Exchange City
Comments
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Hi ladies, I hope everyone is doing well. I love to tan but after rads I dont have a desire to get out in the sun for a while. lol Ive had enough burns. Hugs
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everyone has own opunion, but went to my derm yesterday with hubby because of odd mole on hus back that has worried me for years...so mole was ok, but saw two pre cancers on gace and froze them off with recheck in 6 mos as his skin was very dry n flakey to tell re other areas..and absolutely said atay away from tanning beds..which i had been told by derm for yrs... told hubby sunblock, sunblock, sunblock n be smart...again we all.have choices, just do what is right fir u, and know yer risks...
on a different note, for those post exchange, were u worried about natural slope to foob and was this discussed with ps? my TEs ok, but obvious balls on my chest...
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Hi all--Had my exchange surgery yesterday at 7:30 and home by 1:30. Was definitely easier that MX. I had some queasiness upon waking but got some Phenergan and it passed. I am a Uni so only left was exchange. That side has had almost no pain at all. Lift and augment to right. Lots more pain with that but more of a "beat with a baseball bat" feeling rather than the previous "run over by a truck" feeling. Taking Percocet and Flexeril for now. Went in expecting an implant in the 400-450cc moderate profile range and came out with a 600cc high profile one as well as a 120cc on the right so I imagine much of my pain is some stretching. Still have same ROM on left as before and obviously right is much more limited for now. My PS sent me home in an Ace bandage which is wrapped so tight, I can barely breathe so I can't tell how big they are. I'm pretty freaked out that I'm going to be too big since he put in one so much bigger but I'll just have to wait til Fri for my followup and hope for the best. Sponge baths till then. No drains and he'll tell me at followup what to wear bra-wise. He does have me sleeping propped up to keep swelling down to last night's sleep was not the best! If I hadn't had to have the lift to righty I think this would have been a really easy recovery. My biggest problem has been to keep from doing too much with my MX arm!
Good luck to everyone coming up and I'll update after I get my first look!
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Congrats Lala on getting your exchange. Yay. I hope you heal fast. Hugs
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Lala1, congrats on your exchange and lift on the other side! You might actually feel a little flat at first when the bandage comes off since you have been wrapped tightly for some time. That quickly changed for me, though. They fluffed up quite a bit just after the first day. At first I thought it was swelling after fluid entered that the wrap was keeping at bay. Now I think they just fluff up and start to take shape. Let us know what you think after you take a look. Best wishes that you will love them!
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So wonderful Lala1! Now rest up....
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I was looking at photos online last night and was glad to see somebody had posted a group of 4 photos. Her first couple of pics looked like my right boob is right now, still a little high on the upper pole and that big round look. Her later set of pictures looked like a totally natural boob, had a nice drop to it and everything. That gives me lots of hope. It's all still so alien right now...I am 28 days past exchange today. I guess once all the scars fade it really starts looking different.
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Hwranch, that is encouraging, as my right one has already dropped more than my left. He has me massaging and said to especially concentrate on that side. We might be our own worst critics, though, because he didn't seem to notice this until I pointed it out to him? Or maybe he just knows things will settle better after a while and doesn't worry about it like we do?
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Cheryl - It might be a little of both. He knows it's too early post surgery to make any judgements. I also think that if things are medically sound and healing well that most PSs take their "how things look" cues from the patient. They must take the "Advanced Poker Face" class in med school
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TinaT~ I absolutely agree with you on the "advanced poker face class"
I'll be seeing my PS tomorrow for 1st time in a couple of months (exchange was 12/27/12). I am so anxious to hear what he has to say (based on my poker face). I am not thrilled but I'm also at the stage to "settle" just because I truly do not want another surgery! Ugh! We'll see how it goes. 
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Ha, ha, Tina, I am sure you are correct. And C-squared, I hope it goes well. Let us know. Since you both are pros already, I have a question. When will I be able to lie on my stomach on a massage table and get a massage? I have been going to one who knew about my TEs and massaged my back with me lying on my side. Thanks, ladies. You all are the best, and I am so thankful I have had all of you to go with through this process!
