Exchange City
Comments
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I agree about the cup size being different on different body types. My PS said that too. I'm 5' 7 1/2" with a 36" rib cage and my 655 gummy bears appear to be a C cup. They might look very different on another body type.
About working/driving after exchange surgery, my PS said I could drive as soon as I was off Rx pain pills. For me that was day three. I go back to work in three weeks (I'm a teacher) which should be more than enough time. As always, it depends on your PS and how your surgery went.
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Julie, yes that's what I mean. Thanks for all your responses. I asked my PS about these areas and I recall her saying that once the expander is out and no longer attached to the pec muscles, it will not be as pronounced. But the implants will not be placed that high so I'm going to ask again. I'm wondering if she will do any fat grafting to smooth out the edges while I'm under. I'm sure I asked, but over 8 months of fills and chemo brain, I can't remember. My exchange is Friday.
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Beth, my PS waits 4-6 weeks after the last fill before exchange. I am a rare case in that my left side has a "slow leak". She will continue to fill the left until the exchange. Actually she will pump that side up again while she exchanges the right side.
I've heard of it being done right away though. I'm curious why some surgeons do it this way.
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beth, of course every P'S is different. My P'S waited only 1 month after my last fill.. Each one is different. I got my last TE in Sept 2013. I had my exchange December 2013. I was filled to 850. I am barely a C cup on my body. But remember my right TE had been in place and half filled since December of 2011! LOL
Much love
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HomeMom, as everyone has said, cup size is unpredictable. I'm 5' 6" with 34" band size. I've had two kinds of implants (Style 20 800cc rounds and 410's Style FF 740 cc's) and in both I am a C. Actually, I'm a C in only two Wacoal styles. None of the other dozen Wacoal styles I tried were even close. There was lots of empty space at the end of the cup. I've tried on lots of different manufacturers and no luck with those either. Implants are very wide but don't stick out very far so if I find one that will encompass the whole foob, they don't fill the cups completely. The Wacoal rep told me to stick with stretchy cups instead and they work pretty good. For the most part I don't wear a bra at all but once in a while I do.
By the way, my gummies have more projection than the rounds...but that's not saying much. Implants just don't have projection. I have the largest size they can get in the states with the most projection and it's less than 2 1/2 inches. I look great in clothes though.
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AZ and Sweetandspecial, I have missed all of you also!! I'm finding it harder to check in since I've gone back to work full time! I love my sisters I have met here!! Thank you for your kind support!! And encouragement!! I know I can't expect others who don't have to go through this to truly understand, but a person just wishes for a bit of compassion. I'm trying to let things go and think, hey those are their issues and not mine and like you said I DO have the right to want what is right for me! Sometimes I feel spunky and want to say---come back and we will talk if you ever have BC. Ok, now I will be nice.
I am finally feeling better, not so much nerve pain and the surgical discomfort is done, energy finally returning. I saw my PS and have a tentative date set in August for my revision. He said it will actually work well to use the extra skin he takes off for grafting for my new nipples, and do them at the same time. He said I shouldn't really be dropping much more that it would put the nipples off center. Just waiting on my pre approval from the insurance company.
I found a sports bra (36D at this time) from Yonkers that is soft, but it rolls up on the band and that gets raw feeling on the IMF. I haven't been wearing a bra to bed, but read Whippetmom's suggestion of wearing a sleep bra or cami to prevent migration to the armpits. My PS said no need to wear a bra any time, so it's confusing as I said before.
AZ, I'm so excited that you have a date for your 3 Ds!!! Yes! A perfect way to start the new year!:) you SO deserve to have awesome results after all you've been through!
Mommyathome, Wow, you have been through it!! Your oncologist should be able to tell you if you need any further interventions such as medication. My oncologist had me on Arimidex for 5 years. I had a hysterectomy at 25yo and still have my ovaries, but don't have to have them removed due to no genetic predisposition. I'm hoping your incision is healed by now! That stinks when you have to deal with that on top of everything else!! I too have the bubble feel in spots and a little ripples looking in spots but it doesn't really bother me like the dog ear skin flaps do. Hang in there my friend. Keep us posted.
