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Exchange City

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Comments

  • wbuggie
    wbuggie Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2009

    Hi Whippetmom,

    I apologize for not including this info in my earlier post.  I am a bit late in the game to be having such doubts.  I had nipple and skin sparing bilateral.  He used Mentor 450 mL expander  reference #354-7213 and AlloDerm due to my muscle tearing at expansion.  I was fill to 300 mL immediately and ended at 425 for my right breast and 450 for my left.   I will be proceeding tomorrow as I am scheduled for the early A.M and just pray for a better outcome.  I just don't feel I look very natural and although my PS is telling me about scar tisssue I must believe my foobs and especially my implants can be move in without totally throwing the nipples too far off but.... I am not a PS so maybe this is just wishing thinking???.  I am too far into the schedule and have lost too much time from work to be able to postpone.  I pray this is the right decision and am praying for a good outcome.  He will be using a high profile Mentor and will reduce the size. 

    Prayers to all and good healing ahead.  Good luck to all of us scheduled for expanders tomorrow.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    Wanda:  We did not hear back from you....so knowing you want some questions... 

    1.  What Style and size of silicone implants are you proposing to use? [You want to know what HE is thinking...so it can be addressed if you are not happy with his selection]

    2.  Will you take two or three sizes into the OR to make sure we get the right fit?

    You definitely want the high profile implants - I do not think you would be happy with moderates or moderate plus - in the lower cc ranges the projection is so minimal you would have mere mosquito bites. So Mentor HP or Allergan Style 20.  Between 325 cc's to 425 cc's and I am giving this wide range b/c we do not know your height or weight or expander data.  If you are petite and thin with that 28" ribcage, you will need less cc's to achieve a B.  .

    BTW: The extra full profiles would just be too narrow in the lower cc range you want to be. So I would not consider these.  Only around 10.8 cm...too narrow.

    Deborah

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited June 2009

    Was anyone told that their skin was too thin for nipples ??  I was told this during my exchange today.  My PS does twist and stitch but she doesn't think that if I get it done that they will stay.  I know I have a couple of months before I could do this anyhow but I am bummed.:(  I guess we are going to be talking grafs (sp). 

    I am still up from earlier but I think it was because I slept for so long in recovery 2 1/2 hours...hehe...

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    I am all better... thank you for asking.. it was horrible for three days.. NOW.. all better...

    Congrats to all the exchanges and Kathies Nipples..wahooooooo

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited June 2009

    Kathie

    so glad you are done!!!!!!  that was quick, just 3 hours.......remember, no peeking LOL

    be sure to give us an update and also post some pictures....

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited June 2009

    Jeez......Laura, you like their mother...heck I'd venture to even say older sister. And my anesthesia has worn off as I say that!!!! You look sooooo happy. I love the pic.

    Kathie 

  • PATTY50
    PATTY50 Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2009

    I've been reading some of the posts and I'm confused.  I thought that expanders were supposed to have more cc's then the implant so that the skin would be more stretched out and have a more natural droop. As I read the posts it seems to be the opposite.  The implants are more cc's then the expander's.  Am I missing something?  Wish there was such a thing as Breast Recon 101...

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    Wanda:  Wow....We were posting at the same time!  I just went back up and saw you gave us the TE info, however, I cannot for the life of me find the 354-7213 expander you listed above.   There is a 354-7000, but it is a 700 cc volume.  Could you verify and/or get the dimensions for us?  Thanks!

    ADDENDUM:  Wanda - I have to sign off for the night.  If you read this later or tomorrow morning, ask your PS what size implants he will place in your now 450 cc expanded pockets.  Ask if he believes he will need to do some pocket revisions and if so, have him describe what that entails.  We want to know how much smaller he will go with implants. 

    PATTY:  Many plastic surgeons are placing implants larger than expanders these days.  My TE's were filled to 425 cc's and my implants are 550 cc's.  I think there are multiple factors involved in this decision though.  You might want to read the thread "Implants Smaller than Expanders", which was sort of our springboard evolving into Exchange City.  I'll bump it up for you.

    Deborah

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited June 2009

    Congratulations Kathie!  Can't wait to hear what you think of the fipples!

    Glad your feeling better Laura.  Can't keep you down for long!  Love the pic of you and your grandbabies!!

    BigApple - Great analogy re: the gummies and the carpel tunnel gel pad!!! Exactly right.  I don't think I'm going to have mine removed and get something else because in a bra I have pretty good symmetry.  THink I'll leave well enough alone....for now anyway!

  • sam59
    sam59 Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2009

    Hi All

    I asked my GP to send me to another PS as I will not be going back to the BUTCHER.  I am very happy to see that you all are still here helping those of us with issues.  I am also glad that there are ladies 5'8" and 217 lbs like me.

    I was so looking for this surgery so that I didn't have to rest my chin on the top of my foob as you say, but now I wish I had it back.

    I am sending all of you prayers of healing, and hugs for being here even if I only say HELLO

  • Blake1960
    Blake1960 Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2009

    I hope everyone is healing and happy! To those having surgery, I wish you the best!

