Exchange City

AudreyB

2nd month on arimidex and I think I'm developing trigger finger. Ugh

robinblessed54

Audrey, run away from Arimidex and Aromisin!! I hope this cortisone keeps me away from surgery. I NEVER had this begore those drugs. I am having luck with Femara. Robi

middleagedmama

hello ladies,

My surgery was cancelled yesterday because of a low white blood cell count. I was disappointed but not surprised because my white blood cell count is always on the low side. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor tomorrow to get this straightened out. My ps now is saying that if she signs off that this is normal for me that he will do my exchange on July 31. So close to getting these TE's out. I would just like a good night of sleep. I decided to quit feeling sorry for my self and get back to some cardio exercise this week. It has actually eased a lot of my discomfort and I feel my energy returning. Today I didn't feel myself noticing the TE's at all. Are there any suggestions for working back into excersises that involve the chest and arms such as down dog or plank. I was able to do some burpees yesterday and it wasn't to bad. I just don't want to do too much. I don't have my usual strength so I want to work back into it. You ladies are awesome and such a great source for information and understanding! I have been laying low because I have had a hard time with my TE's but not anymore. I am taking my life back!

kingster

Good for you middleagedmama! Once cleared by your docs, I would just say listen to your body. I do exercise classes at the gym. Still bad with push ups, but better at planks:) Just ease back into it after you get the green light! You go girl!! Wear a really good support bra (or 2) to avoid too much stress on your tissues.

AudreyB

Middleagedmama, I'm sorry your surgery was postponed. Best wishes your exchange goes as planned July 31.

I have a question. I know everyone is different, but how long after exchange surgery before you can wear regular bras? I hear everyone talk about the surgical bra being worn but was just curious about "a coming out" party. My honey has not seen my breasts since BMX, he likes the way they look in clothes and pjs though, and he has felt them. I've never been one to prance around in the nude, but I do like to wear nice frilly things. Until I get my tattoos and the scars fade a little, I don't think I will be comfortable going au naturalle (sp?). PS, he is very respectful of my need to hide my breasts for now. My scars are bad.

Janett2014

AudreyB, remember that every PS is different. Mine said that after the first 24 hours I could wear any kind of bra I liked or a camisole or nothing. I found that the Genie bra was right for me.

robinblessed54

AudreyB I had surgical bra and ace wrap for one week. No shower no peeking! After that I was told to wear a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. I have anatomicals so they needed to be kept in place so they could adhere to chest and muscle. I still wear a light sports bra at night and bralettes or camisoles most of the time. I am very happy with my foobs and so is my husband!

patriciahurtado

AdreyB I had surgical bra for a week and my PS said sports bra after a week. My surgical binder for six weeks or a spandex tight one. I use both switch in and out cause it get uncomfortable.

Had my surgery on June 30. Still feel sleepy tired not wanting to do nothing more like a slog, it's 5 am wide awake..... But just a quick question my donor side has lumps my PS recommend a therapies to remove those Lumps. $100 per session 60 minutes. I can't afford that any help how I can do it myself I tried massaging it but it hurts soooooo bad. I'm so over this my PS said I would need another revision. Not by book Im really happy to even have small foods. I went through a lot just to have this ones. I don't care for perfect ones. My infections were horrible and couldn't even have TE for almost 8 months. I do have foobs and that's all that matters to me. I going to get back on working out just afraid that FG will go away crossing my fingers that stays just the way they are. My ladies any suggestions.

Hope everyone's stay healthy and strong

Di2012

I have my FOURTH revision in less than an hour....a bit nervous because of my last surgery (2nd exchange) and the anesthesiologist and my PS in the OR having a heated discussion, with me in the "discussion" as well.

Di

SpecialK

For lumps massage them firmly - I would not pay extra for a "treatment" just do the massage a few times a day.

MinusTwo

Di2012 - hope all goes well. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

SummerAngel

I just had my exchange surgery scheduled for August 28th, I'm so excited!

