Exchange City
Comments
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Annette -- love the new picture!
Rnjules -- well if you need drains you will be glad to have them (the alternative is icky). I hope you don't need em though.
Carrol -- LOL: candy in the pinata!
Deekay -- arms crossing boobs? Welcome to my world
(Since I've had boobs)0 -
Rnjules,
My PS told me that women who have a scar and surgery under the breast should not wear an underwire bra, otherwise he says it is essential for an underwire.
Praying all goes well for you tomorrow.
Cindy
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hi All- my exchange surgery was yesterday 1130a. It was pretty tough until about 8pm last night. Now it's a soreness but not the intense pain it was. I woke up about 2pm from surgery. I took one pain pill then have switched to Tylenol which is enough. I don't have much appetite but am drinking well.
Already they feel better. I do have 2 drains- will have them for the next 6 days. My PS told me I would- that's the way he does this.They are not as bad so far as the BMX 4 drains and the tubing seems much smaller.
I like the way they sit on the chest better- not like the TE which were too out there for me. I don't know how I'll end up.
Still kind of tired/sleepy. Plan to rest more next week. My counts weren't great (I am just 5 weeks from last TCH- now just on H). I think it'll take a while to get over this b/c of the low blood counts still.
Glad to be done! Hope all those going this week do well. For me now the only annoying part if the drains...
Lisa
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Congrats on the new girls, Lisa! Thanks for the update. I am hoping that you can stick with the tylenol for pain. Much easier than narcotics. Boo on the drains, but they will go away quickly and be a distant memory.For now, rest and try to get a little food down. Maybe a little protein shake for healing?Take care....on my way in for my Exchange in about one hour...I am 10 weeks out from TCH with low counts. We are definitely SISTERS in this process.Rowan, Rnjules - thinking about you this morning on your E-Day. Sending you prayers and lots of hugs for an uneventful day!Annie0
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hello all, I just had my last fill this morning... I cried a bit because I was told definitely no swimming at all this summer... I guess I should be focused on the fact that I made it thru another stage, and the next one will be to get on the calendar for a September exchange... good healing wishes to all you gals
oh I should also be happy that the word spectacular was used in connection with how things are going on my chest!
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I posted my initial post here onto the Implant 101 thread.
I'm not sure when I'll have my revision/exchange. I most likely will have one tho. I'm having too many issues not to have to have surgical intervention.
I'm just paranoid about going too small b/c I'm only 30... I know I'm going to gain weight. I don't want to look completely bottom-heavy. However, I don't want to look like a Playboy bunny either (sorry Carrol2). I think implant size isn't really my issue -- its the muscle damage from placing the implants. Hopefully this other PS will have better options for me.
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Biology- same for me..I said over and over, a B or small C. I'd had D and DD my whole life and I was over big (edited to big) tits. I was expanded to 450cc and I was told my ps took in 500, 550, 600 and 650. That idiot (that actually did a perfect job otherwise) crammed 650's in and it was so tight, my incisions had to be restitched. I'm a very full C/D. There isn't a bra that 'covers' them because of the melon shape...I just wear the scoop bras with the underwire removed. The foobs sure don't need any support, but they're so heavy, I have to support their weight.
I have been told that since I am having neck and back pain, that insurance will cover a revision. I'm just freaking not in the mood for surgery, but they are hard, in the way, too high and too tight, aside from being TOO DAMN BIG. I feel for you sister. When I get my S*** together, I'm getting these out.
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Congratulations, Lisa! I had neoadjuvent chemo and healed up just fine but it took me 4 weeks instead of 2 so go slow!
Annie: Good luck today and happy squishees to you!
Biology: Hope you are able to get a better PS to fix what is causing you pain.
tnbcRuth: Hoping you get this taken care of soon!!!
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Thanks Anniemomof3. I still haven't eaten anything (exchange was yesterday) but am drinking well. I hate the drains- but my PS had shared to expect 2.
They look and feel more natural now. Much smaller than TE-but I would not have looked right w/ them that big- plus to me it'd be painful to have heavy implants for years to come. My PS is a good one- and I trust him.
I know that part of my trouble is my counts were low to start w/. So it seems I feel weaker than I am sure I would have if I was in better shape. That said, I am so glad it's done. I will get the drains out after a week. I can deal w/ that.
Glad it's done! Good luck to those going this week. I am just takning tylenol now for pain. Don't need anything stronger. It's sore, but not acutely painful.
Lisa
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Lisa GH: Congratulations on your exchange. Rest and up and good healing to you.
Can anyone tell me how to add more to the information that shows up on the bottom of what we write. I would like to put the information about my reconstruction, but I can figure out how to do it?
