go on a guys ski trip. Thirteen more days for me and I am THERE. I am so looking forward to getting rid of these coconut shells! I too need to get on the pic forum somehow.0
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MBJ - Thanks a lot. I will wait for Timtam to get back online. Poor Girl, cancer, earthquake and tsunamie all at once....not too easy hey?
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Update
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Update on 7mo old foobs, one of which is slightly warm/red/swollen...saw the ps and he said 'its not a critical situation'. I'm on 2 antibiotics and have MRI and blood work scheduled for Monday. He said the foob had 'adjusted position' and could surgically fix it if I wanted. I think he had a hit of morphine before he left the OR to see me because that doesn't make any sense, lol. Anyway, the tests will tell. Its painful to move that arm. Hmmm.
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tnbcRuth: That sounds horribly uncomfortable. Hope it doesn't require surgery! Hugs!
Jan: Give it time-It will be weeks and maybe months before you know what it's finally going to look like. Gentle hugs!
Okay, so my local finally wore off and ouch! Lot's of pain and tightness everywhere. Hope I can drive by tomorrow but I won't hold my breath.
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tnbc; Keep taking the meds you'll be surprised how fast they start working. Thinking of you
MBJ: Thanks for the advice. Hope you find some relief soon.
Jan
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tnbcRuth- You have gummies right? The gummies are supposed to stay in one position in a specific pocket and are textured to adhere to your skin. Unlike the rounds if they turn it will be noticeable. They are not supposed to turn so easily if the pocket is tight enough but it can happen. If it bothers you I think they can surgically return it to it's original position, but take care of the infection first. Wish you the best.
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Sorry you are going through this tnbc....getting that infection stopped is the most important thing-it seems they can fix just about everything else...just have to get infection cleared.
It is a bummer you are hurting MBJ:( My PS won't let me drive until next wednesday at the earliest.
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Had my revision surgery yesterday, and thought of you who underwent yours as well. Annettek, sounds like you came through rockin' and rolling! And MJB, am so glad to hear it went well, althought the pain is a given, your nipple and areola will turn out beautifully. Since that is my next surgery, it's good to hear the nitty gritty details, and I'm afraid of fat grafting, yet if it will make it all look beautiful, I'm ready to go in three months time.
Had a hard time in post op and they suggested I stay overnight at the hospital but in my daze I said I wanted to go home. Came home with three drains, and the corset ace bandage that stays on for a week. Would have been good to have stayed in the hospital!
Won't see the PS until Wednesday. Was up all night in pain, alone, and knocked over my water glass but had to put a cloth on the floor and clean it up with my foot as I couldn't bend over. Then I realized I had a fever, and finally, at 5 am called my PS. I was so disoriented that I wasn't sure what to do, and had a horrible headache, stiff neck, stomach ache, nausea, and it felt like my chest had been chopped up with a machete! But my doctor got me on the right track with meds and I took them, slept, and woke up feeling better, fever gone. PS said the fever was due to the long time of general anesthesia and that I needed to breath deeply, but it hurt too much. Finally able to breathe now that pain is under control somewhat. Think I've gotta go take some more Roxycodone, and maybe a valium, as the pain is creeping up. Hang in there, we've gottta believe it's all worth it and it probalby will be, eventually . . .
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Orchidgal: I am so glad you checked in to let us know how you are doing. So sorry you had a rough nite. We go through alot and we have to believe it's worth it otherwise why put ourselves through so much? I am sore all over but it's not too bad. I think tonight I will try sleeping in an upright position like I did right after exchange. I think it might help. Okay, really sleepy. Feel better, take your pain meds and stop by tomorrow and let us know how you are doing. Gentle hugs.
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skippycris how are you doing? I hope that are you getting through your infection and that things are getting better for you.
I'm sorry I didn't reply right away to your question of me but I'm in Maui right now on a family vacation with limited computer time (2 teens hogging it!).
My redness seems to be unchanged and is not a concern for me. It looks like a slight burn like from radiation but without any pain/discomfort. I've had it since right after exchange sugery - it's under my suture line not on it.
Actually my incision has healed nicely and there is no problem with that area at all. Just under it I have the red blotch (mentioned above) and then an area that is kind of bluish under that. Like a bruise but not and very very soft.
The PS says it could be fluid but we'll just watch it for now. So I have been watching it constantly and it is still there!
I have started "massaging" my gummy side - not really a massage but just a gentle rubbing of the implant edges and along the incision line with lubriderm.
For those other UNIS on here - I too have a symmetry issue with my breasts. I'm 6 weeks post exchange. My natural breast - even with a reduction and lift - has a different slope to it, more droop, and more projection. I found a padded top bathingsuit and I've got a comfy padded bra so I can get a close to even look but if I wear my tank top (shelf bra) or a regular sports bra the difference is noticeable.
