Exchange City
Comments
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Di: I get occasional what I call phantom pain, not exactly like you describe (I can barely remember what nursing felt like!), and it's not very painful. Just sort of a quick throb or two or an ache for a few seconds and then it's gone. Also in my prophylactic side like you, though, that's interesting. And I say phantom pain because I don't have any surface feeling at all for a good 3-4" wide band across both breasts. It's weird. Maybe it's nerves regenerating, I hope, I hope, I hope
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I finally had my last fill on Monday! yea and ouch! Still a little crampy with all 800cc in there. Really can't wait for exchange after reading all the posts on this thread. But will wait the 3months and enjoy the summer as much as I can. Late Sept/early Oct is whan PS will try to schedule exchange, just waiting on the office to come up with the date. Can't believe I don't need to have any more trips to the PS for now, yea!(will kind of miss the guy, he's easy to talk to) The appts and surgery dates have just been non stop since my dx in Dec 2012. Needing a break, but can't forget with these boulders on my chest, but will try to relax some between working days and enjoy the ball games, cook outs and the out of doors! Good luck to all who have upcoming surgeries and those who are healing. Will be reading about your experience and progress!
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Di, my insurance denied my prophylactic side too, but my surgeon contacted them and got them to approve it. I didn't even know he had done that, until I called the insurance company to ask about the denial, and they told me he had called and it was approved. It was a stressful weekend till I found out!
I haven't had sweating issues, but now my face is breaking out like I was 16 again! I think I'd rather have sweating than zits at 56! Naturally I can't get an appointment with my dermatologist till July 1, so I hope it doesn't get any worse or ill have to wear a phantom of the opera mask. Sheesh.0 -
Thanks Liza Jayne...I do have skin feeling all over both my breast, just the "HOT TURN ON button" is missing.
My MX scars are from former nipple area down to almost the fold....not side to side/not left to right.
My eye surgeon was amazed that my prophylactic MX wasn't covered by insurance, since I did have cancer in the other one! He told me one of the nurses in his 3 doc eye clinic had a prophylactic MX along with her cancer MX....no problem with insurance.
Mamasixtaz....congrats on being filled full....now just enjoy the summer....as soon as they start feeling normal and you can sleep on your side, it will be time to have your exchange.
Di
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Went for appt with new PS they hired at the clinic. She was going to put on the nipples but now changed her mind. Says I need new implants,these dont look right. I am puzzled. Says they need to be bigger,says these are too small for my body. After she pointed out the defects, I tend to agree. However, was disappointed as I wanted to get the nipples and be done with the surgeries. Also she does not work out of the hospital,says too many germs. Going to a special surgery center. Dont know their routine so am full of anxiety. July 1st is tentative date. However, went to see son at his med convention in Miami and I got caught in a swarm of angry mosquitoes. (I am so lucky!) Now covered in bites, dont know if she can do surgery but of course the bites are not on the vital parts. They cover my cleavage area,back and shoulders. Not too much itching as using sulfur ointment however, they look like a terrible case of acne with heat rash.
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DI2012- I too am about to start the battle with the insurance. I knew before I had my NS BMX that they were denying the right(prophy) however I went ahead with surgery, because of the WHCA Law I know legally they have to and figured Id battle it out after. Telling you peolple at Insurance co are idiots. Havent gotten the official denial and EOB yet as surgery was on 5/31 but as soon as I do I will file for apeal. From what I understand in talking with them is that the will pay mastecomy for left (cancer) but not for right (non-cancer)and they will pay reconstruction for both, makes no sense
One question what part of surgery are they saying they will not cover?
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cateyz2...
for right now, I have been denied the prophylactic MX, other side paid for....Medicare said it is cosmetic....I protested, and my BS also sent a letter....I was denied again...evidently they did not receive my Surgeons' letter....I can try once again......
