lady4law

Pam I understand the feeling you are having, I had the same type. Most of the time, due to the pain I was not able to sleep on my sides so had to sleep on my back.  I never have been a back sleeper.  I felt like I had baseballs on my chest...hard lumps. They didn't give at all. When I took a shower, it felt like I had a very tight bra on. ("tight band" as you said.) 

I have had a number of procedures done at the same time, or my surgical number would be higher than it has been this last year. My Cardio worked on the PM, moving it from one side to the other, during my mast. When I had my implants changed out three weeks ago, she was once again in the OR, to move the PM up and out of the way of the implant, in case that might have damaged the previous implant.

Both my elbow (broken) and my shoulder were damage in the first surgery. I was to have had the elbow surgery done at the same time the expanders were exchanged but woke up to discover my PS failed to, and I had to have another surgery a month later. During this last surgery, my Ortho was going to work on my shoulder, so save me from another surgery, but decided against it - the day before. He feared having my arm in a sling, and unmovable for 3 weeks, would not work with the breast, nipples and areola surgery. (Probably correct).

Maybe your heart surgery could be completed at the same time you exchange your implants.  

I am so happy with my results and it's only been 3 weeks since my second implant exchange, with nipples and areolas.

My 1st PS was a nightmare, He not only continue with the fills after the expanders moved under my arm, but never repaired the damage. At the time of my exchange, he used the wrong implants (not to mention they got hard as a rock).

My new implants are bigger, softer, and feel more natural....and my three week old nipples and areolas are perfect. I hope the nipples don't shrink, as they are the same size as my old ones. The areolas, and nipples, were made from the skin my new PS removed from under my arm. The color appears to be slightly darker so I don't think I'll need tattoos. Even the 12+inch incison under my right arm, to remove the extra skin caused by the expander relocating to the wrong area, is almost healed. I think in about 3 months, that scar will be no longer be visable. 

It's been a long year with 8 surgeries and 5 chemos, but I am finally feeling back to normal.  

Hi M

I want to bump you up so I am commenting. I did sent you a PM the other day, I had my second exchange with nipples/areolas last Friday. 

Today, (day 7) - my PS removed the nipple coverings. My nipples look great, and I am so happy to be over this - finally - after a year and 7 surgeries. My new nipples are smaler than I thought they would be, l about 1/4 of an inch. I guess that's better having "headlights'. I do worry a little about them getting smaller, now they are about my pre-BC size.

 They look red and bloody, but my PS said they are just "bruised". I don't seem to have any scabs - yet. He gave me no special instructions other than keep them dry, try not to pull on them,  and covered with Teflon pad. He did not mention putting any cream on them.

My surgical bra is tight, I think I should have a softer bra, time to go shopping. I have an incision on the left side over 12 inches long and right where my bra rubs. My new PS had to remove a lot of skin on that side, to correct what happened when the expanders traveled under my arm and over streached the skin. 

Let's pray our nipples stay the way they are and don't shrink and more. 

I have been fighting BC for the last 14 months and will be having my 7th surgery in about 2 weeks. This has been more than Hell for me. Every thing that can go wrong, has. Today, I heard the worst possible things from my adult son. I had just spray painted our front screen door when he came in and started screaming at me. (Not because I was doing some work that I should not have done but because I smelled up the house with the paint!)

FIrst, he told me GOD, if there is one, gave me an inferor body or caused my cancer! (I was horrified, he had lost his belief in God). Then, he proceeded to call me a falure because I have not returned to work. Finally - so what - I not young like him so who cares if  I should die. Not a good day. I think I need a good long cry, and then throw my son out.

Rocktobermom

Sorry I cut and pasted your name...did not realize it link you. I will change it right now. There was no name on your post and I wanted to address your RR  comment.

My family was very involved with politics and the Rep party through out their lives. Some where, there is a photo of me, as an infant, sitting on IKE's lap. My mom was a delegate to the 1964 convention that nomiated Goldwater. (That's where RR gave the speech for Sen Goldwater). 

Hi everyone. I have been a Rep pretty much all of my life. I think the first time I voted was for Ronald Reagan for Gov...I must respecfully disagree with "Rocktobermom" - Ronald Reagan was a Republican Governor. (Not Dem, he changed his party long before running for Gov)

I would be happy with Mitt Romney, Condi Rice, Fred Thompson or the new man on the block - the "young" governor of Lousianna, Bobby Jinal.

Tmac - It is unbelieveable the price difference from one part of the country to another. Like Noni, my costs are way over 250K and I no where near done. I will have to have my silicone implants, only weeks old, remove and replaced next month. My new PS will see if he can do the nipples, at that time, so I will not have to under go another surgery. With each of my surgeries, the hospital has charged around 40K just for the OR and my after care. All I can say is, thank God I have insurance, if not I woudl have had to remain in the messed up shape I am presently in.

Thank you Marian for you wisdom.

What really hurt me was being accused of scarying people. I had no intention of that but was only attempting to answer the first question relative to saline implants. My prior PS, who used silicone against my will and without consent, claimed silicone was much better because it "could" last for 20 years or more, whereas the saline would HAVE to be replaced within 10 years. (That his story and he's sticking to it. In fact has put that in writing so I imagine will also state that under oath).

Silicone can, and has, caused many problems. It has been found as far away from the original site as the liver. Most will never have an issue regarding their implants, but after fighting BC, I would think one would want to know if something is not right. The ONLY way to check is by the use of an MRI.

If there is any reason a woman cannot have an MRI, she needs to be supplied with this information PRIOR to surgery. If reading my comment can prevent another woman from having to be put through the Hell I have, I will have done some good. (That nasty comment hurt me so much that I am seriously thinking of never posting another thing to this site.)

There have been many - MANY - lawsuits and awards given relative to silicone implants. If someone wants to read up on those cases, I would recommend spending a day (yes a day) in a law library reviewing both state and federal case law, and re-reading the paperwork required to be signed prior to implant surgery.

Contract law was where I excelled in law school. The word "Recommend" has far reaching legal meaning. Just think back to when you purchased a car. It was "recommended" you have your oil changed every 3,000 miles. If you fail to do this, your garantee was canceled.

Ruby

I am an attorney and believe me if you ever develope an issue with regards to your implants and have not been following the "recommended" procedures to the letter (MRI - every 2 years) you will have no recourse. Read Sherry's comments. You didn't mention the almost 30% chance of requiring surgery within the first three years...re-read the book! 

I have been fighting BC and believe me, even if I could keep silicone, I would not. It's just not worth the chance of developing another life threating illness. Saline has no side effect if it leaks - other than going flat. However as it will eventually leak, I think it will be better to replace them at a time that best suits me. I don't want to go flat on a well needed vacation, or in the middle of a Court case. It also could take weeks or even months, to get in to see the PS and get on their OR schedule. That doesn't even address any health issues that may come up and prevent surgery.  

Jade

Saline is not like silicone...they do need to be replaced. One good thing, in my opinion, is that when they spring a leak - you know immediately  - you go flat. Whereas with a silicone, it may be leaking for years before you know.

I am having my silicone implants (only weeks old) replaced next month with saline. Without the bi-yearly MRIs required for follow ups, there will be no way to know if I have a "Silent" leak. Silicone is NOT to be used on patients with pacemakers. My former PS decided to put in what ever he wanted regardless of medical issues, dangers and protocal.