Exchange City

mysunshine48

I just don't get it! Hummingbird, there you are in a post surigical bra, and my PL uses nothing. Do you really need the bra or just following doctor's orders?

AudreyB

I'm 5 weeks out from exchange and go to work without a bra a few days a week. Weekends too. I don't have to wear a bra, but I like the feeling. It also depends on what I'm wearing. I just feel more normal in a bra. Going for my bra fitting was like closure for me. Does that make sense

hummingbirdlover

I'm just following PS orders but I probably don't really need it. Seriously, I'm probably a b cup and they really don't move much. I have wondered how they can all vary so much on what they tell us toto do/not do. I am sleeping in this dang thing. She did say I could switch to any sports bra next week but I don't really like sports bras much.

Scottiemom11

Audrey so glad you're doing well, and I agree with all. Braless is liberating. I wear a loose sports bra to work because I would just feel weird if I didn't.

Marketingmama. . .hope you're resting and recovery at home. So sorry.

All TEs definitely sux. Mine knew they were coming out and got more painful the couple of weeks before EX.

Scottie

mysunshine48

Hummingbird, I have worn a Cobbie bra duimg the past 5 months with my TE's. They are stretchy and non binding and comfortable. You can google Cobbie bras if you cannot find them locally. I hope to wear them after exchange.

Msrketingmama, thinking about you. Check in and let us know you are doing OK.

marketingmama

Thanks to all for the kind and supportive well wishes. I'm home and doing ok. Cultures were inconclusive (as of Monday) but PS thinks that might be because I'd started antibiotics prior to surgery. I'm now on Bactrim oral. The IV antibiotics really helped bypass stomach issues and glad I stayed two days in the hospital. The nurses were wonderful and I felt very well cared for----I'm sure that sounds nuts! I'll see PS on Friday to discuss next steps and a game plan. Its wonderful being home and back in my own bed. But to add to our issues, DH managed to slip going down the stairs and broke his hand. He spent much of yesterday in the ER ( on his own ). He's been very stoic and says pain isn't bad. Biggest worry is that he may need surgery. We're a great combo !!

I'll keep you posted ladies!

Scottiemom11

Marketingmama. . .sending prayers and hugs. So sorry about your dh. Mine has been an angel throughout but I don't think he'd be stoic under those circumstances. Hope you're dh just needs a cast.

Scottie

kingster

Marketingmama, oh my gosh, after my bmx and just prior to returning back to work after 9 weeks of torture, my hubby fell down our basement stairs and ruptured his quad tendon and had surgery on a Sunday! Maybe it is the stress of watching your wife go through such a trying time. He was in the hospital for a week in rehabilitation. Hope he is going ok. And you too;)

loriekg

Rebecca—You said exactly my thoughts, BRAS??? I was hoping to never wear one again! I loved wearing tops with tiny straps that I would have NEVER worn before…or even a form fitting t-shirt. Mine weren't big before, just not symmetrical and I could camouflage that by wearing a bra. But, since my implants seem to be bigger than I expected, and I'm afraid of the droop factor, based on Whippetmom and val61's comments on Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate I think I will be wearing a snug underwire, for at least a couple of months. This was taken from the topic header:

"Because underwire bras provide such excellent implant support and stabilization (when properly fitted), many plastic surgeons advocate the use of them soon after the exchange surgery. The wire provides "encapsulation" to help prevent implant migration." (but not if you have your incision line along the IMF.)

They go on to say 3 ½ months is the time it generally takes for the scar tissue to form the "capsule" around the implant. "Until then gravity and arm movement can cause the implant to migrate."

There's a ton of info on that thread, yall should check it out if you haven't already!

My PS said I wouldn't have to wear a bra, but my trust in him has gone down a notch since surgery.

loriekg

Glad to hear you are doing better marketingmama—and hope DH won't need surgery! Yikes!!

