Exchange City

SpecialK

nisa - Lol, I was tired of my list of surgery taking up half a page every time I posted - everyone else probably was too! I decided to just use my sig line and make it shorter. Also check out the nip situation on realself.com - just use the search bar there and you get lots of hits.

Lkscolo

Lynn I'm feeling pretty good. Only took norco once last night. Just Tylenol today. Nerve pains mostly through my sternum area where the pocket work was done. I'm gonna shower tomorrow.How are you feeling?

Lkscolo

Thanks ladies for the bra suggestions. I ordered one on Amazon with fast shipping but I'll check out these too.

mysunshine48

Doing OK. Tired and some pain and discomfort. About to try and sleep without pain meds, but have Tylenol on my nightstand.

kingster

Got a real nice zipper front closure bra at JCPenny's recently. Very soft and cotton. Also, got a foam zipper front Dansko's bra at Gabrielle brothers. My favorite, and most expensive ($50), is my Dr. Linder bra. Ordered it from their website for my exchange surgery. Supportive yet comfortable. Great bra for the gym.

Angie4

Has anyone had any experience with Capsular Contracture? I've had weird sensations, pain and now it is hard on my right side. That foob is pulling upward. I called my PS and he said that it sounds like possible capsular contracture and wants to see me. Ugh! We live in a rural community about 3 hours from my doctors. Loading up and heading for Little Rock Thursday

Scottiemom11

How far out from exchange are you? I am currently 9+ weeks and at 4 weeks PS told me to do daily massage of the foobs to help avoid capsular contracture. Ask your PS about massage.

Good luck

Scottie

mysunshine48

My PS did not say anything about massage. I don't know anything about capsular contracture. What is that? I am 4 days post exchange. I am really tired. Were you? How long until energy returns? Also, these implants feel so foreign to my body. I am pleased with the size, but am very sore all around.

Scottiemom11

mysunshine. . .It takes time to recover from exchange. I was out of work for 4 weeks due to nerve pain and my PS said swelling sometimes takes 3 months to completely resolve. Did you PS give you pain meds and muscle relaxers? That should help your discomfort. Most recover from exchange in about 2 weeks but you may be tired for a few more.

Info about Capsular Contracture

Scottie

Angie4

Scottie, I'm almost three months out. Sunshine, I still don't have all of my energy back, but I'm so hopeful. "Capsular contracture is a response of the immune system to foreign materials in the human body. Medically, it occurs mostly in context of the complications from breast implants and artificial joint prosthetics."That's the definition, but I don't really understand it. I copied and pasted that from another source. I'll let you know what the PS says Thursday. I'm praying for health, both mentally and physically, for all of you. Please pray for me.

Lkscolo

mysunshine48- I'm exhausted too. My husband ended up in the ER for gall bladder and had surgery yesterday so we are both in sorry shape. I flew my married daughter out to take care of us. I have my follow up Wed with PS . This surgical bra is annoying and I hope it doesn't have to stay on long. Sorry about complications others are having, we all hope exchange is the end but that's not always the case.

Angie4

LKscolo, I'm so sorry for the struggle bus you and your family are on. You all have a special place in my prayers

Scottiemom11

Lkscolo sending prayers for you and your husband. It's a battle and TG you have help now. My 12yo ds had a massive croup/asthma attack 2 weeks after my BMx. TG it wasn't sooner but I felt helpless b/c I'm always the one in control when that happens.

Healing Prayers for you, your dh and Angie

Scottie

mysunshine48

Praying for you and your husband, Lkscolc, and that you both recover quickly. Thank goodness you have your daughter to help.

I am wearing no bra at all. Took my first shower yesterday. Just very tired.

hummingbirdlover

I'm 4 weeks post exchange and STILL exhausted. My PS didn't mention anything about massaging implants either...I will ask her when I see her on Friday. I'm hoping at this appointment she tells me I can lose this post surgery sports bra for a while. I've been in it 24/7 (except to shower) for a month solid and I'm over it to say the least!!

Lkscolo and Angie, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

SummerAngel

I'm also 4 weeks post-exchange. My PS gave me very specific "exercises" to do twice a day (now down to once a day) a week post-op, but no bra required (I can wear any bra I like, he said). The exercises involve pushing the foobs together and holding for 10 seconds, 10 times. Then I'm supposed to push to foobs in and up and hold for 10 seconds, also 10 times. I've continued to do them twice a day because I find that they feel better if I do.

SpecialK

What summerangel is describing is "massage" in terms of prevention of capsular contracture, which a number of you have asked about. This is the same regimen my PS gave me also. This type of massage can't be done until your incisions are fully healed though.

