Exchange City
Comments
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Wow...lots going on for sure.
CJC ~ I know, I hate to post negative news and maybe it is just that it still feels tight? I can exercise without a problem. It is just that I sometimes feel the tightness at times I would not expect. I have not really had pain for awhile. But there are those twinges...
Myers ~ So sorry for your issues. But to answer your Q, if you are no thappy, then yes, get a new PS. You can ask you Breast Surgeon who is dedicated. I am rather lucky in the fact that I live within a short distance of a major metropolitan area, and hence ended up getting the best PS in the state and he only does boobs.
Tessa ~ For me, I had to wait 3 months due to insurance purposes.
Smaarty ~ Hmmm...TMI here but DH has only seen them once and doesn't seem to have any interest.
Everyone, I agree that we are all diffferent with different outcomes. Hugs. I am still confused on if I should or should not wear underwires....8 months out. I can tell you that as soon as I could get rid of that surgical ugly bra after exchange, I did and threw it in the trash. Hated it.0 -
Smaarty,
YES, I had the "loaf" shape too! One was lopsided for awhile. It does go away.
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Amy I also can't believe the ridiculous comments from good friends
Why are you doing this?
Why do you need another breast?
Haven't you've had enough surgeries and issues?
You're more vain than I thought!
They're not the ones who've gone through BC and have to look at themselves with just one breast as a constant reminder of what I've lived through. The fact that I am all scarred doesn't bother me-something they don't even see. I just want to look whole again. Why is that so wrong? And I'm the one who's had 3 infections and yet I'm still willing to try to get another breast down the line. Just hang in and do what YOU want-that's all that matters!
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Amy - Damn, people are so stupidly dense. I'm so sorry you are having to go through all of this.
Sandra & Minus Two - I am embarrassed to admit this, but I'm not even sure. They're Allergen (?) and they're a silicon gel that's not supposed to leak if you cut it & they are supposed to be 'teardrop' shape (I think that's what they called it) but right now look a lot like the hamburger buns & are up really high. (Minus Two - I'm still not smoking
- so that's good). Sandra, I've read through a lot of what you have gone through - I think I would just lose my mind. 0 -
Hi everyone,
I am having my exchange surgery in two weeks. I will also post something to whippetmom as well since she made an implant recommendation a couple of months ago but wanted to here from those who may have this implant. I was originally going with Allergan 45. My PS said that Mentor has an ultra high profile. Does anyone have the Mentor UHP implants? If so, how do you like them? Do you feel they give good projection? Thanks. Pink Lotus
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amy glad it's not infected, that's the most important thing. Did he indicate to you which he thought would make you happier in the long run? The swap out does sound easiest. Funny he recommends rounds to anatomical... He's having me swap the exact reverse!
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Schoolcounselor,
I am so sorry for your TE trouble. I lost my left TE twice before my exchange due to infections, and that was after both my flaps failed! There is light at the end--I just had my exchange surgery and the TEs and infections are a distant memory. One day it will be the same for you, keep the faith. I love your Proverbs 3...Blessings to you and yours.
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HAD MY EXCHANGE, HALLELUJAH, ON 2/14! I have not felt this good since before I had cancer in 2011. I noticed today that people seem to be happier around me, and I realize now that it is that I am happier around them.
I am so happy now with my Mentor highly cohesive rounds 790cc. Had my drains removed on Friday.
Relief to get rid of the TEs. They are softer, not as big as my real ones were, and do not hang. I feel a little bit of tightness in the muscle. The nurse said they will "drop" in a while. Anyone know what she is talking about? She said everyone starts off high and eventually drop. I opted not to do flaps given my history with infections and failed flaps. I know my results could have been better with flaps, I just didn't think I could handle another failed flap.
My mud flaps on the side are gone, and I think I might be happiest about that. The PS also did a little nip and tuck in other places to help make me symmetrical.
Anybody have post op instructions that talk about stretching or working out? I feel like I don't have enough info on how much weight or movement I can handle.
This was my 7th surgery in 3 years. Now I'm waiting for my last final 8th surgery in May for the fat grafting, nipples, and scar revisions on my legs from the failed flap.
I was really worried in November with the pseudomonas infection and hospitalization for the left TE. I think the colloidal silver helped fight the infection.
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Warmsmart, what a wonderfully positive post! Everyone who has run out of hope can get newly inspired by reading your story. I especially liked your comment about people around you seeming to be happier. That got me thinking and resolving to be happier around my friends. Thanks!
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Ziggy, the doc is supposed to give you a wallet sized card from the manufacturer with the info on what you have - with both TE's and permanent implants. Ask if they didn't. It's information you'll need to know.
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Ziggy- if your PS is less forthcoming w giving your your TE info, just contact the hospital and request the surgical report, the info is in the report. I had conflicting info from nurse, PS which made me a little nuts. Of course my PS was correct but had a curveball thrown in w the wrong input from his nurse. But still scratching my head on what to do about my upcoming exchange.
