Exchange City
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Minute, what Kaiser do you go to? I had my Allergan 410 gummies done by Dr. Stephen West in Fontana. He is amazing. I was filled to 420 and have 475 FF. They are under muscle and no rippling or animation. I didn’t have drains and no need for fat grafting. I am 3 1/2 years out. I love them.
PM me if you wish. I was a B before and asked for the same outcome and if you were to be able to compare cup sizes they are perfect.
Robin
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TrmTab: Thank you for your feedback--that's a good point. I did end up making an appointment for a 2nd opinion with another PS who is apparantly more conventional to see what she says.
Robinblessed: I'm in Northern, not Southern California--seeing docs in N.Cal. That's great that you had such a great outcome!
I also spoke with a physician's assistant this week who scheduled my 2nd opinion. She said that most subpectorals require 3 rounds of fat grafting and that 1 round generally doesn't fix the problem.
Anyone else here used a PS in Northern California Kaiser?
Thanks!
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Minute: WhippetMom keeps a list of surgeons around the country. You can post at the Breast Implant 101 thread - link that I posted three messages above. Or you can send her a PM.
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I had my exchange surgery this morning at Mercy Hospital Edmond Oklahoma. It was fast. They treat me so well. They all have good sense of humor and make it great. I'm wrapped for 3 days. I am drunk. Isn't that what you do on your birthday? I'll unwrap Friday morning. This old decrepit 66 year old biddy is very happy she chose reconstruction.
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Rascalmom your post made me smile. You seem like an adorable lady! I am glad everything went well. Happy Birthday!! Here is to a great outcome!!
Shoregirl
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I had exchange yesterday. I'm bandaged and wrapped in an ace bandage. I just readjusted the wrap as it was wrinkled up and uncomfortable so I peeked under the wraps. I'm suppose to leave them on until Friday then put a "soft bra" on. First, I look so flat. I got 440 cc implants. And second, I don't own a bra....will have to go buy some tomorrow. Don't have a clue of what to get.
Any advice will be appreciated.
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I need to add, implants are high profile. My rib cage is 33"
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Rascal - don't spend a lot of money on bras yet. It will take 3-6 months before you can see what your implants will really look like. In the mean time, check with your PS to see what he will allow. Some say no underwire, some say only underwire. I bought Danskin & Fruit of the Loom bras at WalMart to get me through the first 6 weeks. Then get professionally measured, since 90% of us were wearing the wrong size already, and implants don't translate very well to traditional bra sizes.
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Hi everyone, just thought I would ask on this thread too..Will I be ok for a beach vacation 7 weeks after exchange and fat grafting? No plans to get in the water if any doubt about healing. My surgery date got changed and is closer to vacation than I planned. Thank you for any advice!
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Deb - I'd ask your doctor. He/she may not want you in the heat. Otherwise I was healed enough to make a trip.
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Thanks minus two, it's not too terribly hot there and I will use common sense. PS knows I'm going. Assuming most bruising that can be seen anyway, will be healed. Good to know you were healed enough. Appreciate the response!
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Rascalsmom and DebAL please ask your doctor about what to wear or not wear for bras. I had a lot of swelling post exchange, so my PS just wanted me in the soft surgical bra for about 10 days.
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PS just said soft bra and nothing else. Of course I was at that point mildly under the influence of pharmaceutical potions. I will get to walmart tomorrow and see if they have something before I try jcpenney and kohls.
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I agree about asking your surgeon--call them and bug them. I used a zip up (made for post surgery) camisole, and then switched to zip front sports bras.
https://www.target.com/s/zip+front+sports+bra
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It really is important to bug your doc about what they want YOU to use. Each of us is different and all of our surgeries are different. For general recommendations, below is the "bra" thread. It's not very active but had some great ideas.
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Thank you everyone, I'm just ready to get this done. My expanders have been full since before chemo..got my last one in 2 days before I started as he wouldn't fill during. They really haven't bothered me too much until lately. Not sure if it's the heat or what. Just seem to notice them more now. I appreciate all the advice!
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DebAl, I am 2 weeks PFC, also with expanders that the PS filled right before chemo started. I have also noticed that they are now bothering me more. I was thinking that maybe it's because I'm now more focused on them and waiting for the exchange surgery on August 15, rather than focused on the side effects of chemo. When is your surgery?
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Hi Maggie! I can't believe we haven't " met" before on another thread given our similar timelines but maybe we have and I forgot. A friend mentioned what you said..maybe I'm focusing on it more now since chemo is over. I did really well with chemo and didn't have any side effects to deal with but maybe that is the case. I feel since my last TC on 6/2 I'm retaining a little more fluid everywhere..not terrible.. in the chest area too so I thought it was that. My exchange is August 9th so we can go through it together! I was schedule for July 18th but that was just at the 6 week mark from my last chemo. PS would have done it but said if it's no hardship on my end to wait a few weeks he would prefer to postpone. Did you do ok with chemo? My hair is growing back but I will still look like my dad for awhile. Hope you are doing well!
