Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Virtual Support Groups! See times and register here.

Exchange City

1…779780782784785…1387

Comments

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    IMPORTANT Question

    5 weeks out from exchange my native side with my nipple .....has a very red irritated nipple..I went yesterday without a bra and was outside sweating...lol painting the top of my picket fence.... nothing strenous.   And this morning I woke up with it stinging really bad!!  Just a red swollen area really close to the very tip of my nipple... PS nurse said dont know nothing we did we put the implant under your muscle....nice   Have appt to see FP tomorrow do you think it from rubbing on my shirt?  My nipple is very sensitive!!! any way...omg I hope so...anyone else with this?  or is it a infection.. 

  • Prairiemermaid
    Prairiemermaid Posts: 67
    edited October 2011

    Teri -  Congratulations!  Hope the pain subsides quickly.  I'm glad everything went OK!  I had that patch too, and had no nausea either... nice! :-)

     LMichele -- I cleaned and organized right up to surgery and still didn't get it all done!  I felt such pressure to "be ready", I guess because I was really dreading the surgery.  Everything went very well, and now I see I have plenty of time to finish the work. ;-)   I, too was "used to the TEs" and putting off what seemed like an "optional" surgery.  Now I see that getting the exchange was not really optional at all -- it has made a huge difference in my comfort and appearance in just this short time.  And I think my body likes the change, too: the skin over my new soft implants feels "normal" again when I touch it -- no painful twinges, no hard, "wierd" sensations - It's ME again... :-)   I will be thinking of you as you go in for your exchange surgery and sending good wishes for a wonderful outcome...

    Angelique -- Glad you are recovering well and feeling better.  Sorry for the little problems that have cropped up and hope they get resolved quickly and easily.  The bruising may just be the result of gravity, where the bruise that was behind your breast has now migrated down below it...?  I'm not sure what you mean by "cording" -- what is that? 

  • Prairiemermaid
    Prairiemermaid Posts: 67
    edited October 2011
    Teri -  Congratulations!  Hope the pain subsides quickly.  I'm glad everything went OK!  I had that patch too, and had no nausea either... nice! :-) LMichele -- I cleaned and organized right up to surgery and still didn't get it all done!  I felt such pressure to "be ready", I guess because I was really dreading the surgery.  Everything went very well, and now I see I have plenty of time to finish the work. ;-)   I, too was "used to the TEs" and putting off what seemed like an "optional" surgery.  Now I see that getting the exchange was not really optional at all -- it has made a huge difference in my comfort and appearance in just this short time.  And I think my body likes the change, too: the skin over my new soft implants feels "normal" again when I touch it -- no painful twinges, no hard, "wierd" sensations - It's ME again! :-)   I will be thinking of you as you go in for your exchange surgery and sending good wishes for a wonderful outcome...Angelique -- Glad you are recovering well and feeling better.  Sorry for the little problems that have cropped up and hope they get resolved quickly and easily.  The bruising may just be the result of gravity, where the bruise that was behind your breast has now migrated down below it...?  I'm not sure what you mean by "cording" -- what is that? 
  • virokie
    virokie Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    Wow, lot's of snags with people but is sounds like everyone is getting through them so I am glad to hear that. 

    Hefty Lefty, what is cording?  I am really interested in anything that has anything to do with arm pits (yuk).  Anyway my PT in regards to tightness under arms is going well but I have not heard the word cording so I'm just wondering.

    Three weeks out from my exchange and we found a red irritated spot on my scar.  I don't know what it is so I am just going to wait a couple of days and watch.  Seems like my oncologist had warned about something common happening with the scar but I don't remember what it was.  I was told last week to start massaging it so maybe I did something wrong, I can still feel a couple of sutures.

    Anyway, I hope this week exchanges go well and can not wait to hear back on how it goes.

    Vickie

  • Prairiemermaid
    Prairiemermaid Posts: 67
    edited October 2011
    Mom62 -- It sure sounds like a little injury/abrasion (or maybe even a pimple) and not something worse.  Try not to worry too much.  See/call your doctor about it, but in the meantime, you can put a little antibacterial ointment on it and watch for improvement.  I understand your worry and concern -- we all have it now with anything to do with our breasts.  I went through a similar experience about a month ago.  I had a small lump pop up where I thought my cat had accidentally clawed my right "breast".  The lump was a little painful and a little bruised.  Both of these were good signs according to my oncologist's nurse, who I called about it.  She said I was welcome to come in, but if I wanted to watch it for a week that would be good too.  I did the latter and put antibacterial ointment on it and, sure enough, it shrank and healed.  I will be thinking of you and hoping this turns out to be just a little irritation and nothing more.  Keep us posted, OK?
  • Prairiemermaid
    Prairiemermaid Posts: 67
    edited October 2011

    Mom62 -- It sure sounds like a little injury/abrasion (or maybe even a pimple) and not something worse.  Try not to worry too much.  See/call your doctor about it, but in the meantime, you can put a little antibacterial ointment on it and watch for improvement.  I understand your worry and concern -- we all have it now with anything to do with our breasts.  I went through a similar experience about a month ago.  I had a small lump pop up where I thought my cat had accidentally clawed my right "breast".  The lump was a little painful and a little bruised.  Both of these were good signs according to my oncologist's nurse, who I called about it.  She said I was welcome to come in, but if I wanted to watch it for a week that would be good too.  I did the latter and put antibacterial ointment on it and, sure enough, it shrank and healed.  I will be thinking of you and hoping this turns out to be just a little irritation and nothing more.  Keep us posted, OK?

