Exchange City
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Hi all -- My name is Sharon, and I am scheduled for my exchange surgery next Wednesday, October 5th. I've had two surgeries in my life -- the first in December '09 was a lumpectomy, during which my surgeon found a second tiny tumor. She then recommended the second in late January 2010, a mastectomy, which I elected to be bilateral instead of unilateral. I've got a great plastic surgeon and have had my saline expanders in since that second surgery, delaying my exchange surgery because I'm basically afraid of surgery. I consider this surgery to be the most "elective" of them all, and I find myself feeling like I'm "tempting fate" to go into surgery "just to get more comfortable and natural looking implants." As the date gets closer to my (finally!) scheduled exchange surgery date, I am getting more and more frightened. Everyone tells me that "this will be nothing compared to what you've been through", and I find myself mentally knocking on wood each time I hear that. I know I'm being irrational -- like someone who doesn't fly much going to the airport -- but it's hard to stop these fears. Has anyone else felt this way about the exchange surgery? I'm hoping that all your experiences and advice will help to calm my fears. As for the question of what NOT to take before surgery, my plastic surgeon's list is aspirin, vitamin E and NSAIDS for two weeks before surgery. I asked if the vitamin E in my multivitamins would be a problem and they said no, I could take my multivitamins...0
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Prairiemermaid: if it is any help, the TEs are not meant to be permanent so the exchange surgery is not elective. They are not designed to be implanted for years the way an implant is. That said, I also felt more fear of the surgery and I totally understand the difference you feel (the removal of the cancer was absolutely necessary and the focus there is more on getting it out... whereas now the focus is on getting a good cosmetic result). I think the best you can do to ease your fear is remember that, as you have said, you have a great plastic surgeon. Someone experienced who knows what she/he is doing. Just breathe and focus your thoughts/images on waking up from surgery and feeling good, feeling better. I remember my TE was very tight and uncomfortable and I had pain down my arm at the end from the pressure of the stretching (and the overexpansion). I woke up in the recovery room and felt instant relief and it was wonderful. So my advice is to focus on waking up and feeling wonderful.
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Prairiemermaid: Those expander's have got to be getting in your way, isn't that close to 2 yrs. with them? All I can say is think soft.
Ditto what Lilah wrote.
Wishing you relaxation and hoping that your nerves calm down so that this is not an awful experience. It is much easier than the BMX. I hope your are pleasantly surprised.
Vickie
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HeftyLefty
I was not advised to stop taking tamoxifen or my vitamins before surgery. I didn't take them the morning of, but took them that evening. (Actually doubled up on the tamoxifen, as I am supposed to take one in the morning and one at night-10mg each).
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Prariemermaid - I hear your concerns, heck let's call it fear. TE's are not meant to be left in for more than 6 months. They need to come out.
Now to be a bit more compassionate, I also have some surgery-phobia - even as a physician. Maybe having spent time in OR's I know a bit too much about what exactly goes on. Maybe having a spouse who is an anesthesiologist I know the precise risks of general anesthesia, be they ever so small but real. Here is how I deal with my surgery-anxiety. I do a lot of preparation with guided imagery and affirmation podcasts (free ones) to get me in the calm but focused state that has been shown not only to decrease anxiety but also to improve surgical outcomes such as decrased blood loss, less time in the recovery room and hospital, fewer doses of pain meds.
My exchange is tomorrow, and I am excited but a tad anxious. Two free podcasts you can use are here: This series from Kaiser Permanente; Preparing and Healing from Surgery series from Hill Physicians
You can do this with calmness and success. I look forward to hearing about your experience!
Jan
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jyg: You and I have a big day tomorrow! I appreciate all the info and advice you have shared here, especially your last post. I am also grateful for Prairiemaid's post because I also have a little pre-op anxiety, and your response will likely help me as well.
Good Luck tomorrow!
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jyg and HeftyLefty, Good luck to you both tomorrow!! I am up on Thursday for some fat grafting and cv flaps. I hate the loss of control with general anesthesia. I am feeling the pre-surgery jitters already. Let us know how you do, I am sending good thoughts to you both.
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Ladies -- good wishes for successful and easy surgeries tomorrow!
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Good luck to everyone having surgery in the near future. There is a light at the end of the tunnel:)
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Hey- I'm DONE!!! Gjot my exchange this morning and I feel pretty good! Dr. put in Allergan 15's at 752 ccs- just what jWhippetmom recommended. I am still bandaged up in my 'beautiful black surgery bra', so I don't know how i LOOK, but I feel better already. Hang in there, everyone- it really is a lot better than the first go-rounds we've been through. ( I think I am probably still a little up from the drugs- can you tell? ;-) Looking forward to checking things out tomorrow or thursday.) Thanks, Whippetmom and all the others who have been so encouraging and helpful. I haven't posted much due to being away caring for my mom who had spine surgery and is learning how to walk again, but I plan to catch up with folks some this week. As my Army friend would say, 'Hooah'! (which basically means, 'it's all good').
