Exchange City
Comments
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Exchange on Friday (16th). Shannon--you are a familiar face from my BMX days this past spring/summer. I thought you'd already done all of this! So ready to get these TEs out. Thanks for all of the reassuring posts, ladies. It is very helpful!
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ShannonR - sending good thoughts your way.
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i am reposting this from the size 101 thread
OK Gang, Whippetmom, Estepp anyone who saw my posts on the pic forum (6 weeks post excahnge). I had posted that I was a bit dissappointed with the results. Somehow I thought the exchange meant we were done. I don;t know why I thought that. Now that I see how common revisions are I feel much better. I also feel better because I got a second opinion from Dr. Raft, He said it looks good so far. There are things he would fix, same as my doctor told me pretty much. But he said comparatively he felt I got a very nice fold, good cleavage, and a very natural slope. He said if I wanted bigger implants that might work but then we would risk more droop. So that explains why my doctor would rather wait and see to the end before he would make them bigger. I would rather be perky and small than big and too droopy. I am also wearing an underwire bra for the first time today. I got some at SOma where I work. Today I am wearing the Nadia vansihing back bra. It's so odd but it feels more like me now. So all in all feeling a bit better about things. I am still a work in progress. let's hope I can get a few shots at fat grafting through all this.
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Carrol-glad to hear you are feeling better about things. Good luck as you move forward. I am trying to decide where to go for bras to be sure I am fitted correctly. Do they have SOma in CT?
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Ginger here are the shops in CT
Danbury, CT
Danbury Fair Mall
Store #: 5035
7 Backus Ave.
Ste. 106
Danbury, CT 06810
203-798-0526
Map
Milford, CT
Milford Marketplace
Store #: 5912
1668 Boston Post Road
Milford, CT 06460
203-878-4177
Map
South Windsor, CT
Promenade Shops-Evergreen Walk
Store #: 5218
201 Evergreen Way
Suite 235
South Windsor, CT 06074
860-648-9929
Map
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Carroll- Thanks so much for this info. The one in South Windsor is only 45 minutes from my house so that is great! Do you make an appt or just show up?
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Ginger you can just show up but if you find a favorite sales associate get her info so you can make an appointment with her next time. I hope you like the products, I find them really easy to sell because I love them.0
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Carrol -- so glad you are feeling better about things. I do remember that wearing a nice bra again was a turning point for me to feeling good. Also glad that Dr. Raft put your mind at ease and confirmed what your own PS has said.
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Lilah yeah that was a big relief. I was feeling like maybe my PS messed up and didn't want to tell me ha! But Dr.Raft confirmed everything my doctor said and basically told me that things although need work look good so far. I think I just want to feel that I am getting this to look as good as is medically possible for me to do. I know it will never be the same as my natural breasts, or even as nice as augmentation, but I want it as good as reconstruction can be done on me. I feel like I can go back to trusting my doctor now and feel like I am in good hands.0
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Thanks to everyone for your well wishes.
Shannon: Hope everything went well for you.
I am 24 hurs after exchange and can't believe I am typing.(excuse any spelling mistakes)
I feel good everything went well. I have minor pain on my right side (did some pocket work) and have not yet needed to take a pain killer, but I think I might take something tonight to take the edge off. I am taking something to help prevent infection.
I did have some swelling in my arm and fingers on my right side (I did not have lymph nodes removed from this side only on my left) the swelling has gone but I get some pain under my arm - I think it is mainly from the tape over the bandages. I have bad experiences with tape. Also, they were supposed to put a support bra on me(I had it with me and gave it to the nurse) But they didn't put it on? I have a call into the doc's office to find out if I should put on or not.
I will be taking off my bandages on thursday and shower, I do not have any drains in yeah. I feel like I am deflated compared to having those hard TE's in. I do feel smaller than I thought I would be, but I won't freak out yet. My TE's were filled to 800cc and now have 650 implants Mentor cpg's I think - I will have to double check. I have to thank whippetmom for all her help. She did say that I shouldn't go lower that 650 for my body shape, so I think I will be fine.
Hope all the up coming exchanges go well. It does get better!!!
I will update in the days to come.
Thanks to whippetmom and to all the ladies on these posts, you have all been a great help to this process for me.
Silvana
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I had my exchange, nipples, and a bit of lipo where underarm and arm meet on 11/14/11. I was not put in any compression garmet or strap, just cotton and surgical bra. I have a long thick lump under my arm in my armpit. My PS put a strap on me a week during my post op visit. Then when it came time for suture removal she told me I was to massage the area for 3-6 months. I am wondering if anyone has had this experience or something similar and if it ever went away. I am wondering if I will ever be able to sleep comfortable or in general be comfortable again??? Just a little frustrated....
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Janey I also have my exchange surgery Friday, Dec. 16th. Can't wait! I hate these tissue expanders.
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Everything went smoothly. And just like each of you has reported, these implants (even immediately after surgery) feel so much better than the pressure of the TEs. I had some nausea and vomiting, but that seems to have gone away and all is good. Again, the site where they lipoed is the most tender. Resting resting resting.