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Thank God I have you ladies to guide me - I have my last fill tomorrow and want to start having "THE DISCUSSION" on what I want to have done at exchange. I asked for under the breast incisions at BMX and didn't get them, wanna make sure we HEAR EACH OTHER. He's a good doc, I like him a lot, but these are replacements for MY BODY PARTS !!!!
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cheryl~ I did not lie on my stomach for massage until after implants. I couldn't do it with the TE's. I think I had a massage in prone (on stomach) about 8 weeks after exchange. Still not the most comfortable but oh the sacrifices we make!
Shellshine~ did PS tell you WHY he didn't make the incisions IM? I recall reviewing the VERY specifics of my desires at the final consult in pre-op with all of my surgeries. I wouln't sign consent until I spoke with the surgeon and we agreed on stuff like that. Of course they won't commit 100% saying things like "I'll do my best" but I think it was a helpful reminder. Do you think maybe he forgot? Good thing you like him.., makes it much easier to forgive him!
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There were two surgeons at the BMX - the GS made the incisions I think - I was so overwhelmed - had just been diagnosed the week prior and wanted them OUT, so I can't blame anyone for the communication, although I remember saying it to both of them right before I went in. They both really are excellent docs otherwise. When I came out to recovery I didn't say anything, was so relieved it was over. I'm okay with it now - and thank you for your advice - excellent.
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I COMPLETELY understand Shellshine! In the end, all that matters is that YOU are okay with it.
Sounds like I'm much more of a "control-freak" than you are -LOLOLOL!!! 0 -
Well, ladies, I started the overfill process today. I got another 50cc in each side and am now at 650cc heading for probably 750cc in my 600cc capacity TEs. Unfortunately, my 3-month wait starts all over again after the last overfill session in a week or two
.Fortunately, though, I'm really in no discomfort. They feel just maybe a tiny bit tight but no pain. I was expecting more discomfort so this is a pleasant surprise.
I told my PS today that I want him to look at me in 9-12 months and say "This is my best one yet!". I was very gratified when he looked me in the eye and said "I will tell you this....you're really doing exceptionally well." I'm really very pleased with how they're coming along. They're very well placed, cleavage is beautiful. I dont' really have any trouble sleeping with the exception of menopause and Arimidex induced insomnia problems. I do have some armpit fluff but PS has already said he'll fix that with the exchange. And I'm overfilling to get the size closer to pre-BMX. just have to be patient.
I'm so happy for those of you with recent exchanges and those coming up soon. I'm probably looking at mid-July at this point and am really hoping I can still participate in the Dirty-girl Mud Run I put a team together for on August 24. If not, I'll play the part of cheerleader for my teammates.
Happy Easter to all!
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Melissa-glad to hear you are doing so well, I am looking forward to my exchange and hope I do as well.
Shellshine-hope you PS visit goes well, be sure to express what you want, and repeat it as least twice.
Last few fills, I would just go in and when my PS walked in the door, I would say, Filler up!! " (he would just smile or giggle.) I am done with fills now! 2 1/2 week to go for me.
I received notice that medicare is NOT paying for my prophylactic MX only my MX with cancer, calling my Prophylactic MX "cosmetic"....I will be sending them a pictures of my "shar pei" and a fight!!Di
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Idiots...... will they pay for all the mammograms you would be having if you kept your other breast? Stupid, stupid, stupid, this really makes me mad! Send them a picture of me right now as I'm writing this, that'll scare the living daylights out of them.
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Oh Di2012, I was afraid they were going to turn me down also ( insurance). I had extremely dense breast tissue and already had a scare on the first mammogram a year after diagnoses. Had to have an MRI after that. My ON told me that I would need to have MRI's probably every 6 months so they could really watch this. Glad my surgeon worded it well enough that they paid for it. Maybe they saw all the MRI results from the first scare...I don't know.
