Exchange City
Comments
-
Gosh - am I normal? I'm just can't get worked up about size, tenderness, shape, etc. I had cancer, I took the the breast tissue out, no more cancer, yucky expanders for 3 months, getting replaced with a good type of implant, people say I'm still attractive at 58, just not thinking about it that much. If they are uneven, oh well, they weren't identical before. No one sees them but my husband and I. They will look good in a swimsuit. I have a date - my biggest concern - just want it OVER WITH. I may live to regret this post in a month or two, but for now that's where my head is at, and it works for me!
Di2012, Angielee, Cristinabelle, 2ndtime & Peanutsgal - it's your turn this week. SO HAPPY for you! You will be in our thoughts.
0 -
2nd time.. I had the same fulleness/tightness, felt as if everything had to resettle... I do not have that feeling any longer
peanut... sorry for your loss. I could do pretty much anything right after exchange.. Do not lift your arms however.. You might have drains ( I did) but like you said everyone is different.
0 -
2nd Time: I could not lie (lay???) down at all with my TE's due to that pain. I still had some discomfort after exchange nd it gradually got better. Now, 8 weeks out, it is GONE!!!!!! :-)
So, if you don't feel instant relief, please do not despair! I had read so many stories of immediate relief that I was kind of devistated when I didn't wake up "cured." I hope yours is immediate, but if not, give it some time.
Peanut: I am so sorry!
I did not go anywhere for a few days after exchange, but if I had to I could have. I think you might get very tired, so try to plan ahead how/where you can rest. And just know that you may NOT feel up to it. I struggled some with the after anesthesia stuff again, emotional, tired, constipated....it did not last more than a few days...much less than BMX, but you may not feel quite yourself. Then again, there are ladies here who say they felt fantastic immediately after. I hope that is the case for you!0 -
peanutsgal---I had my exchange on a Tues at 7:30am was on my way home about 1pm. I stayed on the couch the rest of the day but was not sleepy or nauseaous. I them puttered around the house on Wed but didn't go anywhere, took my meds and generally took it easy. I felt fairly lousy! On Thurs I woke up feeling great! I attended a sporting event at 11am (someone drove me) but all that was required was that I sit in a chair and visit with people. I stayed for about 3 hours and went home but still felt pretty good. On Fri I had my followup with my PS. Someone drove me there. I felt that I could have done it myself but PS is an hour drive so I thought not to risk it. My helper then went home and it was just me and hubby after that with no problems. About 3 hours after PS visit though, my TE type pain came back with a vengance so I did go back on Flexeril for muscle spasms and have been on it since (3 weeks). But I was driving myself around with no problem on the Sat after surgery. If funeral is on Wed, you might be OK if you just drive there and stay in a chair, but if it's the next day, I think you'd be sorry you went. Hope that helps some.
0 -
Sciencegal,
I had radiation on my right side..the only thing that I have noticed is that it is a little bit sm..than my left and a little tighter but is soft..but otherwise looks good..0 -
Hello Ladies, it's been a while since I posted. I learn a great deal from reading all your posts. My exchange surgery is coming up in a couple of days. I'd love to be able to see some of the before and after pictures. Can you tell me how to see the posted photos?
I'm concerned because I've had radiation on one side and the TEs sure look different from each other. My PS said he'll do the best he can to keep them symetrical. I would love to hear some replies from anyone who's had radiation and their thoughts on the outcome after the exchange.
Thank you, Cristineabelle
0 -
Sciencegal, wow, W. Warwick, RI... I'm from Tiverton, RI; practically neighbors.
I see that you've had radiation yourself. How long have you been post exchange? Are they visually symetrical? It sounds like you're quite happy with the result. (sorry if you've discussed this already, I have been trying to catch up on everyone's posts). Any last minute advice before my surgery on Tuesday?
thanks, C
0 -
thnx 2nd time.. hugs 2 u!
barb.. i have come to understand that each ps has their own style/plan re exchange..so everone on here is a little different. i would ask your ps. mine said 2-3 months minimum after last fill..
0 -
Christinabel,
Think you had me confused with Sciencegal...I was messaging her...I had my MX July 28,2011 and finally had my reconstruction Feb 15 2013.. My right side was the cancer side and the only thing I don't like is that it is alittle smaller than the left and a little firmer but all in all they look natural...can't tell you not to be nervous because I was...but good luck0 -
Thank you everyone for your responses and for sharing your experiences. I just found out that the funeral will not be until Wednesday. My DH is encouraging me to go ahead with surgery and I think I should be ok enough by then.
0 -
Thanks Chrisrenee, Ossa & Dulcigirl... I am SO tired of pain/discomfort and not able to get sufficient, restful sleep! Sorry, but I'm ready to move on from this stage, almost 6 months, so I'm looking for the change.
Shellshine... I think you're normal, just think situations are different. Above all, so grateful cancer is GONE! Hoping I don't become OCD after exchange, so craving relief from pain and normalcy after so many years. I want to be somewhat symmetrical so I don't need pads to look even. At my age (same as you) I'd love to feel pretty again.
