January 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited February 2015

    Amy, ugh. Hope you find some pain meds that make you feel better soon. I know what you mean about asking others to reach/pick up for you. Before I began my range of motion exercises, it seemed like I couldn't reach a teacup three feet away. DH used to laugh at me when I would ask him to pick something up for me.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    oh if you read my tagline. I chsnged my DX because my path report came back with results that me nor my BS expected. I had dcis in situ grade 3 for one mass and the other was LCS gradev1 in situ. Which I Think means stage 0. Anyway. It doesn't matter now since I've already didn't keno chemo and had my bmx. They thought it was s different kind because the tumor could be felt and was 3cm long. Just an interesting tidbit.

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  • JustAJennifer
    JustAJennifer Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2015

    Tealwarrior- after my lumpectomies, I wore these bras from Hanes on Amazon. Cheap, soft, not a ton of support but just enough. I bought xl which was a comfortable fit for 36d. $10 for 2.

    Hanes Women's 2 Pack Cotton Pullover Bra, Black/White, X-Large(Colors may vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009DJCIFE/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Voq3ub0M0B7GB

    Justamy- praying your pain meds kick in and work better for you soon.

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  • DaisyQ
    DaisyQ Member Posts: 123
    edited February 2015

    justamy: I hope your pain is improving. I stayed on pain meds (norco) for about 6 days then started weaning to ibuprofen. Even with the pain meds, sleeping was nearly impossible and getting out of bed or up from the couch was very painful. The drains just added to the discomfort. And the constipation from the surgery and aforementioned pain meds.. Not pleasant. And I only had one surgery. Your poor body has had two surgeries in less than two weeks (not to mention chemo..).

    Things do get better! I am three weeks out and got my first full night of sleep last night. While I am not 100% pain free, I am definitely more comfortable and mobile, but remaining a T-Rex for one more week -- as ordered by my PS. Hang in there.

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited February 2015

    For bras, I've experimented with some that I ordered on amazon - the genie bra and the coobie. I hate both names, by the way - totally ridiculous. Anyway, for me, the coobie has turned out to be more comfortable. I'm normally a 34A so don't really need much, but I don't like going without. Today I'm just wearing a Mossimo brand camisole from Target with a shelf liner. The genie bra comes up too high on me - I feel like it's over-covering me. It works but they're not my favorites.

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  • TealWarrior
    TealWarrior Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2015

    I've got several genie style bras and sports bras but they're not working for me. I need a band lower on my chest to not aggravate the imf incision, but they all seem to roll up unless I go with a stiff sports bra. The stiff sports bra with the band that stays down has sides that irritate the swelling under my armpit. I've also noticed that if the bra is too stretchy like the genie bra that my implants burn/sting internally, like bad hives. Stiff sports bras reduce the sting but I can't find one that doesn't cause the underarm area to cut off circulation. Sigh.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Tealwarrior, I got a sports bra at Victoria Secret. Its a new line with front zipper closure. I have to wear it 24/7 for 2 weeks. Its fairly comfortable. Although I did joke with my honey tonight that I feel like a cop wearing a shoulder holster.

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  • TealWarrior
    TealWarrior Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2015

    AudreyB,

    The one I looked at at VS, that looked like that, had an underwire, does yours?

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Teal, underwrites can be removed. Also bras are not sacred. Teehee.. If it irritates, have you tried cutting out that piece? Worst that will happen is you ruin a bra! My BS said no underwires after my first surgery so I cut them out of a number if my bras and most were still usable. When I finish this cancer journey I deserve a whole. new underwear wardrobe anyhow. Just an idea.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Tealwarrior, there is an underwire but it's embedded into thick padding. I was not given instructions about avoiding underwires.

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited February 2015

    Tealwarrior, have you tried Bali Comfort Revolution 3484? I like it more than the Genie bra. Based on Bali's chart, I'm supposed to be small, but I find the medium more comfortable. Kohl's carries them and they match prices from Hanes online.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    I.have a question for all of you. How long did you have to wait to see your surgeon for your post op.appointment? Mine seems to be an unreasonably long time and I'm not sure if I'm overreacting. Thanks. ., Love, Jean

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    i waited a week to see my BS and was going to go to PS after 1 week too but had another surgery. This appointment is 6 days after my surgery. Hope that helps. Hugs Amy

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited February 2015

    I saw my BS one week post MX op and PS one week alsoafter TE placement.

