Exchange City
Comments
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Digger:
The fat is going to be taken from my belly. They do not need much fat to fill in these imperfections/defects. This will be under general anesthesia. My PS tells me that many plastic surgeons do this under local anesthesia because some insurance carriers will not cover general, but I have Kaiser insurance [an HMO] and they cover it. I do not relish the idea of going through general anesthesia again, but I want to get this right.
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Wow what a busy few days for everyone. Elaine, you have been though so much and just listening about the drains brought back so many memories. I hope I don't have to have them after the exchange surgery. I hope your chest area is looking a little more like grandmas chest than grandpa's butt. You are not whining, you are a champ, you need a lot of TLC and catering to. I can't believe that you were left to clean up after physically able people who knew you were needing rest, not maid duty. Sheesh, even if you didn't have anesthesia, this is enough to make one a little cranky. Your experience is a good reminder that it takes a long time to get over the effects of anesthesia, surgery and coping with all the issues that go along with any surgery, let alone breast cancer surgery.
"Karen-KEW" Glad to know you are hanging in there, I can't believe your luck with the sick son, did it turn out to be mumps? Is this the same son that just won the 800 meter track race? I just hope he is feeling better.
Val61, your story made me cry. My sisters neighbor, I don't know her that well, did a 5 K walk at the Los Angeles colliseum and did it in my name. I was so touched that she thought of me. I am so blessed my so many amazing "sisters" who really mentor and are there to answer so many questions.
I hope everyone had time to enjoy Mothers day.
Jan
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Can anyone give me a link to see the dimensions of expander by mentor, allergen and inamed....I see my PS tomorrow...he doesn't know I'm coming...to try to change the overly large expander he has chosen for me. My surgery is Wednesday. I'm feeling really depressed and everytime I try to find this information I just can't find it. His nurse mentioned Inamed...I've never heard of it...has anyone else?
-Meg
PS....sure wish my fiance had given me flowers or something today...I've been a single mom for 6 years....tells me "your not my mother." Then he bought flowers after I said it made me feel bad that he hadn't...he should have saved his money. Thanks for listening.
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Thanks for the info. Mine is likely local, if I decide to do it. I'm going to think about it over the summer and decide if I want to put my body through more. I'm just curious where he's going to get the fat from, because he already said I definitely don't have it in my belly. Maybe my thighs...
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((((((((((((((((((((Elaine))))))))))))))))))))))) Hang in there...still praying for you!
Great story Karen! A real feel good one for today!.
Happy Mom's Day to all the mom's out there! I hope you got to see or talk to your young'uns today.
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Ladies with surgery this week.. I will be praying for you! God Bless your outcome!
Please let us know how you do!
You will be held in all our arms until we hear!
Love Love Love!
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Karen, thank you for the complement on the age thing... I am 41. I look all of 41..hehe... Dh and I were married at 18 and 19.. sooooooooooo we have a 22yr old and an 18 yr old... if we had our choice.. we would have had 10 kids....hehehehehehehe.... but... we had 2 sons.. 4 yrs apart... BUT... our oldest married his high school sweety.. and we have a 2 yr old grandson AND a 1 yr old granddaughter...:).....
we get busy livin' in our family...roflol.......hheheeheheheheheheheheeheh
Blessings all!
Blessed Mothers Day!
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Meggy:
Inamed is now Allergan. It has been Allergan for quite some time, but most PS' still refer to products as "Inamed". Here is the link to the products. You will need to scroll down to see all of the expanders. Print out the two pages of expander products and take them with you tomorrow.
http://www.gidamed.com/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=12&Itemid=77
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Oops. That Allergan link does not work. I have my own cheat sheet printed out with all of the Allergan expanders - several of them are missing from the Allergan "Natrelle" website, I believe because they are not part of the Natrelle collection. But here are the two websites - Mentor and Allergan: [But Meggy - your PS should have the Allergan catalogue to show you!]
http://www.mentorcorp.com/breastsurgery/reconstruction/breast-implants.htm
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Meredith if you want to be a cup size bigger most likely you'll need almost 100cc more would be my guess
25 I don't think will make much of a difference
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Hi Deb thanks for posting those I was just going to look for those links
I think we all now what your only getting a little bit of lypo
that's because your so trim they can only find a little bit : - )
Well I hope all you gals had a great mothers day
I had an awesome weekend
well now time for rest
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Yvonne are you the one that your PS is planning to do something different for your nipples
like you got something placed in your body waiting
someone mentioned this but I don't remember who
a gal was asking about another option and was going to share
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Hi. I'm a newbie to this board but have done some "homework" by reading a number of the previous posts from the ladies here and the other thread on implant sizes, and I'm hoping those of you who have had your implants for a while can share your insights on long-term impact of going 2 cups larger -- in my case, from an A to a C.
