Exchange City

Ccjj- that is exactly right! It can kick in at any time; even years later. We need to be really careful about bp checks, needle sticks and flying.

Golden, I am gettng Mentor gel 600 cc but I dunno what profile they are,should I call and ask? These PS dont tell me anything if I dont ask but finally got the green sheet to sign,thk god I am getting general anesthesia for this stuff,I totally freak out about everything.

CMartin,its possible I could be grinding teeth, I have chipped some teeth in past yr while sleeping and my mom said (b4 she passed from ovarian cancer) I did grit teeth sleeping when I was little but my fiance only mentioned that I talk in my sleep. The kids say I talk in my sleep and also have been known to sleepwalk.

Went to dentist,he cant find anything wrong after the xrays of my teeth but since I have a fever and peeling lips he decided to send me to the endodontist,if anything is wrong my PS will freak,she doesnt want me to get my teeth cleaned. Got a handout for exchange surg. Same notes,wear sports bra 24/7 dont get heart rate up,no lifting etc.

Layla - I've used Fruit of the Loom sports bra with front closure (unfortunately, it's about a dozen hooks). But it's comfortable. I'm still wearing them because I'm not quite comfortable going without just yet.

TonLee - You've gotten so much input on how much to do/not do. I was driving about 3-4 days after my exchange. My PT warned me against raising my arms too much, although my PS was really easy going about it. I probably overdid it, but didn't seem to have any problems when the PS did my follow up 2 weeks later. Just watch the lifting - and pushing/pulling. I had a huge problem with the doors at work. I work at a radio station, and I'm always going in and out of production rooms, and those are so heavy.

I'm still feeling tight on the right side, and my arm knocks into the foob when it gets close to my body. Wondering if the foob needs a good shove to the center.... I'm also in the process of packing to move at the end of the month, and it's really hard. Even when boxes don't seem too heavy, when I put them down I wonder, uh oh... I'm going to hire a moving company, but I want to box as much as I can. I have soooooo much junk (books, papers, knick knacks). Trying to weed out, but even my brush with BC hasn't gotten rid of the sentimentalist in me. 

I am 4 weeks out from my 2nd exchange surgery. What a difference from the first implants that my idiot PS put in. I love my new doctor. I bought 2 new bras and when measured, I am only a C now, I wanted to be back to my D but these girls are high and firm. Since I'm petite, I can get away with C's and look good. Once I get my 3D tats I might feel almost normal again.

I had 525 cc implants but the pocket was too big and they looked like footballs placed sideways in my chest. If I knew how to post pictures in here I would show you gals. Now they look more like a large navel orange. New doc gave me 650 cc's.

Anybody you ladies know about that does 3D tattoos in the Fort Myers, Florida area? It's on the Southwest coast, about 2 hours south of Tampa. My PS doesn't do 3D.

ccjj - yes, if you have had nodes out, even a SNB, you have a lifetime risk of lymphedema.  There is risk with radiation as well.  Some get truncal or breast LE also.  There does seem to be somewhat of a correlation between number of nodes out and risk, but there are definitely ladies on the LE threads who have it and only had a SNB.  The precautions are BP, needle sticks, IV avoidance in your node arm, along with other things mentioned in the link below.  Sleeves/glove/gauntlet while flying are recommended but there are some that don't think it is necessary - I would rather be safe than sorry.  I had bi-lat SNB, a later ALND on the right and I do have mild LE on the right, which has been treated and decently controlled so far by LE certified PT.  I fly with sleeves/gauntlets on both arms.  Here is a link to the precautions:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

denise - I know Moffitt Cancer Center has tattoo capability but I don't know much about what they offer.  That is where my PS send his ladies that need tattoos here in Tampa.   Here is a number for the breast program there, they could probably answer your question.

813-745-3980 

everyone seems to know te make of their implants. I didnt know there was different models. I'm 5'5 135lbs and am at 480cc. I thing the ps said he was going to 520 during the exchange. I was told no work or driving for one week.

Ddeal14- my ps said just the opposite on the bra issue. First week surgical bra. After drains are removed I need to wear another type of surgical bra that they fit on me. 24/7 except for showering. I need to wear it for 4 weeks. Anyone else have to do this procedure? He said he doesnt want the breasts to move.

Thanks Tina, that makes sense now that my PS said I had a curved chest wall but I thought he was just referring to everyone in general. He said given this they have a tendency to want to migrate towards my armpits.

Thanks SpecialK!

dipad, I have a handout from my PS regarding what to do after my surgery and it says wear the bra 24/7 and have it ready for when she decides I am out of the ace bandges that she will send me home with. It also says to have ice packs ready. I am just trying to decide what sports bra to get or if the mx bra is ok but dont think it will be compression and support enough.

My PS doesnt care about getting drains or bandages wet, I do however, after my first surg I waited a little longer than they said b4 I showered. Then when I finally did, I pinned my drains to a lanyard and covered the incisions with plastic. I am worried I will take a pain pill and do something dumb like last time when I got the things off the top shelf I really could have done without and popped a drain. I want the implants to stay nice and probably have to super glue myself to the recliner.

I am doing saline because I don't want to have to do mri's every 3 years. If you have to have them anyway because of your stage, I would think insurance will pay, so I would go with the silicone.

WOW - I guess I don't visit often enough. I truly enjoy reading updates from everyone, but can't keep track of names to personally respond.

It really helps reading the positive results after exchange. Mine is scheduled for 7/23 and I cannot wait!!!  At this point, 8 months with TE I'm ready to just have them out, regardless of final result.  Grrr....some days are worse than others.

My PS has scheduled me 3 wks off work, and I work in an office.  I really don't get it. But, I ended up 5 weeks after the BMX with TE implant, so... I had my drains for 4 wks and the most he would say is that I will probably have my drains for awhile. So, I'll take it.  I have a high stress job, so I guess I'll just make the best of it.

joan - that would be pretty ambitious, I wouldn't plan on it.  Even though it is outpatient it is still a surgery.

Hi Ladies  I had my exchange last Wed.  I am doing pretty good 3 days postop   I am definetly an "A" cup which is fine with me.  I also had saline which was fine wth me not having any more surgeries for quite some time  I stayed the night instead of outpatient just to be monitored.   I was also send home with pain pills and a 24/7 bra.  Been working on taking less pain pills. I was told I had to wear the bra for two weeks. Also lifting under 8 pounds and light stretching not to get stiff.

This feels better than after a BMX in Feb. What I asked for in size is what I wanted and got.   Just want the pain post op to stop and this bra to stop feeling like tissue expanders.  Needless to say, in two weeks, it sounds like I will be  happier then.

Good luck with all those having exchanges this week and thanks for all those tips pre and post ops!.

I'm going to the shore for a few days - since I've been able to shower, etc, I assume going in the water is okay. Anyone hear otherwise? Forgot to call the PS on Friday.

Rachel, my PS wanted me to wait 4-6 weeks after BMX to let the wounds heal before I went swimming.  I'm not sure if it's the same afer exchange or not?