Exchange City
Comments
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@ sweetbadger: Aww, sorry you're feeling blue post-exchange. I hear that's really common. My theory is that we push down all our sadness about losing our breasts in order to get through the ordeal, but once we're "through" (or close to through) the feelings we've supressed come bubbling up to the surface. I think also, as we go from "potential" (our new breasts could be anything!) to "actual" (they're starting to take a more permanent shape), we have to face reality in a new way that can be difficult and sad.
However, as others have said, your new breasts will change pretty drastically during the first several months as "drop and fluff" occurs (I didn't totally believe this until I joined the picture forum and saw for myself!) so what you see now is not ultimately what you get. Also, keep in mind that revisions are possible and pretty common and you can always consider one if you're still not happy several months from now. It might take a little while, but odds are excellent that you will eventually have a chest situation that you feel good about! Hang in there 'til then!
-JadeBlue (rocking those expanders 'til exchange on Monday, 8/8)
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I have been living with my TEs since March 29th. The last two fills have hurt more than any of the others. I had a really bad time after my BMX with pain. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I am now nervous about the exchange. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be done with the TEs but I am nervous about the surgery. My exchange is scheduled for September 13th. Now I have a rash underneath both breasts and between them. PS said it looks like I had an allergic reaction to something. I did change soap so maybe that is it. I really hope I like the implants more than the TEs.
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YOU WILL !!!
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i am also waiting for my exchange surgery on 8/26. My emotions have run the whole spectrum. I am so ready to be done with the TE. My pre surgery visit is this Wednesday - anything special I should discuss with my PS. How is the recovery from the exchange - I know it cant be anywhere near as rough as the BMX.
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Hello everyone,
mom2ne My bmx was aug 9th but i got my TEs the same day as you 3/29. I did pretty good with the bmx i was back at the gym in a month doing light zumba. The TE surgery it took me about 6 weeks mostly because i got a sore throat about a week after the surgery and was coughing, still not sure why i got that. could have been anesthesia, just caught a bug at hospital, or acid reflux from the antibiotics. I don;t have my exchange date yet my preop is sept 6th and i will get a date then. I am also really nervous
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I'm having my exchange tomorrow -- going to hospital @ 6 a.m. Will let you all know how it goes and what to expect based on my experience. I'm small (275 cc TEs) and have only had the expanders since mid-May. They've been uncomfortable, but not terrible. Looking forward to exchange!
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Jade, wishing you the best tomorrow!!
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jadeblue - Good luck and a big hug. you will be home and back at it before you know it. I know all will go well - keep us posted:)
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Jade: Good luck and wishes for a fast recovery
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jadeblue - best wishes for an excellent outcome and quick recovery!
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Hi all! I will be calling my Drs when they get in, but I woke up with a numb right thigh. I had the TE exc 11 days ago. I started Tamoxifen 7 days ago. I have been exercising it (massaging, flexing) in and out of bed this a.m. I did sleep on it last night for the first time since surgery. My cat lies on my legs some times at night. I also have a bug bite on my thigh I scratched but I have had that for at least 5 days. No reddness or anything. My foot is starting to feel tingly like it is releasing. Anyone else experience this...any tips? Just when I am starting to feel good again. Chemo ended May 24th. No rad. Thank you all!
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After viewing the picture forum I am definitely going to need some revision work done. Thanks for allowing me to join.
*Fat grafting along the top
*And also where I have a crease on my left breast.
It's hard to explain but I have a fold along the side of my left breast near my armpit. I am massaging it with cocoa butter daily with the attempts to loosen the skin up to help with the fat grafting in that area. Any one else doing this or can give pointers?
Follow-up appt scheduled for later this month.
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Just got back from the PS and I got my surgery date October 17. I have chosen to delay (could have had the surgery this month) due to some work related meetings. I am starting to get a little excited and nervous all mixed into one. He stated things looks good and anticipates a smooth exchange. I have taken some pictures throughout and will be posting onto the picture forum this week (screen name lizard). I had never taken a "before BMX" picture but they did at the PS office. I asked if I could have a copy. When I got the printout, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had gotten so use to the TEs that I forgot how droppy I was and how much tissue was taken from the cancer breast during the second excision, I really was lopsided.
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Liz - Congrulations on your date! Having it on the calendar is super exciting! The wait can only do you good from a physical standpoint ... more time for that muscle and skin to stretch!
The waiting is hard, emotionally, though! What size implants are you looking at? Congratulations on your E-Day Date!
xo 0 -
In pre op now. Here I go!!!!!!!!
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identtwins: Woo Hoo!!!0
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Dawn-Hope
Thanks. I was a 36 small D before BMX and was trying to stay the same size at least originally. I have in 550cc expanders (expanded to 570) and according to whippetmom she suggested 650cc implants (has not seen pictures yet so only her first impression). However when I talked with PS we decided on 550 mentor high profile. He is also going to bring in 600 and see however after reading about some complaints of heaviness in the implants I wanted to go smaller and told him I think 550 is enough. My BC side IMF looks good to him but my prohy side has a significant divot that he said he will "release" at the exchange. Not sure exactly what that means but I really do trust this guy and love his work I have seen in pictures and what he has done for me so far. keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
Identtwins. Wishing you all the best during your recovery. Hope everything went smoothly
Liz0 -
Liz - I'm no expert here, whippetmom is, but if you go for 550's and you're stretched to 570 ... know that you are going to look quite a lot smaller than you do now with your TE's. It's amazing how much projection you lose when you go from the TE's to the implants. It's great that you have a great relationship with your PS. Communicate clearly with him on what you want ... which it sounds like you have!
