Exchange City
Comments
-
Thanks Liz! I am having some super crazy discomfort from my fill today, but knowing that there is a light at the end of this tunnel is totally helping! They had to move back my EDay, but only by one day, so it's now 11/29. Looks like KickitMom and I can compare notes!
I'm so glad you are having a good day!
0 -
HI Sisters,
I am so sad and disappointed tonight. I thought I was all done with expansions, and according to my PS , we were *scheduling* exchange surgery. Well that took about 5 weeks with insurance company (unless it was really his office dragging feet). I have called the office 2 times, spoke to the woman who schedules. Finally, I called the insurance company myself and they were all *oh yeah, we already approved that* so I called to let ps know. Scheduling woman was all *I will call you back*, i had to call her back a week later. I have some serious travel coming up in the next few weeks (as in Afghanistan, other points in middle east) and I need to schedule my exchange surgery. To say nothing of holidays. So I called yesteray and she tells me to come in for *one more expansion*and to schedule exchange surgery. PS makes crack about how I am not patient! Am now so close to that edge esp after 4 days without power in Boston area! Crap, in my opinion, I have been patient since June when I had the mastectomy! Seriously was doing fine until now and I am near to losing it. Love to see how this scheduling woman would deal if someone had to remove her boob, implant a hard saline bag twice where it was, make it bigger every 2 weeks, and have her wait for 5 months to feel better.
Considering switching PS, really don't want to see this guy in the OR. has anyone switched PS after being expanded but before exchange surgery? I do know of other PS in the area, don't know what that experience wil lbe like but if you have infrmation, let me know. Many thanks sisters.
0 -
Elsaporter
Sorry you are in pain. The last fill was the worse for me also. I would take a Valium at night if the fills got too bad. This way I could at least sleep and relax which ultimately helped for the muscle than relaxed. Wishing you all the best.
AnneEM. So sorry you are having difficulty getting your exchanged scheduled. Did the PS tell you why you needed another fill? I know many overfilled but that is usually discussed in advanced. I can't help with changing PS but wanted to just send some cyber hugs to you. I know the TEs can be very painful. I choose to delay my exchange for personal and work reasons. I hope this gets settled soon for you
Liz0 -
AnneEm- that stinks that you had to have one more fill (ie Pain) and your doc's office sounds like it has a very unsympathetic staff. We have been through enough without having to put up with insensitive people. I really like my PS staff at Mass General. PM me if you want her name.The only thing that might be worse is if you switch docs at this point and have to wait for insurance to approve all over again. I guess it depends on how unable you are to see this one again. Good luck with your travel; it sounds like you have a lot going on. CT is slowly getting power back. Hope you do too.
0 -
Faulkh and Ginger48,
Thank you both so much for your supportive posts, they really do help. Another BC survivor friend of mine had an interesting point of view: *plastic surgeons deal with cosmetic issues most of the time, and maybe they deal with many pushy women who want their face lifts before holdidays. Maybe he was just being insensitive, doesn't make him a bad doctor*. So I will mull on that for a while. I did like how he handled the mastectomy....maybe that's more important than an appropriate sense of humor. And I do have a lot going on (working mom, tissue expanders, menopause) and the power failure really did throw me over the edge. A little better today (and with power), thanks again for your support. Husband poured me a glass of COLD wine last night, that helped a lot too :-0
0 -
AnneEM
There is a great t-shirt out there that says "sometimes we have to wine a little" and has two sparkling glasses on wine in rhinestones. I just love that t-shirt. Wine really does help a lot sometimes. I think your friend may be onto something. If PS practice is mostly for cosmetic patients I can see how they may get the pushy ones a lot and also how the office staff may not be as well versed in insurance issues. Still you are a different case and need to be handled as the BC patient you are. Glad your spirits are better.
