Exchange City

Alex276

Maybe try a thick ace bandage. That is what I was sent home in after my surgery.

Imkopy2

Thank you kingster I had a guaze pad but Im going to get the ABD (I had to look up what that was, thank goodness for google) and see if it helps.

Alex, I tried the ace bandage thing this morning, my PS wrapped me in one for my masectomy it was actually not too terrible. BUT I was the only one home and its not that easy to wrap yourself lol! It was a comedy routine for sure! Going to try both the pad and the bandage on the morning, I just have to make sure my hubby does it before he leaves.

Thanks so much...cyber hugs!

Molly50

I have the same struggle lmkopy. The gauze on my incision helps and zipping the bra halfway up.

TrmTab

Molly, have been thinking of you.  Hope you have had a good week of recovery. Your spring break is over, so hopefully you aren't doing too much.  Hugs, TT

Molly50

Thank you Trmtab! I'm doing well. I am following my post op instructions. I don't want any problems.

Shoregirl

I got what I hoped for, my PS had a cancellation so instead of May 4, my exchange is now April 25. Counting down the days!!! 💆

farmdream

Shoregirl - fantastic news on the earlier exchange date!!! I have one more fill tomorrow and then I have to wait 6 weeks for the exchange.

I would like to hear your experience with this part of the process.

Hope you have a quick and pain free recovery.

Shoregirl

Farmdream, that's great, only 6 weeks!! You will sail through that!! My PS was so busy I initially was scheduled out 10 weeks, I was so disappointed! I wanted to be recovered for my fiance's birthday, but surgery was just one week prior. So now my wait is 8 weeks. I will post my progress. Thanks for the kind words!! 😊

Imkopy2

Shoregirl that's WONDERFUL news...Im 3 weeks post op and Im doing really well. Everything up top is still pretty tight (my PS put in implants larger than he expanded me) but not nearly as bad as those turtle shells. The exchange is no where near as bad as the masectomy and the recovery is pretty easy. The key is listening to your surgeon for optimal results. The 25th will be here before you know it...Ill be thinking of you! hugs

Madison4568

I am having nipples done on 4/10. I plan on going to work the next day ( I have a desk job, engineer). Can anyone tell me how long before I can exercise? I joined Orange Theory and have had great success losing weight and getting myself back in pre-cancer shape. I was originally told no restrictions except no bra the first week. Now the surgeons office is telling me no exercise for four weeks!! Can anyone please tell me what my limitations are going to be?

Molly50

Congratulations, Shoregirl!

Imkopy2

Madison- Believe me I hear you about th workouts helping you get your figure back. Ask your surgeon, you don't want to mess things up. I know it's frustrating not being able to shed pounds(I've lost half of my 36 lb chemo weight) but screwing up your final results (reconstruction is our daily reminder of this horrible disease) because we're in a rush to lose those extra lbs is foolish. Please keep us posted hugs

Leslienva

I was told to not take my aromasin a week before fat grafting. Has anyone been told this? The nurse says it can cause more bleeding, but I never stopped taking it before my exchange surgery,

Molly50

I stopped it before my mx but kept taking it before my exchange surgery.

TrmTab

I was originally scheduled for an exchange on Dec 28th and had to cancel at the last minute...but I was off Arimidex for 2 weeks in anticipation of the exchange.

robinblessed54

I was in between meds trying to get one that worked for me so I was off of hormonal therapy until after my exchange. I had not started any hormone therapy at the time of my bmx. I have heard of this on the boards before.

Robin

Scottiemom11

I had to stop Tamoxifen before more exchange and before my revision surgery two weeks ago. It may depend on the surgeon as to whether they tell you to stop.

Scottie

Madison4568

Thank you Imkopy2. I do always follow the rules because I want the best possible outcome! When I saw the surgeon he said no restrictions just no bra for a week. So I didn't plan on missing work (new job) then the surgeons office staff told me 4 weeks of no exercise and two weeks off work. That seems extreme for nipples. I've been down 6 weeks at a time for the last few surgeries. It's sofrustrating! Hugs to all of you going through this!

