Exchange City
Comments
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Hi everybody,
Sunday morning and am feeling pretty good; tired and some pain at the incisions. I think I did too much yesterday, which consisted of sitting up on my back porch most of the day reading a book, but I feel really tired today--so I am staying in bed for a while.
I'm not allowed a shower either until I see my PS on Wednesday, but that's okay, I can get around that. I haven't taken a peak yet, except from the top when I put the ice pack on, but they looks so much better than those hard TEs.
It's been nice to wake up two mornings in a row and not feel dread at the thought of an impending surgery. so glad to have this one behind me. Looks like Randi and Christine--you're up next!
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Ladies who just had exchange - if you are feeling really tired eat iron rich foods! I had low red blood count after my exchange/reduction surgery... and was very tired for three weeks until I got my count up. Even if yours isn't as low as mine was, I think anesthesia's lingering effects can also make you tired.
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Lilah--fortunately my gourmet sister in law is cooking for us today--filet mignon--can't beat that!
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rowan, so glad you are doing well. How nice your SIL is cooking for you. I am so glad to see the posts of last weeks girls and all are doing well. Tomorrow I am on my way to PS for final measurements and consent, meeting with anesthesia, etc. Now I am getting nervous. I plan to be out of week for 1 1/2 weeks, then back to work part-time, my job is not physical. Does this sound reasonable to expect to be back that soon??
Lilah, good advice on the iron rich foods. I have been trying to loose a few pounds, but will focus and good stuff not calories for a few weeks.
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Rowan -- sounds YUMMY!
Christine -- if you eat a lot of spinach its low cal and low fat
You could also just eat a lot of veggies and red meat and less carbs and you would lose weight too.0 -
you got that right Lilah- that is truly the only way I can and have lost weight. It is funny, years ago when I was a kid, when my dad would feel he was getting pudgy, he would announce NO WHITES FOR TWO WEEKS...I thought he was nuts...but he would not eat anything white...bread, potatoes, macaroni (this was in the days before it was called pasta:)....and he would take off the weight. It was even funnier when Atkins came out and Dad said HEY, that was my idea....:)
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I had exchange surgery Wed. I am feeling tired and run down- but not hurting at all. The 2 drains are no fun- but smaller than the BMX 4 drains were- hope to get them out tis week at PS appointment.
The evening of surgery was tough- but after that- not painful at all. Not easy- I probably should have waiting longer after chemo (was only 5 wks out- hemoglobin is still low at just over 10- wbc and neutrohils were low too). I think that was my issue that has made me feel more run down.
But hey- we are all used to that. Good on the pain side though. So much easier than the BMX.
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Annette -- damn! He could have made millions!
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Hi all I have enjoyed the advice following this thread and it's time to get on sisters in waiting list for me, I had my last fill last thurs... I am kind of nervous about the right implant choice... Gotta spend more time over on implant thread! I can't wait to have "squishies" but then again the no bra thing has been a BIG silver lining, huh?
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LMichele -- to get on the waiting list you need to send a PM (private message) to Mykidsmom who started this thread and though she isn't that frequent a visitor/poster here she still updates the list. Start the countdown!
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HI LMichelle! you go that right about the bra...I wear em because I want to not because I have to- i put this down to a combo of skill from PS (in regards to correct size and alloderm sling etc) and doing exactly as he has said throughout the healing process...which is still going on.... they are softer than ever as each day goes by, standing proudly with the slightest fold underneath that we both wanted to make me feel like they were more real- they call it ptosis <sp> a little goes a long way- hard to get just the right amount- iam happy with mine. good luck! and welcome:)
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Hi Ladies,
Wow, I was away for a few days , looks like so much is happening. Congrats to the exchangees and the latest sisters in waiting.
Was supposed to get my second fill next week, but the PS nurse called and rescheduled me for the following week because she won't be there. A little disappointed, as I enjoyed watching the first expansion and getting rid of some of the wrinkles, my TE was so underfilled. I don't know how much they put in initially, but I only got 30cc's at first fill, and my PS is going to go slow due to having rads and having to wait 6 mos anyway for exchange.
Wondering if anybody out there had a vertical incision? Due to having the lifts first, before Mx, my incisions go pretty far up, they are visible even with a bra on, and I'm starting to worry that I won't have the "disappearing" scars after nip surgery that some have talked about. Also, I had some puckering from a drain that hasn't resolved, wondering if they can fix that, forgot to ask my PS last time.
