Exchange City
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Hello to all
I'm having my exchange surgery next week, sooo scared, another surgery, more needles, recovery etc... you all know this
Could I have some tips on what ti expect
I had a mx on the left side back in september, then 6 rounds of TC and on Heceptin for a year, I'm stage 1.
thank you ladies
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Tina, so sorry you are having trouble with this. I had one side that just wouldn't seal up. My ps trimmed the edges and restitched me. It took another month for it to close and I even got a fungal infection in the meantime. My gummies were 200cc bigger than I was filled with the TE's and I expected to be smaller, so I had little hope to have the skin seal while it was stretched beyond capacity. But it did. Thinking of you and hoping you have the best outcome with your TE's. There may be bumps in the road, but in the end, everything will turn out just fine
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zlota: Try not to be afraid. The mind really plays surgeries up a whole bunch more than they really are, and this one is, FINALLY, a good surgery. I had no pain with my bilat exchange, but then I had an ooph the same time which was pretty painful from the gas. Everyone is different. When I woke up, I remember feeling way less tight in the chest from the TE's. I was much more comfortable.. instantly. The first time I touched them, I was amazed at how soft and squishy they were and how much they felt like real boobs. I guess I'd really gotten used to the rock hard, iron hubcap feeling! Request Versed if you can... it is my drug of choice! I never remember even being taken to the OR after they give it to me. Girl, YOU'RE ALMOST DONE with this part!! Start getting excited!!0
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Tina:
So sorry to hear that. My sister is also having to do debribement right now so if you have any questions, I can "introduce" you to her a la this website. She would be more than happy to talk or email you if you do. If that doesn't work for her, she is headed for the hyperbaric chamber for healing the "hole'.
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Thanks to all for the encouraging words. I'll keep you posted!
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zlota.... cc4npg is so right. I had my exchange surgery yesterday and like my PS promised, it was so much easier than my BMX a year ago. I don't even remember being wheeled into OR yesterday at 730am, and I came out of anethesia so easily. Was on my way home by 1pm, even stopped and did a couple shopping errands on the way. Today, I have to keep reminding myself that I even had surgery yesterday. Really no pain except when I exert any pressure on my chest muscles, but that is not even bad. I took a couple Vicodens last night and went to bed early. Thought they would help me sleep, but I seemed to be up peeing every couple hours. Always happens to me after anethesia.
I have some heavy duty compression bandages across my chest which are waterproof and was able to shower this morning. Not real crazy about this compression bra that I have to wear on top of those bandages. I actually look pretty flat today with all this compression, but I can still feel how soft these new silicone gels feel. So excited. I just hope that my recovery continues to go okay as I know that problems can develop later... all fingers and toes crossed.
TinaT... so sorry to hear about your setback. Hang in there! That's easier said than done... this beastly disease requires so much patience and I just run out of that some days. MBJ... glad to hear that you are doing okay. My PS wants me to plan on doing my nips in June or July. Might decide to stall that off untill fall though. Thoughts going out to all who are dealing with surgeries and recoveries.
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TinaT: I am so sorry to hear this! I truly hope that he is able to save your breast adn we will all be thinking about you and sending you many healing thoughts. Big gentle hugs!
Joan: I was told by our nipple expert that it's best to wait 6 months before having the nipple/areola done so that your breasts have time to settle in. I had mine done at the 7 month mark.
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zlota: You have been given great advice from the ladies above! Good luck with your exchange!!
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Oooops! Back to shower again today. I called my PS's office this morning with a couple questions and found out that the hospital nurse misinformed me about keeping the compression bandage on for a week. Supposed to come off NOW and make sure to wash the incisions well with soap or I could end up with a big infection in a hurry. I am going to be extra clean today. So glad I called. I guess the hospital nurse is going to be getting a call from my PS.
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Joan: Glad you are on top of it! I am so jealous that you didn't have drains-I had to wait a week to shower and it was not enjoyable. Yay for you!!
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LOL Joan (sorry to laugh but that nurse IS gonna get a call)! Glad you were proactive!
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So, got the compression bandages off in the shower and off comes one of the steri strips completely. Another call to the PS office and they are going to overnight me some new ones. Did any of you keep your steri strips long? The incision looks well without it, but suppose it could open up?
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joan888: For me, the steri strips were crucial to my incision healing. One of my strips came off too soon (I think about a week after surgery) and my incision did end up opening up. But it depends how they sew you up and how you heal. Just do exactly as they say! Personally I think the longer they are on, the better off you are.
TinaT: Oh no! What happened? They debrided you on Monday right? How did they determine that they now have to remove your TE? Please keeps us posted! Thinking of you!!
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just a heads up for those feeling good enough to participate....tomorrow is April 1, April Fools Day! Try and think up something crazy to do!