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Feel so much better with gummybear's than TE'S. All went smoothly. Natrelle style 45 extra high profile 650ml. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive. Nips coming 9/6
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Hi ladies! I've been reading and taking notes of everything, you guys are extremely helpful. My exchange is at 9 today and I'm starting to freak out, I had such a hard time with general anesthesia last time. Eeek, well I just have to hold my fear in check. Also, did anyone went to their surgery alone? Feeling quite sad and lonely, my husband just told me last night he was going to the gym and had a conference call at work today so he couldn't take me to the hospital, but might be able to pick me up around 3. I don't have any one else lined up, I just assumed he was going to take me:/ so I didn't really planned. Ugh, should have known since the darn mastectomy was the same situation. Luckily I live in brooklyn and can take the subway and taxi. But I'm still pretty stressed. Luckily it will be over soon.
Well, my 14 year old niece and 7 year old daughter just offered to go
sweet but I don't know if I want to see me in that situation. Ugh. Cancer sucks.
Kim0 -
Jade- hope all is going well- looking for an update
Identtwins....yeah.....hope you are doing well and you will let us know:)
Liz- hey buddy- I had 450 TEs and went up to 550HP mentor smooths- what I landed up with (depending on bra) is a full 36 C-small D. Very happy with size, shape and projection. My implants felt HEAVY after exchange and I was very worried that I would never have the softness I heard others talk about....well, it is now 4.5 months out and they are much softer and much more *me*. Cooling it on using those pec muscles has made a huge difference in the process. Are they perfect? Nah, but what is? Certainly not me:) But I like em and they look great in clothes and not so bad nekkid.
I am so glad to have waited it out and lad to have gone to the 550s. Your PS is in the right place by bringing a selection in...that is what mine did....450s 500s 550s (as I told him what I wanted if possible-the projection and size) he said what fit and what was viable he would go with.
Next up is fat grafting and I gotta say I had the funniest appointment yesterday...the PS actually yelled at me and asked why I lost so much weight when I knew I was up for fat grafting (hmmm, not sure on that point-DUH) -FIRST TIME THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED:) He almost postponed FG and will see me again a week from this Friday (surgery is scheduled 8/24) if i don't have enough belly fat he is going to postpone -he likes taking from only one area so results in both fat donor site are good and even and having enough "material" to work with, he overfills to allow for reabsorption....so I have two weeks to gain a pooch, HEE HAW...he asked if I thought I could do it and I cracked up....i think i most certainly can....
num num
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kim- so sorry you are stressing and feeling alone- damn, I wish I was there so I could go with you. (your hubby will probably bump into mine at the gym figuratively speaking). Someone HAS to be there following to take you home. So body boy is gonna have to be there. Insist on it.
Recovery in of itself is not so bad. This is the GOOD surgery- the rebuilding part. And the good news is this is typically much smoother surgery than the MX....I could not believe how good I felt following it in comparison. Ask for the lightest touch possible with anesthesia. Let us know as soon as you can how everything went- you have your own personal cheering squad here bud.
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Thanks Annette! I have great phone support from friends and family. Too bad they live so far away. My husband mtg is pushed to 11am so he is able to be here after the gym but will leave in 20mins. Oh well, at least he was here to take the office number down.
Kim0 -
Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. The surgery went fine and I am moderately sore and tired, but nothing like after the BMX (really only about 5% as difficult). Not even as bad as the lumpectomy. PS said that moving the breasts in toward the center underneath the pectoral muscles is what causes the pain. Makes sense, because it does feel like muscle ache close to the sternum. Anyway, I don't know if I even need Percoset today (surgery was Monday). Might try taking ibuprofen only today.
My implants are Mentor 300 cc high-profile round, smooth. I know that's on the small side of what's typically used, but think I'll be happy with the size. I'm in a compression bra which he's said to wear 24/7 until my follow-up visit on Tuesday. No showers 'til then either, and no way to get a really good look at things until Tuesday. The unusual piece of my story is that he did a nipple sharing procedure, and the grafted nipple is extremely fragile at first. I think if I didn't have that, I'd be out of bandages and able to shower much sooner. I'd really like the graft to work, though, so I'm going to be compliant (if not patient) and not peek at the new girls. They look pretty nice in a bra, though, and they feel so much softer than the expanders.
Best to all who are waiting for or recovering from your exhanges,
Jade0 -
That is awesome to hear Jade
I'm literally on the bed waiting to be pulled into surgery, so it's a great relief to hear. I wish you a speedy recovery and that your new boobies are perfect. Mine will be the same/similiar size
Kim0 -
Kim good luck! For both PBMX and exchange I just had my husband drops off. No use him sitting there doing nothing when he could be at work. The nurses just gave him a call when I was in recovery and he was there in plenty of time to take me home. Take care!
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Hi everyone,
I have been posting on the surgery forum, but this is my first time posting here. I am 4 weeks out from my unilateral mx with immediate TE placement, and just had my first and last fill. I really feel that I need to see some photos of final implant results, to help make a decision on what size/ style to use. I want to match my natural 36B breast as closely as possible, although I am realistic...I know it won't be perfect. I would love to not do anything to the non mx side, but I don't know how possible it is to match. Anyway, is there a way I can view the picture forum? Also, any advice from those who have gone through the process is greatly appreciated!0 -
dizzyakira: I guarantee you they won't let you leave the hospital/surgery center alone! I'm sorry you're feeling abandoned on surgery day
, that sucks! We're all with you in spirit and will be cheering you on!!! 0 -
identtwins -- So glad the exchange went well and that you feel so much better! I must say, though, Natrelle style 45s are NOT gummy bears. Only the Allergan 410s are the type of cohesive gel that is dubbed "gummy bear" consistency. With that said, who cares? They feel good and that is what matters! (I just am correcting for others' sake as they explore options).
Wahoooo!!! for the yippee squishies!!!
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