Exchange City
Comments
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Shellshine.... Good one! Had me for a split second! Glad it worked for you.
Can't tell you how many times I talk to idiots on the phone while giving the figure to the phone to calm me down. Glad to know my TE movement is relatively minor and not much longer to go. Already had pre-op appt, next time I see her is surgery morning. Will add to list to give to her because I'm doing Xanax that morning. Maybe I'll even mark it beforehand. I have a friend who drew smiley faces on her nips before bmx for laughs, wish I'd thought of that!
Appreciate the reminder from you and unowhoandwhy why to let my PS know - I probably would have overlooked it.0 -
Thanks to all who sent good wishes my way during my revision surgery on Monday. It was a decision with which I really struggled, but in the end I couldn't convince myself to be OK with the ripples I developed after losing some weight (a whole other story). My PS narrowed the pockets and lined them with SeriScaffold to thicken the skin, then swapped out my Allergan smooth round implants (Style 15 - 533cc) for ones with smaller footprint and slightly more volume and higher profile (Style 20 - 550cc). He also did a revision of the nipple that survived NSM to better match the one that was partially lost due to necrosis after mastectomy. So far things are looking good, but it's only day 2 so there is still swelling and I know there will be changes ahead. The ripples may return, but at least I'll know we gave this approach a shot and I won't be wondering "what if..."
I scanned through the past few days of posts a bit under the influence (Percocet) so probably missed a lot. However, I just wanted to reassure the newbies that many of us with tissue expanders breeze through the process. I hope you're lucky like I was. Also, I realize there are cases where expansion has to be put on the fast track, but in most cases it is not a race. Perhaps part of the reason I had a relatively easy time is that my PS usually instills a fairly small volume (50cc) with each fill and as long as they are at least one week apart the patient gets to call the shots as to the timing of fill appointments. They always made the offer to pull saline out if it was too uncomfortable. Each PS has his/her own preferences, but you can always ask for smaller volumes and appointments to be spread out to make it a more comfortable process.
Thanks again and best wishes to all!
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yay shell!! way to go!!!
) i laughed with what u really wanted to say!! there are si many of us in april n early may..like 15 of us having exchange! i am excited to hear about all of u guys and the ones that have already had theirs..love to hear others experiences, it helps so much! i have thought about taking photo for forum, but nervous...for those who have posted photos, what helped u decide? i am pretty modest and self critical, so nit thrilled with the idea, but also know how helpful it can be for others..??!??0 -
Shellshine: YAY for you!!! What a relief that has to be! 23 days and counting. I can't imagine the stress of knowing your window of opportunity was getting closer and closer to closing on you!
2nd_time and Uno...: The more time that goes by and I read about TE movement, shifting and poking out I realize how little I have to complain about! I did have a hard ridge at the bottom of Louise (righty) immediately after placement but it wasn't painful and it smoothed out as the saline volume increased. Actual movement and flipping would freak me out!
Tina...: I wrote a novel on the other thread about your revision so all I'll say here is I think you definitely did the right thing, and I pray that your concerns will evaporate once the swelling dissipates and enough time passes for things to heal and settle.
Mama: I'm definitely as self-critical as we women tend to be but I'm definitely not very modest. I fully intend to post some photos to the picture forum. My problem is I have to first figure out how to get them off my phone! (I know, I know, I need to get some sort of cord/cable to go from phone to PC because my daughter took hers with her when she moved out!).
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TinaT, so happy to hear from you. I also responded to you on another forum. Shellshine and all of you wonderful ladies with exchange fast approaching, I am sooooo happy for you!! I hope everyone will stay on here and keep us all posted. It has been three weeks now for me since exchange, and I am doing really well. I am so happy with my size, shape, everything! I pray you all will be, as well.
A word of caution, you will feel so much better with your exchange surgery that you will be tempted to overdo. Take it easy and be patient. I went camping this last weekend, and I don't sleep that well in a tent. We did a lot of hiking, and Sunday evening after I got home, I had a random fever of 101. I didn't go to work Monday and just rested. It came down to 99 and then was gone. I did not feel bad, just really tired, and I feel like my body was just saying "too much too soon.". Hope that helps some of you, and God bless you all!0 -
Cheryl: great advice as most of us women tend to feel the need to overdo it. We're not genetically engineered to sit back and be taken care of. I'm so glad you're so happy with your new girls! I'm doing my level best to achieve the same satisfaction by having very open and frank communication with my PS about expectations.