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited October 2011

    vickie - Here is a link about cording:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

     heftylefty - Ask your PS for a referral to see a Physical Therapist.  I had extreme tightness after my exchange and received a lot of comfort after seeing a PT.  I think it should be part of our rehab.  :)  But do ask because they can work wonders. 

  • Prairiemermaid
    Prairiemermaid Posts: 67
    edited October 2011

    Virokie--  I think it's almost always OK to put a little antibiotic ointment on red/irritated spots at surgical sites.  I know I had to after my BMx on a few spots at the sutures.  Hope it clears up OK...

  • deekaay
    deekaay Posts: 254
    edited October 2011

    HeftyL, a good PT can actually cure you of your cording issue.  I got painful cording after my first surgery that took all my axilla lymph nodes.  The cording that followed surgery went down the inside of my inner upper arm, through my elbow area and into my lower arm.  It hurt when extended my arm and you could feel the cord under the skin.  My wonderful PT stretched it out over only a few sessions and it has been GONE since--that was 3 years ago!  Best of luck to you, deekaay.

  • LMichele
    LMichele Posts: 88
    edited October 2011

    THANK YOU PRAIRIE MERMAID & OTHERS

  • lab44
    lab44 Posts: 24
    edited October 2011

    For those of you who have recently had your exchange and those who are 6 months to a year out from exchange:

    -Do you feel the implants on your chest wall like the TE's? if not, what does it feel like?

    I'm anxiously awaiting my exchange surgery next Tues and wondering what it will feel like afterwards.

    Many thanks for your responses.  

  • NoMoreHL
    NoMoreHL Posts: 92
    edited October 2011
    Thanks, Dawne-Hope & deekaay! I called my BS today and she gave me a referral for PT.  Dawne-Hope, you beat me to the punch ----> Thanks for posting that information about cording & AWS.  Prairiemermaid, virokie, check out the link -- it explains everything and there are even photos so you can see what it looks like.
  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited October 2011

    lab44,

    I had my exchange in July (so not quite 3 months out).  The implants are so much more comfortable.  They are soft and I no longer feel like I am wearing a tight underwire bra all the time.  I feel like they are actually a part of me.  I have nipples and fat grafting about 10 days ago and I am so happy.  Good luck to you.

  • NoMoreHL
    NoMoreHL Posts: 92
    edited October 2011
    lab44, it is hard to explain how they feel, but they DO NOT feel like TE's. They are softer, more pliable. You do not feel like they are pressing into the chest, and you don't feel so tight across your chest.  Obviously, they don't feel like your natural breasts, but they are definitely better than what you currently have. I don't know if that description helps you or not, but that is my perspective. BTW, I am 2 weeks out from xchg surgery.
  • NoMoreHL
    NoMoreHL Posts: 92
    edited October 2011
    virokie, I hope your red spot improves. Just keep an eye on it.
  • lab44
    lab44 Posts: 24
    edited October 2011

    Chirstine47 & HeftyLefty: thanks, appreciate your feedback. I know the majority of people say it's more comfortable but wanted to understand better what that means.

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited October 2011

    virokievirokie - I had some red spots and bumps along one incision line and there were a few tiny openings that looked a bit red.  Sent some pix to the PA and she said they were "spitting" sutures.  Internal dissolving stitches that were trying to poke out before they dissolved.  I was told to keep the incision clean and dry and not to put any ointment on.  I was also told I could make a trip in to have them pulled or try massaging the incision with clean hands to either work them out or encourage them to dissolve a bit faster.

    When in doubt, a call or an email is inorder.  Best wishes!

  • virokie
    virokie Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    Thanks everyone.  Wow- even though I feel I am getting pretty good treatment- I do wished that I would have been more informed about what I was being treated for.  This site is a life saver.  Really anyone who is having any tightness, go to a PT I can not speak highly enough about what a difference this is making.

    Thanks everyone for letting me know about the red bump thing.  I kind of thought it was sutures, I had a couple sticking through last week.  I'll keep a watch.  I was massaging with Cocoa Butter but I stopped using Cocoa for awhile.  I do have to say who ever was suggesting that we use that for scars, "YOU WERE RIGHT"  good stuff and it smells so good.

    Vickie

  • virokie
    virokie Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    Oh oh oh, I just JIGGLED, so I have to say how the implants feel to me.  First off, I just jiggled I really missed that with the T.E.'s for some reason. 

    I don't really even notice my right breast so I would say it feels like it is a part of me.  I was hoping that would be the case.  My left breast is the side that I am having tightness on so that seems to make me more aware of that side it doesn't feel so friendly to me.  I will just do my stretches and try to love it and hopefully it will start to feel like it is apart of me too.  I have high hopes for that happening.

