Exchange City
Comments
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tlew - Hi, I'll jump in here because I think I used the term "oomph"
I just meant that to mean that there usually is a bit more overall fullness right after the exchange simply due to swelling. Obviously, depending on the amount of swelling things will change and some of that fullness will go away after healing is done."Drop and fluff" is used a lot on these reconstruction threads to mean that as the swelling goes down, tissue healing takes place, and the pec muscles relax that the implants settle in. That often means that they will drop lower and round out a bit. Everyone is different so the degree of change after the exchange will vary from person to person (and even from one breast to the other in the same person!).
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Tina! you have good puzzle solving skills! I should have just asked you directly on the forum
Thanks for clarifying. 0 -
tlew - here is my understanding of Drop and Fluff:
"Pancake boobs" (or "hamburger buns") are probably the #1 complaint immediately after exchange ...mostly because of how the implants are constructed, vs how the TEs are constructed.
The TEs have a hard plastic back, so that all the saline is pushed forward under the pectoral muscle. The implants (saline or silicone) are squishy all over, and tend to form themselves against the rib cage right after exchange. There really isn't any way to make the implants have the same (hard) projection as the TEs, even if you do get high profile implants.
Over time, though, the implants slowly "drop" down into the pockets made by the PS, settle in to find their natural place, and "fluff" out, to look more like a natural breast.
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Okay...so I had my exchange May 31st. Everything is good...my left one has dropped a bit and I will be getting some revision surgery when he does my nips. Question is this...my left side pec muscle is so freakin tight that it is making the muscles in my upper back super, super sore. I decided the other night to test my theory that it was all muscular and not anything more by taking a muscle relaxer...well, okay, I took 2 (but the bottle said to take 1 or 2, LOL!!!). OMG...I got the best nights sleep AND I woke up without pain!!!!! Has anyone else out there experienced such muscle tightness??
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Dougleswife...not pain but I certainly understand you and how that could occur. Mine are tight. I am rarely without a bra because of the discomfort from tightness. However my exchange was Aug24.
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Blessings2011, JamieB86
Thanks for your comments & suggestions about my dissatisfacction with the implant size & shape used on the MX side. I hope that he can tell me that it can be better than what it is.
I never thought about a minimizer bra, I just always thought that I didn't want to minimize but I guess it makes sense.
When they tell you that the PS will take in three different size implants into the OR and then uses the one that fits the best in the pocket is that just for his convenience so he doesn't have to make the pocket bigger to accomodate a bigger size. He kept telling me that I could go smaller but I did not want to go any smaller on the native side, it is not that I am overly endowed in any way. I wear a 38C and wanted to stay the same size.
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Dougieswife...I also had exchange surgery in May. I still get little pings and muscle pains. I think it's fine if you need to take a muscle relaxer every now and then. I think it takes our pec muscles a long time to settle in around the implants. Everything's connected, so it makes sense. My right sits just a tad bit higher than lefty, but my PS is thrilled with the outcome. And in a bra, you can't even tell. I'm planning on getting nips in December. Then tats in spring - I have to wait 3 months from nips.
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Hi everyone hope you all continue to improve. My exchange from the exchange is tomorrow. He will be removing the 800 moderates and put in 800 moderate +. I hope that 'Squashy' will be better after this. I am about ready to say done no matter the outcome. He will be trying to loose the scar from my redux from many years ago. It held 'Squashy' in so it sits flatter than 'Squishy'. I had hoped that at this point I would be done with nips and tats, and have all this behind me. But alas, we can't always choose the path, so I will try my very hardest to trust the One who laid all paths. Good wishes to all who have exchanges coming up.
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Janice I think it is very standard for the PS to take three sizes into surgery. My Ps ordered three sizes. I really wanted the larger one but it was too tight on my left breast so he had to go with the middle size.
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Dougieswife- I had my exchange 11 months ago and still have pec muscle tightness on one side that also affects my back. I do take a couple of flexeril now and then to get some relief. I have pain issues due to fibromyalgia that came on in the last year which makes it hard to figure out what is causing the pain but I do take meds to get relief. Good luck to you.
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OMG!!! Thank you!!!! I'm sorry you are dealing with pain, too, but it is nice to know I just don't have some freaky weird pain.
I should also add that I have 800cc silicone (gummy bears) implants. they are super heavy. I think when we do the revision I might just ask to go smaller. my PS is going to lift and bring them to the center more. I have a protruding breastbone and while he did a fantastic job putting me back together, I'm just not happy with how my breastbone looks with out a bra on. My PS is a perfectionist and wants me to be 100%,happy. in a bra, they are fine.0 -
Thank you, Jamie! It's good to be "squishy", even though they look really flat right now :-(.
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sorry ice - patience patience patience...it's a running theme in my head. If nothing else, bc has reminded me of the need of it. Time is our friend in this situation. You'll be amazed at the difference a month can make. Some women have found it helpful to photograph their new girls so they can see the progress. I didn't, but now wish I had.
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Well, all day yesterday it felt like someone was poking an ice pick into Lefty....DH kept asking "what did you do?" as if I had overdone it somehow. Well, I really hadn't done much; I'm just now off restrictions (6 weeks out) so I'm still being careful.
It just feels like it's in that ridge of tissue where he did the lateral capsulorraphy.
But MAN!!! I slept in the recliner last night...all night...for the first time in weeks. It helped, not being able to roll over on my side.
And today, I'm taking it even easier, if that's possible....
Ah, well, this too shall pass......
