Exchange City
Comments
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yay violet!!
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Hi,
I have always been on the TNBC site and see some familiar names! I thought the ladies here could give me some help. I had my implants 2 yrs ago..I told him B's and came out with D's. Finally found time in my schedule for trade out to 400 teardrop gummies. After a week, I had the drains removed. (Looking back) the right one had just started to swell (I thought it was turning into a real boob and was happy!) 36 hrs later I have a full fledged infection. Changed antibiotics, had IV Vanco and another anti at the office, with another dose tomorrow. Just your opinion on your experience...what do you think the chances are that I"ll have to have it removed? He told me to plan on it and then changed his mind before he saw me this am. Would love to hear back from anyone:) Thank you!!
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Woohoo to being on the squishy side!! I'm done, back home and am resting. Got home around 2 pm and was SHOCKED at how good I feel! Just some soreness on right side under breast from where my PS had to do some pocket work. She told me I did great and they look fabulous. Haven't seen them yet. Came home with gauze stuffed down in a surgical bra. Says I can take off tomorrow to check them out and shower. Then wear surgical bra 24/7 for the first week. Can't wait to see them. Hope I'm happy with the results. I did sneak my hand down inside to feel and they are super soft-almost as good as my old boobs! Lol
I wound up with Mentor smooth round high profiles (400 on left & 450 on right). Have some chest wall issues that she had to correct symmetry on so knew they would be different sized implants on each side. My PS said she tried on teardrop gummies but largest size FDA approved is 400. She said they looked too small on me and knew I wouldn't be happy losing size. She said the Mentor rounds look lovely on me.
Thanks for the support! You were right. This surgery was SO much easier than BMX. I feel great, just tired. But will heed your words of advice anyway and rest. Just because you can doesn't mean you should!
Jen0 -
thirdgen; YAY! So happy for you, Jen! Can't wait for us all to share pics--this weekend I'll have my Beau take pics...then I'll have to figure out how to put pics up on the forum...;)
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Lorij44 & Violet_1 -------> Welcome to the squishy side!!!!!!
Thirdgenerationmomof2 ---------> Today was your day....oh happy squishy day to you!
Sciencegal---------> My thought will be with you tomorrow.....sweet dreams tonight.... about your new squishys!
My exchange surgery,operating suite, doctor, and nurse anesthetist, & lab all were paid for for BY MEDICARE, with a small portion going to be billed to my secondary insurance.....they denied the IMPLANTs.....GO FIGURE.....they are out to drive me C-R-A-Z-Y!
I see my PS for my second time post exchange surgery on Friday, and I will know for sure if I am still on for July 8 for revision, or sooner....fingers crossed.
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Violet thanks! We can swap recovery stories lol....hope you are feeling good today.
Sciencegal good luck tomorrow! Will be thinking of you. Let us know when you can how you make out.
Di yay that's great about Medicare! Crazy about denying implants. Can they legally do that?? Reconstruction by law is covered after a bc diagnosis. Not sure how they can get away with not covering them. Keeps fingers crossed your 07/08 sticks!
Jen0 -
Jen - So glad to hear that you are doing so well and that our experiences were similar, both before and after surgery...it's just crazy what we can do to ourselves with all of that worrying.
Wishing you, Lorij & violet a speedy and smooth recovery!
Sciencegal - I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping you will keep this little trend of positivity and good results going. All of us here deserve any joy we are lucky enough to experience, and then some!!!
Di - That is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! Good luck tomorrow!
Peace and comfort to all... (edited to correct typo)0 -
Even though my PS wants all patients to wear a bra 24-7 for 2 weeks, I am finding I CAN'T right now--makes me super sore/very painful. I've tried my loosest sports bra even...
PS called me last night & said it was ok if it hurts me too much...I go see her Tomorrow, so I'll get the scoop then...maybe after the swelling/tenderness goes down, it'll be easier to wear a bra? I don't have my incisions below my breasts, but bras just make me hurt all over. YET, I don't want the implants to shift, etc...