    Once I can sleep on my stomach I think I will feel like they really are comfortable and a part of me.  When I lay on my back they do go toward my arm pits just like my real ones did, I could kind of do without that but still they look and act real so I guess that's a good thing.

    They still feel tender to the touch, I don't know how long it takes for that to go away.  As far as I can tell  they feel so soft and real.  I just haven't really grabbed them yet, not that I grabbed at my real breast.  I guess I just feel like I should be able to grab them.  Maybe I am still a little scared of them for some reason. ha

    Vickie 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited October 2011

    virokie - Yay for soft and jiggly!  I don't jiggle like I used to Undecided, but definitely better with the implants than the TEs for me.  I'm not quite 7 weeks post exchange and I'm still tender to the touch in some spots.  I'm still getting used to the numbness, but my brain is adjusting slowly.  I was told to start implant massage as soon as it didn't hurt to do so and I started that about 2 weeks out.  So, I'm grabbing them at least 3 times a day Wink. 

  • AnaM
    AnaM Posts: 24
    edited October 2011

    Lab 44 : I had my exchange surgery one week ago today. I feel great all over, this was so much easier and faster than the BMX. The TEs were hard, uncomfortable, un-yielding. The implants feel much better, I can sleep on my side comfortably. There is no tightness on the chest now, and they feel so soft compared to the TEs. I used to have some aches in certain spots with the TEs.....I felt like they were pressing on a nerve or ligament or something. That is gone now! All around, a very good experience.

  • AnaM
    AnaM Posts: 24
    edited October 2011

    I have a question: today is one week since my exchange surgery. Instructions read "wear the surgi-bra for one week"......but I don't feel quite right, or safe, going without some kind of support. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  • NoMoreHL
    NoMoreHL Posts: 92
    edited October 2011

    AnaM, I have to wear mine for 2 weeks. Last night I took it off for a brief respite because it was digging into the extra "fat" under and behind my arm. I did not feel comfortable with it off, either. They felt like they were hanging off my chest and I was afraid to do harm, so I wrapped those girls right back up! Call the PS office and talk to a nurse or the PS about it. 

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Posts: 496
    edited October 2011

    After about 3 weeks you get use to your girls more and more. I wear a tank top girdle thingmajigg. They are sold just about anywhere. Got mine from Wal-Mart holds the girls in place along with my tummy. Exchange was June 9th. Just waiting for everything to completely settle out before nipples can happen. I don't want them off centered.

    Hey, this girl still wants to get into a bikini!!!

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited October 2011

    AnaM - It's as important to hear from the women who have uneventful surgeries as from those who run into difficulties.  I'm so happy to hear that you're pleased so far.  Thanks for sharing!

  • virokie
    virokie Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    Tina T:  Too funny- Grab em' 2 or 3 times a day.   I hope to grab too.

    Vickie 

  • NoMoreHL
    NoMoreHL Posts: 92
    edited October 2011

    HELP! Did any of you bruise 2 weeks AFTER exchange?? I have developed an ugly bruise that was not there 48 hours ago. I have been watching it appear over the last two days - getting bigger, darker and more colorful. Called PS, spoke to a nurse. Told me to watch it and let them know if it gets bigger or redder or more swollen. I told her that is what I have been doing for the last 2 days, and it is darker and bigger. I am trying not to freak out, but that's difficult.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2011

    Ladies -- for what its worth my PS had me wearing surgi bra (or wire free bra) for 8 weeks post exchange 24/7 (except for the time off for showers).  After that I stopped wearing it at night and now I mostly just wear a bra when I go out.

    Hefty -- if it isn't better in the morning, even if it's only the same as today, I would call and insist on having the doctor look at it.  I'm not saying it's something (or not) to be concerned about ... but you are obviously concerned and that is what doctors are for: to look and say yes we must do something or no it is ok.

  • jyg
    jyg Posts: 60
    edited October 2011

    Hefty - we had surgery the same day. I am noticing some bruising above the implants the last 2 days, but it is faint. Where is the bruise? Have you been more active? Changed bras? Stopped wearing one?

    I spoke to the PS's educator today with some questions, and she warned me that I would start noticing swelling as soon as I started to increase activity level (today) and to keep wearing supportive bra 24/7 because of that. Ack, I'm also seeing some wrinkling but waiting that out. My symmastia repair is holding so far - greatest risk of it failing is in the first 2 weeks - but I still have pain over my sternum where the extra rows of sutures were placed. I feel so damn fragile :) Don't want anything to mess up because I do not want another surgery any time soon! Otherwise, I am pleased with the size. Wish I had better projection but there was a  trade off beween projection and filling my broad chest. Also back to driving but sure don't plan to do a lot of it yet.

  • ginger48
    ginger48 Posts: 1,437
    edited October 2011

    It really is good to hear the good and the bad. keep it coming ladies. I am 2 weeks from surgery and want to know what to expect and what to watch out for. Glad you guys are doing well for

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual support groups. Read more...
Share more about you! Fill out your NEW profile.