Exchange City
Comments
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Just wanted you all to know that I went to Nordstrom yesterday and got fitted for some new bras with my new tata's. I was a very saggy 36b before cancer struck. I am now wearing a very comfortable Wacoal 36c and am totally filling it. The ladies there are fabulous and deal with mastectomy patients all the time.
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Hwranch, congrats on your first bra after exchange! It is good to know that Nordstrom is a good store for fitting those who have been through mastectomy. Did you go to the store in Hurst? If so, that's the one I will go to.
Brownlee, are you getting excited? Nervous? I am!!!
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I just went for a fitting today too! Wow! It's been a long time since I've gone bra shopping and now I'm in a big girl size too!
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cheryl, I am very excited; i am most anxious to get exercising again. I need to lose at least 6 lbs by May 17 for Cozumel (assuming my aging dog stays healthy) and the only thing I enjoy is running. I usually hit jenny craig, but money it tight so I know their plan in and out, it just really helps to have the accountability once a week.
Size really concerns me. Now that my TE's have settled down, I am less afraid to get 500cc but my pecs are still tight. My TEs look so non existent in clothes, and ok without. They are at 400. The left one is noticeably smaller. I hope I don't get so sick again from the antibiotics and pain meds. Only 2 or 3 days of keflex, but 4 on the one day.
Good Luck !
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Brownlee I've used myfitnesspal.com. it's a great tool and I've lost six pounds in three weeks for Mexico. Because I'm diabetic my new diet has my blood sugar running lower so I've cut my workouts to a twenty minute walk...less intense than what I'm accustomed to. I'm shooting for 1200 calories daily. Hope your dog feels well and you get to make your trip.
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Brownlee, Cheryl, hwranch, Good luck on your exchanges this week! I'm so jealous! I still have until the end of May! Can't wait to hear how your permanent ones feel! I will be thinking of you all!
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Hopex, my exchange got moved up from the original date of the 22nd. Ps had an opening on March 1st and I jumped at it, lol.
Cheryle, yes I went to the Nordstrom at North East Mall. No "chirpy" young girls there. Very experienced women and they see tons of mastectomy women.0 -
Hwranch...shows I still have chemo brain! Duh! Lol
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Brownlee, I know what you mean about being worried about size. I am filled to 300 and am concerned about being too small. I would like to be a little larger than I am right now, and PS seems to think no problem. I have my 30th high school reunion this summer, so I hear you on wanting to lose a bit of weight and get in shape quickly. Tuesday will be here before you know it.
Cmartin, congrats on your weight loss and upcoming trip to Mexico!!
Hwranch, thanks, that is the mall I go to. It's good to see you are doing so well!
Hopex3, thank you for the well wishes! What an awesome group of ladies.0 -
melmc..phewww...it is a lot to manage..my twins are 6, so go go go 24/7, but at least they can do some for themselves..it is hard. and i find with them since mommy had surgery, they want me to tuck them in every night, and do everything vs hubby...work makes me exhausted, and then dinner, homework, bath, bed, lunches, getting them up for school, breakfast, etc ..and repeat...and then adding exercise too...i am doung shorter ones, 20-30 mins tops..thats all i can do right now..do what u can and maybe jyst see it as time for u..walkung at the lake is not a super workout
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SORRY MY PHONE MESSED UP...AND NOW IT IS DOUNG ALL CAPS, SORRY..ANYWAYS WALK OR WHATEVER JUST GIVES U A BREATHER AND IT HELPS...
DO ALL NORDSTROMS OFFER FITTINGS?
GOOD LUCK TO THE EXCHANGERS THIS WEEK...AND TO US TE GIRLS, AND POAT EXCHANGERS TOO!
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Ok. Getting really nervous but not a worried nervous like my mx. Kind of an excited nervous. Want this part done. Exchange surgery Tuesday! I am just worried about the size though. I am pretty much filled to as much as I can get. My ps really doesn't add it up every fill but I estimate I have been filled to over 800! But I look so small compared to my size d before mx :-(. She is bringing in a variety of sizes ranging from 600-800cc high profile mentor and I really hope I am not disappointed in the result. I also want them closer together as the te now feel like they r under my armpits! Anyway we will see! Any ladies who had exchange already how is the recovery? My PS says it is a piece of cake compared to mx. What is your experience??
Thanks!
