Exchange City
Comments
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Janet -- the one they put me in was from ClearPoint Medical - breast wrap -- heres the link. (looks like they sell by the dozen so you would probably need to get from your PS)
http://clearpointmedical.com/pages-standard/products.php?product_id=10
they were originally developed for breast augmentation to help push the implants down, but my PS things they work great wrapping them around the center of the chest to move the implants towards the middle.
As for sportsbras I love the soft ones from Target. The are not bad to sleep in.
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Lisa -- im so glad all went well. take it easy this weekend...
sweetbean -- yea to your exchange coming up. I was nervous too, but it was so much easier they the BMX.
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So what's the story with the fluff & drop. Will my implants look bigger. I'm a bit dissappointed as they appear much smaller, though they are softer. Nice not to feel the hard magnet. Also, one side looks a bit bigger. It's the cancer side so I was wondering if that was why because of maybe more work done inside. Any insight what I should expect?
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Janet (tenaj) -- My left (cancer side) seems a bit bigger to me too. I have been told the drop and fluff with happen over the next couple of months. Im not 100% sure exactly what happens with the drop and fluff. My PS is going to do fat grafting to fill in areas around the implant to give a more natural look - he said that will also make them look a bit bigger. You want to ask you PS if he does fat grafting.
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tenaj the best way i can describe drop and fluff is that they seem like they are attached tightly to the chest wall when you first get them, making them look smaller and flat like a hamburger bun. Then they kind of relax and push out and down giving them a larger and rounder appearance and a slight natural droop. I hated mine until 2 months after my surgery and then after a month of underwire bras they shaped up very nicely. very different from the month earlier and they are not done yet.0
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Carol2, thanks. I've read some great advice you have given. I guess I have to be patient. My one concern is that the implants are smaller than Whippetmom had suggested. He took 4-5 sizes into the OR & for some reason I ended up with the smaller ones. I'll ask him on Tuesday. For now I'm appy they are soft.
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MargieC- thanks, I will ask more questions on Tuesday.
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tenaj I ended up with smaller impalnts too so i was worried. I had 750cc TEs filled to 700cc and my PS said he would use 650cc implants but ended up using 600cc implants. 50cc is only a few tablesppons but i was concerend. Now I think they are just right. My instruction to him so was to get me as big as you can since I was a DD before. NOw I am a D. So that works for me I was too big before.0
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Great hearing that everyone is doing well! 4 days and counting down until my exchange. So looking forward to it and hoping I come out the size I want to be.
I did a google search for surgical bra with stabolizer and found several that look like the one Margie posted (thanks Margie!) They seem to run $40-60. Amazon even has them.
I know my PS said he was sending me home in one but I haven't seen it. Wondering if it would be worth wile to have a 2nd. I can live with washing every couple of days for a week or 2 but sure wouldn't want to do that for longer. Also don't want to pay that for something I will only use for 2-3 weeks though. Id rather get a PRETTY one ;-)
Any Opinions from the Ladies who've been there?
Best wishes, hopes, energy and prayers to everyone!
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rubalou my surgeon sent me home with a surgical bra and my follow up was two days later where he gave me another bra so I could I could switch them out. The only thing I bought was a cami with pockets for the drains, which I actually bought for my bmx and ended up using it for 3 surgeries and found it really great for keep the drains hidden yet easy to access and it's really stretchy so easy to jsut step into. It's called a softee I think some insurance companies will cover it but mine did not and it was $60. I got two so I could switch them out to wash them. I think it was a very good investment. When I am sure I am done with surgeries I will donate it. Although after washing it a lot now it looks a bit ratty yet still works.0
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rubalou -- I was sent home with a surgical bra day of surgery and at my check up two days later my PS said I could wear soft sports bras (which I like the ones at Target) and they gave me the breast wrap to help move the implants towards the center. before buying expense stuff I would check with your PS to see if he supplies these things.0
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Carrol2- some things in common. I have 600cc but was expecting the 750cc. I was at least a D also. You still turned out to be a D with that smaller of an implant? Mine just seem so flat right now, although they are more comfortable. Are you a petite frame?
