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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited December 2016

    Assuming you have no complications and you have a "desk" job, I don't see why not. You have to heed the restrictions though because now they are permanent. You could try 2 weeks and if you need another week, maybe your work could accomodate. I had drains for almost 2 weeks. That was the key in feeling better with those uncomfortable things on the sides- getting them out.

    My left side was/is more troublesome in terms of discomfort and pain because it's the rad side. It was hard to tell for sure if it's infection or just irritations from sx.

    I'd do arm raises/exercises to try and keep that side not so tight. Keep it loose so to speak. It'll be easier after sx as well if you can go in as loose as possible.

    The overfill is probably the reason for the tightness along with rads. The muscle is being stretched.

    I thought I had TEs in for a long time... welcome trooper! Hopefully time goes fast for you to Feb--- :)

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited December 2016

    Thanks! You reminded me that I need to do my stretches again. I will make that a routine the next couple months to prepare for surgery. I use coconut and calendula lotion on my skin so at least it looks good. I think I will ask for 4 weeks off and go back in two if my PS says okay.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited December 2016

    Sounds like a plan---Good luck to you and daily stretches should help! :)

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  • Keiki
    Keiki Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2016

    How do you know if your implants are rotating?

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited December 2016

    They aren't supposed to rotate but they may be settling in. I was told to give it a few months to determine the end result. Are you seeing your ps weekly? For the first 6 weeks I see him every week--to monitor for infection and such too.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    Molly, I imagine recovery time varies not only on your work duties, but how much the PS does. I know some get FG at time of exchange, but I did not. My PS did do IMF work, which caused me the most discomfort. One week to the day after my exchange I had a long check up with my MO, and did Christmas shopping the rest of the week. I had less energy, but was able to do some things. Perhaps starting back part time at first, if that is an option, would be a good idea.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited December 2016

    Wildtulip, good advice. I know he is going to do some extensive pocket work on the radiated side. My non cancer side moves too much, he thinks it is from a ruptured hematoma so I may need work on that side as well. He said I will need alloderm on both.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    Molly, for you and others planning recovery...I was sore from internal stitches for 3 weeks following EX. Very tender at first, of course, and gradually less painful.

    Im 3 weeks, 3 days post EX and still waiting for things to settle. I have read here many times to walk away from the mirror, but I'm starting to get impatient. Normally I would have seen PS this week, but he's on vacation so I won't see him till the 9th. No concerns anyway.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited December 2016

    Ladies, it takes a lot of time for things to settle and before you will get used to the "new normal". I would say that for me it was a year before I felt like they were a part of me. You will get there!

    Remember to always follow your PS instructions. I followed mine to the T and have great results.

    I recently had my 3D tattoos redone by a professional tattoo artist here in SoCal. So happy with the results! It makes a huge difference.

    Happy New Year! Robin


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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited December 2016

    Robin, who is the artist? I was considering Vinnie Myers but he only comes here once per year. I live in Los Angeles.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited December 2016

    Molly, I see you have taken both Arimidex and Aromison. Those 2 drugs almost killed me! I was so miserable on them! I had muscle and joint pain so bad that I could hardly walk or get up from a seated position. I also had arthritis in my hands that caused trigger finger. I had to have surgery on my right ring finger. I have been on Femara for almost 2 years. What a difference!! Doesn't effect my joints at all. Well, except fir my left hip, but not sure if that is the med??

    Robin


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  • PeppermintPatti
    PeppermintPatti Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2017

    Robinblessed...thanks for your encouragement! My surgery was December 5, 2016 with TE inserted. This journey is a one day at a time one, that's for sure!! Thanks again for the reminder it takes time! :)

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  • PeppermintPatti
    PeppermintPatti Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2017

    imageRobinblessed...thanks for your encouragement! My surgery was December 5, 2016 with TE inserted. This journey is a one day at a time one, that's for sure!! Thanks again for the reminder it takes time! :)
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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Patti - Since this is a public forum, you may want to remove your picture if you don't want everyone in the rest your world to associate you with all your posts. Glad your moving ahead.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2017

    Robin, I did horribly on Anastrozole. I felt like I had the flu 24/7. I am doing fine on exemestane. Some minor joint pain but nothing significant.

