Exchange City

Yay! Shellshine. I say if you are up to it and want it, go for it! I'm actually contemplating getting an arm lift when I go back for my tweaking....why not? Good luck with your last minute school stuff and then your TWO procedures on Friday. You'll do great!



Best of luck and prayers for all you ladies having surgeries this week....Unowhoandwhy, JuicyJackie, Romey and Shellshine.

Sending huge hugs to those "exchanging" this week!  {{{hugs}}}

We're FL snowbirds and my exchange is in MN on 5/16, so we're packing up the house and getting ready to go.  But first there's a trip to DisneyWorld to meet friends from MN.  This has been planned for months and we have some fun reservations, so we've decided to go to Orlando Wed-Thurs, home to finish packing up on Friday and we're outta here on Saturday.  DH wants to wait until Sunday to leave, but my PS appt is on Tuesday next week and I'm not crazy about the idea of driving two very long days and being across town for an appt at 9am the following morning.  The cat knows something is up - she's shadowing me everywhere today.  lol

Hi Cathyann... welcome back! I'm only 2 weeks from exchange, so we're almost on the same recovery course. I, too, am a side sleeper and that's something I've had to give up the past 6 months. What works for me is LOTS of pillows to prop myself up comfortably to sleep on my back. Have to admit I have the luxury of an additional bed (DD is away at college, home maybe 1 weekend night) so I don't disturb DH with my "getting comfy" routine: 2 pillows at the base of my head, 1 on top, usually pillows to support my arms. Have also learned from wellness yoga, it sometimes helps to put a pillow under my knees and then 1 under my feet. See what I mean, this takes a while. Then can sleep usually between 2-7 hours (at most). On the nights this doesn't work, it's the good old recliner for me.

As for the bra-issue: many ladies have said that most (all?) Nordies have women specially trained for us post-mx women. If you have one in your area, I'd call ahead to find out appt availabilty. I'd hate to plan to make a day of it, and show up to find out no one's available. Also, I'm waiting to make my appt until my PS says the swelling is gone (I know it's better, not sure how to tell when it's completely gone and I'm healed enough for correct sizing).

Let us know how you're doing! 

(Edited for additional info)

Shery... so feel for you! I am so glad my PS had in writing what to do/what not to do. Then I would have proof of what I'd been told. That sucks that he can't make his mind and you're paying for it! 

Hi.

HELP PLEASE!  I have a TE/Thin Skin? I'm an Exchange Sister in Waiting...;)

I had my last fill a few weeks ago. As things have stretched and settled more, my L foob's BMX scar seems VERY stretched/thin. This foob has always been my problem one...hurt when filled, etc. The MX scar on L. side has always been wider/more tender from the beginning, but now it seems even wider, shiny skin, and I can see that the top layer of skin over that foob scar has receded and I can see another bottom thinner layer of skin under it. Hope this makes sense!

Is this normal-ish...? It hasn't EVER popped the skin open or leaked any fluids...but seems to keep stretching...I'm just a bit concerned...ACK! I'm only filled to 330cc but am very tiny/petite. I don't wear any bras cuz even sports bras mess w/ my pecs...SHOULD I be? I really don't want to drive all of the way in to my PS if this is a nothing/wait&see deal...

P.S. - No radiation or chemo.

THANKS!!!!!

I know...2nd time around..his bedside manners aren't so hot even though he's good at what he does...just want everything finished to move on...considering he mad me wait so long to have them place 1. 1/2 years ...

hey guys..i have been recouperating and wanted to check in and say "hey" to everyone!  Congrats to us gals from last week..and good luck to those ladies on the verge!  Your day will be here before you know it!    I will try to put some pics on forum, but i seem to go there and just stare at the page and get distracted by something else to do!  i am cleared to get my own bra..(no wires) same type as this post surgical closure front probably..will head to walmart tomorrow.. and check out bra forum too...pain finally MUCH better!  My right side was SOOO sore..had throbbing pain, burning pain, stinging pain..it was not fun!  My ps did a lot of pocket work and boy could I feel that!  So I saw that my rt was fuller in upper pole area than my left..and right had an indent on right outer side day after surgery..I was kinda worried.  indent has gotten better since surgery on the 23rd..and figured i would ask PS at appt today re: different fullness of foobs and indent..so PS said indent is from suture that will dissolve.  Ps stated he could "pop" suture today..depending on my pain level/soreness of that area..YES it was sore and I have not had any pain meds today..so him messing with it was tender but that suture i think was the source of my stinging pain..yikes!  ps said fullness on right is due to swelling as that side had a lot of pocket work.  told ps that i don't remember talking to him after surgery and asked nurse if he was going to come by and nurse said he already had!   so my skin was extremely super thin, very little scar tissue, and he tried various implants during surgery and felt that my skin could not handle the volume and implant would likely end up migrating. thus using sientra anatomicals..said immediately looked great on me and with my skin..   so initially was bummed, but very happy when seeing them post op in bra..very natural for my body...!    soo thankful to him!  sorry for those with ps with not so great bedside manner..it makes it tougher than it already is for us..but thankful this site is here for support when you need it.  thank you ladies for all your support and encouragement..you are all so incredibly strong, beautiful ladies..   hugs to u guys!

