Exchange City
Comments
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I'm so ready for these bricks to come out. I have a hard time moving in bed and sitting up, or laying down...
For those of you who've already had the exchange - does the movement get any better? My PT is telling me how tight some of the muscles are... I hope that will get better quickly after the exchange...0 -
Today I went for my last expander fill before my exchange surgery on May 17. I have been in a great deal of pain on my left side. This is the side that had the extra dose of radiation. He decided to not fill any more. He doesn't want me to be in more pain. I like that man. I wish I could put up with the pain and expand to a bigger size but I am not strong enough to fight it. If I had known I would need chemo, I don't think I would have gone for recon right away.
It is encouraging to hear your exchange stories. I hope my surgery goes well. I don't understand why some of you have drains and some don't. Did those of you with drains get an explanation?
I am going to enjoy our Indiana weather while I can. It has been warm but the sun has done wonders for my attitude!
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Laurenm730: I am so sorry you are having the pain you are having! I had a very high level of pain with the TE's. I was only getting fills of 25cc every two weeks for the last couple of months (which was better) but still had to deal with the Immovable ROCKS on my chest. It does get better after the exchange... Like night and day it was for me. I am 9 days out from my exchange surgery and I no longer think/feel my chest every waking second:-). Hang in there!!
Bethu77: on having drains or not after exchange... I can tell you what my PS said: the more work he does (excise scar tissue/move stuff around, etc) the more likely it would be necessary to use drains. I had a small amount of scar tissue work done and he had to make adjustments to my left sie b/c it set higher than the right. However, I did not have drains after the exchange, thank God, b/c after ny MX I had two drains for 9 weeks!
As for how they look now? I was a full B, small C and wanted to go to a fill C. I was filled to 550 cc in the TE's and was supposed to get 500cc (gummy bear silicone) put in. However, I woke up with 450cc! And of course, after the rocks that wouldn't move at 550cc's I feel very flat. My PS said he tried 500, 475 but went with the 450 b/c I didn't have enough skin...it was too tight, didn't look good and he thought it would be too much strss on the incisions. (I also had an issue on my left side with the prior incision not healing well so that meant even more skin had to be removed at time of exchange. Anyway, nothing to do about it but hope whatever that drop and fluff thing is (anybody want to enlighten me??) helps a little. Trying not to get too focused on it...just really happy to have the TE's out :-). !! To all those waiting... Hang in there...hoping the time goes fast for ea h of you!0 -
4 1/2 weeks and counting. I hope May goes as fast as April!
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What would a 300 cc be in size?
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Lisa: I am fully expanded at 400 cc's and should be a 34/36 C. My PS will not tell me what size implant I will wind up with because it all depends on the size of the pocket and skin coverage. If it's close to the size of the expander, I'll be happy.
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I'm joining you gals as my exchange is set for June 20th. Unfortunately, May was just too busy for me. I hated to wait, but felt that was best. Ready for this part to be over. I'm tired of being uneven!
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Hi girls. I am June 19th and VERY excited as well. I have had my TE for a year now.
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After 19 months waiting and 3 rescheduled surgeries, I finally had my TE swap and a lift yesterday. And everyone who is waiting, its really true that the difference is like magic! I cant believe how much difference it makes.
Love and hugs xxx0 -
Erika8
Sorry to hear about your expander leaking. I am scheduled for implant exchange July 5th. My PS told me that it happens occasionally and if it happened to me between now and then that he would just move the surgery up, since we are so close to the end of fills.
How did you make out did you have to have it removed and another one put in?
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Iz_and_Lys_Mum
It sounds like we share some similarities in diagnosis and reconstruction choices. I will be having a lift to the native side at the time of exchange Jul 5. I am still not sure if I should but I am thinking if it helps with symmetry why not? My only thoughts on not doing it is of additional scarring and possible loss of sensation. I know it is probably much too early to tell if that is a problem for you. Also are you planning to complete it by going with nipple reconstruction/ tattoo?
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janice my expander is still leaking my surgerie was moved up to May not July i will also get the reduction on the other side on the same time
wishing you a nice weekend and the same for all the nice ladies here
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I had my reduction at the same time I had mx on cancer side. I can't say that I regret having it done...at all. I am also going for the nipple recon at the time of exchange. Erika, so sorry you're having te trouble, glad they're moving up your surgery. I had my last fill a few weeks ago, and I've noticed lately that I forget it's in there. I don't really even notice the te anymore. Never thought I'd be saying that!
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Hey Janice
I was flip flapping on whether to have the lift or not right up until this week, but from what I can see so far, Im really glad I did! Obviously its still bandaged, but I have symmettry and very little external bruising.
Im 99% decided I wont have any nipple reconstruction - long story but its taken me so long to get to this point I think Im done now. Im used to it without a nipple and Im just not too bothered about it. Ill keep you posted on how it goes, and theres also a thread where a few of us were discussing this. Ill get the link for you...0 -
...http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/773112?page=1#idx_22 here it is!
If you have any more questions just let me know... Keep us posted on what you decide. If i can figure out the picture forum thingy I might be able to post some pics there too. Im that pleased so far :-) xxx0 -
Hello Ladies! I had my exchange on May 2 and went in for my postop appt yesterday. The PS was very pleased but one side needs to be pushed down a little and he told me to wear an Ace wrap 24/7 (except for showers) until I see him again. The wrap is driving me nuts! It keeps bunching up, especially under my arms. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
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Julie,
I wore an actual "breast band" for a few weeks, maybe they can dispense one to you, or you can get from surgical supply store if PS is ok with that. I wore one, for a couple of week, worked perfectly and very comfortable.
