Exchange City
Comments
-
Hi Whippetmom-Thanks for the B-day wishes! I thought about posting photos and should have started with the TEs. So do I just take some photos and upload them to my computer. Guess I'd have to delete them later as I don't want anyone but you ladies seeing them!
Sherry
0 -
oncRN
I just want to say that since your TE is 500 cc, and measuring appox. 14x13x6
and you said right now your at 470cc and your currently a size B
if you go with style 20 600cc which is real close to your TE 13.8 by 5.7
there could possibly be a chance you could end up a B and not a C
it's so weird how this can be different on everybody
So you have to weigh your options I think
would you be ok if you end up a B and not a C
I almost hate to tell you to go bigger and have you be a D and not be happy
I don't think I have ever heard of anybody that had actually ended up larger than there TE when they got their implants. Usually most of us end up smaller with our implants.
usually sometime I think when your the size you like in your TE get 50cc more just to have some room for things to move after you get your implants
sometimes PS take in 3 implants. You could maybe ask your PS to take in size 20 600 & 650
let us know if the 530cc gets you to a C
if it does I think you should be good and hope you get your C with the implants
0 -
I will not be having my exchange surgery on the 21st....I chickened out. I am going to wait until the end of the summer. I have been feeling so good lately.....7 weeks post chemo that I am just not mentally ready for another surgery and recovery. I am happy with my TE's and can live with them a little longer. The next available time for PS and me is in August...
0 -
wow Sherri this is one B-day you won't forget. I'm glad to hear everything went so well
Happy B-Day : - )
0 -
Hello Ladies! I haven't posted for a month or so--life is just too crazy. I finally got to visit my sister in Colorado, the one who came to Wisconsin when I had my mast last September, and my daughter, who had emergency surgery in Miami arrived here the day I got home for her recuperation, which will be about six weeks. Then we leave for Florida for five days, only because we got a can't-pass-it-up price on airline tickets and we have free accomodations!
I have a question for you experts out there: I'm having revision surgery in the form of fat grafting on 5/27--my insurance company finally approved! My implant side is still considerably smaller than my natural side, so we're getting that corrected. It's at a surgery center in the same building as my PS's office, where I had my exchange done in February. I'm wondering about anesthesia, pain expectation, and down time. Since my daughter still needs lots of attention, I'm wondering whether I'll pretty much return to my routine after the 27th, or will I need some help?
I have a pre-op appt this Wednesday, but it's so much more helpful to get some info from those who have experienced this!
Thanks, Suzie
0 -
Alo123
Hey, why mess up a good thing !!!! As long as you are not hating your expander then I say enjoy your summer girlfriend......hope you stick around the boards....
have a great summer
0 -
thanks Linda....I'll be reading all the time to see how everyone is doing...without a doubt!
0 -
Alo123-I agree that taking the summer off is a great idea for you. You deserve a break. You'll probably be much more mentally and physically ready to move forward in August. I also didn't think the TEs were all that bad and could have lived just fine with them for a few more months.
Enjoy the summer!
Sherry
0 -
Hello ladies - I have a question about my reconstruction and so many of you here are so knowledgeable I thought maybe someone could help.
My question is this - I have my expanders in and have had 4 fills (I had a bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy). I have a large crease on my left side right above where my incision is. I wasn't too worried about it in the beginning because I assumed that it would smooth out after my expansions. BUT, it hasn't and it's quite noticeable through my clothes, especially if I wear a T-shirt. I'm going to question my PS about it next week when I go in, but I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with this sort of thing. I'm really hoping that my PS can correct it somehow when I have my exchange surgery. Or maybe if I get filled a little larger it will help?
