Topic: Exchange City

Robin, what the word on your tattoo??  Healing?  Is the color retained?  I think about you often and worry a little...JUDY

Baxter - Welcome back. It has been a while. I am SO SORRY about your second mastectomy!! But I am pleased that you will be moving forward w/ the LD flaps!

Karen (KEW) - Man-oh-man, you have had quite a year! Hugs!

Facecrafter -- Thanks so much for asking about me.   Your concern is so touching!  I should have flown to FL and had you do it.  The tattoo is finally healing.  No more oozing, redness subsided, just a few healing sores.  It does look like alot of color was lost on that side, and the shape is all distorted.  So, I guess it will need to be touched up.   I am just worried that I will have problems again after the redo.

I will have had to have everything redone (at least once) -- I am a problem case, I guess.  Two redo's on the exchange; I need a tatoo redo, and a revision on the one nipple.   I'd love to have fat grafting for my divot; but I am sooooooo sick of all this.

Firstmate, you are in Phoenix, AZ..  You can go see Jane Adler and let her fix the tattoo. 
She is a trainer, has loads of experience, and does excellent work..  Tell her I sent you.
She does charge, but at least I know you will have a good result. Think about it.  I know you are sick of all this, but think of it as the final step..that's it!! Done!! 

Here's her info:

Jane Adler, CPCP  Facial Art by Jane
Phoenix, AZ 85016    602-952-7678
www.janeadler.com 
                                                     Good luck, with whatever you decide...  JUDY

Thanks for adding me to the list! I can't believe this is finally happening.

Funny coincidence: My PS just moved to new offices. She sent me an e-vite to her wine and cheese open house. Unfortunately the party is the afternoon of my surgery! Wouldn't she be shocked if I showed up?? LOL

Hi TaTas,  I've had so many of you wonderfula ladies checking in on me, I just had to come & check in with all of you today following my consult for a second opinion on my lack of symmetry.

The second ps was very thorough and definitely understood why I wasn't happy with my outcome.  He suggested a Ryan procedure, where he would stitch the good breast back up.  He also suggested a high profile, slightly larger, silicone implant for the cancer side and he could use the Ryan technique on that side too thereby making me more of an IMF.  (This is exactly what Whippetmom suggested!  She is so good ladies!)   :)

The problem is my insurance won't cover it since it is considered an acceptable outcome.  He gave it a grade of a solid B and says you need to weigh the risk of another surgery (I have problems with anesthesia and seromas.) with what can be achieved through the surgery.  He suggested I talk to my ps again and be more adament, requesting the Ryan procedure by name.  He thinks my current ps did a good job and will want the opportunity to make me happy.

Take care everyone!

I have several pages of posts to catch up on!

Candi,  Prayers going out to you, I am so sad for you and your situation.  Keep us posted on how you are doing. 

KEW,  I sent you a private message,  BTW,  do you know that you don't get frequent flier miles for multiple medical appointments?  Really, you have had an incredible year,  just know that you are thought of a lot.  Get well Sister.  

Great advice from Judy, Deborah and others.  I guess Deborah is feeling well enought to type.  God bless her, even her own surgery doesn't keep her down.  Jan

Alicia, I see you popped in to say Hi.  I try to keep up here but it is so busy that it is hard to do.  I hope things are going well for you?

Kew, I hope they can give you some relief for your pain.

Candi, my heart goes out to you.  

Hood, did your doctor send photos to the insurance company?    You can write a letter to appeal the decision and ask your ps to do the same.  It is medically necessary for psychological reasons, you have physical discomfort and it is negatively effecting your intimate relationship...

I found this information: Coverage must be available for reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed as well as the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance.  Here is the link:http://www.healthcarechoices.org/newslet/news199brreconst.htm

Good luck!

Firni - I notice that you posted that you switched from textured to smooth implants.  May I ask why?  I was told by my PS that she uses textured (though I imagine I can discuss that with her)... and attended as well a seminar on breast reconstruction at my hospital where they said that textured does better with scarring and helps minimize capsular contraction. 

For anyone else: what are people's reasons to choose round over teardrop shaped implants?  Gummies (which seem firmer) vs regular silicone (which seems squishier to me)? 

Thanks,

Lilah

My new avatar = my grandkids.  They certainly bring a new perspective on it all -- the future generation.  Hopefully there is a cure or vaccine or some hope for my grandaughter!   Aren't they darling?

Judy... hehe... hehe.. I will let everyone know about these stupid eyes..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

Robin.. what we can see on your picture.. those kids are CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CANDI: I am so sorry for what you are going through. I had bi-lat in August of 2008 and was not able to have any reconstruction at that time. I had my bi-lat lat dorsi flap w/TE on 7/10 and I am THRILLED with the way it went. Okay, not a walk in the park but I have recovered well. Back to pilates, aerobics and light weight lifting (6 lbs). Today is my exchange surgery. I wish you the best of luck. I'm not usually as helpful as all these other wonderful ladies but if you have any questions, I might be able to help.

KAREN: How horrible. I understand the rotator cuff takes a long time to heal. You will have to really baby it.

ALL: Thanks for your support. I will try to post when I get home today with my new girls.

FELLOW MICHIGANIANS: I'm in the metropolitan Detroit area (downriver-Allen Park) and treat at University of Michigan. I love all my U of M docs.

Love and prayers,

Jane

Hi ladies,

Don23, hope you are feeling better today and are loving the results!

Alicia, I'm hoping your chemo is going as smoothly as possible.

Candi, I'm sorry you're having to go through this again, I'm glad they caught it early.

Teresa, mine are hanging so low, I've never been happy about that, even after the lift.  My PS says it looks natural, but for me it's not unless I'm 80.  They're so low it's uncomfortable and very weighty.  Have you posted on the pic forum lately?  I'm on there, too.  Hope your PS listens to you better.

Deborah, hope you are feeling better! 

KEW, I hope they can fix you up so you'll be out of pain soon.  I was dx'd with brucitis(sp?) in my hip before C, and my Dr. said I was making it worse with kickboxing, so I started to add some Pilates to my weekly routine, and it did get better.  Please take it easy, you have so much going on in your life at once.

janloy and Athena, good luck on your exchanges today!

Hugs to everyone,

Deen

Just took my bandages off - I thought I was going to be huge with 650cc but am a little disappointed. They really don't look that big. When they "drop and fluff" do they change in size?

Vicodin works. PT Wednesday.

Athena--glad you are doing so well. 

Jane--wonderwoman--paying bills, hehe.

Happily feeling no pain, but know I can't live on Vicodin, but it feels good right now. 

KarenW