    Deborah: I saw my PS yesterday and he agreed he put the wrong implant in my TE side. I hope you remember my post to you earlier last week.... The TE he used was a Siltex, medium height contour profile - 12.7 x 10.8 x7 cm. It was filled to 540 cc's. I was huge! For the exchange, he used the 500 Mentor Smooth Round Moderate Plus 350-5001BC and on the healthy side I had a lift and the same implant but a 300. My healthy side is just fine. My TE side is flat and way too high. Ugly. I am 5'1", 120 lbs and my rib cage is approx. 31 in. I am meeting with him again in 4 weeks. What are your thoughts? Thank you!

  • warrior
    warrior Member Posts: 43
    edited June 2009

    Gosh, I am super disappointed and depressed about my new boobs.  They are A LOT smaller than I was expecting.  Apparantly I have 450 HP silicone but they sure seem so small and flat.  I took off the bandages and just cried.  I loved the sized and projection I had with my expanders.  I guess I just had my hopes up too high?  Does anyone know if going with saline instead would give better projection??  I really just want to be happy and not depressed for the rest of my life over these things.  I want them switched out to a bigger size.  It just seems that they are about HALF the size and fullness they were with the expanders...SUCKS!!!  Sorry to be a downer.

    Cry

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited June 2009

    Warrior.

    I'm so sorry you aren't happy. I went through lots of different phases of "unhappiness vs tolerance". After 3 months mine definitely changed. I had the nips and fat grafting yesterday and so far so good. You can always have revisions but my advice is give it time. I looked back on all my pics and they are definitely "bigger". I'll email you later....maybe we can talk honey.

    xxoo Kathie 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    Kathleen:  Oh my....that is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole!!!  What was he thinking?  Too wide....too flat for your frame! You need a Mentor HP smooth round instead.  He needs to take in a 450 cc and a 500 cc and see which gives the best symmetry.  Sheesh!  Can you post photos on the picture's forum so that we can get some idea of the volume and size now and better calculate what might work best?  Pictures are worth a thousand words....

    warrior:  Post your expander information again....let's see where you were and where you are now.  Also, did you have partial unders or complete submuscular?  Is the lower 1/3 of your implant under muscle or just skin?  Also, pictures please, if you can do this.  ALSO, CONFIRM THE EXACT STYLE AND IMPLANT SIZE USED WITH YOUR PS!  Sometimes they say they are going to do one thing and do another.....as is the case with our Baxter girl above!

    Deborah

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90
    edited June 2009

    Hello ladies. Just returned from my 5th fill (now at 850cc's). Looks like it will be custom silicone implants for me. The TE's will hold up to 1000cc's and the PS really thinks this is where I need to be to achieve my pre-mx size. Bad news is he thinks my right TE is leaking; we're monitoring it over the next week or so to see if it gets softer again (it firmed up with the fill). So please say a prayer this doesn't have to be exchanged. I know this isn't a big deal but since I don't have family or friends in town an unexpected surgery is rather difficult to handle.

    Denise

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    sam59 - What happened????  Tell us all about it.  I do not remember that we went over your numbers...did we?  I have such brain fog...  I know we talked about the stabilizer band....but let's start from the beginning.  Get the mfr, style number # of cc's of your expander.  Which implant - style, mfr and # of cc's was used?  Can you post photos on the picture's forum?  Let's try to sort it out for you...

    Deborah

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited June 2009

    I was allowed to take of my bandage today and I know this question has been answered 100x how long does it take until they fluff & fill ??  Right now I look about half of what I was with TE and I know that I have some swelling  so I was wondering how long does it normally take for them to settle. 

    Another question my Ps said I can wear a light sports bra if I want or nothing at all.  Should I go buy a sportsbra ?? 

    Right now I have about an inch of space inbetween my breast will that be permanent ??  It sounds silly but I thought surgery would place them a little closer together.  I didn't want a uniboob but I wanted them closer :( 

  • Blake1960
    Blake1960 Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2009

    Seems there are so many of us with the same issues....I feel like such a complainer.. but after what we all have gone through, I think we deserve what we want! :) Right?

    Deborah: Thanks. I think that you are absolutely right. I will post a picture as soon as I can. I really appreciate your advise and thoughts! Laughing

  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2009

    Hi all.  I am so excited.  I will have exchange surgery on July 31.  Will it ever get here?  Any suggestions or advise for pre-op?  Thanks.

    Kathy

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited June 2009

    ((Warrior)) ((Jaimieh))  ((Blake 1966))   I think we all went throuht surgery this week and I have to admit that I thought I would be a little bigger, but I was exchanged for the exact same size as the TE on the right side and a "booster" of 275cc on the natural side.  My DH states that he notices a big difference,  I was rather flat chested but thought I would have the projection of the TE.   I am going to wait a few weeks and see how everything popsSmile out, "literally"  !

