Exchange City
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Anyone having any trouble wearing a bra after exchange..I haven't had to wear one in two years and I know I still have swelling but wow..alittle on the painful side..was told only underwire ...
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They were filling in around the top edges of the implants, to try and fill in my hollow-ish upper chest. So far I have a nice, gradual slope and some decent cleavage! I know that a certain percentage of the fat does not "take" so we'll only really know with time.
She took it from my outer thighs. Said she wanted to leave my inner thighs in case we need to do this again later. My husband tried really hard to be my donor, but I had this one covered;)
My radiated breast is doing great! Possibly a benefit of waiting 3 1/2 yrs post-rads to have my bmx/recon. But through TEs, and fills, and now the implant exchange, it seems to be doing well! I was prepared to have to do lat flap going into my initial consultation, but she didn't see the need as my skin seemed to be in good shape.
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2nd time around, AGREE!!!
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Thank you CSquared, and your advice to DON'T OVER-DO is well directed at me, I have a superwoman attitude in a huwoman body, gets me in trouble sometimes.
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CrystalAnn,
I had a very similar situation after my exchange. What infuriates me is that it is so unneccessary!!!! I told the anesthesiologist that I was allergic to the tape, so she used paper tape when taping the iv in my arm. That worked out fine. Then, during the exchange, they used regular tape all over my upper chest to section off the surgery site. That night I couldn't sleep from the itchiness!!! I even got blisters!! Needless to say, I wanted to scratch my skin off for the next few days.
Ask your dr. to prescribe some prescription strength cortizone cream. That helped greatly!!
Good luck!!!
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For those with severe itching - I've taken Atarax (hydroxizine) for years for occasional itching. (For me, the worst offenders are preservatives in foods.)
It is much stronger than Benadryl, and worth a try if you're not getting any relief. You'll need a prescription.
Interestingly, this drug seems to be a true multi-tasker. Not only is it prescribed for itching, it is also used as an anti-anxiety med, as well as for motion-sickness-induced nausea.
Who knew!!! All I know is it works well for itching, and I can sleep better at night when I take it.
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Thank you for reminding me Blessings! I couldn't remember WHO said it but it obviuosly resonated with me (& others)!
I will hang on to that one for a loong, loong time!!!0 -
Blessings, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" is now going to become my daily mantra! Gosh, but I am so READY to be past this part and get back to normal!
My 9-year old daughter showered with me last night (in her bathing suit-Ha!) so she could wash my hair for me. She was so proud to be able to help, but I had a moment of "my child is having to help me wash my hair and then put on my bra and pull up my compression spanx..." Sad and funny at the same time.
I'm ready to get back to normal so I can take care of my family, not them taking care of me!
Oh- and I REALLY need to go for a run. I won't, of course, but dang I am missing my endorphins and sweat. And I'm only on Day 9 post-op...Haha!
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Lol!!
I am counting the days (4!!!!!) til my PS said I could begin lower body stuff. He didn't specify....do you think he meant easy walks or could I get back to my 20 miles of cycling?????
All I know is that Googling and knitting doesn't seem to burn many calories.0 -
Dulcigirl, I'm a knitter, too....but the first week or two post op I kept messing up and dropping stitches, now I need to go back and clean up the mess.
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Dulcigirl...my ps let me get back to lower body work immediately.
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RunnerMom, your post about your daughter was so sweet and touching.
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I had to wait 2 weeks before exercise. They don't want you heart rate up. Then she said I could go ahead with lower body, even light jogging. But to go easy on upper body.
So I have been on my bike trainer just about every day!0 -
PS told me two weeks of NOTHING that could elevate heart rate. Also the first two weeks of no pushing, pulling, or lifting over 5lbs. Then after two weeks I can start lower body so in 4 days I'll be back on my stationary bike in hopes of getting back up to par before we start cycling outside again. After 4 weeks I can start heading back toward normal upper body stuff. I obeyed after BMX and things healed very well, so I'm obeying again. ;-)
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Sherry67, I had my exchange the day before your's and yes, my bra is very uncomfortable. The part I'm having trouble with is that the band of the bra sits on my exchange incision which is in the crease between my breast and my chest. I was told not to wear an underwire for 4 wks. but I KNOW an underwire would hurt! Maybe we're expecting too much too soon, do you think? You've been through SO much more than I have, and I'm having trouble with patience. You're a good inspiration for me!
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Taylormd,
Right now I have been doing trial and error with different bras..so right now what's comfortable is a 36C due to swelling....If i try the 34C the bra leaves indents on the breast so i will use the other till things heal...I agree about the crease of the breast because thats where mine hurts but its getting better each day..I also sleep propped up with pillows...0 -
Good girl dulci! I was feeling all flabby, but it did not take long for things to start to tighten up.
