Exchange City
Comments
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Hi all. I'm scheduled for my swap surgery next Tuesday, 3/11. The PS will also so some liposuction to clean up my "love handles" on either side of my chest and to do some contouring. He mentioned the lipo will be more uncomfortable than the incisions to remove the expanders and insert the implants.
Anyone else had this done? I'm wondering just how uncomfortable that's going to be...right next door to the mastectomy on both sides.
What have you found the recovery time to be, in general? I know everyone is different. I've planned to take a week off work. Will that be enough?
Thanks!
Carla in NC
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Carla,
I will be have the extra fat/skin removed in a seperate surgery after the TE removal as a revision and after my squishies are all settle in, on my chest.
I am going smaller from my pre-cancer DD++ and DD to a B cup
Di
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Hey Carla, I am in NC very near you!!!
So excited for you! I am counting down the days until mine 4/23. I have heard varying answers. I told work 2 weeks just to be safe and then can change from there (earlier or later). I drive a lot for work and that was one of the most difficult parts with returning to work; outside of carrying file folders/laptop, etc. I thought I would have returned to work in 4 weeks after mastectomy, but my STD gave me 8 weeks and it helped a lot. My manager has been super accommodating and that helps too! Is your job somewhat flexible with your return if you needed more time? I won't know details about surgery until I meet with ps 3/25..and you'll be exchanged by then! Good luck!!0 -
Hi ladies. My appt went well with my ps he did a double fill on my non radiated side and said I only have to go back 1 more time for a fill and I can get surgery scheduled for 3 months from now. Yeah. Then I went to my general surgeon thinking we would discuss getting my port out but I was mistaken and I was scheduled to get it out today. What a shock. My port was on the left which is the same as my double fill today so Im really sore now. lol. But Im 1 step closer to putting this nightmare behind me. Yeah. Hope everyone is doing well. Hugs.
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Owlwatcher, on the comment about us paying the dr mortgage. Do you or the other ladies know anything about the Prolia? My oncologist is pushing it hot and heavy. Odd,because I was on Fosomax and estrogen from my gen phys for yrs before the BC. I understand Prolia is a new injection for bone loss prevention. A few mths ago I had a bone scan at the gen phys and they told me at that clinic my bones had no changes in the past 5 yrs! I have only been taking Femara about a yr now. I dont like new drugs because the real truth about the side effects dont come out until yrs later. Of course the company is spouting numbers like 40% better bones and such but other trials are not finding the same results as the company's sponsored trials and test. I read of one lady who got very sick after the injection and went to the ER. I was getting along so well with her but I dont want to shell out hundreds in co-pays just to get really sick!!
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Post op exchange surgery appointment with PS yesterday. Everything is great, wants me to really massage the right because it needs to drop and move to the inside a little bit. Supposed to do it 2-3 times a day. Told me to wear some kind of bra for 2 more weeks and then after that I could do what ever I wanted. Still just a little tight but so much more flexible than I was with the TE's. I have another appointment with him in 2 months.
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Layla2525: I started Arimidex in early December and had a bone scan shortly thereafter. My numbers were just slightly low so I'm considered to have Osteopinia. Probably shame on me because I'm 51 and haven't been taking calcium supplements like I should have for the last 10 years. What an idiot, one of the most simple things we can do for our bone health as we age and I just didn't do it.
Anyway, my oncologist recommended the Prolia injection which I had in early January. I was going to say I have no specific side effects that I'm aware of but I decided to google it. I'm experiencing a tendon/ligament problem called trigger thumb with both my thumbs. I can't remember exactly when it started but now that I think about it I believe it was after the Prolia injection. First it was just my right thumb and now it's both. It's very annoying and sometimes quite painful and I'm probably going to see my GP to see what I can do about it.
I know the injection is expensive, but I knew I'd have to meet my deductible again this year anyway when I have my exchange (not scheduled yet
). It's an every 6 months injection so I'll have to have another before I have another annual bone scan. Hopefully at the one year mark my numbers will be back to an acceptable range.I'll accept the trigger thumb discomfort for now as a fair exchange for not losing any more bone density because of the Arimidex.
Best of luck and hugs to you regardless of your decision.
