March 2014 Surgery

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited April 2014

    Julie you look great and it sounds like you are doing so good.  Did your fill give you much discomfort? I had my first one yesterday and I am either being a huge baby or doing something wrong. He added nothing during surgery and only added 60 cc's yesterday. He said he would bump it up to 120 cc's next week and the thought makes me cringe. Any suggestions?

  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited April 2014

    I feel more tightness and more burning across my upper chest.  Also it feels like someone is pressing their thumb on my sternum between my boobs.  It isn't too bad but I feel my most pain during the night so maybe it will be worse then.  I take my regular 800mg Ibuprofens every 8 hours for my sciatica but it never seems to have an effect on my chest soreness.  I have used a heating pad on the lowest setting from time to time (on top of my clothes).  It feels soothing.  Maybe next fill I'll do less depending on how I feel.  Also, I already feel I'm getting close to the size I want to be.  Maybe I'll go somewhere between 350 and 450.  The PS said to look at yourself in different clothes and let her know when you want to stop.  Implant will look smaller than the implants, though.  I'm thinking B+ or C-.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    linda - we will have to meet up at a Buc's game - my husband mans the pirate attack flag (the ones at the top of the stadium that go up when they score or get into the red zone) at section 312 for every home game.  I go with my former boss on her season tickets, but we always end up sitting up by the flag with my husband unless the game is a sellout and we have to actually sit in her seats.  I had a PS appt. this afternoon - as it stands right now I will go back to surgery tomorrow morning as the larger of the two skin defects has not closed and I have also developed an infection.  He is pretty confident that we can save the implant, so keep your fingers crossed.  I am not surprised by this development - seems to be par for the course with me. 

    Julie - yes, the implants will not project as far as your expanders do.

  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 447
    edited April 2014

    Hey Julie - whoot whoo - looking good!  I was filled at 200 cc at surgery too, PS said they might do a fill when they remove the drain next week.  Not sure how large I want to go, but I know I definitely don't want to be as large as previous (40 DD and at 53 years heading south).  Will have reduction with exchange.  Good luck with returning to work next week, you seem like you are ready for it.

  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited April 2014

    Looking good Julie!  I go in next Monday for another fill. I'm kinda of excited to keep this process roll

    SpecialK,  I'm sorry to hear you have to have more surgery so soon.  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow morning.  Wishing you a speedy recovery and that this will be the last surgery for you for awhile.   All the best to you. 

  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited April 2014

    Dang it SpecialK - you just need to catch a break!!   I moved our season tickets this year - I think we are either at 314 or 315 can't remember - I'd blame it on chemo brain but haven't done that yet lol - so pretty close - that will be fun to meet there!!   Good luck tomorrow specialK and Julie - you are looking good - I have foob envy LOL

  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited April 2014

    Thanks, Frostecat.  

    SpecialK, I'm so sorry you have to go back to surgery tomorrow.  I hope all goes well.

  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited April 2014

    Oh no SpecialK, so sorry you have to have another surgery! You know we willhave fingers & toes crossed that all goes well!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    linda - that is the area my former boss has tickets, kind of in the crease where the stadium starts to curve. 

    I am not too worried about surgery tomorrow, other than being nervous about losing the implant - not perfect timing as my DH is out of town, so I am having to arrange rides - who gets a ride to surgery?  Ridiculous!  The PS will take a culture and will not put me on antibiotics until tomorrow.  I am not running a fever and not sick from the infection so he felt that it was important to find out what this is and use the appropriate drug.  Also I have antibiotic issues, so we have to get this right, the pink area is localized to the upper breast, right now anyway.

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited April 2014

    Julie, you look great. I think that flatness is common. I've read many others have it too. I did. At 3 months post-exchange I was still very flat in the same place - especially on one side. (My "trouble" side that had the infection. It had been through an implant and a TE so it had been beat up a bit.) My PS said it was just a thinner part of the flap and unfortunately I'd have to learn to live with it. He said he couldn't put a layer of fat under the skin without jeopardizing the implant. It wasn't noticeable in clothes. It was, however colder there than the rest of the mound. That was from lack of insulation.  

    Even with this new revision, it's still flat, even with all the swelling around it. Oh well. Playboy isn't going to be knocking on my door and does it really matter if I have one cold flat foob?

  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited April 2014

    Darn, Sandra, I was hoping it was a temporary thing.  Hopefully it will get a little better and be less noticeable.  I still have a fantasy of wearing spaghetti strap dresses and tops on occasion without a bra.

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited April 2014

    SpecialK, well crap, crap, CRAP. Nine surgeries wasn't enough? Your doctor better figure it out this time because I'm sure you don't want to do this ever again.

    OK ladies, you know the drill. It's time to pull the PINK BUS out of the garage for another run.

    image Let's all jump on board to escort our friend tomorrow.

  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 447
    edited April 2014

    SpecialK, oh my, here you go again. My heart sunk when I read this, you have been through so much already.  Good wishes, thoughts and prayers for you tomorrow. 

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    Thanks ladies - I could use a actual pink bus since DH is out of town!  Have not hammered out how I am getting to and from the hospital yet!

