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Exchange City

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Comments

  • amsk
    amsk Posts: 29
    edited December 2011

    Hi MargieC:
     
    My BC did IMF incisioins for my BMX on Nov 21st.  I honestly believe those incision lines will be barely visible ultimately - so I think you are wise to go with your PS's suggestion, for what it's worth.
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited December 2011
    Estepp my appointment with Dr. Raft is 12/13. He will not take medicaid so it is just a consultation which lucky for me is free. I well def let you know what he says. I actually did have a conultation with a doctor at Monarch before my TEs were placed.  I think his name was Dillow? Not sure. My oncologist had said she heard a lot of her patients like him. He had agreed with the plan my PS had at the time, although all we knew then was what kind of TE.
  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited December 2011

    Regarding incisions, as I mentioned both my surgeries were IMF approaches.  With the help of massage and silicone scar strips they are healing and fading well.  I had (before MX) and still have ptosis so my scars can't be seen unless the breast is lifted up and you look under there.  That said, I suppose if my initial incision was across the breast and my PS offered to do exchange IMF I personally would take him/her up on that in lieu of a worse more visible scar across the breasts.

  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    Hi girls!  I had my exchange on Monday.....some fat grafting as well.  Super sore! ouch!  but....

    I think they're gonna be just fine.  The lipo site is sore and bruised, and I've not yet unwrapped my 

    set of presents, but have been massaging them and once the swelling goes down, I think they'll be

    fine.  Remember , though, I never had ANY fills, and am remaining a small B cup, so I don't know

    about larger implants.  Oh well.........I love you all for the good wishes.........no more bras for me.

    I'll keep you all posted.  I hope everyone has excellent results so we can put this beast to bed

  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    Hi girls!  I had my exchange on Monday.....some fat grafting as well.  Super sore! ouch!  but....

    I think they're gonna be just fine.  The lipo site is sore and bruised, and I've not yet unwrapped my 

    set of presents, but have been massaging them and once the swelling goes down, I think they'll be

    fine.  Remember , though, I never had ANY fills, and am remaining a small B cup, so I don't know

    about larger implants.  Oh well.........I love you all for the good wishes.........no more bras for me.

    I'll keep you all posted.  I hope everyone has excellent results so we can put this beast to bed

  • AnneEM
    AnneEM Posts: 33
    edited December 2011

    Hi all BC sisters,

    Squishy is super. Surgery was about 1 hour, woke up comfy and walked to the rest room 10 minutes later. A little tightness (nothing like robo-boob tissue expander) in my chest but I wouldn't call it pain and I haven't taken a Percoset yet. I have my follow up tomorrow. We will probably talk about next steps then....

    Viverasselena, Odie, Pink butterfly, and all on this forum, thanks so much for being there, it has truly made a difference to me. I will continue to post progress. I wish all my sisters on this forum the happiest of holidays and healthiest of New Years!

  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    Way to go Anne!  Im right there with ya.........my right side is more painful than my left which was the radiation side........but when the swelling subsides, hopefully they'll be the small B I was asking for,

    Keep us posted on your progress!!!!

  • pinkbutterfly
    pinkbutterfly Posts: 130
    edited December 2011

    Anne,

    So happy to hear you are feeling well! Lol at 'squishy is super.' I could see that on a t-shirt :-)

  • sava7
    sava7 Posts: 6
    edited December 2011

    My exchange surgery is on Dec.13 and I am very excited. I can't believe it is so close. I have been so busy at work, at home and shopping trying to get everything done before Tues.

    tracie23: I so agree with you, I can't wait to be able to cross my arms and my daughter will be sooo happy to be able to hug me properly.  The other night I had a dream that they were soft, "wow" that was nice...then I woke up - but anyway the day will soon be here.!

    Good luck to all the up coming exchanges.

    Silvana

  • odie16
    odie16 Posts: 1,415
    edited December 2011

    AnneEM -  So glad things went well. Squishies are super!!! TE's suck! Look forward to seeing you continue to progress.

    Silvana - Dreams do come true and soft is in your future. Countdown to squishies!

    I am about 3 weeks post exchange surgery and feel really good. Think I look very natural and am very pleased with the results to date. I will go back to see my PS the end of next month at the 8 week post surgery mark to go over the before & after pics.. (that visit should be a riot!)

    Sending positive thoughts & gentle hugs to those having surgery next week. 

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited December 2011

    Congrats to all you recent exchangees and smooth sailing for those coming up in the near future.  I didn't have many problems or complaints with my TEs (one of the lucky ones) and didn't wake up from exchange surgery saying "Yippee - they're soft!".  But, after a week or so things started softening up in patches here and there and one day I realized they were really nice and squishy all over....ahhhhhh!  So, don't be discouraged if you don't notice a dramatic change when you wake up.  Sometimes it takes a while!

  • DeeLJ
    DeeLJ Posts: 7
    edited December 2011

    hi all. i had my exchange a few weeks ago. I love my 600mL silicone girls, but I am wondering about the concept of 'fluffing'. I've heard the phrase 'drop and fluff' around here, and I get what the dropping is, but what is the fluffing? Right now both sides have the same size implant but the one on the left seems a little bigger, with a more definite profile underneath. 

