Exchange City
Comments
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Im 4 months out from last exchange. I was just thinking they do seem larger. And have definitely moved down and shaped better. Allergan 15s 285
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Jill_MN - I am new to this site and had my exchange 9/16/14. I too felt like my implants (Allergan 'teardrop shaped' Mod height 420CC) are too small. There is more swelling this week, so I can't tell right now. But when the drains were in and sucking all that fluid out, they def seem to small than I'd asked for
I too am wondering if this changes in the coming months. Good luck to you!0 -
Gindugirl.can ask what size you were before bmx ?0 -
Gindugirl - thx for the feedback. I'm hoping someone a little further along in their journey can provide some insight as well. My PS implanted 400cc Natrelles. I was hoping for a little larger but he had to contend with radiated tissue on my right side. I know I need to be patient but it's been 2 1/2 years dealing w/ BC and I'm ready to move on. Ultimately, I suppose I could have a revision. However, after 3 years of maxing out on my family deductible, I was looking forward to not spending the extra $$ and time. Thanks for listening ladies. Time to put a happy face forward. 😃
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Hello Everyone!Did anyone here have breast shapers prior to having the permanent silicone put in? My PS does this as a practice with all of his reconstructions, but I can't seem to find anyone else who has had this done.
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Jill and Gindugirl--I'm 4 weeks out from exchange today, and I too struggled with the "feeling too small" issue. I think they look fine unclothed, but they disappear in clothing! I'm hoping that around the 6-week milestone they suddenly puff out to their full projection! : ) Really, I think I'll have to adjust to the fact that the projection of the TEs vs the implants was larger. So even if I'm "big enough," I won't have as much projection. I'm satisfied with the overall shape and look (my PS did a really nice job), so I suppose it's a matter of adjusting. Maybe time will offer a combination of gradual increase in projection plus adjustments of mind too? And if Aviva5675 said hers were looking larger--maybe we have that to look forward to!!
If you're ordering bras from Kohls, keep in mind that they usually have free shipping codes, 15% off and such. If you have their credit card, they have 30% off times periodically (like now), plus free shipping. I thought the Bali bras were really comfortable, but the band just isn't small enough for my scrawny rib cage. They do have a champion sports bra (the "showoff") that I do really like.
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RAM2013 - not sure what "breast shapers" are - are they something that go in after the TE's come out and before the perm implants go in?
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Hi linda505, Yes, that is exactly what they are. He said that they help get a more natural shape to the breast but I can't find anyone who has heard of them...
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Ram, I haven't heard of those either. If anyone would know, it would be Whippetmom. Go over to her thread, Breast Implant Sizing 101 and ask her. Good luck!
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Thank you 3littlebirds!
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Ram.....did you mean SIZERS?....
my PS brought sizers into the OR to see which size would look best....before inserting the chosen size implants to put into my body.
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Ram2013 - if you can find anything about them on the internet please give us a link - they sound interesting - may be something new that your PS is in a trial for?
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Ram,
Sizers are what your doctor means but they are not meant to be left in your body for any length of time. They are just used during surgery to measure the pocket the PS has created in order to tell what will fit. You may want to discuss this again with him/her. They are not supposed to be used like this.
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Ganzgirl201 - I was 34b before mx, but because I was breastfeeding twins when I was diagnosed, my boobs were pretty stretched out by the time I had bi-lateral. So I had quite a bit of skin.
Jil and elizabethaw - I ended up pming whippet mom about my issue. If she gives me some insight, I will pass on whatever I learn. I've been researching and the frustrating thing is every site I read says my implants (the Allegan410 shaped) are the least likely to ever ripple. And why would one side be so smooth and the other side so wrinkled. It is the cancer side thats wrinkled; maybe that has something to do with it. How are you guys feeling?
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Ram, I responded to you on the Breast Implant Sizing thread. I have never heard of shapers, and even google did not help. I DID have sizers put in during my surgery after my mastectomy and before the implants were put in (I never had TEs), but they were put in AND taken out during my surgery. Basically put in, filled to about the different implant sizes my PS had brought in, and then removed. The purpose was to see which size of implant he was going to use (he had brought 3 sizes in with him). They are NOT for long term use.
I am rather lost as to why a "shaper" would even be necessary. At exchange, your PS can make adjustments to the pocket for the implant as necessary. Putting in a sizer for more than its intended purpose (yikes), or another TE or implant, would just mean that the PS would still need to make any tweaks at surgery time. So now you have had 2 exchanges. Which can happen with revisions, but I don't get planning for 2 exchanges when one of them would be totally unecessary.
As I said in my other post, there is something very odd about this.
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Your implants aren't going to get bigger. They change shape during the first couple of months, but they don't get bigger. Implants, even in the same cc size as your tissue expanders, do not stick out like the TE's do. Nearly everyone thinks their implants are too small at the beginning. For one, you are used to the "stripper boob" look which has exaggerated projection. Second, the implants are likely to look like to top of a hamburger bun because of the tight pec muscles and because they don't have the shape you are expecting. Third, they are usually too high on your chest and look too wide or even square. Fourth, you have lots of swelling that distorts the shape as well.
