Exchange City
Comments
-
chinablue: I hope the weight gain was in your foobs
I have heard that a talented PS can take fat from just about anywhere-they can find it! Also, give it time--at least a few months-as some dents dissappear with time.0 -
Hi Gals
.......I had my exchange done this past Wednesday,and my PS gave me the go ahead to shower on Friday and I have drains.
Heather
0 -
MBJ- Do you mind me asking you how did your ps resolve the "lump" of fat? What do you think the chances of my fat grafting "taking" the 1st time around?
0 -
NHsmiles - thanks for your input. I don't feel as bad about the shower I took today.
0 -
Chinablue, I have been allowed to shower 2 days post op even with drains after all my surgeries except for the lat d. Directions from PS's do differ. I've had fat grafting twice, just had last round 2 weeks ago. Whether it takes at all is not predictable. I've heard that if it does take, the "fluff" you get from it can reduce by 50%. Also, I had a lump form at the top of my breast after round 1. It's a little unnerving considering what we've been through so you have to be prepared for that. My PS didn't do anything about it fat lump. He said it may dissolve on it's own. So far I am happy with the results.
0 -
Hi, all -- Just checking in. I haven't had much time to post; I guess life and work are getting back to semi-normal and taking up most of my mental energy. I'm 3 weeks post-exchange. I had a small augmentation to the natural side, and that side is still very tender. It feels like the entire breast is tender, but when I touch-test it, I realize the tenderness is mostly around the nipple.
chinablue and eulabt, I'm with you on the running. I can't wait to get back to it! chinablue, I'm the same height and weight as you. eulabt, I too did 10 miles the day before my mx! I ran all through chemo with the TE. Six weeks off from running is a pain, but I'm halfway there! Looking forward to resuming running in a few more weeks, and I'm still hoping to do a couple of marathons this fall. Best wishes to you!
0 -
Just checking in and trying to catch up again. I am 6 weeks post-op from exchange and feeling good. Back doing everything I've always done.
Chinablue..The shower thing..... I had orders to definitely shower 24 hours after exchange surgery and to shower every day to avoid infection. I did not have any drains though. My BS ordered me shower 24 hours after my BMX surgery also for the same reason and I had 3 drains. Doctors orders certainly do differ.
NHSmiles... congrats on your exchange surgery.
0 -
Thx Joan888
I feel absolutely beautiful since my exchange!
0 -
Yeah the no shower thing is due to the drains.
Chinablue -- so please don't shower again until the drains are out (or until your PS says its ok).
Re: the weight gain -- don't despair. I think we retain water after surgery (or something) due to anesthesia? Because I was up 7 pounds after exchange and then it was gone within a week and, believe me, it wasn't due to activity (I was exhausted due to a dip in my red blood count post-exchange) or diet. Be patient!
0 -
I had a DMX Jan 21 2010 and exchanged to silicone on Mar 21 2011. I'm still very swollen and have had some spontaneous bruising. The left (prophylactic side) is softer than the right (ca side). They are tight and painful. Anyone know when these will soften up? EdieB
0 -
Lilah - thanks for the advice. I will call my ps before my next shower, but I don't see him until Wednesday.
Ladies on pain meds (vicodin) watch out for constipation. Ug. I took 10 pills of senna before things got going. Last night I slept without taking any vicodin and my surgery was 3 days ago. This morning I my chest is SORE and plan to take another pain pill before I go for a walk.
I do have to say, the "girls" are looking good. Hurray!
0 -
mtks: My BS did an ultrasound and confirmed immediately while I was there that is was just some fat that didn't take and today when I feel myself in that area it has almost gone away, so yes, it's common to have this but it is easy to have it checked and so worth the results.
0 -
cittykitty: Glad to hear you are doing well. My augmented side was so sore and sensitive around the nipple for a long time and now it's back to normal. Give it time and it will be fine.
NHSmiles: Congratulations! I felt the same way at my big "reveal". They look better now then they ever have.
0 -
TinaT: There are some really amazing PS's and great new procedures out there. I am so glad this didn't happen to me 20 years ago when there weren't many options.