Experience/comments Anyone? Thanks!
sciencegal: Rooting for you for Tomorrow!
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Violet,
i have been wearing one of those skinny strapped stretchy sports bra with a insert (form), no hooks....bought one after my BMX because I had just flabs of skin where my breast were and needed it for a form just to feel a little bit normal....I found them at Nordstroms Rack for $4.97....liked them so much I bought 4 more, and recently bought 3 more on a Groupon. (don't like the new ones forms, but the other forms fit in just dandy, I did have incisions under my breast with suture sticking out so I wore them a little up above the breast fold so I would not have any irritation.....they are so stretchy they are pretty harmless....I mainly wear them for the form, since I have creases that show thru on both foobs. This is what they look like:
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Di: Thanks...I'm not sure which size to buy...was gonna order the Genie Bra also...but am torn about which size will actually fit/be ok w/ the swelling, etc...since I can't try them on. The Walmart here does not have Genie bras...the Drugstore DID, but in XL,2XL, etc...
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Hey all!
Sorry I've been MIA too, busy with school and prepping for my exchange. But now the semester is over and my exchange is TOMORROW! Check in time at 6am, so excited even though I am not an early bird. Just wanted to check in, I hope everyone whose had their exchanges is doing well and that those who are coming up are as excited for the squishies as I am.
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Di, these are the type bras I've been wearing:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fruit-of-the-Loom-Comfort-Front-Close-Sports-Bra-Style-96014/13997192?_mm
Because of the swelling, put stacks of gauze pads under foobs between bra band and skin. Ziplock bags of ice chips placed on swelling (ice cubes hurt).
Hoping you're feeling better soon!0 -
2nd time..that is the bra i came home from hospital in!
except with velcro/adjustable straps! very comfy!0 -
Congratulations Violet and Thirdgen, I am so glad things went well.
And thanks to all for your positive wishes today. I will take them all with me to the hospital!
My exchange surgery is at noon today (California time) and can't wait to cross over to the squishy side.
Hugs to all0 -
Mamatwinz, I came home from the hospital with one like you described with velcro straps, the fabric is stiffer and rougher though even with several washings. The one to the link above is made of a heavier t-shirt fabric and much softer (the design is slightly different with softer gathers under the foobs and is totally more comfy).
Sciencegal, hang in this morning, will be over soon enough!0 -
hi ladies. I hope everyone is healing. I couldn't take the pain anymore so i went to ps yesterday crying in pain. i swore that my te was out of place. He said it wasnt and he deflated it some and then sent me to the e.r. for some test. Er doc sad i havesome pulled muscles and sent me home with flexeril. great more pills to take. Guess i ripped something at work or lifting my grandbaby. Anyway my boss pulled me off the schedule till after surgery. So I am depressed that if it pulled muscles than the surgery wont help but thankful it wasnt anything bad. healing hugs to all
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melmcbee: I'm so sorry you're experiencing such pain
. Hang in there. I'm glad it's not the TE causing the pain because then the worry would be that an implant would possibly have the same effect. Use the flexeril and do your best to let that pulled muscle rest and heal. Probably kinda hard with that grandbaby needing your care. Sending gentle ((((((hugs)))))) and prayers for relief for you.Violet and third_gen: very glad all went well for you both and Violet, I hope you get resolution to the bra pain soon! I wear a No-boundaries stretchy bra that I get for something like $4.95 each at walmart. This link shows a 2-pack for $9.92 (2nd row, 2nd image from the right). http://www.walmart.com/browse/apparel/intimates/no-boundaries/5438_1078024/YnJhbmQ6Tm8gQm91bmRhcmllcwieie?_refineresult=true. They're listed as a junior bra but I can wear the large or extra large with my 750cc TEs (33" ribcage).
Sciencegal: here's to waking up nice and squishy later today!!
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Thanks everyone- we are off to the hospital, I will post after I cross over to the squishy side.