Melissa0 -
Best of luck to you too Melissa on your exchange.
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Hi Melissa,
I had my exchange surgery 4 days ago. Nothing like the BMX but I wouldn't exactly call it a piece of cake, LOL! I'm only saying this because I kind of went into this with that mentality and was a little shocked when I woke up in pain in the recovery room. I recall being very numb after my BMX in recovery. The difference may have been the morphine pump? I requested a scopolamine patch just prior to surgery. That was helpful with the nausea for sure. Don't be shy asking for what ever you need for pain. Especially prior to your ride home.
I've been alternating Motrin and Percocet for the last few days. Today was much, much better so I even skipped a dose. For the most part I'm very swollen, tight and uncomfortable, but have a great range of motion. Nothing like what was going on after the BMX.
I'm expected to have drains for about 6 days. Today they are almost running clear.
The one thing I can't believe I forgot to address was taking stool softeners. I had a terrible time with that and all my pain meds for the BMX. I wish I had prepared for that with this surgery. I think I was in a bit of denial going into this one.
Very best wishes for you on Tuesday! I'll be thinking about you, and sending you quick healing thoughts! It will be over before you know it.
Talk to ya soon, Kellie0 -
Oh, I LOVED going to Nordies for my bra fitting!!! I think most Nordstrom stores have a Certified Mastectomy Bra Fitter on staff; the info is on their web page.
The dressing room was the size of my bedroom, and I got to wear a wonderful, soft, chenille robe whenever the fitter went out to get me more bras!
And what was really special was the fact that when they learned I was from out of town, they arranged for a personal stylist to spend a few hours with me, picking out clothes to match my new figure! (I had just lost 60 pounds and gotten new tatas!) So I have VERY fond memories of Nordstroms!
As for exercise, well, that has been my challenge. I was prohibited from exercising after exchange because I had so many complications. Then pain from scar tissue and fibrosis kept me from even thinking about exercise.
Unfortunately, I've gained back 7 of the 60 pounds I lost, but can still fit into my size 8 jeans (woohoo!).
I'm still in my Optifast program...that lasts for a year and a half. I go to class every Tuesday night. I just did a Resting Metabolic Rate test at Kaiser...you sit and breathe into a tube for ten minutes, and it gives you your RMR, showing you exactly how many calories you burn a day, how much less you need to consume if you want to lose, or how much exercise you need to do if you don't want to cut back on food.
I am just now feeling good enough to start getting physical again. In fact, I spent a good part of the weekend shoveling dirt and leveling areas of the garden after some trees were planted!
I forgot - my 45th HS reunion is this summer!!! So gotta get the rest of the body to match the New Girls, right?
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Kellie - I've been thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. I didn't know if you were taking a break here or if we were just traveling on different threads. So glad you've gotten over another hurdle. I hope all looks OK, I know you were concerned because of the slightly different technique used for your surgery. Keep us posted!
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Thanks for the advice kellie. I hope you continue to have less pain every day and a sense of normal! You have drains? My PS said no drains this time. I was so happy about that! Well I guess I will find out tomorrow how it goes!? Getting more nervous by the minute!
Melissa0 -
good luck melissa!! Am excited for you!!!
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Yes, good luck tomorrow, Melissa and Brownlee! This morning I thought only two more sleepless nights with these TEs!
Cheryl0 -
Melissa I thought exchange was cake. No drains, it was on a Thursday and I was off pains meds and taking aleve by Sunday and back to work the following Friday. I think everyone is different and it depends on how much work the ps has to do.
She released my pecs a bit, moved the girls closer and scored the alloderm, but no
Pocket work.
I have to have one small tweak in may, they took more skin on the right, so she sits higher. Since there is no way to lower righty, we need to take some skin on the left so she will sit higher and match righty.
They are starting to look really good at almost 8 weeks. And all of a sudden they are MUCH squishier!
I found these Warner's Unwire underwire bras...this is the most comfortable and normal I have been in months!
Good luck to everyone having exchange this week!0 -
Hi Kellie,
I had my exhange on Wed. I had an exchange last May, but this time it was a whole new exchange. We were removing scar tissue and replacing the implants. I didn't recover as quickly as last May, but I think that is because he did a lot more this time, more sculpting.
Here I go with my informercial.