My hospital bill 6 mo ago has not been paid....entire amount DENIED ($41400.) they want more info from the hospital and told me if the hospital does not provide it, I do not have to pay
STRESS.....what I don't need.....see my BS tomorrow
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di2012, please be sure to let me know how it all works out for you with Ins, would be curious as I battle them too. You can PM
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dulci..I checked, and mine are "cool" after workout too... :O ! Just thought I'd share..
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I'm dealing with insurance issues, too. My COBRA coverage ends June 30 and I've applied for continued coverage with the same company. They called the other night with tons of questions. I expect they'll cover me but at what cost???
Mine are also cool when the rest of me is hot (hot flashes are interesting when the boobs are cool - wish I could feel them) and my underarms now stink, too. For years I haven't had to wear deodorant every day, and now its a must!!
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Wow, so many of you who's boobs feel 'cool' even after working out. Mine don't sweat in the entire area where the skin has been stretched, but they're nice and warm. I constantly remark about that to my husband. It just seems weird to me because while I know it's my own real skin and the blood flow is what makes them warm, I still think of them as not really me, know what I mean? Seems like they should be cool and not feel like real flesh and blood.
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Good evening! STEWBIE2, MNSUSAN & DI2012 - Thank you for your kind words and support as I go through my implant ordeal.
I read that sarcomas (which is what I had on right side, 4 weeks to the day post-implant exchange surgery) occur in about 1% of patients...bad for me, but hopefully good for most others. It has been really difficult emotionally for me since needing to have my right implant removed 8 days ago, but has become a little better each day since the initial shock of it all. I had expanders placed during the same surgery as the BMX, so I never had to see either side flat as my right side is now. I am just really hoping the pocket stays open enough for me to have another implant placed rather than an expander during the next surgery. Either way, I know my PS will do what she thinks will give me the best outcome.
I have been trying to catch up on posts and wanted to mention that I have had "spitting" sutures on both sides follwing my exchange surgery and still have them on both sides even after right implant removal. Like so many of you, my PS said it is not uncommon and no cause for concern. I feel relieved knowing others had this happen and less like there was a problem with my incisions healing...another great benefit from the posts on these boards.
About the perspiration - I have noticed not only an increase but also the odor seems to come on much quicker than ever before, but this is only the case on my cancer side. I am wondering if this might be tied to lymph node removal as I had 2 sentinels plus one more removed on right side, none on left.
DI2012 & CATEYZ2 (and anyone else fighting their insurance provider) - I am horrified that you are having to fight your providers for coverage on the prophy side...cosmetic, reallly? That is simply insane and I am so sorry you are having to deal with that ridiculousness on top of BC.
Wishing peace and comfort to all...0 -
Good luck,ChiSharona with the insurance idiots. You may be onto something,cause the sweat on the lymph node removal side stinks and the other side catches up in a few hrs. Nothing seems to help much,tried the Mitchum and have to stay cool. If I sweat thats it! And I like to wear the simple tea tree deo.
Yeah,how is it that the implants stay cool when I feel like I am leaning on the stove eyes? Thought it was just me. It might be cause my skin is normally cold to the touch, my fiance always says oh you/re cold let me turn off the AC. Back away from that AC dial and nobody will get hurt. LOL
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I have ALWAYS been a heavy sweater so that's not new to me with this journey. I was just surprised to realize I now have two areas that remain bone dry even when the rest of me is covered with sticky stink
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Haven't been on this board for awhile. Excited but scared !! Exchange is this Tuesday the 25th. I have never hated anything more then I hate these TE, but am also worried about the pain and also having some lymph glands removed from the armpit so worried about that. Just want it OVERWITH. Praying for no complications!!
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Tangles good luck..surgery is always a scary thought.I have revision on July 9 th.
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Tangles: Praying for calm confidence for you and incredible relief after the exchange. You'll do great!
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Good luck, tangles! i think we all look forward to having our TEs removed, but it doesn't make surgery any less scary. I'll be thinking of you!
