Exchange City
Comments
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Arlene:
Congrats on your eyes and 'new girls'.
I hope you continue to heal well.
Jan
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TinaT thanks for the words of encouragement. I had my BMX on 12/29/09. Lost the nipples in the 1/15/10 surgery and then more tissue in the 12/21/10 surgery. Infections in both incisions and one incision that broke open. PICC line and two IV antibiotics that went almost 24/7 due to the slow infusion rate for amost 7 weeks. The incision took months to close. So I did not get to start my fills in the tissue expanders until late May early June. Finished them in July and finally had excahnge in October 2010. The thing for me was not to loose the tissue expander. So I am glad they are watching it closely. If they take it out it is out usually for 6 months to make sure the infection is gone
Are you on an oral antibiotic? Is it reddended?
Yes it is depressing and scary as you wait and watch. Good luck
I
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Determined: I'm so sorry to read of your tough journey. That sounds like one raging infection. Always a risk with surgery, but extra extra maddening when you suspect it could have been avoided. Again, so sorry...
My PS is 3 hours away. I'm a pretty decent photographer and he is very open to email/picture communication (as is my breast surgeon). The pictures I sent yesterday don't make him believe that there's an infection going on. However, the nipple is so distorted by the scab that it split open at the base and it looked gunky in there (sorry everyone for the gory details). Really freaked me out and I'm usually pretty calm and not easily rattled. Anyway, I was told that they likely will not do a fill at my appointment tomorrow, they'll probably be debriding instead. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!
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already crossed!
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Thank you to all for sending advice and also letting me know about the Breast recon 101 thread as well. It was very informative and I am learning a lot. I am reading the past couple days worth of posts on this thread right now and it too is very helpful. There is so much more to this process than I imagined and I am so thankful to be in the know. I am wishing all of you good thoughts and great healing. Lilah, thank you for your words. Talk soon.
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This is a re-post, I also put it on the implant thread -
I don't know if this is the right place to post this - but I have a question...my daughter was having a "tantrum" and I was helping her up the stairs, and I am 3 days out from exchange. I see some blood, or something dark under the steri-strip now. I don't know if I did something, but I did feel a "pull" when I was struggling with her. It's on the side I had pocket work done on.
I am so upset - not because it hurts alot, but because I'm worried something could be wrong. The surrounding skin is normal looking, and blood is not leaking out from the steri-strips.
Am I over reacting? I am now laying low and hoping that will help. What would you do?
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TinaT: We will all be thinking of you tomorrow!
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Fire Dancer,
I would call my doctor. That's the only person who can tell you for sure if you have an issue.
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Advice please?
I've been 13 days out of exchange and have only been wearing my bra at night but I noticed I'm having soreness on the bottom portion of both girls.
Anyone else experience this?
Jan
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Jan: Have you seen the bra thread? You should be wearing one 24/7 for a really long time, especially if they hurt. Even if you had Alloderm, there isn't any tissue left to support them and they take a year to heal.
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MBJ what would I do without you??
Thanks so much. I'll go check it out
Jan
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I remember at around the 2 week mark my implant side hurt at the bottom too. I felt like my implant was dropping and it was since my PS had lowered the pocket to better match up my natural side.
I'd get it checked out if it's unbearable but I agree with MBJ - wear your bra!
It's funny because when I feel like mine are getting a bit sore - even at 6 weeks - I still put on my surgical bra. It's not the most attractive bra but it really feels the most comfortable for me now.
I also have some non-underwire mastectomy bras (not padded) that I like to wear during the day. They have a wider cup and softer band than regular bras.
I ordered a bunch of Coobie bras and I really like them for under tanks and sundresses but I find that the straps are bit too thin and kind of "sting" a bit on my implant side. My implant is very high profile and I'm still a bit sensitive in the upper pole region.
I saw on TV (while in the USA) a bra called the Genie bra and it looked pretty good - might have to give that a try! I really like the thicker straps and the thicker band on these. I think that Rhonda Shear has a similar bra too.
When putting on these claspless bras I always pull them up my body and then pull the straps away and up. I never put them on over my head anymore - I learned my lesson when I got "trapped" with my arms up and the bra stuck. I needed help and I was home alone!!! Never again!!!
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Marie
Thanks for the info. I guess I won't be going bralass for awhile!You're funny with the over the head bra! OMG what did you do????
Jan
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OMG! Marie I had the same thing happen after my bmx i had a tank top on and i tried to pull it over my head and got stuck for a while. I panicked a little but then i hooked the arm holes onto a hanger and backed out of it. That was the same trick i used to get into my wedding gown . . I planned the whole thing in Key West in 1999 and hurricane George hit and hat to reschedule the whole thing fo 6 months later, and i gained some weight making the dress difficult to get on . . hence the hanger. So I will call this the George maneuver lol.0
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MBJ, yes, I agree that when you add the nip/areola, you see scars less. It's kind of magical. Your eyes naturally gravitate to the center and therefore, don't notice other details as much. Nice to have a little magic kickin' in,isn't it?