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Thx sweetandspe, doesnt sound too bad. However, hoping the dr will let me stay on the pills.
Has anyone gotten the Teardrop shaped Sientra gummy bear now approved in the US in the tear drop shape? I saw a YouTube video of a dr in San Antonio that is using those. Wish I could have gotten those but I dont think my PS knew how to use those. She had used some of the old ones and said she had trouble with the implants rotating into an unattractive position so refused to use those at all in her practice for any patient. Maybe someday my insurance will approve new ones when these get old and I can get the Teardrop ones. How long do we keep the ones we just got? I thk my friend who got augmented kept her salines in about 12 yrs before one popped. I got salines and they dont wanna do right. Waiting since Aug and now the PS who replaced my PS is gonna operate. She feels we need to release the capsular contracture. (it is really bad and feels TE type) and she doesnt like the excess skin on the other one. However, we are waiting for July for my vacay to do it and meanwhile massage and meds. Anyone else gonna have a do over?
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Oops, nope wrong,I got silicone Mentors. Rounder than the earth!
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Denise2730 - PM Facecrafter, she keeps a list of 3D tattoo artists maybe she'll know one near you
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LoriBach - implants tend to look smaller than TEs. Have you spoken to you PS about using saline? The biggest is 900cc I believe but can be overfilled to at least 1000cc. If you post on Whippetmoms's thread Breast Implant Sizing 101, she can give you more info.
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Thanks Dulci - I needed to hear that! Don't worry about the weight - we all have the same problem - I am actually more than 140 right now but 140 is my norm so that's what I'm using as my baseline. You must be as cute as a button now with everything coming together! We were dealt an unfortunate hand of cards and we are doing our best to take good care of ourselves.
I have often wondered how to get access to the picture forum - I'll try to figure it out as that will probably help me a lot. So glad to hear that lidde is better after ES.
~ Michelle
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layla - i got teardrop gummies - at least thats what i think he told me in my drug induced post operative haze -they do look way more natural then the TE's
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Layla,
I received the shaped HP 550 Seintra and so far I'm am happy with the out come they look as close as they are going to get to natural breast though I'm am still in the healing process..better than those darn expanders..if I had to wait any longer I probably would of went flat chested..but so far no more iron bra feeling..0 -
Thanks Jamie!
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Hey, bcs22, sorry I am just now making it back here. I did look at the Sientra, and it looks like one could get a more customized fit with the 3 different shapes they offer. I know my PS just uses Mentor, I believe. Are you getting the Sientras for certain?
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I am considering having an implant on my radiated side. I was originally planning on an SGAP in Charleston but with the expander, he can't do the MRI required for the surgery. Nobody told me that before the mastectomy! I'm really at the end of my rope. Does anyone have experience with implants after radiation? I live in Florida and am looking for help!
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Hi Lbrewer. I also live in Florida. I live close to Jacksonville. I also have te's and will be getting implants in 3 months. Sorry I cant help with the outcome yet but I just wanted to say hi to a fellow Floridian. Hugs
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Went for massage today. She really emphasized my tightness which I know is there...I feel it. I believe I'm slouching to the point of risking my posture long term. I'm 45 and they said at that age you are beginning your habits for 50s and 60s. They suggested yoga which I beleive I'm going to do. Any input on your experiences or advice?
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Lbrewer, I have an implant on my radiated side...I had LD flap surgery there at the time of reconstruction. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
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Hi Cindy,
Happy to hear you're progressing. I get PT once a week which helps and am just starting yoga (in my 50's). The breast center I use offers gentle yoga for cancer patients and that's been helpful. There's also an absolutely wonderful yoga studio nearby which offers FREE passive wellness yoga for those going thru cancer. She's amazing! Puts me in a gentle pose - even on my tummy (with TE's in no less) and keeps me there a couple minutes. The resulting feeling is pure joy and leaves me totally pain-free even if only several hours. Tears of joy for those moments of feeling normal! Is there a trial you could attend to see if it may work without incurring a huge expense?0 -
CMartin - Ever since I've been going to my Myofascial Release Massage Therapist, and she's been working on my areas of tightness and fibrosis, I've been much looser and able to stand taller when I leave there.