0 -
Sherry, Happy BD and Happy Exchange Day
Alo123: listen to that voice in your head, you know what you need
Looper, everyone seems to be different, but the majority of us recuperated quickly after the exchange. The hard part was remembering not to lift or do things because I felt so good. My PS was very adamant about no heavy lifting, pushing, pulling for 6 weeks, no matter how good I felt. I'd hate to have you been in the group that didn't feel as well, however, and not be prepared
0 -
JanMarch--I had a large crease under my nipple (about 4 inches long) throughout my expansion process. When I woke up after the exchange it was gone. During my fills the PS said it would go away with the exchange and it did. I hope yours does too!
Karen
0 -
OncRN,
Since we're so close in size, I thought I'd chime in. I am currently wearing the same expanders as you. I am totally filled (over actually) to 650cc in 600cc Allergan 133mv. I am 5'8," and weigh + / - 160 too, (rib cage 33"),so we're close in size / weight. My PS ordered style 15 for my goal of a C cup too.(Exchange date - June 26th) He did use alloderm to make the pocket, and I've been so BLESSED. Things have gone beautifully. Certainly these veteran ladies helped me greatly too. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. Georganne
0 -
Karen - thanks, that makes me feel sooo much better! Hopefully mine will go away too!
0 -
Georgeanne: Refresh my memory [and it will help OncRN also] what size - how many cc's - in the Allergan Moderate Plus Style 15 are you getting?
JanMarch - Yes, as Karen stated, most "defects" in the expanders will be remedied with additional fills and/or the exchange. BUT bring it to your PS' attention anyway....and any other issues....It is better if they know we are observant and CARE about these little imperfections. Know what I mean?
0 -
Wippetmom and Karen: Thanks so much. I feel much better today after looking at the photo's on the site- They are high but not any worse than the ones from the photo's and the reconstruction looks great. I am so thankful I found this site!!! It is so great to talk to you all!!! One thing I am glad about is finding out to keep getting more saline- the PS says it is enough but it looks only to be a"B" cup- and I want to be a "C"Georgeann- I am exactly the same size as you- blessings for recovery after this surgery - I know you must be excited to get those TE's out!!! I know I am!0
-
Cheri2 - Get us some information about your expanders and we can determine where you are "CC" -wise. Your PS may be telling you he is at the max for filling your expanders. So let's find out what the total fill amount is. Expanders are medical devices and therefore have registration cards or labels - information which actually should be given by copy to the patient. If you do not have this, call your PS and have his assistant or nurse check the chart and tell you the manufacturer - Mentor, Allergan or Silimed - and the STYLE number [very important] and the number of cc's.
0 -
Sherry - Congratulations on your exchange!
Alo - Just let us know when at the end of the summer and we will add you then!
Laura - Have fun on your trip to Texas!! And please let us know how your visit w/ Diana goes!
I am not posting as often, but I still try to stop by to say hi once in a while. Work is crazy these days! Take care all!
0 -
Whew - been away for a few days and lots to catch up on! I apologize for all these late replies but here goes -
Jean and Laura - I remember those graduation days and the mixed feeling that come with them. You are so excited that your kids have reached those milestones but a little sad because now they are kind of all grown up and don't seem to need their mamas so much anymore! Congratulations on getting your kids to where they are today!
Joyce - Very happy to hear that you have a date to get the ole girl perked up!
Sandy - You just make me laugh out loud!!!! Just say it like it is!!! I'm glad to hear that Tamox didn't ruin your libido!!!!
Laura - Enjoy your vacation and have a great visit with our sista!
0 -
Peg.....thinking of you all day today....
We hope to hear from you soon regarding your exchange surgery!!
0 -
I was wondering if any of you had your exchange during but toward the end of treatment? My onc mentioned that she had some patients do that if it was ONLY an exchange. If not how long did you wait after you finished chemo?
0 -
Thank you ladies.. Di and I are really thrilled to meet!
Ladies...I am still thinking about you and praying for little pain with your exchanges. Please let us know when you can!
0 -
Hi ladies: thank you so much everybody for the condolences....he is better off with the lord I believe he is much happier now.
