Exchange City
Comments
-
I must be a wimp. After reading about women who are up and going after their exchanges, I admit I feel like hell. Still shaky from the anesthesia, and I feel like I've been run over by a Mac truck. On the plus side, I no longer have a TE riding high next to my armpit!
0 -
Andrea623,
It will get better...I feel the same only because I had fat grafting....0 -
Thanks Sherry. I wish you speedy healing too. Can you tell the difference between the Sientras and the 410s yet?
0 -
Andrea63 - just do what your body is telling you to do. Right now it sounds to me like it's saying 'Give me some more of that Vicaden right now and go back to sleep!'. Hang in there honey
.0 -
It will get better...,
I was up in three days though needed heavy pain meds
Thanks for the advice I actually just went to the ER I knew something was wrong
My right is swollen
And the middle
They said to slow done the intensity if work outs
I did get pain meds and Motrin
Over the phone my primary nurse was like we will not give u pain meds
They r idiots people just don't get it
This doc was educated and said rest here's pain meds
Frustrating sometimes if people only knew the pain involved0 -
Andrea,
Hard to tell have all the tape on...they feel soft will see when I go for post op appt on Monday0 -
My MD and BS have been totally willing and have not given me any grief at all about pain meds. After BMX my BS actually was the one that figured out I needed to switch from hydrocodone (Norco) to gabapentin (Neurontin) for nerve pain rather than regular pain. Glad you got what you need.....now take it easy and don't go overboard on the workout, k? One of the mantras I've read on these threads is 'Just because you can doesn't mean you should!'. Good advice because I think we all want to get right back in the swing of things with our normal routines, but sometimes it just doesn't work out quite as quickly as we'd like.
0 -
Thanks sweet and special
That's good to know to could be nerve pain
Mybe I should see a pain management doc
My ps hates pain pills
I know it's hard we all just want to be normal again0 -
Orange,what is with these drs? I know I had the same problem,had to go to primary care for more pain meds. The office staff told me I was wasting my time that they dont give pain meds. Hah! I got pain meds. at least my primary dr was not gonna let me just suffer and that was before I worked out or anything. FL is very strict with pain meds. People were doctor shpping and such and lots of places got raided. I only get a no refill prescpt. I know folks are taking heavy duty stuff they buy illegally so that puts the rest of us who legally buy our meds and use them sparingly in a tough spot.
0 -
Layla I'm so happy I heard this! I thought it was just me!
People do ruin it for us
I knew that they must get monitored some how
It is just frustrating
I'm glad u got your meds me tooooooooo0 -
Andrea, so glad you are home and doing well, praying for a speedy recovery and great reveal!!
Rose63 I'm sure the time will go by quickly. At least I have a date. Ready to have it over with but still very aware that it is major surgery again.0 -
Mamasixyax yes it is hard to believe that so much has happened to our bodies in the last few months. I'm excited but apprehensive at the same time. I see your surgery is on the 25th so not that far away.
0 -
ChiSharona, the private msg kept telling me to select a recipient. Then I tried to answer on here and kept getting kicked off. Dont know whats wrong with my computer.
If the implants go into capsular contracture,the PS can prescribe off label use of Singular or Accolate. These are asthma meds but studies show they stop cap contr. I took Accolate for a yr. It stopped the progression but did not reverse the capsule. Org PS left,new PS replaced the Mentors with Natrelle 45. I love these. Hope they dont have problems. Good luck with yours.
0 -
Had my exchange yesterday and must say it was at least 100 times easier than my BMX. Drains already out today. Get to shower on Sunday and wear a little front closure soft bra. Ended up with 275cc Mentor implants. So HAPPY to be rid of those stone hard TEs.
Thinking of you all. Kathi0 -
Dear Momof5kids
I am just snooping around this thread. I am usually on the DIEP thread because I am having my expanders taken out and having my DIEP next week. The Iron Bra is the reason I am doing. I know from reading everybody else's posts that Iron Bra really never goes away unless you get the implants and alloderm out. Every single person who went from implants to DiEP no longer has Iron Bra. Come visit our thread. Ask questions. You can keep having revisions to your surgery till you are happy, and comfortable.