Liz0 -
Vickie and Lilah, thxs so much for your help , I do agree Lilah about the exercising , at first I did the exercises daily and then slacked off a bit while doing the chemo as I wasnt feeling good maybe this has something to do with the pain coming back I am going to ask about getting PT , I am hoping its not Lympedema but dont think it is . I have no swelling just tightness and pulling when I move my arm about and some stinging pain,
0 -
jyg i don't have any bruising either but i am still super swollen so much so looks like a uniboob above my cleavage. plenty of speration between the implants but up high the center is really swollen. plus i ahve all this extra skin under my prohy side after the lipo
0 -
Hi ladies, I'm new to this particular board but thought I'd post tonight. I'm scheduled for my exchange surgery this Monday! I'm looking forward to this part of the journey being over, but I'm also nervous about the surgery and what the results might look like. Will keep you posted!
0 -
HopefulFuture good luck on Monday! Everyone is different and I guess it depends on the extent of the final surgery. I was lucky and literally my surgeon took the tes out and put the gels in. I had no pain to speak of and very minor bruising. Hoping for the best for you.
0 -
HopefulFuture it is so exciting to hear that you exchange will be next Monday--YEA
Looks like there are several people having exchanges in the next few days, my thoughts and prays are with you all.
Wishing you all quick and painless recovery, please drop by and let us know how it goes.
Oh, I hope all the recent exchanges are doing well. I love hear how ya'll are doing.
Best,
Vickie
0 -
HopefulFuture, I'm so excited for you! Definitely keep us posted!
0 -
I'm a 7 week post exchange just checking in to let you all know my progress. My TE's were uneven & my exchange involved moving one side down. My IMF look even but above the breasts one side is just slightly higher. I am wearing that Velcro strap band to encourage dropping. And that same higher side is still a bit bigger(swollen)?
If you remember I wrote about some hard spots on that same side & have been doing exercises & slight massage to help. One is softening up, but another only feels a bit softer.
I've seen that massage video & I can NOT get mine to move anywhere at all close to that....they just seem too tight in my skin. Do any of you have experience with how your implants move around in the pocket doing that massage during the different weeks after exchange?0 -
tlc: I am 5½ weeks post exchange and initially, mine felt almost as tight as TE's. My PS told me to massage them several times daily. I didn't think that was doing anything at all for me. But now I am beginning to see the changes: they are definitely softening up, dropping slowly, and yes, while they don't move like in the video, they do move. I gently massage all the way around, slightly pushing the implant around the pocket. Others farther along in this process have told me that changes continued for 3 to 4 months after exchange, and that we should be patient. Now that I am starting to see some movement, I am beginning to understand that this will take a little longer than I expected.
Like you, I have one side that is softer than the other, but I am not worried about that. I always had differences between my natural breasts.
Continue massaging daily, several times a day, continue wearing your compression strap, and stretch or do ROM exercises to stay loose, but nothing too vigorous.
Oh, I forgot to add, the upper slope on one side is slightly higher and more "square-ish" than the other side, but there also, I have begun to see some softening and the differences somewhat diminished. Hang in there!
0 -
Thanks Angelique...I just started doing some ROM exercises, that I didn't even think to do sooner for some reason....& they are helping.
I did know from hearing on here to expect changes after time & to stay away from the mirror & I did for the first few weeks but now I'm like "come on already" it's been 7 weeks! I am trying to be patient, but I have to admit I was expecting them to be really soft & squishy right after exchange....especially hearing so many ladies on here say yippie squishy right after their exchanges. Maybe that is more referring to getting those rock hard TE feeling off of your chest....and in that regard, they did feel instantly better afterwards.
As I heard here " I ain't complaining, just explaining". It's good for others with upcoming surgeries to hear what others are experiencing.0 -
Angelique, I forgot to add, I saw yours on the picture forum and you look great! Your ps did a fantastic job. We have a similar body type & I got mentor high profile 800 cc's so they are almost like yours. I am happy with my size & shape....just want that one side to soften up & drop & fluff already!
I have pics I hope to post soon.0 -
Thanks, tlc!! I look forward to seeing your pics. As you know, you will get great feedback from all the "experienced" ladies over there. THey usually offer great advice on bras, foobs, fipples, tattoos, and everything else but the kitchen sink. And then, they would probably give you their opinions and advice on that too!!0
-
Angelique- what video are you talking about for massage? My PS just told me to push them in from the sides like I am making cleavage a few times a day. Is there a video somewhere? Also what are your ROM exercises? My shoulder is pretty frozen.
