Exchange City
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may i please be added to the list? exchange surgery, silicone implants = 7/8/09 !!!
and then I'll be doing rads afterwards. i think i'm pretty much the guinea pig on this site with that one.
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Hi Everyone ~ Thanks for all the good wishes and thoughts before my surgery. Everything went well. I'm in more pain than I thought because he did pocket revisions to get them out of my armpits. He also opened it up under the fold, so that the implant settles into it. The symmetry looks good too.
Deborah ~ I know you have been wondering about fat grafting and that was the easiest part! He went in through the belly button and no pain there. No black and blue marks either. The fat injections at the cleavage area are great. It softens it SO much and blends the skin into the implant really well.
Well, I'm off to take a nap and get some rest.
Peg
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Yeah Peg! Rest and heal, so glad it went well.
Karen
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Rockwell Girl and Whippet Mom, thanks again for your help. I did go to 530 in the TE and I am now a solid C cup...I am going to ask my PS to take in both the 600 and 650 cc style 20s and go with what looks best. I appreciate the feedback! Georgeanne, good luck to you, and keep us posted! I am not sure if my PS used alloderm or not to make the pocket...I don't know much about alloderm, other than a charge for it was billed to my insurance co ...so maybe I have an alloderm pocket too. Interesting you are from Ellwood City...I have a lot of extended family in that area....my maiden name is Shields and Steele is another family name....actually will be heading to family reunion next month in Harrisville PA...who knows...maybe we are the same size because we are related!
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Peggio - Glad your surgery went well!
Lisa810 and DV8Q - You are both on the list, congratulations on having dates!
Deborah - What is your date? I don't think I added your surgery yet.
Best wishes to the other surgical sisters for next week:
5/27 - Shelly326 - Exchange to 400 and 200 cc implants
5/27 - Looper - Revision and fat grafting
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Peg - Oh GOOD!!! I am so happy to hear from you today!!! Sounds like your PS did a great NIP AND TUCK job on you....so anxious to see pictures!! Hope you post them in a week or so!!! We want all of the details once you are feeling up to it. Thank you for the reassurance about the liposuction. I envisioned being black and blue....I bought a compression girdle today. I just hope we do not have a heat wave over the next two weeks or I will be miserable in that girdle 24/7. I ordered one with compression in the legs also, because the PS worries that I do not have enough belly fat and she might have to use fat grafts from the thigh area if I need another revision down the road. So this is one MUTHA of a girdle, let me tell you!!!
Jean - Oops...I forgot...my surgery is 5/26....Thank you! I had all of these dates down ready to PM you and saw you had already posted them!! You are too quick and I thought you were supposed to be working!!! Naughty, naughty!!!
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Um...feeling a little, stupid, I found my cord, and I'm ready to post pictures, but I don't quite get how to do it, and I'm afraid I'll mess up someones else's post. Anyone feeling kind hearted and will to PM me and tell me how to do it? Thanks!
Karen
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Mykidsmom, I found out today I will have my exchange on June 2, also with an oopherectomy. I'm very excited, I didn't think they would do it this soon.
Deborah, I hope your lipo goes well and you get the outcome that you want. I'll post more pics next week after PS visit. He says he'll do a lift if I want. I want.
DenrulzBC, I know what you mean about the turtle shells! I guess mine aren't so bad, but I definitely want my exchange. My PS said to be careful when hugging people, I might hurt them. I think I'm finally getting past this now. My last chemo was 1/21, DMX wTEs 2/27, and I'm SO glad I don't have to do any more chemo! Getting all this behind me will be great, if one can say it really is behind you. I think BC changes us in some ways forever. I hope July 16 gets here fast for you! Maybe you'd like to join everyone in Las Vegas in Sept! I think I'm going to. I'd love to meet some of the wonderful women on here.
KEW, how are you feeling after your oopherectomy? I hope you're feeling better. Can you tell me what to expect after mine? Was it hard having it at the same time as the exchange?
