Exchange City

cmartin- Thank you for the info. I'm so ready for the process to be over. However, I've grown pretty fond of my TE's!  I've got patients that have been in our Cardiac Rehab that was here from the beginning of my diagnosis in May and they want to "feel' them. I had one of the ladies just grab a handful in the lobby of my hospital. That cracked me up.

Roan- I slept in my bra from the TE surgery for 2 wks. I would wash it everyday, because my hubby and I were always getting the drain fluids on it. I'm sorry you are in such pain. Hope you feel better tomorrow get some sleep and take the good drugs.

I'm with everyone else who is saying that the final product is so much better than the TEs. I only took one pain pill, the first night, because I thought I should. I've been sleeping on my side (AHHH....) since the second night. And my breasts are awesome looking too! I've said that they're probably better than the originals! I was worried when I had the TEs in, because they were too high. But mine are now just the right size, and where they should be, or close to it. I seriously did not think I would get nipple recon because my "frankenboobs" didn't look or feel right. Now I'm not so sure. My PS wants to see me in three months, and we'll decide then.

Pm Milan and she'll get you access.

I'm in a bra almost 24/7. Its more comfortable.

thanks cmartin- i have PM'd her.I don't know if I fall within her guidelines or not. so we'll see. I am just so amazed at this whole process from start to finish. I've received so much, much need advice from alot of you lovely ladies. It's so hard to talk about how I feel with people who have never had to deal with it or someone who doesn't get tired of me talking about it. I hate to bore people with my "illness", and at least on these forums everyone knows how we feel.

I'm in envy of all who have had there exchanges mine was suppose to be today but was postponed do to the style Sientra 550's on back order go figure can't wait for the TE'S to be out the pain for the last year and a half has been awful hopefully surgery will be before the holidays would be a really nice present so I can move forward feel so stuck..sorry for venting but was so excited to have it done then bam postponed...

Well, poop. Having lots of implant pain today, and I'm two months out!!!

Today they hurt kind of like - GASP! TE's!!!!

Could be because I've been wearing very supportive underwire bras for the past few days, OR -

it could be because there is a low pressure weather front coming it. That always made my TEs hurt.

Sheesh! New occupation: meteorologist.

Blessings....NO!!!!!!!!!  Who knew you could predict the weather??

Sherry....sooooo sorry.  Hang in there. 

Chrisrenee...the guidelines aren't something you couldn't meet.  They just watch here to make sure you are a participant and ask that you participate in some way on that site....even if just a thank you to those who post. 

Jess.....it gets better!

My PS didn't give me ANY bra guidelines....just wear what you want.  Oh well.  So I muddle around trying to find what works.  For me too, usually a good sports bra.  I haven't found an undewire that works or is comfortable. 

Exchange completed...so happy!

Caro, I am so glad your surgery went well and that you are feeling good.  

CMartin, I visited your blog.  I have a blog too:  www.joyfuljohnsons.blogspot.com

I still feel pretty rotten, and I hope this is an ok place to have my pity party!  Today is day 5 after my exchange.  The drains are still in.  I had no bandages, just a little bit of gauze across my incisions.  Today I took off my bra to give myself a sponge bath and had a good look.  The foobs look pretty good.  A little flat across the front, but they are not very big (my request).  They are 250cc.  I was so small before my BMX that I did not want to be much bigger after I was reconstructed.  I am not in any pain, but I feel terrible!  I am nauseous, and I just want to lie in the recliner and sleep or play mindless games on my iPad or read on the internet.  Then take a nap.  Yuk!  I am used to being extremely active all day long, and I have no desire to even try to walk across the house.  I hope that tomorrow after I see the PS and get these drains out (he better take them out!!), I will perk up.  I will take a shower and wash my nasty hair!    My children are all so helpful and I feel guilty just lying in the recliner all day.  I wonder if I will ever feel normal again?  I am sure I felt this bad after my BMX, but I have already forgotten!

I hope to post again in a few days with a report that I am back to my normal self.  Ever since my diagnosis of breast cancer back in February I have kept such a positive outlook.  I have been a fighter.  For some reason, this last, supposedly easiest and happiest of all surgery has knocked me down.

Sorry to be so down.  I know that many of you can understand.

Hugs!

lizzie- as I was told on one of these boards, it's not just a "just". You had breast cancer. I had stage 2 but did not receive any chemo or rad treatments, I was fortunate but not fortunate enough not to lose my boobs. I don't think there has ever been anyone to say cancer is easy, you know? I thought once I had my BMX I would be fine. Boy was I so WRONG. I don't feel complete yet even though I have my TE's. I have real boob envy. I used to be envious of women who had nice pretty implants, knowing that I could never afford to get them on my own. Now that insurance is covering for reconstruction all I want is mine. I want clothes to feel and fit right. I want the confidence that I should have. oh pity parties, I need to stop having mine. But I am extremely happy that I may only have one more fill visit with my PS and then wait to have my exchange surgery hopefully by the end of November. I can't wait.!

hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

Roan - I understand what you are saying.  I was more of a mess after my exchange then my MX.  I think during the treatment phase we are in fighting mode.  After reconstruction, it hits us like a delayed reaction.  At least that was the way with me. It will get better. You feel how you feel and that's all. Be kind to yourself. - hugs -

Thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.  Delayed reaction is the best way to put it.  I also felt that after my exchange, I would be past the emotions, and they have come flooding in!  My breasts look pretty awesome, and I'm looking forward to nipples, tatoos, whatever will give them their "crowning glory", which I still need to decide about.  So its frustrating to feel like such a cry baby.  However, today's a good day!!

Your post gave me chills Carrol.

I had no idea how attached I was to my "girls." I know now that I took them for granted. A dear friend of mine has always wanted augmentation.  I didn't understand it. She's beautiful, inside and out. She looks like Gwen Stefani (no really she does, she's a beauty) anyway, after two kids her "girls" are not what they once were.  When (pre-bc) I tried to talk her out of augmentation, she said, "You don't understand. You've always had nice breasts." Now I understand.   It surprised me when I realized instead of now asking, "Why would you want to go through all of that?" I'm saying, "If you want, I'll go to the PS with you.  I know a good one." 

Hi All,

An update from me, I haven't been on the site for a few months. I had my second fat grating Tuesday Oct 23rd, feeling fine, just somewhat achy in the belly. I am bruised, but I think the results are coming along well. Quite a simple procedure actually. It is doing a good job of making my reconstructed breast look like my natural breast.

I tried Tamoxifen, but  the hot flashes were SEVERE!! even though I started Effexor a few weeks before it. Also, my hair was falling out. Not fun. I will try Aromasin in a few months....

And also - I agree with the above posts.....depression is very likely to hit after exchange surgery, treatment, etc. That did happen to me, I only realized after starting the Effexor and I started feeling MUCH better. The medication options are so good now, I only wish I had tried meds sooner....but depression really creeps up on you very sneakliy....feel better all!!! and hang in there.

CMartin - I am desperate for a massage, but I think I need a table where there's a hole cut out for The Girls, just like there's a hole cut out for your face.

We're going to Laguna Beach in a few weeks....I'll bet there's something fancy-schmancy like that there or in Newport Beach....