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shortlady: Hi, I see you filled out your diagnosis info, but you want to add more "freeform" info, right? If you click on your name (at the top of the screen or next to one of your posts) you should see a "My Profile" screen. Look for "Edit this Profile" off to the right. Down at the bottom of that page should be an option that says "Signature". You can type whatever you want into that space and it will show up at the bottom of each message post.
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Lilah, oh seriously, you mean women with bigger boobs are used to boobs getting in the way of their arms? Consider me newsflashed! Never occurred to me, ever. And I thought my new problem was just because of reconstruction. I am LMAO.
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Justagirl
What a wonderful son you have! You should be very proud.
Liz0 -
Deekay -- LOL -- yes it is true!
Biologybrain -- it breaks my heart when those who join us are so young as you are. But I guess the good news is you caught it and, we all pray (I am sure), you will survive!
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Hi Exchange Ladies, im wondering if anyone else is still uncomfortable or just plain in pain since there may /June exchange? My Mx side has sharp pains under my arm and my lift side is still very swollen and painful,does anyone know if this normal?
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does anybody put ice on their new implants if they are swollen?
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Wow Beacher so sorry you are still in what sounds like a lot of pain. I think I did have some underarm pain on MX side for a while ... sometimes I still do when I wear certain bras (so I wonder if it's a bra you are wearing that is hitting a nerve). Regenerating nerves also can feel like sharp pains. The swelling on my lift side was not anywhere near as bad as the first month but at three months yes, I still had some unswelling to do (it took a good 6 months to really start to feel normal and soft). That said, it was not all that painful (if I remember right). I think it's worth calling your PS and asking him to take a look.
Oh and re: ice -- hmm... I don't think I did do that ever. I would first call your doctor.
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congrats lisa on the exchange--on to the healing
beacher- i had lots of weird pains and never hesitated to call the doc if they really concerned me...never put ice on them
update- today went well....although ps did not do fat grafting - only the nipples- decided he did not want to take any chances on compromising the blood supply to nipples while healing and said we will have better results when he goes in after a month or two= by then the nipples will have shrunk or whatever they do after they are made and the grafting then will address the ripples, the nipple areas and any flat spots that may result from creating the nipples. he was adamant about not doing both at same time and I must admit I questioned him on it and he said judgement call- had some kind of meeting yesterday with other PS and basically- he is not doing the two together any longer- said would also avoid having to do more fat grafting to address the nipple results. so i was not thrilled but not in opposition either as he has yet to steer me wrong-of course i wanted everything done now yesterday a month ago,,,,you know how it is...but i am looking for the best end results...i see him tomorrow until then I can't touch these huge bandages on my boobs...I swear we were working in nipple placement as long in preop as the actual surgery lasted...it was funny...draw them on...measure...look...look again....wipe off do it all again...look full front on and then look down....it was like goldilocks and the three bears...finally one location was just right......i am hopped up right now on my half a vicodin....recovery was simple as anesthesiologist went very light in light (punny here) of my having to have another surgery in a month or two...was supposed to be twilight but i went completely out perhaps from nerves and exhaustion...then i woke up like the energizer bunny again ready to leave hahahaha....will let ya know what it all looks like tomorrow when he looks at em
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annettek - glad it went well! It's weird this reconstruction world, eh?
Congratulations! 
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I posted new pics on the forum ... almost 1 year out from my exchange and 6 months from my nips. Thank to everyone who's been here to encourage & support in the last year!
Love and thanks! dh xo
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beacher4209: Ice - probably not a good idea if your PS didn't recommend that. It's fairly easy to get frost-bitten skin anyway, even easier on skin that has little or no feeling. Just my thoughts...0
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Annette -- wahoo!!!! You've got nips!!! I think your PS sounds like he has made a change due to experience? Anyway, it does seem like a good idea to heal from the nips first and THEN heal from fat grafting. Heal and rest up!
Dawne -- on my way to take a look!
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Hi everybody--
I'm on the other side of exchange sugery yesterday and resting in my bed with favorite nurse, DH, taking care of me. I had surgery yesterday 7:30 and was probably home by 2:00. Pain was kicking in then, but I took two percocet every four hours yesterday, including bed time. I slept well and feel pretty good this morning.
This time I was given an ice bag to use. I can't get it under thei iron maiden straight jacket bra I have on right now, but can rest it on the top of my foobs. I think it does help. I haven't taken a peek and probably won't as I am swaddled in guaze and just want to keep there. But the top of the foobs feel soft and don't hurt to touch--so already two big improvement.
