I just had my expanders to implants surgery in June, and very thankful to be able to say I'm pretty much done! Cancer free, but will continue to be monitored for about five years. The implants do feel better than the expanders, trust the process ladies, the road may be long but the results are worth it.
I am just over 2 weeks post op exchange and I know that feeling of relief when you wake up! No pain! I jumped out of that hospital bed so fast and got dressed to leave. The "iron bra" feeling is gone. It does feel " so good". The implants are so soft, compared to the implants. I keep cupping my new breasts and I'm so happy they are soft. I have some feeling around my breasts, just not the across the incisions.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have had so much pain with my tissue expander. I was thinking of delaying my exchange because I teach and thought I would do the exchange at the end of the semester but I don’t know if I can take another 6 months of this expander. I am so glad to hear the implant doesn’t hurt! ❤
I'm so happy the video was helpful. Hopefully you can get in soon if that's what you decide🙏🤞. Have an enjoyable remainder of your semester (I'm a teacher too)! 🌷🌷
I went very quickly from expanders to permanent implants. Approx 3 months between surgeries. I was very lucky in that regard, but mentally this surgery was very tough for me. I had patiently and gradually regained mobility, flexibility and strength from the bilateral mastectomy, and the exchange surgery abruptly sent me back to not being allowed to raise my elbows above my shoulders, not being allowed to exercise. I was told I had to wear an underwire bra even with a sports bra. Cautioned about my breasts shifting outward (my implants were pre-pectoral) I asked my surgeon when I could expect to be able to do things like vacuum, shovel the driveway, etc. and he said “never”. I guess that was supposed to be funny as in you have an excuse to make your husband wait on you forever, but it shook me up. I felt fragile and broken, and I couldn’t get an answer on when I would feel whole again. I tried to be proactive and meet with a physical therapist. She cancelled twice on me and I didn’t get in until approximately 10 weeks after my surgery. It was probably the worst period of time in my cancer journey, before surgery I was told it would be a 5 day recovery, but after surgery I was not allowed to do much of anything for six weeks. On top of that, I felt lopsided and frustrated with why the surgeon used a larger implant on one side, the same side I kept asking for less fill because it looked larger to me. I felt unmoored. Everyone thought I was doing great, everyone but me. I share this because, if you are out there feeling these same things, it’s okay, and I promise you it will feel better again. You can feel whole again. I regained my strength. I rode my bike 150 miles to raise money for MS 5 months after surgery. I was able to dig in my garden and do pilates. I’m no longer afraid to let my husband touch me. There are still things I don’t love about my new breasts, but my original set wasn’t flawless either 😉. I’m grateful things went well for you, Chelsey. Having to endure expanders for that long, you deserved a successful transition to permanent implants. It’s not an easy journey, but life is good and precious. For anyone in the middle of this process, be kind to yourself. ❤
@@ChelseyTarnow thank you for asking. Recovery is better than expected. Was mopping floors 2 weeks post op with drains. Went back to work grooming dogs on week 5. I am week 6 now as of yesterday and just started with TRX and weights again. Sleeping through the night. Slow and steady.
Thank you so much for these videos. I first got breast cancer at 15, but I haven’t been ready for breast expanders until now at 22. I’m a bit overwhelmed and regretting it but I’m so excited for this thing to come out.
Thank you for sharing your journey. May God continue to bless you. I'm scheduled to get my exchange surgery in a few days after delayed latissimus dorsi flap surgery. I am so excited. Your video was very helpful.
Hey I’m not trying to bring up past tragedies but I’m coming from your lupron video and I wanted to ask how the lupron reverse process went was it completely reverseable and the side effects or was there any problems that the lupron might’ve caused after not taking it
All good, I'm happy to put some thought into this question... honestly, the reverse process was very smooth. I didn't notice notice drastic change once I switched to Tamoxifen, but rather a slight improvement over several months time. I hope this helps💕
Hi! I just had a unilateral right breast mastectomy. They did not really rec. removing other breast as a preventative. So Im having augmentation on the left breast for symmetry. Is this what you had done? And were you happy with the results. I was just looking for someone that had unilateral surg. I find mostly double mastectomy experieces.
Hi🌷! Your experience does sound similar to mine:). In my experience, I feel my surgeon was able to get close to achieving symmetry when *wearing a bra*. I believe I'm the only one that can notice a difference clothed. I hope this helps to answer your question🙏❤
Expanders are terrible. Hard as a rock. Got even more uncomfortable after radiation when the skin really shrunk around it. I'm having my exchange surgery on Dec. 9th. Van't wait. I would never do reconstruction again.
I just had my expanders to implants surgery in June, and very thankful to be able to say I'm pretty much done! Cancer free, but will continue to be monitored for about five years. The implants do feel better than the expanders, trust the process ladies, the road may be long but the results are worth it.
🎊Congratulations🎊!!! Thank you for sharing🙏🌷!