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I am going to go with the anatomical swap, his 1st recommendation because it is the easiest. Aviva why are you swapping them out? What size/style do you have currently and did you not like them. I think it will be a big adjustment going from 600 rounds
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I have allegra 410s, 375 and 425. They project too much for me personally, tho for my shape and size are ok. For me psychologically, I wanted less projection. Also you cant tell the shape at all, but that might have to do with the excess tissue on the sides.
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warmsmartcookie - CONGRATULATIONS on your squishies! In answer to your question about 'dropping'. It's known as drop and fluff. You can Google it and find pictures. (Probably from breast augmentations, but it's the same theory.) It'll take a while for your chest muscle to relax, but the implants will eventually 'drop' down your chest and then fill out at the bottom which is known as 'fluffing'. Everyone starts out high and flat to some degree, so just give it some time...
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Pinklotus,
I have Mentor Memory Gel Smooth round Ultra High Profile Implants. I had my exchange two weeks ago tomorrrow. My TE's were filled to 480cc and my implants are 480cc. I am very happy with the results. The projection is not the same as TE's and at first I thought they were too small but now I really like them and they are squishy! I am still very aware of them but they are soooo much better than TE's. In May, I will have some revision work and hopefully I will be all done. G
Good luck with your decision. It is really hard but I would get the same ones again. Let me know how it goes.
Julie
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Thanks Julie. Glad you're happy with your decision. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself and hope I'm as happy as you are.
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It is hard to explain. I looked forward to the exchange so much but then I realized that things will never be the same as they were before cancer. But as a replacement I am very satisfied.
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Ziggy - WOO HOO!!! You go girl. One day at a time. Sounds like you have Allergan 410s but Sandra's right. Call & make sure your PS gets you a wallet card.
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Hi Julie....If you don't mind me asking, what is your height and ribcage size. I know these implants are a little more narrow than some. Thanks. Pink
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Hello to Everyone, I am new to this thread ...I too am waiting for my exchange, the surgery is scheduled for March 28th. However it is very uncertain if I will have it done. My surgery has been cancelled two times due to low platlets. My platlets are not considered dangerously low and the Onc is baffled as to why the PS has refused to do this. So all fall and winter I have been going in every two weeks for lab draws and everyone of the levels has been low. So I am dissapointed that this has happened this way. I was told from the get go, that this ps was the best in the area, and does awsome work, however I think he is unreasonable with my situation....
I did read that one gal went a long period of time before getting the implants, so I am not alone. I guess it could be worse, I am just tired of these rocks in my chest.
Hopefully surgery will proceed and I can post my progress and learn from others on this thread.
Oh and one more thing, does anyone know about a ryans suture? I found out the surgeon who did the mastectomy cut below the fold on the right side, causing scar tissue and so the ps said I need a ryans suture for symetry. The Ps told me this and didn't give me the opportunity to ask more questions.... Thanks for listening....
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Lori1020, come on over and join us on the March 2014 Surgeries thread. Anyone else with March surgeries, we need you too. Actually, we welcome people who've "been there" too to support and offer suggestions.
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I just looked up info on Ryan Suture. It's also called Internal Ryan Procedure. It's named after a Dr. Ryan and is used to make the inframamary fold fit a smaller implant. There is also info on the website below on something called "bottoming out" which can happen especially when a woman has thin skin. They do something called an Internal Pexy to suture the IMF to the rib to raise the implant. I believe that's what I had on one side in my third surgery in December and may be getting on the other side in my upcoming March 21 surgery. It sits a good inch or more lower than the other one. At least I know enough now to be able to ask the right questions when I see the PS.
http://www.realself.com/question/breat-implants-inframamary-fold
edited for spelling
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Surgery Scheduled, next Monday the 2nd prayers please that this will work
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Absolutely Amy! I do so hope and pray that this works out positively for you!
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Prayers sent up, Amy!!!
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Open that pocket girl so we can jump in!
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can't wait to hear the good news, Amy!!
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Amy - Good luck with the surgery!!
Onto another topic, I've been reading about mud flaps on this site....what are they and what does it look like?
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Amy - You'd better have some BIG pockets, girl. We're all going to be right there with you for this... I can just hear it now...
"Pssst, Sandra, move over, you always get the good spot.
Hey, Dulci, can you move to your right a little? 
Sweetandspecial, come over here and stand next to me! Everybody move up a little bit, there are more sisters waiting to get in...." 
Seriously, Amy, I pray that this one gets you to the squishy side with no complications and very little pain.
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HappySpring - Mud flaps are the extra axillary tissue left after a skin-sparing mastectomy and reconstruction. Some women don't have a problem with it and it doesn't spoil the look of the implants. Mine aren't too horribly bad but they do kind of make my implants look a little squarish on the sides (cleavage on the other hand is absolutely awesome - beautifully soft and rounded and just right! But the extra tissue below the armpits not so much). Some PSs take care of the mud flaps at the time of exchange. Mine requires a wait for swelling to dissipate and to see how the implants settle in and how much of a problem the mud flaps really turn out to be. My 'mudflapectomy' is tentatively scheduled for April 25 and I can't wait to be one step closer to a masterpiece!
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