Thanks, Deen
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Karen - I am PM'ing you now. Sandy will probably be around to help you also....
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Thanks Deborah and Sandy. Want a laugh, I work in science and technology....
Deen--I found the exchange to be a breeze, such a great feeling after the TE. I have had no pain from the exchange. The ooph has been a challenge for me. I'm not a weenie, both kids were born naturally, and one was a 50 hour labor--no meds. The ooph has hurt, but I hear it is really different for everyone. My doc took out my appendix, and it is the right side that is most painful, so maybe that has something to do with it. I, with the doc's blessing, doubled my pain meds on Friday, I guess I had been under medicating myself, even in the hospital I only hit the PAC 37 times in 2 and 1/2 days, I was told I could hit it every 10 minutes, but I didn't. My mind is ready to go do all kinds of things, but my body is not ready, you really do need the 6 weeks, I'm just over two weeks. It has been mentioned above that I should hug something against my stomach, that helped a great deal. Expect to be slow, and make yourself take it slowly no matter how great your mind says you're doing. When I move around too much my discharge increases (sorry, gross, I know). I was told it could last as long as 3 weeks. I have had some night sweats, but not bad. No mood swings--actually pretty happy. It does feel a little strange to have missed the "process' of menopause that women go through, one day I wasn't and the next day I was, I guess I feel that maybe I missed out on an important passage, but that is just me. I will start taking Tamoxifen again on Saturday and I'm wondering if it will increase menopause symptoms. I'll let you know. Over all I'm so happy to have all that out. Just take it slow. I didn't not find it hard to have with the exchange, I had been worried I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, but I had not restrictions on using my arms--very different from after the mx. Oh, I'm still not driving, because of the meds, but also I don't think I can depress my clutch. Accept help.
You'll be awesome!
Karen
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Ok, with Deborah's help I did it. Pix are on.
Thanks Deborah!
Karen
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Deborah...I'm chiming in...LOL. I think you summed it up perfectly. I used the spanx, the one that starts under the breast and goes down the upper thighs. I will say it's been 9 weeks and I'm still sore at times....feels kind of like bee stings. I only wear the spanx during the day at work...some days not at all. Still have some puffiness where they harvested the fat. The injection sites are fine now. PS said he harvested alot. The max he could put in my breasts without the fear of necrosis he did...the rest was courtesy removal!! I'm having another round on June 17th. Said he only needs about 50cc...I told him he should have saved all he took cuz there ain't much left
Anyway....after the lipo....rest, little soft lunch box ice packs for harvest and injection sites, spanx, compression garment or lipo in a box all work well. I took some percocets the first few days but that was because I had my exchange too.
Off to Seattle for the long weekend. Gonna try to get more active. A little skiing and a little kayaking. Not looking forward to the flight but got my meds and star magazine all good to go!!!
Good luck to all. If you have specific questions don't hesitate to PM me. I'm very happy with my curvy results...just take patience and some time. No heavy lifting, pushing, pulling. I vote we all be princesses after our lipo...because eventually we'l look like one.
Cheers to all
Kathie
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Hey Ladies, I went to see my ps today. It was the first appointment since my exchange. I believe I will need a revision. He agrees that I may need a different size in one with a pocket revision. Unfortunately, the smaller one has the better shape. I need to start massaging and we will wait a month to re-evaluate. I will need a nipple lift later too. I so wanted to be done with all this! I did post on another thread about my situation. I just can not get it off my head so here I am again. Thanks for your patience. Good luck to those with upcoming procedures! I wish the best to you!!
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Karen: Holy cow girl! I just saw your photos and posted my comment, but I have to say that you look FABULOSO!!!!
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Deborah--you are a ray of sunshine! Thanks.
Hugs,
Karen
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Karen, I agree.. you look so good lady!