I am sorry I missed the playboy discussion. Me, I am going for the Victoria's secret model look. If only my PS can make me 4 inches taller!0 -
pinkbutterfly: Hmmm - 4 inches taller - there are so many bra experts here, maybe someone will chime in...I'm sure there's a bra that can do that!!!
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TinaT,
lol! After what we've been through, I am convinced, there is a bra that can do anything!!!0 -
Wecome LMichele--I remember when I asked about getting my name on the list..I was glad to be "part of the group" and nervous, too. Every part of this journey is hard, I think, but we get through it, and sometimes we even laugh and smile about it.
Sending you good boob fairy vibes Christine!
I'm not a good one to ask about time off from work since I am currently unemployed, but I am sure someone else will chime in here.
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LOL Tina
Pinkbutterfly -- Annettek has vertical incisions. Maybe you can PM her. Are the incisions you have now the old lift pre-mx incisions reopened? Assuming those did not show, I am sure the new ones won't either (once you are filled... and of course, exchanged). In other words they may appear higher up right now because of the loose skin you have now... but once you are filled to capacity (or beyond) they may not be so noticeable.
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christine47 - A week and a half ... maybe. It depends on several variables ... what, if any pocket work your PS does ... that extends healing time. Also, it just depends on you and your body. I went back to work at 2 weeks and did OK. There were still some things I couldn't do ... like lift more than 5lbs, do a lot of reaching and pulling ... but depending on you, what your PS does ... a week and a half may be OK.
I would ask and really listen to your PS. He is the one that is going to have the best advice in your individual case.
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Lilah,
What I had from lifts was the anchor-type scar-around the areola, down from the center, and under the fold, across. Then, when I had MX 1 month later, it looks like they extended the incision up from the areola, rather than re-opening it. I hope you are right about it not showing after fills/exchange. There is what I think is called a dog-ear there too, at the top of the incision-extra skin, that probably would have served me better if it was closer to where nips would go. I hope my PS is skilled enough to deal with all of this.0 -
Pinkbutterfly -- are you on the Picture Forum? It would be easier for me to comment if I could see it. But it sounds like the incision rises to the top of where your areola was (and assuming you did not have NSM). Or does it go higher??? Can't imagine why it would go higher. I had a lift on my native breast where the areola and nipple were moved up... but had what is called "lollipop" incision (incision went around areola and straight down to IMF but did not go left or right from there).
Dog ears are pretty easy to fix according to my PS (I have one too at end of my MX incision, which is horizontal) that she plans to fix when I do the nip. Even with one horizontal and one vertical incision, though, I have to say that after over a year of healing the scars have faded a lot... so ultimately you need not worry excessively about where the scars are... they do fade (unless you have keloid issues with how your skin heals). Also it seems to me that once the nips are done the eye goes to those instead of to the scars.
I do think you should put these questions about scars to your PS!
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What's the name of the scar cream ladies????
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Lilah,
Yes, they do go higher than the areola - they went up from there when they went in for the MX. I did not have NSM, and did not think to ask any of this before my surgery. At the time, I was so worried about losing my skin, as they told me I had a higher risk of necrosis due to being cut into twice so soon.
Ultimately, I know you are right about the scars fading, and it isn't such a huge deal in the overall scheme of life. I just hope nothing is visible in swimsuits, etc. I am not one for showing cleavage (and from the sound of it, cleavage is hard to come by anyway), but hoping not to have anything to have to worry about clothing-wise. My port scar looks really obvious too, have to wear a halter swim top to cover it. I am hoping he can do something about that as well.
I am a veritable jig-saw puzzle: if you look closely, you can see how the pieces fit together. Hoping that when all is said and done, the lines will fade into the picture.0 -
Hi girls,
Just got home from along day of pre-assesment for my surgery this week. Now the excitement and nerves are kicking in. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas and a parent who is not ready. My PS has already ordered several sizes of implants to try ( I was worried that he said something about midprofile last visit, but they are all high profile and larger than my TEs), he tells me that if I like the projection and size of my TEs these should be perfect. He is also going to fix a small divit that I have centrally and take a little fat from one side where I am slightly larger than the other under the arm, hard to explain, its a small difference but he noticed. He is a perfectionist, which is great. I am first on thursday morning unless he has an emergency, etc. I am going to spend on night in the hospital, he said day surgery, but anesthesia is concerned about a rare allergic rxn I had to an anesthetic agent with my last procedure. Oh well, nothing to do but rest anyway. I will take my own pillow and make my husband go a get takeout for dinner
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Best of luck to you, Christine, I am sure everything will go fine, and this boob-fairy I keep hearing about will be good to you. (she hasn't visited me yet, so I am still waiting for Christmas).