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debAL, I also look like my dad these days. 16 weeks pfc. so funny
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DebAl, I posted a few questions on the April Chemo site and really appreciated all the helpful tips that were offered. It is a great group. After the first infusion, the MO tweaked some of my RX for side effects and that helped a lot for the subsequent rounds. I still get very tired by late afternoon, but I'm doing well. I'm also noticing water retention. That would certainly account for the more bothersome expanders. As for hair, I did the Penguin Cold Caps. Unfortunately, I didn't see the success that so many experienced. But, I still have hair, though extremely thin.
I was a bit concerned about having the exchange surgery too soon post chemo, but my BS, MO, and PS all agree that 7 weeks between is fine. My surgery is scheduled as outpatient. Is this typical?
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my ps recommended doing the exchange before radiation if possible, so I actually did the exchange on the cancer side and a prophylactic mx exactly four weeks after chemo was over. I waited another month, and then started radiation.
I think it depends how you feel, whether you feel strong enough
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Star, I was always told I act like my dad. Now I get to look like him too. He has since passed but would be proud of how I'm trying to get through all this. I miss him.
Maggie, the April group is awesome and I like checking back in. As far a water retention: my feet by the end of the day. A little in my hands etc and a little bit all over I think. Things just feel more full in the chest area too. I did not have this till about 2 weeks after last treatment. Glad your meds were tweaked and that it helped. Sorry about your cold caps but glad you were able to hang on to some of your hair. I think you are fine at 7 weeks too. My PS would have kept my 6 week date but I could tell if I was good with waiting he would prefer that. I will be 9 weeks out. Yes, typically outpatient and about an hour for the procedure. I'm also having fat grafting at the same time. It will be nice to compare notes with our surgeries. Not looking forward to all the activity restrictions since I'm back to normal there but will be glad to have this part done! Enjoy your weekend!
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DebAl, I still miss my Dad too. It's already been 14 years since he passed.
My PS will remove the chemo port, do the implant exchange, and also some fat grafting, too. His office said it will be about 2 or 21/2 hours. With both the port and the expanders still feeling alien, I'm really looking forward to this next step. With you up first, I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy your weekend, too!
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maggie, 18 years since my dad passed. It's hard to believe it's been that long sometimes. Yay, port removal too. PS said about an hour but I'm sure it could go over a bit with the fat grafting. I am going to call and talk to the PA in the office this week to clarify a few things. I'm fairly thin and expected him to take most fat from my belly. I think I have enough, he just chuckled. Anyway, he said he would take some from there but wanted to leave enough for plan B just in the rare case there are issues with the implants. So he mentioned upper legs, and a few other places too. Bottom line, just want to have the right spanx here for after surgery. Belly area for sure but I guess I need to grab some that cover the thighs too. Do you know what type of implant you are getting? I agree, these expanders do feel alien. Maybe it is because they have been full for so long. If anyone else has any advice on what type of spanx please chime in!
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DebAL: I got the Spank Higher Power short which is high waisted and goes to mid thigh. That’s what my PS suggested. Covered all the bases after fat grafting.
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I have my pre-op appt in two weeks. DebAL, I believe the PS is using my extra fat from the stomach area, but the specifics weren't discussed at the last appt. It will all be explained at the pre-op. I want to ask him about the possibility of needing a "Plan B" if there are implant issues. I hadn't thought of that aspect. I'm not sure if he even advocates wearing any type of compression garments, as that wasn't discussed either yet. At the pre-op, I have to let him know what type and size implants I'm going with so they can have them ready at surgery. Have you decided yet?
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Hi Maggie, I feel like I need to clarify a few things with the office and will let you know. My PS just breezed over the "plan B" but I guess it's good to have one in case. He did stress the compression spanx post -op for a few weeks. We discussed briefly but mentor round is the implant that he preferred. I'm about 420-450cc My expanders and skin look really good so I am going to continue to have confidence and trust him with this final phase. I feel we are on the same page with everything.
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hello ladies! I should be scheduling my exchange surgery in able two weeks. I trust my plastic surgeons judgement especially after seeing how good my expanders look! I will probably be going with mentor high prior rounds. I was a 36b prior to surgery, so I’m looking to be in the 300-350cc implant size area....I think.
The only thing my dr keeps mentioning that I’m not totally on board with is fat grafting. First off I don’t want to have to have another part of my body heal. Secondly I may go through with it to only have the fat graft not work or absorb back. Anyone do fat grafting and decide they wish they didn’t, or wish they did when they didn’t? Anyone happy they did it and the results are still good years later?
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SLL great questions and hopefully others will chime in with their experience. My expanders look great too. Just lately there is a small indent at the top left breast area. PS said to get the cosmetic outcome I will need fat grafting. Hopefully just once. I just plan on wearing the compression support recommended, following restrictions and eating protein, taking vitamins c and hope for the best. When is your surgery date?
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I did fat grafting twice and it was totally worth it. My breasts are nicely contoured and soft with no rippling... and symmetrical despite a unilateral mastectomy. Does fat grafting hurt at the donor site? Yes. Are you bruised as though you got mugged? Yes. Are you miserable while wearing spanx compression gear for 6 weeks in 90 degree weather? Yes. Was it all worth it, in the end? Absolutely.
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