My PS warned me about this, Whippetmom warned me about this, Lilah even warned me about this...it's still hard for me to accept that after all this "trouble" to fix things I feel like I am not fixed.
The difference seems to be that whole area of the areola and nipple that projects from my natural breast. On my implant side that area is flat and I've tried to use a breast cup on my implant side to give me more projection and although that works I resent having to do that.
I am learning to deal with this and trying to come to terms with it....
Switching topics completely - I've had a bit of a surprise here in Hawaii with the weird tan I'm getting. I had radiation as part of my BC treatment and even though I've been very diligent with the sunscreen (SPF 70) I'm still getting some colour. The area on my collarbone and my shoulder blade is much darker than the rest of me!
So for those of you that have had radiation and are heading for sunny holidays you might want to get a UV protection shirt for the beach!
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MBJ - I'm glad everything went well with your nipple reconstruction. I'm waiting to hear how it all turns out for you.
Ruth so sorry to hear about your infection and implant position. I hope that the antibiotics work for you and you don't need further treatment.
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My exchange is next week, so excited! I'm not sure what to expect as far as pain, can't really take anything without getting sick, so hopefully tylenol will do the trick! I lost one expander due to infection, so this is the second time around and almost done!!!! I won't see my PS until the day before surgery, anything specifically I should ask? Thanks for you input
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Thanks for the good thoughts. The infection seems to have calmed down some. SWEETIE, yes, I've got gummies. This is so strange. Its like there is something behind the foob pushing it forward and out. But I had tumor markers and cbc last week and they're ok.
I've been having manual therapy for my back (its working!) but the muscle manipulations are brutal. I'm actually bruised in several spots. Nothing near my chest, but there was some intense torso twisting...and compression on my chest for a neck adjustment...I asked the ps nurse about it and she said something like a car wreck could cause a leak...not what i had. But if I try to ask my manual therapist about it, she will deny anything she might have done for fear of a lawsuit. Sorry to vent...I'm just confused about what caused this literally overnight and the new 'shape'.
My son will be here this weekend, so no discussing it with him, lol!! Thanks ladies for listening
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Hey everyone. TbcRuth - glad your infection is better, they really suck. I have my exchange scheduled for April 4,2011. Kinda nervous, not really sure why but I am. Also having a lift on the other side. Should be good times. Hopefully this will be it and no other surgeries in my future. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
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Orchidgal-glad to hear from you, have been thinking about you. I'm sorry you having some pain and discomfort. Hopefully each day you will feel better and better. Get lots of rest!
MBJ-hope your doing well too!
tnbcRuth-It definitely sounds like your gummy shifted positions. It could have been from the manual therapy. It sounds pretty intense. Take care of that infection and feel better and talk to your Dr about how to reposition it back. I don't think the gummies are likely to leak. They are very,very form stable so I wouldn't worry so much about that. Will be thinking of you and hopefully all can be resolved.
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2 weeks post exchange and doing very well. Still sore on the lifted side but the MX side feels great. My MX side is still tight and not sure how soft it will get because he had filled the TE to 430cc's but put in a 475cc implant. Either way I look good in shirts and sport bras.
I have signed up for a Susan G Koman walk in May, I am looking forward to it because I have never done anything like it before. I didn't realize just how much it means to have support until I found this site when I was diagnosed.
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Orchidgirl- sorry you went through all that pain....hopefully things are gonig better now...
Jen and Dawn- how exciting! It is scary but wonderful since it is a positive surgery (in my mind)-no telling about the pain after-all of us are so different and so are the surgeries. But I did learn to get infront of pain and not try to tough it out. Too stressful. I am pulling back from pain pills today (2nd day after surgery) and migrating to extra strength tylonel.
As for what to ask doc before surgery- I asked how long would it take, how many sizes of implants was he going to bring in to OR (since they really can't know before they go in what the best fit will be) and what I could expect after. I was a real mongoose in his office yesterday asking questions no one could ever answer but it was all so strange to see this new chest. He just emphasized it is all changing and will continue to change. That 24 hours or two days or even two weeks will not be the final result. That helps to know.
Good luck and I hope tnbcrith that you get to the bottom of this crap and on the road to feeling better soon
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Annettek- Thank you so much! I know that I will have such a brief time with my PS, so I just want to be prepared, your input is so helpful! I can't believe this journey is finally coming to an end, I'm pretty good with pain and having had 3 surgeries already, this one should be a piece of cake! It's scheduled for 3/26, counting the days!
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