0 -
Hi all,
Okay, I'm a little late to the party here, but my exchange is scheduled for 11-14. I am a uni and I'm not doing anything to my natural side. My TE is a good match and I hope the final outcome matches as good or better. I have pics on the picture forum if anyone is interested...
BTW, about how long did you ladies take off from work after your exchange?
0 -
CML0310, virokie and ElsaPorter, thanks for the thoughts.
My last day at work was today and I'm taking a little more than 2 weeks off. I decided to work from home during the days before Thanksgiving, so I almost have 3 weeks off. I was eager to get back on my company's payroll since I had to take this time off as state medical leave.
I will let you know how the Monday exchange goes once I'm feeling up to it. I'm definitely relieved to hear that some of you barely had any pain. The first BMX surgery was a doozy, and I can't wait to get rid of these TE's!0 -
Ginger: Here are links to 2 different videos on massage techniques, but before you try any of them, ask your own PS for instructions on how he/she would like you to proceed with that.
http://www.womensplasticsurgery.com/postop_massage.html# Click on the 1st video link, Post Reconstruction Surgery, Implant Massage Techniques.
http://www.advanced-art.com/Breast-Aug-Massage.htm Scroll a little more than halfway down the page to see the video.
As far as ROM exercises, you can do basic post-mx ROM exercises to begin, e.g., walking your hand up the wall, trying to "touch" your elbows behind your back, arm circles, etc. The type of exercises you do will depend on how far out you are from surgery, and I believe it has only been a couple of weeks for you, right? Some PS's don't want you to raise your arms above shoulder level at first. So you should ask your doc about your limitations right now and when you can begin more intense exercises. I am 5.5 wks out and I am going to a PT for cording, so I have routines prescribed by her. Prior to seeing the PT, I just did basic ROM exercises. I am having trouble posting links for those right now, so I will get back to you with links.
Remember, the best instructions for you should come from your PS. Hope this helps.
0 -
Ginger: As promised, here are a few more links for exercises. You will also find additional links at the bottom of these pages. None of these replace your doctor's instructions for what is safe for you.
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/lifeaftertreatment/ss/arm_exercises_tutorial.htm
Angelique0 -
For some reason I am having trouble posting these links. I will keep trying.
Angelique
0 -
-
Thanks Angelique. I will definitely check with PS before doing any of them. I am only 9 days post exchange but don't go back to her till the 21st. She has not given me a lot of direction throughout this process and I had significant problems with muscle spasms and range of motion with the tissue expanders. She only told me anything about massage for the implants because I asked as she was leaving the examination room. She said to press the breasts together to make cleavage several times and to do it 3 times a day.The only range of motion excercise she gave me was shoulder rolls. She did say to try to keep any reaching over my head to a minimum. She will discuss PT at our follow up appt. I appreciate the links and your caution to always check with dr first. I just do not want to end up with capsular constraction or scar tissue because my PS has not even mentioned such things. I feel like she is a minimalist when it comes to sharing information so I am always glad to read things on these boards that help me to know the right questions to ask.
0 -
0
-
-
HopefulFuture- good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you!
0 -
Go to American Cancer Society website to see some good range of motion exercise illustrations (I think listed under post-mx exercise).
0 -
ok ladies I am 10 days post exchange. I feel fine now. Went to PS yesterday.
tlc I had one expander higher than the other too and my PS had to do a bit of pocket work to even the implants out. He also had to do some lipo.
I still have a lot of swelling. I have to do some massaging at least 5 times a day. One exercise to push one implant that seems a bit high down and the other to squeeze them together in the cleavage. I also have some skin folds under one implant that my PS expects will shape themselves in time. I already see them changing.
PS gave me to go ahead to go on a road trip to NY from KC. So gonna use this time to visit with friends and family before returning to work. I have to wear a strap as much as I can so I pretty much take that as meaning 24/7. At night I have to wear the surgical bra but during the day I can wear a sports bra.
Thanks to everyone one for being here to share this journey. I will take some pics for the forum when I get back from my trip.
0
