Exchange City

LOL, I love my PS.  She is wonderful.  She felt my soft fur before the operation  I have several wigs but only wear 2.  She even notices when I wear a different one for regular visits.  I think that's pretty amazing for the large number of patients she must see on a daily basis.

Citykitty, I was worried about losing my wig.  My "good" two also cost a pretty penny.  I have Aetna insurance, and they were supposed to cover my cranial prosthesis, but because of a mixup with my "case coordinator RN" who gave me bad info, I had to pay out of pocket, when my insurance was supposed to cover up to $500.  I am still angry about that.  Some BS about out of network wig provider, when there were no in network providers in my area.  Insurance companies suck.  Where in NJ are you?  I'm across the river in DE. 

Citykitty I was at Sloan Kettering in NYC.  When they took me to the changing room (to get out of street clothes into hospital gown and booties) I asked the nurse there and said it was fine.  My guess is this is not that unusual a request there. 

Oh yeah, I'll be taking my vitamin D with Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate ice cream just to make sure it works!  That's a script I can live with. 

Lilah, no, I didn't know Vit D's relationship to breast cancer.  My low levels just showed up on routine blood work through my Primary.  Onc did not order.

My PS said to wear the surgical bra for 7 days.  I had a follow up 3 days after my surgery and she said to wear it for another couple days.  I'm a week out and I ditched it.  I haven't had a bra on since last October!  She said it was ok...she's the expert, right?  I have read so much on here about underwire, not underwire......i think it is all a matter of opinion.  Sometimes it's hard to know what to do.  I follow my Dr's advice. At the end of the day none of it probably matters.

so, last night was my first night sleeping without a bra.  I have to admit although it felt comfy I woke up quite sore this morning.  Hmmm....the 'girls' were not happy it seems

I'll have to try one of my coobie bras tonight and see if they feel better.

Jan

Hey all-had exchange yesterday, all went well, just a little sore today (and itchy for some reason). But I have a crazy question...TEs were 330cc (hoping for a full . Dr. placed Natrelle 20 350cc on one side, 375cc on the other (inserted in the fold). I just took a peek under surgical bra and gauze and I look as flat as I started out (which was an A cup!). This is impossible right? Are they just smashed in there/settling in? This was a bit of a shocker...I was expecting a softer version of the TEs! Anyone else experience this? Please tell me 350cc implants can not be an A cup!

takeadeepbreath... congrats on getting that exchange done.  That surgery and recovery have gone so easy for me.  My exchange was about 3 1/2 weeks ago.  My PS ended up having to use smaller implants(Mentor 325)  than planned because he said my radiated side was too tight.  I am a bit smaller than prior to BMX, but can wear my old B cup bras no problem.  I am scheduled for another exchange and fat grafting on June 15 and he plans to use 400cc then.  I sure don't have any desire to be anything bigger than a B+ or C.

I have gotten back to swimming, tennis and everything else so I am a happy camper these days.  I haven't worn a bra to bed in over a week.  I think maybe that is more possible for me with these smaller foobs though.  I have some really good compression bras for running and they really are good at keeping things in place.

vmudrow....I used to play in a competitive travel league for several years, but then decided it was time to get another "life" after my children were on their way.  Now I play in two permanent time groups at our racket club with pretty much the same ladies, and do some subbing when I can.  I'm a 3.5 player.  It seemed harder on my fellow players than it was me when I came back to play.  I could see them holding their breaths and wincing when started taking my first swings on the court after my BMX and exchange surgeries.  I guess they were feeling the pain for me, as I sure wasn't feeling any.  LOL.  I know a few ladies had been quite sure that I would never play again, but SURPRISE!  I was out from April to October last year while going treatment.  I love getting out on the court and pounding that ball!

Joan - if you ever come to Utah we will have to play tennis.  I also have to permanent time groups during the winter with the same group.  I am a 4.5 - had to miss May and June of last year, played with TEs during July (turned 50 in Dec. so I was able to play 4.5 seniors) - then had my exchange in October, so out for another two months.  But have been playing for 4 months now.  It does feel great to be able to play again.  I had PBMX so no treatment besides surgery.  I am bigger than before surgery, so it has taken a little getting used to.  Can't wait for the rain to stop here so we can play outside!!  Any other tennis players out there? 

Valerie

vmudrow... you'd probably kill me on the court.  Ten years younger and 4.5... I'd love to play with you sometime and easy for me to get to Utah (airline privileges).  Maybe we can get up a BCO tennis team, LOL.  My biggest problem on the court right now, is finding a shirt that doesn't look too obviously tight with these foobs.  Had to pick up a few bigger shirts to get me through the TE stage.

joiedevivre... good luck with your revision next week.  So sorry that this has drug on so long.  ((Hugs))

annettek. EBay nips!  That is hilarious.  Is there anything you can't get on EBay?  I may have to check that out! 

x-raygirl - I hope your sister is OK.  I wish I could provide you some answers, but all I can do is send {{HUGS}} and hope she she gets better soon. I do know through my own experience with drains, I had 4, that one just kept putting out more fluid than they would like, but it was relatively clear.  My PS decided to take it out 3+ weeks after the surgery because he was worried about an infection leaving it in too long.  However he also said I had to watch for signs of infection after he removed it because I was at risk for an infection if fluid built up too much and had no where to go.  Thankfully I did not get an infection, did get fluid build up and had to be aspirated though.  Don't know if that helps.

My PS cracked up when he saw them! But then he said he may get the medical grade ones (much more realistic) to show other women to give them an idea of what is ahead. As I posted on the pic forum- i stillhave to wear the bra until i see him on 5/13 and then the nips should be done two-=three weeks after that. NO upper body excercises yet other than the one bringing arms together and then over my head. As for the ripple on the each side he explained alloderm he used and the muscle are meshing together- not done healing. He keeps emphasizing that and telling me to let it heal now for the best results.

I did appreciate him pointing out some fatty areas at the tops near my armpits- he said he will take that out when the nips go on. I honestly had not noticed- that is was more of my flab:) Then he had me do the weirdest movements-flexing my pecs- moving my arms all over the place- had me leaning over-then looking at the sides-and then checking the bottom folds. I was an ORIGAMI! I have liked what the results have been so far so I am sticking with his rather anal regimen.  He is a diva but a talented one with a kind heart. His staff was so happy how everything is looking- the receptionist wanted to see and asked if it was ok- I said fine everyone else in the free world has:)

p.s no way am i wearing those nips! but fun to look at in a weird way- i can't imagine women buying them to wear over their real nipples so they have little soldiers (large ones actually!)

LOL Deekay!  Let me know if you need further assistance

Annette -- those nips are priceless!

I have my surgery date scheduled for the end of June - Yay! I still have three more fills to go, but at least I know there is an end to these TE's.

slinky--so  glad you're in the home stretch!  Mine isn't scheduled yet, haven't even started fills, but I love reading about everyone's progress.