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Ice, I felt the same way after exchange! I think for me it was getting used to new look after having expanders (mine seemed giant and I had for more than a year!). I am a little more than 2 weeks out from exchange and am also trying hard to be patient. Although, now I do feel fine if they don't any fabulous drop and fluff! I didn't take any pictures but just might start today!
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Blessings: I too am having a hard time trying not to overdue it. Sometimes I just forget to not lift a heavy pot. I even went as far as to empty out my handbag just lighten things up. Its hard...
We have the same sleeping issues
. As a side sleeper Its so hard to control your body from making that turn in the middle of the night, and then I get woken up by the discomfort of sleeping on the side. So last night I started using little pillows to block myself from turning. Occasionally I pop a muscle relaxer to help with sleeping, its works wonders.0 -
How long are we supposed to not sleep on our sides? I am 8 weeks out. Been side sleeping -kinda- for a few weeks, he didn't tell me not too when I asked at last appointment.
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Lisa2012....me too. Side sleeping and it wasn't mentioned....but not much was....;(
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I got the O.K. from the PS to go back to sleeping in bed weeks ago. He didn't mention anything about NOT sleeping on my side....
I think he was leaving it up to me to decide how it felt. Up until yesterday, it was painful, but tolerable.
tlew - I take half a Valium and half a Norco every night, just so I can get to sleep without the discomfort of rolling over on my side waking me up.
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HI Girls,
I'm 4 weeks post exchange. I'm not sure if i've fluffed/dropped and settled yet however, they do look a little different compared to the first week after my exchange. Mine are soft (compared to TD) but not squishy, they still feel very firm. Anyone else experience this?
I'm still not as big as I hoped to be 500cc's but my PS couldn't go any larger because I had so many incision healing issues with my TE's. We had to stop expanding and get the implants in ASAP because the incision kept opening on my cancer side due to thin skin. I also have no fat in my breast so right now i'm implant against skin.
Since my BMX, 6 months ago I have gained about 15lbs. My PS said he will be doing fat grafting in December to give me a fuller upper pole and fill in the dents that appear. Has anyone ever had this? I told him I want to be thinner and bustier. Think it's possible?
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I don't sleep on my side only because I experience discomfort when I do which is what's keeping me from having a good night sleep ever since the exchange. My PS didn't prohibit me from side sleeping. So don't worry ladies
When I tried sleeping on my side, I felt like I was squishing the implants and my incision was a bit uncomfortable. I figured since I still have my steritape on and I'm still healing, I should just suffer it out and lay on my back instead.
Blessings: I also take half of a Valium. It's enough to get me through some nights...0 -
I haven't slept on my side in 6 months. It's killing me and not to mention not being able to snuggle. 0
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mistolli I am getting my nipples at the end f the month and he will be doing some fat grafting in my upper pole. He says it does not always take but that we could always try again if it doesn't. Overall I look pretty good my I do feel a little to much slope, especially when I lean forward.0
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Good morning,
I have a question, seems like we all have physical limitations given by ps. If I can remember correctly I was told six weeks for lifting etc. I feel like I can do so much more (it's been almost 3 weeks). So do you ladies feel sore or pain if you lift etc? Do you think it is long term complications that are part of limitations given?
I was told I can sleep on side but definitely not stomach.
Thanks Sara0 -
Hi Sarasowise,
I still have a tiny scab on my incision site that he's concerned about. PS told me I can walk a max of 10 minutes a day, no lifting more then 5-10 lbs. I'm 4 weeks post exchange I feel good and feel like i'm able to resume normal activity. I haven't tried and have no pain other then from where the drains were and sharp shooting nerve pain. I can't wait to start messaging my breast. they are still very firm.
Carol, how long have you had your implants? have you noticed them settling?
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sarasowise - By three weeks you still aren't fully healed despite how great you feel or look on the outside. Those incisions and all the areas around the implants are still healing so best not to risk it by doing too much or putting too much strain on the incisions. It's good to hear that you're ready to get back to usual activities. Be patient and hang in there!
I love your signature line!
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BRA QUESTION: Had my exchange on 9/26. I expected to use the same surgical bras, a very flat cotton sports-type that zips up the front, that I'd used after the BMX. Well, those bras are not feeling supportive enough. The doc did some extra work - raised them, moved them closer together, and some underarm liposuction, so wants me to wear a sports bra for a month.
Advice? Please? I'd also like one that can take a hot flash or ten without feeling clammy and yucky... is a flat one best for now, or is a little shape better? I don't care, I just want them to feel somewhat secured.
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HI Icefishing,
Can't help you with that question. I don't wear a bra most of the time, just a camisole under my blouses. My PS doesn't really seem to care. I wish he would because I would like to know what is the best bra for best results. Maybe something to help the shape up.
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icefishinglady - PS wanted me to wait a month before I got the big honkin' supportive underwire bras, because he did so much pocket work at exchange. (He also said that while underwires were more supportive, I didn't need to be fanatical about it, nor did I need to wear them to bed.)
In the meantime, he told me to wear sports bras or whatever felt comfortable.
So at night, I'm in my JCPenney zip-front sports bra...gives me LOTS of support, but comfy enough to sleep in. I like it because you can choose your band size AND your cup size. They come in white or gray.
During the day, I'm usually in my Genie bras. Again, pretty supportive and comfy.
But now I'm cleared to go get a professional fitting, so there will be an underwire in my future.....very soon!
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Something like that looks good - but it's very like what I have now and I feel that I need more side support. I'd also like to get something a bit more moisture-wicking than cotton - and my skin and metal do not always get along well.
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