Bras....I measure a 36 C, which is what I wanted, and I have the sports bras for around the house but I needed something for under clothes, because lefty is still swollen and she needs a bra to look normal. Well after returning about 8 bras to Walmart, be ause I don't want to spend a lot at this point, I found the perfect bra.
Its a fruit of the loom full support, front close, no wire, no adjustable straps. It's $7.94 and so comfortable I can sleep in it. They run small, and there are no defined cups. But it is perfect for me at this point. I just wasn't filling out the cups...0 -
Thanks, Cindy. Hope....
Yep. I feel flabby.
In fact, last night I told my husband I feel like a giant slug. He said, "Do slugs have butts?" I said, "Well, probably if you squeezed one in the middle it would bulge out on either side." He started laughing MUCH harder than appropriate and when I asked why he said in the past I would've said the slug would have a big behind then......but NOW I said it would bulge on BOTH sides! Apparently my boob obsession is amusing to him. ;-P0 -
If you ride a lot you should look into a bike trainer. You fit your road bike into it and ride like you are outside, changing gears etc. Replicates actual riding better than a stationary bike. Better work out.
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I'm sure...but due to some physical issues I have a recumbent stationary and it helps me keep going during the week. My "real" bike is a hybrid Specialized and I love her!! Lol. I also have an antique ladies bike built in 1896. It's like having three kids...you love them all the same even though they are each dear in their own way!! ;-D
I do foresee a trainer in our future as my husband just signed up with a team training for a triathlon.0 -
I have a hybrid specialized road bike too. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I had a hybrid trail bike but this one soooo much lighter.....
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So...my PS said that after my exchange, 2 mths in a bra--24/7. He said a sports bra is fine. Now MY question: What kind of sports bra? The one I wear/wore for HIIT is a total flattener aka holds in the girls so well that I looked flat chested. OR...does he mean like one of those stretchy, you-can-pull-it-over-your-head type sports bras? What are you ladies wearing? I would think a sports bra (of any kind) would just mash 'em. Is the point to keep the implants in place while healing? If so, I would think a non-wired regular bra would be what I need....
Steph
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Stewbie2,
I was told to use an underwire bra and if I were to use a sports bra it would have to be underwire as well...every PS is different with which they require you use/p>0 -
@RunnerMom - I am so with you on the endorphin depletion! Two weeks today since I got the TE's and I am going crazy with only walking. Grrrr. PS said another 3-4 weeks before I can run again, although he has cleared me to ride my bike on the trainer (yes it is the best way to go, Dulci) as long as I don't break a sweat.
I am going in tomorrow to have the final drains pulled and get my first fill. He put 75cc's in to start, but said we will do weekly fills until I get where I need to be. Since I had radiation, I am a bit worried about it. RunnerMom, any input or adivce? I was planning to pre-medicate with a percocet and an ativan and see what happens. Better to learn it's too much than too little.
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Stewbie - For the first month after exchange, I wore either my Genie bras or my JCPenney zip-front sports bra, but I don't think they make the JCPenney bra any more. The PS said to wear whatever was comfortable enough to sleep in, as long as it wasn't an underwire.
If your PS is telling you to wear the bra 24/7, I wouldn't worry about squashing the New Girls - they're pretty tough.
Mostly, in the beginning, a good bra will help eliminate the swelling, as well as keeping the girls from jiggling in their new homes. A sports bra can do this, and if you're concerned about looking flat-chested, you can get sports bras with cups.
I had to wait about two months to be cleared to wear underwires.
(Although my dream in the beginning was to never have to wear a bra again for the rest of my life..... ***sigh!*** )
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keep dreaming Blessings, not with those 700cc girls your toting around. I sleep in my Coobie bra, and I decided not to the other night. Mistake. I was sore the whole next day.
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Happy day! Last week I got a call from my PS office that there had been a cancellation for March 1st, did I want that date for my exchange? You bet!! I was scheduled for March 22 and honestly I am so done with these baseballs in my chest. I told hubby I was going to be good, get healed and then really get on with my life. I want to get in really good shape and stay that way. All this hard work to get these new perky boobs and I want the rest of me to look good also, lol.
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I am about to go through nipple and skin sparing preventative masectomy with TEs then implants im 5'6" and abot 140. I want to know from people who have done this what the out come was with both surgies and pics if possible.
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Blessings20,
I went to JCP today to look for a zip front sports bra no luck..even went to a sporting goods store no luck either...hard to find one...I have been looking for the gym..I had asked my PS about my Genie Bra and he said no so far but am going to this boutique where I live and they fit you with the correct size bra and they deal with people who have had masectomys and reconstruction...0 -
Jenamae, I had a NS BMX, and I am also 5'6. If you give whippetmom on Breast Implant Sizing 101, your info and your rib cage measuremnet right under your TEs after you get them, she can help you with what size implants will be best for you. You can PM me and give me your email address, and I will send you pics.
Cheryl
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