Exchange City
Comments
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Kate33 - just reread my last post. Meant to say "good luck" in your quest. Don't know why everything looks fine until after I have posted. Definitely still anesthesia brain as I seem to retain it's effects for awhile afterwards.
Dr. Khouri sounds interesting. I am about 200 miles from him on the other side of the state. I hope I am almost done. Having a minor scar revision and a bit of lipo from under arm area where drains were next week then PS says we will just let them sit and not mess with them until everything finishes healing.0 -
Ummm...are you supposed to take all the antibiotics after the exchange? I'm 6 days out and kind of stopped taking them on Sunday, since I felt great and didn't see any physical issues. I hope I didn't do any damage by not finishing up the bottle, which I still have and can go back to taking them if that does any good. Oops?
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JoanDavies - Yes, take all the antibiotics.
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Did everyone get a script for antibiotics after exchange surgery? I did not. Didn't have any problems though.
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I received prescriptions for antibiotics after my BMX and my exchange surgery.
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Joan there is always a slight risk of infection in the first 48 hours with implants... the body's natural defense against foreign bodies can kick in. That said, I think the antibiotics are especially crucial if you also have drains.
It's alway wise to finish a course of antibiotics when given (even if you feel good).
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Kate, my friend from the Ripple thread, so sorry to hear you are having the huge hassle with insurance. I don't have any better advice than what you've already received on here. Only one small suggestion, tie you request to requirement. You REQUIRE additional surgery to alleviate your persistent pain. Necessary is another big word. Some insurance co's won't go near anything they perceive as elective so wording from your PS is critical. Wishing you the best, deekaay.0
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Ugh! I had drains for 52 days after my BMX and was on antibiotics that whole time. Thank goodness with my exchange no drains! PS did not give me antibiotics after exchange even though it sounds common?!
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joan888- Would love to get together! Let me know!
Thanks everyone for the advice, encouragement and words of wisdom in trying to slay the insurance company dragon. No luck so far. I stressed over and over that the revision is due to pain and early stages of CC. No luck. I stressed my PS said it is a medical necessity to exchange the implants. No luck. The case manager even agreed (!!!!) that it doesn't make a lot of sense that they are covering the removal of the old implants and the placement of the new ones but not the implants themselves but, again, no luck. Tired tonight but will pick up my sword and resume fighting tomorrow. Thanks again!
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Almostdone -- nah... it's probably 50-50 but the people who get drains after exchange just make more noise
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my exchange was last wed. and i too had antibiotics , finishing them up today. no drains thank god, i had them with the bmx have post-op tomorrow i think they look good see what doctor says , still sore though. curious when the nipple thing happens , how soon after the exchange does that usually happen? does that hurt? i know after all i've been through i still worry about pain. lol
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pegs - Depending on your PS ... I think most wait at least three months or more to do the nip surgery. It takes at least that long for the new foobs to settle in. I waited six months.
Re the pain ... it's nothing compared to what you've already been through. Depending on whether you get the grafting or the CV-flap method ... recovery time vary. Dono't worry about nips right now!
Let yourself heal. Know that truly the nips is a lot better than everything you've already gone through!0 -
Hi girls, I just had my exchange 2 days ago. At what point did you first take a look? Also, I know I need to wear the surgical bra, but at what point did you switch to a sports bra? I know that I am smaller, which I am hoping doesn't bother me. I have read about so many people being disappointed after their exchange, so I am trying to prepare myself.
Thanks,
Eula
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EulaI changed to my regular under wire bra as soon as I felt I could with out to much pain. I think it is a case by case.
It has been awhile since my exchange but I hope this helps. I was one of those really disappointed people but after they "dropped and fluffed" they really changed a lot. I was sceptical but all the ladies were right they did change.
My nips seem to be healing nicely the left remains smaller than the right. I have not let my DH see them I don't think I will I will let them heal completely first.
Rebecca
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Eula-
I looked under the surgical bra one day after exchange and I was one of those on this board who were disappointed (slightly freaking out, calmed by members of this thread) but its 2 weeks out today and I am THRILLED. They look very different than they did at the beginning. They started looking much better at the end of the first week. I changed into the Danskin zip up bra on day 4 which worked great. About a week and a half in I added a soft cup Warners bra to the mix (my PS has me in bras 24/7 for several weeks). I am a solid B cup, both sides healing great, looks like the boobs I was meant to have! My advice would be: "Peek But Don't Freak"!