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DV8Q- I had my exchange yesterday and my PS told me 3 weeks and no swimming for 6 weeks. Can't wait to buy a swim suit and go to the ocean- I love to scuba dive. I don't get to take a shower or really see the new babes til tomorrow. I think I'm going to really love them- they are so much softer than the TE's. In 3 months the PS will do some liposuction and fill in cleavage area and any other areas that need it and she will also do some nipple adjusting (I was able to do the skin and nipple sparing double mastectomy).
Lois
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DenrulzBC, I totally also urge you not to do the exchange during chemo. An infection could delay chemo and chemo depends on its timing to kill the cancer. Chemo before exchange. Good luck.
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Hi everyone, I am hoping to get your input on implant sizing. I have been reading the other posts and trying to educate myself as best as possible. My PS is pretty vague and seems to be leaving the decisions up to me. Before my double mastectomy, I was a 32C. I am 5' 2" and a 104lbs. My frame is very petite. I had very small mounds and cleavage when I came out of surgery from the bulk of the empty TE's. My maximum expansions have been 30cc's because my one expansion of 60cc's made me feel like my body was being torn apart. It was horrible! I am currently at 340cc's (3 months later). My PS said he won't be able to get me to a C again. I have two more expansion scheduled and am planning on doing my exchange in August or September (depending on what my PS decides).
My TE are width 11.4cm, height 8.1cm, projection 6.1cm. Their maximum fill is 250cc's, but as I said earlier, I'm at 340cc's. I'm thinking of going with Mentor HP Round Silicon 350cc Silicon Implants (width 11.7cm, projection 4.8cm). My other option would be Mentor HP Silicon 325 Implants (width 11.4cm, projection 4.6cm). I think the Mentor Moderate Plus styles might be too wide (12.3cm and 12.5cm respectively). I'm feeling pretty confused right now. And it's hard for me to tell because the space in between the TE's is too large (about 4cm) because my right TE rotated upward a bit.
Also, my PS said he will expand 10-20% larger than the implant size, but I've read a lot of you who've had less cc's in the TE and more cc's in the implants. Again... confused. Please let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate hearing from all of you. Thanks!
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Whippetmom and KEW: I will be thinking about you next week! My PS has told he will lipo with my exchange surgery if I would like him too. I am interested to see how much extra pain it is!!! I have worn spanx- They are so tight- that I bet they will make a great compression girdle!
I found out the manufacturer of my TE: SSP (specialty surgical prodcuts) Style #LPP13 Number of cc's- left 500, right 525 and there is a 450cc limit. So, my question is can they keep filling and to what size?? I look to be about a B cup now and want to be a full C cup!!! Don't tell me they will have to change these out for fuller ones? UGH!
Rockwell_girl: I found how to start a topic- thanks for your help! Look for a new running topic soon!
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mom2b
I am not into all this figuration of expander/implant size but since you are petite and I am too I just thought I would tell you what I have......
I do not have a clue about my expander size and don't have a need to ask my PS at this time since I already have my implants and I am happy with them. I also had space between my expanders and they were toward my underarms....that changes when your implants are placed.
So all I can give you are the dimensions of my implants......
I am 5"1.5" and I weight 112 lbs (menopause sucks) petite build. My bra band size is 34...prior A/B cup
I have the Natrelle by Allergan Style 20 High Profile smooth round silicone
I was expanded to 350cc on previous radiated side and a size 375cc implant was placed 11.7cm with 4.9 projection
My prophylactic side was expanded to 320cc and a size 350cc implant was placed 11.4cm 4.9 projection....
I fill out a 34C bra pretty good and I am very happy with my size.....fits my body size perfect.....
when you have posted more you should send a private message to Timtam to get permission to enter the picture forum...I have lots of pictures posted. My expanders, my implants, with bras on and with fake nipples LOL
I have a good bit of upper pole fullness but not a lot of projection so they do not look that big without a bra but in a bra I look so much bigger with great cleavage......because the implants are under the muscle you are not going to achieve the projection that you had with your naturals..you will look different.....
Don't know why your PS cannot get you to a C......I would get more info from him.
