Exchange City
Comments
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rehm046 - Just a gentle reminder - sometimes it's better to take it slow with this process. Is it possible for your PS to remove some saline and take a break or go a bit slower? You sound very anxious to just get it over with, but if you end up with unhappy results it simply won't be worth it. It would be heartbreaking to go through all of this and have to live with breasts you're not happy with or to need a revision...
Sorry, but I agree with Dawne-Hope wholeheartedly that a few days after exchange is way too soon to fly, especially if you're going alone. Too much chance of breaking the rules about lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. I can think of at least ten different ways you could hurt yourself. The problem after exchange is that you are going to feel pretty good compared to after MX so it's much harder to remember not to overdo. Plus (please don't take offense), you definitely don't sound like you're in "take it slow" mode right now
so you're really apt to set yourself back.Sorry, just my two cents' worth - but, you did ask (well, about the flying anyway!)
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ingoodcompany - Congratulations!!! Keep us posted, OK?0
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rehm46: I know that you are anxious to get rid of your TE's. I know I was. I am just 2 days out from exchange, and i know there is no way I could fly right now. My PS is big on avoiding infections, and takes many extra precautions. I think he has rubbed off on me. Subsequently, I would be worried about all the exposure to germs when traveling just a couple of days after surgery (not paranoid - just cautious). Just like TinaT said, after going through all of this, I wouldn't want to do anything to risk it. Take your time. When you look back on this, say by next summer, it will be just a blip in time in the whole scheme of things. Best wishes.
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HeftyLefty- I think you have the right idea. I have to set my sights further out (like next summer) and just take the time to work through all this.Before I started reading these posts I was feeling like my exchange date was the finish line and am now realizing that really is not even close to true.
Thanks, ladies, for being here! (and sorry you have to be!)
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I hope recent exchange ladies are doing well today. I can't wait to hear how the unveiling goes, at this point is mostly about how soft they feel, I hope ya'll are excited by that.
I did want to report in on MRI & insurance, mine was denied, I did what people posted said to do and I have just found out that it is now being taken care of. Wow, that was fast and only one certified letter to both Insurance company and one to MRI clinic. So, ladies-----Appeal and Good Luck.
Vickie
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Question for those of you with exchange experience: did any of you have bruising? I have not even taken off the surgical bra yet, but i can see light bruising near the IMF. Any thoughts?
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HeftyLefty -
One of my favorite products to help with bruising is homeopathic and I would highly suggest trying it. It is called Arnica Montana - sometimes just called arnica. Look it up at www.1800homeopathy.com and you can read about it. A local health/oganic food store might have it in your area. I really do believe it helps.
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I would buy the Arnica that you take orally. It is sold in tubes of cream you can rub on too, but that is more for sports injuries that have bruising.
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Exchange date set for November 29th. I am very excited about it too!
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HeftyLefty - I was really surprised that I had no bruising whatsoever after my exchange even though my PS had to work on the left pocket a bit and remove some capsule scar tissue. I would image that your PS was expecting some bruising and might be part of the reason you were wrapped up and they told you not to remove anything until you went in for the post op. If you're concerned perhaps you should just call in to ease your mind....0
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Just returned from the great unveiling. PS did a wonderful job repairing the symmastia (uni-boob) that had developed with TEs and removing excess skin from my weight loss. No bruising but a lot of swelling and some asymmetry, which I expected. Now in a sports bra but still on pain meds - that extra repair was more painful than I had anticipated but no muscle spasm. YAY!
Hefty - I took Arnica Montana 30x, dissolved 5 little pellets 3 times a day for 3 days prior to surgery. Not using any now. Bought them at a local market that sells a lot of organic food and vitamins.
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Hefty Leftty:
Bi-lat Exchange on 9/13 and drains pulled out from both sides on 9/22. After that I developed a bruise the size of a flip phone under the lower left side. I know PS must have done extensive pocket work on that side to get rid of all the skin sparing extra skin, but was suprised to get a bruise that far out from surgery. The bruise is still mostly black - another week down the road - but may have more purple tints today. Unfortunately that side is also still quite sore under my arm and I have sharp knife like pains if I make a wrong turn. Hurts worse if I leave off the surgical bra for a couple of hours.
I guess I'm going with "wait & be patient" as so many before have counseled. I don't see the PS for 8 weeks, so...
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It has been two weeks and two days since my exchange. I was told to step away from the mirror because they were flattening out after 1st week and while it was not traumatic it was not what I expected- even though most everyone on this site had reported similar things. The flat stage has passed and they are looking more like what dropping must be, just full and rounded at the bottom.
