Exchange City
Comments
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Hi Roan:
I know what you mean about being active and then coming to a halt. I have my exchange scheduled for 11/9. I'm training for a half-marathon and am not looking forward to doing nothing for awhile after surgery. I hope you get your drains out soon and the rest of your recovery is smooth and quick and you are back to your active self. What did your PS say about when you can run again?
LovesDogs
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Blessings and CMartin,
I don't have my exchange for a few more weeks, but I have been able to have massages with my TEs. Find a massage therapist who does "maternity/pregnancy" massage. You don't have to be face down, you are on your side with pillows propping your chest, instead of your "baby belly". It's still very relaxing and does wonders for your stress level.
Best wishes
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juliaanna - excellent suggestion!!! Thank you!!!
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Blessings...agreed! A table like the biopsy table would be great! Not sure I want to lie on one of those again though. I can fell all of this physical stress from the bottom of my shoulder blade to the base of my neck!
juliaanna...thankd for the suggestion.
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Yesterday I suddenly realized mid-day that it was the first day since the exchange I had not thought almost constantly about "that" part of my body...in terms of nerve zings, muscle twitches, incision issues, pulling sensations, etc. In gratitude, I have added a signature line to reflect my current, post-surgical status!
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Rosetx-
LOVE IT! How appropriate, "Dancing with the Scars." I may plagerize; not on this site but in my emails to family and friends. My exchange surgery will be on 11/19, and I hope to be able to live the rest of my life without thinking of my left boob or trying so hard to make the position of my right side match...
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Staynsane-
Thanks! Feel free! My hope is that we will all have the opportunity to recognize, celebrate and be grateful for the good days, or even the good moments.
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Good morning ladies,
It has been 6 weeks ago today I had exchange. Like all of these procedures it takes some getting used to. Overall I am happy with outcome. They look good in bra/clothes. My left side is a bit higher and feels sore if I do too much (that is my LND and radiated side). I agree with all of you about old boobs and how these new ones just don't feel same.
I have been walking a few miles most days since about week 2. I was told by PS that I can do whatever I feel comfortable doing. I think I could run a little with good sports bra (to Roan and lovesdogs). Oh and I think I am getting nipples for Christmas! (haha). I saw radiologist for follow up yesterday, I am wondering which doctors you see for follow up and how frequently? I see MO every 3 months, RO and Surgeon every 6 months and of course still PS. Seems like too much to me.
Thanks
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rosetx - LOVE IT!!!!
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Thank you ladies for your words of encouragement. I am out of my slump, I think! I got the drains out yesterday morning, and I did not even feel the nurse pull them out. I remember after my BMX that it hurt very badly. So that was a nice surprise. The PS said I looked great. He cleared me to begin walking today (which I did....1.8 miles in 30 minutes). That's a far cry from the 15 miles I ran 8 days ago! Anyway, he said that I can reach and do whatever I want, but to be really careful on my left side because he had to do some internal tweaking on that side....my boob was sticking out too far to the outside in my opinion, so he "pulled it in". No heavy lifting for 4 weeks. I can run in 2 more weeks. I go back to see him in 3 weeks. I told him how tired, sleepy, and nauseaus I was (and I almost threw up in his office), and he suggested that I drag myself out of bed and the recliner and try to resume my normal activities. His advice was to get up in the morning and push myself until lunch. Then set my timer and take a 1.5 hour rest/nap. (I am doing that right now!), and then get up and push myself until an early bedtime. So far, I do feel better today. I am tired, but trying to do some of my normal activities has been helpful. Like walking outside for 30 minutes and doing a math lesson with my 15 year old.
I took a shower and washed my hair yesterday! Yay! That wore me out! And I drove my children to their cross country practice. That wiped me out too. Baby steps. But getting those drains out and getting permission to get up and going again has done wonders for me.