In the next month or two, the swelling and odd shapes will settle down. The pec muscles will relax and the implants will begin to drop down into the pocket the PS created. (drop) Then they will begin to fill out into the available space in the pocket. The silicone or saline in the top of the implant will respond to gravity once the pecs aren't holding them in place so tightly. The silicone or saline will gradually "pool" more in the bottom of the implant and start filling in the empty "corners" of the pocket, giving you a more rounded, natural look. (fluff) They will look better and you will get used to them...but they won't get bigger. Gummies or other shaped implants look weird at the beginning too. Once the swelling is gone and the pecs relax, you will see the anatomical shape.. They are form-stable so they aren't affected by gravity and the contents don't shift to fill in any open areas. The pockets have to created very carefully so the implants fit exactly. Otherwise, they can move around and could even turn upside down!
Even if you have been educated as to what to expect, it's a surprise. Perhaps the only pictures you've ever seen of breasts with implants were of breast augmentation. They really do look entirely different, mainly because the ends are missing. Implants create mounds, not cones. They will probably never fill out a standard bra cup completely. I think they look like you are wearing an invisible minimizer bras all the time. Results vary from person to person and revisions are common.
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Am I the only one who feels like they need to rip off their bra around mid-afternoon? I swear it feels tighter and not very comfortable.
The stitches in the edge of one of my incisions has been itching like crazy. Am I allowed to use anything like cortisone cream on it?
I went back to work yesterday, but only made it 5 hours. This morning I felt really tired and shaky, so I stayed home.
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Yes. I feel like I want to rip my bra off right now! Oops--forgot I'm not wearing one. Haha!
I still have my TEs in. Feels like to worst, tightest bra ever.
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Sandra4611 - thank you for your explanation. I guess I was becoming familiar w/ my stripper boob (one didn't really expand well due to radiation) so you're right when you talk about projection.) Time will tell.
Andrea - yes, to taking off the bra. Feels good to have the TEs out even if my boobs look small. Have you tried Bio Oil on the incisions? That may help w/ the itch.
Hang in there Iwannacookie - your exchange will come soon & then the iron-death-grip-TEs will be a thing of the past!
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Hi Jill, I did try the Bio-Oil, but it makes me itch terribly! I tried emu oil, but my rads side didn't like that either. I just tried some of my Josie Maran argan oil, and so far, that hasn't irritated it. My skin is so sensitive right now, it's like someone rubbed sandpaper on it.
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Hi everyone
I had my exchange on 8-28. All is going well. I have Allergan 410s 595 in both sides. One side has dropped faster and has a fuller shape. My PS said it is bc the tissue is thinner on the one side. I get the burning nerve pain on and off.
I have found two stitches sticking out this week. One on the end stitch which just popped out yesterday and tonight another one an inch or two away. That one is not popping out. I see my PS tomorrow. Anyone have this?
For a bra I wear the same Bali ones everyone said earlier but I also went to a bra store for woman with mastectomies. They were amazing and I got the most comfy bra there. I could live in it.
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Andrea--have you tried coconut oil? I also have extremely sensitive skin and it works well for me.
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Iwannacookie, coconut oil makes me itch too. I have really sensitive skin. Thanks anyway!
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Sandra- thx, that was a very good explanation and very helpful. I'm really trying to be patient, but the rippling is what's getting to me. I guess I'm just trying to figure out what caused this on only one side? Was it dr error, or is it my body and how the measurements are? The rippling is pretty bad and pronounced.
Kgsn-I didn't know a mastectomy bras store existed?! Where do you find this?:)
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Gindugirl,
You could just have thinner skin on the one side, especially as it is your cancer side. Or the pocket might be looser on that side. Or it may be the way the implant is sitting in the pocket. No two reconstructions are the same, even when they are in the same chest. While 410s have a lower risk of shell rippling, it does happen (they have higher risk of traction rippling but you are I think way too early out for this)
I have smooth rounds, but I have some rippling on one side whereas I don't really on the other. If it was just when leaning, that would be acceptable for me, but I also see it when standing straight. It's like a dent or fold. In my case, my PS and I believe it is due to way the implant is sitting in the pocket which is allowing some buckling at top of implant so it is not "fluffing" out properly. This may be in part due to differences in the pockets from either side, but my thin skin also does not help disguise the implant contours. Mine only became obvious as I healed. I'll likely be going in for surgery in the new year to try and address it.
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I have to be at the hospital at 5:45 a.m. Friday morning for surgery #5. I hope Alloderm and I like each other. PS will be dissecting both pockets again in an attempt to combat migration, bottoming out, and rotation. The "old" implants will be replaced with a nice shiny new pair that hopefully approve of their new Alloderm "hammocks." The remaining oversized mud flap will meet its demise as well.
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sandra4611 - Praying that everything goes well for you tomorrow with surgery #5. (I think after all that you've been through that it's about time you caught a break, don't you?) Please let us know how it goes when you're able. Sending you a big hug and a little prayer...
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sandra4611, you have been so encouraging and helpful to all the people in this forum. We are all praying for you and your surgeon today so that this will be the he easiest surgery you have undertaken and hopefully the last. You inspire us. Take care.
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Grammakathy I didn't have drains, which I was so thankful for. I'm glad you got yours out. I'm doing great but I wish my implants were a little bigger. I was in to see my ps on Wednesday and she says everything looks good. I have to wear the surgical bra for one more week then she said to wear a tight sports bra when exercising but other than that wear or don't wear what ever I want. She also said no lifting over 15 lbs for three weeks. Other than that she said if it hurts don't do it.
I have a follow up in four weeks and at that point I need to decide if I want nipple reconstruction or tattoos.
Hope you are doing well.
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Sandra - here's hoping #5 will be your lucky number! Wishing you smooth sailing with this one!
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