I couldn't really feel or see that any pocket work had been done until yesterday and the bottom of the foob filled in more. Now that part is looking a bit flatter than the rest but it wasn't even there until yesterday so I guess I'll just watch.
Anyway just wanted to report in for the ladies who just got their exchange and the ladies in waiting.
Oh, I have had one issue that has bothered me, a tightness under my arms. I had hoped that it would go away when the drains came out, the when the T.E.'s came out but I still have the tightness with the implants. Well, last night I sleep with my arms over my head and it stopped on one side and is now on the other. So, I don't know what that means but I feel so much better this morning. I start some PT next Tuesday so maybe I can handle it there. The PS doesn't think it is implants we both felt under my arms and could not feel the implants there. I was told not to wear a bra but I think I may start to see if that helps at all. Other than that everything is great.
I hope the recent exchanges are doing well.
Good Luck and I am very excited for the ladies who will be getting their exchanges next week.
So, has the whole board gone to Vegas?
Vickie
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Vickie,
Good to hear things are settling out for you. I found a couple of sessions with PT to be very helpful and continue to do many of the exercises.I had tightness under node disection arm, this has improved with exercise and fat grafting last week.
Wish I was in Vegas!
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Christine47,
Hearing about what others have gone through really helps. Just wondering how the tightness under your arms are now. Do they continue to improve? How long have you been working on it? Is that what you were told it was node dissection.
Yea, wish I was in Vegas too. It seems like a very special group that meets there.
Vickie
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virokie: I did not have any tightness under the arms. In fact, I probably have been too active because I feel so normal ( loading/unloading dishes, reaching into cabinets, wash/dry/fold clothes, fix bed, etc.) and will end up doing something to prevent proper healing, so I should cool it. It sounds like the light stretching and PT exercises might be in order for you. I remember from my BMX recovery, that doing the "walking the wall" exercise while in a warm shower helped me tremendously, because it loosened up the muscles while being soothed by the gentle massage of the shower. Very nice.
I developed a rash over my trunk on Friday evening, but that has been resolved (whew) as well as the nausea thing that I took care of very early on. However, the one lingering problem is my right hand where they put in the IV. OMG! It is still slightly swollen, colored and very painful. The vein looks like it is 1/2" wide and it hurts to bend my wrist or shake hands with anyone. I am trying not to get too worked up over this because I know lots of people have trouble with IV's, but I was just wondering how long this will continue before I should be concerned. I know my MIL had black-n-blue bruises up and down her arm from the IV but she doesn't remember it hurting like mine does.
Enough of that!
I need to stop whining because right now, things seem to have worked out pretty well from the surgery. I like the way my new chest looks, keeping in mind that it will go through changes. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was even expecting to be a little disappointed. Happily, I was pleasantly surprised with how things turned out and I told my PS so. He said I should reserve all judgement until 2 weeks out.
I hope he is not worried, because I am not going to examine these foobs looking for perfection. I just wanted the overall look to be balanced, natural-looking, a decent size and something that would be aesthetically pleasing. My originals were far from perfect - don't get me wrong, I loved them, was proud of them and do miss them, but they were what I was given, and I had to live with that -- so these new ones will be no different.
I am happy with the outcome and I am ready for the next step.
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Hefty, I think your swelling and pain hand issues are worth a call to your PS. That wide vein part of it is a little worrisome. Hopefully, it's just the extra fluids in your system post-op, but I'd make the call to be sure.
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HeftyLefty - you might have a small thrombosis in that vein from fluid that leaks outside the vein. Try warm compresses and elevation (this is not the kind of thrombosis that causes worrisome blood clots)
So glad your chest is looking good! Mine is still a bit swollen, more on one side. Plus the drains are a pain. The PS put Botox in my pecs to prevent the ongoing muscle spasms that plagued me with the TE's. So far so good. Also, removal of extra skin under my arm pits from big time weight loss looks pretty darn good but gives more incisions to cause some aggravation - tender area!
Cannot wait to get clearance to start exercising and for PT referral.
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vickie, my tightness was on node disection side, really some decreased range of motion since mastectomy. I did 5 round of PT in August (my exchange was mid July), and really increased my mobility. Feels abit tighter since my surgery on Thurs, but everything hurts, and not sure how much I should be moving around, until I see my PS back.
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HeftyLeft;y- I agree with jyg...it sounds like a small thrombosis. I had one at the crook of my elbow after BMX surgery and they said as long as it is not red, swollen and throbbing not to worry. Mine resolved itself on it's own but did have me worried at first.