I have had my implants for 7 months and my MX a year ago. I recently had a revision (2 weeks) on my prophylactic side. It was lower than the rad side and he overcorrected it with anticipation that it will stretch just enough to be right where we want it.......hopefully nipples and areolas reconstruction surgery this fall....
I hope I have helped you......I am sure others will offer help also.
the best to you
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Thanks Meggy! I definitely won't be exchanging until after chemo, and your point about the chemo on time and no chances of anything messing that up makes sense. I don't think I would've had enough time after my last expansion unless I wait any how. Do you or does anyone else know about how many cc's I should be expanded to if I want to be a small C cup. I'm only 5'0 and 98 lbs. I don't know anything about my expander except that I was told they are the smallest available. PS said that I should be expanded to aroung 300+/- and I'm at 250 now (with the expanders I currently fill out a C cup bra). I can only take 30cc per fill as anything more becomes excruciating. Any other tips anyone might have I'd appreciate.
TXBadboob, Good luck to you on June 2:-) I'll be anxious to hear how you are doing!
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Cheri2--I have to defer to Sandy and Deborah on anything related to expanders, etc, they have it down. Also, I have not yet had the lipo and fat graft, so I'm still learning too! I won't be having it until the fall, maybe November. I can say that my 600cc expanders were filled to 725, and I had 800cc implants. I'm 5'8" with a 34 band, and am about 158, I've lost about 17 pounds since this began.
Laura--thank you!
Karen
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Cheri: I am going to have to research your expanders. I have never heard of them, but I will find them!!! In the meantime, please post your height, weight and ribcage circumference - measuring under the bra line. Just looking at your picture [and URAQT!] I would venture to say that you are in the right place with your expander sizing for a full C cup. But post the vital statistics I mentioned and let's see what implants correspond!
Deborah
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mom2b - I think I have the same expanders as you. I never asked for the exact style, but he said they were 250cc. Like you, I started with empty TEs and am progressing slowly - usually about 40cc each time. I've only had 3 fills @ 3 weeks apart and am only at 125/135cc (for some reason he put 10cc extra in bc side...). I haven't brought up the subject of final size yet, though intend to at my next appt 5/29. Prior to surgery he made a big point of saying that I would be very hard to expand because I had limited skin (had skin sparing bmx but was very flat) and it didn't stretch much. So, I'm nervous that I won't be much bigger than before bc..... Talk to you ps and hopefully you'll be able to get where you want. Sure sounds like that's possible from hearing others on this thread. Also, a friend who is getting ready for exchange is about your same size. Her ps is thinking 300cc high profiles will get her to a c.
Good luck!
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Hey Girls!!
It's been a while since I have been on the boards, but alas, I am troubled and need some support. This is the best place I know to come. I had my exchange surgery on tuesday. Previous to bilat mx I was a 42DDD. I am overweight but at least I was well proportioned. My PS replaced my TE which were expanded to 950cc with 800cc high smooth mentors. He says this is the biggest size they make. I am now a saggy C at best. and my underarm hurts. I hear people talking about fat grafts, is this a possibility for someone like me or is it just not possible to be busty after bc? I am sure this sounds incredibly selfish I should just be happy to be alive, but I really want to feel good about my body image and that is really hard when you are overweight. Any thoughts or comments? I have searched the past boards looking for someone with a similar problem, but can find it. Wanting to be upbeat....
Ta
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mom2b: Welcome!!! Fumi [Timtam] told me about you!!! I am glad you showed up here!
Does your PS exclusively use Mentor? I just think that you have other options and typically, in order to get a larger cup size, especially for someone so petite, you are a candidate for the extra full profile. You would have more upper pole fullness with the extra full profile style - perkier than the standard HP style. Previously only Allergan had the extra full style, but Mentor just came out with this implant recently. As Linda stated, there is no reason you should not be able to obtain a "C" cup with your exchange. She is a full "C" cup with one 375 cc and one 400 cc implant, and your band size might be an inch or two smaller than hers. You should not go any smaller than the Mentor HP 350 cc implant and certainly you are not a candidate for the moderate plus - far too wide and too little projection in the size category you are going for. Don't even consider it!I do not have handy the dimensions of the new EXTRA HP Mentor, but I can give you some idea with the Allergan Style 45's - Extra Full Projection implants. You could go to a 460 cc's with this style of implant and fill out your expanded pocket.
