Exchange City
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Yay! I'm done! I had my exchange yesterday. I ended up with 600 on my mx side and 300 on my lifted side. The lifted side took twice as long as expected. Im not sure why. I'll talk to the doc on wed. so the entire surgery was 4 hours. From what i can see, it looks good. They are in the right place anyway lol - not like last time.
thank you so much whippettmom and lilah and all others for your support!
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CONGRATS TO EVERYONE ON THEIR RECENT EXCHANGES! How cool to celebrate something that helps to make us feel more whole. I am so happy for all of you...
At risk of sounding like a nag...please consider wearing a bra a little longer even if PS says you do not have to- it really makes a diff in the final outcome of the new "us"...it is widely varied as to what is suggested and my PS said he wishes it was mandatory with implants or a procedure standard. I was resistant to it and he simply said you have gone through so much for so long why rush this part which will make you feel and look so much better? There- had to say it. I will shut up (for now).
Bigger, smaller...who the heck knows....I keep thinking not projecting my hubby says perfect...but he is a leg man (and those things are in flabby shape -for now:) He reminded me I used to fuss over my boobs anyway- siz shape etc....it looks like i am shaping up to be a full C- i tried on a regular bra and it does seem to fit well hahaha
I am going off to buy fake nipples and maybe some pasties to surprise hubby tonight hahahaha ROFLMAO...there is a stripper shop that I have driven by a million times- I am thinking I am stopping in there today- why not- I feel like laughing and having some fun...first time since this whole friggin mess started that I am feeling more like me...
I hope everyone gets a chance today to feel like themselves..for however brief the moment- let's celebrate that gift
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Claire -- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Claire and annettek so good to hear your surgery went well and that you are so happy. Thank you for sharing that with those of us still on the journey.0
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Annette -- LOL on the stripper shop. You GO girl!
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Even though the surgeon said I didn't have to wear a bra anymore I'm still searching for one I can wear (for one, so I can get a little cleavage). I'm a 32-34, and I bought a 36 for after surgery and it wasn't too bad painwise, but still made my back spasm. I ordered a Coobie bra and that definitely hurt, so I'm exchanging it for the plus size that the order-taker said I'd swim in, but maybe that one will work. I do want some support while they're healing. I just don't want to be on pain meds all the time for my back just because bras make my back spasm. If anyone knows of a bra without elastic on the bottom, I'm willing to try anything!
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Kjbrown92 You can get front closing bra's from Walmart for about $9.00 I can't wear underwire and its hard to find bra's with out underwire. Bali makes bra's with out elastic but hook in the back. Hope this helps.
I am two days out from my exchange. Had my follow up appt. with the surgery nurse. She said" Oh you had your expanders put in" I thought they looked small but WoW! Then she said " your still swollen give it time". I have my PS appt. May 3rd. Anybody have the same reaction when they first got there exchange?
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Yippee to all of you who are flying through your recent exchanges!!!!
Annette, have a blast tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hello to all you post exchange chicks,
I have several questions that maybe you can answer? How long did you wait after chemo for your exchanges?
Do most surgeons excise/remove the original scars with the exchange?
Currently my TEs look ok, but I seem to have a fairly large flat space between my TEs, can I expect the implants to be a bit closer together so I have some clevage?
My PS used only glue for the closure of my original surgery, anyone else have a PS who uses glue instead of sutures?
I am trying to focus on something positive instead of my upcoming and last chemo in 13 days.
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Kjbrown92: I guess it depends on where your incisions are but what about one of those adhesive bras or some kind of adhesive bandage that doesn't have any back at all? It seems like I have seen some post op photos where adhesive foamy bandages were used to support the implants from the bottom and sides. I had something similar on the areas where my PS did fat grafting to keep everything smooth. They stuck for about a week after exchange though and I wasn't supposed to get them wet so they might be too sticky for your situation.0
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Christine, I had to have rads right after chemo so my wait for exchange was 9 mos. after the end of rads. The wait is much shorter w/o rads. My PS did not use the mast. scars to reenter. Instead he went into the fold under the breast to do the exchange work. That way your mast. scars continue to heal and the new scars will be hidden. My PS does internal stitiching and used tape on top of that. The space between TEs is really common for many of us and yes, your PS should create better cleavage for you at exchange. Some get a lot, some less but much better than the TEs for sure. I am sure others will chime in here with their experience.
The end of the chemo road, good for you! It was the roughest part for me so I feel your pain. But you are almost DONE and you can move on to the next steps of putting your life back together. hugs, deekaay
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Hi Deekay, I Guess i should feel lucky?? i finished rads (28) march 9th ,and will be have my exchange by the end of may. Was your skin burnt or did you r have problems?? Maybe just everyps is different ,my skin is in good condition just want this frisbee out! so was it rads and chemo that took 9 months or after your last rad you actually had to wait 9 months?
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KJBROWN92, ive noticed alot of ladies here have back problems or am i misunderstanding? i have had a knot in my back for months now i had 2 massages with my own massage therapist but she did not get it out ,now i have physical therapy through my insurance, i figuring its from being off balance with the t/e in my left side so long?? whats up with your back ??
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Hi ladies,
Quick question: Are drains usually put in with TE exchange? Or does it vary by woman and PS?
Thanks!
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Rennasus -- it varies by PS (and, to some degree, woman).
Beacher -- I have occasional pain in my right shoulder blade.. which is directly related to the pectoral muscle on my chest that was stretched for the implant. (I'm a uni so don't have this problem on my left side). I am not sure that lower back pain can be blamed on TEs and implants, though.