I am just over 2 weeks post op exchange and I know that feeling of relief when you wake up! No pain! I jumped out of that hospital bed so fast and got dressed to leave. The "iron bra" feeling is gone. It does feel " so good". The implants are so soft, compared to the implants. I keep cupping my new breasts and I'm so happy they are soft. I have some feeling around my breasts, just not the across the incisions.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am crying with you as I sit here with an expander in my chest. xoxo
🫂❤My heart goes out to you! You aren't alone🌷🌷xo
Thank you so much for posting this. I have had so much pain with my tissue expander. I was thinking of delaying my exchange because I teach and thought I would do the exchange at the end of the semester but I don’t know if I can take another 6 months of this expander. I am so glad to hear the implant doesn’t hurt! ❤
I'm so happy the video was helpful. Hopefully you can get in soon if that's what you decide🙏🤞. Have an enjoyable remainder of your semester (I'm a teacher too)! 🌷🌷
I went very quickly from expanders to permanent implants. Approx 3 months between surgeries. I was very lucky in that regard, but mentally this surgery was very tough for me. I had patiently and gradually regained mobility, flexibility and strength from the bilateral mastectomy, and the exchange surgery abruptly sent me back to not being allowed to raise my elbows above my shoulders, not being allowed to exercise. I was told I had to wear an underwire bra even with a sports bra. Cautioned about my breasts shifting outward (my implants were pre-pectoral) I asked my surgeon when I could expect to be able to do things like vacuum, shovel the driveway, etc. and he said “never”. I guess that was supposed to be funny as in you have an excuse to make your husband wait on you forever, but it shook me up. I felt fragile and broken, and I couldn’t get an answer on when I would feel whole again. I tried to be proactive and meet with a physical therapist. She cancelled twice on me and I didn’t get in until approximately 10 weeks after my surgery. It was probably the worst period of time in my cancer journey, before surgery I was told it would be a 5 day recovery, but after surgery I was not allowed to do much of anything for six weeks. On top of that, I felt lopsided and frustrated with why the surgeon used a larger implant on one side, the same side I kept asking for less fill because it looked larger to me. I felt unmoored. Everyone thought I was doing great, everyone but me.
I share this because, if you are out there feeling these same things, it’s okay, and I promise you it will feel better again. You can feel whole again. I regained my strength. I rode my bike 150 miles to raise money for MS 5 months after surgery. I was able to dig in my garden and do pilates. I’m no longer afraid to let my husband touch me. There are still things I don’t love about my new breasts, but my original set wasn’t flawless either 😉.
I’m grateful things went well for you, Chelsey. Having to endure expanders for that long, you deserved a successful transition to permanent implants. It’s not an easy journey, but life is good and precious. For anyone in the middle of this process, be kind to yourself. ❤
Thank you for sharing your story. I am day 17 bilateral mastectomy with expanders. Looking forward to exchange day.
You're not alone ❤
Thank you💕. I hope recovery is co tinkering to go well for you and the expander are tolerable🌷.
@@ChelseyTarnow thank you for asking. Recovery is better than expected. Was mopping floors 2 weeks post op with drains. Went back to work grooming dogs on week 5. I am week 6 now as of yesterday and just started with TRX and weights again.
Sleeping through the night.
Slow and steady.
Thank you so much for these videos. I first got breast cancer at 15, but I haven’t been ready for breast expanders until now at 22. I’m a bit overwhelmed and regretting it but I’m so excited for this thing to come out.
Sending many healing vibes your way. I my experience it feels SO MUCH better when they are out🌷. You've got this!
You doing ok? Not trying to be nosey. Just been following you for awhile and praying for you.
Awe thank you so much for checking in, that is very kind of you🙏❤. I am doing well. Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing your journey. May God continue to bless you. I'm scheduled to get my exchange surgery in a few days after delayed latissimus dorsi flap surgery. I am so excited. Your video was very helpful.
Wishing you all the best for your surgery🌱🌷! I'm excited for you! Happy healing and moving forward🎊
Hi Chelsey! (Day one of Tamoxifen for me today. 🙏)
Hi! You've got this💪👊! Not sure if you saw this video... might speak to you❤... th-cam.com/video/CSts3yrtHJs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=uuhz58cmZDAyI2tF
Hey I’m not trying to bring up past tragedies but I’m coming from your lupron video and I wanted to ask how the lupron reverse process went was it completely reverseable and the side effects or was there any problems that the lupron might’ve caused after not taking it
All good, I'm happy to put some thought into this question... honestly, the reverse process was very smooth. I didn't notice notice drastic change once I switched to Tamoxifen, but rather a slight improvement over several months time. I hope this helps💕
Hi ! Hun hope you ok with your family xx so I will have soon scary xx
Hi🌷! So wonderful to hear from you! Did I understand correctly... will you have a child soon💕? Xo
@@ChelseyTarnow ❤️❤️no hun I will have Brest implant soon hun
Hi! I just had a unilateral right breast mastectomy. They did not really rec. removing other breast as a preventative. So Im having augmentation on the left breast for symmetry.
Is this what you had done? And were you happy with the results.
I was just looking for someone that had unilateral surg. I find mostly double mastectomy experieces.
Hi🌷! Your experience does sound similar to mine:). In my experience, I feel my surgeon was able to get close to achieving symmetry when *wearing a bra*. I believe I'm the only one that can notice a difference clothed. I hope this helps to answer your question🙏❤
@@ChelseyTarnow Thank you!
Thanks
Thanks for watching!
I got 32C prosthetics last month. Those things are heavy! I'm trying to get Pam Anderson boobs. But not sure if they can stretch me out that far 😂
Lol, that's awesome! Gotta go for whatever look makes you happy☺! I hope you get there!
Expanders are terrible. Hard as a rock. Got even more uncomfortable after radiation when the skin really shrunk around it. I'm having my exchange surgery on Dec. 9th. Van't wait. I would never do reconstruction again.
God bless you
Thank you so much🙏🌷. Sending positive vibes your way.
Thank you 🙏🏽 I’m in remission and also recovering from reconstructive surgery