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Exchange City

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Comments

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Posts: 23
    edited October 2012

    I didn't expect to be in pain like this and haven't really lined up help either, jamieb86. Ugh! I am trying to scurry now to get more help this week since I don't think I can drive. Only time I'm not in pain is when I'm lying down or sitting. But I went from a 34ddd to a large b/c....so I have huge incisions. And ps removed even more ext skin t exchange.





  • Yayme
    Yayme Posts: 11
    edited October 2012

    Hi Ladies...

    Anyone during their time with TE experience a "pinching" almost occasional spam pain that comes and goes? Also any one get shooting pains towrds their neck or shoulders from the TE?

    Just asking as I really had no one to ask about this..it has been almost 3 months and have nother 3 months before exchange....thanks ladies....

  • JamieB86
    JamieB86 Posts: 183
    edited October 2012

    longislandmom- are you taking pain meds as prescribed?  If so, and are still in a great deal of pain, maybe you should call PS.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited October 2012

    shabby the amount of pain is way less in most cases than the bmx, and yes, your PS will prescribe pain meds if you need them. I had minimal pain for about 6 days and then felt fine. 2 weeks after my exchange I went on a road trip from Kansas city to NY, shot gun but two days of driving 12 hours at a time each way. Then I ran all over NYC. Got a little tired once in a while so just had to sit a bit here and there. But no pain. My PS said no lifting anything over 5lbs the first week, then 10 pounds the 2nd week, and no lifting arms over head for 2 weeks. it was hard to remember to do this since I felt fine. It can be scary as the days get close to surgery but remember your doctor will do everything he can to make you comfortable. NOw that I see how easy this all is I am considering all kinds of other surgeries to spruce the old girl up lol.

  • sherry67
    sherry67 Posts: 370
    edited October 2012

    So very mad I was suppose to have my exchange on the 23rd and it's postponed due to the implants on back order how crazy is that ....

  • JRyan
    JRyan Posts: 102
    edited October 2012

    Sorry for your delay sherry67. Hopefully your new girls will come quickly.

  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Posts: 465
    edited October 2012

    Congrats longisland on the exchange,pain? Most of us had none,did they do a lot of pocket work?

    Rosie,Cali was fun,went to Baja,got tamales in Salinas,went to LA,found the York in Glendale (I thk thats where I was) went to Salt Lake City and looked around,its really nice and everyone is so friendly even if you dont go to the M. Temple and they actually have a Vietnamese and a Jewish community there. However, now one of my foobs is firming up,so I have one new mattress style boob and one old mattress style boob,called the PS but they are closed on Fri now. Worried,has anyone out there ever got capsular contracture?

    Sherry, are the implants a special order? I have never heard of such but its tough,mine was postponed for dental work.

    Carrol,are these squishies supposed to firm up after the first 6 wks like this?

  • sherry67
    sherry67 Posts: 370
    edited October 2012

    Layla2525,

    The brand is called Sientra 550 high profile/projection round...but nothing like telling you last minute that your surgery is postponed..

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited October 2012

    layla i don't think they should be getting firmer. Are you sure they are getting firmer maybe your muscles are just getting tighter or stiff. I had cc with my TEs on one side. It was like the implant on one side moved freely in the pocket and the other side wouldn't move at all. You should be able to squeeze them and see the implant move up and down. With the TE it was no big deal he just removed the scar tissue when he did the exchange. You might be able to free it up with massage. But be sure to discuss that with your doctor. A physical therapist can help too.

  • longislandmom
    longislandmom Posts: 23
    edited October 2012

    Pain is much better today. Still very sore, but off the vicodan. Layla, yes, I think they did a lot of pocket work. I havent spoken to ps yet. Just his nurses. But I went from DDD to quite small...so perhaps that has something to do with it. But I a, much better today.

  • blessings2011
    blessings2011 Posts: 1,801
    edited October 2012

    O.K., ladies. I officially have no shame.

    I walked in our local Komen RFTC today, and while our team (all BC survivors) was gathered together, waiting for our team picture, I flashed them all a glimpse of the New Girls in their sexy bra glory.

    Mind you, there were about 7,000 other people there at the time, but I believe I was discreet!!!! Laughing

  • JRyan
    JRyan Posts: 102
    edited October 2012

    Way to go Blessings. Be proud of those babies!

  • JRyan
    JRyan Posts: 102
    edited October 2012

    Way to go Blessings. Be proud of those babies!

  • froggy12
    froggy12 Posts: 23
    edited October 2012

    Blessings, that is awesome! Show those girls off, I know you are proud!

  • KellieDenise66
    KellieDenise66 Posts: 32
    edited October 2012

    Blessings you are hysterical! I love it! You've had such a long journey, and cared for those twins every step of the way. You deserve to be proud, and honestly your favorable results are incredibly encouraging to us gals just getting started on the reconstruction road. You look fantastic.

    I say, "let your freak flag fly sista!" You're awesome!

  • Ossa
    Ossa Posts: 685
    edited October 2012

    Way to go blessing..be proud of the girls.. you have earned the right to show them off

  • blessings2011
    blessings2011 Posts: 1,801
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, ladies! That's exactly the way I felt!!!! xoxo

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Posts: 693
    edited October 2012

    Blessings- be proud of those girls! I am very proud of my TE's only because I have some form of boobs. When I'm done with all this I will be doing the same and not caring or worrying what they say. Until other women have walked in our shoes they can't say anything.