    Thanks in advance :) 

  • patriciaho
    patriciaho Posts: 5
    edited December 2011

    Hello

    I am going for my exchange in mid Jan. I am going to see the doctor next Wednesday to talk about details of the exchange...I am wondering...what shape do most people choose for breast reconstruction? ROUND or TEAR DROP shape is better? I am about 5"3 and 49 kg. I am filled with 450cc...I am also going for silicone....

     Thank you

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited December 2011
    patriciaho - Hi, it's all pretty overwhelming, isn't it?  I think you'll find lots of answers on a thread called Breast Implant Sizing 101.  You'll find a lot of info on the header of that thread and it's a very active board with lots of discussions about various implant manufacturers, styles, sizing, etc.  Good luck!
  • Radmonkey
    Radmonkey Posts: 38
    edited December 2011

    post op day 3.  I'm still sore.  Not as bad as the mastectomy surgery, but my PS did a number on my chest to make my breast pockets symmetric.  My left TE had rotated a bit.  However, the recovery time is so much better!  I was baking cookies for the kids yesterday.

    I'm too scared to squish my squishies.  I am smaller than I expected, however, I knew I wanted to stay small (350 cc silicone high profile mentor).  Being asian, I don't think I wanted to be bigger than a B cup.  My foobs seem "smashed" but I guess that is from being wrapped up.  I don't have much ptosis so I am very glad I asked my PS to use the same incision rather than IMF. I am hoping they will "drop and fluff".  My right breast (cancer side) does seem to hurt more... this seems common??

    Although the journey is not over, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this website.  Thank you also to whippetmom and the July Mastectomy discussion group.  Every post on here helps someone and I wish I could post more often. 

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited December 2011

    Congrats Radmonkey,  I think you will be happy he used the original incisions.  Mine do not have alot of ptosis, and look very youthful.  I am a C cup and love not needing a bra.  I also thought my cancer side was more uncomfortable, maybe in my head.  Glad you are doing well and baking for the kids, enjoy.

  • odie16
    odie16 Posts: 1,415
    edited December 2011

    Have a question..need someone to interject some common sense and talk me off the ledge for a minute. In the past 24 hours, I have developed a visible & palpatable pea sized knot just beside the my healing incision on the cancer side.. I am trying really hard to just breathe but am freaking out.... And I am not sure who I call... My exchange surgery was 3 weeks ago.. Do I call the PS, the BS or my ob/gyn? Or whoever can see me first? HELP!!!

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited December 2011

    odie16, yes, back away from the ledge.  Now take a deep breath.  ok, I would call your PS tomorrow, my guess is a retained suture or scar tissue since it is close to incision line.  Any redness?  I would bet this is related to your so recent surgery.  Keep us posted.

  • Delilahbear
    Delilahbear Posts: 206
    edited December 2011

    odie16 - you may have a stitch that is trying to escape rather than dissolving. I just had some scar revision surgery and there was a sore spot that was sort of hard and PS assured me that it was a granuloma from a stitch and that it would go away and it has. I hope that this is the case for you and it is only a stitch. Especially being beside the incision this makes me think that is the case.

    I would call your PS if he/she was the one who closed the incision.

    Breathe and try not to freak out. Hope this helps.

  • odie16
    odie16 Posts: 1,415
    edited December 2011

    Thanks so much Christine47...

    No redness, just a small lump just to the right of the incision line. Hubby thinks it is scar tissue too but I am worried...Fingers crossed it is just a wayward suture... 

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited December 2011

    odie16, I even had a little stitch area near my incision after initial surgery that drained and spit out a stitch.  This is so common, but get in a see your PS so you can relax and enjoy the week.

  • odie16
    odie16 Posts: 1,415
    edited December 2011

    Thanks for the support Christine...Really appreciate it.....HUGS!!!

  • shannonr
    shannonr Posts: 89
    edited December 2011

    I never thought I would actually be here on the eve of my exchange !  BMX in April and I am definetly ready to part ways with these TEs.  

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Posts: 30
    edited December 2011

    Silvana,

    Good luck tomorrow. I know you're ready! My exchange surgery is at the end of January. Looking forward to another step in completing this!

    Let us know how it goes!

    Jenny

  • tinat
    tinat Posts: 2,235
    edited December 2011

    Shannon - YAY!!!!!  Hope all goes as smoothly as possible tomorrow.  Best wishes!!!

  • odie16
    odie16 Posts: 1,415
    edited December 2011

    Best of luck tomorrow Shannon & Silvana... Squishies are sooo much better than TE's...

    Saw the ps today and he thinks the newly appearing lump is a renegade stitch or scar tissue. Made me feel better. We will just watch it. Whew..... 

  • janhart
    janhart Posts: 292
    edited December 2011

    Shannon, good luck tomorrow! I've been waiting like forever for my exchange and it's finally coming up in three weeks and five days, but who's counting. I'm so done with these TEs. I hope you feel incredibly better in the coming days. Please let us know!

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited December 2011

    good luck to tomorrows ladies!!

    odie16, glad you where able to see your PS today.  I know you feel better.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited December 2011

    Shannon



    Best wishes for your exchange. You are going to be so much happier. Good luck



    Liz

  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    one week post op........and feeling better and better.  They are tight and small and lifted.

    just like I wanted..even though they're swollen still.

    I'm starting to feel HUMAN again

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