Exchange City

Has anyone had an experience with one side after the exchange dropped down and other one not? I have bright pink on the cancer side incision and the other one is a pen drawn looking line and this worries me and I called the PS and they said to lay off the tape (they had me wearing brown tape over the incisions) for awhile but it doesnt seem to matter. Also that is the post cancer side and the regular healthy side has not dropped down. Also the pink side feels like a balloon full of air and firmer than the other side. I am feeling unsure about all this and am thinking of calling for a PS appt soon. Is this normal or should I go for an appt?

Any recommends for scar treatment?  My PS didn't offer anything and I don't see him again for 6 weeks.  I'm 5 weeks out and the wounds are just now healed.

Rosie...ive used maderma but don't know how much it helped. I tend to scar dark and easily.

Question about your incision...my incision site has some wrinkly areas in it (kind of bunched up areas). It was the same way after BMX but as they expanded it improved. Has anyone had this problem after exchange? Will it improve or will i have to have it fixed?

Lawana,

I have a wrinkle that has gotten better w each fill but I was hoping my ps could fix it during my exchange.



I also feel like my TEs are so high. Will they be lower when I have my exchange?



Jess

Re: scars - ask your parents for good scar-healing genes. Seriously. That's what my PS told me - it's mostly genetic how you scar.

After both BMX and exchange my scars looked like a gathered seam - all puckery and dimensional. Now the BMX scars are very thin and flat and faded, and the smaller exchange scars are getting there.  I never put anything on them.

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Tonight began a new "Restart" program in my Weight Loss Program. When I walked into the office for check-in, all the staff were there and so happy to see me! (Uh, it's only been a week since I was there last....)

But when they all asked how I was doing, and what was new, I said "I have on a real bra tonight!" And proceeded to whip up my shirt so they could admire my midnight-blue lace bra.

"Oooooh!" "Gorgeous!"  "Ahhhhhh!'" "They look fabulous!" were some of the comments.

One lady was sitting there (another patient) that I didn't know. "Oh, did you have a boob job?" she asked, innocently. "They look great!"

At that point, all I said was thank you, but later on I told her that I had breast cancer and a complete bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

First, her eyes just bugged out of her head, I think, because they DO look so natural.

Second, she looked SO embarassed to have asked what she perceived was an insensitive question, and apologized profusely.

I set her mind at ease, and let her in on how post-exchange BC ladies often feel the need to share the New Girls... and at that point all the staff chimed in with my whole story, since they've been in on it from almost the beginning.

I think I may have started a new Wednesday night tradition! Hmmmm...what new bra to wear tonight?

Caro, I'm so sorry.  Sounds like you've have quite a journey.  I don't have a lot of experience to offer.  I did have a very painful nerve right after BMX but it cleared up in a few weeks.  If it helps I am 5' 7" and 138 lbs.  I have 500cc implants and wouldn't want to be larger.  However, I was only a small B before.  I have pics on the forum if that would help. 

Cindy

Jessfili...i'm just 2 weeks post exchange, my implants have dropped some but still hoping for a little more.  Your implants should look totally different.

Blessings20...that's hilarious.  yesterday at work I was showing one of my co-workers the new girls and one of the new interns walked in, she was so embarassed and very apologetic.  I had to explain the story and that it was ok, everyone else has seen them.  oh and congratulations on your weight loss.  I'm hoping soon I will find some motivation.  You would think the possibility of cancer returning would be big enough.

Caro4...I can relate to the arm pain.  I began having some arm pain about 6 weeks after BMX/TE.  My PS said he thought it was brachial nerve pain and would probably improve after TEs were removed and implants (softer) placed.  Unfortunately, after my exchange when the pain meds wore off....here it came again.  I haven't really got a chance to talk to my PS about it yet.  My implants are HUGE though and saline, so maybe yours will be different.  As for your implants, if your happy with the size you are now with expanders, I would really push for atleast 600cc implants.  You will lose some projections with same size implants.  Hope this helps some and hopefully others have some helpful input.

Thanks ladies for the input on scar therapies.  I called the PS office to see what they said and the receptionist offered to sell me a bottle of something for $130.00.  Ummmm...no thanks.   As said before I'm 5 weeks out.  I asked PS if we could schedule the nip surgery before the end of the year.  My hospital co pays of $1000 a day are paid up so it would be good to get this done before Jan 1.  Tentative date of December 21 if I'm still happy with the girls.  Yaayyy!!

Just wondering when you ladies started to massage after the exchange... My PS just removed my tape and I forgot ask since I was was busy checking out my incision line. Not impressed by the way it looks. For some reason my scars looked better after the BMX. Now it looks like a black pen mark. Before it was pinkish-red.

CMartin I was on the picture forum and wanted to tell you how wonderful your new girls look. No one would ever guess they weren't the originals  unless they knew your story. When you say your implants are 500, does that also means that since they are silicone they are filled to 500? I'm not sure I understand how that works with the silicone vs the saline since the saline I think they fill more than the original size so a 550 might be filled to 625 or something. It's great that they are round yet you have projection-no pancake look, divots or anything like that. Glad they turned out so well. Mine are still a work in progress.

2fried...thank you so much. Wish it felt real! Dh says I was confusing when I wrote. Me tes were filled to 500 and my silicone implants are 500.

JamieB, It will be 3 mths in Nov when they hope to have hired a new PS,mine moved outta state. Sad to see her go,she was really good. My scar sometimes gets bright pink when I get overheated like when I was walkg outside a lot on vacay but now inside air cond at office its gone back to pink however it is still firmer than the non cancer side so wondering about that. Guess I can call the PS office and ask if its normal?

JRyan congratulations.  I'm 5 weeks out and have been sleeping on my side for a few weeks now.  It's lovely!

Layla how was your time in Cali?

Layla-I would go ahead and call. It might ease your mind. When I saw my PS this week, he said the pink of the scars is blood healing the area.  If you're moving around, the blood is flowing more so maybe that's why its pinker?? An idea anyway.  Let us know.

Longislandmom - I had more pain then I expected with my exchange.  I didn't have quite as much help as after my MX so it lasted longer since I was doing more. The most pain I had was also underneath along my bra line. I felt ok after about 6-7 weeks.  I'm 10 weeks out now and feel great.