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I have my exchange May 31st!!! I am SCARED to death of this surgery, but I love reading all of your positive stories!!!! I think mine is just psychological...this is the final step in this BC journey (except for the herceptin for the rest of the year)
I keep reading everything will feel so much better and it won't be as tight but I'm having a very hard time believing it for myself. Maybe the wait for this surgery has been too long. My PS lets the TE's sit for 6-8 weeks before doing the exchange.
It's my understanding from my PS that he will do the nipple reconstruction at the same time, but I could be totally wrong....If it is a different surgery, I might just forgo the reconstruction and get the tattoo's...I mean, if it's not going to have any feeling anyway, why bother with yet another surgery, right?? Oh, man, now I just gave myself something else to worry about...although...I am seeing him on Monday.
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Lori,
I'm with you on the nipple recon. I really like the freedom of not having to wear a bra. My DH is okay with it too. My PS doesn't do the nipple recon. until things settle (couple months) anyway, so I know I can change my mind. But the 3-D nipple tattoo seems the most reasonable way to go. My exchange is approaching fast - into the final week count-down (6 days to go). Best wishes to you.
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I found seemless tube tops on Amazon that were reasonably priced at $9.95. Haven't received them yet but I can let you know if they are comfortable when the arrive.
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Had my TE's put in last Nov. and started the fills Dec. They were filled every month about 160 cc's at a time. Last fill in April got me to 960 and am the day after Gal on the exchange list
. The 1st few months were fine, it was nice to have bumps. but around Feb. the pain started and it got worse every time. I can sit, stand or walk without much pain. But not lay down. If I am moving I am hurting, so I can not wait for this surgery. I have been taking Advil for the last few months but can't take it this week before surgery and pain meds make me sick. It's only 1 week more then downhill, I can do this. I will be having the nip recon. I have come through all this and I'll be darned if I am cheated out of fake nips to match. Lol. I found a great site for tats if anyone is interested. I love the hearts. http://www.whitetigertattoo.com/medical.html0 -
dougieswife- Best of luck with your upcoming exchange surgery! I didn't have the immediate relief that many feel right after exchange but I wanted to reassure you that in time the tightness got better. I hope that you feel better right away but I was very tight before and felt the same way over a couple months as it slowly improved.
If you don't get your nipples reconstructed right away you may want to hold off on deciding for a bit while you heal up and everything relaxes and settles. I know several ladies who are happy with both the 3 D tattoos or doing nothing so it depends on you. My nipple recon was just an outpatient visit to my PS office. Just a little lidocane to numb and then he made them using the flap method that was just skin that he cut and folded from me. I didn't know how much I would like it but I am so happy that I did it and will be getting tattoos soon. I just have to make the appointment when I have a chance. The one other thing I want to mention is that my implants looked much nicer after they settled so if you are not feeling "love at first sight," you may be like myself, and many others, who need some time to "get aquainted".
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Summer...that is what my PS does, but he uses a piece of skin that will naturally darken over time, or so he says, LOL. I love that "need some time to get aquainted"...that made me LOL!!! That is VERY good information to know. Thanks for all of the information!!!! : ) I appreciate it!!!! I really just want this part to be over.
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Tomorrow makes 2 days post-exchange to implants. Things are looking pretty good, but I find my eyes keep going back to this one area on my right breast. The implant doesn't seem to sit down in the pocket all the way which is creating a slight "double bubble" effect. My Mother and Sister both say it's not bad and I'm being picky, but after all I've been thru I want good results.
Have any of you had this happen? I'm wondering if it will correct over time or if this means a revision surgery will be in my future?0 -
Thank you Christine47 and Gamma! I'm going to look into both tomorrow. Have a great night!
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Kim - don't the implants have to "settle"? That was one of the reasons my PS wants to wait for the nips. Maybe it just takes time for things to figure itself out? How are you feeling btw?
My exchange is 4 weeks from today. I never thought i'd be excited for a surgery, but I am. I just can't wait to get these stupid boulders off/out of me.
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dougieswife- (and all of you exchanged-to-be and just exchanged) It's taken me almost six months to not look at my foobs in great detail, at all angles, up close, several steps back etc... Pre BMX they never got more than a passing glance on a rare occaision. Full disclosure- I still look several times a day! You may have already found yourself taking stock of all the other bustlines of the women around you, which in the past would have never occured to you at all. Hopefully you will all sail through without any healing complications and not need any tweaking. Kim137- best of luck with the settling implant, maybe your PS will be able to advise you with some ideas to get it to drop, but I have seen many others on here who seem to correct over time.
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Thanks Dougieswife, I am sitting waiting to discuss this with my PS right now.
Lauren, I've heard things have to settle as well. I just wish it would hurry up! Lol! I am feeling great! The exchange surgery was such a breeze for me. Only needed pain pills the day of surgery. My PS did my nip reconstruction during the same surgery. They look really good! The left nipple is slightly larger than the right one (I'm nit pickin' again!) But my PS said that it will shrink considerable over the next few weeks. Over all I am very pleased with everything.0 -
Just had my drain out :-) hooray! Am five days post exchange now, and I feel so much better! The constant pain from the TE has gone. I didn't realise how much it affected every move I made for the last 19 months. I had a lift too, which I really wasn't sure about, but I'm so glad I did.
Good luck everyone with upcoming surgeries xxx0 -
I was wondering about TE discomfort. Does it go away once you get exchanged? This feeling of a tight rope around me with softballs sitting on my chest feels like it will never go away. But I'm hoping that once I get my exchange surgery done, that it will be gone when I wake up. Is that the case or are the permanents hard too??
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