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thanks Carrol2 and Margiec! Guess I just need to wait - Hard to do near the end here!!
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Margie - you're looking great - I'm hoping my PS will do mine through my IMF as well.
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tenaj no not petite at all I am 5'6" and about 160 pounds right now. My rib cage measures 32 inches making me a 36 in bra band. I was a huge 34DD before. I actually had to get a DD in one of my bras. They should kind of plump out for you in a few months. Mine were really flat for about a month too and they dropped and fluffed very quickly. My doctor thought we were at 4 months when I last saw him so it seems this happened much quicker than normal for me.0
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Carrol2- thanks for the info, you've made me feel better. I'm 5'61/2" measure 35 band & weigh about 175 now. Been trying to loose but the holidays blew that away. I will try to be more patient while waiting to heal. I looked a bit closer today & the left side has been sutured internally to keep in place. He said I would have "dimples" from the sutures for at least 4 weeks.
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Hi, I'm not sure If this forum is for me, I want to connect with women who just have had tissue expanders put in for the 1st time
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Redninrah - This forum is for you! I head for my TE exchange surgery on 1/23. Saw my PS for my preop visit and am good to go. Will be receiving Mentor Moderate Plus 600 cc and should be just a little smaller than with the TEs that were also filled to 600 cc. He will stich in the right one a little more as the TE has shifted to the side. He also is takes a "keep it simple" approach when it comes to recommending bras and suggested just a stretchy sports bra once he removes the bandages in 4-5 days. He liked the list of questions that I brought along, most of which were prompted by postings from the TE Exchange. I plan to take 2 weeks off from work although his assistant wrote the FMLA paperwork so I can take another week, if needed, or work part time. After my BMX, I went back fulltime and wished I'd worked part time for awhile. I've worn a bra band like Margie C described quite a bit while I've had the TCs but mine has a little rose appliqued on the front!
Rubalu - We're on for Monday! Looking forward to having this one checked off our to do lists.
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Golden01: Yes we are!! I have finally passed the OMG weepy stage and now am just looking forward to getting my squishees :-) YAY!!! I'll be gld to have this one finished.
Redninrah: This is a great place for you. Lots of wonderful knowledge and support!
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Ok so here's. My questions
I just got out out of hospital yesterday, after having four surgeries for diep. They all failed . On the last attempt I woke up and found a TE implant and I was crying so much becuz it hurt so much.
I'm two days out now. Came home last night and found my sleep to be so painful, I couldn't lie flat and then get up to go to washroom, the muscles hurt so much. It's like someone is sitting u. I like to sleep on my belly or side, and I didn't do that cuz. In hospital they had to give me a huge abdominal scar to get the flap (which failed).
I need to know
- when does this pain stop
- when I can I sleep on my belly
- typically when do most ppl go back to work, I was told 6 weeks off for diep.
- I have bandages on so I can't see anything, and will be removed on Tuesday and prob will have a fill for. The 1 st time
- when. Can one. Start going back to gm
Right. Now, I just feel so weak and lost and have no sense of direction as all my research was on diep.0 -
Redninrah:
I'm so sorry you are haivng so much discomfort. It's not fun. :-(
Everyone is a little different and you probably are having more pain with so many surgeries. However I can tell you that the fist few weeks with my TE (tissue expander) I also felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and that my PS (plastic surgeon) told me that was normal.
I had 50cc to start and had my first fill at about 3 weeks when my incisions had healed enough to take stretching. Then I had pretty much 50cc every 2 weeks until I reached my goal size. The fills were always uncomfrtable for the first few days and it was easier physically for me to get them late in the afternoon where I could rest and not try to be working all day.
Once I got to about 200cc and they were expanded out more the pressure and difficulty breathing was better. It was like the pressure was more in my breast area instead of right on my chest like an elephant. Typically around the time they really started feeling better it was time to get them filled again.