Now, about the nipples.....I am sick of procedures (ultrasound guided needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, needle locating the cancer for biopsy-can't remember what that horrible procedure was called, needles inserted in my nipple in nuclear medicine to locate the sentinal nodes, MRI-one of the worse things ever!, the BMX, the TE fills, and now the exhange surgery)---I am not sure I can bear another thing. If I do anything, I will do the tatoos, but at this point I am so not caring if I have nipples or not. I just don't want to be touched, poked, or prodded! Have any of you felt like this?
PS told me to get a good fitting bra for everyday wear and a nice snug sports bra for running. He said any type that is comfortable--underwire, no wire, thin, thick, whatever. He said that since I am so small, it really doesn't matter. But I am bigger than before BC!
Love the "Dancing With the Scars!"
Have a good day everyone!
Roan
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Rosetx, love the tag line!
Sarasowise, I am still seeing all the drs, but still doing herceptin. It is crazy how many drs it takes to get through this.
Roan, I am totally with you on the nipple thing. I am just so tired... and the girls look just fine without them. I had my exchange Monday. Just saw ps for follow up. All is good. Tight fitted sports bra for 2 weeks, then i can wear or not wear whatever i want!
I'm ready to just stop thinking about it all the time.0 -
Hey girls, my exchange surgery was Sept. 26. 650 moderate plus profiles. I am disappointed in shape and size. One is still at least 1 inch higher that other. Both still look like buns to me. More like hotdog buns than hamburger. More like french loaves sideways across my chest. But like you all.......think I am done. Thought about tattoos but don't even think I want those. Anyone else feeling this way? Anyone else who still has one higher that the other after 6 weeks? Sometimes I think I will spring for high profiles, then I think "why not just put padding in there"? I have no projection. Guess I just plain disappointed.......
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Blessings2011- Thanks!
JRyan- That's exactly what I was feeling...so ready to be focused on something else. It's taken a good 6 weeks post-exchange, but I think I'm finally getting there.
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Blessings- my massage therapist had a wedge for the table with breast cut outs. It made it so much more comfortable to lie on my stomache.
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JRyan and others - every time I look in the mirror I see this little defect in Lefty. I mean, the New Girls look good, but I'm just picky, picky, picky....and no one else would see what I see unless I pointed it out.
I imagine how it might be fixed, then I think of the time leading up to surgery, the time under anesthesia, the recovery time, the time of restrictions, the need for possible pain meds, the lack of being able to exercise....and think.....is it worth it?
I've always said I'm going to Vinnie for 3D tatts when it's time, but even now I'm losing interest in that. I just want to be DONE!
chawkins - so sorry you are disappointed. After all we've been through, I don't think any of us wants perfection, but symmetry would be nice!!! Lefty is still higher than Righty on me. I'm learning to live with it. (My exchange was August 22nd.) However, having said that, I have heard from other women that their noobs continued to change in shape and size for up to 9 months....so who knows? If you are really, really disappointed, just know that you can have a revision down the line when it's clear that everything has settled.
Ginger - a wedge with boobie cutouts!!!! That would be perfect, too!!! Now how to word that when I make the phone calls to local spa and massage places....
Oooh, just Googled it...they actually make tables with boobie cutouts!0 -
I can't beleive I have not been in to update. You will recall my last post was 8/11/12. I had been discharged home that day with both implants intact after infection in the left breast. Well, not long after I posted, I got ready for bed and noticed my right breast incision was leaking. I reluctantly went back to the hospital, through the ER. My PS happened to be at the hospital, at midnight on a Friday night, doing surgery. He saw my name on the ER list and came down. My incision had burst with a seroma. He admitted me on Friday night. Monday it was still open and he decided that no infection had set in, but because the implant was exposed, he removed it on Tuesday. He was not able to place a new implant.
So, I now have my permanent implant on the left, which looks and feels GREAT! Until last weekend, I had nothing on the right. I was using the little pillow pad from my post mastectomy camisol to stuff my bra like some teenager. Last Saturday I got a prosthesis for my right side and ordered some bras with pockets to hold the prosth. It looks good and feels more balanced. Yay Nordstroms and Ameona!