About the size thing, my PS double checked with me yesterday before surgery that I had told her that I wanted to be a little smaller than before. I wasn't huge but they did feel like they got in the way sometimes, especially doing yoga. I also had the "roll a way" syndrome whenever I laid dow so I kept telling her perky!. Well I did breastfeed three children, so --duh. Anyway, I am 5'4, 138 lbs and she put in 4OO and 450 hi profle gels. One had to larger because I had the lat dorsi on my right side from previous radiation.
One more thing, I went to a massage therapist the day before surgery and she really worked on my shoulders and arms. I had told her that my elbow and shoulder joints ached and that my muscles in my uppper arms felt like I was twisting them whenever I reached behind me. She said I had "protective shoulder," not nearly as painful as "frozen shoulder" but her massge and work on pressure points really helped.
Also--sorry this getting long--I did ask her about fat grafting down the road if I though. t I needed it. he said she does it usally if she's already in there doing lipo suction and she harvested fat right there. But she said she doesn't really like do it, mainly because alot of it will reabsorb into the body and would prefer doing someting more permanent to take care of an issue--not sure what that might be. So, she would do fat grafting if I asked her to, but she prefers other options.
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Hi everybody--
I'm on the other side of exchange sugery yesterday and resting in my bed with favorite nurse, DH, taking care of me. I had surgery yesterday 7:30 and was probably home by 2:00. Pain was kicking in then, but I took two percocet every four hours yesterday, including bed time. I slept well and feel pretty good this morning.
This time I was given an ice bag to use. I can't get it under thei iron maiden straight jacket bra I have on right now, but can rest it on the top of my foobs. I think it does help. I haven't taken a peek and probably won't as I am swaddled in guaze and just want to keep there. But the top of the foobs feel soft and don't hurt to touch--so already two big improvement.
About the size thing, my PS double checked with me yesterday before surgery that I had told her that I wanted to be a little smaller than before. I wasn't huge but they did feel like they got in the way sometimes, especially doing yoga. I also had the "roll a way" syndrome whenever I laid dow so I kept telling her perky!. Well I did breastfeed three children, so --duh. Anyway, I am 5'4, 138 lbs and she put in 4OO and 450 hi profle gels. One had to larger because I had the lat dorsi on my right side from previous radiation.
One more thing, I went to a massage therapist the day before surgery and she really worked on my shoulders and arms. I had told her that my elbow and shoulder joints ached and that my muscles in my uppper arms felt like I was twisting them whenever I reached behind me. She said I had "protective shoulder," not nearly as painful as "frozen shoulder" but her massge and work on pressure points really helped.
Also--sorry this getting long--I did ask her about fat grafting down the road if I though. t I needed it. he said she does it usally if she's already in there doing lipo suction and she harvested fat right there. But she said she doesn't really like do it, mainly because alot of it will reabsorb into the body and would prefer doing someting more permanent to take care of an issue--not sure what that might be. So, she would do fat grafting if I asked her to, but she prefers other options.
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Rowan -- wahooo!!!! Rest and heal up
Dawne -- OMG I don't know what happened but I totally forgot to go to the other site last night! Going now (I swear)!
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rowan - Congratulations!!!! My PS, like yours, isn't a fan of fat grafting. If I choose to have it down the road, I'll have to go to someone else. And that's OK. Again, congratulations on your exchange!! [[[hugs]]]
Lilah - Kind of the story of my life!
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Rest up all you surgery gals - glad all went well!!!
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Hi all- this is post op day 2 for me- exchange was Wed. Much better. Now the major problem are the drains! uggh. Hate them. Have to wait until appt next wk to get them out. Annoying to try to sleep.
I only took 1 pain pill- before I left the hospital- otherwise motrin or tylenol. Today I haven't needed anything for pain.
I have a dressing on- no bra or anything. He said I can shower. Glad to have this done!!! They are weird looking (aren't all foobs really??!!) but more in line w/ pre cancer look. Feel so much softer than the hideous TE! (the TE were ok until that last fill, then it was awful).
Happy Friday to you all. All in all I had about 8 hours of pain after getting home- then eased to a sore state. YEAH!! Nothing major at all. Except as I said the drains which are beastly...
Congrats to others too who have had the TE this week too!
Lisa
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Lisa,
I am so happy for you to be done with your exchange and feeling well. Sorry about the drains, but one week is not long and they do serve a purpose, at least you are allowed to shower. Do you have stitches or dermabond (glue)?
Rowan, congrats to you too! "soft" sounds good. I am going to see my massage therapist this weekend, I am hoping my back, neck and shoulders will feel better post exchange. My posture with the TEs is not very good and I think I am guarding or protecting too.
i am soo happy to hear from you girls who had exchange this week. I am now just 6 days away. I have a bunch to do to get things in order so I can rest after surgery (shop, laundry, clean, etc). My surgical consent and preop with PS on Monday,
Rest up girls and have a great weekend.
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