Exchange City
Comments
-
Tina - if the same anesthesiologist is not available, tell the next to look at the " cocktail" that was used for you. That's what medical records are for, supposedly...
0 -
Tina and Christine,
Don't know if it's the amount of time you are under anesthesia or not. I had no problem with the port placement or biopsy under anesthesia but I was not under more than an hour for both of those. I had problems with both exchanges & BMX/TE because I was under for 7.5 hours.
Good Luck Tina with your exchange.
Glad it's over.
Terri
0 -
Terri
Congrats on your exchange. Glad you are feeling better. Best of luck with continued healing. Please keep us posted on your progress
Liz0 -
-
Tina, yes, ask for the special anti-nausea cocktail you had before! I do that every time. Workin' like a charm.
Terri You are right, I think it does depend on the length of time you are under. And you were under a long time. Feel better!!
0 -
Hi all!! I had my appointment with my PS yesterday. We scheduled the exchange surgery on Aug. 30. Yeah!!!! This is a bilateral exchange. In addition to the exchange, he will create two new nipples and take out my port when he is finished. I am sooo excited to get to the end of this one year journey.
0 -
Hi Ladies,
I haven't been here for sooo long...
I have a question for anyone who has had an MRI after exchange.....went for my first mammo yesterday....my exchange was May 2010, I am very happy with the results...reconstruction of left and augmentation of right....(waited 17 years to do it).
Well, they took over 9 mammo pics, then wanted an ultrasound....now want an MRI because they see "a little line" and want to be sure its nothing. I have been told this MRI will be 1 hour, and will be on stomach....has anyone gone through this...I am freaking out! I am very claustrophobic and they will give me some anxiety meds!
0 -
Artsy: I am so claustrophobic and one Xanax and a friend holding my hand got me through. They do have a window you can look out of but I have to say I hate these!!! good luck and hoping it's all clear.
0 -
Artsy,
I had a MRI before bmx because of dense breast. I assume it would be similar. Mostly it was a bit over-whelming and uncomfortable. There is a noise but they give you ear plugs for that. You are suppose to stay very very still because they have to match up two sets of pictures and if you move they said that they would have to start all over.
Mostly I just think it was that it was unconformable and a bit painful position that you have to lay in otherwise it would have been easy for me to shut my eyes and think of something else. The noise is this constant DUM- DUM- DUM you have to try to block that out, just make sure your ear plugs are in tight.
Just the idea of if you move they have to start over is enough to make you stay still and just get it over with. I think you can request and open MRI, sometimes, I don't know for sure just saw that on T.V., if you are claustrophobic. I also had a MRI biopsy which I did not look forward to and thought I might not make it through, the nurse that called to arrange appointment said that I could request some anxiety meds. I didn't. But, you might ask about that. Easy for me to say but just try not to dwell on it.
Hope this helps, Vickie
0 -
artsy: I had a breast MRI, then two MRI-guided core biopsies. I did fine without any medication for both procedures. However, I have two friends who both felt they couldn't have gotten through it without Valium. The MRI techs deal with anxious patients all day and are usually very good about getting you as comfy as possible, keeping you warm, and getting you through it. As MBJ mentioned, you can see out with the help of some magic mirrors. They're allowing an hour for the procedure, but you won't be in the machine for a solid hour. It's usually a series of separate scans. But, if you already know you're claustrophobic - better living through chemistry!
A "little line" does sound like nothing. You can do this!!!
0 -
Well, I see i'm next in line.Yikes!!!! I've been wrestling with a cold all week and I'm at the tail end. I finially broke down and spoke with my PS. He said as long as I don't have a fever( I do't) and I'm not continously coughing( almost stopped completely, just a bit of throat clearing) he'll see me tomorrow morning and check me out along with the anesthesiologist. Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.
Barbara
0 -
KY Vickie, We have the same surgery day! Yahoo for August 30th. Hope your exchange goes well.
I had extreme nausea from my surgery before last (hysterectomy). It was horrible. But the two surgeries before that were great. One was for the BMX (nausea, but controlled with medications) and then the exchange (woke up with nausea, but controlled with meds). The hysterectomy nausea lasted all night. That is the worst part of surgeries for me.
0 -
MBJ, virokie and TinaT...thanks for you info....I am hoping the meds will help me through it....just can't wait until its over.....scheduled for Mon @ 9:30....
MBJ....how are you doing....I just read a few back pages and found out about your accident. That is terrible....hope you are feeling better.
Thanks again....its great to have a place to go for advice and where you know you will find someone that has probably gone through it....
0 -
I posted this as a new topic but realized I probably should have asked my questions here with so many ladies experienced in revisions. I've definitely decided to have a revision. My left implant (non-cancer/non-radiation side) decided to drop a little and gravitate to the side. Not noticable in bra but noticable without. I had my original exchange on 5/31/11. The changes on the left side happened pretty quickly after and I've been contemplating this all summer. I've decided that I didn't come this far to "settle". Just scheduled it for September 19 (right after an unplanned 5-day trip to Hawaii with my sister and daughter! Yay!!). What can I expect in terms of recovery? PS says he can do more sutures that before by attaching also to the scar tissue that has formed. I know the pocket work was what caused most of the pain the first time (along the ribs). Anyone had anything similar done?
