Exchange City

Trail2,

I had the patch once, them second time, didn't get it - was miserable with nausea for days. Highly recommend the patch if you have post-anesthesia nausea.

DuckyJan,

I had lumpectomy/lifts before MX. Haven't had exchange, but the lifts were major. Not to discourage you, but just to be prepared, I was in a lot of pain for several weeks. I think MX was worse tho, but I am bilateral. Make sure your pain is well-controlled before you leave the hospital, and that they Rx you something that is sufficient to keep you comfortable at home.

I wish I had known about the patch.  I had to stay an extra day after MXS because I could not keep any food down.  After my exchange I could not anything for a day.  I told them that I had problems with anesthesia, but no one said anything about a patch.  Did you request it ahead of time or at the time of surgery?

trail2 - I had a similiar story to yours ... vomited for hours after my DMX because of the anesthesia.  I wanted to die ... it was horrible.

I had the patch for my exchange and was soooo much better.  A little dizzy but not vomiting.  I live about 2.5 hours away and did exactly what you're going to do for your exchange.  I had my surgery early in the morning and was released that afternoon.  I stayed in a hotel next to the hospital that night and went home the next day. 

For me, the exchange surgery was so much easier than the DMX.  I pray the same for you!  xo

Thanks MBJ,i dont feel like im the only one now. I was thinking of getting a second opinion because  it hurts so much and seemed liked everyone else on here was doing fine. Now i know some of us struggle harder i guess,i feel better when i take a muscle relaxer but im tired of being tired. But hearing you say u took 8 months actually relieves me knowing i might be normal for me Again thanks for your input

Thanks Ladies for responding. I had a pretty good suspicion that I was not getting the whole story about that reduction/lift. I am going to call their office tomorrow and ask for more information. I actually refused the pain prescription that the nurse tried to give me. When I talked to the Doctor earlier he told her to give me a stronger one and she made it for the weaker one. When I questioned her on it she told me that she had never written stronger ones for an exchange. Another nurse said they would give me one day of surgery. I have been reading as much as I could because I feel pretty nervous and unsure about what is going to happen. I hope that hes does a good job getting my breasts symetrical. I don't mind going smaller. I am not looking for perfection. I just want to look normal in clothes. So I don't think I have too high of expectations. However, after reading some of the information here, I am learning alot more what I can expect and I realize I do want things done right. Thanks for sharing your stories. I just wish I had found this site sooner.

Thanks Dawn-Hope, It just seem like it gets worse every week instead of better? I do see a pt 1-2x a week i had barely any range of motion its gotten better,i was going to the pt before exchange also. What's an ot? When did you start to feel better? I know one day at time, but i feel so alone everyday ,i do not see my friends cause im so uncomfortable and hate pretending to feel good,its really hard,so i just sit home alone night and day.When ii do talk to friends they always ask why do i still hurt? im like i dont know and i feel wierd idont know just easier to stay alone i think...

beacher - Lilah got it ... Occupational Therapist. 

I'll send you a PM.

trail2--yes, I did have the patch after my exchange surgery 7/7.  I had no problems with the anesthesia.  In general I think I have nausea from anxiety and the anastrozole I am now on,but that's a different story.  I took percocet for at least a couple of days after my surgery for pain but then weaned myself off of it.  I still have some pain in the breast area but not much.It comes and goes, almost feels like fire in the whole area and then late in the afternoon I feel something like a "stitch" in the top of one of them.  I use ice packs and heat too for pain.  I seem to have more problems and pian from lack of mobility after my BMX in my shoulders that I am working on now. 

Regarding the patch, I had my first surgery (lumpectomy/lifts) at MD Anderson.  It was my first time with anesthesia, and I didn't know I would have a problem with nausea.  They use the patch as a matter of routine.  I still remember waking up and telling the nurse I was about to throw up.  They gave me something else, and that helped.  The patch, though, worked for days. I never did vomit, just had some nausea that passed quickly after they gave me something additional to the patch upon waking up.

My MX I had at my local hospital, still a respected teaching hospital in the Southeast.  However, my experience/stay there was less than stellar.  They did not give me the patch, and I did not think to ask about it.  I was nauseated for days. I could not eat the meal they provided me until it was well past it's prime (cold soup, anyone?) and then it was too late to get anything to eat when I was finally able to.  When I asked about the patch after surgery, they said "too late now, why didn't you ask about it before?" So, I'm actually glad you ladies brought this up, because I have a feeling I would have forgotten about it again next time.  So much to worry about, you'd think they'd at least have the basics down.

I had extreme nausea post-BMX. Was in the recovery room for 5 hours (3 of which i spent throwing up). Awful. Ativan was the med that finally stopped it for me. (Nausea begins in the brain, which is why the Ativan solved the problem. I never knew that!) The next time I went under (for incision issues) I had a nice chat with the anesthesiologist *before* he gave me anything. He gave me a patch - and also fixed up a nice cocktail for my veins. I felt fabulous afterwards. Have had 2 surgeries since then, and absolutely no nausea problems because the anesthesiologist addresses it upfront. Good luck to all having surgery soon!

I am enjoying my new smaller breast. I am enjoying being able to wear tank tops. My only issue is I am not round. The lower part of my breast are more square than round. I know I have to wait for settling to happen. So I am patient and watchful.

One more thing to worry about.

Fighter34 ~  I hear you about the squareness of the TE. I have one that is square and one that is not.  Luckily for me, my exchange is this Friday morning.  YEAH!  Can't wait to trade in for something round and squishy.

I am also staying at a hotel close to my hospital for the night before and after my surgery.  It is over 5 hours drive one way to my PS, so I normally need to stay at least 1 night in hotel.  Hoping I make it home Saturday feeling fine.  I have suffered tachycardia with the last 3 surgeries I have had, so it's a toss up if they let me go home the same day.

 As soon as I am able to post (even if under a narcotic haze) I'll let you all know I am on the other side.  Thanks again for all the support and well wishes!

I made it through the exchange on Friday and it was a breeze!  I had to spend the night due to the infection and complications from previous surgeries.  Just to be hard-headed, I developed a migrane and threw up all night and did not use the pump for fear it was causing the nausa.  Sat. Morning my PS (a true angel if there ever was one) came in and ordered a shot for the migraine and I was out of there and home within two hours. I have two drains (I hate that) and a surgical bra.  My PS uses a clear tape, so I can "see" the new boobies, but they just look kinda squished behind the tape.  I am so thankful to be this far on the road to recovery that I am just happy, happy , happy!

Hi Ladies, been out of town for a week, lots o' action on here as usual.  Best to all recovering this week.

Re post op nausea, I had it once after first mx.  For subsequent surgeries, I remind them during pre-op visit and then they start anti-nausea meds when I check in day of surgery.  That's worked for me every time since.

Westie, so glad your time has come!!!  We'll wait to hear from you..

Regarding nausea after surgery: When the anesthesiologist came in before my exchange surgery both my husband and I mentioned my problem with the anesthesia and he said he would give me something and then he said it seemed that women that have breast cancer seem to have more problems with it.  Well whatever he gave me did not work.  I could not eat anything and threw up several times the first day.  I was able to eat a little the second day.  I just do not understand why he would not even mention the patch.  I am not planning on having anymore surgeries, but if I do I will ask for the patch.