Molly50

I saw PS today. 4 more weeks of restrictions and wearing the sports bra. Then I see him and he will release me to my "normal" life and wants me to wear a underwire bra to create the "shelf" below my foob. Righty is already trying to drop but lefty (my radiated side) is holding tight. He hopes lefty will loosen up and drop with righty. I really hate the idea of not being symmetrical. I don't want to have to forever wear a bra to not look lopsided.

Imkopy2

Madison that seems easy enough...hell I didn't wear a bra for 11 months while i had expanders lol! I missed it but then again I didn't. Wishing you a successful nipple build. Looking forward in hearing about your experience that's my next phase in June.

Molly that's so interesting about how things are working out for you. Im the total opposite, my right side is slowly starting to fall which is my radiated side and my left is kinda hanging out. However, my left side is much softer than the right. There really is no rhyme or reason is there. Keep me posted on your progress and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

robinblessed54

I wore a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks per PS instructions. But Zi wore a bra for st leadt a year and still feel better when wearing a light bralette. I don't wear one at night now. It has been 2 years.

I got the 3D nipple tattoos abd they are amazing!

Robin

Molly50

Robin, that is good to know.

Scottiemom11

I'm planning on the 3D tattoos. Hopefully before end of the year if PS gives the OK. Thought about getting on Vinnie's list but need to do it under insurance.

Scottie

Shoregirl

Thank you Imkopy2, I am happy to hear you are doing well following your exchange!! I am getting excited!! The PS said I will have drains again though, ugggh!!

RoseBowl16

oh mine is the 26th! I had a double Mastectomy January 11 with immediate reconstruction. I have not enjoyed the tissue expanders. The left side has shifted under my armpit and made me very uncomfortable. All of this has made me wonder if I should have explored other options like direct to implant. But, that is in the past and now I am very happy to be getting these thing out. Friends who have had this exchange tell me the implants are so much more comfortable. I had a reduction DMX so I have big scars under my boobs and up but they look pretty good. I want B small C size after being a DD! I have my. Pre-op PS appointment tomorrow. Nervous and excited to hear what's ahead. Good luck on the 25th! Next stop nipples! ;

RoseBowl16

I have my exchange surgery in 2 weeks. How does the surgery compare? Please tell me that the implants feel better than these expanders?!

Scottiemom11

Rosebowl16. . .implants are definitely better than TEs. That's why we call them squishies. Best wishes for a swift recovery after your EX.

Scottie

Leslienva

Madison, I've had several friends say they only needed a day or so recovery for nip recon. How are you doing? I have mine on Wednesday, with some fat grafting, so I'm hoping I don't have to have too much down time.

agentlmiller007

Can someone point me in the right direction, perhaps a link? I recall reading a post somewhere a bit ago about some of the ladies on this forum being a guru for implant sizing questions. I had a bi-lateral nipple-sparing mastectomy and have TE's currently. (Not sure what type) My PS said he'd like to fill them to about 220cc and is hoping to go with a 185cc implant. I'm 28, 5'2'', 100 lbs soaking wet, and very fit/athletic. He put it under the muscle and added alloderm... and had to stitch something directly to my chest wall in the center. Pre-surgery I wore a 32B and just barely filled out my cup. (If i measure my ribcage under my boobs I think i'm more like 28")

I would prefer after surgery not to be much bigger, but my PS told me "they don't even make implants that small" ...I'm very concerned about not being too big after! I'm used to my previously almost-flat chest and liked having small boobs.

I wish he could show me a picture of what to expect after, but he said he didn't have any for someone my size. He also said today he'd like to go with a round implant...which initially I thought we'd go with a teardrop shaped "gummy bear" implant. Can anyone let me know how this is sounding like it'll end up? I'd love to see photos of a similar situation of what to expect to end up with. So not even necessarily of someone who had implants/reconstructions, (although that'd be awesome!) but it could just be a regular boob picture of "you'll look something like this". I also have some photos I found of what I'd LIKE to look like after if that helps at all.

Thanks in advance!

MinusTwo

agent - here you to. Breast Implant Sizing 101. Whippetmom is our guru. You can copy your post from here, but be sure to read the complete header and add any other information that is requested.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/746448?page=473#idx_14185