Exchange City
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i can sign in the picture forum but do not know how to find friends,,, I tried to post my own pics but said it was to large,,,, dont know what to do about that.... can anyone help me?
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One month from last fill to exchange. The Allergan TE info for surgeons says the max time TE's should be in is 6 months from placement to exchange.
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Jeannie, there are threads on the picture forum that answer all those questions.The picture forum isn't the easiest thing to navigate. It took me awhile too.
Rippling: some implants are more likely to ripple, but from what I've read, it's often because of thin skin. You don't see the ripples if they are covered with a fat layer. Those with thin skin and ripples can benefit from fat grafting. I have no rippling on my "good side" with average thickness skin flap but the other side has uber-thin, uber-stretched, uber-operated on skin. It shows everything including the blood vessels running through the muscle pocket.
Sometimes bending forward will show ripples when standing normally won't.
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I also have some rippling that is more noticeable on the cancer side. If I stand up straight with my shoulders back, I don't see any rippling. Otherwise, I do. I'll be getting fat grafting in probably January. I saw my PS already.
I actually have good projection. My 550cc Allergan style 20s are a tad bigger than my 450cc TEs. I sometimes think I went too big for my frame but I am getting used to them!
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Another NYCG
When I had my exchange they used Alloderm to help hold the implants in place. I had two FG procedures prior to the exchange because my skin was damaged due to radiation & the Dr didn't feel I would have success without the FG. All went well. Many have the FG after the exchange to correct ripples, etc.
I wish you a great result. Do you live in NY? If so, who's your PS? My PS is in the city.
Babs
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Hello ladies!! I had my exchange surgery on Nov. 18. I felt amazing when I woke up from the surgery! I got Naturelle Allergan extra high profile 45 implants. They feel almost like my old boobs! My PS moved everyrhing closer toward the center of mg chest because I had horrible side boob with those expanders. I'm supposed to wear a sports bra 24/7 (even do take baths). I did sneak a peek though and they look great. After I woke up from surgery, I was able to put my clothes and shoes on without any help. We even went to Red Lobster straight from the hospital, then went shopping! I'm so glad this is over.
CLMTOOIE; I just had my exchange surgery on November 18. I got the Naturelle Allergan extra high profile 45. We discussed fat grafting to repair the big roll under my collarbone, and she said the best place to take the fat is from is the stomach. I think different PS have differing opinions about compression garments. My PS wants me to wear a sports bra for 7 days. I can't even take it off to bathe! I've read that some plastic surgeons use those binders while others don't require you to wear anything at all.
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Rippling - I also have some rippling in the left side where the tumor was the highest. PS said the same as Sandra - due to thin skin in that area. He said I could do fat grafting if it bothers me but I only weight 114 and really don't know where they are gonna get the fat LOL. I am going to give it time to see how bad it gets first. Right now, if I wear a slight push up bra the rippling disappears. I do know that if it doesn't get alot worse I am not going to do anything about it as I just don't want to chance having something go wrong.
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Exchange done yesterday! Port removed also!
Thank you Babs, Lorbgoo, Moonflwr and Vfay for your good wishes!
I had anatomicals put in, but dont know size or brand. I'll ask when I see ps on wednesday. He added alloderm, and expects to do some fat grafting in the future. He keeps reminding me that this 'is a work in progress'. The side that had radiation is the one that is needing the most work.
Not feeling too bad, - managed to sleep in bed last night, - better than bmx for sure! No drains this time!
Vfay, - you surely got out quickly! I was in hosp at 7 AM, - not home until around 6 PM. Procedure started at 8:30, and wasn't completed until around 1.
Hope everyone here is feeling good and has a happy weekend!
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Another
Glad to hear you feel so good. I thought the exchange was easy. Just remember not to do too much. That's key!
Babs
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Thanks, Babs!
PS My ps is on Long Island. I am being treated in North Shore/LIJ and Monter buildings.
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Thanks, Goldie! It's good to be prepared for that amount of oozing! I'm glad you're doing well now.
I too was told that the rippling shows because my skin is pretty thin. I'm 5'4 and less than 120. My PS didn't think I had enough fat at first. My stomach is flabby looking--but apparently that's all skin (ah, pregnancies). I told him the fat is in my thighs. He said, "show me." So I stood up, pulled off my skirt, pulled down my tights and demonstrated how much fat there is on my thighs. I felt so triumphant when he said, "oh, yeah, you sure do!" Then I though, oh, wait, why I am happy about this again?!
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aviva5675, My PS instructed me to use Hibiclens starting one week before all of my surgeries. For my exchange surgery, he gave me a supply of two bottles.
horsemom, My PS has his patients wait one month after the last fill before the preop appointment at which time the type of implant is decided upon and then another month before exchange. I ended up waiting three months though in order to get scheduled for an early morning surgery time.
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Elizabeth, I laughed at your story. Finally your thighs are a GOOD thing.
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Elizabeth, I had a good laugh too! I can just imagine the scene. I mentioned to my PS at one time that I had ripples when I raised my arm and he mentioned FG and then started poking my sides to see if I had any fat.
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I dunno. I have several friends who had augmentation done. Their implants are behind the muscle, so the breast tissue and muscle are on top of the implants. BUT, their implants are much smaller than those used in reconstruction for that very reason, they have all the other stuff on top, and those 250-300's they're having placed behind the muscle are not much bigger than our TE's being placed.
