Exchange City
Comments
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I couldnt understand before why Vinnie insists you wait so long- but the difference months make in how they end up looking is drastic. Wait and wait some more to be sure theyve dropped and fluffed, and no more surgeries are in the offing.
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Ladies,
I am just over a month post exchange surgeries. My non radiated side looks normal but my radiated side is red (has been since surgery). PS feels this is radiated skins response and not concerned. He did put me on a 10 day course of antibiotics a couple weeks ago in case of infection. No fever ever but still red. Anyone else have this? If so, does the redness get better?
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MsDenseBreasts - I too was nervous about the exchange results, I did not want the implants so high up in my chest like the expander and boxy looking and inflexible. I am beyond pleased. I could not get a very big size due to my tiny chest circumference and tight skin (made even tighter by significant scar revision), so I ended up with 300cc on the left "bad" side and 180cc on the native side to match them up. But I am a full B cup whereas I used to be an AA cup. Other than the foob on the left looking a bit more rounded due to the loss of the nipple-areola complex, they look pretty symmetrical, very natural and not fake. I am sure as they drop and fluff, they will look even nicer. They even fall to the side like natural breasts when I am lying down on my back. I am so happy with the rounds! We had been planning for months to go with the anatomicals, and after hearing of Scottiemom's experience with the rounds, I pressed my PS for more info. He suddenly confessed he did not like the anatomicals! I was floored, but it felt right when we made the decision to change to rounds.
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msdensebreasts- I'm 2 1/2 months post exchange with anatomicals. I was worried too since my TEs were round hard and too far apart. I was expanding over the summer and felt very self conscious in a swim suit. But the gummy anatomicals are very natural and closer together and have a natural slope. It took about a month to "see" the results. At first they were weird but as my pecs relaxed and swelling went down they were much better. I'm still wondering about lack of upper pole but giving it time. I'm middle aged and wanted a natural lookand I'm petite and wanted to stay small. Bras are still tricky to find a good fit but I'm getting there. My PS said I could do either anatomicals or rounds but that rounds would look more obvious and I trusted his expertise. Ask for photos of similar size patients as you. I did that and he matched me pretty darn close to photos I liked. Best of luck!
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This morning was/is my wife's exchange surgery. When we showed up today she out of the blue asked the PS if he could go with a bigger implant (535cc mentor ultra high profile) even though her TE's only were filled at 480cc's. PS said he would see what he could do but wasn't sure if the pocket was big enough.
Well just a few minutes ago he came out said she was all done .. He was able to get in the 535cc implants as well as alittle bit of fat graphing (she is 5'4" and weighs a 130 pounds). He also said she already looks great and he loves the results already and she will to.. Especially when they drop and fluff.
Can't wait to get back to the recovery room to see her.. It's a big step today in her recovery and trying to get back to being normal.
She knows I love her, no boobs, three boobs.. But Im just glad for her that her twins are back (even if they are adopted ones).
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Amstar--So thrilled to hear your report. Your wife is very lucky to have a wonderful husband so involved in this aspect of her life.
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msdensebreast,
Like lkscolo said, the anatomicals are much more sloped and close together for me too. I am 61 and I too didn't want anything bigger than what I was. I was a B cup and I am pretty much the same, just perkier! I was filled to 420 cc and have 475 implants. The gummies need to fit tight to avoid rotation. I am 9 months post EX. They are firmer than rounds but I love the natural look they have. I just wear a soft VS lounge bralette. It resembles the Cobie bra. You don't need anything else after the 6 weeks 24/7 sport bra that my PS required. But I still wear a bralette at night. It just makes me feel comfortable. I was told no underwire, but of course everyone knows every PS is different. I feel great and I really like my outcome. I was blessed not to have any complications of any kind. I was out 2 weeks for EX, but probably could have gone back to work in 1. I will send you a pic via PM if you like.
Robin
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Robin, I would appreciate a pic as a good frame of reference. Thanks to all the ladies who have replied so far. I'm small framed and am looking for a natural look too. Thx.
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katcar. . .so glad to hear that you are happy with your results. I'm still very happy with my rounds. I could go braless and they would look the same. Mine don't move and so far have neither dropped nor fluffed. My pecks are just too tight for that.
Scottie
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Audrey, I hear you on the second thoughts. I got a little mental beforehand too since I asked for the 2nd round of fat grafting done on 12/4. Even though I haven't seen the results yet, I'm glad I did it despite my second thoughts. The recovery has been easy. The fat came from my hips this time not the belly and the pain is significantly better. I didn't have pocket work though and I think that makes a big difference in terms of recovery and pain. I know the results will be an improvement and I can finally move on. Good luck to you.
