Exchange City

Elsie i will be thinking of you, i am sure Sandra ll be in your pocket she was in mine during my exchange s and she was great lol wish you luck and a fast and easy recovery. 

Elsie......I will be the quiet one in your pocket.....will take my percoset before your pocket party....MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL SURGERY and everything is your heart's desire

Di

Thank you everyone! For some reason I am nervous about tomorrow. Haven't had this feeling with the prior surgeries.

Andrea,

I brought two different compression garment into the operating room...but they weren't on me after surgery in the post op area, but when taken to my private post op room,  all my clothing, was in a bag , the nurse offered to help me dress....but I did it on my own and chose which compression garment I was going to wear home,it s like a tube (easier to go potty by just pulling it up.....looks like a black very tight mini skirt.

I think the exchange surgery is so much more nerve racking because you know your going to wake up with breasts, but you have no idea what they are going to be like! With the MX surgery you knew you wouldn't have much when you woke so you really weren't expecting much. I was a basket case at exchange!

I had the toeless compression socks and the leg wrap air machine both surgeries...to help prevent clots. I kept the socks to use when I start jogging again

I am 2 1/2 weeks out and the left side is still a bit larger all over. I keep hoping it's still slightly swelled and will go down a bit more since I can't make the right side larger...lol. I have some serious skin sensitivity at the edge of the armpits and along that curved bra line going up towards the shoulders, But other than that I feel great!

Continuing to keep everyone in my prayers for quick and uneventful recoveries.

Goldie, see if your doc can recommend someone for you to talk to. That helped me SO much. I found a psychologist who was worth her weight in gold. No meds were needed.

That tightness is normal. Some of us have it longer than others. Don't let depression drag you down. I know how you feel. I was there only a couple of days ago, so sick and tired of being sick and tired. So tired of pain, no matter how mild it was. I didn't WANT to have to endure it any more. It was a real pity party but I wanted to wallow in it awhile. Go ahead and wallow for a little while. Then tomorrow find someone who can help you. Hugs to you, sweet friend.

Di, which compression garments did you buy? I have an appointment with my PS on Monday to discuss fat grafting and removing the bulge on the top of my right breast, and I want to start getting my ducks in a row.

Reality,

My best suggestion is to go to Nordstroms and meet with a certified mastectomy fitter. (Call for an appointment.)  They are trained to help fit reconstructed breasts. You are not obligated to buy from them, but my fitter told me to bring the bra back if I wore it and it was uncomfortable.

Andrea

First my PS said Not to spend a lot of money....he told me to to go to Walmart.....I found 2 different compression pieces.They both were in boxes by Hanes, hanging on a rack....one is a slimmer (think tube...open on both ends that, can be used a slimmer from under foobs to mid hips....it can also used as a hip slimmer too....then it looks like a super tight mini skirt.   I Have been using this one and wearing it OVER my PJ bottom....I just bunch it up when I need to go

The other is like a panti girdle.....legs go down to my knees (I'm short) and it is high waisted.....it is a DOUBLE thickness....not so easy to get down quickly  if  "ya gotta go"

Good luck on your PS visit

Hubby wants to know if I'm ready to enter a wet T-shirt contest.....hmmmmmm

hugs, 

Di

Andrea,

I had no choice....they only had M, L, XL

 I wear size 4p in jeans/pant and M in sweaters, and most tops.

 I am almost straight up and down from below foobs to hip bones.

I bought the M.

and they are snug, like they should be.....

Andrea, if in doubt, try it on.

 I am feeling pretty good, and I have NO BRUISING!......took my first shower last night and I didn't lose my  nips down the drain......I have purple marking pen all over my butt and lower back and a eliptical purple ink marked at lefty upper pole. around the eliptical shape is five single sutures around the shape, evidently where I was injected and "reunited" with my fat.

Several of the nurses said they took a survey and they all decided that that they all had enough fat and they were going to donate it to me!!!!!

hugs, 

Di

I don't think you have to massage them. Maybe after an augmentation you do, but not after a reconstruction. You've still got a LOT of internal healing to do.

Di, you make me laugh! Your sense of humor is fantastic! I'll talk to my PS and see what his recommendations are for compression garments. Looks like Kohl's has some shapewear that might work too.

Surgery went well. Having incisional pain. Using icepacks. No drains. YEAH!!!  Slept most of the time since coming home. No nausea, did have general anesthesia. Wrapped in ace bandage so can't tell size wise. Painted with antiseptic up to my lower lip. ugh! Time for pain medication. Goodnight all. Thanks to those who were in my pockets!

Nisa, if you have a problem finding your size in Kohls I always buy my bras on their website.  I can always get size and color I want easily that way.