0 -
Artsy,
See if there is an open MRI in your area. I also did not like the anxiety & hammering with the regular MRI, but had an open MRI for the brain that was not claustrophobic at all and they let me listen to some great music.
Terri
0 -
Slinky- This will be my 4th surgery in less than a year. So far, I haven't had any nausea from the meds. I hope your surgery goes well on the 30th also.
TinaT- Thanks for all your words of encouragement. If I read this right, you have surgery next week. Hope all goes well for you also.
0 -
I had an MRI prior to my BMX. Here's how I got through it.
1) I took half a Xanax before I left the house.
2) Once I was positioned in the machine (but before they moved me into the closed portion), I shut my eyes. And I kept them shut. And then I thought about my favorite place to hike and imagined myself there. The tech gave me some instructions to move once I was "in" the MRI machine and I did what he told me but I kept my eyes shut. I only opened them after I was out of the machine. I tricked myself into thinking i was somewhere else, and it worked!
If you can't see that you are closed in, you can tell your brain you are anywhere!
0 -
ibcmets - I asked about that but was told it cannot be an open MRI....
rennasus - I will try to keep my eyes closed....and try to think I'm at the beach...and that its the pounding surf I hear....will let you know if it works....one can only hope!
Thanks for your advice, it is always appreciated.
0 -
Hi. I just joined and was looking for photos of reconstruction (I'm tentatively scheduled for a BMX with NS surgery and reconstruction on September 22nd). Does anyone on this site know where the implant with reconstruction photos are? Thanks. ~ Therese
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Sending you all cyber hugs to a wonderful group of ladies! I can look back now...2 years this week...since having my MX & loving LIFE as it is today for me. Many blessings to all!
NAE
0 -
Therese9: The picture forum is a privately moderated site totally separate from this website. You'll need to send a PM (private message) to Lilah, MBJ, or firni through this site. They will want you to have a certain number of posts on this site before giving you access.
You might already know, but there is a nipple sparing thread on this site that fairly active. I had NSM and I'm so glad you're a candidate!
Best wishes!!!
0 -
I am new to this site. So comforting to know that I am one of many wonderful woment. I'd like to ask a vet how her exhange turned out. Specifically how her implants looked and felt after the surgery. My TE are filled to 375cc now and am scheduled for another fill on Fri. Exchange with port removal and ovary removal will be scheduled in Sept. Now that it is getting close am concerned that I will always have "turtle shell" boobs. Will they be soft, will they move any? Just starting to freak because I always saw the TE as temporary and now I realize the next phase is forever. Thanks so much for any info.
0 -
survivor11: There is another very helpful thread here called Implant Sizing 101. Also, there is a privately moderated picture forum (not affiliated with this website) where women post pictures, including reconstruction photos. You'll need to post more here before you can gain access. Ultimately, you need to contact MBJ, Lilah, firni, or whippetmom via PM (private message) to gain access.
I am scheduled for my exchange this Wednesday (yikes!) and I'm excited! However, I can tell you from everything I've heard from others that you should not have turtle shells and the implants will be softer than the TEs! Please don't freak - if you're not happy after your exchange all is not lost! There are tweaks that can be done including fat grafting, etc. Don't despair!!!
0 -
Thanks so much for the info.
Good luck with your surgery, will be praying for you. Let us all know how you do.
"...then while dark and cold within the tunnel, there appears a light."
0 -
Artsy: I wish I could be there to hold your hand but Xanax does wonders! Thank you for asking how I am doing-except for a slowly fading scar on my nose I am fine-the PS may have to fix my nose later but the stitches came out fine and in another month-who knows-maybe I will get a brand new nose, too, lol!
Good luck everyone who have their exchanges this week. Yippee squishees and fast recoveries for all!
0 -
Just asked mykidsmom to add me to the list.
I will be joining TinaT on Aug 24th. Having right expander exchange, left lift, and port removed.
This is my second attempt for a implant, last one was met with complications. This all should have been over a year ago. Hoping for better results this time.
To those that have had a exchange plus lift, any idea how long your surgery took? Actual surgery, not recovery. The one thing I forgot to ask at pre-op.
Guess I will just be surprised
0 -
ferretmom: Yay, I have a surgery buddy! Mine is a pretty straightforward bilateral exchange and will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours I'm told. Sorry your reconstruction has dragged on so long
. Puts things in perspective for me. I'm only about 3-4 months behind due to post-MX complications. I'll be thinking good thoughts for both of us!!!
0 -
Good luck to all having surgery this week!
0 -
Hi Ladies, thanks again for your support.
Well I survived the MRI....I took Ativan....1 1/2 pills....I guess it helped....I was pretty calm I just kept my eyes closed and tried to take my mind off it....it only took about 30 minutes...faster than expected. Dr's appt tomorrow to get results....I just think it is nothing....I have had mammos for 17 years after MX with no problems. I now get reconstruction with augmentation and now they see something???? Of course I needed to get it to make sure.
Thanks MBJ.....glad you are doing well.....I would love to get a new nose....but don't want to go through that either.
0