0 -
Edie - I had the exact same thing happen to me ... my prophylatic side was a lot softer than my cancer side. It took months ... like six months before my prophylatic side softened up. I don't know the physiological reasons why ... but now they're both soft and squishy! Hang in there! If your PS has you massaging them ... do that faithfully and eventually they will soften! 0
-
Its just me again, im waiting and counting the day till exchange June 13th,,, BUT in the mean time have developed ALOT of pain in my shoulder,neck,arm..Has anyone experienced this... i got 4 weeks and i can barely move this side of my body without pain flaming into these areas... HELLLLLOOOO OUT THERE???? NOBODY HAS HAD THIS IM AFRAID SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH ME THEN
0 -
MBJ, thanks for the reassurance about the tenderness. I am back at work and trying to be normal (as normal as I can be with a wig, chemo-damaged fingernails, and post-surgery weight-lifting restrictions) -- but this constant feeling in one breast sometimes drives me up the wall and is a constant reminder that things are just not normal!
0 -
Citykitty -- I had a LOT of sensitivity as well on reduction side... it goes away with time.
0 -
citykitty: Just be very careful and gentle with yourself--it does go away eventually!
0 -
Haven't had my exchange yet, but I posted my pictures on the picture forum under Nipple Sparing Bilat. MX with TE - Necrosis. Or you can search by my ID (same as here), TinaT.
0 -
re showers; I was able to take showers (with DHs help) (c: after bmx with four drains. My exchange is 9/1. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.
0 -
TinaT: Thank you for sharing. I will go there and have a look! Hope you are doing well.
0 -
So I went to my Dermatologist today about a suspicious mole. He took it off and then checked all of me. He asked me if I had thought about laser for my mastectomy scars (they are still very pink - exchange was in Aug 2010). Long story, short - he did the laser treatment right there. He says I will be a little bruised for a few days but the pinkness should go away in about 3 or 4 weeks! I'm so excited if this works. Has anyone else tried it?
0 -
RE: Showers - I could shower right away with the drains covered. I haven't seen anyone mention it, but I was told to use Glad Press'n Seal wrapped around my chest to cover the drains. It sticks to everything & totally seals everything. I've talked to several friends who have used if with knee replacements, etc. My Press'nSeal even had a Christmas pattern. The only hard part for me was my 41 year old son was my nurse/care giver. I really didn't want him to see the breasts & scars, so it was quite a trick wrapping myself.
0 -
Tina- will be sure to go take a look- i think in some ways the pics before the exchange are as valuable to all as those after- really helps us see the changes that take place.
Minus2- did you ever thing you would be wrapping yourself in saranwrap>? Ah, the places BC takes us...I am sure your son was so happy to have his mom alive that was all he could focus on.
Got my nips scheduled today! Going to get them on June 8.....nervous, excited, all of it. Doc called with the schedule. Was going to wait until he got back from his trip in June but really did not want this going on through the whole summer...four weeks after the nips the tattoos...That would have stretched everything through to August. Funny how impatient I can be while scared at the same time. I have one ripple on top of the left side...he may do a fat injection, may not. We'll see the day of surgery. Hubby wants me to leave everything be...but knows it is my body and I can freak out if I damn well want to! hahaha I am such a freak. Otherwise the new boobs are doing ok...little bigger and out there than what I had before after nursing two kids and age had taken a toll on them. I am just scared they will fall off....which sounds strange but it is true...I went without a bra for a couple of hours yesterday and I was convinced they were gonna just fall down or slide down to my knees...sigh...maybe I need a fat graft to my brain:)
0 -
annettek: Good for you, how exciting!!! Yes, BC takes us to places we never thought we'd go - and we certainly never ASKED to go there! I know what you mean about the "falling off" fear. Every time I took a shower or changed the dressing on my poor charbroiled nipple I had very vivid visions of it just falling off onto the floor - sick, right? Well, I guess it could have happened, but fortunately it didn't!!!
Things are moving right along for you - June 8 will be here before you know it!!!
0 -
TinaT: You look amazing!!!
annettek: LOL, you never fail to make me laugh out loud! I also thought my new nip/areola was going to fall off. I also kept thinking I dreamed the whole thing, but nope, they are still there.
0 -
Annette - Nips! YEAH!!!! Im hoping that next week to get my exchange. Ill find out for sure next week at my last fill. I am really pushing for the 15th of June because, lucky me, my PS is MOVING in July! I do NOT want to start over AGAIN!!!
Anyway, my pix were just posted. Im mid-journey myself but I thought it would be helpful for the Uni's, the nipple-less, and the 'waifs' as we have been called!!!
0 -
Annette, congrats on the nips date. You will love them!! Of all the tx's, procedures, surgeries, nips were the easiest!! No pain at all and big payoff in terms of looks and feeling back to normal. Loose clothes for a week or two and you are good to go. Now if you add fat grafting or grafted areolas, that ups the ouch factor.
Sunnycoconut, very interesting about the lasering for the scars. Let us know how that works out for you. ,
0