I had thought that my PS, who is one of the best in his field and comes highly recommended, understood what I wanted based on what I said and B/A pictures (he did not offer the option to try on sizers because they do not provide an accurate picture of the final result). However, now that it's been about three weeks after he put a Mentor Moderate Profile Plus silicone gel implant put into my non-cancerous breast, I'm pleased with the diameter but concerned that the shape is not as full or project out as much as what I was hoping for.
I'm now torn between trusting the expert (my PS) because he's done a ton of these reconstruction surgeries since specializing in it for the last 10 yrs and worked on many gals who are my body size/frame/weight vs. diplomatically asking him to revise it to something bigger (such as a High Profile) before he swaps out the TE in 6 weeks. Should I wait and see what he uses for the TE side. Any advice?
My PS has told me he tried several sizes in the OR and this is the best cosmetic choice for me. He has consistently cautioned that if I go bigger, then I may be opening myself to the potential problems in the future such as a "double fold" (aka Snoopy Effect when breast tissue stretches over time and ends up sagging over a "too large" implant) and rippling because I have thinning skin. I also am aware that Mentor Web site has details on long-term complications with implants bigger than 350cc. As my bc was a shock, I don't want to create any more complications with reconstruction.
If there are folks on this board who have had implants for more than a few years, would you please advise the likelihood of the snoopy effect and how long before it shows up?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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Meg - I am sorry about the fiance, but at least he tried! You know he cares!!!
"Long term complications with implants bigger than 350cc???" I hadn't heard anything about this. What are they.
Best wishes to our surgery sister this week. Hugs all around. - Jean
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anewme -
Everything I have read about the double bubble or double fold defect indicates that you would not need to worry at all about this happening in your particular case. It most typically occurs with mastopexy patients - patients undergoing a breast lift with implants. The double bubble can occur when the implant diameter exceeds the inframammary fold's ability to stretch to accomodate the larger implant diameter - and this would need to be a very large implant with a diameter much larger than the one you have. Another cited reason for the double fold is that there is too much skin to begin with and this is not excised during mastopexy and to avoid the double fold defect from occurring, skin needs to be removed from the inframammary fold during the lift procedure. If it is not removed, the risk of the double fold magnifies. I doubt with an "A" cup you had anything remotely near the need for a lift!
You can read more about it here:
http://www.breastrevisionsurgeon.com/highriding.asp
Projection is a difficult aspect to achieve with breast reconstruction - as there is no breast tissue, no fat - no nipple areola complex [unless you have a NAC sparing] and so for many women, the high profile implant works best. The high profile implant is the best implant to use when you are using a smaller implant and want to get a good breast profile without having to go too wide in the base. Especially for women with a smaller ribcage. I would not hesitate to ask for a 350 high profile implant exchange, especially since you are going to be under and out for the augmentation on your healthy breast.
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Whippetmom,
I am sorry that you will need another surgery!!!!! You will be in my daily prayers. I appreciate what you've done to help so many on this thread. Hugs and prayers to you.
Estepp - How can a "22 year old" have a graduating senior? You look AMAZING!!!!!! I am a senior English teacher, and have not been able to have my own children. However, I am truly blessed to be able to teach 120-140 seniors every year. Our young kids are WONDERFUL. Congratulations to you for a job well done.
Elaine and Jax, I'm praying that each of you are doing better today. You are certainly in my prayers and thoughts today!!!!!
Thanks to all of you ladies. I appreciate all of the thoughtful advice and the great support you offer. Georganne
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Karen......that would be great. I loved your story, it was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
My JP drain is still driving me crazy......I never quite know where to place it.......but taping it different has helped to keep the suture from pulling so much.....the drain burns at the insertion site more than the sutures from my removed implant.
Hope everyone having procedures this week have smooth sailing........Elaine
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Elaine I hope you are able to get those JP drains out soon. I also had more pain at the drain site than I ever did on my incision from my insertion site.
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Oh, good Elaine. Glad I could help, and count it down, it will be less than 3 weeks for sure, and it OUT...JUDY
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Oh crap girls, I'm getting nervous... Has anyone else had an aerola made with a skin graft from the inner thigh, like my PS is going to do? I had a skin graft taken from the roof of my mouth once, to repair a receding gum, and it hurt like hell. I'm afraid this will be even worse. At least the nipple shouldn't hurt, since it'll be done as a flap.
I'm starting to worry about the implant on my good side too. He's planning to put in a 400-450cc implant, to make my good A-cup side match my reconstructed 800cc C-cup side (it was a B before). I have never had matching girls before, so that will be nice. Since I haven't had an expander there, if he puts the implant under the muscle, won't that really hurt? I probably shouldn't be thinking about it, but I wish I knew.
I do really trust my PS, and I've done great so far; I'm just a worrywart, and the unknown scares me more than the known. Anyone else have any similar procedures done?
