Exchange City

Thanks ladies!

TinaT- I'm actually not sure.  I don't think so though, I think he's just going to use it at the pre-op, but I'll ask him about that during the appt.  Thanks for the advice, I have browsed around that thread in the past but not a whole lot recently. I'll look into it.  

I'm fortunate that I have a friend who (unfortunately) had a mastectomy and reconstruction by my same surgeons and she went through the whole get fitted and bring a bra to the pre-op appt too.  I asked her and she said hers were the same size post exchange as the expander she got fitted for, so hopefully my PS is able to make that the case for me too.  I just can't help but worry a little about things here and there, it would suck to have purchased all these new bras only to have them not fit in a few weeks.

I had a dream about my exchange last night, in the dream I woke up with a pretty flower tattoo already covering the incision site.  I remember thinking in the dream that that was a good idea, to tattoo while I'm still under anesthesia, but of course when I woke up I realized that wouldn't work, lol.  All the options are definitely a little overwhelming!

Violet 1,



Do you have access to the picture forum? Many of the ladies on there have posted their stats along with their implant size and style. We could all tell you what we have, but until you see a picture of what they look like in relation to chest wall size, it's just a bunch of inches, implant styles and cc's. It helped me immensely to see someone that was my height (5'6") my weight (125) same chest size (29.5" just under expanders) and with the style implant I was considering and received (450cc mentor high profile). It takes a little time to match up with someone, but when you do, you can get a pretty good idea of what that implant could look like on you. Good luck!

Shelly.... Sent you PM

PM Lilah or nowheregirl (members here on BCO) for access. It is a separate site from BCO.

Hi ashell, I was unable to get a response from nowheregirl but did get an immediate reply from Lilah.   

CindyLooWho - Thanks for the feedback on the style 45's...I am glad to hear they worked out well...do they really feel much better than the expanders?  Wishing you the best with your upcoming revision!

Drains are out and surgical bra is in the trash! Woot! PS said I can wear any bra I want, as long as it doesn't have an underwire. Hope everyone else is healing well!

Chi: what is your projection#'s for your implants?

Thanks!

Congrats, violet!  Isn't it a great feeling to know we've just about rounding this corner?  If you go to the top of the Implant Sizing thread, there are links for most of the common implant manufacturers and you can see the stats (height, width, projection) for the various models and sizes.

I thought of you, Dulcigirl, when my PS said this morning she might give me 800cc 45s.  lol  Its okay, I'm ready for some new clothes.  Can't wait!

Just an observation:



I realized the other day that I no longer get the sharp stabbing pain in my arm pit like when I had TE's and walked down refrigerated or frozen food aisles in the grocery store!! Kind of like having a super bad headache and then realizing its just gone! Same with a muscle pain/nerve pain in my back between shoulder and arm pit! Pains just gone away with the nasty TE's!



For all of you with upcoming exchange surgeries: there IS light at the end of the tunnel (and its NOT an oncoming train)!

Hi Lala1 - There is light at the end of the tunnel.  2nd_time_around and I share an exchange date anniversary and my experience with the discomfort has been the same.  I woke up a couple days ago and realized that I'm no longer in pain or feeling any really discomfort beyond the internal itching from all the cutting and stitching (which you probably won't have to deal with if you have had a "normal" exchange...my exchange surgery took almost an hour longer than my BMX).  Once the swelling went down even the "too-small-bra" tightness went away.  Hang in there! It does get better.

Hi 2nd_time_around, thanks! So sorry to hear about the slip. I hope the swelling resolves quickly, those unexpected little things can really throw a wrench in the works (got a "high five" about a week after surgery by some well-meaning acquaintance that brought me to the verge of tears).

I got the okay to start "gentle" massage at my last visit, but I have no clue what that means (all the videos online I've found are for cancer screening or augmentation...talk about a day late lol!).  Between the alloderm and the textured implants I don't think anything will be moving enough to massage for some time anyway so I've just been working on massaging the new incisions.

At the same appointment, I also was told it was safe to start ROM exercises with a resistance band.  The movement definitely seems to have helped with lossening things up, especially along the serratus on both sides.  The first couple days after the exchange, it felt like my arms were stapled down. 

Each day the mental image of Sally from Nightmare Before Xmas presents itself less and less.

MNSusan,

It Was ME....it is on page 960

Di

Are you excited about next week?

Random question.....do implants have a shelf life or expiration??  In other words, assuming there are no problems, are they in my body forever?  I'm 50 now, so will they be with me for the next 50 years????

What I remember reading in my Mentor Memory Gel booklet like everything, they do wear out.....will have to dig into my medical records to find my booklet....will give a more definitive answer, as soon as I find it.

There is a warranty too.

Di

Just got home from PS, as I found I still had one suture sticking out of my body!