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I thought the augmentations were done over the muscle. Learn something new every day.
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Augmentation can be done either over or under the pectoral muscle, it depends on the aesthetic the person desires. This link has excellent info:
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Sandra--thanks for the info re: why implants look smaller then TE boobs. Why couldn't my PS have explained it like that?!
Elizabeth--thank you for the laugh! I'm a total "pear" so I can relate. I have very little padding in my upper body and zero butt (thanks mom!), but thighs I have.
Once again, my PS has not mentioned the fat grafting. She is quick and frequent in her reminding me of how thin my skin is, and how I may have rippling or other visible signs of the implants, but she has never suggested any solutions. Should I ask her about that? Is that a standard sort of thing?
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So after reading Sandra's post about Allergen TE (and also Mentor I read, which is what I have) recommendations for being in only 6 months, I emailed my PS, since my exchange date in Jan. will be just short of 7 months. His reply:
"There is no expiration on the tissue expander, they can actually stay in for years if needed. In terms of saline vs silicone, we have a pamphlet that you can pick up from either the roseville or sacramento office that goes over the differences, you should obtain a copy and go over the information, I can then review at the preop appt as well before deciding. Take care"
I'm pretty sure I'm choosing silicone. How did you all choose?
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Iwanna - not all PS do fat grafting, sometimes they won't mention procedures they are not proficient in. Other docs don't like to put fat over the implant because you can have fat necrosis, which creates a lump, which then may need to be biopsied.
kfinnigan - most people choose silicone, saline can feel firmer and have more rippling issues, but size is also an issue - silicone goes up to 800cc only, but saline can go a bit larger.
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Rippling:
I have rippling...a little in middle on both which would not bother me if not for the more significant rippling and contour deformities on my outer right side. It is due to thinner skin, but also in part due to the fact the implant on the right is not quite sitting right on the chest wall. Hard to explain in words but it did not totally "fluff". The dent/ripples in that area are visible even when standing poker straight, and the rippling is really obvious when I lean over. Reminds me of a water filled plastic shopping bag....
It all looks fantastic in bras and clothes, but I do spend quite a bit of time in swimsuits for one of my hobbies and other business so am a bit self conscious about it.
My PS suggested fat grafting and/or trying anatomicals. I am 5'4" and about 115-118 lbs right now but I do have some fleshy bits so am not worried about finding fat. He would however want to wait a year post op to do the fat grafting. I know a lot of women on here have had the fat grafting done and are happy with it....but I emailed my PS today and told him I want to give the anatomicals a go first. I have a couple reasons for this, I know the exchange will be a more invasive procedure than grafting, but fat grafting just does not appeal to me, especially not if it ends up being repeat procedures the repeated downtime and restrictions will not work well for me. Also, in my case, part of the issue is the way the implant sits, and moves, and it would take a LOT of grafting to reduce the dent/deep ripples. Given my needs, I am okay with firmer and less moveable implants. Maybe I will still need the grafting later, but I am hoping with the firmer anatomical implants I would need less of it. My PS is agreeable with this plan, I'll be going back in for surgery in February or March. I'll go see him in January to iron out the details.
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Kfinnigan, well he must not have read the instructions for physicians from Allergan's book on TE's.
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Kari, I had my TEs for 10 months, due to needing rads. When it came time to replace them, my PS showed me both saline and silicone implants. The silicone felt nicer and more like a real breast to me. My husband agreed. Actually, I think he rather enjoyed playing with the implants!
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I had my tissue expanders in until Tuesday the 18th. I just had my exchange and I am walking on cloud nine. It really is a huge difference. I had rads and my ps was not willing to take the expanders out until 6 months after so that my skin could heal. I had the expanders in for 13 months total. Fat grafting was discussed but it will not happen until February. He wants to see how my implants fall first. I too am much smaller than the TE's. I'm fine with it as I did not want to go big.
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My PS told me some time ago that there was no medical reason that the TEs couldn't stay in indefinitely, but then on my last visit she stated that they couldn't stay in longer than a year. My guess is that there really is no medical issue with them, but that manufacturers are just being extra cautious. I think the docs are of the same opinion and so they go with a happy medium in terms of when the TEs need to come out.
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My surgery went well yesterday. I'm sore, but up and around. I feel fantastic...and SQUISHY
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TinaT, I'm a new member, and I found your post here on January 27, 2014 to be helpful in comparing saline and silicone characteristics. Do you know if the rippling with saline is less for implants that are smaller? (Around 180 - 220cc.) I've just started a new topic to help get info before my surgery in a few weeks (Saline vs Silicone ... rippling, skin warmth, fitting in a bra). Thanks for your help!
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Lobbie and Skoolgirl, - so glad that your switches went well! Mine was Thurs, and I am still sore and so wrapped and bandaged that I can't tell if it feels squishy or not!
I am small, and hope it looks ok when 'unwrapped' on Wednesday!
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Divecat- I had all of the same issues with the rounds and back in August exchanged from rounds to the anatomicals and am much happier, very minimal rippling, and indents are gone
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cateyz2 - I know, I saw your pictures! You are one of the members here who has me inclined to try the swap!
I am glad to hear you are still pleased!
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