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shannonR, I am so happy for you !!! I have my exchange surgery on Monday the 19th... I am a little nervous. Did you go home the same day? My hospital called and said I would be admitted afterwards must be there policy. How long was the actual surgery? Have you looked at them yet? Sorry for all the questions but I am so anxious. I hope your recovery is quick.
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Tracie - I had my exchange surgery today. The operation took about 90 minutes I believe but I also had some lipo under the armpits. Went into the operating room at 7:30 and was on my way home by 10:30. A little more pain than I expected but nothing compared to the DMX. I couldn't even move after that surgery because of the pain in my chest muscles.
They look slightly smaller than the rocks I've been carrying around since August 11th but I was a D cup before, from what I can tell now it looks like I will be a large C and they're squishy again! Yay!
Let us know how you do on Monday but I'm sure you will do fine.
Denise
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Question for you gals that already had the exchange surgery. My PS didn't give me any after care info. Do I have to continue to sleep on my back? Wear a bra 24/7? When can I get the tattooing?
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chilluvr228 you should call your doctor to find out about these things it is very different for everyone and every doctor has a different approach. That being said, I slept on my back just cause it was more comfortable. I had to wear a surgical bra 24/7 after my surgery for a few weeks.0
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Congrats to those who have joined the squishy club this week!
Will be one month post exchange tomorrow and am a happy girl. Thought they looked a bit smaller right after surgery but they seem to have "settled" and now resemble the old foobs (albeit perky). Really pleased with my results and think I may even eventually forget they aren't real at some point.
chiluvr1228 - I have continued to wear a sports bra even when sleeping just for comfort but that is just me. I also transitioned to sleeping on my side as soon as it was comfortable. Used to be a stomach sleeper and may or may not ever get back to that but am happy just not having to sleep on my back anymore.
Tracie23 - May everything go smoothly Monday. ((hugs))
Happy Weekend all...
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I was told to sleep in a reclining position for the first couple of nights rather than flat on my back. I wore sports bras 24/7 for about two weeks and then found myself getting sore from them so I called the PS nurse and she told me I didn't have to wear one at night. I tend to agree with Carrol2 on giving your PS a call because they all seem to have a wide variety of guidelines. Best of luck to you!0
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Chiluvr1228, I am scheduled for exchange on 1/9, would go today if I could based on all the feedback, had the rocks since August. My PS said 4-6 weeks for the tattoos, assuming everything goes as planned with the exchange healing. I want to wait at least that long to make sure things are settled. He told me 2-3 weeks of sports bras post surgery, then whatever I want after that. Congrats on being done with the exchange, can't wait to get there too!
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Tracie ! hooray for you ! I was told to sleep/stay in a reclining position for 48 hours (helps w/ swelling) I am in a post surgical bra and need to take it easy until I see PS on Monday. The procedure took about an hour and I feel great. Already so happy to be soft. I knew those TEs were bad but once they are gone, I realize I had gotten used to the discomfort. Hope all goes well for you Tracie.
Chiluv, I agree call your PS goodness every single one of them has different ways of doing things. Glad you sound like you are feeling better
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Hi Shannon, I don't know why but I am sooooo anxious for Monday.... I think I need to take a pill to calm down... I think surgery brings back such bad memories and memories of pain ...who knows. but I am working on getting my house in order this weekend so I won't have to stress about that too. I am so glad you feel so good. thanks for listening to my rants...
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Trace try not to worry so much. I was terrified of the exchange because I was in so much pain and was so crippled after a mastectomy. I dreaded going back to that state. But my anxiety was unwarranted. I had surgery yesterday (bilateral exchange) and other than a sore throat really feel good. Spent last night wrapping presents and went out for four mile walk today. Haven't even needed any pain medication. honestly I think I am in less pain now than before the surgery. Good luck.
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marie, did your ps say you could walk... I work out every day and I think that is an under lying fear that I can't stay active. If I can get out and walk I will be so happy.
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My PS has pretty much let me set my own timetable for activity. There isn't any good data to support many of the restrictions they suggest. The only limitations I should have are ones that could damage the incision, cause infection, or cause bleeding into the pockets. So even though I would love to do some shoulder stretches I won't. Even though I would love to shower I won't till tomorrow. I will take it easy with anything that involves my chest and shoulders until I am sure it's ok.
That said everyone's surgery is different. Everyone responds differently to anesthesia. So pay attention to your body.0 -
Tracie today is day 2 for me. I have a little discomfort from the lipo under my armpits and my throat still hurts but this is nothing, nothing compared to the DMX.
I'm probably just going to use motrin instead of the vicodin today.
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Shannon, Silvanna, chiluvr, Marie, odie and any others who've recently had exchange: you all sound so positive and it's making anxious for my exchange on Jan 7th. Please keep us informed and many blessings that you all continue to have a quick and easy recovery....I can't wait!
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chiluvr, I am so happy to hear how well you are doing... I love to hear that you don't have to take the hard stuff. Keep posting
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I'll try to post my progress report every day. It feels so good not to have those TE's. I felt like I had on a much too tight, uncomfortable bra filled with rocks.
I peeked at them today. They seem a little smaller than I want but I guess I have to wait for what the gals on here call "drop & fluff"!
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compared to TE anything is smaller... mine enter the room before I do LOL
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