I did a search for this but couldn't find much: How long to people typically take off from work for an exchange surgery? I heal fast and have a desk job I do from home. (For comparison, I went back to work half time after my BMX after 3 weeks, full time after 5. I would have been fine full time at 3 weeks if I hadn't been in the middle of a bad flare up of my connective tissue disease.)

robinblessed54

Great news! I went back to work full time, (desk job) 3 weeks after BMX. I had exchange over spring break, (I work at a high school) which lasts 2 weeks and was fine to come back then. EX is so much easier than BMX. I healed very well both times. I was in pretty good shape and ate well. Just don't do anymore than your PS says to do. The mantra is: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" I am getting my 3D nipples tattoos on July 29! It is like the icing on the cake and is the end of the ordeal. I had a very good outcome with my Anatomical implants. Very happy. Best of luck to you as you anticipate your upcoming EX. Robin

mjh1

summer - if you're just having an exhcange with no other pocketwork, you should be fine within a week to return to a desk job.  Of course, you will have some restrictions as far as activities and lifting, and each PS is different on those.  So check with him.  I just started an August 2015 surgery sisters thread since I know there are a few of us.  Hope to see you there.

Di2012

Got home from my FOURTH revision at 11:30am and it went perfectly....the icky anestheologist was not there and I requested not to have him....the anest, that I did have was very kind and he understood I did not WANT lymphedema....his own mother had BC.

The surgical site is not visible to me for 48hrs, when I can take a shower. Have the dreaded surgical bra on.....this is # 4 of my "collection" of this certain kind of surgical bra, having now 2 beige, one white, and one black.

The pain is minimal, the man made (by PS) nip which I had for 1.5 years, is the most tender area. The IMF may have a numbing med, as the PS does usually does use something to kill the pain. (I do have feeling all over BOTH foobs)

Oh just wanted to share that I did not have to have anything on my LEFT arm......

on the Right arm:

• the BP cuff (upper arm)
• the IV cath at my wrist

Hugs,Di

kingster

Did, so glad things went better this time! Heal well and best wishes to you. A little compassion goes a long way😉

SummerAngel

Thanks for the replies about time off, I appreciate them! Since my surgery is scheduled for a Friday I've decided to take that day plus the next week off. The Monday after my week off is a holiday (Labor Day), so I'll have a total of 11 days before I need to work again. I think that will be enough.

AudreyB

Hello lovelies, I hope all of you are well.

I had my exchange pre-op with PS today. He is ordering Sientra Smooth Round High Projection implants, 15.1cm width, 4.9cm projection, 655cc, reference # 10521-655HP.

I feel so relieved now that the implants have been chosen. He said the surgery itself should be very straightforward, he has to do a little stitching on the side so they don't travel under my arm, and my recovery should be pretty quick. He said I would wake up with a surgical bra, and can wear real bras (underwire, pushup etc) about 4 weeks after surgery. He said to make sure underwires are comfortable, so I will be the judge of what feels good and what doesn't. My plan is to go for my first professional bra fitting and buy a few nice ones.

Now the hard part is waiting for August 19. LOL

Eee3

Audrey: that is so exciting! It will be here before you know it

kingster

Audrey, only 1 more month to go ! Good luck. My exchange surgery was the easiest of my 3 surgeries. Such a relief to be able to sleep again once the TE's were out:)

mysunshine48

Audrey, I knew your PS appointment was around now! How wonderful to have a plan and a date. My last chemo treatment is tomorrow. This last one has been rough, so I will have to wait for about 3 or 4 weeks to recover from that before meeting with my PS. As you are, I will be SO happy to get these expanders out! Let us all know how it goes!

AudreyB

Kingster, sleeping is the hardest part. It doesn't hurt but just so freaking uncomfortable. I can get through most days if they behave but I'm a side sleeper and they constantly remind me they are there at night in bed.

