Exchange City

Thanks Janhart and Tina T.

Cheryl,

My level of sensation didn't change after second surgery but I was pretty numb all over after the initial BMX.

Dulcigirl and Sherry67, thank you for responding to my question. It sounds like maybe you end up with the same sensation after exchange that you had right before it? I am only a little numb on the lower sides and that's it. I am so hoping not to lose any sensation after exchange.

Jaegergirl, congrats on your exchange! Hope you will love them. It seems like you are going back to work so soon. My PS requires 2 weeks. I hope your pain eases up quickly.

It's interesting to hear the stories about sensations because I haven't had any feeling around my scars since my BMX and I swear It feel like I can feel the incisions from the exchange (she used the same ones). Is that even possible to regain feeling like that?



Sherry67, It sounds like the pain I have is normal. Right now I have the ace/compression bandage on that I will wear until I see my PS on Monday. after that I'll be wearing a sports bra for a couple of weeks. I can't imagine having to wear a bra of any kind right now. Hopefully it will be better in a couple of days.



Cheryl E and sherry67. Thanks for the congrats. I am anxious (and nervous) to see my PS's handiwork. Everyone says she does great work so I guess we'll see. I was surprised she said I could go back to work in a couple of days but she said that was pretty standard. I have a non strenuous desk job so maybe that's why? I just hope this bloating goes down before i go back to work because yoga pants aren't exactly part of the dress code. Lol I blow up like a balloon and look like I am 5 months pregnant from the anesthesia.

No cold foobs here either!  I'm not really sure about the sensation as it tends to fluctuate and, being single,  I'm absent anyone to fondle them (TMI? - sorry!)  As for wearing a bra, the worst part for me was the band feeling so tight because of swelling after surgery.  You may want to get a lager size band (sports bra type, if PS allows) for comfort.  Good luck with the reveal Jaegergirl and keep in mind that it takes time for them to "drop & fluff".  My exchange was Dec. 27th and I think they're still finding their new home. 

My TEs were always cold and heaven help me if it was windy and I didn't have my jacket closed up (living in NE Ohio in winter I learned real quick to wear a scarf and keep my jacket closed). It will be interesting if the implants will be different. C-squared, LOL, I am married and there hasn't been much fondling going on since my BMX so don't feel too bad. LOL. It's interesting that so many of you talk about the drop and fluff. The first time I heard about it, I said something to my PS said she had never heard of the term. It's hard to believe there are almost 500ccs under this wrap because i look down and dont see much. I told my husband I wonder if they are going jump out like a jack-in-the box when my PS takes the wrap off. :0) I went and bought several different sports bras last week not knowing what size I'd be after the exchange. If my ribs still hurt like this Monday, I will have to go get ones with larger bands. I bought ones that zipped up the front or closed in the back like a regular bra because I wasn't sure if I would be able to wear anything I'd have to pull over my head.



Chawkins, between the anesthesia and the Percocet, I blow up like a balloon. It took me a couple of weeks to drop the extra pounds after my BMX. I freaked out when I tried to put on jeans the week after my surgery and I couldn't even get them past my thighs. : / My PS assured me it was just from surgery and eventually my weight returned to normal. I gained over 10 lbs. And sure enough now, 24 hours after my exchange surgery, I am bloated again. Actually I could tell my stomach was starting to swell before I even left the hospital yesterday.

I am so bloated right now, you can see the fluid collected around my waist and especially in the small of my back. There is a little pocket of fluid there. And honestly, my stomach is so distended it looks like I am pregnant. It's weird because the swelling goes from my ribs to my knees...my hands aren't swollen and my ankles are just slightly. I know it's only temporary but it's upsetting all the same. After my BMX, I cried so hard when I tried on my jeans and could barely get them on that my husband banned me from even looking at them until the swelling went away.



So when you talk about dropping, do they really drop that much that you really notice?

2nd time.. I get the shiver but not the pain with it. I do get sharp pains here and there in my chest area with no warning. I find that my chest area is colder than before BMX so I wear tank tops under my clothes.

