Exchange City
Comments
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Roan - I hear you about the scar, but I have to say, since my nipple tats, they aren't the 1st thing my eye sees. Just food for thought when making decisions.
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Well I wasn't nervous until the hospital called.
Good news...I drink water until 6 a.m. Thursday morning because I have such hard time with starting an IV. And she noted to anesthesia there to start it.
Bad news...not in the OP surgical center, because there were only two surgeries scheduled there for Thursday, so they moved them to the hospital WHERE THE SICK PEOPLE ARE!
Ugh....germs....0 -
Cindy - did you get your flu shot? You won't be there long...protein, vitamin C and B12 the night before! I'm getting excited for you, girl...Relief is in your grasp!
Merlcat - I had my period during my BMX. Not fun, but barely noticed compared to the other stuff going on. Good luck tomorrow...we'll be cheering you on and looking forward to your return.
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Grier I dont do flu shots.
I am doing my vitamin D and probiotics though.
I can't believe it's finally here....0 -
I GOT MY DATE!!! In just 2 SHORT weeks, Wed. Feb 6th I will have my squishies!!!!!! And oh such a HUGE THANK YOU to Whippetmom....we are GOING WITH YOUR SUGGESTED implant!!! Woman, YOU ROCK!! I got 50 ccs' today, and i'm loving the fullness. Can't do the Sientra anatomical because of where the radiated skin is...on the left lateral, and inframamary fold (sp). So, getting the Allergan HP style 20s!
Merlcat, sorry to hear you got your period...I got mine the day before I had a total hystorectomy...ick!
Cindylouwho....goodluck girl!!!
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The day of my exchange, I was totally OCD about germs.
That had started the previous year, when my BMX was delayed a month thanks to someone sharing their flu germs with me. Then DH was dx’d with incurable kidney disease and put on drugs that destroyed his immune system.
So at our house, we practiced Universal Precautions 24/7: frequent hand washing; wiping things down with Clorox wipes and wearing surgical masks when either one of us was sick; wearing a surgical mask if we had to go to the doctor’s office; using hand sanitizer by the gallon, and even spraying the soles of our shoes with Lysol before we entered the house if we’d been to the hospital or the nursing home.
Well, before my Exchange, I had to bathe with antibacterial soap the night before, then wipe down completely with antibacterial wipes, put on a clean gown, and sleep in clean sheets.
I had to wipe down with antibacterial wipes again the next morning, and wear clean clothes to the hospital. I went to a LOT of trouble to follow their instructions and stay germ-free.
I wore my mask when I checked in. Every time they asked me to sign a form, I used my own pen. They wanted to take my temperature with one of those wands that swipes your forehead and cheeks, and I refused until they put on a new cover. They wanted to take my blood pressure, but I refused until they changed to a new cuff.
They wanted me to place my things on a bedside table, but I refused until they wiped it down with antibacterial wipes. I was like Howard Hughes!!!
Those nurses were never so glad to see a patient be wheeled out of Pre-Op into surgery!!!! But I didn’t catch any germs …
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Congrats Anne Marie!!!
Blessings I am a freak too, but, um....you might be certifiable. Lolololol0 -
Cindy- I don't do flu shots either
Blessings- lol a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do
whatever works but day-um! Good for you! I'm glad all of your precautions worked!0 -
Ps Annmarie - congrats and great luck!
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Annemarie, that's great! Congratulations!
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Annemarie...... Congratulations!! I love my Allergan HP 20's more every day. My DH noticed some drop and fluffing today,before I did, and he was like "wow". Oh, my.....finally something to really smile about for both of us.
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Woe so much going on here....
Annemarie...congratulations on your last fill and surgery date set! Just stay as healthy as you can going forward.
Cindy, Mercat, ss19: girls good luck! the exchange is so super easy compared to bmx. I was on pain meds only for 1.5 days vs. 4 weeks after bmx. Remember to tell the hospital staff you want to get your implant registration card after your surgery, tell your person bringing to surgery too and then tell your PS when he/she marks you in pre-op. Don't leave the hospital without it. You need your card to register your permanent implants with their manufacturer.
I got my drains out today and PS said I looked "amazing" last week I got a "You look beautiful". He and his nurse are very happy with my results just 6 days out. Next PS appt on Monday he removes my incision tape/bandages and inspects healing, then will put on fresh incision bandages/tape that will stay on 10 days. He recommended I not buy a bra now as I am still a little swelled and the implants will take shape more like natural breast over the next month. Got the o.k. to start walking (no running!) and sleeping flat on my back vs. elevated. Progress...one step at at time.
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Sounds like its all good Jill. I already asked the ps about the implant cards. She gave me the allergen book that has slots for them along with all the forms.
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Thanks for the support everyone!!!!
Jill~Sounds like you are going to be just fine! Everything is turning out great! I keep having recurring nightmares, that when I awake from surgery, i'm going to be butchered/mal-deformed!!! The anxiety...It's so much easier telling everyone eles that they will be ok..until now it's MY turn! Damn! Can't wait until It's over, but what do we do NOW? What is the new "norm"? It seems as though it all comes to a sudden stop.
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jill47
I was never told to register my implants. I have the card and I guess I thought that the PS office would have taken care of that at time of exchange. I guess I will have to ask his office staff.