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audrey - sorry that u too r looking to take the scenic detour as moonflwr put it (still laughing at that reference). Unfortunately, many of us do take that detour for many different reasons. My first revision I didn't even think about because I completely trusted my PS when he said he could fix my problem. Obviously he was wrong. I questioned now whether I wanted another revision with a new PS knowing the potential risks of yet another surgery. I questied whether I was being unrealistic in my expcetations. I knew I had man-made boobs and knew they would never b like b4 but i at least hoped they would look like sisters. I knew in the end I could never look in the mirror and not cringe if I didn't fix my very visible rippling. I knew that there would always b some form of rippling especially if I bend over and accepted that but knew I would never accept it if it was still visible in a bra or bathing suit. I asked a lot of questions of my fellow sisters and met with many PS b4 deciding. Luckily I found the PS that I truly think is the boob whisperer. She not only made me boobs that.look like sisters but I think r more like twins .I still have a small !indent at the top of one that I could potentially try to fix with FG but its not visible in a bra or bathing suit so I am thrilled with my outcome and (God willing) done with surgeries. I know u just want to b done and move on but u dont need to rush into anything if youre unsure. Make a list of pros and con's and possiby seek a second opinion for more clarity. I know in the end u will make the decision that's right for u.
Msdense - I love my gummies however my first ones did rotate so make sure your PS is very experienced in placing them as the pocket needs to be snug for them.
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Scottiemom - Best decision I could have made thanks to your help and experience. I would have been worrying all the time about the anatomicals rotating, and I don't think they would have been a good look for me. I may be "past it" but my upper body really has not changed that much over the years. Perky and a bit more upper pole suits me, and yet they look very natural. I cannot wait to stop wearing a bra!
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I am getting my 3D tattoos next month and getting excited that the reconstruction will be done. It seems as if so many are doing both implants and fat grafting, I am starting to wonder if I am missing out on something. I have the Mentor Memory Shape anatomical implants and am very pleased with how they look, nice slope and projection. I couldn't imagine them getting better, just having last minute thoughts.
Robin, how are your tattoos?
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on my way to what I hope is final surgery. Nipple on my mx side. Why am I worried about this one? Skin graft from the crease in my leg is making me nervous? Little scared.
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thinking - hope all goes smoothly for you!
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ThAnks specialk. Just sitting here waiting to be called at registration. DH dropped me off at the door and went to work. I do better by myself. Don't get as upset going over all that is wrong with me with the nurses when I am by myself. Does that make sense??
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Lvbugs - If you have no rippling or divots, then you probably do no need fat grafting. Also, for women who had radiation, it helps repair radiation-induced damage and reduces complications for reconstruction. It sounds like you got a great result! I am not getting fat grafting either, so I don't think you are missing out.
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thinking - I have wearied of becoming a professional patient as well. I am having a new expander placed tomorrow, so I sympathize. I actually had an unanticipated surgery last year and my DH was out of town, and DD was a six hour drive away, so couldn't get there in time to take me. DS lives out of state. I had one friend take me and drop me off before she had to start work, and another friend (and fellow BC patient) pick me up from recovery and stay with me for the weekend. I was very relaxed being at the hospital alone with no one waiting for me, and my PS was happy to phone my DH at the end of the surgery to assure him that all went well. I will have an entourage with me tomorrow, but I have come to realize they need to be there more than I need them there.
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Lovebugs,
I am very happy with my results. I didn't have them retouched. My PS said they looked good and to wait for them to fade, if they do. You have to think, "who is going to see them"? They give the allusion of a nipple and I do feel complete. My DH is fine with them too. He is like Amstar15, he loves me no matter what! We have been married 40 years!
Yes on the right surgeon for gummies! My PS is also magic!
Robin
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specialk. Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. Waiting for plastic surgeon and then off to surgery.
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Thinkingpositive and SpecialK- Good luck to the both of you with your surgeries! Sending lots of good energy to you ladies.
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trailrose - thanks!
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so, I had my TE exchange in early November. I just got called for my 3rd post op visit with the PS. When do we go to less frequent visits? At two weeks, it was "don't call us, we'll call you" and they called this morning to set something up for this week.
that being said, I had a ripple last week. but I told her I didn't care. two new ripples developed this week. but I still don't really care. I am done with this right now. but also know I have to just go.
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Hi Everyone! Glad to see everyone is doing well.
I officially decided to cancel my surgery. I thought long and hard all weekend, and came to the decision I did not want a 5th surgery in 12 months. Enough is Enough. My foobs look good, they are settling and look even better than a month ago. I just decided that for me, the risk of another surgery and an unknown outcome, coupled with all the risks, was just not worth it, especially for an unknown cosmetic result.
I ordered some really nice push up bras from Victoria Secret and they arrived during my decision making. They make me look fabulous.
So I'm off to see the Wizard (Vinnie) March 4.
Whew, glad that's over.
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AudreyB -
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Audrey, Vinnie can make NO reconstruction look good!
Special K, good luck and prayers your way. Thanks for all of your help and advice on this site:)
Thinking positive, hope all went well. Lots of love;)
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Audrey - Sounds like a very good decision! Surgery is harder on the body than we realize. I think it will be really nice to take a breather and you have Vinnie tattoos to look forward to!
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Best of luck SpecialK and Thinking Positive!
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Thanks all! I will report back with whether this is a success or not!
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Fingers crossed, SpecialK! If anyone deserves a break after all this time, God knows it's you!
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