0 -
A week has gone by.....depression decreased and I am mad as HELL about insurance!....thank you ALL for your kind words.....I did have a silent heart attack (when unknown)...I am still fighting insurance (3 different denials)....I saw my PCP, and she said I am very anemic (RX) and she ordered a treadmill stress test (more stress?) with a cardiologist (saw him Wed, rude SOB) and I am to see my pulmonary SLEEP doctor to get back on CPAP....I have sleep apnea....but best NEWS....is I am cleared for my 2.5 hour revision surgery on MONDAY (July 15) morning at 10:30am (arrival at 9:30am).....
GENTLE Hugs to all of you that had your surgery this past week.....be it an exchange or revision.
Di
0 -
Di2012 - Very glad to hear the depression has eased some and so happy that your revision is back on track for Monday...take it easy and have a good weekend - Monday morning will be here in no time. Let us know how things go, when you can.
Sharon0 -
Kathi, congrats on your exchange! Isn't it great having those coconuts shells out? I'm so glad they're gone!
Di, I'm so happy to hear your surgery is set for Monday! I'll be thinking of you!0 -
Goldie,
Just wanted to clarify: I had a pretty rough time with my TE's, but do not have Iron Bra at all now. I do not know why some have it, or why some continue to struggle with it, but just wanted others who read this thread to know it is not ALWAYS the end result of exchange to implants. There are many of us who do not have the option of DIEP or TRAM, etc. I am VERY glad to know that those of you who do have that option do not struggle with Iron Bra afterward.0 -
Dulcigirl,
Glad to hear your surgery is back on and hope you insurance issues straightened out soon..good luck Monday..
Andrea623.
How are you feeling?..the allergan feel a little firmer but they feel soft to the touch..it's only day 4 so we will see in time...I get the wrap off on Monday can't wait/p>0 -
Dulcigirl
I am so happy for you, but Momof5 sounds pretty unhappy with how she feels. I have several people I know that are happy with their implants, and when I mention Iron Bra they don't know what I am talking about. But, for those who do suffer with it, it is awful. It's like somebody constantly poking at you 24/7.
She sounds like she is resigned to suffer forever, and even mentioned that she wished she went for her own tissue. I just wanted her to know she still could. Insurance is bound by law to continue to pay for a woman's reconstruction until it works for her.
I wanted implants. It's not working out.
0 -
Another "implanted" sister checking in. I don't have the Iron Bra feeling now that the TEs are out.
The nature of these discussion boards is that those who have questions or are having trouble are here. The women who are doing just fine don't necessarily stay on the boards here - they're out living their lives.
While there are some women who have problems and need another type of surgery, that's not true of everyone. I suspect there are many more women who are doing just fine and we just don't hear from them. I wouldn't want everyone on this thread to think that its inevitable that their exchange surgery to implants will fail. Mine was quite successful and I'm loving my soft new girls.
0 -
I must say I went to bed last night kind of depressed after reading the evenings posts. Started to sound like no one ever has success with implants, and made me wonder what in the world was ahead for me.
Thank you Dulcigirl and Goldie4040 for jumping in thismorning and clarifying. It's good to know that if this doesn't work out, there may be some other road to travel, and that inusrance should be there for you. But I'd like to stay hopeful that my implants will be a success. That does happen too, right?
