Exchange City

I think it's hard for you taller bigger busted girls, to achieve the size you were before. 😢



Since I was small and pear shaped I feel like I will finally be balanced with my new girls.

Ossa,

I fly 2-3 trips every month for work and have never had a problem.

Ossa, I totally understand your concern I haven't flown since before bc, flying was a concern for me IF I had to fly with my TE's since they have metal ports. With permanent implants I have no more chest metal.  I've gone through the body scanners & metal detectors plenty of times with a titanium tooth implant and 2 ankle screws none of which have caused me any problems, ever. If you are concerned about getting a TSA patdown, get a note from your PS saying you've had recent breast reconstruction for breast cancer and that your breasts cannot be manipulated.   I was suppose to fly a few months ago when I had TE's and my PS wrote me a note saying that same thing. Thank God I didn't have to travel, but I hear you. 

Hi Blessings,

Thank you for the information.  I will definitely take pictures as you suggested.  The doctor didn't really say anything about the concave spots.  Hopefully they will improve with time.

So how long before they are squishy?



They are softer today, but still not what I would call soft. The shape is better than the TEs, buts not perfect. I can see the areas that are swollen...they look normal in clothes. I know it's only been 3 days....I might be impatient.

Mine is significantly softer than with the TE. Almost as soft as new newly 'lifted' side- I'm scared to investigate or press to vigorously - I definitely don't wanna screw things up! I go for my first post exchange follow up on Tuesday! I am desperate to get out of the house!! Dh and my middle child went to BJs and the grocery store....THAT even sounded appealing but dh vetoed the idea of me going out probably smart but I am SO stir crazy!! and bored!

How do I join the  picture forum?  It might help me to see the results of other ladies who have had the same procedure that I did.  Also, I have another question.  Do the silcone implants have any movement to them?  They are definitely softer than the tissue expanders but other than when I press on them they don't move at all.

Cindy- lol not so much about the dog poop- hope its cold where u are so it's frozen therefore less disgusting? really pining to put on real clothes and go somewhere .....it's gonna be a long 48 hours before my follow up- I have to wear a compression 'girdle' as I had a tiny bit of lipo on my outer right thigh- dh doesn't think my jeans will fit over this medieval looking garment so ick sweats and flannel pants...

Woohoo on the no pain meds thing! That's awesome! I'm dying to put my ace bandage through the washer... Ick been wearing it since Wednesday so it's filthy and probably still covered (as is my girdle) with hospital cooties euuuwww

Hospital cooties is right! I couldn't wait to get out of those clothes and shower.

I am 7 months out of exchange and look worse everyday. My implant side has risen and it makes my bra rub in my armpit. I have subtle lumps and I have recently developed what I think is a double bubble underneath my IMF scar. I feel like i have a te in again. I waited and waited for the drop and fluff and it never came. My mx scar has softened, has turned purplish in one part, and I have new little blood vessel lines coming. I also used to be the same size on both breasts and now the te side is significantly smaller. Anyone else have any of these things?



Ok... I guess I'm done complaining:) I'm just wondering if I expected too much. I'm waiting for a call for my preop for nips and fat grafting. I haven't seen the PS in 6 months, so I'm wondering what he will think we should do when he sees me. I had Rads, so I knew I had a prognosis for a poorer outcome. I'm wondering if my revision should be one of the flap procedures.

Mammalou- It doesn't sound as if you are expecting too much.  You should get in to see your PS.  If any revisions need to be made, he may want to hold off on the nips.

Dulci - so sorry to hear your cold is lingering.  I don't think it will prevent your surgery as I had one prior to my BMX and the doc said "full steam ahead".  It might make your recovery a little more unpleasant, but I'm sure by Tuesday it will be on its way out.  I think the anesthesia will dry you up too - so be sure to have saline on hand.  Feel better, darlin'!  

Thanks, CindyLooWho and Merlcat for the visuals of the frozen dog poop. That is certainly an issue we don’t have in California, and – frankly – one I had never considered before! Although I think it would make things much easier than, well, you know....

Mamalou – I am so sorry you are not happy with your results. I can relate to many of them. I am five months out from Exchange, and things are still changing. I look pretty good in a bra and in clothes, but  that Iron Bra feeling never, ever went away, and I am currently being treated for that.  I have seen my PS every month since Exchange, though, so he knows what my concerns are, and lets me know my options. I think you should contact your PS as soon as possible to discuss your issues before you proceed with more surgery. Wishing you the best!

Dulcigirl – I know the frustration of having your surgery cancelled!!! I was originally scheduled for my BMX w/ recon on October 31, 2011. That freaked me out. I kept having visions of waking up in Post-Op, being cared for by some insane clown or witch. Fortunately, they rescheduled me for November 8, 2011.

Unfortunately, I went to the Apple Store on November 5^th to buy an iPad, and the 12 year old clerk was coughing and sneezing in my face the whole time. Sure enough, 48 hours later, I  was coming down with it.

I tried to blow it off as just a cold, but the closer I got to surgery the worse I felt. I finally called the Breast Care Coordinator and told her what was going on, and she let me know that no way would either the Breast Surgeon or the Plastic Surgeon take a chance on operating on me when I was sick.

I’m SO glad they made that decision. General Anesthesia is tricky enough without having a compromised airway. And even though a cold is a virus, not a bacteria, you still want as few germs in your body as possible when you start cutting into it.

Turns out I couldn’t get rescheduled until December 5, 2011. I was horrified! I just knew the cancer was growing and spreading every day! (The BS talked me down from THAT ledge…)

By the time I did have my surgery, I felt fine, and was so happy to not be recuperating from surgery AND an upper respiratory infection! The thought of coughing with new incisions just made me cringe.

You’re right…all in God’s time!!!! Hang in there, Sister!!!

I hope someone has some realistic advice this morning- lucky us, snow, sleet and freezing rain have caused our schools to open 2 hours late .... i need to get my non bus riding oldest child to high school, I hate to impose of anyone especially since they're all trying to get their kids to middle and elementary school....I feel fine after my exchange and lift surgery last Wednesday and I'm not and never took any narcotics for pain BUT I've not received the ok from PS to drive again( I go for my first follow up tomorrow and I suspect she'll ok me).



Typed all that and a dear friend just texted me to volunteer to take him...phew...misbehave averted....

Awwww, sorry Dulci.  With a fever, it sounds like what you have is a bit worse than a cold.  But, you're absolutely right about God knowing the big picture...and will take care of you.

Blessings - perhaps you were worried about waking up with witch's hats for breasts? VV Tee hee!  Thanks for the visual (and the good perspective as usual...)