Love and hugs to all!! And welcome to our new ladies and soft and squishy friends!!
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simple - I see that you've already been to the picture forum and have seen my revision pictures. (And thank you for your kind words.) It took a lot of soul searching to get there, but in the end the pros outweighed the cons on my list. And the result is so much better than I had ever dared to dream it could be.
At seven weeks, you still may see some changes in position, but if that leftie is still a bit on the wonky side, I encourage you to see if your PS does fat grafting. That was what really helped me and mine look so normal. I was skeptical, but both my new PS and whippetmom are such big proponents of the procedure - who was I to argue? And I'm so glad I listened. Thankfully, the new girls are now smooth and warm - and no longer cold and rippling. I waited six months for revision, just to be sure I was giving everything enough time to migrate where they were supposed to and fill out. Well, we all know that never happened. So go with your gut. Only you know what's right for you!
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Simplelife - my incisions were horizontal across the nipple area and when you IMF incision ladies talk about bras it just makes me cringe! I can't imagine having long scars where the bra band would rest, at least not right away - ouch! I'm glad you're feeling better ((((((hugs)))))).
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Hi ladies,
Just checking in after my exchange surgery last Friday. The PS ended up using the Sientra Round base 425cc (she had taken bigger sizes in the operation room in case they looked to small) and they look pretty good, close the shape I had in my 20's but bigger. FYI, I had 400 cc TEs in. She also did fat grafting, taking some from my upper stomach and from my armpit bulges (at my request). I have a drain on each side. Except from being a little sore, I really don't feel much pain. The drains and the girdle are inconvenient but not horrible. I'll post pictures after the drains are gone on the picture forum. My PS had indicated that she would probably do another fat grafting in 6 months from now because some of it would not survive. I am relieved it all went well and anxious to see how the implants will look and feel after a few weeks.
Huz
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Hi everyone! I have my exchange surgery scheduled for the 31st. I'm starting to get nervous. PS said no lipo at this time. He said that he is going to, "pull it all forward". This should be interesting. I just can't wait to get to the next stage!
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Simplelife,
Yes a bunch of appointments coming up:
August 6: regular physical exam w primary
August 7: follow up with plastic surgeon
August 19: follow up w gyno
September 12: follow up w breast surgeon
Sounds like fun, huh?!? My incision from TAH/BSO isn't healed yet, it's quite sore still but I refuse to take anymore pain meds!! I'm taking 1-2 motrin a day and every now and then a Valium to sleep. There's one spot, right in the middle that won't close!!! They've put silver nitrate there twice now to try to close it but it's not working and it's sore as hell!!! I am 3 weeks post op today. I'm hoping no pain when I get to 4 weeks!!!!
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Huz, congrats on getting past your exchange surgery. Yay for very little pain!
stfne, good luck with your surgery on the 31st.
Mommyathome, sorry about your incision not healing. I hope your pain lets up soon.
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Hi all.....how many of you were over expanded compared to your final implant?? I had Lat Flap on my RADS side May 15th. Have had two fills so far....yesterday was most recent fill and has been pretty painful!! My breast seems warm to touch and throbbing pain!! Checked with my PS and he said it is most likely normal and just inflammed. Did you take anything to alleviate the pain the first few days after expanding?? PS is suggesting 2 more fills and I honestly cannot see my skin stretching any more! It is so tight and hard right now. Cannot wait to cross over to the squishy side....any advice is appreciated!! Thanks in advanced!!
Cherri
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Cherri- How many cc's are you getting at the fills? Most ladies advocate "Low and Slow" for the fills. I had 60cc on a weekly basis. Many had 50-60 every 2 weeks. It is hard to go slow but it is better than being really uncomfortable. I took ibuprofen before the fills and as needed the next 2 days. Many take a valium if they have someone driving them so the muscles relax some. You have been through so much, while it is hard, take your time to get the result that you deserve. I recommend you check with whippetmom regarding size...she is amazing. She needs some measurements and information from you (the model of your TE). She can give you an idea of how much fill you will likely need. Good luck!
