Got my implants installed!
Get this -- haven't needed ANY pain meds. They did suggest Valium to prevent muscle spasms. I'm tender, can't lift, hurts to open heavy drawers or cut hard cheese. No post-anesthesia nausea. Should have taken Metamucil yesterday -- forgot surgery is constipating.
Had trouble sleeping, probably because of anesthesia effects plus couldn't get comfortable on my sides yet. In the good ol' recliner, but bed would be okay too, I think.
Applying ice bags, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, throughout yesterday and today. Light gauze taped over incisions, wearing same compression bandage/tube top I wore after mastectomies (or can wear sports bra) to keep swelling down -- for a week. Will shower and re-bandage today.
Odd thing: I had 250cc final fill, but have 350cc implants. We discussed this several weeks ago on here -- how can that be? PS said he would fit various sizes of implant in until he found the best. Said they sterilize and re-use the implants he tested. (Kinda ewww, but I do like recycling.
Thanks for your good wishes! May your procedures go smoothly!
Comments
-
Congrats! Glad that yourm-star said:well done!
glad all went
well done!
glad all went well and you're feeling good. Sounds like you are well on the way to recovery. I cant wait til i get my final,softer implants! its so exciting!
thanks for letting us all know how it went
Happy healing!
Congrats! Glad that your surgery went so well for you!0 -
soooo glad things went and
soooo glad things went and are going well!
a question about ice: I put ice on my expanders b/c they hurt so badly and my ps told me not do that because the circulation is not as good as before surgery. Is it OK to do so after surgery? Just wondering.
So glad that you have a real breast shape. Mine are like pretty severe ski slopes!
Hope things continue to go well!
congratulations!
dh0 -
YAY Christine!!!!!Dawne.Hope said:soooo glad things went and
soooo glad things went and are going well!
a question about ice: I put ice on my expanders b/c they hurt so badly and my ps told me not do that because the circulation is not as good as before surgery. Is it OK to do so after surgery? Just wondering.
So glad that you have a real breast shape. Mine are like pretty severe ski slopes!
Hope things continue to go well!
congratulations!
dh
WOW It sounds like you're doing great!!!!
Did I miss something, did you get saline or silicone? I was told I'm getting saline, I wasn't even offered a choice, but from what I hear, the silicone look more like a natural breast. I hope you have a full recovery.
Love Ronda0 -
IceDawne.Hope said:soooo glad things went and
soooo glad things went and are going well!
a question about ice: I put ice on my expanders b/c they hurt so badly and my ps told me not do that because the circulation is not as good as before surgery. Is it OK to do so after surgery? Just wondering.
So glad that you have a real breast shape. Mine are like pretty severe ski slopes!
Hope things continue to go well!
congratulations!
dh
The orders say 20 minutes of ice alternating with 20 minute breaks for 48 hours to keep the swelling down. The breaks are to ensure no frostbite, which I guess is what your ps was worried about. The ice bag is wrapped in a thin towel -- not touching the skin directly. Yes, it's odd because a lot of the area is so numb that I can't feel if the ice bag is even in place. I just do the routine for several rounds, then go do something else for a while.
Thanks, dh!0 -
Got silicone2Floridiansisters said:YAY Christine!!!!!
WOW It sounds like you're doing great!!!!
Did I miss something, did you get saline or silicone? I was told I'm getting saline, I wasn't even offered a choice, but from what I hear, the silicone look more like a natural breast. I hope you have a full recovery.
Love Ronda
Ronda, I just wonder if you were only offered saline because you have large breasts? That's a total guess -- I've never heard or read that. Can you ask them about it? My surgeon recommended silicone because they feel more like breast tissue and saline is firmer. She said they are safe and if she were in my situation, she'd get silicone.
Hope things are going well for you! Love, Chris0 -
Christine Louise .. Wonderful and insightful informationChristine Louise said:Ice
The orders say 20 minutes of ice alternating with 20 minute breaks for 48 hours to keep the swelling down. The breaks are to ensure no frostbite, which I guess is what your ps was worried about. The ice bag is wrapped in a thin towel -- not touching the skin directly. Yes, it's odd because a lot of the area is so numb that I can't feel if the ice bag is even in place. I just do the routine for several rounds, then go do something else for a while.
Thanks, dh!
for us 'gals' going in for the exchange - soon.
Ice .. wow, this is the first time I am hearing this information ... However, not the first time I 've been told to use thin towel- to wrap ice pack.
I am so glad you're feeling better! Ahhh sleeping on our backs, not something I routinely do.
Keep us posted.
Vicki Sam0 -
It does sound like you are2Floridiansisters said:YAY Christine!!!!!
WOW It sounds like you're doing great!!!!
Did I miss something, did you get saline or silicone? I was told I'm getting saline, I wasn't even offered a choice, but from what I hear, the silicone look more like a natural breast. I hope you have a full recovery.