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Congrats, Spellgirl! Great to hear all has gone so well.
On my blog today (which has nothing to do with breast cancer except as it crosses my path), my regular readers christened my new-foobs-to-be as "noobs"!0 -
Congrats spellgirl!
Love the term noobs! Just love it.0 -
Spellgirl, so glad everything went well today. I am looking forward to hearing more of how you progress tomorrow and through all the changes in the next few weeks. It is really exciting.
jyg and hefty lefty: Good Luck on exchange tomorrow and can't wait to hear back on how ya'll are doing.
Vickie
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anniealso- I am going to call PS. I did not realize they could take some out. That might help.I have 5 weeks till exchange.
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Congrats and happy healing to all of this week's E-girls!!!!!!
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Thank you all so much for all the support and suggestions -- it helps a lot. And it helps just to hear of all your experiences and to know I'm not alone. Best of luck to all of you going into surgery today. I will be thinking of you and sending my best wishes. Congratulations Spellgirl! And thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience... Sharon
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jyg and HeftyLefty: Hoping everything goes super well today and that you both love the result!!!
jyg: Thanks for the free podcasts....I will watch them for sure.
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jyg and HeftyLefty...we are all thinking of you today and can't wait to hear from you on how you are feeling after the echange. I did the guided imagery and meditation CD's before my BMX and it was incredibly calming to me. As soon as the music started, my stress level would go down.
spellgirl- congrats and love the term "noobs"
Ginger
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Yes, I think I like "noobs" better than "foobs". But, I'm still calling mine boobs!
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Home! Drugged! So glad that is over. Unveiling Friday
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Yay, jyg! So glad to hear you are done and all is well... :-)
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Question to the board:
My exchange surgery is scheduled for October 25. My doctor says 1 week no lifting over 5 lbs and 2nd week nothing over 10 pounds and no lifting arms over head foe two weeks.
so i was counting on my husband to take care of me this time. The last two surgeries my sister flew out. I don't think she can come this time. The problem is my husband hurt his arm really bad, had to have surgery to repair 4 tendons. He takes care of himself pretty well with one hand. He will need physical therapy for 4 months. I am wondering if he will be able to help me after my surgery with one hand. I was debating on postpoinng it a month. But that mean I am recovering during peak retail season, i work as a sales associate, and we need the money. He does not want me to post pone it.
what do you gals think? Will a one handed husband be enough help after this surgery?
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jyg, Glad you are home, hope you have a restful night.
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Very early morning today: 4:30 a.m. start! Home now, and not drugged any longer, but still a little nauseous from the anesthesia. Wrapped up like a mummy until Friday, like jyg. Went from 550cc TE's to Mentor Smooth round Hi-profile 700cc's. I can't tell yet if these are more comfortable than the TE's, but I am sure they are and looking forward to enjoying that!
Thank you, all, for your kind words and well-wishes! Very much appreciated.
Congrats, jyg!
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Carrol2, I absolutely think you will be fine after your exchange surgery. I took a week off and absolutely was feeling good the next day. My husband went to work the next day, I did not have a minutes trouble. You are in great shape and will do well!
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Carroll2 - If he is willing to help you I think you could make it. But it is really important to follow the PS's instructions. I did too much lifting & reaching after my exchange and a tiny hole opened up in my incision and I'm sure it was because I did too much reaching. Nothing happened but I could have really messed myself up. It is not worth it. If he is willing and able to reach up for you and lift things for you I think you'll be OK. But only you know your DH and know if he will really do it for you.
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HeftyLefty, 700cc, great for you. Hope you also have a restful night. I will be getting up tomorrow at 4:30 to be ready and hospital at 6am for my fat grafting and nips, I am getting nervous. I don't expect to sleep much tonight.
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Congratulations to all you Exchange Ladies!
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Prairiemermaid: I can now say this with confidence: You will be so glad to get those TE's out and to have this behind you!
I want to encourage you to embrace this and put those feelings of anxiety behind you. I have periods of anxiety in general (GAD) and things like surgery are real zingers, but please know, that you can do this! I hope jyg's recommendations can help you with this surgery.
Best wishes.
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So glad you are home and doing well, Angelique! I hope everything turns out perfectly for both you and jyg, with the "unveiling" and everything thereafter... :-)
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