Exchange City
Comments
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cmartin I can't believe you had pocket work and was home at 10:45. I had to be at the hospital at 11am, surgery was at 1pm. It took three hours as he did alot of pocket work. I was in pain and nauseated so I did not leave the hospital until 7:45, then a little over an hour to get home. Made for a really long day.
So with exchange on Tuesday I was off pain meds except Tylenol by Friday. At first was a bit disappointed that I am a tad smaller, but I finally took a really good look and really like the way I look. I tried on my bra with different shirts and some actually look better than before exchange. Tried on my bikini and I look really good in it also. I did not realize that I had lost a little weight as my scale at home was off. When I checked into the hospital I weighed 111 lbs. DH says I look better now than before exchange, he thought they were a little too big for my frame. Also the way the girls hang look really great so I don't really understand how they will change with settling because they really do not need too and I love that they are soft. So I am still in this surgical bra but should get the OK on Tuesday to get out of it. Looking fgorward to buying some pretty bras now.
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Sherryc...pocket work was minimal from what I've been told. No nausea...ate chicfila on the way home! Wish I had been given a bra. I guess he doesn't do that? Strange. No pain meds today.
Lilblu...hope you are comfy soon. I slept fair...propped up which is never comfy. Nothing about this is easy. You aren't a downer. Still surreal at times.0 -
One of the forums I read the other day, some of the girls said theirs were fully fluffed around 3 months but one of the girls said that hers really started changing after 2 weeks and were alot "bigger and fluffier" at 6 months so look out! Dont buy those bras yet just in case. lol
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2FriedEggs,
I want to buy my bras for the asthetics. I love pretty bras, but I don't like wearing them. LOL I hope I can go braless.
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I know what you mean but you could grow out of them in 6 months anyway lol. Wow going braless, now that would be the best.
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WELL..... we had the Grand Unveiling this morning.
Fortunately, I knew what to expect, so wasn't too disappointed.
After being wrapped like a mummy in a very tight Ace bandage for 72 hours, the implants were shaped more like TEs, and had gotten a bit, er, dented at the bottom.
But I took a shower......ahhhhhhhhhh.....washed my hair......ahhhhhhhh.....and then after I dried off, I put a Xeriform strip across each incision.
I can't really tell if the PS extended them at all, but there was some recent bleeding on one of them and a lot of dried blood on the other. He said he had used skin glue on both, and to go ahead and get both wet, but y'all know how OCD I am about germs!!! So on went the Xeriform, and then we stuck mini-pads inside my sports bra (sticky side against the fabric) so nothing would rub the incisions.
Within about an hour, the bottom half of the implants started to fill out. I still have a tiny crease on the bottom of the right one, but I also have quite a bit of swelling from the additional release of the pectoral muscles in the IMF.
I can also tell I'm pretty swollen in my upper chest (I think he did a lot of work up there,too), but once I get to the ol' Drop and Fluff, they should be lookin' pretty good. I definitely don't have stripper boobs!
We didn't want to take a chance on uncontollable pain this time, so have been hitting the Norco, Cipro, and Benadyl on a regular basis. Cut back on the Norco today - I'm just sore, no constant pain whatsoever.
I have been eating my protein (100 grams a day, girls!) and napping like a big old housecat. I figure I have a prescription for two weeks of couch potato, and I'm taking advantage of it!!!
Sorry to be lazy, but I might copy and paste this post in a few other threads.
Hope everyone is doing well and having a good weekend!
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Blessings....great to hear from you and that things are good!
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I have read a lot on this forum about fat grafting in this reconstruction phase. Can someone explain to me what that is. I just received my implant which is saline. I am still bound with an ace bandage, but can shower. I have no pain and no swelling that I can see. There is one spot that looks ripply and pokey, but maybe that will improve when the ace bandage comes off. I tried on a C cup bra today and it fit perfectly. My post op appt is next Wed. I am anxious for that.
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I've been lurking and reading the past several months of pages of this thread so I feel like I know most of you! I had a UMX in January and just finished my fills on Aug 1. I'm 5'1", 135lbs and filled to 500cc. Whippetmom was a big help in the sizing and my PS went along with what I wanted. I was a large A/small B before and hope to be a full C. My exchange is scheduled for Sept 12. PS says he'll put in a 450 mentor silicone and in the native side he'll probably do a 350 (yep, I'm really small!) Really apprehensive about another surgery but you're all so encouraging that I keep telling myself that if you can do it, so can I! He said to expect 2 drains :{ but I'll live through it! You are right, all PS's are different. I have a pacemaker/ICD in the MX side which had to be moved up for them to do the MX. Because of the pacer I can't have MRI's. PS said not to worry, that there are other ways to check for leaks such as ultrasounds.
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Blessing so glad you got to shower today. Boy did that make me feel better.
I woke up early this morning and have been busy all day with no nap. Had an old friend come to town and came by to visit now DH and I are watching a movie. I should sleep really good tonight.
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I am not sure if this is the right way to post, but here goes:
Question, I am four days post-exchange and the PS put me in a bra and then rewrapped the ACE over the bra. Are you all tightly wrapped like this still?Also, I cannot tell if I'm swollen or not. I'm hoping a bit so b/c I feel bigger than I'd like to be. I have a 550 in and I'm 5'4", 128 lbs.
Thank you.
