Exchange City
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Scrafgal, I went with the nipple tattoos and love them! I didn’t want to have more cutting that might turn into scars and they fail and flatten most of the time. Besides, this way I don’t have to worry about hiding them!
I went to Cory Miller of LA Ink fame. His shop is only 45 mins from home. I paid $600, and worth every penny! It makes such a difference in how you view yourself. Icing on the cake! PM me anytime for pictures.Robin
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Robin, thanks for that! I feel that it is the simplest solution for me. My PSs physician assistant said that even with successful reconstructions, over time, the nipples "fail". I asked what that meant. She said that they turn inward or otherwise change shape, requiring a redo. That sounded like more than I wanted to deal with, when I actually have seen pictures of some pretty good looking tattoos! When I discussed this issue with my PS, he was fully supportive of that choice and told me that, when the time came, he would refer me to someone who does great work at MDA (where I am being treated). I can't wait to get to that point. I agree that it is icing on the cake!
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Hi everyone, I wanted to check in with my fellow recent TE sisters. Back in April my BMX was "nipple sparing" so the incisions are under my breasts. Even so, my nipples are not what they used to be. One is permanently at attention and the other is completely flat. I don't care about that, but I wanted you to know that even those of us who kept nipples aren't perfect.
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Today is 3 months post exchange...settling in to new normal. I am not perfect but okay in a bra/clothes...as a UMX, my implant L and natural R are not even close naked, so I save everyone at the gym from the shock and now change in a stall...never used to do that.
I will wait until 6+ months to decide about revisions...and finding a new PS if I do.
Really happy that at this point I don't have a planned "next surgery". While not necessarily happy with the TCX style the cohesive level does provide some comfort on rupture...while still possible, I have seen one cut in two and just sit there.
Happy Friday! TT
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Second what T-Sue said. I also had nipple sparing BMX, one nipple is facing forward, but the cancer side, which nipple was checked for cancer cells, must have formed scar tissue or some thing, and adhered to edge of TE and faces some what down. So the two are not aligned and are also 2 different colors. Due to thin skin on the cancer side, won't be any revisions. While I'd rather have them match, over all it's okay, just echoing the fact that they don't always turn out perfect.
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3rd in line for the different nipples. I had a post-op infection that affected my left nipple and it's flatter and a little different color than the right. They also point out a little, which they originally did not, but guessing that is the new shape. I was AA cup before, probably B now. They moved out to the edge a little.
Nothing terrible just not exactly "perfect". But not sure they were perfect before.
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I also had bi-lateral nipple sparing mastectomy. Got an infection post-op in non-cancer side which compromised my reconstruction and ultimately affected the position of that nipple (turned to the side). Six months post exchange I did have that nipple surgically moved back to the center (via skin graph) and although they are pretty much symmetrical now, the nipple itself is inverted and, of course, I have a scar from the site where the nipple was moved from. I am 9 months post that surgery and although that scar has faded, hoping it will continue to improve. Have any of you ladies seen improvement with your surgery scars with any specific product?
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Jallyson - I used silicon scar strips. They worked great. Each strip can be used for about a week - just wash and reapplying every day.0
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Thanks grandma3X.
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jalluson, I tried the silicon strips as well, but I have a keloid scar on one side of my nipple tattoo. I doesn't work as well on keloids bit did make a difference on a regular scar. I am still trying to fade the keloid with Bio Oil. That is another reason i didn't do a nipple reconstruction, if you tend to keloid, you don't want to have that happen on a nipple. Good luck using the silicon strips, they have worked well for most women.
Robin
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My derm. (not PS) recommended BioCorneum. (I think spelling close.) She said all derms in her practice use for scars. Seems to be good. I also have Bio Oil -- and used that after BMX.
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Thanks Robinblessed and Eastcoast
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I got my pre-op letter from my PS today. I need to get some front closure bras before surgery. Which kind do you find most comfortable? I don’t know about the zip up ones. I had one a long time ago and it wasn’t very comfortable.
