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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Bevmomduck
    Bevmomduck Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2017

    Does anyone following this thread have just one nipple remaining? I lost one after surgery due to necrosis and am looking for anyone else dealing with one headlight. I'm not a candidate for nipple recon since the damage was caused by previous radiation. I still have TEs, and looking at exchange late July. I have tried soft surgical tape to cover so I can wear soft bras but it creates a pucker and shows.

    Anyone have a similar situation

  • lrwells50
    lrwells50 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2017

    My PS was very up front about what HE wanted to do as opposed to what I wanted to do. He wanted to use latissimus dorsi tissue to make my boobs larger to match my size. I want him to just replace the tissue expanders with implants. He tried to talk me out of it, since I'd probably end up as a C cup. I told him I had considered not doing any reconstruction at all, but I didn't think I would be happy with prosthetics, and if I went flat my husband and I would have the same profiles...

    Hopefully I can lose some weight and my foobs will stick out more than my stomach, but if I don't I can live with it.

  • Keiki
    Keiki Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2017

    Bev,

    I had nipple sparing and one had necrosis and is flat and scarred. The other quite perky(always) but ny nips are tiny. I was fitted with a great bra, Wacoal Halo Lace, thin stretchy lace underwire with a floral pattern. It looks smooth under knits except for the tiniest hint of a nip. Silly me, I miss my flat nip. I used a standard hole punch and make faux nips out of Dr. Schools moleskin, adhesive backed. I stuck it to the inside of the bra on the flat side. Perfect size, color, soft. Lasted for a few washings. I will put a stitch next time I do it.

    If you are wanting to hide the survivor there are removable forms all over the place. With expanders I frequently wore a bralette or cami with a bit of thickness, or lace to smooth things out. When I had native breasts I resorted to a bandaid spot sometimes.

    Both nips were flat after EX but within a month one perked up. It's been over 4 months and the flat side has a few lumps diagnosed as fat necrosis. One is just about the size of a nip and in about the right place. I haven't lost hope for that nip yet. I was upset that I wasn't perfectly even but now it's just an amusement for me. Who knows what you will end up with? When you are all healed, you might have options. Time is a great healer. PS can get creative sometimes.

    Good luck on the EX. I'll be watching for your progress so let us know.

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited May 2017

    Thanks, Leslienva

    (I was posting late last night but forgot to refresh my screen.)

    The lump in Lefty is very uncomfortable today. It already had been becoming more uncomfortable over the last few weeks. I suppose PS was pressing on it a lot yesterday may have aggrevated it more.

    Still trying to be patient in the waiting game.

  • heartfull
    heartfull Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2017

    Hi eemaxx! I am going for my (almost) one week followup visit tomorrow after my exchange surgery! My surgery was actually last Friday (late afternoon). I feel pretty good except for some pain at the incision site under the left breast (sort of can't tell if it is incision pain or maybe rib pain). I've been only taking Advil for the last 3 days so overall, doing great! So happy that you are doing great and headed back to work! Are you still in the surgical bra?

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited May 2017

    Thanks for the encouraging words! Do you know where Vinnie the Tatoo artist is?

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited May 2017

    OG56 - Vinnie's shop is near Baltimore, MD, but he does travel to a few locations during the year so check his website, linked below. Also linked is an article about him, and what the process entails.

    http://www.vinniemyersteam.com/

    http://www.today.com/health/meet-tattoo-artist-making-breast-cancer-survivors-feel-whole-again-t48276

  • PugsMama
    PugsMama Member Posts: 337
    edited May 2017

    Came across this list of other tattoo artists that do 3-D nips...

    http://www.pinkinkproject.com/Links.html


  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited May 2017

    Your the best thanks for all the contact info!! My PS said he might add a little extra alloderm to the top of my right breast where I had mammosite radiation just for the support. Has anyone else had additional aloderm besides what he used in my original pocket work and does it cause any problems?

  • PugsMama
    PugsMama Member Posts: 337
    edited May 2017

    OG56: I have pre-pectoral TEs so they're 100% encased in alloderm. It will be the same with the implants. No problems...

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited May 2017

    Yeah! I got insurance clearance for the MRI on Lefty and the lump. MRI is scheduled for Monday, May 8. Follow up to PS is not until Tuesday, May 16. We'll have the results faxed to both PS and BS. Hopefully one of them can call me with the results ASAP, so that I don't have to wait another week.

    I am hoping for a cyst, scar tissue, or fat necrosis.

    I do not touch the lump (nor look in the mirror). However, I can feel the lump all the time now as I go about my daily activities.

    Still trying to be patient in the waiting game.

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited May 2017

    You are always so helpful, thanks!!

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited May 2017

    Keeping my fingers crossed for B9 results xxx

  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2017

    mominator, you are in my thoughts and prayers . Please post an update as soon as you hear anything.

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited May 2017

    I am in your pocket, mominator

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited May 2017

    Prayers Mominator

    Scottie

  • Keiki
    Keiki Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2017

    Mominator,

    Good luck tomorrow. Keiki

  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited May 2017

    Breast MRI done this morning. Doctor called late afternoon.

