Exchange City

Thanks everyone. My husband was so mad that I suggested postponing the surgery. I am going to go for it based on what i hear from you gals. whew that's a relief. 

Carrol2:  I don't know your particular situation but if you don't have some kind of problem that you are dealing with   ---   Don't postpone your exchange.  You can do lot's of things to make things where you don't have to lift very much.  Buy two weeks worth of groceries, do all your wash, change all your bedding and anything else that you do weekly or that might drive you a bit crazy.  Then just don't lift anything.  Just don't.  It is possible.  My elderly parents came to take care of me-  yea I knew how that would turn out but I was glad to have them and none of us lifted anything.  Well, I did cheat and I did feel a bit tight in the chest so I stopped so don't try to push it.    

Congrats, jyg and hefty lefty. 

Vickie    

Angelique -- I missed this post completely, for some reason.  Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement.  I will work on calming myself, resting, exercising -- (cleaning house ;-) --and generally preparing for that day physically and mentally.  Then, it's "que sera, sera!".  I have a very good surgeon and supportive family.  And I am always so grateful to have the brave ladies of this board just a keyboard click away... 

 HeftyLefty wrote:

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. 

Good morning, ladies. Day after exchange: still having some nausea. Don't know if it is from Percocet or leftover anesthesia?? I did not have this nausea post-BMX, so I don't know what is different. I took same meds then as now, so I am baffled.  I am ok as long as I am sitting, but the minute I stand up, . Anyone else experience this?

Teri: I just spoke with PS' nurse and she is calling in a prescription for Zofran to help with nausea. I asked for it yesterday, but the discharging nurse didn't think I should take it with pain meds --- WHAT? Anyway, other than the nausea, I have mild pain in my right breast but spoke to PS and he said that's where he did a lot of work. So I guess I'll keep taking pain meds to help out with that. I am excited to see what they look like. Can't unveil them for a few days, so they can heal. Thanks for asking! I hope the patch works for you.

jyg: Sorry to hear you are having pain. Are you taking pain meds or are they just not helping you much? That is a good doc to call you at home post-surgery!  

My expectations were a little different also. I am experiencing a little more pain than what I remember from BMX, but my MIL reminded me that I was in a hospital for 2 days on morphine IV drip. Perhaps that is the case, so I am taking Percocet and it seems to help. Also, the Zofran worked almost immediately! Thank goodness!

My exchange is 2 weeks and 1 day...the countdown is on!  I can't wait to move to the next step and get it behind me!!!  I am going to try and lose 6 more pounds before then so my PS will have a better picture of the size I used to be.  Does anyone know how long you have to wait before starting back to exercise after exchange?  I run stadium steps for fitness and I wear a really good sports bra.  Just worried that the bouncing might be too much for the new boobs ))

Emersongrace--Whatever your PS tells you...that is what you do.  Some here have been told to wait 4 weeks or longer.  I was given the green light for light exercise after 1 week.  Tell them what you do for fitness, and they will tell you when you can start.  I am 3 weeks out and I haven't done any hand weights and have been focusing on legs, butt and abs. 

A good thread for you to look at is let's post our daily exercises. We help keep each other motivated to do something every day.

HeftyLefty and jyg:

So glad to hear that the nausea is gone. Hope the pain goes quickly too. Did either of you go home with drains? I am not sure if this is typical for exchange surgery? Have not had consultation with PS yet for my 10/27 exchange and trying to figure out what I need to ask about?

Ginger48 - I have 2 drains and was told told to expect them. Good thing 'cause they are putting out a lot of fluid.



Still nothing like the pain of BMX, but it would have good to experience what many women report, which is hardly any pain, just discomfort.

Emersongrace - my PS said light exercise in 4-6 week then vigorous activity in 8 weeks.

Ha- I have been feeling pretty good so far- excited about that- but took bandages off today and must admit I am a little disappointed. I seem flat and rather saggy- one side is uneven and out to the side still. Does it take a while to even out and do the 'drop fluff' thing? Will my nipples appear higher after that happens? right now it is still like the TEs- those puppies were pointing downhill for sure! I had asked the Dr about it and he said he would do a mastopexy if needed, but he did not. I have not talked to him since surgery Tuesday- I go in next week. Any wisdom? Am I just in too much of a hurry? :-) I do have drains in and so maybe I am not quite ready for prime time...LOL.

fighter 34- glad to hear about the cocoa butter- will try.

Carrol2- the exchange was SOOO much easier than either the first lumpectomy or the BMX- I feel as though I probably could have gone back to work tomorrow. (But I am sure going to enjoy the time off instead!) Enjoy.

spellgirl - The disappointment post-exchange is so normal.  Most of us felt that way.  You are in too much of a hurry!    Not even a week out, please try not to be upset and as whippetmom likes to say, "Step away from the mirror."  

Some of the ladies who've had nipple sparing MX after their exchange (when the PS said it was OK to do so) were helped immensely by massaging of the implants.  But PLEASE don't do it until your PS says it is OK.  Right now you need to do some internal healing.  The drop and fluff thing can happen as far as six months out from the exchange.  Your pec muscles need to loosen up ... give yourself some time, girl!  It's only 2 days!    Patience and time are your friends now.

Hang in there!  A lot of us have shed tears post-exchange and then in a few weeks or months those tears turn into smiles.  Hang in there!  [[[[[[hugs]]]]]] 

I'm seeing my PS on Monday.  The question was did I want another fill, or just to schedule the exchange.  I've had it with the TE's and so I'm going to just schedule the exchange.  I'm in more discomfort-not pain-more like a constant tooth ache then before.  I want this done.  Hoping to post my exchange date next week.    SO  helpful to hear what other's experiences are so I know what to expect.

I'm thinking about flying down to Fla. to see my son who's in school there a couple of days after the surgery.  My PS said he thought it would "probably be okay", but I'm waffling...any thoughts?

Last fill was today. Exchange scheduled for first week of December. Yeah!!!!!