Jaegergirl, forgive my ignorance but did you say that you gained weight after the exchange surgery? That is so disappointing to know that I will gain anymore weight. It reminded me that many years ago I got implants and I did gain weight after the surgery. I was really tiny prior to surgery so it wasnt that big a del butnow I have 30 extra pounds on me now and really dont want to put on any more. Thanks for listening and I hope you are feeling better. Hugs

After my BMX, I was SO bloated, I looked about 7 months pregnant!!! I tried to take my chest measurement for whippetmom so she could recommend implants, and it was about 3" more than normal, due to the swelling. It took a LONG time for the swelling to go down.

Then I started my weight loss program. I was pretty much near my goal weight when I had my exchange... because the PS did tons of pocket work during the surgery, I had a huge amount of swelling afterwards. Not so much in my gut, but above Lefty.

Unfortunately, that didn't go away for five months, until I started regular myofascial release massage therapy and manual lymph drainage massage. (I don't have LE, but the principle is the same...move the fluid out of the space it's collecting in.) 

FINALLY I have some symmetry at 6 months out. For those just out of exchange, a few thoughts about "drop and fluff"... most likely your PS has never heard the term.

What happens is that right after exchange, there is a lot of swelling, and the implants tend to ride high up on the chest. Some ladies complain about the hamburger buns stuck to their chests. But eventually, the swelling goes down, and the implants begin to drop into the pocket that the PS created with your TEs. They settle in nicely, at the IMF (inframammary fold) and end up where they're supposed to be.

At the same time, the implant will become softer, and spread out more, molding itself to your chest wall, and looking more like a natural breast. 

This is a process.... and start within days...but can take MONTHS to complete. So step away from the mirror, Ladies!!!  Have patience!!!

2nd_time_around, The first time a chilly breeze hit me and I didn't have a scarf nor was my jacket closed, the pain and tightness literally took my breath away. I have always been a freeze baby but the expanders made it worse. We'll see if the implants are any different.



Thanks for the info on the drop and fluff. It will be interesting to see what my foobs do.



As for the weight gain and bloating, it sounds like I am not alone in this. It freaked me out after my BMX and because I had never experienced anything like that before (although I had never had major surgery before either). I swear I blew up over night last night. I got up this morning and my waistline definitely expanded...so much I can actually feel my core/sides jiggle when I walk . :-/ Ugh I hate this!



Melmcbee, luckily the weight gain was only temporary. 5 lbs did stick around after my BMX but I attribute that to the fact that I dropped a lot of weight after my diagnosis because I hardly ate and I started eating better after my surgery, especially once I was told I was cancer free. I am hoping it is the same this time around.

Ok ladies. Starting to get a little nervous about exchange 3/19. I want it over with but hate surgery! Hope it won't be that bad of recovery.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Melissa

Melissa119, I find a Xanax night before and something day of surgery (which is ok'ed by anesthesiologist) works wonders to take the edge off. Let me know how it goes - right behind you one month later!



Thanks, mamatwinz, now I don't feel alone! Cold with hot flashes - not good. Trying to take off extra weight from all you mentioned plus being at home all the time it's harder for me to keep away from food. Working on taking off some weight. Like your PS - and the one year timeline. Much more possible that way. Hang in there!

I hope I didn't hurt anyone by my comments of excitement: I haven't meant to come off inappropriately, but this (my exchange) has been a very long time in coming. For about 16 years now my PCP has been trying to talk me into recon (she went thru it herself before my 1st appt with her and knows how much it helps to improve self-esteem). It just hasn't felt right till after 2nd DX back in Sept. Told my wonderfully caring & supportive dr that she literally helped a dream come true: realized that when I dream and see myself in the dream, I have a normal-looking chest. She and I both had a good cry in her office. I am so excited to get to finally put this behind me.

2nd time..its good to be excited and looking forward to something!  no apologies!  I am sure everyone views this journey in their own way and that is OKAY!    PS Your surgery is scheduled 4 days before mine...!!  I am ready for "pending surgery" status to be over for me...  On days where my TEs are okay..I begin to think about going back to being "post op" status and starting "over" with that..but days when I am cranky, have an abundance of pain twinges, and ofcourse at night when trying to get into my "sleep position" ..I am counting down the days...    Have a good Monday guys! 

How are u post exchange gals doing??