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  • SeattleBound
    SeattleBound Member Posts: 48
    edited January 2017

    Molly50

    Would you be willing to share your Dr's name? I am looking for a PS with a lot of experience using Alloderm. Thank you

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2017

    SeattleBound, I sent you a pm

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  • mom2allboys
    mom2allboys Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2017

    Having my exchange surgery Tuesday - hoping it's as "easy" as everyone says.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Sending healing thoughts. Good luck.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2017

    Praying for successful surgery with no complications! Please post when you can.

    What type and size implants are you getting?

    Robin


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  • tennischick888
    tennischick888 Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2017

    Good luck mom2allboys! I am from NJ too and having my exchange surgery on 1/16 in Morristown. I can't wait to get these expanders out!

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  • mom2allboys
    mom2allboys Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2017

    Thanks Minustwo, Robin, and tennischick.


    Robin - I'm most likely getting round, gummy bear silicone. Not sure of exact size/manufacturer (I think the doc said Natrelle), and my expanders are filled to 380 so I think my implants will be similar. My PS is bringing a few different options into the OR so I don't know if he's even sure what I'm getting yet.

    Tennischick - good luck to you! Seems like we had a similar diagnosis/treatment too.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Mom2 - I have Allergan 410 implants - the original gummy bears. I think the rounds are not called gummy bears - only the anatomicals. Anyway, I've had mine 5 years and am very pleased. I hope you are as pleased with yours. But remember, step away from the mirror for awhile since it take some time for the swelling to go down & everything to settle. Hope your surgery is easy.

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited January 2017

    Mom2, I have the Natrelle 410 as well. I was filled to 420 and gummies are 475. They are always bigger so they fit snug in the pockets. I love mine, 2 years in March.

    Minus2 is right, it takes time for them to settle. I loved mine right away even though they were swollen.

    Robin


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  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited January 2017

    mom2 good luck and best wishes for a happy exchange! I am 10 months post exchange with Mentor gummy bear anatomicals 475 . I had no complications and they are still settling in. I am very satisfied .

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2017

    best wishes for your surgery momtoall

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2017

    best wishes mom2allboys for a smooth surgery and an easrecovery

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  • mom2allboys
    mom2allboys Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2017

    I posted earlier but not sure where it went.

    I'm home, surgery went well and not having much pain at all. They put in round, gummy, 400 cc and I have 1 drain. The round gummies are a newer implant I think, they used to only have the anatomical gummies.

    Just resting in my recliner and friends dropped off dinner.

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  • Keiki
    Keiki Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2017

    4 weeks post exchange. The EX wasn't as bad as the last fill! My incisions are healed, starting scar treatment and waiting for something to happen. I had anticipated implants in the 500s, Inspiras. Whippetmom concurred. I was filled to 600 and ended up with SRX 750. PS said so much skin, nothing smaller looked good. She knew I was not going to consider any revision and I had told her to give it her best shot. I had wanted to be a little smaller but am pretty happy with what I have. My nips are not exact, and some minor scarring.
    My native breasts were quite wide for my size, I'm 5'2"' about 132#' and I have moderately spaced breasts. When I was heavier I wore D cup, probably DD now. I plan to have professional fitting soon and get underwires to keep these big girls right where they are. Pocket work caused some remaining discomfort. I'm still in ugly surgical bra-scared to be unprotected.
    I'm editing photos for the forum, should be posted in a few days. So glad to be this close to the end. Some of you were really there for me. I am very lucky in my situation with no major issues. No chemo, rads, infection so can't help there. But If I can help you in any way, just post or PM. Keiki

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  • LRGO2016
    LRGO2016 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2017

    congrats on making it to the next stage of reconstruction mom2allboys!

    Good luck on your surgery tennischick!

    5 months after exchange, I'm headed into nipple reconstruction with more fat grafting on Jan 26th. Thanks ladies for posting about nipple tatooing with a tatoo artist vs the PS office. When I am ready for that final phase, really don't want "target" results. I want something that looks natural and pretty. After all these scars and disfiguring phases of this BMX process, I will be SO happy to look something closer to my old normal again!

    Good news is, I'm back to being able to lift a 30 Lb sack of dog food again! Will be on restrictions after the 26th, but now know that is only a temporary setback in my strength. Good luck to all of you, no matter what phase of treatment or reconstruction you are in. May 2017 be your best year yet!

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