  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited April 2014

    I am jumping on the bus.  Hope you find a good friend to escort you.  

    We will be praying the right drugs do the right thing this time and the infection leaves and the implant stays.

    Time to finish your journey.  

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    jbdayton - thanks!  Ya got that right!!!  I will have a patchwork quilt of rides/friends, but we will make it work.

  • stfne
    stfne Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2014

    SpecialK so sorry that you have to go back in. I hope this is it and that it can all be resolved and that you can get the rides all worked out right away. My Dad used to volunteer at one of the Boston hospitals by giving people rides to and from the hospital. Maybe you can work something like that out.

    Juliecc you look great! I can't believe that you and wannabebrave are going back to work. I think I should be getting back too but now that I have had the oopherectomy I am feeling a bit set back. Maybe one more week off for me.

  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited April 2014

    Dang it SpecialK - if I didn't have my MO appt tomorrow I would come up and get you and take you - haven't been to tampa since football season ended

  • stfne
    stfne Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2014

    KLJ if you are being a baby than I am too. I didn't have any fill at surgery but have now had 3 fills. Having the actual fill done hurts on the right side. The NP said that the right side is deep but should be less painful as it fills and gets closer to the surface. After the fills I have a hard time even walking without there being pain. I know that most people say that they only have discomfort but I am gonna call it pain here. My first two fills were 60ccs but this last one was 90 and I think it was harder to take. The NP was trying to help by doing more because my incisions are dented and twisty and remind me a bit of a cinnamon roll. She wanted to put 120 each but I told her that I thought that would be too much. I'm glad she listened. I do have to say that my armpits are feeling much better now.

  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited April 2014

    Specialk - I will be on the pink bus for you and in surgery myself tomorrow.  My healing issues have not resolved and it is time to trim.  The PS put me on an antibiotic today and as I do have a low grade fever, he said we should get this done first thing in the morning. 

    Juliecc- looking good. You go girl!

    KLJ and stfne - you're not being babies at all, everyone's experience is so different.  I have had the left side filled once, but have had saline remove ed twice. It goes against logic but the after effects of the removal were awful.  I've had muscle spasms across the upper chest, around to my shoulder blade, and down my left arm.  I am back on pain meds and valium.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    blueberry - we will hold hands across the miles! Hope all goes well for both of us.

  • Kitty62
    Kitty62 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2014

    On the pinkbus for our ladies, Blueberry and SpecialK. Will be riding the bus tomorrow and wishing for only the best.

    Had my second post op appt this afternoon. Got 3 more drains pulled. Started with 10 and now only have 2 left. Feels so much better now. I had one that had been oozing and PS said it there was nothing we could have prevented as it was plugged. So glad that one is gone. On my other side there was one that was pretty painful at stripping time. Sooo glad that one is out too. Go back Tues to hopefully become drain freeeeee! Good thing because my sweet DH has to go back to work.

    Julie, you look great! Love seeing the pics of our group. I too have been looking forward to a spaghetti strap sundress with no bra straps to worry about. The strapless bras I have are uncomfortable and nothing but a pain! Don't tell my DH but I'm glad my PS couldn't save my nipples.lol

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    kitty - its called going "Barbie"!

  • SouthernBling
    SouthernBling Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2014

    SpecialK, your attitude never ceases to amaze me. I am definitely jumping on the bus for you tomorrow, but I may be a little slow getting there. Monday's twelve hour surgery has worn me out! 

    Julie, I have the pain in the middle of my chest (or what would be my chest if I had one) also. Except it feels like someone is pressing a fist not just a thumb there. I gave in to the Percocet.

    Take care ladies!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    southern - step slowly and carefully on the bus - NO jumping!  I appreciate the support!

  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited April 2014

    Special K, darn girl I couldn't imagine another surgery and having to make ride arrangements. I wish there was a pink limo we could send you in!

    Stfne, that makes me feel better. I am calling my PS tomorrow to see if there is anything besides Tylenol that I can be taking and I don't think I will let him do a 120 cc fill. My daughter said today that she was glad that she had immediate reconstruction for this very reason. When I woke up this morning if I would have been given the option of quitting reconstruction I probably would have. Just so tired of hurting. :(

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2014

    klj - I am waiting for DH to call - he is with his folks in SC, he does not know about this surgery yet and he is not going to be happy that I need a ride to the hospital either!  A pink limo would be an attention grabber!  I feel like my life is so crazy right now, lol!  On fills - low and slow is the name of the game!  It stretches the skin and muscle more gently, it is better for the health and condition of both!  Tell them I said so!

  • sesrn
    sesrn Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2014

    Thanks to all of you for the support. It is greatly appreciated...

  • Kitty62
    Kitty62 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2014

    Special K, Going Barbie! I love it. Next time I see my PS I'll let him know to get the leg stretcher hooked up to my short legs too while we are at it. 

    After all you've been through, your PS should fork over a limo ride for ya to and from the hospital...tell him/her I said so ;)

  • sesrn
    sesrn Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2014

    Thanks to all of you for the support. It is greatly appreciated...

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