AudreyB

mysunshine, hang in there. You have fought the good fight and soon you will be stronger than ever. I am so relieved now that the research and worry about the implants is over.

kingster

Audrey, I think the reason why it was impossible to sleep, was that those te's do not budge at all. My implants do move and give way to pressure, so they are better. 4 months later, I feel gradual improvement. Less tight and sore. Not sure if they will ever feel a part of me, but a world of improvement over those boulders😃 I have nice fullness in the upper half, which I never had before in my life. I said, nothing slows down time like a tissue expander, lol.

patriciahurtado

I'm so glad that everyone here is doing well revisions, implants and finishing treatment. As for me it's been 16 days after my exchange. I got my insurance to cover the therapist I only pay $15 per visit. So my first session was great soft massages on my abdominal area only. My foobs look great from here up here (lol) and my daughter and niece also like them. Of course my right side will. Never look ok because of the radiation. Or maybe with the FG with time I will heel. My PS said he would like one more FG to give my right side shape but honestly I think I'm done. Maybe next year. I waited for this Exchange for so long and I am happy for now. It's been a long journey. 3 years and finallyi have my Foobs!!!!.. Is the second FG less painful? I am a server in a hotel and there is lots of phisical active I need to go back to work next week but of course I will not over do anything . I have to go back just 2 days. I'm buying a house so I still have to show a pay check for the purchase. Kind of scare to do anything. Wish I could have 2 more weeks off.I Just want to thank everyone that was here for me since day one and continue to be here even just to stop by and see how everyone is doing. Ladies hang in there.. We got this!!!!

Tricia81

Hi Ladies. I'm new to this thread and have a question. My exchange surgery was last Wednesday, July 8 and I had all the dressing and surgical bar removed yesterday. I did my homework and knew that there would be a lot of swelling but I literally have no cleavage. It's like I have a huge uni-boob on the top and then it starts to separate towards the bottom. Please tell me this is normal! I didn't really notice it at my appointment yesterday but after I came home and showered I just broke down. Also on a sidenote I feel like I already have pretty good range of motion at this point but I keep reading about T Rex arms. Should I refrain from lifting my arms above my shoulders? My ps never mentioned anything regarding this. Thank you so much.

WarriorVixen

Hello, I had my exchange surgery two weeks ago. I have silicone implants. I am trying to not use my arms like I did after the mastectomy but I feel so good it's hard. I threw away garbage yesterday. I shouldn't have. When I bend down a little I think I can see the implant move. I have not done any massaging except poking a little and lightly tried to squeeze them together. I was changing sports bras yesterday and am pretty sure I saw the implant move. I'm nervous. Do I worry? My next post op appointment is in August. I'm usually active and was exercising up until the surgery. I'm going nuts

kingster

Tricia, it's best to not look in the mirror too much initially. Just check incisions. It takes months for the implants to settle. It's normal for them to look high and squared off. Don't be afraid to call the ps office with any questions.

Warrior, if your implants are smooth round like mine, they are supposed to move freely inside the pocket. Anatomical shaped implants are supposed to adhere to the chest wall. I move mine around to help avoid capsule contracture. I have mentor memory gels, smooth round.

WarriorVixen

Thank you Kingster, I have round one I believe. They are Natrelle silicone. I Was told not to do massage. I am hoping it is too soon after and will stop.

halee

Hi. I'm new to this thread. I have TEs filled to 720cc and my exchange is scheduled for August 4, and my PS is also going to repair my hernia and give me a tummy tuck. The plan is to use 650cc round smooth silicone implants, and my PS said he was thinking moderate, but my PS said he'd order several options just in case. I did fine with the TE fills until the last one, and it was horrible. I'm so glad that it was the last one we had planned, because it would have been the last one regardless! I'm a little nervous for the surgery because I've been diagnosed with LE, but my PS said that they deal with it all the time and I should have no problems.

Audrey, it's good to see you here. Our surgeries are close!