Peanutsgal... Prayers for you and your family. Try not too overdo.0 -
sorry peanuts.. thinking of u and your family..
0 -
Cheryl most of my questions will be about my lat flap surgery side. The natural side seems just great. I do massage a couple times a day when I think about it. Mostly I kind of use a karate chop motion on the top of the pol. I also massage from the armpits toward the center. He told me to work it down and towards center. My lat flap side isn't going anywhere.
Shell shine I think like you do. Due to having a lat flap with implant on the left and just an implant on righty, they will never be close to the same. They look good in a bra though and the cancer is gone so I'm happy.0 -
Peanuts, Im sorry for your family's loss.
Good luck ladies on your upcoming exchanges. It must be so exciting. I cant wait.
I hope everyone is thrilled with their outcome.
Welcome to Fippym.
Healing hugs to all.
0 -
Sherry67, sorry about that mixup. Thanks for that info. I am nervous but very excited to have this part of journey overwith. I had my double mx July '12 and my last fill was Dec. My PS didn't want to do this any sooner because the rad side was so hard and tight, he was hoping it would soften up a bit before the exchange. It's still so tight and doesn't move a mm. He'll be doing a lot of pocket work. Hope I don't have drains. Fingers crossed.
Cristinabelle
0 -
Well, here it is almost one in the am and sleep is nowhere to be found. I'm just a big bundle of nerves and excitement!the thing I'm most scared of is them not being able to find a vein. I have been ultra hydrating all afternoon and evening in the hopes that it would plump out my veins. I'm soooooooo ready to get this over with. Best of luck to Di2012, angielee and christinabell and 2 time around this week. Hope your surgeries are smooth, recovery is easy and results are what you were hoping for! Nite all. Maybe I can sleep a little before that 4:30 alarm sounds.
0 -
Hang in there Pam (just in case you check back here)! Honestly the most difficult part is over: the mx. You got thru that, this is a piece of cake! When you wake up from surgery, no metal bra, and new foobs! Try to relax as best you can, maybe some slow, deep breathing. Check back when you're up to it. ((hugs))
0 -
Christinabel,
Hope for no drains...I didn't have any..but was very greatful to get the expanders out..I was in pain everyday from them..still have a little discomfort but nothing like before...good luck tomorrow ....0 -
Peanutsgal......TODAY IS OUR DAY!!!....I will be in the car in less than an hour....I was up and showered before 4:30am and I am trying to ignore the smell of coffee.....mmmmm
I am sorry to read of the death of a family member, my thoughts are with you and all your family.
Angielee, thinking of YOU today too.....3 of us will be in "lala land"
Sweet dreams ladies and may all you wishes come true!....
My dream came true when I was CANCER FREE!
Di
0 -
good luck ladies!!!
0 -
Good luck, ladies!
0 -
Well, it's official! I've crossed over to the squishy side and it is a WONDERFUL, immediate relief from those torture devices. I'm sitting in a recliner post op and am so grateful and relieved. I Hope Di2012 and Angielee are doing well also. Thank you again for your well wishes for my family. Will check in when I'm able to remove bandages tomorrow.
0 -
Peanutsgal... Wow! That was fast!! Surgery and home - so quick! Wishing you a relaxing, comfortable, pain free day and from here out, also to Di2012 and Angielee!
0 -
yay peanutsgal!!!
0 -
Peanutsgal......I am also home and well too....muching and ready for lunch! But it is only 11am Feels so much different and better......I was given an 8.5 x 11 picture of my used expanders.....my exchange surgery was very short my husband wasn't even back to the PS office to pick me up me.....it took less than 2 hours and my hubby is amazed I was so alert.....I have a small bandage under each foob and my special bra.....nothing else. and PS said can make an appointment for my next surgery in 3 months.
The Chief of Surgery at the U of WA was also there for my surgery as my PS teaches at the UW.....usually my PS has very very young new docs shadowing/learning from him and he is only 41.
I don't care how these foobs look, but they feel great....all 600cc gels....I feel great too....but I know I will be taking a nap since I went to bed at midnight and got up at 4:15am because I could not sleep......lunch first, soon and a then a snooze for me is in my immediate plans....
Di
0 -
So very happy for you dear one!!! Get some rest today, okay?
Thinking of all of you,, such an exciting day!!!!
0 -
Peanuts and Di: So happy for you both........having a bit of exchange envy here!
Seriously, though, way to go and I hope once they settle in you'll both be delirious with happiness 
.Cristinabelle, Fippy and 2nd_time: You gotta be having butterflies, huh? Let's continue the string of happy squishy recipients!
0 -
peanuts and Di- congrats on your squishy crossover! So excited for you. Get some sleep tonight and take your pain meds on a schedule for the next several days.
0 -
Congrats to those newly crossed over to the Squishy Side!
0 -
Congrats, Peanutsgal and Di ... Now, rest up!
S&S... Thanks, keeping busy today. No butterflies (at least, yet). Just focusing on the results.
0
