March 2014 Surgery

Starting to get nervous/anxious!  I did ask my PS about having drains with anatomical versus round, and he said it doesn't make a difference as far as the drain goes. I will be having a drain, and I am getting an anatomical.  

I keep wondering when they "set you up" that is all well and good, but what about bending over?  I have a huge dog ear on the inside of my breast and when I bend over it looks awful.  No more wearing low cut/halter tops for me.  Even if he does fix it, my scar travels far inward.  Going into surgery, I am going to tell him that is the area that concerns me most.  Maybe he can do some type of fancy stitch to reduce the scar.

Anything different this time around that I should prepare for versus the initial surgery?  I think my decision to have the lipo is almost freaking me out more than anything else.  I just keep telling myself, in LA they do this all the time haha!

Glad to see you gals are on the mend - can't wait to be there too!

Hi March Ladies -- So much is happening. Exchanges on 2nd, 9th and 16th.   Julie so happy things are going well.  Sorry about the complete breakdown -- but it likely was a good thing -- eh?  Ya gotta honor the stuff inside or it will eat you alive.  I have the stuff in side tooooo -- never know when it is coming out exactly.  One wants to be strong and positive and forward thinking and all -- but letting it all come out and be out regularly is important.   I get the never be normal again thing.  I think up until the exchange occurs and you see what you have, "IT" (the whole flipping year) does not become real.  I am nervous about that - almost more than the actual act of the surgery itself. I have amazing support and love - around me -- but I think it is me that wants it all just like it was.  Getting beyond the exchange will help the "getting it all behind me" happen. 

Sounds like all exchange surgeries are going well - with and without drains.  I am not having any kind of lipo or grafting - so am not versed on that.  I agree with trusting your PS.  They do this all the time.  If you have come this far with them, unless they are talking crazy stuff - listen, question and let them lead -- at least this is how I am approaching it.   I have 4 prep appts. between now and 10/2 Exchange surgery.  Going with anotomical.  Discuss size etc… and all else on Monday morning with PS. I have 550CC in now. So we will see.  I have yet to let my boyfriend of 6 years see the scared expanded tissue expanders in the flesh yet.  He wants to come with me to the PS on Monday morning and I want him there too, so I think he gets to see them at home today or tomorrow.  We had both agreed he just didn't necessarily need to be left with the not bad looking in clothes and bathing suit, but profound image of the alien looking large mounds with the pretty pink scars.  But maybe Monday that will change.  

On your recommendation Julie I have planned to take two whole weeks off and then work from home for 2 weeks. I am glad to hear that it is not as challenging as the BMX recovery.  

Advice? Do I need the same kind of surgical bra -- but bigger -- as you did for the BMX?  They will probably tell me, but just wondering what you had to bring with you on Exchange day.  

I have been staying in touch on Facebook with Footballnut.  She just finished her Chemo and has done very well.  She is ready for Football and over the worst of it.  So that's an update from Facebook.  

Frostecat - I am thinking calm, good, healthy, thoughts for you this weekend and through all of next week.  Bon Courage.   

it definitely feels good to have the exchange behind me. Good luck to all of you with your exchanges. It really is easier!  I actually walked to a diner with my family for dinner after I got home.  If any of you would like to friend me on Facebook, just search Julie Cochoit Chambers. I'm the only one!

I got it, thanks!  I won't mention BC on your page.  I did put it on mine but just after I had my BMX and the day of my exchange surgery.