Allergan Style 45 -
400 cc's - 11.3 width by 5.1 projection
460 cc's - 11.4 width by 5.9 projection
Just as a caveat though: You will get better cleavage with the HP style over the EXTRA HP style - more width equals better cleavage with implants lower than 500 cc's.
Deborah
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DENRulzBC: You might want to look at the numbers and information I posted for mom2b above referable to the EXTRA HP implants. You are a tiny little thing...like a Barbie Doll!!! It would be helpful to have more information on your expanders - and the details of the expanders is something every PS must maintain in their charts, as expanders are technically "medical devices." But with what you have stated re: your size and the smaller expander matrix [and if your ribcage circumference is less than 29 inches], I think you would be a full C cup with a 325 or 350 cc and you would not want to be filled to more than 300 cc's. 300 cc's could easily take you to either of these sizes.
Mentor HP 325 cc's - 11.5 cm wide by 4.8 cm projection
Allergan 20 -325 cc's - 11.2 cm wide by 4.6 cm projection.
Mentor HP 350 cc's - 11.7 cm wide by 4.9 cm projection
Allergan 20 -350 cc's - 11.4 cm wide by 4.9 cm projection.
If you have an option for Mentor or Allergan, I like the Mentor dimensions better in the 325 cc size and the Allergan dimensions better in the 350 cc size.
You also are a candidate for the EXTRA HP's - but you would need to go up to 400 cc's in this style [Style 45 in Allergan] to get sufficient width. Those measurements would be: 11.4 width by 5.9 projection.
You did not say if you need rads. Do you?
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Hotsyta---My PS told a friend of mine who was at my unveiling and had the gall to say "I've seen bigger" (she is from Dallas and the augmentation stories she's told me are a riot), he replied and said 800 cc is a large as silicone come. He said that saline can be filled MUCH larger, but he doesn't care for the results as much. That is all I know, I hope it helps. I'm sorry you are going through this. It does matter that we feel good about how we look. I'm really tired of friends saying "at least you are alive." That is very true, but somehow many people view us differently, like we are to rise above how we look, or that we should settle for anything to live. I don't think that is true, I think we can be grateful to God and our doctors, and still want to look the best we can. I don't think it is vanity, I think it is wanting to beat cancer in all possible ways. My girls are my way of showing cancer it hasn't made me less. I'm more of everything, more compassionate, more patient, more thoughtful, happier, taking better care of myself, and my girls are bigger.
Deen--one other thing. The hair growing in around my hyster incision--ITCHES like crazy.
Best--Karen
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Hotsyta - Absolutely you could be more bodacious with your ta-tas!! You have every reason to challenge this!!!
It is a matter of how much more innovative your PS wants to be and how much more surgery you want to endure. There are a number of options, one of which is "stacking" the implants. It has been done with good success at Stanford, as one of the patients who had it done was and perhaps still is on these boards. Her post regarding this procedure is here:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/708189?page=1#post_1044474
You may be able to find more information on this outside the forum, but you can get a pretty good idea of what it entails.
On another note, Becker has a saline/silicone implant which is an 800 cc implant, however, the total saline/silicone fill can go from 775 - 1000 cc's. The width is 16.5 cm and the projection is 5.4 cm - with projection increasing beyond 5.4 cm as the fill level increases.
Then there is the stacked DIEP and so on - which is more intensive but many women love what can be achieved with use of their own belly, back, thigh fat in terms of reconstruction. I would go to someone who knows what they are doing [such as NOLA] when you get into stacking and extensive autologous grafting procedures. You also end up with a body contour with these procedures. But if this is not for you, look into the implant options I mentioned above.
Deborah
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