Msmath

I'm a little over 10 days out from the exchange. I still have drains and they are driving me crazy. I go back to my PS tomorrow and am hoping they will come out. I am battling depression and some pain. I am still not happy about my implants. Last week at my appointment my PS said she was not opposed to switching out the implants in the future. I really don't think she is happy with the outcome either. She said I would for sure need additional FG in a few months. My energy level is ok I just don't feel like doing anything because I want to get the levels in my drains to go down so they will be removed. I am thankful that I was able to get rid of the surgical binders and switch to a sports bra. I was planning to return to work in 2 weeks now I'm just not sure.

robinblessed54

May I ask if this message is for rounds only? I have anatomical and no message ordered. These puppies have to stay in their pocket. I message my scars everyday to prevent too much scar tissue to form. I am going on 7 month post EX. I just have one part of the right side scar that isn't as fine and faded as the other side. Oh well, at least I am feeling good and the foods look great!

Robin

Scottiemom11

Robin. . .my PS has you message rounds or anatomicals. Mine are in tight pockets and barely shift. Still fighting for ROM and having nerve pain and 9+ weeks. I see PS again in two weeks and will have PT through at least December. The massage doesn't feel great but I don't want scar tissue.

Scottie

MinusTwo

My PS said absolutely DO NOT massage when I asked. I have Allergan 410s. We should each ask our own docs before starting something new.

Lovewins1

This is my first time on the site so I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong area. Had a double mastectomy in July and am getting expander exchange in October. I had the figure of an 11 year old boy, despite being 5ft. 10in, so the fill process has been long and painful. I am getting the Allergan 410 mx. Doctor said since I'm doing the mx I will need drains. Has anyone else had drains after the exchange? It will be 5 days with drains and no showering, my heart sank a bit when I heard this. I guess I just anticipated a few days and poof done! I'm really scared and could use any positive words of encouragement you have to offer. I am 45 y.o. and I don't know anyone who has been through this. I'm also a single mom with a full time job and I guess it just feels like too much sometimes.

Thanks,

MinusTwo

Lovewins - welcome, but so sorry you have to join us. I have Allergan 410s. I had 2 drains for the initial BMX & 2 drains for the exchange. They are a pain in the neck, but I was so glad that all the fluid was drained off & didn't back up inside as a seroma or require further surgery. I was allowed to shower if I kept the drain sites dry. I actually wrapped my upper torso in Glad Press'n Seal. Someone who had knee surgery told me about this and it works like a charm. I just pinned the drain tubes & bulbs around a strap & hung them from my neck. Ask your doc. You might need a friend to "wrap" you so you won't shower every day, but boy does it feel good. Recovery was much easier & quicker than BMX, as it is for most people. Just remember to take it VERY easy since there are lots of stitches inside that need to heal even when your feeling better.

Moderators

Lovewins, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're so sorry for what brings you here, but you've come to the right place, and we know you'll find lots of answers here. If you have any questions for us please do get in touch.

Warm wishes,

The Mods

Scottiemom11

Lovewins. . .just sending you hugs. We all are overwhelmed by this and we're here to listen even if we don't have the answers. As Minustwo said, every PS is different.

Scottie

Msmath

Lovewins1 I am almost two weeks post op from my exchange and I am hopefully getting my drains removed today. I had 2 drains after my BMX back in January and they stayed in for FIVE WEEKS. I thought I was going to die. My PS does allow me to shower without covering them. I am taking maxi pads to my appointment today to cover the site once they are removed. I have found that if they continue to drain a little until the incision closes up the maxi pad will absorb the liquid nicely.

I am going to ask my PS today about messaging my implants today. She has not said anything about it and I was thinking it was because they are anatomicals and not rounds.

mysunshine48

I just had my exchange last Friday and so far, so good. I had drains with my BMX, but not with the exchange.

SpecialK

msmath - not everyone is counseled to massage, regardless of the type of implant, so if your PS doesn't endorse the idea don't worry about it - like so many other things with this, it is an individual doc thing.

OceanSky

To all who are facing a mastectomy,

Stella McCartney (the designer) is offering an exquisitely beautiful post mastectomy bra FREE to breast cancer patients right now. The bra is called Louise Whispering Bra

Stella McCartney's mother died of breast cancer & she created this bra as a result to assist women with breast cancer. Right now she is offering it FREE!

I've been in contact with Stella McCartney's Customer Care department and asked their permission to post this information on BC.org. They gave the go ahead.

I wish I'd had something this beautiful after my mastectomy rather than the hideous uncomfortable surgical bra the hospital charged my insurance for.

To all those facing your mastectomy, I hope you get this bra in time!

Bright Blessings,

OceanSky

Lkscolo

I saw PS today for 6 day follow up. Didn't get stitches out as I'm not healed enough. Next week. He said absolutely NO Massaging for my anatomicals and NO underwire because of my incisions. Just wear a good comfy supportive bra. Swelling is still there but he said I won't see much change or drop /fluff over time. Pretty much what I see is what I will be. I'm being too critical I think and need to focus on the miracle that reconstruction is. Hopefully with time I will grow to adore these new strange boobs! Best wishes to you all in your surgeries and recoveries!