On one fill I got 30cc and on another 40cc. Both were much easier comfort wise than the 50cc. If you don't have time contraints, you may want to ask your PS for smaller fills. I wanted to just get it over with and knew it is temporary so I tried to stick with 50cc. If you really can't stand it your PS can take some of the saline out. I took muscle relaxers, ibuporfen and used Lidoderm patches (stick on prescription patces with lidocaine in them) throughout the proccedure.
Do you have pain meds and muscle relaxers? Take them. If they are not helping and you are in tears you should call your PS for advise and maybe different meds.
Find out from your PS EXACTLY what kind and size TE you have installed. There will be a brand and a diameter, projection and fill capacity. Also if you don't know already find out how much he filled them with at surgery. You will need this information as you go along. There is a wonderful GENIUS on our board names Wippetmom who will be able to help you with implant sizing with that info.
You will probably not be able to sleep on your stomach for the whole time you have the TE's and it is recommended to sleep on your back. I could kinda sleep on my side after about 4 weeks. I found it the most difficult to get to a sitting position and had to have help with that for a little while.
You're only a few days out...it WILL get better. At about 10 days out I felt remarkably better than a few days after surgery.
Some people can retrun to work sooner than 6 weeks. I needed the whole 6. Everyone is a little different. HANG IN THERE!!!! Remeber - this is only temporary.
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Thank u for the reassurance
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Please be aware that some women do not like the implants and you can decide for yourself. I have had pain for a long time. There is nothing wrong with you. Get meds for the pain, research and trust your instincts. The muscles are stretched and could be the cause of your pain. Good luck.
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I thought I would give you all an update. I just got home from my 10 day post surgery check up with the PS and he is very happy with how I am healing. He has released me from any restrictions and I can start working out so I can drop this 10lbs I have gained. I am just suppose to listen to my body. We talked about the areas I dont like (i have some flat areas) and he plans to "tweak" those when he does the fat grafting, nipple and scare clean up. I will be in the breast wrap for at least 2 more weeks. Good to go to the Dr and get good news.....
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With a TE in, what restrictions is there?
I was not given any literature on does and don't for this expander0 -
MargieC- great news fom the PS, happy healing & don't over do. I had my exchange 4 days ago, doing ok I guess. Not much energy, staying put in the recliner all day & napping. Running a low grade fever right now, just took a Tylenol & 1 codeine and will increase my fluids.
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I am 1 month out from exchange.... I feel great... no special bra no bands no nothing , I am so very happy with the surgery and they look great. My scars are even looking really nice. I think the only issue I had was trying to not over do it after the surgery, the day of the surgery I hurt but from the 2nd day on I felt wonderful. I have been sleeping on my side no pain and soooo much more comfortable. I wish everyone luck that is going through this and that is done.. what a long journey this has been. My only dilemma now is getting 3D tattoos?
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redninrah:
Once you have recovered from surgery there are not that many restrictions. You can work out and lift things within reason. If your PS did not tell you what you can do you should call and ask. It sounds like you are just a couple of days out so you should have a post op appointment coming up. Is that correct? Usually they want you to take it very easy until that post op appointment when they check the incisions, etc. At that time you can also get more information on what you can do and when.
Also did they give you muscle relaxers - those helped more than the pain meds for me with the tight, tight feeling in the chest.
You poor thing. You have really been through the wringer.
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I plan to have my exchange done on Feb 9, I am worried that they will be to close together or sticking out too far? She is planning on Allergan style 20 280ccs (size B ) but at the moment I have a 2 finger space in between and she said she will probably bring them a bit closer together? I also want to plan an Ooph but not sure how far after we can plan that? I would have loved to do both together and get it over with but seems like to much to ask?! Sounds like everyone here had a good experience.. is it realistic to go back to work with in 5 days?
Stay well ladies...
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B123, I had my ooph when I had the TE put in, you may be able to have it all done at once. The exchange isn't a very long surgery. I think going back to work in 5 days is very realistic. But everyone is different.
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