Exchange City
Comments
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Jdevmom,
You will be amazed at how much things change in the weeks ahead. Try to be patient...things may very well even out! I am about 8 weeks out now and I still had some swelling even a couple of weeks ago. Hang in there!!!
You should have received a card or some type of info regarding your implants. They are registered devices in case of recall (weird, isn't it?!). My card says brand/style/size/serial number for each side. Ask for it at your post-op if you didn't get it after surgery. My PS gave mine to my husband after the surgery and I found it in my purse. :-)
So happy for you that you have crossed over to the squishy side!!0 -
jdevonm.... So glad to hear, am so waiting for that feeling! Trying to replace my nervousness with "when I wake up I will be feeling so much better" attitude. One week from tonite, I want to be saying that I crossed over to the squishy side!
Dulcigirl... Appreciate you tracking your journey, have enjoyed following along with you and others0 -
Hi Exchange ladies,
Just checking in, I've been off BCO for a few months. I'm pretty much healed from my exchange and I will definitely be needing fat grafting to fill in the upper poles and wrinkles on lefty which is 50cc less that righty + nipple recon. BUT all that will be pushed out a few more months to recover from yet another surgery not bc related. I had an operative hysterscopy/polypectomy/D&C yesterday. Some of you may recall I had an abnormal period (dark red clots for 8 days) and this was 2 weeks pre-exchange. Same awful period came back early Feb so went to see gyno, she put me on lysteda (non hormonal acid pill to stop bleeding), early March had transvaginal U/S which revealed a 8mm endometrial polyp. I'll get my path results at my follow up appt. Praying for no hyperplasia,atypia and of course the real bad stuff. My concern is that I'm pre menopausal, bc dx was not even a year ago and I'm not on tamoxefin, which I know can cause uterine problems, all I can blame is my own estrogen. BCO gals are always on my heart, sorry I've been gone so long, I've missed the support and love this board gives me.
Jill
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Jdevmom: Contratulations on crossing over to the squishy side!
Di2012, Angielee, Christinabell, 2nd_time: How exciting for y'all next week! I hope all goes well and you are all over the moon with satisfaction (once any pain subides,the swelling goes down and the new girls 'settle in')!!
Jill47: I'm so sorry for all the additional medical crap you've had to deal with since exchange! I had a hysteroscopy last August (just before the mammogram that started the whole BC journey) due to some minor post-menopausal bleeding. Aside from removing a couple of large fibroids, though, that was the extent of it for me. I so hope you're feeling much better very soon and when you're finally able to get the girls 'tuned up' (sigh.....another surgery
) you can really, really be happy with them. ((((((hugs)))))).0 -
Hi everyone...haven't posted in a long while. Been a lurker! I've decided not to have my exchange in May as we just bought a foreclosed home (spur of the moment) so we are moving the end of May. I'm going to reschedule for July since I'm off work for six weeks (work in a middle school)' that way I can take my time moving in and then just heal all summer and not worrying about going back to work! So, I guess I will have to wear the armor for a few more months. Done with fills though.
Jill..sorry you have to go through another surgery! Sending prayers your way!
Have a great weekend everyone!0 -
Hopex3,
Lol at your armor comment. I don't think you are too far off in your description! How exciting for you to have purchased a new house. Enjoy making it your home. We recently finished a major renovation of our master bath and bedroom, but need to do 3 more rooms before our total renovation is complete. I'm just not up to doing the kitchen and making all the major choices that room needs. Maybe next year!
Di2012,
Two more sleeps and we are up. Well, can't really call what I'm doing sleeping....more like dozing. I'm so excited to get these coconut shells out.
Best of luck to all of us girls that are up this week. Our time is FINALLY here!0 -
Thank you Lisa for sharing your gyno problem and well wishes and thank you Hope for the prayers. I wish you both wonderful exchanges and quick healings. You'll love the new girls, they are soft and look more natural, still no good sensations but they look pretty.
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Hi all, I am a newbie to this post; I had the tissue expanders placed (with 500 mls saline) during my left side skin-sparing mastectomy on March 19. I will get anohter 200 mls fill next Wednesday, and the scar is healing okay. I am getting used to the smooth Barbie doll look on the left side. at least it is a lot perkier than my natural breast! haha.
I wondered if anyone has input:
My plastic surgeon wants to do my exchange prior to my starting radiation therapy, so that the skin can heal better. I meet with my rad onc doc on Tuesday to discuss why she thinks this is a bad idea, but she said it is ultimately up to me.