Ally
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hey all,
I actually never took anything. No Valium, but Motrin on occasion. I am a side sleeper so I have trouble with getting comfortable. Melatonin is a natural blessing for me. My exchange is Friday and I can't wait!! My PS assures me that the fact that we are not over filled due to my leaky left side, will not affect my overall results. The goal is a full C, which I feel is what I should've been born with. All my sister siblings are well endowed. I must've got off that line, lol. Anyway, I am just happy to be entering another stage of this journey. The hardest part for me will be to take it easy. I'm a mover and a shaker so I don't like sitting around. Also, my PS said I can Spin if I want to as long as I don't put pressure on my arms and at least a week post op. Maybe two. Boy, I wish I was having fat grafting or lipo for this chemo belly, but I don't think so. I'm just taking it as it comes.....
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I am getting between 70 and 90 cc's. I have three more opportunities to get fills. I liked the size at 550cc's and now I am at 700cc's. I have to have radiation which will reduce the TE volume by about 100cc's. My doc likes to over fill by 100cc's for surgery so I am being told I have to go a total of 200cc's over what I really want to end up with. I will most likely go one more time and get another 50-70 cc's and be done with it.
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Homemom: my PS started me right out with 100cc fills 2 weeks after BMX. Weekly fills of 100cc for a month and I was absolutely miserable with pain. Could not stay ahead of it so I was still taking my Norco every 4-5 hours 24x7 for 5-6 weeks post surgery. Then........I found the Tissue expander pain thread on bc.org and realized we were filling waaayyyyyy too fast. We slowed down to 50cc fills every week or two or three (depending on his schedule and mine), I got a change in meds from Norco to Gabapentine (aka: Neurontin, a nerve med) and never had pain again. It would feel a bit tight for a couple days after fills but not painful at all. It sounds like you're on track to hit the 750cc needed prior to radiation though, so that's good. You may want to talk to your PCP or breast surgeon about the continued pain and see if something like Neurontin might be of help to you. It takes a couple days to build up in your system to get the full effect and when no longer needed you have to do a taper off to stop taking it (no cold turkey). It was an absolute life (and mind) saver for me! I find from my own experience and reading posts here that most PSs don't seem to believe the level of pain we can end up with during the expansion process so you're better off talking to your for pain management. Good luck!
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budrfligal, I went back to spinning my 2nd week post exchange. I was told the same by my PS, no arms. I couldn't decide if I was tired from getting up early (5AM) or from the spinning. Maybe both. Anyway went back again this week with no problems. The best to you on Friday and that C cup that you are owed!😉
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Lisa - I heard that from one of the nurses that some people were getting 100cc's + at each fill - I got 90 one time and it was too much. I like the 50-70 amount. I think another 50 and I should be good.
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Olaf, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you have no issues with your workouts.
Now the Pilates is a different story!!! Going to have to hold off on that for a few weeks. All the best to you!!
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I had fills of 100 ccs each time my 2nd to last was the first time I had pain. after that I had 60 cc and that still hurt. That was my last fill. I had my exchange with 850 in each. My TES were up to 800.
Buderfligal, I wish you well on Friday..my Exchange was so much easier than my other sx. Except for the side boobage removal scar. That hurt a bit.
Much love to all.
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moonflwr,
Thanks so much! I should be getting fitted with either 700's or 750's. I hope the larger, as I've heard many women who desire larger breasts, are disappointed in their results. I'll reiterate this in the morning. Wishing you all well!!
