Exchange City
Comments
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Hey Violet
Sorry about the tamoxifen. It has a tendency to cause blood clots so they don't want you on it during surgeries. I bet going back on in a few weeks won't bother you as much as the first time you had to start it. BTW...Congrats on your exchange.
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Peanuts,
I've never heard of a drug to HELP w capsular contracture...Singulair for it??
Can you tell me where to find that info?
Thanks! !
Violet 29...ANOTHER Violet...:)
Welcome! And I'm thinking of all of you with upcoming Exchanges and those who just had theirs...:)
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Violet29: I specifically asked my PS about my Tamoxifen prior to my Exchange surgery in August, and he said I did NOT need to stop taking it. Even took it the morning of my surgery with a drop of water. So I guess not all PS's feel it is dangerous. I wonder if your PS would have any leeway on his rule if you explain the problems you had adjusting?
You must be so excited to have your exchange date, and probably feel like it will never get here! But time will start to go a little faster for you now I bet. Are you all set on which implants you'll be exchanging to?
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Violet29--I had my exchange on 7/5/13. I have been on Tamoxifen since May 2013 and did NOT have to go off it for my exchange surgery. I believe I was given Heparin (a blood thinner) either in my IV or I received an injection in my leg prior to surgery to aid in avoiding blood clots. I also had a hysterectomy on 8/26/13 and did NOT have to discontinue Tamoxifen for that surgery. I was given a Heparin shot in one leg right before my hysterectomy surgery and in the other leg the day after my hysterectomy prior to discharge from the hospital. Explain your Tamoxifen issues to your PS and ask about receiving Heparin to avoid blood clots.
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Hi ladies Well here i am the day before exchange surgery and wondering if i am making the right choice. Just the nerves and reality getting to me im sure. however i do not suggest meeting your surgeon the day before surgery! He is suppose to be excellent with implants with prior radiation, he has his work cut out for him tomorrow. Dr Jacobsen at rochester-mayo . It feels soo rush rush. Surgery expected to be 3 hours and will have drains--booooooo hissss. I could get sent home the same day.wow! Guess they think us gals are tuff as hell!
thanks mammasixta-wishing the best for you on wed. tomorrow exchange is finally here-fingers crossed.
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Green, sorry about having drains, but if he is doing a lot of pocket work I think that is not unusual. I believe most go home the same day as exchange. I wish you all the luck. I know it will be fine, even with a new doc. Keep us posted!!!!!
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Hello, everyone! Thanks for the wells wishes.
Well, after 5 sticks, the 6th was the charm. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have to delay surgery! Quick, someone get the tag number of that Mack truck that ran over me...lol. I'm bruised and hurting, but it is tolerable. My thighs are all shades of purple and blue. I can't shower until Wednesday, but I have NO DRAINS! Hopefully the worst is over. The girls look really good with the ace wrap time will tell!
Greencowgirl,
I hope you find peace with your decision. I was back and forth right up until the day of surgery! I really like the size I ended up being. The fat grafting really looks like it is going to help with the outline of the implant and it already looks more natural!
Best of luck to ya mamasixtaz,
It is soooo much more comfortable on the squishy side!
Violet,
Just google singulair for breast capsular contracture and you will see several studies on it. Quite interesting.0 -
Peanut, so glad you seem happy. Sorry they had to stick you so many times. I have that problem too. Are they making you use compression on your thighs? I know you are having discomfort, but are you already feeling the better with the expanders out!?
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Goldie,
This was a revision. My original exchange was in April. Yes, I felt immediate relief from the expanders. I was not told to wear compression, but I took it on myself to do so. It feels much better with than without the compression shorts!0 -
Peanut, did you have new implants put in, or just the fat grafting?
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Thank you for all the good wishes, I am hopeful for a nice outcome despite drains. 545 am call time, lets hope im outta here by noon.
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Chinneymae - thanks for the warm welcome and for info on sizing. As i read posts I realize that I have used up all my energy in learning about treatments. I will be reading about Sizing 101 tonight.
Sweetandspecial - You are so right, it is a small group therapy. BC sisters and brothers give so much more than information - the love and support is amazing.
Pam - In addition to avoiding the deductible, I would like to do the transfer this year as a way to start a New Year not thinking about surgeries. Silly idea, really. And little to no discipline here, I know myself - especially at Xmas time. Your questions really gives me much to consider, thanks!
SpecialK - I never heard of fat-grafting breasts. Wonder if I need that. Right now you can tell exactly when bone ends and breasts start... I really, really hope for a more smooth transition. I also wat them lower. They are a bit high and abnormally perky, LoL!
I hope I responded to everyone!
Hugs to all, Nisa0 -
Good Luck, GreenCowGirl, and welcome to the squishy side!!!
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greencowgirl: My exchange was also 3 hours even without much pocket work and I also had drain tubes (2) but they came out after only 3 days rather than 2 weeks with BMX. You should be home by afternoon unless you have trouble with the anesthetic or an allergy to something they use on you or something like that. It's pretty uncommon to have an overnight stay with the exchange. You'll do fine
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Thank you SO MUCH for all your replies! I'm going to go back to my PS and discuss this further.
Rose - yes, I'm (reasonably) set on what I'm getting. Doing the 410 gummies, ranging somewhere between 350 and 410, depending on what my dr determines works best during the surgery. I will definitely post my date as it gets closer - thanks so much for the wisdom and encouragement!!0 -
Thanks, sweetandspecial - I will definitely pm her my date - thanks!!