I will have to start over with the reconstruction process on the right. I do not know if they will be able to go straight to new implant, TE and then exchange, or some other procedure. I go back in November to discuss and will plan whatever surgery I need after the first of the year.
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SheChirple..so sorry you've had this road bump. It get's a bit discouraging at times.
You all might recall that I posted months ago that my PS said we'll get through this and by December I'd think "damn I look good". Ummmm...really? I don't think December is going to be a lot different than today and right now it's just a bother. Thankful health is here, wishful for my old boobs.
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chawkins,
I know just how you feel, it seems like we have gone thru all of this for what, a stack of pancakes? I don't get it, I know we can't always know what to expect after surgery, but I to was hoping for a better look. Then I think maybe I should just be greatful that I have something and with the proper bra & clothing it can look OK. I keep having these conflicting feelings.
My PS would not even tell me what he thought he might use prior to surgery, I was only able to select silicone over saline. He made all of the other decisions. I just went for my 3 mo. f/u after my Jul 5th implant exchange. He thinks it all looks great, but I am dissatisfied with the lack of projection (it does not fill out bra). I have scheduled for a revsion, but now wonder how is that going to look. I have now sought out a second opinion for a consult about revision, and am hoping to get more satisfaction with what is decided about implant. I am trying of course to get this all done prior to end of year due to insurance deductible.
I hope you seek out another opinion or perhaps get a revsion if not satisfied. You have every right to do what would make your more pleased with your look.
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Roan and cHwakins...know EXACTLY how you feel...my husband doesn't get it when I said I don't know when or if I'll do nipples. I just want to be left the hell alone. I had a little scare at my first 3 month exam (had to see surgeon but she said it's nothing) and I was just getting used to my life again and now it's back in for exchange (these TEs don't hurt anymore but they are weighty). My husband also picked out a pink dog collar for our 5 month old puppy and I said NO. I am so grateful for breast cancer research and awareness, but for now I'd just like to take a damn break.
To anyone looking for a massage...I had a WONDERFUL massage (yep, male masseuse) at the Luxor in Las Vegas last week. I put a towel down under my clavical/upper chest to alleviate all the weight off the TEs (there are just shy of 400cc ea) and it was GREAT.
I have exchange city, then more follow ups (gosh, 6 month check ups in December already?) with surgeon and Onc. Hope all done and over a week before Christmas, good news and a breeeeeak.
Hope everyone snug and safe for the stupid hurricane on the east coast that is coming to wreck Halloween for my 3 year old. Phooey. We are hunting and going to all the indoor trick or treats we can at rec centers, nursing homes and church!
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Oh, SheChirple....where's that "DISLIKE" button?
Sooo sorry you've been going through all this...sending up prayers that you will be able to proceed with your new recon process!!!
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Roan and the others thinking about nipples- I felt the same way. I didn't want any more surgery and could have lived without them. I had my exchange in May. I had a few comments from people wondering when I was going to get my reconstruction! I'm over weight and my stomach was bigger than my boobs. I decided to get nipples so I would look "finished'. As the the date got closer I was getting more and more nervous and scared about it. To the point of shaking with fear. I had surgery last Friday. I am really glad I did. It turns out I had to have one implant replaced because it was way off to the side. They are now relatively even and I couldn't be happier. If I wouldn't have gone in for the nips and fat grafting I probably never would have known. PS said it wasn't obvious until I was laying down. There is no pain at all regarding the nipples. I'll get the stitches out in a couple of days and am looking forward to getting tattoos in the Spring. Even though I went back and forth about nipples and may have been motivated by the wrong reasons I am really happy I did. I don't care if I'll have permanent headlights. I did before so I'll feel more like my old self.