I am encouraged by reading both of your posts that your exchanges went pretty well and I totally agree with your comments on not looking for perfection. I am with you on that one!
Keeping my fingers crossed that my exchange at the end of October goes as well as yours have. Keep updating us as you can.
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HeftyLefty and jyg - thank you for posting how your exchanges are going and it was so good for me to hear not to look for perfection. It seems like BC hits you and you have no control over it. During the reconstruction phase, I think I have tried to control it as much as possible and maybe too much. It is also interesting for me to read about tightness under arms. After my BMX, I always felt like both sides under my arms had this pulling sensation - from where the muslce attaches in there. Going to try stretching in the shower now - love that idea! Does anyone have caves for armpits? I do, ever since BMX, and hate them. Now that I am fully expanded, with the caves for armpits - my arms sometimes make these little suction/farting noises. It drives me crazy and I pray with implants my caves go away or are atleast not so big and the noises must dissppear! PS says I have the caves just because of my small anatomy.
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Just had my exchange yesterday. Did anyone else hate their new foobs initially? I'm so unhappy with the shape and scar....please tell me they will settle in and look better?
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heathermcd - First, congratulations on your exchange! Second, it's only been one day so please don't start loving or hating them this early on. It does take a while for swelling to subside, for the muscle to relax, for healing to take place, and generally for everything to settle in. Each patient is a little different, but seems most see lots of changes.
Are you a member of the picture forum? There are so many threads there from women who sound just like you a day or so after exchange....scared, unhappy, and disappointed. Then, time passes and things look better and better. Please hang in there!!!
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heathermcd - MOST of us hated our new foobs initially.
The general scenario goes something like this: We get our first peek and we have a mild or moderate 'freak out.' We melt into tears & are hardly consolable. "We've gone through all this crap for this?" Then, we come to 'exchange city' and have a meltdown, others console us and tell us that most of us have felt that way, step away from the mirror, give it some time ... and then we come back in two or three months saying how much better we feel!
Hang in there, heather! Also ... there is somewhat of a letdown after our exchange because everything is 'over.' Kind of like after having a baby ... post-exchange blues.
Hang in there! Give it some time. Let your pec muscle relax, let the implants settle and drop into place. Hang in there! xo
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kickitmom, I had a cave on my node disection side, almost impossible to shave and felt like suction cup! This did not improve with my exchange, PS said that the breast surgeon just removed alot of tissue along with the node disection. Last week my PS filled with fat graft and my bottomless pit is almost gone!! This is the first thing I remember asking about after my surgery.
heathermcd, I think is is quite common to not be pleased initially with your new foobs. They do change over the course of the next few days/weeks/months. Hang in there.
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Ok remember last week I was having the hand/wrist problem where they put the IV in?? It has stayed consistently painful, and perhaps a tad bit worse over the week-end. So, I called the PS office first thing this a.m. and the nurse told me to put warm compresses on it, like I have been doing. Not much else she could tell me for resolving it. She said these things resolve in their own time and they see a lot of this. I pushed her for more reassurances but didn't really get any. I felt as though she was not telling me everything, and when I pressed her for more info, she said, "I am just telling you what to look for". Look for in case of what? A blood clot? what?! I am sort of freaking out, now, worse since I talked to her. Help!
Dawne-Hope: You hit the nail on the head!! Just this morning I questioned why I was feeling so terrible. I should be happy, exchange done, healing on the way, no more surgeries for a while, but instead it occurred to me that this was post-exchange let-down. As long as that was out there, I had something to work towards and look forward to. Now, what? You are so right - kind of like postpartum blues.
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hefty lefty: I had a rather large bubble on my hand, close to wrist, after bmx and it hurt. It is scary because we sign that paper before the operation and one of the things that it says can happen is a blood clot. It sure looks like blood and a clot and it is in the hand where they put the I.V. . Scared me too. Mine lasted about 6 weeks. I was just told warm compress.
You know sometimes this just sucks. My BS's nurse took me aside when I first found out that I had bc and she said, "you are going to have "OH SH*T" moments", boy was she right. I still have those moments but each time one comes up and hits me from nowhere , I laugh because there is just something funny to me about having an "oh sh*t" moment. Maybe because it just describes it so perfectly to me.
I sure hope we all have a lot less of them as time goes by.
Vickie
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virokie: Thanks for sharing your experience. 6 weeks? Really! Did it hurt that long or was the bubble there for that long? Did you take any Tylenol or other meds to help with the pain?
I like your OH S**T mantra for describing those moments. I am with you, hoping for fewer and fewer of those.
Thanks.
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