Kew, I am sorry it hurts so much!!! Some do, some don't, I did not, but I wish you did not as well!!! I sure hope they gave you something.
I felt myself again about week 5 1/2. Be SURE you rest, rest and more rest. Don't stretch to get anything, just sit on that couch and be still and read or knit or watch videos. It does take time, and it's crucial you rest thru this time. I held a big old pillow over my tummy watching TV as our super obese calico cat likes to rebound off my stomach. Ugh.
Take care all.
xoxo
0 -
KMMD~~Thanks for your response, but you may have misunderstood my question. I've had my implant since 2/9 and am having fat grafting next week. Can I expect to have restrictions when it's complete? Is this grafting done with injections, or will there be an incision?
anniealso~~I'll pass on your bill old pillow suggestion to my daughter who's recuperating at my house after surgery for a perforated ulcer--she has a 12" incision down her center, and her cat also is trying to stretch out over her belly. We have a body pillow that should solve that problem!
Suzie
0 -
Add me to the list! My exchange date will be 07/10. Is it common for no lifting or pulling/pushing for 6weeks or is there a weight limit ? I was planning on taking 2weeks off after the exchange and my job is light labor (barista) all day long. Do you think that is enough time? Thanks ladies.
0 -
Looper, sorry, did misunderstand. I haven't had any grafting done. I know a few who did waid the site where they did the lip to do the grafting was pretty sore for a few days
0 -
DenrulzBC, even if your onc is allright with that, I personally would not even get an exchange until 4 weeks after chemo. You don't want to risk an infection, so you want your immune system to be at it's best when you get cut again. I've read too many horror stories on here about infections even 1 month after exchanges. Are the TEs bothering you that bad? Hope your chemo ends soon anyway!
Deen
0 -
looper - I am also having fat graft surgery - next week. The surgery also iinvolves liposuction, which is, from what I hear, the most uncomfortable part of the surgery. I frankly envision more "down time" from this procedure than I experienced with the exchange surgery. I have an HMO and so my surgery is under general anesthesia. However, some and many of these procedure are done under twilight or localized anesthesia and so perhaps the recovery time will be different.
The PS lipos fat, most likely from your abdomen, and then injects this fat into the defect areas of your breasts. You will need to wear a girdle or a similar compression garment for a period of time after the surgery. My insurance does not provide the garment, so I went out and bought a Spanx compression girdle at Nordstrom, but I think I will also buy a true surgical compression garment. The compression helps with blood circulation, helps reduce/prevent swelling, maintains the new abdominal contour...essentially helps aid the healing process,
A couple of others here [Kathie...please chime in here!] will be able to provide you with more information re: recovery time, compression garment worn, etc.
0 -
Deborah---I'm glad you shared all of that, because I wonder if I won't be having the same procedure when I have my revision. I hope it goes well for you and look forward to hearing about your experience. I've wanted to post pictures, but can't find the cable that goes from my camera to the computer--teen age boys, who knows where it is! But I want to show the step-down and the --what was it called--the double fold? Otherwise I think they look great.
Karen
0 -
Annie---Thank you for thinking to give me some encouragement during this time in your life. I really do need to be reminded to lay low. I want to mop my kitchen floor and other things, but when I move too much, it hurts and discharge increases. My boys are so great, they try, but usually I want to clean after they've cleaned! So here I sit. grateful, happy, but antsy to be healed!
Hugs to you!
Karen
0 -
Hi TXBadboob,
Thanks for responding. I was suprised to hear that too, works out that after my last expansion I'll need to sit for 6-8 weeks anyhow which is until around 4 weeks after my chemo ends on July 16. My PS wouldn't do it during chemo, I asked out of curiosity today. I think I would have felt uncomfortable having a procedure done during tx anyhow. I think I'm just anxious to get the turtle shells out, I'm sure everyone feels the same way. They actually aren't too bad just wanting to get on to the next step in being beyond bc. Are you past all of this yet? I hope you are doing well:-)!
0