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MLP, My PS thinks my implants look great but I don't. You mentioned that your implants moved to the side when you were laying down. Mine tend to move around alot when I lie down. Are they supposed to be more stationary? Mine have also begun to sag a little. Not sure if they are technically bottoming out or not. I was hoping for a much more perky set than what I had before. I really not happy with my result so far. I am only six weeks out. I am not sure if I should give it more time or look for a second opinion. When I asked questions at my follow up, all my PS said was "They aren't breast." They are all I have. It really made me upset!
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MLP...good news!
theluckyone....keep asking until you're happy. If he doesn't listen find someone who will.
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I went for follow-up and got the bandages off. I love them! I think :-) They are sitting high and mighty right now. I know they will drop a little, but i am really happy! My PS really listened to what i wanted and delivered!
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Hey girls I have not been on here in quiet a while as I had exchange the end of August. My last visit with the PS was a month ago and eveything looked great. Actually still does except I have developed a large divet in the upper pole of my right breast. I called yesterday and they saw me today. Well not good news both of my implants are bottoming out. He said in the last month they have dropped 1 cm. He asked if my bras were uncomfortable and I told him yes but I just thought maybe he had made me so I looked age appropriate for sagging (I'm 50)even though it really does not look bad but looks great with my bra on. He said no he did not intend for me to look this way. So we will schedule surgery hopefully before the end of the year. He said he will have to do lot's of pocket work and maybe more alloderm on both breast. He said I will be very uncomfortable this time around. He said he will put them higher to give some room for dropping without it being a problem. I asked if I would look like a 20 year old and he grinned and said pretty much so. He said my skin is just very thin and this was one of the things he was afraid of with me and did more stitching than usual during the exchange. Anyway new instructions were a bra as much as possible and no more massaging the implants until after surgery. I am leaving Thursday for Tennessee. A much needed break after the last two years of dealing with BC stuff. I really want it all over and done with by the end of the year. this as been my goal. I hope I can achieve it.
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Luckyone- I agree with CMartin. Get another opinion. I probably would have done that eventually. I was angry that I had to accept that I had cancer and this was the best it was going to get. Not so.
"Lefty" moved a lot from side to side and was higher than the other side. I could feel a " click" when I moved it around. Almost like it was moving over a rib. It probably was! It was off balance from day one though. It feels completely different now. He either made a new pocket or moved the old one and sewed it down. It doesn't move now. He also used a different shape implant that was wider and gave me cleavage instead of a 2 inch flat spot.
They do drop after a while, but I don't think they should be sagging so soon. I'm not an expert, but I think we know when something's not right with our own bodies, especially when so many other women are happy with their results.
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Blessings,I am right behind you on the exchange schedule, Mine are fluffing all over the place and my B sport bra is getting way too small,glad I bought some others in C. They are looking beautiful but the right one is still trying to capsular contract so still taking the meds. I do have transient pains sometimes and others than linger under my arm area near the ribs. I have not gotten sore tho as the PS told me I would from the frantic massage trying to get rid of the cap con. The Genie bra looks so plain but sure looks comfy,maybe get some of those and a Melania now that the "new girls" are assuming their perm size.
Roan, I and the others can vouch for the fact that it is emotional for the new foobs,I still feel nostagic over my real ones,miss them but the new ones are almost 2 mths out and they are looking very good. When I first got them I was bursting into tears over how flat they were but they are fluffing now and I have cleavage and you can tell which side is up on me. I just love them now.
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Anybody notice changes when they go to a higher elevation? I spent the weekend near Lake Tahoe (about 6,000 ft elevation from my usual sea level!) and felt like I would burst. Same thing happened on a trip to the mountains a month or so ago. Is it in my head or do they expand like a bag of potato chips?
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Hi, all. . .I find myself reading these boards nightly, but rarely post. My exchange surgery is 11/28!!!! Can't get here soon enough. Was wondering how I might find/gain access to the picture forum. Can anyone tell me?
Good luck to everyone out there. Thanks to everyone for all the help I've gotten from your posts!
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Golden, oh my gosh! I'm getting ready to fly. I hope I don't float to the top of the plane.
SLK, PM Lilah. She can get you access. I've been on there a couple of weeks.
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