That seems to carry over when I get home. I sit up straighter, and walk more upright. I'm more aware of my posture all the time, since I really don't want to go through some of those fascia stretches again!!!
I thought having a BMX and losing the heavy, droopy, 38DDD Old Girls would help me stand up straighter but it did just the opposite. I stayed hunched over, protecting my chest. And the farther away from surgery I got, the tighter my muscles and fascia got. It was kind of a vicious circle.
I think Yoga is awesome, and there's a class I've been wanting to take which has been adapted for women with breast cancer. (Just have to make the time to go.)
I do a bunch of stretching exercises before I even get out of bed each morning. And I do them throughout the day.
I really want to strengthen my core, and avoid falls. Thanks to the Anastrozole, I can't take any chances.
Good luck, and tell us what you decide to do!
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CMartin, I've got 10 years on you and I do yoga....been doing it for about five years. It has helped so much with gaining back flexibility and range of motion. It's also good for posture and just clearing the mind when we are so cluttered with stuff. I highly recommend it!
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I so look forward to my weekly yoga class. As already mentioned, it's important to look for a "gentle" yoga class, a "restorative" class, or a class for people healing from health issues. A "beginning" yoga class isn't as gentle or easy as you might think. My class is Gentle Yoga, but it's really half yoga and half meditation. I love it, I always feel taller and happier when I leave!
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Question for those of you who have had exchange surgery: Is the sensation different after the breasts have been incised again? Are you more numb, and if so, will that change over time?
Cheryl0 -
Cheryle,
I actually ended up gaining more sensation than I expected during my TE time. After exchange I still have the same amount on the "top half" (above my scar line) but don't seem to have as much on the bottom half. However, I'm only 3 weeks post surgery. Could still be some swelling, etc. I hope others will answer because I'm curious too!0 -
3 months and 3 days after my BMX , as of yesterday I am now the proud owner of a set of Sientra HP495 smooth round silicone implants. I am sooo happy to be rid of those TEs and looking forward to getting back to normal....or continuing to redefine the new normal. Not sure what the new foobs look like as they are wrapped in an ace bandage but I will get to see them on Monday when I go for my follow up. I am glad this surgery isn't as bad as the BMX but it's still quite painful, especially around my ribcage/diaphragm area. Feels like it's on fire. My PS said iinitially that i could go back to work on Tuesday. I was surprised the recovery time is so short. I guess we'll see on Monday! Pending there are no complications, I won't see another OR for 6months when she gives me my flipples back and does the fat grafting.
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Cheryle e,
I have know sensation but can feel pressure when breast are touched..
Jaegergirl,
I had the same problem after surgery withe the pain issue especially the sternum area due to the fact I haven't had to wear a bra for two years the pressure of the wire made me feel like I was having trouble breathing but it's getting better now since I have to wear a bra 24/7...but am happy with the results and the fact of no more Iron bra feeling the only problem I have is I develop some swelling on my right side after work .thank god it resolves by the morning..I went back to work after two weeks but I think it depends on the job you have..Congrats on the squishes ..I have Seintra oval HP 5500 -
Lbrewer, I am the process of a delayed recon after radiation. I had BMX about 18 months ago, but didn't have TE's put in. Got the TE's after a couple rounds of fat transfer to the radiated tissue. Things are going well and I only have 2 fills to go.
I have a thread on the picture forum if you want to see the progress.0 -
2ndtimearound..Thanks. I can't find much about free classes. The place I went yesterday was high end spa so the three initial classes are pretty pricey, 3, 1 hour sessions for a total of $150. After that there are weekly group classes for $20. That will be easier to swing. But I am very aware of my tightness today after the massage yesterday. I'm more convinced than yesterday that this is a necessity. I'm 45 and my massage therapist mentioned yesterday that I am at the age that will set the posture habits for later life.
Bonnie, I KNEW you would have words of wisdom. You always do! I slump over a desk for about 9 hours a day at a pretty stressful job. I think the effort would give me something to look forward to as well as direct my focus towards my posture and relaxing. The only thing is that it isn't specific to breast cancer but I believe the benefits will be realized nonetheless.
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