    Reminder that Breast Surgeon thought this was the implant and she sent me to Plastic Surgeon. Plastic Surgeon says it's too hard to be the implant and he sent me to the MRI. I called both offices to let them know the MRI was done and to look for the results.

    Breast Surgeon called to say that she got the results: everything is normal! Report states that implant is intact, there is minimum fluid, and no evidence of abnormality. Report also indicates that the MRI included the marker where the lump is located. She says that Breast MRI is the most sensitive of imaging. If there's something going on, it should have shown up on the MRI.

    However, there is still the lump, which is hard and seems to be more noticeable over the last several weeks.

    She's ordering an ultrasound "to see what's going on."

    Thank you for your support. I put your names on an index card and kept it in my pocket during the exam.

  • veggal
    veggal Member Posts: 261
    edited May 2017

    I have a small lump on each foob. Mine are caused from some overlapping of the Strattice used at exchange. Could yours be something similar?

  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2017

    Mominator, so relieved the MRI was normal! Hug

    diane

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,356
    edited May 2017

    I love the idea of putting names on an index card of those who support us. Yes, Please to include me. I hope you don't mind it I copy your tactic. Good luck discovering what is causing the lump.

  • Pamela_2016
    Pamela_2016 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2017

    I have exchange surgery tomorrow and PS will determine if I need a lift on other side after placing the implant. How much does that second procedure add to recovery? Is it worth it? Also curious about people's experiences with fat grafting.


  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,173
    edited May 2017

    Carla I will ask at my follow up on May 16. What surprises me is the newness of the lump, its hardness, and how Lefty now feels very different from a few months ago. So I am still thinking cyst, scar tissue, or fat necrosis.

    All I know is that the lump wasn't there during a follow up with PS January 17. I first notice it on Passion Sunday, April 9, and it was just becoming bothersome by the time I had my follow up with BS April 21. By May 2 appointment with PS, it was much harder, and sore by the time he finished examining it. I can feel it when I hug people, and I feel it when my seatbelt tightens.

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited May 2017

    Mominator, so glad your MRI doesn't show anything sinister but I wish you had answers. I love your index card in your pocket idea!!

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2017

    Hi,

    Newbie here and learning some things from your thread. Mominator, I'm hoping you get some good news soon!

    I had a left mastectomy 8 days ago and was really surprised by how uncomfortable the TEs are. Am learning how to manage (ibuprofen) and just knowing they are temporary is helpful. But after reading lots of posts here, I have some questions:

    1) After my compression bandage came off last week, (they said to keep on 4 days) I haven't been wearing anything supportive. PS said I could wear a camisole. It sounds like some of your PSs had you keep compression on longer, so now I'm a little worried. Also, I feel I'm going to need something to put in my fake inserts into when I return to work in 1.5 weeks. Advice?

    2) It looks like most people here are planning or have used silicone implants. I had decided on saline (b/c of concerns of silent leakages and personally feeling better about saline than silicone in my body). I'm small (A cup) and want to stay that way. Anyone else here have experience with saline implants?

    thanks all,

    Taking it a Minute at a Time

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited May 2017

    MinuteAtATime Welcome! Yes, TE's are uncomfortable. I too had a left UMX with TE placed. I had to rush through fills to get to radiation. I actually felt much better after fills which is not everyone's experience. I had intense pectoral muscle spasms after surgery and was deeply regretting surgery for several days. I think some of your questions might be also answer on this thread TE's A Beginners Primer

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited May 2017

    Hey, guys! I think this is my first post on Exchange City (as I move through the process). Yeah, I think! I have had the lovely TEs (BMX) since 2/27/17 and will have Exchange in Sept.

    My question is regarding "pocket work" and gap between breasts. Background: I was very small to begin with (AA in all honesty) and will be B coming out. Thereabouts. I have 250ccs TEs with 255s in them right now and they feel like they're about to explode out of my chest. The pain with TEs has been not bad (for those reading later!) past the first 3-4 weeks, while healing from mastectomy. I know my fill sounds teeny/tiny.

    Anyway, I have a wide gap between my breasts which my PS is not happy about. I had surgery at MD Anderson (LOVED my breast surgeon, PS was okay -- good of course but not communicative). My local PS who is doing the exchange feels the MDA PS didn't do a good job and left me with this gap. My MDA PS feels it's my body and the way my sternum is or some such. I'm unconcerned. ;) I've never had boobs and really could care less about the gap. But there is discussion of much pocket work being done at exchange. Guessing this will increase my healing and all that. Sigh. Anyone have any advice/experience to offer? Will this mean I'll have to get the horrible drains again??? Arg.

    Thanks! This site and the support has been a life-saver for me.

  • minuteatatime
    minuteatatime Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2017

    Thanks Molly! Found that other thread and it's helpful.

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2017

    Mominator,

    My hard lump seemed to just show up over night. My surgeon sent me for a needle biopsy so I never had an MRI. The biopsy showed it was fat necrosis. I'm guessing that's what you're experiencing. If so, it may just reabsorb. Mine did

  • veggal
    veggal Member Posts: 261
    edited May 2017

    Yes, Mominator, fat necrosis seems more plausible than what I have. Mine is not noticeable unless I look for it.

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