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I asked my PS about what drop and fluff was, he said he didn't know that expression but isn't elaborate. Today (almost 3 weeks) I notice bumpier or more uneven feeling on the lower part. Does that mean swelling is gone? I was hazy about where swelling was! A little tender on my sides which seems new. I wish I knew more about this, love my PS but while he answers direct questions he is not chatty about it. rosie400, ' my implants are 390s, I wanted to be similar to my previous self. I was not wrapped either, just has horrible post-surgery bra and then sports bra. I am not in regular bras yet but I anticipate it will be hard, I am wider than before and not as floppy.
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Vha....wrapping seems common but I'm not. Three days out and I've removed the gauze and have showered.
Most also seem to end up smaller than they want. It took a good six weeks for the swelling from my lumpectomy to subside.
I have 500 am 5'7" and 138. They seem about right so I'm hoping not too much reduction over time...honestly just getting the gauze off made me feel smaller.
Lisa...not sure...my Ps is chatty to the point of my not getting the anal details that I might want...I'm only at day three.0 -
posted an update on the pic forum. I am 11 months post my exchange.
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Carol...how do I get there?
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vha I am 5 days post exchange. I am in a surgical bra but my PS does not wrap in an Ace bandage. I have already been able to shower. I am 5'3", 111 lbx, 28" ribcage. I ended up with 425cc on left and 400cc on right, HP round smooth silicone. I have tried on my bra and my 32C fits.
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Thanks, all. Somehow knowing what to expect eases the apprehension (somewhat).
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CMartin the pic forum is a separate site than BCO. You need to PM the moderaters here to request access. I forget which one of you ladies is a moderater I Know the site was set up by timtam. Anyone ehlp CMartin out?
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I have a question about recovery and travel post implant. I have not had my final expansions yet, but I'm getting close. Yay, me! LOL When I am scheduled and have the final implant surgery, my husband and I would like to plan a short trip to Paris before I return to work. I know that each person is unique in their recovery, but I was wondering if a week would be enough recovery to fly to Paris for about 4 days before I return to work. Does anyone have similar kinds of experience with travel shortly after implant? Of course, I'd have to clear it with the PS. It's sort of making the most of the time I have off.
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Mariwyl, I am traveling after about 30 days,I heard that the surgeons like you to stay nearby for about 2 wks in case of any complications but some release patients that fly in to see them for the surg in 48 hrs as long as there is someone to take care of them in their home city. I am going to Baja and maybe Cabo San Luca and San Diego. Was supposed to go in July but fiance spent all his money buying parts for his 2 boats,sometimes I think he is a 2 yr old in a man's body! Can you imagine if he kept his money and I told him I couldnt go cause I spent my money on stilletos? His cousin is in LA and told us we could stay at the rental house there. We also wanted to go to Napa Valley and have some wine shipped back to our home city.
Congrats Blessings on your exchange,mine is Thurs,I am a nervous wreck,cant sleep,not supposed to take a sleeping pill or drink adult beverages. How do you feel? PS wants me to go back to work after 2 wks. Anybody feel ok after only 2 wks? So happy for all of you in the Squishy club living in Exchange City now!
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Layla2525,
Thanks for your input! I work with an MD in the ER who had BC. She just had her exchange in April after having her TEs for 10 years!!!!! Holy cow, I'd be at my wits' end with TEs for 10 years! She had the exchange on a Thursday and was back in the ER on Monday!!! I am taking a full week or more, depending on how I feel. More, if I'm able to go to Paris. LOL It really does depend on how I feel.
Good luck with your exchange on Thursday!! The surgery is supposed to be much easier than the MX. I had my BMX in May, and I recovered pretty quickly.
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Mariwyl,
I'm six days post-exchange surgery. Feeling pretty good. I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving the country - haven't had my post-op visit yet. But physically, I feel good and you probably will too but as we know, everyone's story is different. My concern at this point is remembering my restrictions. My PS has said no lifting over 5 pounds for 4-6 weeks, whcich will make going back to work challenging. I'll see what he says on Friday, which is my post-op visit. But, as I keep telling myself, I've come this far, I don't want to mess anything up now!0 -
Thanks Carrol. Great new pic!
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Layla...don't fret! It was truly not bad at all. If I could have taken ibuprofen I wouldn't even have needed pain meds. I only took those for one day. Surgery was fri and I will return to work one day this week....after my crazy root canal. If DH would leave me to work a bit on fri you know all is well (mom was here).
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Karenr...WOW. I'm sitting here 3 days post exchange feeling pretty good. Post-op appt is tomorrow. I am shocked at nothing over 5 pounds for that long. That is going to be so tough.
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Layla,
If you are going to be in San Diego you might want to check out Temecula as a close alternative to Napa. It's about an hour north of San Diego. Google Wine Country Temecula, Old Town Temecula and Temecula Balloons. There are several wineries, a fun Old Town to browse (from the 1800's) and, if you reserve ahead of time, sunrise balloon rides that are out of this world! Good luck on your exchange this week. Mine is still 2+ weeks away but I get butterflies everytime I think about it.
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One week to squishies!
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I only took pain meds for 2 days and that was because I had a terrible headache--no pain in surgical site. I took myself out of the ace bandage and put on a sports bra. The ace bandage was squishing my native breast and was uncomfortable. Have my post op appt. Wed and hopefully will get stitches out.
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I go for my exchange tomorrow. I'm nervous & excited! Will be glad to get rid of these rocks & the port!
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Moleen, I forgot, did you have anything done to the native side? Did the sports bra help?
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