Love Ronda
It does sound like you are doing great! Congrats on completing another huge step!
Hugs, Jan0 -
you have to be VERY careful using ice and heat on your skin (even with a thin cloth) as alot of the skin may be numb and you will not know if you are getting a heat/ice burn.VickiSam said:Christine Louise .. Wonderful and insightful information
for us 'gals' going in for the exchange - soon.
Ice .. wow, this is the first time I am hearing this information ... However, not the first time I 've been told to use thin towel- to wrap ice pack.
I am so glad you're feeling better! Ahhh sleeping on our backs, not something I routinely do.
Keep us posted.
Vicki Sam
I have heard on other BC sites forums that ice and heat should NOT be used on the surgery site for this reason.
But i know alternate ice/heat does alleviate swelling in the first 48 hours ONLY after an injury.0 -
Congrats Christine! WishingJean 0609 said:Hi Christine
Glad everything went well. I'm sure this will be a speedier recovery than your last surgery. Keep us posted on how things are going. I have 3 more chemo treatments before my exchange!!!!
Congrats Christine! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Hugs, Angie0 -
I totally agree withm-star said:you have to be VERY careful using ice and heat on your skin (even with a thin cloth) as alot of the skin may be numb and you will not know if you are getting a heat/ice burn.
I have heard on other BC sites forums that ice and heat should NOT be used on the surgery site for this reason.
But i know alternate ice/heat does alleviate swelling in the first 48 hours ONLY after an injury.
I totally agree with m-star...my PT was just telling me this a couple days ago reguarding ice/heat.
Congrad on a surgery gone well!0 -
Glad you're happy.jo jo said:I totally agree with
I totally agree with m-star...my PT was just telling me this a couple days ago reguarding ice/heat.
Congrad on a surgery gone well!
Glad you're happy.0 -
Update -- Post-surgical reality sets in
To inform my implant sisters of what's happening with the new girls:
Of course things couldn't go as smoothly as the first day after surgery did. Lots of aching (Tylenol works) and weariness. Due to swelling, implants are now almost as hard and oddly shaped as expanders were. I know this will change! Patience!
My arms are the sorest part! They must place them oddly during surgery. This happened after mastectomy, too. No lymphedema symptoms, just muscle aches.
I've had enough surgery and anethesia by now to not be surprised when the -- temporary! -- post-surgery sadness and tears set in. Can't trick me, anesthesia! I saw you comin' and I know you'll be leaving soon!
Some redness concerned me enough to call the PS. No fever, no discharge from incisions. I don't have drains, so any fluids sink to the bottom half of the "breast" and account for the redness. I'm keeping an eye on things, for sure.
PS re-opened mastectomy scars to insert implants. Not that my scars would ever have faded to hairlines, but they seem extra crude now. Disappointing. We shall see in time ...
Disappointed, too, that my node-removal areas are still uneven. Surgical revision is possible, but we'll see how the areas change as the implants settle.
Plastic surgeon insists a SOFT bra or camisole is necessary, not to control swelling as much as to prevent capillary breaks and hematoma caused by unsupported "flopping." I said I'm too small and hard to flop. (Plus, I'll leave the flopping to the Netherlands in the World Cup. Oh, don't throw cyber-stones at me! Just kiddin'! Go Orange!) I'd be more comfy braless, but I'm following orders. Even my biggest, stretchiest and softest are annoying.
My advice, sistahs: You may need larger, softer support garments during this time.
Speaking of following orders: The PS ordered me not to use a heating pad on my expanders, but he instructed me about using ice packs on the implants. I questioned him then about possible frostbite. He said the "20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours" routine is safe.
There have been many discussions on here recently about conflicting doctors' orders and advice. It makes me realize medicine is as much an art as a science -- many opinions, open to interpretation. Some of us have doctors we trust to the point we simply say, "Fine, I'll do whatever you say." Some of us don't or are prone to question more. It becomes so difficult to know what's best. Bless us all, help us make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones.0 -
Thanks Christine for thisChristine Louise said:Update -- Post-surgical reality sets in
To inform my implant sisters of what's happening with the new girls:
Of course things couldn't go as smoothly as the first day after surgery did. Lots of aching (Tylenol works) and weariness. Due to swelling, implants are now almost as hard and oddly shaped as expanders were. I know this will change! Patience!
My arms are the sorest part! They must place them oddly during surgery. This happened after mastectomy, too. No lymphedema symptoms, just muscle aches.
I've had enough surgery and anethesia by now to not be surprised when the -- temporary! -- post-surgery sadness and tears set in. Can't trick me, anesthesia! I saw you comin' and I know you'll be leaving soon!
Some redness concerned me enough to call the PS. No fever, no discharge from incisions. I don't have drains, so any fluids sink to the bottom half of the "breast" and account for the redness. I'm keeping an eye on things, for sure.