Diane
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Elaine, Jaimieh--I heartily agree with your opinions about drains. Those little devils are instruments of torture! I can't even think about them without adding several profane and unflattering adjectives around the word. Mine burned and stung the whole three weeks I was cursed with wearing it, inflicted stabbing pain on me every time I moved, and the place where it had been inserted hurt for a long time thereafter. Someone should invent a better, less painful product to replace this #*x#* one!
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Karen,
That was great! No,no matter what, we are still "Mom". Hope you didn't do too much damage.
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anewme if I read your post right your saying your healthy breast doesn't have as much projection as your TE
a lot of times when you get the exchange it's hard to acheive the same projection as your TE so after your exchange they may actually match
if you share your TE size and style we can tell you if you can get something close to that. Do you know what your PS plans to use for your exchange?
I'm not sure if I read your post right but that's how I took it
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Diane with the implant on your healthy side could your PS use an expandable implant
it's sort of like a TE but it stays in and only haas to remove the port after you get a good match
that's what I had done on my healthy side
sorry can't help with the skin graft
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anewme: Oops. Sandy just cleared it up for me. I was confused....
So....essentially the answer is similar, but yes, ask your PS to swap out your 300 cc Mentor moderate for a larger implant at the time of the exchange surgery on the cancer side. However, when you go to a higher profile implant you will lose a little width you know....you would have end up with 11.7 width by 4.8 projection with the Mentor 350 high profile This means he needs to readjust the sizing for the implant he intends to use on the healthy breast....I think...or am I confused about this also?
Sandy? Am I right about this?
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it really depends whether her PS can get her the projection she has now with the TE
maybe on her cancer side she could get that new implant that has more projection than the High Profile
I forget what it's called
and than to get better projection on her healthy breast maybe she could get it exchanged for the high profile on that side
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NVDiane - Had skin taken from top of my thigh to rebuild aereola last Wednesday. Bandages don't come off until Thursday so I can't tell you how it looks, but the spot where PS took the graft is fine. Stung a bit the first day, but completely comfortable now.
Wishing you the best with your procedure.
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karen - absolutely true! hang in there!
dianne - i wanted to say thanks for the suggestion awhile ago about magnesium. I started taking it a few weeks ago. I had another fill last friday with almost no discomfort so far. Last time I had burning and tightness for nearly two weeks. Thanks!
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whippetmom, thanks for the info on the double bubble. hmmm...i wonder what is motivation my PS has for keep bringing it up as a possibility in the future whenever I ask him about getting the size I want? could it be because of my thin skin? ultimately it's an issue of trust for both of us.
Sandy, thanks for your feedback as well.
This is all very overwhelming. I thought I got past the hard part when I had to figure out how to deal with the bc, and I guess I didn't spend too much time thinking through the reconstruction part. Maybe I need to step back on the size issue and start from the beginning. I tried looking but can't find the link that was previously posted about figuring out what's the right width, projection, etc. Would someone repost?
For convenience, here's a summary of my info:
Currently healthy breast with implant (300 cc Mentor Moderate Profile Plus) is 8" from edge to edge -- which I think is a B
cancer side has the Mentor Low Profile which has suggested fill to 200 cc 12.0 cm, 5.3 cm projection - I should know this but I'm not sure how much my PS has filled; he did say he wanted to see how the implanted healthy side looks in a few weeks b4 he decides if he needs to fill anymore
Could my PS be thinking that he'll need to put the High Profile in the cancer boob to match the heathy one with implant (3.6 cm projection + whatever additional from the healthy breast tissue) to achieve the best symmetry? How does one calculate the final projection of the boob with the healthy breast tissue and implant? If he uses the High Profile for the healthy side then would I end up with 2 boobs with uneven projection? How does that work?
Sorry for all these questions. I guess I should have thought this all through b4 I started this process. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and experience.
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anewme
you might be talking about teh things on page 99 of this thread but I'm not sure
I did copy and paste this:
--------------------------------ULTRA HIGH PROFILE BREAST IMPLANTS----------------------------------------
For future reference:
Mentor has come out with a round smooth gel ultra high profile implant - to rival the Allergan Style 45's!
In comparison:
Allergan Natrelle Style 45 - Extra Full Profile
600 cc's.........12.8 width x 6.1 projection
vs.
Mentor Ultra High Profile Silicone Gel
590 cc's.........12.5 width x 6.3 projection
Here is the catalogue....scroll down and the dimensions of this new style are on the right...
http://www.mentorimplants.se/Images/Mentor%20Product%20Offering.pdf
I woulds ask your PS if he could use the ultra high profile on your cancer side and a new high profile on your healthy side to make things even. Have both of them be 12cm wide which I think should work good on your frame but cancer side will need more projection since it doesn't have any breast tissue. It can't hurt to ask.
never feel sorry about asking anything. Fell free to ask us
I do need to say I'm sorry for not being here as much as I used to be
I'm trying to take time to read but now the ther weather is nicer I'm not on the computer much.
If anybody needs anything feel free to PM me and if I don't reply PM me again and tell me to get the lead out LOL : - )
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