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Di2012, I still have chemo brain so forgive me if this info is wrong but I thought there were laws that made the insurance company pay for the other side. I know I have read something like that on here. Healing hugs to you.
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Melmcbee,
I believe the law applies only to the reconstruction with the "matching" of remaining breast or reconstruction of both breast whatever the reason for removal of the breasts. (I have had no problem with medicare paying for my reconstruction)
I am also waiting for my hospital bill to be paid.
Di
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Di2012. If you don't win the fight ask your dr if he will accept the negotiated Medicare rate and let you pay in installments.
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Ugh! Di2012!!! I did not realize that the same rules do not apply to Medicare patients..., so UNFAIR!!! I like CindyLooWho's suggestion.., and maybe the PS would reduce the cost even further for paying OOP (out of pocket)? Definitely worth asking!
I saw my PS today for the first time in a couple of months (exchange was 12/27). He's very happy with the results. And I am mostly happy.., it's just those fat pads by the arm-pit! He offered to fix them with liposuction "IF" insurance will cover another revision (we already had one revision due to the TE turning sideways <not my fault he didn't tack them down, right?>, and I recall my last EOB stated that the PS has been paid the 'maximal allowable amount') . So I graciously declined his offer stating "well, maybe IF I lose 20 pounds, the fat pads will go away (truth be told). I really can't complain. I told him I wanted to be a big B / small C and I am. I do have to do the rest and a good diet and exercise will surely help!
Happy weekend to all!
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Wish me luck my friends, I'm headed into my last fill today. My TE's are 375 suggested fill volume and I am get 60 more ccs to 440. YIKES! I'm taking a valium and NSAID when I go to bed tonight, and no high impact aerobics at Jazzercise tomorrow morning!...and no hand weights, either!
I am hoping to have THE DISCUSSION with my PS today on what the plan is.
I'll check in later and let you all know. My family & friends are clueless about what this is all about, so glad I have you! And THANK YOU to Whippetmom.
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Yes, good luck Shellshine!!! The time change is so strange.., which island are you on btw? I have been fortunate enough to visit the Hawaiian islands of Maui and the Big Island (both Volcano & Kona). It is such a glorious place to visit and I hope you enjoy living there as well!
Good luck with the "DISCUSSION" with the PS and definitely keep us posted! Yes, bc.org is a wonderful place to come to share with those who truly DO "get it"! Whippetmom is the BEST, for sure! Please keep us posted!
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Di2012- Please get familiar with the Women and Breast cancer act of 1998. They can not deny you for that. Insurance companies bank on people NOT knowing about it. I strongly urge you to look it up and read it. My insurance company tried to deny alll sorts of things on me because i'm under 40. They said it was an exclusion on my policy. I read them my policy when it came to BC and then i read them the WBCA off 1998. They did not like me after that and actually hung up on me. I then went to the SR VP of my company that i work for and they had the insurance analyst contact UHC to let them know they were idiots. After that ALL my tests were approved and paid for on the spot. I hope that helps you and for anyone else that is having issues with their insurance companies.
here is the link for anyone intested:
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Chrisrenee77~ I am with you 100% on this.., I just don't think it applies to Medicare patients. Unfortunately, I think, Di2012 is on Medicare??? I hope I am wrong!
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C-squared- If i'm not mistaken that is for any woman on any insurance. But it's worth a shot for Di2012 to throw it out there to Medicare. know what i mean?
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Chrisrenee77~ Absolutely.., I'm with you 100%! We need to fight the fight in ALL aspects of this journey!
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sorry di...i asked for my ins co policy before just so i would know..yes i read pages n pages of incredibly convoluted explanations and guidelines, and even with being a nurse, was totally frustrated and confused. i called ins and asked re policy, does it cover contralateral side mast..and we looked at polucy together and SHE couldnt figure it out!! said she would have to escalate my question!! i told my med onc, and she said that whatever i decide, she would advocate for me and state whatever was needed to get it taken care of...!! my ins stated mast was auto approval with ca diagnosis..it could be way md office coded it??? sorry for the stress..
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