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I initially posted photos on the picture forum two years ago because I had complications after nipple sparing surgery. There seemed to be many women not being made aware of NSM as an option and I wanted to help spread the word and encourage women considering reconstruction to ask about it. Also, to show that when things don't go according to plan they can still turn out OK!
Yep, it's really hard not to overdo. My husband wouldn't leave for work this morning until I promised not to use the stairs if I had to use the strong pain meds today. Also, I just found all the stuff I need for breakfast and lunch out on the kitchen counter and in the front of the fridge. I almost lifted a heavy cast iron skillet last night without thinking and he just steered me back to the couch and said "Stay!"
Hang in there everybody!
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Sweetandspecial, so good to have that open dialogue. I love my PS, but he didn't volunteer as much info as I would have liked. I always felt like I was asking too many questions, yet then he would explain things so well.
TinaT, one of the reasons I chose my PS is because he offered me nipple sparing, and the other one I visited did not. He said I was the perfect candidate for it since I had precancerous lesions and not cancer. The pathology report did find ALH (atypical lobular hyperplasia) behind my left nipple, but he said as long as there are no cancer cells ( they scrape and test), you won't get cancer in a nipple and that studies have finally proven cancer cannot start in a nipple but can only spread there if cancer is nearby. If cancer is a certain close proximity to the nipple, it cannot be spared. I saw your pictures, and from beginning to end was like night and day with the necrosis. But I think you looked amazing before your revision, so I can only imagine what that tweaking will do for you! I hope you will post pics when you are ready. I plan to post my after pics soon.0 -
Cheryl: Initially I, too, felt like I had to pry information out of my PS. He just didn't initiate ANYTHING in terms of dialogue. At one of my follow-ups with my BS, though, I chatted with her about it. I told her the same thing you said, that I felt like maybe I was asking too many questions and that he might feel like I was being too demanding. Her exact words to me: 'You should absolutely be demanding. This is your body and you have the right to demand the results you want (within reason).' That is what really empowered me to feel more comfortable and confident being firm about my expectations and also to ask all the questions I wanted.
I should also add that my BS and PS work together on BMX w/immediate reconstruction surgeries, so considering that she knows my PS fairly well really helped validate what she was telling me.
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Amen s&s. I stay pretty chill and don't obsess too much about these iron ladies, but when I drive thirty minutes, pay parking, register, and wait 15 minutes, I want more than a poke and a fill-up. I stayed pretty mellow until the last 2 fiils, then it felt like pulling teeth....offer me a little more information for gosh sakes!
Getting reconstruction is not the be-all and end-all of my life...it is blip on the radar screen. I just want to get through it with knowledge and choice - after all, the choice of getting or not getting BC wasn't given to me 2 1/2 months ago......and then move on. I have other living I want to do!
About posting photos - what a wonderful, generous way of giving back to the community.
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Shell: I agree, this is not the sole purpose of our lives in the great scheme of things. It's a blip, but it's a blip that has lasting results we'll have to live with. If this had happened to me 20 or 30 years ago I wouldn't have had the self-confidence to be as frank about my wants/needs as I am today. Thank God for the maturity and self-possession that age has brought to me!
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Nofear...I have Mentor memorygel implants. Smooth round high profile and Smooth round Ultra high profile. Love them, they are very soft.
cheryl, I feel the same way about our PS. He always explained very well if I asked but never volunteered much. I have a butt load of questions I'm going to throw at him at my May follow up, lol.
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Hwranch, I am curious as to what those questions are! When is your appointment? Mine is May 1st. Have you been doing your massage? I try to but feel uncertain as to whether or not I am doing it correctly.
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I ALWAYS went to BS/PS appts with lists of questions. All those "what if" and things I wasn't clear about Q's. Kept a spiral notebook or noted on phone for questions, problems, comments and observations (like shaving - razor blade or electric, or waxing; for incision scars: Mederma, cocoa butter or other; my observation how I have severe armpit pain on cold/frozen food aisles at grocery store - will this last forever? and on and on). Then night before would re-do for a comprehensible agenda: folded page vertically with Q's on left, A's on right and kept all together. My PS knew "the book" came out every appt. No question too small. You should see the huge list for pre-op appt! And they welcomed it every time so I knew I had the right care team for me!