0 -
Di2012: So glad to hear you're cleared for surgery....YAY! Not so glad about the other issues you're still dealing with
. It's good that you know the reason for your abnormal tests, though, and while the stress test and rude SOB cariologist are just another pain in the a** right now, you must take care of this to move forward, girlfriend! I don't know a lot about the CPAP thing, but man oh man, if that will help you get more restful sleep it may make a unbelievable difference in your whole outlook and depression issues 
. So, best of luck with your surgery, and positive thoughts are going your way for eventual and final success with your insurance company as well!My thougths on the iron bra continuing saga: Many ladies on this thread do report complete relief from the iron bra sensation after their exchange. It's also logical that many would report not getting relief after exchange. Many of us, after all, are on bc.org not just for simple information purposes but because we had/have various issues (including but not limited to the iron bra) and are are interested in everyone else's experiences and results. I personally chose the TE to implant option for current and future fitness and strength reasons. I'm very physical and active and I was not willing to have my ab or back strength compromised by relocating those muscles and tissue if there was another acceptable solution. That is the right choice for me, and I will not argue with or judge anyone who chose otherwise. I just don't want anyone visiting this thread to read that everyone has the iron bra feeling forever even after exchange to implants because it's just not true. I haven't had my exchange yet, but I expect to be very satisfied with the results. I am not naive enough to think it will go back to feeling like my native tissue. They're always going to feel different than they did before and perhaps that' what part of the whole continuing 'iron bra' feeling is for some. Anytime my pecs are in use the muscle contraction is a totally different sensation than before.
Not trying to preach a sermon or anything to anyone here, actually just thinking 'out loud' about the whole iron bra thing. I'm a busines analyst by trade and sometimes simply can't quit analyzing and reasoning things through until I'm satisfied I've got all the detail possible. When your job deals with eliciting and documenting all the minute details that exist about something it's really hard to turn it off!
I'll shut up now
.0 -
Apparently several of you were busy composing your posts about iron bra while I was composing mine...lol. All very good and valid observations. Some have immediate exchange success and some don't. Some choose to live with less than optimal results and some choose to pursue something closer to their expectations. I love this site and these threads and all of you!
0 -
Sherry, today I'm feeling really tired and a bit nauseous. I have a hard time sleeping propped up, and think I'll spend most of my day in the recliner. My ace bandage is off, and the implants are so much softer than the TEs! They look pretty wide and flat, and I look forward to when they drop and fluff. Right now with the swelling, I feel a bit like a uniboob.
Can you tell any difference between the 410 and Sientras yet? I'm looking forward to hearing about your unveiling!0 -
I am very happy with my implants. Do they feel the same as my breasts did...no. But that is an unrealistic expectation. My body has been altered forever. I do not have iron bra and I had a HORRIBLE time with TEs. I do get some tightness in the pecs if I'm cold or tired, but it gets better and better.
I have two friends that had TRAM both begged me not to do it. One had it 15 years ago and now with gravity shes lopsided and very unhappy. The other was just 3 years ago and she wishes she hadn't done it. She thinks my results are much better. And she said it took over 2 years for her abs to feel somewhat normal.
My point is that everyone has to make their own choice and everyone has different results. The grass is not always greener. While we should be able to expect to be happy, we should not expect perfection. I have decided to embrace the new normal.0 -
I woke up after mastectomy to realize they removed my individual eye lashes. Don't kno what that hurted but I thought at least I could have had lashes since no makeup was acceptable.
0 -
Di, sorry for all the troubles. Hang in there. I went to see my son when he got out of the Navy and was in Seattle. Had the best time,it was several yrs ago. Christmas. cold and rainy. I have seen snow before but of course where I live in FL now,we dont have snow. Fun place to visit.
Question ya'll: My implants are crooked. I mean the right one hangs an inch lower than the left one. PS put in a smaller implant in high side cause she said with it all spread out and the upper pole made it look like I had a larger implant on that side. Now thinking back on my physics classes, it seems to me she screwed up and should have put a larger heavier implant on that side so it would drop. Has anyone had these issues? Did you try an implant stabilizer? Did that help? I am thkg to switch surgeons for my nipple surg. I dont want any more screwups. Can I do that? My support group is very anti nipple but I want to go back to as close as I can to what I consider normal looks. I feel it is a personal decision and everyone has to choose what is right for them. And I feel whatever they choose should not be looked down on.
0 -
Trina......they removed your eyelashes???? What the f is that all about? I understand eyelashes can fall out because of chemo but to purposely remove them for surgery sounds ridiculous!
0