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I got some zip up front ones from.jc penny. Pretty nice, and they always have coupons
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Immediate post-op I used Care-fix front closure bras available on Amazon. A couple of weeks post-op I started using my Coobie bras by stepping into them vs pulling them overhead. I could never find a zip front that worked for me...TT
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I was pleasantly surprised when I actually woke from surgery in the cutest white satin front close bra - hook and eye closure my ps had ordered. The shoulder straps are velcro, thinking about changing that somehow as the bra is very comfy yet pretty with soft shirring in the "cups" and I would love to wear it past recovery phase. I couldn't find a single zip front bra that I could tolerate. They bind me too much, squeeze the girls together.
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Shoregirl, I found front hook and eye closure bras at Wal Mart made by Fruit of the Loom. Very comfy! I know what you mean about the zipper ones squeezing you!! They are about $10 for 2.
Remember to follow your PS instructions carefully. Don’t overdo even though you feel fine. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should “.
Robin
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Good to know Robin!! I will check them out. I was at Kohl's Christmas shopping and got a few Bralettes, one by Jockey, and two 2 packs by Bali. They were pricier than I am used to spending but I got 30% off for opening a Kohl's charge so I got them. I step into them like a Coobie, but these have thin bra straps that are adjustable which I like.
I am doing pretty well as far as my revision recovery, had an infection scare so was put on 2 antibiotics pronto and it cleared up. But unfortunately I have developed frozen shoulders so that definitely keeps me from overdoing even if I wanted to!! Boo! Going to the ortho doc this Thursday.
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how do you figure out size for the bras? I looked some yesterday while I was out, I know I will need them, but have no idea what to get. I found a zip up one but I think it would have been too small. I was wearing too much to even think about trying it on (layers are great, but I didn’t want to take them all off just to try on a bra!)
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TaRenee - the best thing to do is make an appointment at Nordstroms with a certified fitter who specializes in breast cancer. Turns out most of us weren't wearing the correct size even before cancer. There's an old thread called "Bras 101" that is not really active but has a ton of good information & recommends.
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Here's the link to the bra thread.
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TaRenee, I would suggest to start with a stretchy type bra such as Genie or Coobie as they cover a broad range in each size (S-M-L-XL) They are good because you can just step into them and pull up, no need to put over your head with tender incisions. Also no obnoxious seams, lining, or padding that can irritate tender tissues. I wouldn't invest in expensive bras until your swelling from surgery has subsided and you (or your bra fitter) can be sure of the final size.
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I’ll have to look into bra fitters near here. I know we don’t have Nordstrom’s. I worked at JCPenney YEARS ago and was a certified fitter, but not knowing what implants will be like makes it kind of hard to figure out. Small seems too small and medium seems too big. Leave it to me to be between sizes
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TaRenee, I second Nordstrom bra fitters, they are great. AND, check with your insurance, as mine covered bras post BMX! Apparently, Nordstrom is one of the few (only?) places that is "approved" to fit for insurance-covered bras. They billed my insurance directly.
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TaRenee - sorry you don't have a Nordstroms. They really do have someone on staff certified only for breast cancer survivors. I just made do with WalMart Fruit of the Loom bras & bralettes until I could get to a fitter because the implants are such a different shape. But I do agree - before spending a bunch of money, let the implants settle for at least 2-3 months.
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T-Sue:
Do we need a prescription to go to Nordstrom? My insurance covers bras of some sort.
Thanks!
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EastCoast TS, yes you need a prescription. Your plastic surgeon's office should be able to provide it. Fax it over to the Nordstroms staff and give them your insurance info and they will double check with insurance. They have a pretty good idea of what the various insurance providers will cover.
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You do not need a prescription to make an appointment with a Nordstrom BC fitter. You only need a prescription if you hope your insurance will pay for the bra (s). I'm over 65 and on Medicare. They do not ever pay for bras, but I made an appointment with the 'one' fitter at the store closest to me and had wonderful service.
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Thanks, Minus and T-Sue. Aetna covers -- and I asked my PS about it (she was unaware, ha ha, go figure) -- but I don't know what they need to call them on the prescrip. It's not urgent. I wanted to wait until the swelling was gone but in the new year, I'll go and get something that isn't Walmart Cobie deal. Though those have been terrific, gotta say!
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Eastcoast, yes I got some Coobies on a black Friday sale and they are cozy! The bras from Nordstrom are pretty and comfy as well (and COVERED by insurance is a big bonus).
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