I am her2+ER/PR- and all 24 of my lymph nodes removed during surgery were clean, and I am continuing on herceptin.
So it seems to me like, yeah- let's do the exchange before hitting the skin with rads- it will only delay radiation therapy one month. They found no active tumor in the breast tissue removed so it doesnt seem so critical to start nuking the area to me. But I read somewhere that radiation could damage the implant? seems unlikely.
I wonder if anyone on this thread has gone through a similar decision?
Thanks for any input!!0 -
Patience is unfortunately not my strong suit. I'm hoping that things even out, was a lil disappointed that it was smaller. Is there immediate swelling usually? Or is it usually swelling that happens over the first couple of weeks? I was told I would be a large c or small d once finished. I don't think I'm even a c at this point.
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I had swelling immediately that lasted for at least 6 weeks, but I'm sure we're all different. I am thinking that once you're healed enough and can get fitted for a good bra you will be surprised at your size! (In a good way.)
FYI: I cried a lot the first few days. They looked too high/close together/huge!! All of those things have resolved...or are heading that way. I am not patient either, but this is one time when we just have to be. Nothing else you can do right now anyway! ;-)0 -
Yeah... I actually was hoping for larger, so not sure I'm gonna see the change I would like to just waiting. But hopefully since he didn't get it right the first go-round, he will next time. I just need a slightly larger one on my left side. My right looks ok, still not quite the size I wanted, but better than before. Still count my blessings though!
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Well, I have read on here that the "drop and fluff" makes them look larger/fuller. So keep hope alive! ;-)
(That frightens me though!! Lol.)0 -
Every time I see "drop and fluff" I want to giggle (old enough to remember laundromats who did "fluff and fold"). Asked my PS about post-surgery massage, she doesn't believe in it, but will be finding out more soon.
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Hi ladies ... I'm sure you get a lot of posts like this. I had my exchange on Tuesday and I am so worried about being disappointed! I hope I did not go through all this nonsense for nothing! The expanders were at 450 when removed and they were HUGE and I felt awkward and I didn't want anything nearly that big, but now I have 375 cc Allergan 410s and when I peek into my surgical bra I feel like there is nothing there
I am determined to be happy no matter what the outcome but I am finding that difficult after all I've been through. 0 -
jdevonm---I'm at almost 3 weeks post exchange now. I'm the opposit of you now in that my right (native) breast seems larger than my MX side. I also had much more swelling on the MX side which has gone down to about half what it was. My big problem right now is that my nipple on the lift side is very very tender!! It started about a week after surgery. Not real comfortable in a bra! Sure hoping that will go away along with the residual pain on MX side that I had with TE and still have now. I will tell you though that in 3 weeks my MX side has dropped to be almost even with the lift side and I don't think they are that far apart in size anymore. I'm going to get measured on Tues so we'll see. I tried on bras a week after surgery which was silly since I was still so swollen but the lady there guessed me at a C cup on MX side and D cup on lift side. I've just now started wearing a non underwire bra in a C cup that I fill nicely and evenly on both sides. Wait a few weeks before you really worry about the different sizes. Everyone is right....things change ALOT over the course of just the first 3 weeks!!
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Peanutsgal.....we are just about there!!!!!.....one more wake up and a ride to the PS at 6am tomorrow....surgery at 7AM(last breakfast today).....I am so excited.....just want these expanders OUT.Watch our grandson yesterday (with POP POP and uncle), and I was just not into being NANA yesterday.......into my "OMMMMMMMM" mode readying for surgery.
Hopex3....congrats on your new house....sounds like good timing for moving and surgery, even enduring the ARMOR a few more months
For now, I will be satisfied in whatever I get....filled to 550-600 and getting 600 or 650 implants....at least it will be jelly (sweet!) instead of "hard bowls"....just hoping it is smaller than the DD+ I once had before cancer and BMX
My goal for today is to complete my APPEAL to medicare, since they called my one prophylactic MX: COSMETIC
Di
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Di2012, Peanutsgal & Angielee... Your time is just about here! Try to get a good night's sleep, not much till metal-bra-less!
Cristinabelle... Not much longer!