My girlfriends and I are meeting tomorrow night and one of them has long beautiful hair. She is going to wear my wig and shock everyone. They will be horrified that she 'cut her hair'. Think I will post this on YKYACP because we have a lot of post surgicals that need to focus on that right now
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Rennasus: The necrotic skin and nipple that were debrided last week haven't been healing. I sent the PS some update photos yesterday and last night I got a message to show up today and to be prepared for the OR
. Didn't end up going into OR, but the PS debrided again in the office, pulled 150cc out of the expander to ease up pressure on the skin, cut away more dead tissue and closed up the largest wound with some stitches. He felt the margins were fresh and hopefully it will finally heal. If not, it's definitely back to OR to resect a larger area. He was very optimistic so I'm trying to go with it!!! 0 -
TinaT: I really, really hope this does the trick and you finally heal up this time. Really take it easy. I have no advice to offer except that I truly do hope this works for you! Gentle hugs!
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Glad ladies are out of surgery this week. Me too. It was not as bad as BMX, but I was very naseous from anesthisia. I was throwing up all day yesterday and afraid to eat today. I almost slept 24 hours after on percocet. The severe pain only lasted 1 day. I'm better today. It may take a week to get all this anesthesia out of my body. I really hate that stuff.
Terri
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My exchange is on Monday. Last night I had a dream that the anesthesiogist came in and it was the football coach from Glee, and she took a hit of the anesthesia before she gave it to me. Then the wrong surgeon came in (and it was Paul from American Idol) before they found my surgeon. ARGH. Crazy pre-surgery dreams.
TinaT - I hope everything works out.
I am worried that I'm going to have to postpone surgery. My son has a fever of 103 from some virus. And if I get it, I know they won't do the exchange. I keep spraying the couch and all around him with Lysol. I am so worried about pain.
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LOL Kj -- funny dream!
I hope your son gets better soon and that you don't catch it.
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ibc, for future reference, since I threw up after my mast. surgery, on subsequent surgeries the pre-op nurse notes this and they add something to my gen. anethesia to prevent nausea. It worked for the last 3 surgeries. Glad you are feeling better.
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kjbrown: That was a funny dream! I will pray you don't catch the virus. Try not to worry about pain. For most of us, it is way less than mx... and for some (myself included) it is zero. But either way, they will give you pain meds and it'll be alright.0
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ibc: I had horrible nausea after my exchange and my last surgery they switched up the meds and it didn't happen again.
kjbrown: Wow, whata funny dream! That sounds like something on a House episode, lol. Hope your son gets better and I hope you don't have to postpone. Use lots of antibacterial soap, too.
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Thanks for the nausea tips. I feel better today and can finally eat. I only needed the heavy meds for 24 hours. I did get some anti-nausea meds while in surgery, but he did not put the anti-nausea patch on that helped me during my BMX. He said he was giving me valium to decrease the amount of anethesia he would need to give me. It didn't work too well.
Feeling much better today. Hope all of you coming out of surgery are doing well.
Terri
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Has anyone had hard time finding a second plastic surgeon because you may not have been happy with the first one?
I've found several top PS's but found that they either don't take insurance or they are out of my network. (so frustrating..) Is this a common thing?
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Some women here have found doctors out of their network and they worked something out with them. I went to 3 different hospitals and only 2 took my insurance and to tell you the truth, I just got lucky. I am sure others who were in your shoes will come on to help you!
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Thanks, MBJ! I guess I have to keep on looking more..
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Just and update on my exchange. I finally am able to sleep on my side YAY!!!! AND my exchange surgery was 3 weeks ago today and the pain I was feeling (actually more like a stitch pulling feeling) has finally started to subside. I'm wondering if my inside stitches are finally starting to heal.
Going to go get a bra fitting tomorrow (just for fun). I bought a new bathing suit and boy the 'girls' are liking it!! I have been using sports bras as opposed to the surgical bra I got at surgicenter and they are much more comfy.
I'll let you know what the sizing shows!!!
I'm hoping a "C", was an almost B.
Jan
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Day two, post exchange. Of course, just after I had showered and squeezed back into my surgical bra this morning, my new steri strips from my PS arrived at the front door via FEDEX. Back upstairs to go through this again. Had no problem with the super glue and strips and squeezed back into my surgical bra. I slept 11 hours last night! Geesh! Good thing that I am the boss or I might have been fired this morning. I have some meditation/guided imagery CD's loaded on my IPOD that I listen to when I need to relax and get a good night's sleep. They work fantastic! I used them during chemo and radiation also.
My PS has no problem with me sleeping on my side as long as I have my surgical bra on. He said just no sleeping on stomach, of course. I cannot wait to let these new girls free for a while, but guess I will wait til my follow-up on the 11th.
jan508... sounds like you are doing well and moving on. Bra fitting... can't wait for that. How soon do you ladies suggest doing that? I think that I am going to end up the same size as before BC which is what I had asked for.
kjbrown92... good luck with your exchange on Monday. Sweet dreams!
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Great to hear all the success stories! It's still a ways off for me, but I'm encouraged. It makes the tougher days a bit easier. Thanks!
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I am having my exchange Yahoo!!!! on april 27,which is a wed. my question is how soon will i be able to return to work i am hoping for monday, is that unrealistic? how bad is the pain? I am so excited to get these expanders out I can't wait, nervous but can't wait. not sure what to expect, trying to prepare myself.
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