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2ndtime - great advice!
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2nd..my list is done for my appt monday..thank u..thnx cheryl re post op..i am anticipating i will feel better and have already told myself to follow md orders..that is how i got when i did too much after mx..exhauated, pale and low grade temo (not 101 tho) glad to hear that it is gone! my ps is similar, very nice, explains well, SWEET MD (SORRY MY PHONE JUST CHANGED TO CAPS FOR NO REASON) BUT DOESNT OFFER A PLETHERA OF INFO UNLESS I ASK.. NICE..ONE OF TWINS SAID I AM FAT, BUT HE STILL LOVES ME...
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Too funny!
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Mamtwinz...glad to help. Great kiddo, how old? Let me know how you feel after appt. I felt great relief knowing I could check off another milestone (even if little, a decision was made and recorded). Heard it said, "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy"
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They are great boys:) The twins are 6..will be 7 on the 19th..! Brendan said.."did Ryan say you were fat?? You are not fat, and I like you just the way you are!" Then Ryan says..I didn't mean it to be mean..you are just mushy, not fat..." !
I got my prescriptions in the mail and pre surgery instructions!!
) and noticed that my surgery time switched from 2:30pm to 7:15am (I have to be there at 5:15am)!! I will make sure at ps appt on Monday. That poses problems for trying to get the kids to school, etc...but soo great regarding fasting! My mx was at 3:00 and I was STARVING waiting for surgery..I am turning in early..work has been soo hectic, and I am pooped! Altho..I may try to get some exercises in tonight.. :0
Have a good night ladies..thanks so much for all you do!!
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Thank you melmcbee and sweetandspecial :-) TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!!! Unfortunately my Dr tends to treat his patients like they don't deserve to know what he's doing or going to use, so all I know are the sizes of implants he's planning on using... Didn't tell me the model or maker. He's not the best at relaying info. He's gone as far as calling me by the wrong name even, but small town, he's the only choice of a plastic surgeon in my insurance network. Supposedly he's great at what he does... Guess we will see soon :-)
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Thank you melmcbee and sweetandspecial :-) TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!!!
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~ Thinking of you jdevom ~
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Hugs and prayers for you! Check back in when you can.
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Mamatwinz.. they sound absolutely adorable! Kids are just learning to filter comments at that age? You got prescriptions in the mail - now that's efficient! Picked up one tonite for nausea as well as pre-surg scrub soap, dropped off one for DRUGS! Will so need after surgery. Now I just need to line up a ride for the 1st post op appt. (plenty of time for that)
jdevonm.. you probably won't get to read this until surgery is behind you but wishing you great outcome (no more metal bra feeling!) with reduced pain. Please check in when you can. ((hugs))
One week from tomorrow for me! Kept so busy this week it just flew by. Will need to keep busy next week too. Apologies to all in advance if I need to vent my nervousness..... Keep telling myself that the fabulous outcome will far exceed going thru surgery and resulting pain. So looking forward to a comfortable night sleep after 6 months!
Di2012, Anglelee, Cristinabelle... our week is almost here!! Sending good thoughts and hugs to all!
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Has anyone ever heard anything about annemarieh?? Her exchange was over two months ago and she hasn't posted since, has she?
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no..i still have her PMs in my inbox..she was one of the first people I really talked with and PM'd with when I first came on the site..I have thought about her often....:/
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The last we heard she was worried about the snowstorm comingher way the day before exchange. Can someone who knows her please PM her, because now I am worried. Thanks
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Good luck to all the ladies having exchange today and next week! So excited for everyone!
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Winterapril, you can actually see the highlights of the actual exchange operation on you tube. I watched and felt calm when I went cause I knew what would be done while I was under.
I wore my red lace underwire for my 10 hour shift today doing estates and trusts laws. OMG, I was so sore when I got home. I thk those underwires gonna have to be put in the closet. I can drag those "hot mess" items out for special occasions.
Good luck to all exchangers, smooth surgery prayers to you and Happy Spring ya'll,
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Exchange surgery & augmentation done! Only issue I'm having is my natural/augmented side seems bigger and a little higher tham my mast/reconstruction. Dr said later on, after swelling goes down he can replace one of them fairly easily. Tried finding out sizes he used but unable to get info today... Hopefully Monday. Hoping once it settles maybe it will even out. But the squishies feel sooomumuch better than the TE's , well worth it!
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