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Janice, I learned about registering my implants from where else...bc.org forum
I registered mine at Mentor on line last week and got my warranty information and registration confirmation in the mail yesterday. If I do have implant problems I must work with my PS and he will work with Mentor with replacement and claims process. But I keep Mentor up to date on my current address.0 -
I think it's a great idea. I may actually pay the $100 bucks for the extra warrenty, since I'm only 49, I'm probably going to need to have them replaced at some point.
Exactly 23 hours from now I will be on my way to the squishy side.
Going to go food shopping especially since they are saying we might get snow Saturday.0 -
Hi ladies!
Can I please join you? Am currently in a morphine haze having had my implants exchanged today.
I've been given NO info whatsoever but will take your advice and take it easy for a while.
Someone posted a while ago about a YouTube video on how to massage the new implants. I can't find the post - would any of you know how to find the video...
Really happy to feel that they are squidgier than the expanders. Big relief. But disappointed in the size. When they 'drop' should they project more....? I have the biggest size my plastic surgeon uses - 800mls each side with the fullest projection - but am tall and sturdy and they look tiny compared to my real boobs and the expanders.
Hope the rest of you are getting on with your new boobs. Look forward to hearing how you're doing and sharing experiences.
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Ski bunny this may seem obvious but here goes...my ps says leave them be for the first two weeks. No massage yet.
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Oh no, no!! Wasn't going to massage them yet!! Don't even get the dressings off for a few weeks - just getting prepared!!
This has probably been asked before too (sorry if I'm repeating past posts!) but has anyone used any gels or creams that worked well on the scarring?
Thanks so much.
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Skibunny,
Welcome! If you scroll to the top of this page and hit the box that says "menu" a list will appear. One item on the list is "search." If you hit that you can search the WHOLE board for answers to questions. I've found it VERY helpful. But, FYI. You could spend hours and hours learning......I know I've read about massage and scar treatments, but can't remember which areas they were in. Try that Search feature and let us know if it works for you or not.
Meanwhile, just had my final fill today. Ouch. I am GREATLY looking forward to my E-Day next Tuesday. But today I've come down with a cold. Runny nose is all at the moment. Praying that I kick this quickly. I will be more than bummed if my exchange is delayed a month or two because of sniffles...... :-(
I need some sleep. In my bed. Soon.0 -
Oh brilliant!! Thank you Dulcigirl! Will spend a while perusing this thread while I'm recovering. Thanks for the tip.
Keep up the vitamin C and take it easy. I actually have a cold and still had my surgery today.
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Skibunny there is silicone scar tape, my ps says its great for folks that scar badly. She recommends Maderma.
Dulci, I swear by probiotics and vitamin D. Take some with lots fluids. You cannot miss the BIG SQUISHY DAY!0 -
Thank YOU!!! That gives me hope! :-)
I did a quick search. Seems like a lot of people use the CVS brand of silicone scar strips. Hope I said that correctly.
Congrats on your squishies!!!!!0 -
Hey gals - got a good squishy report 8 days out from my exchange. Doc says the nipple graphs took and are doing well and the implants are soft like they should be. She told me to start massaging 1 minute twice a day. Also, I found out why the nipple seems a bit low: 1) nipple graphs can't be on the scar line so he goes under vs. over 2) the implants will settle a bit and thus raise the nipple as suspected.
In about two weeks I can start using Mederma Advance Scar Gel and ScarAway silicone strips. Also, I got my appt with Vinnie for nipple/areola tattoos on April 5! His assistant, Ritchie, is really really helpful and I think the hub and I are going to make a day of it in Baltimore.
Dulci - congrats on your exchange date...lots of well wishes and hope your cold is very short lived. Do you ever eat Pho? I love eating that when I have a cold...and a hot toddy!
CindyLW - tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow...you're only a day away!!! (let us know how you're doing!)
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Wow Grier that is great news! My DH says he is happy to help with massaging...oink. Lol
That makes a ton of sense about the nipples and incision...because she said my incisions are low...so she wants to wait.
Vinnie is in MD now? Why did I think NOLA?0 -
hahaha, Cindy...love it! My hub seemed pretty pleased about squishy status. He said it really felt like "boobs" to him...music to my ears! : )
Vinnie splits his time in both Baltimore and NOLA. NOLA would be a heck of a lot more fun, but since I'm DC-based, Baltimore is more practical. His cost is $400 and they fill out all of the necessary insurance paperwork on your behalf.
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Skibunny~Congrats on your squishies!
CindyLouWho~~~yea!!! It's going to be here before you know it!!! Keep us updated! Excited for you!!
Grier~ Congrats on the good report!
Ducli~Keep that cold at bay...no back tracking now!
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Hello Peeps!
Dulci - I found the video link. Thanks for your help. Can't open it from my phone but will repost when I'm home.
I feel really flat-chested! I was a DD but my post surgery B-cup bra is too big and I'm going to have to buy some A-cups! And I had the biggest size my plastic surgeon uses. She says that this is the shape I will be - I asked her about dropping and fluffing...but she said mine won't. Feeling a bit teary and disappointed as had such high hopes. I know everyone will be looking at my chest as I used to be so busty.
Thanks for letting me vent!
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