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  • emily_the_cat
    emily_the_cat Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2015

    I saw my BS eight days after my BMX. My PS was there everyday for the five days I was in the hospital; my first office appointment with her was the day after I was discharged.

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  • TealWarrior
    TealWarrior Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2015

    Thanks ladies for the suggestions. I'm avoiding anything with underwires, side wires or cups because it hurts like dickens plus my PS said no to them. I'm going to look at cutting one up today to see if it helps.

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited February 2015

    I saw my surgeon 6 days after my MX. I should add that he also had a home health nurse come out to my house twice. I went home the day after surgery; I think the nurse came 3 and 5 days after surgery. He also saw me in the hospital the day after surgery.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited February 2015

    Zjorsenthal - My BS saw me in the hospital the day after the surgery. His NP saw me two day after and she said I was cleared to go home if I wanted to. I wasn't sure I felt comfortable with leaving (I'm the anxious type), so I asked to be cleared by PS too, who came to see me soon after they paged him. Then I had a follow up with PS one week after the surgery and now I'm supposed to see him again, another week later.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for the timing information. I am not scheduled to see my BS till almost 3 weeks after surgery. That seems a long time. I see her for the prep appointment on Tuesday and will ask why so long and let her know I am not comfortable waiting almost 3 weeks! Hopefully she can exert her influence to get me in sooner. Love, Jean

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited February 2015

    Jean, that seems like an awfully long time to me, too. I hope you can get in sooner, or at the very least find out the rationale for waiting so long. For me, it was reassuring to have the nurse come out to change the dressing and check on my incision.

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  • Msmath
    Msmath Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2015

    I saw both my BS and PS in the hospital the day after surgery. My BS put orders in for me to stay an additional night because of low blood pressure issues. My PS came in the next day after consulting with my BS and gave the release orders. Since being released on the 1st I have seen my PS 2 times. I am scheduled to see my BS this Tuesday. I am hoping to get the drains out

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  • trailrose
    trailrose Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2015

    I saw my BS 10 days after my BMX and my PS came in to see me the next morning and I went to his office 6 days after surgery.

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  • Kittybelle
    Kittybelle Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2015

    I saw my BS in the hospital the day after surgery and she scheduled my follow-up for 10 days later.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    Tuesday I see my BS for pre surgery consult and testing. I intend to ask why post surgical visit is so far away and let her know I'm not comfortable waiting almost 3 weeks. Hopefully she will move it up. If not I will just have to wait. Love, Jean PS Thanks, all who answered me.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited February 2015

    I have a question about the removal of steri-strips (I Posted it on February2015 board too).

    My mastectomy was almost two weeks ago and my PS had instructed me to remove my steri-strips. I have tried for two days now. I soaked them well in the shower, I took Tylenol and even Xanax. I managed to finally remove all of strips on the breast lift side, but only one strip on the mastectomy side. I have one more on the mastectomy side and it seems as if it was attached to my skin with industrial strength glue. I'm squeamish and the mastectomy incision and surrounding area feel very weird to me.

    Do any of you Dear Ladies have any ideas how to easily remove that darn steri-strip?

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited February 2015

    Hi BB, have you tried antibiotic ointment or olive or coconut (cooking oil) ? Both are greasy and will help with the removal ofadhesion. My PS removed the last one for me I think about 3 weeks at after MX. I was waiting for it to peel off partially by itself so I could remove it, but it was pretty stubborn. I was glad he did it for me because I didn't have to do it myself.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Sorry for this question but I accidentilly blocked February surgery thread. How do I find it? All my friends are there. Thank you.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    so sorry, I found it. I was actually panicking, doesn't take much lately unfortunately.

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  • M0mmyof3
    M0mmyof3 Member Posts: 9,696
    edited February 2015

    The steri-strip on my right incicsion just fell off in the shower last night, the left one is starting to peel off in a couple of areas. Was told not to worry if they fell off as the incisions are healing well.

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited February 2015

    Glad you found it Audrey! I had my membership blocked on Christmas Day of all days and felt sick about it. I never did find out why. I posted a Merry Christmas message, and it triggered a block on my username. I suddenly felt cut off from my support!

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