Exchange City
Comments
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Thinking of you, Rose and BayouBabe! Looking forward to you both checking in when you can.
So, last night, I found out my father has an ocular melanoma. He was treated for thyroid cancer last year. I hate cancer.0 -
I too am wondering about nipple vs no nipple reconstruction. Do most women who have had it find that the nipples are always "on". I dont want to have to wear a padded bra post reconstruction.
Has anyone had non traditional tatoos? I am considering something like daisies or another flower instead of nipple/aerola. Thought?
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Theresa33, welcome to the board, but sorry you had to join us, if you know what I mean. I'm not getting nipples, and am not sure about tattoos either. I've seen photos of women who have nontraditional tattoos, and some of them are really lovely. Try doing a google search for them and you'll see lots of different ones. For me, I worry about getting lymphedema, so I don't think I'll be getting tats. I'm really okay without them too.
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Teresa33.... there is a whole lot of info on the NIPPLE RECONSTRUCTION page.
I know I will get nipples maybe in 2 months and 2 weeks, if doc thinks everything is okay with my Foobs, and how much more tweaking needed.
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Theresa: my exchange is next week but for months now I've been leaning toward no nip reconstruction. If I need to have 'something' visible I think I could be very happy with 3D nip tattoos eventually. For me persnally, I just don't currently feel the need to have another surgery to create a small bump that won't have any feeling in it. And since my hubby has not been deterred at ALL by my post BMX breasts
I know he doesn't mind the no nips situation. Everyone feels differently about this as with just about everything on this journey. As Di2012 said you can get a whole lotta info on the nipple reconstruction thread. The only reason I really wear a bra now is to absorb annoying underboob sweat
.Everyone have a great weekend!
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Omg that as got to hurt! I thought that was the process initially and asked my ps, she said no, the pecs are lifted
, never cut. At least not when she is the surgeon. Wow.0 -
Cindy, were your incisions across the middle or underneath (IM fold)? Maybe that makes a difference? I didn't know until a few weeks ago that the pecs were cut so yeah, that helps explain why I had so much pain after BMX. I read on here about women who only took pain pills for a few days after MX/TE placement and I'm like 'WTF!!!'. I'm no sissy when it comes to pain but I literally had no ROM for at least 2-3 weeks because it hurt too much to move my arms away from my body in any direction at all! Until I found this site I really wondered what the hell I had got myself into with this whole reconstruction thing
.Fortunately for me, a change in pain meds helped immensely and it really has been pretty smooth sailing since about 5-6 weeks after BMX. Now with exchange 5 days away I can't believe how long ago last November and all that pain seems.
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Good evening! Well, I made it home. Threw up on the long car ride home, even with the nausea patch behind my ear, but no drains! I just have to say it again because I am so happy about this - NO DRAINS!
Surgery took about three and a half hours. Righty moved in towards sternum a bit, and some extra skin removed. Lefty ( radiation side ) had a capsulectomy to remove some of the scar tissue. Lots and lots of fat grafting - from sides, thighs, and stomach - I feel like someone used me for a punching bag!
I am wearing a binder that goes from just below my foobs down to my ankles; also a surgery bra. Also, so glad I read about "drop and fluff" here, or I would be so disappointed right now - they have that pancake thing going on. But they are oh so soft and already more comfortable than the TE! Yay! Patience patience for the drop and fluff! And, no underarm boobs - they are a thing of the past!
Hope I can find a comfortable way to sleep. I have been in and out all afternoon, having a hard time shaking the sleepiness from anesthesia and pain pills. Can't wait till Sunday when I can take a shower and get a full look at them!!!
Thank you so much for all the kind words and prayers! Best wishes to you Sweetandspecial - you are up next!!0 -
It's good to hear from you, BayouBabe! Welcome to the squishy side! Wow, it sounds like you had a lot done! Sounds like you're wrapped up almost like a mummy too! How long will you have to wear the binder? Is it comfortable?
Try to get plenty of rest so you can heal. Sending lots of good thoughts your way!0 -
BayouBabe, so glad to hear you are home and doing well and drain free!!! Get some rest.
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Hey Bayoubabe, so glad to hear you're home and doing well (except for the punching bag thing
). Three and a half hours in surgery is a long time.....don't fight it, just find a good spot and let sleep help you heal for now 
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Bayoubabe, I had drains for the bmx and they seemed to last forever! almost 2 wks! But on the exchange I had them for only 1 or 2 days,dont remember exactly and this new exchange on July 1st, I had one and got it out the next day.
Yep I remember first surg the drains were easy to hide under winter clothes but dont despair,there are some cute camis with drain pockets at TLC and Herroom websites so they are kind of like sleeveless tops with velcro opening down front so we dont overdo it after surgery and they come with detachable drain pockets gotta love those! Good luck.
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BayouBabe, Congrats! & Rest UP!!! I repeat: REST! REST! REST!
LADIES: Update on Rose:
I texted Rose (we became friends after I showed her my Sientra pics from my cell phone--lol!
). She is doing okay but of course, in some pain from pocket work. She got home around 4:00...:) I'm sure she'll give you all an update soon--just wanted everyone to know she's okay & now a SQUISHY! YAY! 
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SweetandSpecial: YOUR TURN is coming soon!
P.S.- HOW are all of my MAY EXCHANGE SISTERS doing?
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Thanks Violet1 for letting everyone know I am doing OK.