Hummingbird—what kind of torture device do you have? All I was told to wear post-surgery was this dinky little surgical bra. (At least is seems flimsy compared to my old underwires)

Audrey—did you get sized at Nordstrom's, sorry if you already said. I stole one of my daughter's Victoria Secret's until I can get sized and it (36D) fits perfectly. Hope she doesn't notice its missing! ha

loriekg

Good luck tomorrow Lkscolo!! No, I'm sure your TE's being sore does not mean complications in surgery…it means you are READY to get them out!! :

Lkscolo

Thanks all! Tomorrow is the day. Yes, I think I am just MORE aware of them this week (how can we be any MORE aware of them?) and not sleeping well which makes me dwell on the discomfort. I am getting anxious, and ready. Trying to hydrate well today and relax, enjoying a beautiful day here in Colorado!

AudreyB

loriekg, yes, I had a wonderful experience at Nordstroms. My underwire bras fit me perfectly, I ended up a 36 DD.

I forgot my PS did say I would probably need a lift in five years and I remember thinking I'm gonna hike these babies up and give them support. Can't believe I just remembered this now.

hummingbirdlover

Lorie,

I suppose I shouldn't refer to it as a torture device but it feels like it. It's just a super tight eye hook up the front sports bra but it feels like it goes from my waist to my neck and its tight (especially around my armpits) and HOT! I just got spoiled not having to wear a bra at all, with my TEs and now I'm wearing what feels like a girdle 24/7. My friend bought me a gift card for a soma bra so I'm going shopping in a month or two when these things settle. I am going to have to read that other thread about the great exchange debate and bras. My PS hasn't told me anything about what the plans are for later, when I can lose this surgery bra.

My implants don't really look even. I know it's early and they're settling but it bums me out. PS said we could "go back in" if we needed to and honestly, I don't want more surgery. I can live with it. I'm just not as happy post exchange as I thought I'd be. Happy to be minus the coconut bra but at least they were pretty symmetrical and even and I didn't have to wear a bra.

Good luck to those heading into surgery

robinblessed54

hummingbird

What kind of implants did you get? I had to wear a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks after surgical bra and binding came off after a week. I have dummies so they have to stay put so that they can adhere to your muscle and skin. I still wear a wonderful soft lounge bra by Body by Victoria Secret. They are $28 but very comfortable. I take it off when I get home from work and relax till bedtime when I put on a Pink sport bralette. Also soft and comfy. It is like my security blanket. Give the girls a chance to settle, at the least, 3 months. There is swelling and they have to drop into position. If you must, stay away from the mirror. But personally, I looked at mine every day several times a day!! Love them!

Robin

hummingbirdlover

Robinblessed, mine are Natrelle silicone, style 20, 375 Ccs. Your post made me feel better, thank you! I never see much of my chest, just getting in/out of shower when I'm not in this sports bra. PS told me to wear this 24/7 for 6 weeks and tomorrow I'm 4 weeks out, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm going to look at Victoria secret too. Maybe once I can wear something soft, like you do at night, I'll feel better. I want to give my implants the best chance at success so I am following PS instructions to the tee. I came home from the hospital in this bra and a white wrap around ace type Velcro thing that was putting pressure from the top. I only wore that ace thing for the first week.

I'm so sorry for you ladies who are dealing with infections.

mysunshine48

Lkscolo, hoping all goes well tomorrow! I am right behind you!

Lkscolo

thanks, mysunshine48! If I feel up to it I might post here tomorrow night once I'm home. Good luck to you!

marketingmama

So turns out DH needs surgery for his broken hand. Next Tuesday. At least it's outpatient and doc doesn't think he'll need too much downtime. He is only planning to take two days off work! This is all so ridiculous-- we can't help but laugh. Hopefully I'll get my drain out tomorrow at my PS visit and that will really cut back on my discomfort. Drain hurts and is oozing somewhat. But fluid has turned straw colored so figure that's a good sign.

I took this week off work as vacation. My STD is only paying 60% right now and I need the full paycheck. But hate having to take time off for something that isn't fun or enjoyable. DH and I have a big vacation planned for next summer (river boat cruise down the Danube) so my goal is to be fully reconstructed by then. Figure that gives PS plenty of time and it's a nice thing to look forward to. In the meantime, I'm avoiding mirrors!