Hello March Sisters!  First time checking in since July I think.  Happy to hear about all the exchange surgeries that went well! But sorry to hear about those having medical issues and husbands having medical issues too.  Stay strong!  No fills for me since R mastectomy in March.  PS filled to 350cc max at time of surgery.  Was debating what to do next.  Was opting to just exchange te for implant on R and leave L alone.  PS kinda freaked me out wanting to do lift & reduction on left and use 1/2 of L nipple to create a nipple on the R.  But she said the lift would only last about 2 years and the scars on my "good" breast would look awful from what my husband & I could tell from pics. So, was planning on just a simple exchange surgery on Oct 29.  But guess what?  Went on that cruise to Bermuda that I was telling you about (which was wonderful!) soon after returning home, large area on my mastectomy breast turned a little pink, then reddish, then kinda reddish/brown.  PS says it looks like radiation burns with underlying infection.  They think I must have gotten sunburned through my bathingsuit top.  Who knew that could happen?!? But I guess the skin is just so sensitive.  So now I'm on antibiotics and applying a special crème.  Please send some positive vibes my way that this clears up.  Needless to say, my exchange surgery is unlikely to happen end of next month.  Even if the abx do their work, the skin will probably need more time to heal than that.  I'll try to post some pics.  Feeling so sad and frustrated.  Thanks for listening Sisters.  Take Care - Fran

Thanks Julie.  Now I know to apply sunscreen under my bathing suit top and wear a cover up the majority of the time over my bathing suit top.  Nurse also recommended swim suit such as Coolibar which is made of ultraviolet protective fabric that blocks 98% of UV rays that hit the fabric.  Just wish I had been warned about this before going on vacation August 1st. Have a wonderful time in Arizona!

Frostecat, I hope you feel better soon. I know my PS told me he had to do some pocket work but it has not caused me any pain. I feel so bad that you are going through this after everything else you have been through. Hopefully this will pass soon and you will be pain free. Get lots of rest. This too shall pass. Hugs!

Frostecat, I hope each day gets better.  I'm 4 weeks out and fnally the tightness is subsiding.  Also, the burning skin feeling in my cleavage area is much better.  I think your extra pocket work and fat grafting made it harder.  I had pocket work and a biopsy of my red bumps but not the at grafting.  That will happen later if I need it.  Hang in there!

Sandra so glad your cruise went well.  Hope you were able to put your medical thoughts aside during the trip and now that you are home you can prepare for the rest of your reconstruction journey.

I actually got surprising news yesterday.  I think I am still in shock.  The PS says the wound looks completely healed and the gallbladder surgery punctures and incisions are completely healed.  He is amazed how fast they healed compared to my prior wound issues.  Now he doesn't want to wait until next year to proceed.  He wants to do fat grafting to build up what volume I lost in the healing process and get me some symmetry.  The NP is looking for a date.  This will just be an hour long surgery.  

I finally planned a few things thinking no more surgery this year.  Now I have to work around my commitments.  

Congrats to all getting their final implants.  

Frostecat hope each day results in less pain and swelling.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Franny thanks for the sunburn news.  My oncologists keeps telling me sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.  Maybe I better listen, I love the sun and spend time on the beaches.  My husband still surfs.  I am good at applying it to my exposed skin but I better start lathering it on under my clothes as well.  I hope your burns did not cause an internal infection.  Hope it is getting better quickly and you will be able to proceed with your exchange surgery sooner than later.

Hugs to all.

oh my specialK - such a journey - I sure hope things go well and as fast as possible for you!

Yikes, Special K.  I'm so sorry you have more surgeries ahead.  Linda, I hope all is ok with your liver.

All is well with me.  I had my exchange 8/8 to 550cc Allergan style 20.  I have a slight dent still and slight rippling  when I lean over.  Otherwise I am happy with them.  I see my PS on 11/6 and will discuss the pros and cons of fat grafting.  My foobs are also cold sometimes so maybe fat grafting will help that.  I just need to get more information and decide if it is worth going under again or not.  

Franny, I had 2 areas biopsied during my exchange.  I had some red bumps that wouldn't go away for over 2 months, and then a hard bumpy area.  All was ok.  Then about 6 weeks after exchange, about 8 hard bumps appeared out of nowhere under the skin.  My surgeon checked them and thought they were just undissolved sutures or scar tissue.  They are getting smaller, thank goodness.  I guess we will always have to be hypervigilant.

I hope all of you are doing well.  We are 7 months out from our March surgeries!