Hugs to all!0 -
2 Quick ?'s:
-Has anyone developed a SUPER sore throat after their Exchange Surgery from the tube they put down your throat? I have had a dry cough immed. after I woke up from the exchange (Tues.)...and yesterday (Wed) I got the sore throat...AWFUL! I'm staying w/ my MUM right now and SHE developed a cough/bronchitis a week before my surgery (but no sore throat for her). I'm just wondering if it's a viral thing or simply developed from the tube in my throat during surgery.
-I had my post-op PS appoint. this morning--all is ok incision-wise...:) but she had only given me ONE day of post-surgery antibiotics! Is that normal? I thought she'd give me 5 days or so...?
I go to my regular doctor at 2:45 this afternoon for him to check me out...I'll ask him, but was wondering what some of YOUR experiences were here...
THANKS SO MUCH! More later...I've been gone all day...
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Violet, my throat was very sore and I was hoarse for a good 3 days post-op. I think I had more discomfort with my throat than from the exchange and was eating lozenges like candy the first few days! I am still taking anti-biotics as I was given a 10 day prescription following both my BMX and exchange surgeries.
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Violet I had bad sore throat after exchange from the tube down my throat. All day yesterday it was raw and sore and I was hoarse. Today a little better but somewhat sore. Been drinking lots of fluids and taking cough drops.
My PS did not prescribe me any antibiotics only pain meds. Trying to switch to Tylenol only today. Been since 6 pm last night when I last took the Percocet.
Did take bandages off today in shower. There was yellow strips over my incisions (around areola). Not quite steri strips but thin strips. I did not remove them but when showering the one on the left fell off and I noticed a few drops of blood coming out of my incision. Once I dried off and put a fresh gauze pad over top for a few minutes, it stopped. Gonna keep an eye on it to make sure no more bleeding. Scared the crud out of me!
Jen0 -
Violet your sore throat is probably due to being intubated during your surgery.....my throat was sore post BMX for me because I was intubated and put under general anesthesia ....both my expander surgery and my exchange to squishy surgery I was not intubated (just conscious sedation through an IV), and did not have a sore throat.
Just read that you were wondering about size of a stretchy bra....I recall you were really tiny so a XS or S would do fine for you....my groupon bras were one size fits all.....another idea, I used was a stretchy bandeau bra, still wear then some days, as I like NO STRAPS (always WAS way too big and "heasdlight pointing to my toes" ...I used a bandeau bra under my positioning band (from my PS) as many kinds of elastic bother my skin.
I had to rip those "hook in the front" PS bras off after 24 hours, had one with expander surgery and another after my exchange surgery so I have a beige and a white, useless bras, will save them for after my revision surgery, then it is byb bye for them!
Cough drops do wonders! feel better soon
Di
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Violet - Ditto what everyone else wrote about the sore throat, it's likely from intubation. I was quite hoarse and sore for about 4-5 days, but they warned me of that so it didn't surprise me.
Prior to my surgery I asked about antibiotics and was told that they would give me a heavy-duty IV antibiotic during the surgery and I wouldn't need any oral antibiotics at all.
Hope everyone is doing well!
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MelMcbee.....sorry about your torn muscles.....hope you are feeling fine with the flexeril....Get well before your exchange.....I know muscles take time to heal, but here's hoping without work or lifting a grandbaby, you will heal real quickly.....gentle hugs flying your way--------->
Di
Watching my grandson snore & sleep, since hubby picked him up at school(1st grade) & he came here SICK today....waiting for our daughter to pick up her sick child.....I want to be well tomorrow AM as I see my PS.
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Hi all...I had my revision today.skin tightening under lefty, so she will sit higher to match righty. And correcting a "dog ear" on the incision on the right.
She did some fat grafting for the upper pole. They gave me propofol this time instead of general...wow so much better.
The fat grafting spots really hurt now. And boy there is a rainbow bruise already! But I'm so happy to be done. I can't wait to see how everything looks.
My Ps has decided to get certified in 3-D tatooing, she already does regular tatooing. Anyway, it's a one day training for physicians, and they need to bring a patient and she asked me if I wanted to go! I'm soooo thrilled. So she said I will get the benefit of the instructor who has 40 yrs experience for free!