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CLYDAY - make sure to tell your PS how you are physically feeling. My Dr. kept asking me if I was ok and for any effects I was feeling. I took some Ibuprofen once or twice but my Dr. was pretty good about not filling me too much at once (usually around 50 cc per time). I am petite (5'2" 115 lbs) so luckily I did not need very many fills! I ended up with only 425 cc on one side and 325 cc on the other. I could not imagine some of these ladies who had 700 cc TE's - yowza! But, as everyone has pointed out, you really can not determine your TE/Implant size by checking with others on here because we are all different shapes and sizes. Best of luck to you!
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Hey ladies! I was wondering about fat grafting. I am very happy with my implants so far but on my radiated side I notice a slight dip at the top of my chest sometimes when I am wearing a camisole/swimsuit. It is not extremely noticeable (it was when I had my TE's) but my PS told me the other day that if it ever begins to bother me more I can call him and we can do some fat grafting in that area (basically due to past radiation I have super thin skin there). I was wondering about the procedure (I did watch a video on it!) and whether it would be worth it. It looks like I would be knocked out again and I really don't know if I want to go through that for such a minor issue. Thanks!
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p.s. due to my radiated skin my PS said if I want nipples it would have to be 3D tattoos and his office is just starting to do them so I am super excited. I guess insurance will pay for it, which I wasn't sure about, so that makes it even better
Anyone else have 3D tattoos alone? 0 -
hjpz- Many, including whippetmom and AZ, are huge proponents of fat grafting. It sounds like it might be just the ticket to help that place. I am going the 3D route. Most PS offices don't do 3D tattoos so you are very fortunate because insurance will likely cover it. Many of the 3D ladies are making trips to NOLA or Baltimore to see Vinnie Myers. You might want to take a pic of his work to show the person doing your tat this is what I want to aim for. Vinnie is amazing!!
Ally
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Thanks for the info ladies...I think he overfilled me way too fast. I have had fills before but never in this much pain!! hjpz I am about your frame too and my TE are at about 420....I just don't see any more room for anything bigger nor do I want it!! I am going to make sure we are on the same page as to my desires for final implants. He did mention doing some fat grafting but I will think that over after my exchange and see if it really is needed. Good luck to you!!
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Clyday,
I'm 5 ' weigh 107 and my TE's filled to 500cc's exchanged to Sientra shaped cohesive gel implants 450cc's. I expanded
For 6 months with 60cc's each Time with out pain, till my last fill a whopping 120cc's
That made me dizzy and sick to my tummy, and put so much preasure on my lungs or bronchials that my breathing was shallow for three months befor exchange.
I'm so glad that's behind me, my implants will need some tweeking, I see PS in Sept. But my size is nice some dips and dents will need to addressed. I don't understand the over filling. Soon this will all be behind you as well, patience is a much needed virtue with all of this b c stuff. I hope all goes well for you. Take care. Bless you.
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I was overfilled because when I got to the TE capacity of 600cc I wasn't happy with the size. Whippetmom had recommended 750cc implants for my frame so I wanted to expand enough to accommodate that size implant. Overfilling will also help achieve a natural looking level of ptosis (droop) when a slightly smaller implant is used than what you're expanded to. I don't have much droop (not any at all, actually) because I exchanged to the same size implant as my fill volume rather than a smaller implant.
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hjpz - Ally is right, I'm now a huge advocate for fat grafting. I was skeptical at first, but after my recent revision, I'm a believer! Mine was done under general anesthetic because of the scope of everything else done during that surgery. However, I know that if that's the only thing they're doing, it can be done under local anesthesia. I have a small flat spot that my PS noticed, so he plans to address that with FT once everything else has settled down. Trust me fat grafting is a blessing for those of us with thin skin - it makes your skin look like that of a baby - I swear. And I've even seen a woman who went through rads that is getting fat grafting done prior to exchange to enhance the skin integrity of the radiated skin. The difference is astounding. Check it out. I think it would be just the thing to alleviate your 'dip'. Let me know if you have any more questions...
Edited to add: If you go to the picture forum and find my thread, go to page 20, post 289 and you can see for yourself. I made a small collage of a couple of my before and after pictures and you can see the results of the fat grafting. After all, seeing is believing!
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