Check in to let us know how you're doing! Have a fabulous Sunday!0 -
go go go u on the verge exchangers..excited for u!!!!!!!! i go.from being ultra stressed about exchange to having faith in my ps expertise, to just being thankful of where i am now and everything else is just frosting on top....hopefully after monday ps appt, the stress will be less...:) i am fearful that i will freak re post op re size, but the more i read here, i hope it will sink in to be patient...
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Prayers and excited hugs for all of you who are getting your exchange this week!!!! Can't wait to hear back from you and know all will go well.
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Mamatwinz... I calmed down considerably after PS pre-op, the stress had built up so much I started crying in her office, that released it. Felt good knowing decision officially made, discussed and noted. When that "feeling" appears I remind myself that I got thru mx, this exchange surgery will be a piece of cake (it's out-patient), and when I wake up afterwards, no TE's. Planning on instant relief from metal bra - that beats all. And a new pair of squishies! Have fun with the boys - keep busy, time will pass quickly, then your turn!
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hey...would love to join this "exchange" group as well, have expanders in, like bricks! how long do you have to wait before exchange after you get to the right size with the expanders?
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Has anyone had the exchange before radiation started? Any problems if so?
Thanks, I have to decide this on Tuesday, feeling anxious.0 -
Barbara,... Welcome! Exchange after last fills depends on PS. Some wait weeks, others months. Suggest you ask. The metal-bra feeling is the worst part. You'll find a lot of support here.
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Welcome Barbaheffernan! We're so glad you found us!
The time from final fill to exchange varies for each of us and is highly dependent on your personal situation and your PS. Some ladies have their exchange a month after final fill, my PS insists on 3-4 month wait for best results.
My BMX/TE placement was 11-5-12 and I'm currently in the process of over-expanding (wasn't happy with the size when TEs were full at 1-24-13 fill). If that had been my final fill I'd probably be exchanging this month. Instead, I had a great tropical vacation in March, then started over-expansion process. Currently at 750cc in 600cc expanders and am feeling MUCH better about size. But......the clock starts all over again after my final over-expansion, so exchange won't be until at least August. That's OK, though. Aside from a bit of the 'iron bra' feeling I don't have any trouble with my TE's. They're very, VERY firm due to over-expansion but not painful. I wouldn't have believed it 3-4 months ago, but I really have gotten very used to them. Right now they kind of feel like those foam stress balls that you can squeeze in your hand, it takes a pretty firm finger poke to make a dent.....lol!
Anyway, you've come to the right place to get your questions answered and express your concerns and worries. This place provides the best small group therapy I've ever had!
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Ladies who have crossed over to the squishy-side:
Don't remember seeing this, maybe you can help. Lately, whenever I try to stand from being seated or lying down I get strong pressure in the metal-bra area and helps (or seems to) to hold my chest and apply light pressure. Has anyone had this and more importantly, does it go away after exchange? So looking forward to this stopping. Thanks!0 -
Hello, I wanted to introduce myself and be added to the April exchange list. I just found out I am having my exchange on April 18th due to a leaking right tissue expander! Ugghh. When I asked if it's common to have a leak the nurse told me "no...not really". I have been obsessing about what size I will be and how they will look. I guess my "leak" will bring all this worrying to an end soon. I have to admit it will be nice not to be lopsided! Wishing everyone the best who are also getting ready for the exchange.
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Hello, ladies,
I have a question for those of you who have finished your exchanges. My husband's grandmother just passed away this morning and the funeral should be Tuesday or Wednesday. The problem is I am scheduled for exchange tomorrow morning. The dr said that he planned to move the implants closer together, but other than that should not have to do much pocket work. The question is....should I postpone my surgery or do you think the funeral would be something doable? There will be only a 45 minute travel time one way to the funeral home. I do realize everyone is different, just wanting to know if you think you would have been able to go to a funeral the day after exchange. Thanks in advance!0 -
2ndtime- I'm 5 mos out from exchange, I lost all the fullness/tightness right after exchange. When I would get up before I would have to hold the girls to get up. Now I can hop right up and have no issues.
Fippymom- welcome and congrats on getting a date.
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Peanutsgal - so sorry to hear about your family's loss.
I have trouble with anesthesia, so I would not have been able to travel the next day. Some women will probably tell you they were fine. I did have a drain after my exchange which was unexpected. What a tough decision you have to make.
Best Wishes.
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Sciencegal - I do not have experience with rads, but I wanted to tell you the boards are quieter on the weekends, so hopefully someone will answer you soon.
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