For constipation from surgery and anesthesia, you all must try the Organic Smooth Move Tea, by Traditional Medicinals. 100% natural, and it is so yummy and smells good. I take only one cup each day and that's all that is needed to be normal. No cramps, so stomach aches, and nothing unexpected. I'm getting ready to have mine now. It says to drink it at night, but I take mine in the AM. I find it at Safeway, but I know other grocery stores also sell it. Once you try it you will find it hard to stop, it is really yummy.
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Hey, CindyLoo, great to hear you are doing so well! Did you ask your doctor to put your girls closer together, or did he just do what he knew woul look best for you? I feel like mine are a little too far apart but not sure if I should ask and then they end up too close??? I am trying to decide everything I want to tell him Wed. before surgery. Any advice from you gals who have already had their exchange would be so welcome!
Cheryl0 -
Hi Kellie-
My exchange is scheduled for May 2nd. I had my last fill last Tues. on the 11th and my P.S. said I had healed so well he would be willing to do my exchange at 6 weeks if I felt ready, but I said NO WAY. I had to have Gallbladder surgery 2 weeks prior to 6 rounds of Chemo which I finished 4 weeks prior to my double BMX with TE's! (I can't seem to get any of my current info to come up with my profile!) Anyway, since I have had to previously take SO much time off from work,(going back next week since it will have been 6 weeks post-op). I am scheduled to return to work 8 days AFTER my exchange surgery on the 2nd! Does that seem to be unreasonable to you (or anyone else reading this). Yes, my job does include being on my feet and doing some light lifting! I feel a little like what you maybe were feeling. That it would be a walk in the park compared to my BMX but I would also maybe need to prepare my employer and myself if most of you think I may need MORE healing time. I realize all this stuff is individual, but where were most of you at in your exchange healing by day 8??
Thanks in advance -Romey
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Hi Kellie-
My exchange is scheduled for May 2nd. I had my last fill last Tues. on the 11th and my P.S. said I had healed so well he would be willing to do my exchange at 6 weeks if I felt ready, but I said NO WAY. I had to have Gallbladder surgery 2 weeks prior to 6 rounds of Chemo which I finished 4 weeks prior to my double BMX with TE's! Anyway, since I have had to previously take SO much time off from work,(going back next week since it will have been 6 weeks post-op). I am scheduled to return to work 8 days AFTER my exchange surgery on the 2nd! Does that seem to be unreasonable to you (or anyone else reading this). Yes, my job does include being on my feet and doing some light lifting! I feel a little like what you maybe were feeling. That it would be a walk in the park compared to my BMX but I would also maybe need to prepare my employer and myself if most of you think I may need MORE healing time. I realize all this stuff is individual, but where were most of you at in your exchange healing by day 8??
Thanks in advance -Romey
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Cheryl, Melissa and Brownlee,
Good luck this week on your exchanges! I am not so patiently awaiting mine. Anxious to hear about all of y'all's experiences!0 -
Thanks, Peanutsgal!
Romney, you have really been through it! I don't blame you for waiting. My PS requires 2 weeks off for exchange, and since I have the days, I am not going to ask to go back earlier.
Debra, you have "inspired" me to get that tea. I wrote down the name and will go get it this evening! Thanks for that. Constipation was a big problem with BMX.
Cheryl0 -
My ps told me they needed to be closer together to look more natural. She is a perfectionist, so anything I mentioned she was already aware of.
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I we t back to work 8 days post exchange, but I work at home and it's at a desk, no lifting.
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good questions cheryl..i have the same questions..i see ps for consult monday and wasn't sure what to say/not say?? i figured we could talk about it monday and then confirm everything in pre op the day prior... mine are kinda too far apart too cheryl.. I am so ready to this to be done..i feel like i am standing on the edge of a pool and everyone is jumping in and I cant.. (yet)..
My TEs are sore today on my ribs..maybe too much cleaning yesterday or something..but between the gray skies, drizzly, chilly weather and achy TEs today..I say bring on Tuesday!!!0 -
Good luck, everyone, on the exchanges this week. While many went to immediate "squishiness" following the exchange, I did not. It wasn't bad, just not quite the natural feeling I was anticipating. I think I began to notice a significant difference between one and two months out. Just saying...if you are squishy right away, great! If not, don't be alarmed or disappointed. It just takes some a little longer than others--it's either immediate, or a process. We all get there at some point! No matter how it happens, I think almost everyone would say it's a relief to be done with the TE's.
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