Exchange City
Comments
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Scottie praying you have a successful revision surgery, it sounds like your plastic surgeon has a good plan and understands the complexity of your situation. I just had my exchange surgery on Wednesday and my surgeon addressed all of my concerns especially in regards to my radiated side. It's still too early to tell because of swelling but things appear symmetrical and my initial scars look fantastic. Im in my compression bra for the next 6 weeks 24/7, if that's what will help me so be it. Please keep us posted!
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I had my pre op appointment with PS. He wants to do a mastopexy on the right because it dropped noticeably after a ruptured hematoma. Another scar. Oh well.
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Imkopy, I hope you are healing nicely, yay for symmetry and clean scars!!
Molly50, I am sorry about needing the mastopexy. I can give a silver lining though. I had breast reduction years ago, they called it mastopexy. If it is the same, the scar is like an anchor shape, vertical down from the nipple and horizontal along IMF. My doc's did my BMX and reconstruction (TEs) using the old mastopexy scars. The results are a nice sort of cone shaped reconstruction so you get a little more projection in the center.
Saw my PS yesterday, they can't expand me anymore, had to stop at 475cc instead of the 500 that was planned due to thin skin at lower poles. But he was super impressed with the symmetry. Said he won't have to do pocket work. He even brought in a med student to show him my "wise pattern" incisions and how they make for a nice cone shape. I am pleased with my expansion, just hoping for a cancellation do I can get in there sooner than May 4!!
Blessings, Shoregirl
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Hi Shoregirl - I saw my PS yesterday for a fill. He mentioned the next one will probably be the last since he said I have a bit of shine in my skin. I have 450cc expanders and I will be filled to 430cc max. Has your PS discussed implant size, style etc with you?
Mine said round and smooth and high profile. I ask about the new Allergan Inspira Cohesive but he said my hospital really uses Mentor.
Have you and your PS decided on the type you will be using?
Thanks!
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Hi Farmdream, yes, my PS will use the Inspira, smooth round cohesive. He is ordering a range of sizes from 400 to 475cc, which is my current fill size. I want to be as close to my pre-surgery size 36 D as possible, but have a feeling I will be a C cup, which is what I was in high school before 4 babies lol. He said they normally use high profile for reconstruction, I batted my eyes and sweetly asked if he could get Ultra high profile, he smiled and said yes. He is SUCH a doll! I had forgotten to ask him a couple of questions at my visit so I emailed him today. I wanted to know if my "thin skin" would have a chance to grow thicker during my wait for exchange since it is 10 weeks away. He replied within 2 hours, saying he would talk to his scheduler and see what he can do. He said "your case is extremely important to me, and the thin skin issue compels me to try to accelerate the schedule. I will talk to Shannon (the scheduler) and see what's available. In your case, I might consider adding a little bit more biological mesh into the inferior pole precisely to help support (and thicken as you said) the lower skin while healing occurs." I was so impressed with his attentiveness. I do have Mentor TEs in, and he was originally going to use the textured anatomicals, but they have moved away from using those in their practice, in favor of the Inspira smooth rounds.
Best wishes, Shoregirl
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Shoregirl - Thank you for sharing...my PS didn't use any biological mess, they said i had a large enough pec muscle to cover, I will ask his opinion if that could help me during the implant stage. I was very interested in the Inspira cohesive, I have to ask if that could be an option even if the hospital uses mostly Mentor. He also practices an University of Penn and I do think they have access to Allergan. Otherwise he will use Mentor smooth high profile, not sure of the size ranges he will try. I have to ask at my next appointment.
Thinking of you and sending you good thoughts on moving to the next phase.
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Farmdream, you're welcome! My PS used Alloderm because my TEs are over the muscle, so it is needed to make a "sling, or internal bra" for the implant. But yes, I would ask if it would help you with your case as well. It's definitely worth asking about the Inspira if that is what you really want!! Thanks for the good thoughts!! My skin is so tight I can barely stand it, even thinking of having them take some saline out if they dont move my surgery date up.
Let me know how it goes regarding your discussion about the Inspiras. I am sending you happy thoughts too!!
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Shoregirl - I was in so much pain from my fill on Monday that I had to take dilaudid and the valium they prescribed. I was hoping to be a little bigger but I am ready to be done with my TEs! I don't go back until March 29th for what is to be my last fill. Hopefully my muscles will have time to relax!
I would at least like to get to see/feel the Inspira versus the mentor since we are going to have these things for a long time
Take care
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Shoregirl and farmdream, I had my EX 2 years ago. My TEs were filled to 420 and he used Allergan anatomical 475cc. They look great. I had to wear a sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. I wore it much longer and in fact I wear a bralette most of the time. I finally stopped wearing it at night about 2 months ago. I just like the way it feels.
I hope you get the results you desire.
Robin
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Farmdream, that is how I felt after my fill last Thursday. I wanted to be done. Our bodies are speaking to us, as confirmed by my PS. So I AM done, and am happy with the size. They are actually a little big looking, even though same bra size as my natural breast were. I suppose because my naturals weren't jutting out and standing up so proud hehe!!! I asked to see the different implants, but he said they have to be ordered. There were samples in the office of the Natrelles, both smooth round and textured anatomicals, but not the Inspira.
Robin, interesting that your implants are bigger than your TEs. My doc says he will do his best to get the 475 implants in, but may have to go smaller. I wonder if it is because round vs anatomical? I wouldn't think so, I would think round are a little squishier and easier to manipulate but what do I know? Lol! My PS did tell me different sizes will look different on each person's body due to frame size, body composition, etc. My daughter suggested the VS bralettes. PS said I will be sent home in a compression bra. Thanks for your input
Blessings, Shoregirl
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Shoregirl, anatomical implants are different. They are always larger than pocket in order for them to adhere to avoid rotating. Your TEs always look bigger than the implants because they have a hard back that sits on your chest wall so skin stretches outward. I was sent home in a compression bra and ace wrap for a week, no peeking! Again for the implants to not move.