Angie4

Is anyone else out there having problems with phantom sensations and pain? This is going to sound weird, but I have sensations like milk coming in and I can feel my nipples when I don't have nipples anymore. The sensations are intense and come in waves and occasionally are mixed with pain. I have no fever and no redness. I can't quit thinking about these feelings and it is hard to focus at work or anywhere, for that matter. I feel like I'm losing my mind.

I've been watching this board and praying for you all, especially those with upcoming exchanges and those dealing with infections. I know sensations and minor pain are nothing compared to what so many are experiencing. I've been struggling with this for a while now and haven't said anything because I don't want to sound whiny. I'm just at a complete loss. PS doesn't seem to think its a problem

kingster

Hi Angie4. These sensations are all normal and I think that is why ps doesn't think it's a big deal. I think the nerves are trying to regenerate, and that is why you have all these feelings. My pains used to feel like burning and electric shocks. Now, over 1 year post bmx, I have twinges of pain and sometimes an itchy achey sensation. I have heard that these can go on for years. Try not to lose your mind. That is what we are here for...each other.

AudreyB

Angie, I have phantom nipple sensation on the left side only. Its borderline sensation/pain/discomfort. Sometimes, I'll touch my breast and then suddenly the realization will hit me blindside, oh, yeah, I don't have nipples anymore. Its strange and freaky and just one more thing we have to put up with.

loriekg

Hummingbird—your bra sounds like what I'm wearing! LOL I swear I went back and reread a few pages to see if I missed what happened to you that you were in a torture device! LOL

OK, I am constantly amazed how different these PS instructions are! I had that ace bandage type wrap for only one day. My post op appt was the next day, they took off the wrap, no bandages, just told me to wear the surgical bra 24/7 till my next appt, which will be next week. (But during the day I'm wearing a tight underwire.) I hear you, about not being as happy as you thought you'd be. I think that I am bigger than I should be. I don't want to worry about drooping in a few years, I'd rather be a little smaller and be able to go bra-less. My PS assistant told me that PS said I "would not have been happy with the smaller size." How did he know that? What if he's right? I'm obsessing! I'm going to try and post pictures on the picture forum if I can.

Aww man! Sorry to hear marketingmama, that your DH needs surgery after all! Good for you guys that you can find the humor in all this!!

Mysunshine…good luck to YOU tomorrow! Do I remember you're getting Inspira's?

--Lorie

BBwithBC45

Lorie, I just had a thought - you say that you think that you are bigger than you should be, but do you take into account the swelling? I haven't had my exchange yet, but I recall reading somewhere that there is some swelling right after the exchange surgery and it takes a while for it to go away. With time you should get smaller when the swelling goes down - if I understood correctly.

I'm just hoping my PS will match my existing breast and I will be as close to symmetrical as possible. I'm getting more and more excited to say good-bye to the TE, but also nervous for the surgery.

loriekg

BBwithBC45...you know, maybe you're right! I do still have some puffiness under my arms, on the sides, and still 5 lbs heavier than before surgery. I'd like to at least drop a cup size.

When is your surgery, or do you have a date yet?

BBwithBC45

Lorie, my exchange surgery is next week Wednesday. Coming up quickly.

Angie4

Thank you, Kingster and Audry. I'm taking today and tomorrow off. I'm a high school teacher and I'm just too distracted to focus. I'm not giving up, just trying trying to cope. You all remain in my prayers

Scottiemom11

Angie. . .along with continued nerve pain, I have phantom water dripping sensations. The only way I can describe it is that I thought my TEs were leaking when I had them in because it felt like water was dripping down from my foob. I still have them even after EX which is even weirder because I have silicone squishies. My instinct when this happens is to grab my foob to see if it's leaking. Still hoping all the nerve issues will resolve with more time and more PT. I go 2x a week.

Scottie

SpecialK

marketingmama - I am currently without a left implant - have been since May of '14 - I will find out next Monday if I can have a new TE placed. PM me if you would like.

mysunshine48

Yes, tomorrow is the day! Yikes! Ready, but sort of nervous. Thank you for the good wishes.

Lkscolo, Hope you are doing well tonight.