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Rennasus: When I had my mastectomy/TE drains removed I asked about the exchange surgery. I was told to plan on drains and then it would be a pleasant surprise if I didn't need them. My PS said that they will "clean up" during that surgery, meaning that if any capsule has formed during the TE process it will be removed, etc. So it does seem to vary with each patient, at least with my PS.0
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Rennasus my PS originally said 20% chance i would need drains. But then later he said he has had a lot of hemotomas and seromas, (one is a fluid build up and one is a blood build up, i think,) come up so he feels it's better to use them than to have than have a chance of that problem. They are really annoying sometimes they pinch a little but emptying them is no big deal. I kept mine in the pocket of my camisole with baggy tops over it, and was able to get around fine like that. I got them out at my first post op one week later. I jsut stayed home that week anyway.0
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Thanks ladies! I was going to give my marsupial pouch away but will hang on to it until after exchange.
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Lilah - I have same issue, thought I had pulled something, (yeah old age!!!! LOL) attributed it to another strain, oh well, mending well. Found it flairs up now and then, pretty much resting all body parts until I can bounce back a bit better...hope you all here are doing well...looks like a bit of spring heading our way mid-week! Yipee.....gentle hugs to all...
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Beacher: It was suggested by my lymphatic masseuse to take a tennis ball and lie on your back on the floor with the ball between your shoulder blade and your spine on the side where it hurts. Your lat muscles are being pulled forward as your pec muscles are being expanded. Lie on the floor for a minimum of 5 minutes. It really helped me.
Christine: I never had cleavage being a barely A prior to the mastectomy and the TEs gave me the closest I ever got to cleavage. When I asked my PS if I could have more cleavage after the exchange, he responded that the implants will fit my breast area and rib cage area similar to what it was like before. I now have my 34B high profile 350 silicone implants in (6 wks ago) and he was right. Yes, they look fantastic but I still do not have a lot of cleavage. They are really softening up due to my massages and the burning/ache of healing is getting so much better. Hang in there. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well and comfortable they are after those dreadful TEs.
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Hello everybody,
so glad I found this thread. I am into my fifth with TEs and a little bummed about still having pain. But I keep reminding myself that it is getting better.
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My exchange date is set for next Wednesday, April 27th! I'm so excited! Here's a question though... I teach part-time in the evenings at a college, and I have a class that night. The procedure is scheduled for 12:00 as outpatient. What's the likelihood that I'll be able to teach my 6:00 class? Trying to figure out if I need to make arrangements with the students. It's the last class of the term and they have big projects due, so I really shouldn't miss the class, but there's no way I'm delaying the exchange a couple more weeks, which is what I would have to do otherwise. What can I expect to have happen when I'm done with the surgery?
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JoanDavies: Yikes, that seems to be cutting it awfully close. So many what ifs.....what if surgeries are running behind, what if they have trouble starting an IV, and won't you still be under the influence of medication? I haven't had my exchange yet, still in the TE phase. I am also curious now to know what "Exchange Day" will be like when the others chime in.
In any case, best wishes for the best outcome!!!
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Joan:
You will be getting anathesia so if your surgery is at noon I would guess you are not going to make a 6 pm class. Anathesia had a tendency to stay in your system for awhile so I'd just go home and rest if I were you. Let you body heal, take it slowly. Also, I don't know if your PS will be using drains with the exchange.
Good luck!
Jan
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kj- i bought the danskin front zip bra from walmart and I LOVE IT...so comfy and holds everything where it needs to be..I have posted a pic on the pic forum of it )and it does help with the cleavage)
joan- that seems like an awful quick turnaround- no matter how fast you heal and feel...inside your body needs the rest following exchange...truly, it will pay off in the long run.
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Annettek:
How have you been? Feeling better? I finally got rid of my soreness but I have to stay in a bra. I was hoping I could get back in my cami's but I don't think that will happen. Went to Dillards and this woman measured me (36C) and I bought a Wacoal bra which I love. I was 34 barely B before surgery. Hmmmm...now I have to go buy new tops
Jan
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Hey Jan! I am doing good...less soreness everyday...i too am a perfect 36 C- which is wonderful-exactly where I wanted to be. I am just nervous as crap today since I have to have PET/CT (combined) tomorrow before my appt with onc on wed for thre emonth followup...so it is driving me nuts worrying...it is just to double check some spots from the CT scan before BMX that showed up on my liver as too small to classify. The BS and original onc called them beneign but new onc said we have to check to make sure..so of course I am a nervous wreck...would be a nervous wreck if i didnt have it since I would be worrying anyway...argh...hope my nipples come in the mail...stripper shops did not have them (that was an interesting little adventure hahahaha) so I bought em on ebay for 10 bucks! We'll see...
in the meantime...i am just plain scared
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Thanks for the feedback. I kind of figured I would be cutting it close. I'm sure if the procedure was at, say 9:00a.m., that would be a different story. So, I'll have to make arrangements for the class. It's worth it to get rid of these hardballs and get some softees in place as soon as possible!
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you will love em joan- and they just keep magically getting better as the weeks go by...i am in my fifth week and they are so much softer than they even were last week....
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Joan:
Yes, Annettek is right. They just keep getting softer and softer...nice...and they look better and better every week. What you see day one is not what you will see a month later so be patient.
Annetek:
I will be praying for a good outcome on your scan. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but I'd be scared too for sure!!!!
I had a chest xray which was good and I have a bone density in May before seeing onc in June. I hate all these tests!!! I go to a new gyno July 1st so I'm sure there is a trans vaginal ultrasound in my future UGH....but better safe than sorry.
Praying for you !!!! God Bless
Jan
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