Surgery took 2hr45min and no problems there at all. I do have 2 drains, but they seem to be not too heavy drainage so I'm thinking they may be outta here my post-op appt tuesday. Really there is very little pain except at rightie-lower-outer IMF, where he had to do some deep-stitching to provide lift and push required to get her where he wanted her. That is very very sore, and of course right on the bra-band. So it will be Norco for me for a couple of days anyway.
But even through the drug haze, I think I LIKE THEM
!! What I can see whilst in my surgical bra that is. They have a really nice slope.. no pancake. And they seem soft, and I am not aware of any Iron Bra right now... but again that could be the drugs. I have instructions to clean my top layer dressings Sunday, so I'll get a better peek then.Glad you're doing so well Bayoubabe! And no drains.. how lucky!
Thank you all for all your kind thoughts for me yesterday. I'll be back when I have more news. For now, back to bed for me.....
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Rose63, so glad you are doing well and getting the much needed rest for recovery. Sorry about the drains but hopefully they will come out soon.
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I will be having my exchange surgery 9-5-13. I will need lots of pocket work and he is going to lift both sides as well. He says he will use "gummy bear" implants and probably use the round ones. He has various shapes and sizes so if he doesn't like one he is prepared to change them on the spot. Does that sound reasonable or does it sound like he doesn't know what he is doing? I am not happy at all with the placement of the TEs so I tend to second guess whatever he does. What I am most wanting to know is if he is doing so much work, will the recovery be similar to my BMX and insertion of TEs? I will have drains. So many posts on here say that recovery is minimal compared to BMX. I can't imagine my procedure will be easy. I will be OK with a tough recovery again, I just like to be prepared and realistic, I guess.
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Lucky777,
It sounds very reasonable to me. He is coming prepared and not just assuming that one size/type is going to be the perfect one for you. My PS did the same. She called it her "party bag", lol. I also had to have a little pocket work done due to rads. After you're asleep your PS will stuff you with the different implants, sit you up, see how they fit/look, etc. Kind of funny to imagine, right? They work quick of course doing this. He will then make his best decision based on many factors. He will of course have brand new boxes of every sample implant ready to go. His party bag will contain the best contenders, based on your TE dimensions and goals. Implants are a little like clothes - not all of them fit everyones body type the same. You can think about and look at what you like, but once you try it on it simply may not fit or look right on you! I guess you just have to relinquish control to your PS and trust his judgment, as ultimately he will have the final say. Just make sure he knows all of your concerns w/the look of the TE's as well as your desires ahead of time and keep reiterating this! I personally felt more comfortable w/my PS coming to the OR w/a variety as opposed to just having one type and it not looking the best, but being stuck w/it. I just assumed that every PS did this (?)
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Lucky777 - my surgeon brought in three different sizes to the operating room. I think most surgeons do this. I actually have a 550cc on one side and 600 on the other to compensate for the radiation tightness. They look very equal in size. I also had a lot of pocket work done. I think your surgeon is right on track. Also, my recovery is much easier this time than last. If I did not have fat grafting done at same time, I would be feeling wonderful. I think you will do fine with exchange surgery. Hugs as you wait for September!
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Rose, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad things went well, and now it's time to take it easy and rest.
Bayou, how are you doing today?
Lucky777, my PS also brought different sizes for my exchange. He used a larger one in my rads side, but to me, it looks smaller still. Lefty is soft and the implant moves around nicely when I do the displacement exercises, but righty, rads side, is still stiff. I hope it softens up. I think I have a small divot in my right side too, but dressed you cannot tell. I'm very hesitant to have any more surgery on the rads side, cause I don't want any complications, so maybe I'll just leave it as it is. Guess I'll decide after things settle for a couple months.
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Bayoubabe and Rose63 - so glad you are recovering from you exchanges. BayouBabe- you sound like a "mummy" but should look great after all heals up. Rose - sorry to hear about the drains but it beats having to have seromas drained.
Rest up and heal. Don't overdo. I have learned the hard way that rest, rest, rest really does make a difference.
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Remember, the more activity you do, the more fluid drains. Time to rest and heal to get those drains out quicker. Great to hear you're doing so well. Another major step forward on your bc journey
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Sweetandspecial, how are you doing? Just a few more days and you will be having your surgery. Keeping you in my prayers.
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Andrea623,
My radiated side is a little smaller than the non cancer side to I to have a small divot on the radiated side but no more surgery ..had enough though I can say my revision to the allergan 410's 640 much better..heal up everyone0 -
Sherry, how does your radiated side feel? I get stinging pains from time to time, that feel like someone poured alcohol on an open wound. It's a lot stiffer than the other side, still very tender, and itches. Are your incisions healing well on that side?
I'm happy to hear you like the 410s more than the Sientras!
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My PS used the same incisions as before which are under the breast...I have mild pain from time to time but nothing like before and yes a little firmer and smaller than the left..but look good in bras...
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Okay, I won't worry too much about mine then. While I wish the PS had done some fat grafting, I really don't want any more surgeries either. I'm going to just be happy with the results I have, cause in reality, while they may not be perfect, they're not that bad.
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TLR: I'm doing well. A few butterflies now and then now that exchange is so close but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks so much for your prayers!
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S&S, have been thinking of you too. You're such a shining star! Knowing all will go well. Sending you lots of ((hugs))!
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Andrea623,
I did have fat grafting and not a big fan..I figure it is what is and time to heal and move forward ...0