Wishing all you good Ladies a little magic in YOUR lives! We all deserve it!
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wow I can't wait to get my magic nipples!!! lol I think i will always think of them that way.
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Carrol2 - "The George Manuever" LOL! That's great!
I got stuck trying to put on a bendon max out sports bra with the straps crossed ... I couldn't hook the back ... so I decided to go ahead and try to hook it and then put it over my head with the straps crossed ... I got seriously stuck ... still don't know how I managed to get THAT stuck ... I live alone and was totally praying for the good Lord to help me ... I finally wiggled out ... but like MarieK ... never again!
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i can't wait for my magical nipples either! Now I will always think of them that way too.
Jan
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hi all - arlene - so great all went well:)
Jan- my doc told me in this bra 24-7 for six weeks after exchange.
I am a bit nervous-saw him wed and he was thrilled. But, on my left breast there is a ripple on the inside (cleavage side). Not always there, depends. I am not sure if this will go away as it keeps dropping and changing...everyone (doc and hubby and nurse) tell me to wait that they are not done yet but I still am worried....anyone else have this then have it go away with time? Will post a pic later this weekend.
Thanks
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Ok, been in the bra 24/7 except to shower and the girls are liking it!
Thanks all
Jan
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Jan: Glad to help and glad that it worked! Whenever mine ache, it's back in the bra time.
MarieK & Dawne-Hope: OMG I did that trying on clothes at some store, don't remember where, but I was in a full panic half in and half out of some top--There I am looking HILARIOUS wondering how I was going to ask for help! Luckily I was able to wiggle my way out. Never again indeed, lol!
Deekaay: I like the sound of it: Magical Nipples!!!
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Tomorrow is exchange day for me! I have no clue why I'm so nervous, this has been such a long journey, and I should be excited for it to end, which I am, but because this is the last step I'm suddenly nervous. What the heck??? I think I'm just so anxious to have this behind me, and I want everything to go well, but super excited it's coming to an end!
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Best of luck tomorrow Dawn. You will do just fine!!!
Happy Birthday to the 'girls'
Jan
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Dawn - I completely understand! It's overwhelming and exciting & nervewracking all at the same time! It's a great feeling when this is all behind you, though. Try to relax today and know you are approaching the finish line! Best of luck tomorrow!
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Christine47: My PS has made my scars smaller with each surgery, have had MBX w/ TEs, then Exchange, and now recently revision w/ larger sized implants to take care of ripples. My scars are now 1.25", and next srugery willl be made into nipps. Hope that answers your question.
Determined: So regret hearing this news. No need to apologize for venting, that's why we're all here, to support one another. How often our plan doesn't correspond to The Plan! Holding healing thoughts for you!
BikerBabe: the exchange was way easier for me than the BMX w/ TEs, yet still you want to take some time for healing and be careful the first ocuple of weeks lifting, reaching, etc. The drop and fluff is easy, the only challenge is being patient. Mine dropped and fluffed about 2.5 mos. after surgery, and it seemd like they never would! Now that I've just had them replaced w/ larger ones in revision, I'll go through the same process all over again. Interesting how the body holds and molds them through time, stretching, and exericse, etc.
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Exchange ladies...I am now a little over 3 weeks in the exchange and I just noticed that the boobs are a little reddish/blue like a bruise. I have been semi-side sleeping and I was wondering if I am bruising them. Anyone else have this? Also..I just did a 12 mile walk since my PS told me all I could do was walk. My husband was like, "Uh a walk is about a 4 mile walk..not 12 goofball." Love him
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ArleneMarie - I have to agree with your husband ... 12 miles was too long for just being 3 weeks post-exchange. My PS wouldn't let me walk on a treadmill for at least 4 weeks post-exchange. I could only ride an incumbent bike at the gym and he wouldn't let me do that until at least 2 weeks out. I would call his office and ask him. What kind of bra did you wear while walking? Does it hurt now? I would definitely call your PS. Keep us posted on what you find out! xo
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Determined: Just thinking about you today. Please let us know how your appointment went.
AreleneMarie: Yeah, 12 miles is pushing it. Also, are you wearing a really supportive bra? You cannot go without for at least a year out until they heal. I would call your PS and please come back here and let us know how it goes.
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Dawne84: Good luck tomorrow and it was much easier then the MX. Yippee Squishees for you!! Just take it easy for the first two weeks.
ArleneMarie, Dawne84, New exchanges: I recommend checking out the Bra thread for advice after surgery. Good luck!!!
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