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I have to "second" what takeadeepbreath says! We had our exchange days on the same day. My PS also didn't seem to give much credit to the "drop/fluff"...but I can definitely tell the difference between day one and today (two weeks out). Mine looked alot flatter ~ "pushed in" against my chest at first. And I was disappointed that they weren't that soft because everybody was talking about how soft they are after exchange. They are WAY softer now than they were in the beginning! It will be interesting to see if they change any more?
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takeadeepbreath - Love it! "Peek But Don't Freak" !!!
So glad that you're liking your new girls now too!
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SusanGarden - MIne have gotten even softer over time. They've dropped some more and they just look more natural. It takes a while for everything to settle in!
So glad you ladies are happier than you were a few weeks ago!
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Hello, my exchange was 5 days ago. My left side looks good but the right one is way more swollen under the armpit and numb. Is that normal? I cannot wait for the drop and fluff!
Thanks,
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izzybelle - Did you have a DMX or a single MX with a lift and implant on the other side?
I had a DMX & found my cancer side was way more sore and swollen than the non-cancer side. Only five days out ... I wouldn't worry. Patience is your friend in all of this! Hang in there! Hope it gets better soon! xo
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Dawne-Hope - I had a DMX and yes my cancer side is the one that is swollen and sore. Thanks
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Izzybelle - I found after my exchange that my range of motion was worse than it ever was after my DMX. I saw an Occupational therapist who really helped loosen everything up. If you're still having problems at six weeks or more, ask your PS or one of your docs for a prescription to see an OT or a PT. They can really help with pain issues.
Call your PS if you're concerned and ask about the swelling. It's better to ask and it be nothing than not ask and there be something going on. xo
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takeadeepbreath -- "Peek But Don't Freak!" That is GREAT! I love it!!! And so true (from one who freaked!)
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Pegs: It's recommended to wait 6 months for everthing to settle before doing the nipple/areola surgery. It doesn't hurt, really, it does ache occasionally and I have lots of feeling there.
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I took a peek and they look great. They are small, which I was afraid of, but the work that the PS did, is beautiful! I put on a sports bra and I look smaller than I was before, so I am hoping they will fluff with time.
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Hi All,
I have been lurking on this site in preparation for my exchange. I appreciate all of your helpful reflections. Now I am trying to "peak, not freak" but I had my exchange on Monday and am not too happy with what I am seeing. They are hard and swollen on top, and then the skin is kind of wrinkled and baggy on the bottom. One side also looks bigger than the other. I am trying to sit tight, as I have read what you all have written, and I know that my PS has a reputation for being meticulous. Maybe they will settled into the looser skin on the bottom?
I have a theory, which is probably an occupational hazard (I'm a shrink), but do you think that part of the initial shock has to do with an unconscious fantasy that the recon will give us back "real breasts" not just a softer version of the TEs?
On a more practical level, how long do I need to be patient?
Thanks everyone!
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Elizabeth27 yes I think your theory is true. We think we are going to feel so much better because we have breasts again. And when you realize that you still don't have sensation that brings another kind of grief. We want so badly to feel normal again. I think at least 3 to 4 months to be honest as far as what it will look like.
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Elizabeth I think you hit the nail on the head. Not only do we think we will end up with our breast back but for me I envisioned them looking more like the breast we see and hear about on TV and in magazines.
Please be patient I would wait at least 4-6 weeks.
Rebecca
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Elizabeth: The strange thing about implant reconstruction is since there isn't any breast tissue left, anything pressing against them, like bandages or a bra, will also leave an indentation or wrinkle. I would give it time. Mine dropped after almost four months. They are quite lovely now, and though my MX side isn't as soft as my natural augmented side, it's pretty darn close.
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MBJ~ I'm glad you mentioned the indentation/wrinkle thing! I keep thinking something is too tight or wrong. Though I notice it more on the lower portion, not the upper pole where there is fat grafting ~ so that makes sense. So that aspect doesn't go away?
And I agree with Elizabeth's theory and also Rebecca's comment ~ that we think (maybe even subconsciously) that we will look like a "normal" augmentation patient after the exchange. And before we get too critical of ourselves.... just think of how many of our "natural" breasted friends look "perfect" out of a bra? Most of the celebrity chests people are admiring are what you are seeing while supported/shaped by a bra. And I don't think I've seen a reconstruction chest in a bra on this site or TimTam's that doesn't look anything short of fabulous!
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