    ((Kathie))  Thanks for the reassurance that things might change and shift as the healing progresses, it has only been 72 hours and I get to take a full shower!  Woo Hoo!   Jan

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    Jaimieh: 

    1.  Dropping and fluffing is not something everyone experiences.  If you have complete unders - the implants are completely under the muscle in the lower 1/3 of your breasts - you will experience more fluffing or projection than those of us with partial unders.  It also depends on the size of your TE's vs. the implants.  It usually takes a couple of weeks to a month to see some changes, if changes are going to occur. 

    2.  Referable to what to wear immediately after surgery:  Sports bra or surgical bra.  I favor support for new implants.  Just my preference.  So a sports bra is fine.

    3.  Don't even think about wanting less than one inch.  Between one to two inches is the magic number for cleavage.  Get a VS wireless push up bra - great for support and cleavage.

  • wbuggie
    wbuggie Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2009

    Hi Deborah,

    Well.... I can't peek so not certain how things look with my new girls but he did do some revision of both pockets.  I have high hopes I will be pleasantly surprised.  He put in 450 HP Mentor smooth round and from what I CAN see, it looks like he was able to address the step down as well.  I am bound tight so can't get a feel yet of the projection. I will now just need to be patient for the unveiling and am saying lots of prayers as to what I will see. 

    Thanks so much for your responses and help.  I should have asked these questions much sooner but was relying on my faith in my PS.  He has a great reputation so hopefully all will be as natural as possible.   I will post some pics when I am able. 

    Wanda

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    Laura - Love those kids!!!

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2009

    Hello  Everyone! I met with my ps yesterday to go over implant options.  I made things a bit more complicated because I feel my expanders are too wide (no, I don't have the measurements).  He has to do some more thinking as to the best option but he is looking at allergan high profile.  He said the 440cc's are the closest to the diameter of my te's.  My expanders are 450cc's but only filled to 330, which gives me a full C cup.  He mentioned the 440 cc's for implants but I think I would be way too big.  He felt it was too much as well.

     I am not going to obsess too much over it.  He knows what I want from my results and I feel he is going to do what is best.  I am so busy lately that it is keeping my mind off my boobs, finally!  My daughter turns 18 on Sunday and graduates high school on the 27th-next Saturday.  Then we have her 2 day orientation at college and then her party.  My surgery is two days after her party.  It is working out well that I have something else to focus on for a change!

    All of you ladies are always in my thoughts and prayers.  I pop in to keep up but usually don't have time to post.  Wishing you all the best!

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited June 2009

    Thank you Deborah for answering my questions :)  I have complete unders that right now from my view look like buns, I went tonight and got a bra (well 3) that feel great they are light support with no underwire and I was fitted (36C).  Okay so I can get the cleavage with the bra, I can handle that. 

    Okay how in the hell did I go from a 34 C at 330CC to a 36 C at 600CC.  None of this makes sense but I am at least here and on my way to being healthy :) 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2009

    Jaimieh:  If you have hamburger buns [common description of complete under gals] you can be certain they will fluff up and you will be in a "D" cup eventually!  LOL!  Don't buy too many bras right now.   

    dani:  Do you mean 450 cc's?  There is no 440 cc...I think 450 cc's sounds pretty close - making sure it is a HP not a moderate/moderate plus - or maybe 425 cc's would work also.  You have a 450 cc expander and even though you are underfilled at 330 cc's, the expander still created the same width in your pocket.  The only thing which really changes with fills is height and projection.  So you have the width and probably the projection to handle an implant of 100 cc's larger than your expander.  What is your height and weight and ribcage and what is your desired cup size?   

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    Jean... thanks dear lady... they are kinda sweet huh??? :):)

    DENISE.. LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing your face!!!!! BEAUTIFUL lady you are! I cannot imagine the TE leaking... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.. I thought these things were unbreakable... brother....

    I will pray you do not need to put another one in... When is your exchange planned? He just might have to do it sooner than later.... PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Man, I wish you lived closer... I could help out with your kids  "if" something came up....

    Ladies.. I get to meet Denise next week... she made an appointment at my Hair Salon with me.. Wahoooooooooo..:).... now if we could get her to Vegas...hehe.....

    Hang in there girl!!!! NO LEAK NO LEAK NO LEAK.... Keep repeating....

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited June 2009

    Deborah thank you.  I went to hanes and bought 3 bras for $46 bucks and they feel wonderful.  I figured that much was enought to get me thru the next couple of weeks without me crying at 50 + bucks a piece.  Our local VS stinks and is known for not fitting properly almost everyone is a D :) 

    I finally took a pain pill tonight.  I hope I don't try to roll over tonight. 

     BTW, thank you Sandy and Deborah I got 600CC HP Mentor smooth thanks to you two :)

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited June 2009

    Hugs and prayers going out to all you ladies that are unhappy with your results.  My heart goes out to each and everyone of you.  It is just too unfair to end up with results that you are unhappy with.  You've all gone through enough and deserve to be happy with your results.  (((((((((to all of you))))))))))))))))

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2009

    Ditto what our dear Yvonne said !

    ((HUGE HUGS))

    Go back.. and go after what you want and deserve. You have done nothing wrong!

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