I have 3D nipple tattoos. I didn't want to go through more surgery especially with a high flattering rate of nipple recon.
Blessings to you too, Robin
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I had fat grafting today. I'm a little sore. They took fat from my thighs. They PS put a compression bra on me -.the first time. I did not have compression after my MX or exchange and I was surprised that she put one on this time. I thought we weren't supposed to have compression after fat grafting. Any advice?0
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Grandma3x I don't know for sure, but I thought I read compression garments ARE used after FG. I am sure more knowledgeable ladies will chime in.
Robinblesse, do you like your tats? Were they done at PS office or did you go to tat parlor? My PS doesn't even do nip recon specifically for the reason you mentioned...they flatten out anyway, why subject to another surgery. My PS is very patient - comfort oriented. I was a bit disappointed when he told me they don't do the recon. But they do the 3D tats there in the office. Since my insurance will cover it as it is in a medical setting, and I don't want to shop for a PS that accepts my insurance to do the recon, I guess its tats for me too!!
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Shoregirl- I have compression on the donor sites, which is expected, but also on the chest. I read somewhere that you don't want to compress the foobs after fat grafting to encourage the fat to form blood vessels. Plus, the compression is making ripples on my skin - is this ok?0
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Grandma3x, I had nipple tats in my PS office last December. His nurse did it and I really like it. They are 3D and I think they look good. I thought about going to Vinnies, but the PS was closer and I knew insurance would pay for it. I am so happy to be "done".
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Shore, I had my tattoos done by a PA in July 2015. They were ok right after, but they faded and didn't have the 3D appearance by December 2015. They looked like the (Target) sign at the mall! 😩 So in December 2016 I went to Corey Miller here in SoCal and got real tattoos. Corey knows Vinnie and was on the TV show LA Ink. They look great. The onk they use at medical office is like cosmetic/medical grade. It is not permanent. I paid $600 for them.
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Has anyone heard of a PS using Alloderm for the nipple and areola? I thought I read it on one of the boards here??? I wonder if it works and if the nipple would hold the shape better?
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Shoregirl, thank you. It is exactly as you described. I am not thrilled about another incision but at this point I just want symmetry. I have had to wear an adjustable bra since my last uni mx because of the right being too low.
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Grandma3X, I am sorry, I have not had FG at this point I think I may have seen a thread specific for FG here somewhere
Robin...that is kind of what I was expecting. The med grade ink fades. I think you can go back and have it retouched, but the real tats would be so much better to start with. I have to go with the med tats for now, but will start a little nip tat savings so I can go see Vinnie. If he is still in Frederick, MD its about a 2 hour drive for me.
Farmdream, I have heard of alloderm being used in nip recon. I think on the Realself.com site is where I saw it, but maybe it was here! I wonder about it too!! I will ask my PS what he thinks.
Molly50, you are welcome. I know the thought of more surgery sucks, but I believe you will be very happy you went for it.
My PS told me unfortunately I will have drains again after my exchange, because he has to fix my "dog ears" , the loose skin where my side boobs were due to a 50 lb weight loss. We can do it, we are strong, cancer beating warrior goddesses. Who ever coined the phrase referring to women as "the weaker sex"...ha!!! 0 -
Looking for advice from anyone who has had their exchange.
I am 11 days post op and my incisions sit just below the IMF because my PS was concerned the incision may not heal properly because of rads. Any sports bra or compression bra sits on my incisions and is so uncomfortable and pinches. Any thoughts on what I can wear I am supposed to be wearing something 24/7...any advice you have is greatly appreciated.
Hugs!
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Imkopy2, I just had a thought, maybe some Spanx that are for the upper body, From hip to breasts, sort of like a swim suit type. That might have enough compression for your breasts but not touch your incisions? I don't know. Maybe someone with more knowledge about Spanx could answer whether that would be an option. Good luck and I hope you find something comfortable soon.
Hugs
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Bluebird- good thought I like it! Going to give it a try, anything is worth a shot. I figure my steri strips will be on for another month or so I will need something and maybe even beyond the steristirps because the scars will be tender. Ahh the struggles of BC. Thanks for the advice!
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Imkopy2, maybe try putting a thick gauze pad under your bra band. I tried this when the upper area of my implants were rubbing since I was really full up top at first. ABD pads work really well.
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Maybe try a thick ace bandage. That is what I was sent home in after my surgery.
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Thank you kingster I had a guaze pad but Im going to get the ABD (I had to look up what that was, thank goodness for google) and see if it helps.
Alex, I tried the ace bandage thing this morning, my PS wrapped me in one for my masectomy it was actually not too terrible. BUT I was the only one home and its not that easy to wrap yourself lol! It was a comedy routine for sure! Going to try both the pad and the bandage on the morning, I just have to make sure my hubby does it before he leaves.
Thanks so much...cyber hugs!
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I have the same struggle lmkopy. The gauze on my incision helps and zipping the bra halfway up.
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Molly, have been thinking of you. Hope you have had a good week of recovery. Your spring break is over, so hopefully you aren't doing too much. Hugs, TT
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Thank you Trmtab! I'm doing well. I am following my post op instructions. I don't want any problems.
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I got what I hoped for, my PS had a cancellation so instead of May 4, my exchange is now April 25. Counting down the days!!! 💆
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