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Hey There GreenCowGirl! I just had my exchange last Friday with the drains- it's only 2 instead of the 4 from the BMX, so it's just half as bad!! My surgery was almost 3 hrs as well- which implants did you decide on? I finally went with the gummies after drivig myself crazy looking into everything. I believe they are almost 600cc and the expanders were almost 500cc. The whole procedure was not bad at all... just be prepared for pain around your ribs, but that's why they give ya the meds! Good luck to you, I'll be thinking of ya!
Penguin
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Hey Nisavilla! I just had my exchange surgery and, like you, before the surgery had a distinct line of where the bones were and the expander was... now you can't tell at all! My PS and I had discussed fat grafting to sort of use as a fill in to the areas that needed it, but now I don't think it will be necessary at all. I know the implants will change over the next few weeks, but it looks soooooo much more natural than the expanders- you really can't tell except for the huge scar across the middle (dead give away!). Much luck to you! I'm sure you will look amazing before ya know it!
Penguin
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violet, I am leaning toward the 410 gummies too. I am expanded to 420 right now, and I get my last fill this Thursday, which will bring me to 480cc. What cup size to you hope to be after exchange? I want to be a full B, and I am wondering if I am expanding too big.
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Hi Ladies - Had my exchange surgery on 9/5/13 - almost 3 weeks now... immediate relief from the tissue expanders!!! I was expanded to 480cc and PS was able to get 500cc round silicone in. They do feel so much better... I was able to get the nipple/skin sparing surgery, so my incisions come from around the areaola to the bottom fold - still have sutures in and I see my PS tomorrow - hopefully will take out some of the sutures as they are a bit bothersome.. I did have to stay overnight, but was able to take a shower the next day as I was bandaged up "waterproof" style. He did have to do a lot of pocket work and I had 4 drains that stayed in for 6 days. As far as how they look - they are a little far apart, but I know that will change in time and after all the sutures come out (when I bend over they do come together more)- I did have the alloderm, and so far, I've seen no rippling. They are about a C cup on me, but one good thing - I am needing to lose about 15 pounds, but at least I won't be losing it from the breasts as I usually did when losing weight...
Best of luck to you all, and you all are in my thoughts and prayers.....
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Well ladies I am now overfilled to 600ccs in my allergan 133-FX 550 ccs as of last thursday. My PS wanted me to come in for one more overfill of 50ccs and I said no because of my job the TEs are so uncomfortable/painful. As I do a lot of heavy lifting/stretching/twisting.
So now Im waiting for a phone call from his scheduler with a date for exchange.
Well today I found out that Im only working monday and saturday next week and Im debating scheduling that one more fill for Tues, so I have a few days to recoup.
I do have my pictures on the picture forum under "NS BMX allergan 550 133fx TE 5'4" 135lbs"
Ladies, whats your advice, Should I get another fill?
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Cate - Sounds like you want it. You are going to have the best boobs in town LoL!
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Catey, I just looked at your pics, and I think you are big enough, especially for what you do for a living. Don't forget you will have those implants under your pecs, and you move around a lot for a living. I don't want to see you more uncomfortable that you have to be.
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Penguin - thanks for response. Glad it went so well for you! I have a lot of confidence in my PS. She has been the brightest star of all the docs I have seen during this process. Yes, I want my TEs out but they haven't been too bad. Ever since I was able to sleep on my side, the TEs stopped bothering me. Enjoy your new girls! Nisa
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Catey: it's according to what size you want to be. If you like the size you are now, you may want to do the last fill. The implants tend to look a little smaller than the TEs. I had 780cc in my TEs and have 800cc implants. My implants are a tad smaller than the TEs were, but 800 is the largest you can get in silicone. I am happy with my results though. Make sure you get what you want. You don't want to have to do this again.
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catey: I haven't had a chance to check out your pictures yet but please keep in mind that you may lose a certain level of size/projection with the exchange because the implants are a much softer, less rigid fit than the TEs. The TEs have firm, rigid backs and 'sit' on your ribcage because their purpose is to expand away from the ribs. As a consequence they have more projection than the same size implant. The implants mold more to your ribcage and just settle in differently. The best way I can describe my situation is as I said in the first sentence, it's just a 'softer' fit. If you're happy with the current size and don't want to lose size I would recommend going for that extra fill if you can. My TEs actually looked kind of huge on me at times but my implants (same size as TEs) look just perfect. Whatever you decide my hope for you is for successful surgery, smooth recovery and for you to be content with the results.
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hmmmm, obviously I took too long to compose my post because Chinneymae said the same thing in less words and posted before me...lol
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Goldie - my understanding is that cup size is ultimately determined both by cc's and the width of the implant. Right now I'm at 350 cc's, and I'm worried as you are that I'm going to be too big, but I have no choice because of the width I need (13.5). Go figure - I'm 118 pounds, 5'7", originally a very small b cup - who knew my "footprint" was so wide?! What size did your PS say you'd likely end up? Mine won't say for certain...
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Pam....I missed your revision, sorry....healing thoughts are sent your way....black and blue.....ouch!....how is it 2nd day out? Lots of pain (don't scare me
)Seems so long ago we got our squishy, on the SAME day....
Tomorrow I see my PS regarding my fat grafting, nips and perhaps my second revision (of one side)
Di and the boston terriers
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Hello
I am new to this web site. I have read thru the posts. With my BC diagnosis I have the option of radiation (lumpectomy was already done) or masectomy of left breast to bring recurrence risk down as low as possible. Lumpectomy and radiation has a higher recurence risk. My choices are for recurrece prevention vs treatment. I am concerned about the comfort of an implant. Lots of other women on this site have mentioned extreme discomfort and removal. Has anyone been happy with the way the feel after getting used to them?
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