violet - When in doubt, always check with your PS!  Many are very open to pics sent via email.  However, my PS's PA said that they have to be good closeup photos to be helpful.  You could try calling the office to see if they could take a look via email.  Might ease your mind and possibly save you a trip.  Hope it's OK!

Thanks, Tina & Shell . I'll have to call tomorrow, as they are closed now. I'm thinking as long as the incision hasn't opened up, I should be okay...but better to call I'm sure...;) GOOD THANG the PS didn't fill me beyond 330cc's (even though *I* wanted a few more fills)...don't think my L foob could've taken it!

Congrats to all who got their new Foobies! Exciting Stuff! I can't wait to get my surgery date!

Cheryl- my 6 wk post op is tomorrow.  I ran 2 miles once a week ago, then my old dog got very ill and I have been dealing with him ever since and no more running.  Also, no Mexico.  He is doing good but he has pulmonary hypertension and it is just too risky to go that far for that long.  I am bummed to say the least but as long as he is doing well, I will survive.  Needless, to say we don't have kids.  Anyway, I can totally do the pec dance muscle guys do - it isn't pretty.  No noises, but my pecs have really loosened up and I feel weird when I push/pull the vacuum and open jars.  I am so over sleeping in an underwire.  Since I lost weight, I have some very light rippling but only when I bend over and look for it.

My nipples seem to point to outside more than before, but I can't really remember where they pointed before.  I hope no more surgeries are needed.  I will let you know if so.  Good Luck

Romey... I can understand why you feel the way you do based on your previous experience. My only suggestion would be to write down your concerns and expectations. Call PS before surgery and ask if you could speak on the phone to help alleviate your fears before surgery. If not possible, write them down (I suggest print them out so handwriting won't cause problems), discuss with whoever will be taking you on surgery day (so they can present to PS in case you're out of it when PS comes to speak with pe-surgery) making sure you have pain med when you're home (you could even make this part of your initial call so you have Rx at home BEFORE day of surgery, that's what my PS did). I was terrified before mx, this surgery was so much easier, before and after.



Mamatwinz... Glad to hear you're doing so well! How are the boys with all this?



Cheryl... Good hearing from you! Glad to hear its going so well!



Iatigger... Welcome! Hoping your exchange surgery goes well!

Sitting in pre-op and so excited to get my new tatas!

Unowhoandwhy.... I'm so excited for you!!! Hope it goes quickly for you and you have a smooth recovery!!



Cathyann.... I have found that I have to sleep on the couch. I take the cushion off the back of the couch, and I have a big fluffy body pillow that I sleep a lil upright on. I usually have to put another pillow under the body pillow to keep the support under my back. It's worked wonderfully for me. Helps that I have a very comfy couch too :-)



Today is my consult/2nd opinion. Sooo nervous.

Jdevmom - the best of luck to you on your 2nd opinion visit today!  I hope this new guy/gal will be the PS of your dreams and all will be well with you (eventually ) when he/she works their magic!

uno...., Juicy...., Romey and Shellshine - I ditto everyone's excitement for you all this week!

mama - I am still on the sofa too, although with me I think it's become more of a habit than anything.  I slept in a bed with my hubby for a week when we were on vacation in March so I know I can do it.  My problem is that I've become so accustomed to having the TV on while I fall asleep that I fear trying to fall asleep in the relative silence of the bedroom (relative in this sense meaning if hubby hasn't started snoring yet!).  I know I'm not alone though, because I chatted with another BC reconstruction gal at the gym and she laughed and said she has the same problem!