It's in July so I will meet my deadline of being DONE by my 50th birthday in August.
Happy to hear all you girls have joined Team Squishy.0 -
Hi CindyLooWho! So glad to hear things went well today. I am very excited for you to see the results, hopefully soon...looking forward to your next update.
Wishing you peace and comfort...0 -
CindyLooWho.....hpw exciting to be done except for the tattooing....and then have the offer & invitation of your doctor and her instructor....WOW....great news!!!!
I am up for July 8 revision, tell me how much the pain is....I know my PS will be doing some sculpting, fat grafting on both my foobs....
My PS believes in the conscious sedation for most procedures and I was always intubated for all my other 20 surgeries (not breast related) so I was a little skeptical but with my last 2 surgeries with My PS I used concious sedation and I loved it....so much more alert and not a "drugged haze" hanging over my head when I awoke, even able to dress myself with very little help.
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Di2012...I must say I am hurting today. The fat grafting areas are very sore. She took about 20 ccs from my abdomen for the left upper pole and it HURTS.
I can't imagine what it must feel like to have actual lipo! Yikes
The skin she corrected on the left hurts too. Which I'm surprised I have feeling there.
I must say more painful than exchange.0 -
Hey all, just checking in since I can't sleep. Had my exchange yesterday morning at about 8, was done at about 11 and home around 1pm. It went well, already way better without the expander but I am a lot more sore than I thought I would be. And my mouth is always sooo dry, I've been drinking so much water and, well, you can imagine the consequences of that lol. But way less nausea this time since they pulled out all the stops to prevent it, but still a little. Inevitable for me I guess. Also the range of motion in my arms is amazing compared to last time.
Alright, gonna hopefully go back to sleep, only 5:30 here. Hope everyone is healing well and the rest are excited for exchanges coming up0 -
Hello everyone,
I am new to this thread. I hope everyone well and am sorry that we all have to go through this. I will try to make this short and sweet. On May 21, 2012 I had DX and TEs were placed, then on June 5 or 6, 2012 I had to have subsequent surgery b/c where the incision was my skin turned black on both sides, I guess this was dead skin. They removed it and stitched me back up, my right side healed fine. Well my PS's nurse pulled the knot of the stitch through my skin on my left side, which had radiation back in 2007 and that made a little hole the size of a pencil eraser. I went back for followups and my PS never saw me his nurse did and she would say don't come back until you are healed. What kind of nurse says that? So finally I decided to make appt with surgeon this was in October 2012 and he gave me salvedene cream and that didn't work and on November 14, 2012 he did procedure and cut that part out and sewed me back up. I finally healed and we started the expansion phrase. I was originally a size D and had wide breasts. I knew that I would not be a size D after this process and have learned to accept that. He knew that I wanted to be close to that as possible. After having two subsequent surgeries to get healed up, I think he should have know that he needed to do a skin graft so I had sufficient skin to expand to help me reach my goal. At the initial meeting with the PS, he had told me that he doesn't like to work on patients that had radiation but agreed to do me, boy was I stupid on that note. I like to be involved in my medical care ever since cancer dx. This guy doesn't like to answer my questions b/c he says I'm a worry wort - I worry more when I don't know what is going to happen. On May 21, 2013 I had the implants put in and am SO DISAPPOINTED, crying alot. I am flat chested and it's hard for me believe that I went through all this misery for nothing. If I would have known I was going to be flat chested, I would have had the DM that's it, no reconstruction. I tried the Breast 101, but my surgeon's office would not give me the info needed for Deborah to answer my questions. I really thought getting the implants in would get rid of the creases/folds that I have, he did mention to me that when he does my nipples that he would correct that, gee i guess I will be even smaller. I thought hvaing the implant surgery would be the last main surgery that i would have with this ordeal. My family doesn't get it, they just keep telling me that I should be grateful that there is no cancer. As you all know, I am grateful. I wish they would stop telling me that. I really want to see another PS advice, but don't want to burden the family any more. My husband is tired of it being "about me" since 2007.
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