When I am stressed I have found it enormously helpful to listen to soothing music, ie those lifescapes CD's at target that are always going by the display. I find the sound of ocean waves so relaxing. Maybe your DH can stop and pick one up for you, while he's getting dinner.0 -
Hi- just checking in. Had exchange last week 7/6- today got the drains out (yeah). Was feeling puny but not in pain. The cancer side implant is sore underneath. The non-cancer side (I had a BMX) is very comfortable and hardly sore at all.
Don't have energy back. Started on some meds- and taking a week more or so at home to build up my rest and strength. I pushed my MDs (begged) to get this done soon after TCH (jut 5 weeks out). So my HGB was just over 10 and WBC etc were not great- ok- but not ideal. So I think I am going to need some more rest/healing time.
I am excited to have it done- it feel so much better. Not like the real ones- but so much better than the TE- what awful things those were in comparison to these. They don't stick out as much- but I looked quite hideous that way anyway (I am 5 ft 1 inches) was average before on the small average size. I have 350 Natrelles. So far so good!!
Good luck to those who are soon. Thanks for the folks who gave such good support and advice.
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pinkbutterfly, thanks for the sweet wishes. I think the boob-fairy will be good to me, I have been good, finished all my chemo and taking my tamoxifen. The TEs look great and PS says I will like implants better. Music sounds nice, but I must tell you my young teenage sons (13 and 14 years old) are at camp this week and peace and quiet sounds even better. How far along are you in the process??
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Yeah Christine....how exciting!
Hi Pink- i have vertical incisions and very olive skin. I hold onto scars like a candybar:) Yet amazingly enough they do fade and some of the scar line is pulled down and in to create nipples (if this is how your PS does it) I just had nipple surgery three days ago and oddly enough my eyes go right to the nips and not the scars I was so distracted with. He really used up a lot of the scar for the nips; what remains around will be tattooed for my aerola (or however the hell you spell it). so may revisions are possible and it is impossible to know final outcome during the fill times and even following the intitial exchange. So much depends on our bodies. My PS had to revaluate where the nips were going as if he had put them were he orignally planned to they would have been on my clavicle;) Talk to your doc and ask what the plan is. Even if you do not wear low cut shirts it is an option you may well want. We do get cleavage. Some with just their new boobs alone others the old fashioned way with a bra. If you can get on pic forum it will be so helpful for you to actually see.
thelines do fade....each step brings the picture into focus...maybe not on our timetable but if you have a good PS and do what is suggested, we will all get there within the constraints of our own bodies. I have a number of flaws that will be addressed my next goround- and hell, the PS pointed out more of them than I did. I am the least patient person on the planet....friggin BC taught me different. But as the days go by i see that time is on my side and our old body's do try to come through most of the time for us.
Good luck and we are all here for you:)
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LisaGH, I can imagine with your low blood counts you are still worn out. I am now a bit over 10 weeks since my last chemo and what a difference it makes. I am close to feeling my normal self both physically and emotionally too. Be good to yourself, eat well, rest and happy thoughts of life back to "normal". I am hoping for no drains this week, cross your fingers! At least you only had the drain a short time, right? I am 5'2", PS has ordered 500-650 Natrelles, at first in this process I wanted small, now I am excited about bigger and perkier, I think??
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hi christine- glad to hear each week gets better. the new normal is here (i hope). i hope for no drains for you too- it doesn't seem that many folks have had to have them. honestly they were far easier than the drains from the BMX. Much easier- and only in for a few days. Mine are 350. They seem small. At first I wanted larger possibly. Then I really just wanted something like I was before. It is good though that is something we each can pick and do what we want in this breast cancer journey where so little choices are truly ours!!!
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LisaGH,
Hang in there. Our bodies are amazing, but it does take time. I finished chemo in Nov and rads 10 weeks ago and my counts are still very low.
Christine,
I had my first fill about a month ago, and my PS likes to wait at least 6 mos after rads to do exchange, so I have a ways to go. I am also going to Miami next week to see about micro fat grafting, and whether that is another option for me. As for the peace and quiet, I hear you. Both of mine are under 10, so sometimes I have to hide behind my headphones for some.
Annettek,
You are too funny! Thanks for the support.0