  • golden01
    golden01 Posts: 527
    edited October 2012

    I'm 10 months out from my TE exchange and five months out from my nipple reconstruction with pocket work. Everything had been settling in well but about two weeks ago, I went hiking on a day I hadn't planned to do anything active. I had on a good wired bra but not one of my "maximum security" sports bras. It felt like my right breast was moving down and out. The muscle on that side seemed sore for  a week or so and now it feels like that implant is slipping around (maybe down and out to the side). It doesn't really look any different that I can see. I massage once a day and it feels the same. I don't see my PS for another month. Has anybody had a change like this so long after surgery?

  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Posts: 465
    edited October 2012

    Way to go Blessings! Are you going to Mardi Gras in 2013?

    Carroll,yep just got back from PS today,capsular con on right side! Dang...they put me on Accolade,sometimes it helps and sometimes the boob does its own thing. Everythg was going so good and now this,I am so worried. They told me not to worry,yeah easy for them,I will have to have another surgery if it doesnt stop or get better. Grade 3 already. Wonder if flying had anythg to do with it? Anyone ever got cap con with their  new implants?

    Golden,dont fool around with the new boobs,these girls are lookg to go AWOL,call the PS. Mine said come right over,even tho she is trying to pack to move. The new doc starts soon. They got someone good from here,another patient told me that was her dr for her bmx and recon at another hospital so glad I will get someone good. I am taking the pills and massaging like crazy. The PS said the frantic massage would probably just make me sore that the boob is gonna do what it will and we can only hope the pills make a difference. They are really for asthma.

  • JamieB86
    JamieB86 Posts: 183
    edited October 2012

    Sorry to hear that Layla. I hope the meds help. 

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Posts: 693
    edited October 2012

    To the ones that have already had the exchange surgery, did you find it to be a lot easier than the TE's or was it worse? I never really had any pain after my BMX, but i've had quiet a bit of difficulties with my TE's. I really don't want anymore pain when it comes to getting the actually implants. Just curious.

    Thank you! 

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited October 2012

    chrisrenee77 I had very little pain after my exchange. 

    I have had three surgeries because my PS does not do immediate reconstruction. 

    I had bmx with some minor pain for a few weeks. Most of the pain with that surgery was emotional really.

    I had my TEs placed and I woke up with a little pain immediately after surgery but once I got the drugs I was fine and felt fine about a week later.

    I had my exchange a year ago and my room wasn't ready so I spent a lot of time in the recovery room and I felt totally fine. I even asked for a sandwich. It was much  much easier than anything else I had and even those were not bad at all.

    Next surgery is oct 30th for my nipples and i understand this should be a breeze. But I still get a little nervous. I am excited though. It's much easier to go through the surgeries that make you whole again than the ones that take so much away.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Posts: 693
    edited October 2012

    Carrol- thank you for the info. I am not one for pain honestly. I thought my BMX was going to be the one that hurt the most,but it was pretty much a breeze. However, my TE's are the ones that have given me more grief. So I'm hoping that my exchange will be non-eventful. Smile I'm hoping to be able to have my exchange surgery the end of November but not getting my hopes up. I'm just ready to get my name on the above list with the words completed out beside it.

  • JamieB86
    JamieB86 Posts: 183
    edited October 2012

    Chrisrenee77 - the implants are much more comfortable than the TE's.  Of course, it's still surgery, but most women find it to be a breeze compared to BMX.

  • 2FriedEggs
    2FriedEggs Posts: 324
    edited October 2012

    chrissrenee77 to me the exchange was nothing-nap time in the hospital for an hour, a few graham crackers and a cup of coffee then home. I had pain pills and took 1 just to get to sleep. Mine feel so much better than the TE's but like I told my doctor, they should because they seem so much smaller lol.

  • JRyan
    JRyan Posts: 102
    edited October 2012

    I had my exchange surgery yesterday, and ovaries removed. Feel like i got hit by a really big truck. The implants feel so much better than the te's! Hoping the pain will go away quickly.

  • 2FriedEggs
    2FriedEggs Posts: 324
    edited October 2012

    JRyan Fortunately when I had my ovaries removed I had mine done with my DMX and recon-3 surgeons at once-so I didn't know what was causing what to hurt.  LOL hope you feel better tomorrow.

  • CMartin
    CMartin Posts: 237
    edited October 2012

    Chrisrenee...it's easier.  They are easier on your body.  Many speak of immediate relief but I wouldn't go that far.  Just better.

    Layla.....soooo sorry.  I'm always wondering if what I'm doing is too much, afraid of what I could do.  I wonder how long this takes.

  • Roan
    Roan Posts: 15
    edited October 2012

    Hi Ladies,

    I had my TE exchanged for silicone implants on Friday.  The pain has not been bad at all.  In fact, I have had no pain meds since 10PM last night.  However, I just feel icky.  Kind of nauseous, kind of blue.  I am not sure why.  I do have two drains, and those sites are uncomfortable.  That along with the fact that I cannot shower or wash my hair until the drains come out have gotten me a little bit down.  My dr. appt. is Thursday. I am normally very active (5 children, I ran 15 miles the day before my surgery....) but being stuck in this recliner is getting to me.  However, I don't feel like doing anything else.

    How long do you think it will be before I feel normal?  I am afraid to look at my new boobies......I think I will wait until the drains are out so I can get a good look.  I am still in the bra they put me in at the hospital.

    Thanks for listening!  :)