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Tangles good luck to you next week! Surgery is always scary but can promise this one is much easier and worth it to get those horrible TE's out! You will be pleasantly surprised.
Jen0 -
Tangles,
Good luck next week on your exchange.....exchange for me was such a relief, may it be for you as well.....hope all goes well in your pit...(ouch)....hoping for a happy outcome.....gentle reassuring hugs floating towards you!
Di
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Can anyone answer a question for me..since exchange right implant feels like its sitting on a nerve or something maybe the stiches but has anyone experienced forehead swelling and face especially with a bra on....any comments would be appreciated ..
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Tangles,
I'm having my exchange on Tuesday also.It was originally scheduled for May 28th but As I was 2 fills away from being where my PS wanted me we had to postpone a month.
I have also had a MISERABLE time with the TEs, constant pain and burning. Can you say torture device?:)
As I have been reflecting on these last 7 months since UMX the word that keeps coming to mind is "endurance". We truly have "put up with, tolerated, persevered, carried on thru despite hardship". I have been counting down the days,and trying to keep the anxiety about surgery in check by rereading all the testimonies of those who have gone before us. I am believing that we are both going to do great and have amazing results!
Peace and blessings to you,fellow Warrior!
Leah0 -
Leahy-you couldn't have said it better...It is such a long journey to get to where we can finallly say we have a "new normal". I was dx in December, lumpectomies in Feb, mastectomy in March, delayed healing so no fills till June then finished fills this week. Now the 3 mo wait for exchange, probably end Sept/early Oct, not scheduled yet. I haven't slept well all week due to the fills. TEs are torture, I was hoping to get some relief soon but by the end of the day (12hr shifts) I am hurting, burning and cramping. So hard to move feels like aliens strapped to my chest! I know the time will pass quickly but some days not soon enough. Good luck to you and Tangles, the end of your TEs is in sight!
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Looks like I will have Mastoplexy in July....another surgery (#4)....no fat grafting this time....#5 will be fat grafting and nips.....I am sinking into depression....
Insurance is driving me there...hospital bill from Dec denied....entire am't
"cosmetic MX" (that what insurance calls it) with Cancer MX on the other side...protested and DENIED....my BS is not happy
Everything paid by insurance, with my exchange EXCEPT the actual $2000 IMPLANTS....my PS is not happy....
duh....just didn't want my expanders out and nothing put in....do I have another surgery to take them out and "return them?"....don't think so.
sinking.....sinking...sinking.......stinkin' insurance
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i havent sherry...call your ps...
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Mamatwinz,
I was waiting till Monday for my appt..didn't want him to say I was calling to much again..0 -
Hi,
I have a question. Did anyone get central back pain that started after TE surgery and fills? Seems like it could be connected. If I am standing for too long or moving too much it gets really sore. Could be change in bras and not having huge prosthesis to balance me as I am UMX. I put this on the TE trouble board as well but thought that someone here might be able to help.
Thanks.
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Hi stepmic - I experienced shoulder pain often and some back pain with the TE's. It worsened for a few days following each fill and lingered for much longer as I neared the TE capacity.
I would not be surprised if the pain was related to the TE's and hope your discomfort subsides soon...0 -
Stepmic and ChiSharona... I had both mild back and major shoulder pain. Those nasty TE's! I knew the whole time that something was sitting on a shoulder nerve or connected to it. I had PT which included a massage most office visits, that helped a lot. I also used heating pad(s) for shoulders and back, huge help! What I know now: for me, it definitely was TE related.
For one thing, I'm a usually a side sleeper (not any more). With TE pain, it placed more strain, stress on my back. My shoulders were impacted and exercises helped. Since exchange, most of that has pretty much gone away. When there is pain, out comes the heating pads. So wish my "D"H would rub my shoulders and back for relief,but that never happened.0 -
my upper back hurt a lot with TEs, and i used heating pad frequently..i can tell u that with exchsnge it is gone, but i have to really work at keeping my poature now since i probably hunched forward for months with TEs..
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