PS re-opened mastectomy scars to insert implants. Not that my scars would ever have faded to hairlines, but they seem extra crude now. Disappointing. We shall see in time ...
Disappointed, too, that my node-removal areas are still uneven. Surgical revision is possible, but we'll see how the areas change as the implants settle.
Plastic surgeon insists a SOFT bra or camisole is necessary, not to control swelling as much as to prevent capillary breaks and hematoma caused by unsupported "flopping." I said I'm too small and hard to flop. (Plus, I'll leave the flopping to the Netherlands in the World Cup. Oh, don't throw cyber-stones at me! Just kiddin'! Go Orange!) I'd be more comfy braless, but I'm following orders. Even my biggest, stretchiest and softest are annoying.
My advice, sistahs: You may need larger, softer support garments during this time.
Speaking of following orders: The PS ordered me not to use a heating pad on my expanders, but he instructed me about using ice packs on the implants. I questioned him then about possible frostbite. He said the "20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours" routine is safe.
There have been many discussions on here recently about conflicting doctors' orders and advice. It makes me realize medicine is as much an art as a science -- many opinions, open to interpretation. Some of us have doctors we trust to the point we simply say, "Fine, I'll do whatever you say." Some of us don't or are prone to question more. It becomes so difficult to know what's best. Bless us all, help us make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones.
Thanks Christine for this update. You have been through so much. Praying you recuperate quickly!
Hugs to you,
Angie0 -
Christine, is that what that
Christine, is that what that is, post anesthesia that makes you sad? I cried for three days. I had my expanders replaced with silicone memory gel implants on 6-29 eleven days ago and I'm very disappointed, I hate them! My left radiated side is up high and looks like a fake breast and my right is hanging and looks like my old breast, I have a latisimus dorsi flap on the left too and I'm so uncomfortable. I'm praying they can fix this, I barely leave home I'm so embarrassed. I hope everyone else has a good replacement experience, I don't want any of my ladies to have to go through what I'm going through.
Best wishes ladies on your exchange,
~Kari0 -
post-surgery bluespinkkari09 said:Christine, is that what that
Christine, is that what that is, post anesthesia that makes you sad? I cried for three days. I had my expanders replaced with silicone memory gel implants on 6-29 eleven days ago and I'm very disappointed, I hate them! My left radiated side is up high and looks like a fake breast and my right is hanging and looks like my old breast, I have a latisimus dorsi flap on the left too and I'm so uncomfortable. I'm praying they can fix this, I barely leave home I'm so embarrassed. I hope everyone else has a good replacement experience, I don't want any of my ladies to have to go through what I'm going through.
Best wishes ladies on your exchange,
~Kari
hello ladies,
It is not uncommon AT ALL for women to crash and burn emotionally after their exchange surgery. I've spent some time reading on the boards at breastcancer.org and it keeps coming up again and again.
Here is the link to that site:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/728266
Also, Kari, I'm sorry you're disappointed. But there are other women out there who have experienced what you're experiencing. Read some on the above link. It seems the longer out of surgery, the better your results. Radiated skin takes TIME to heal. Some Plastic surgeon's won't even discuss a revision for at least a year if you've had radiated skin ... it takes that long for it to heal.
You're still very soon out of surgery. Give it a little time.
Take care. Hope things improve.
dh0 -
Ok .. now i AM a freaked out ..Dawne.Hope said:post-surgery blues
hello ladies,
It is not uncommon AT ALL for women to crash and burn emotionally after their exchange surgery. I've spent some time reading on the boards at breastcancer.org and it keeps coming up again and again.
Here is the link to that site:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/728266
Also, Kari, I'm sorry you're disappointed. But there are other women out there who have experienced what you're experiencing. Read some on the above link. It seems the longer out of surgery, the better your results. Radiated skin takes TIME to heal. Some Plastic surgeon's won't even discuss a revision for at least a year if you've had radiated skin ... it takes that long for it to heal.
You're still very soon out of surgery. Give it a little time.
Take care. Hope things improve.
dh
I have alot to speak to my plastic surgeron abt at my pre-op 7/15.
Thanks .. Dawne, Chris and Christine ..
Scared a bit, Vicki Sam0 -
don't be!VickiSam said:Ok .. now i AM a freaked out ..
I have alot to speak to my plastic surgeron abt at my pre-op 7/15.
Thanks .. Dawne, Chris and Christine ..
Scared a bit, Vicki Sam
Dear VickiSam,
You've been through so much already.
Knowing what CAN happen doesn't mean it WILL happen.
Be informed, but take it one day at a time. We have all these expectations because we've already been through hell by the time we come to our exchanges. We want, expect perfection. Sometimes, it falls short. And we fall off a cliff, so to speak, emotionally. Hang in there. Talk to your doc. And give it time.
One day, one step at a time.
Don't be scared!
dh0
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