Exchange City
Comments
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Lorraine....like mother like son!!!!!
xxoo Kathie
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Thanks guys!!! PLUS he's such a sweetheart too, been with me every step of the way through this BC crap!!
L
ox
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Dani...I know what you mean and I certainly know why someone came up with the phrase, "I married you for better or worse, but not for lunch."
Alo: Are you referring to the Mentor Spectrum expandables?
http://www.justbreastimplants.com/gallery/spectrum_add_saline.htm
Bukki: Praying for you tonight...adhesions? In such a short period of time....just floors me...you poor thing...Get some sleep tonight!
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Elaine - So sorry you are having so much pain. Take those meds and rest. You'll be feeling better soon.
I haven't been on the site much, as I am back to work after my long vacation. What a drag!
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No it was a general questions....not about a specific implant.
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Hi Everyone!
There is a new thread on this topic but since so many people visit this thread I thought I would ask if anyone on here has had implants put on top of their pecs??????
I just interviewed a PS who has been doing this for a few years now and loves the outcome. He says he does about 100 a year and that he actually prefers this to under the pecs.
I had just never heard of it before and would love to chat with someone who has had this done!!!
Thanks!
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Elaine,
I hope you're feeling better today. I am praying for you girl. Here's hoping this one will work out beautifully! I get my exchange today at noon. I'm nervous but excited too. Everyone have a great day. Georganne
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Hello ladies
Sorry I haven't posted for a while, but I take the time to read posts almost everyday.
Georganne, saying a prayer for you this morning that your exchange goes well.
Cheri, that sounds interesting, since mine are under my pecs and I don't like how that feels, they jump up when the pecs flex.
Alo, Sandy had implants that could be added to. I'm sure she'll get back to you on this.
Elaine, I'm sorry you're in pain. You've been through so much in this journey. Sending pain-free healing vibes your way.
Kathi, saw the pics. You look fantastic! I didn't get areolas, but wish I had!
Deborah, Hubbies are awesome! We had to get 2 computers, as DH is as much of a geek as me! He went with me throughout my chemo and surgeries, and I will never forget that blessing.
Jan, hope you are doing well.
KEW, where are you? Work must be taking you back again!
Hugs to all,
Deen
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Georganne - Good luck today! Hoping for the best for you.
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Georganne..... ((((HUGS)))
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WHERE IS JEAN?
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(((((((Wbuggie))))))))
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Georgeanne: Praying for you this morning sweetie!
Alo: Those ARE the only implants to which saline can be added after surgery. [Well, McGhan had one but I do not think it was retained when Allergan bought them out]. The "expandable" implant has that small little port which is closed up in a simple procedure once you are satisfied with the fill level.
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Bukki (Elaine)
I'm so sorry to hear that you have had such a rough time of it. How are things today? I hope they were able to get your pain under control and that you got some rest. Even with this "detour" do the doc's feel optimistic about your eventual outcome?
Sending healing prayers your way,
Candi
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Good news...I am home from hospital....PS did some pocket revision and wow it is so sore. Got some pain relief last night .....but not more than 45 minutes of sleep last night, and intend to use all the pain pills from script my PS gave me.....and since I am having some major muscle pain he gave me some muscle relaxers.
Think I will go take a nap. Hope everyone having surgeries and procedures this week are doing well. I think I have enough pain meds in me that my typing should be slurred.....will pray for all you lovlies
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((((((((( Hugs)))))))) Georganne
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Has anyone's PS told them to start massaging the new boobs? I heard that is what is supposed to be done but mine hasn't told me to start it yet. Worried!!
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Lorraine - Your son was on TV? In what role? I am sorry, I missed the show!! I checked out the web site, what a HUNK!!!
Bukki - So glad your surgery is behind you! Thanks for checking in! I am sorry you are in such pain, but you will be feeling better soon!
Warrior - My PS told me to sleep on my stomach - which is easy for me. Linda started a thread w/ a web site and video for massaging, you should check it out!
Cheri2 - I don't know anyone personally that had their implants on top of their muscle. But there is someone on the picture forum that did, and she looks great. I just wish I could remember who it was!
Sorry ladies. I have been absent more often than not. I am mostly okay, though a bit stretched to the limit these days. I did get my nips scheduled today for October 15. I am psyched to have a date. For some reason the nips are a big deal to me. I want to be "whole" again. Thanks for all your love. I don't know what I would have done w/o everyone on this site over the past many months.
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Georganne,
Hope all goes well. I know we will all be anxious to hear how you make out. I have my exchange next week. I know this should be something to look forward to because we wait for it for so long, but I'm so nervous. I guess I was so sick from the infection on what was supposed to be my last exchange date in December that I didn't have time to really think about it.
It helps to have read that some of you have felt the same about your exchanges. Keeps me from thinking I need some time in the rubber room!
And a BIG thank you to Deborah (Whippetmom) for helping me hold things together. I was so pleased when my husband later told me that he felt compelled to write to Deborah and thank her for her kindness and wisdom. I think the more men can be drawn into this BC world of ours the richer we all are. I often think it gives men a needed perspective and maybe more appreciation when they hear the same feelings and words from someone else.
Stay well this week-end everyone,
Candi
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((Deen)) I am very well, thanks for asking, Only one or two more procedures to go!
((Elaine)) Glad you are HOME! Rest and let everyone wait on you!
((Georgeanne)) Waiting to hear from you and how it went, hope it will/was easy.
((Mykidsmom)) Hooray for getting a date for the nips! That should be about the time I will be ready for either nips or a mammorgram. How are you doing your nips if you don't mind me asking, grafts or tattoos?
(( Baxter)) ((Geysermom)) Next week will be here before you know it. Positive thoughts sent your way!
((Warrior)) I am supposed to push up my implants 3 X a day to keep the pocket open. He also states go without a bra as often as possible. Jan
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Candi: Your husband truly adores you....he is a KEEPER! And it was just a joy talking with you and sorting through implant issues....
There is a set of new photos posted by Beth on the pictures forum. She had expanders filled to 300 cc's. She was exchanged to 530 cc implants last year, and six months later, not happy with the size, was exchanged out again to 700 cc implants. Skin flaps permitting, it can be done.
Deborah
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hi ladies my internet was down but now finally up but I need to go up and join my hubby
hope everyone is doing well and will try and catch up this weekend sometime
life has been crazy busy but that's a good thing, I like to keep movin
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Good to see you Sandy...
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Jan1 - My PS described the surgery as nips being cut and twisted from the scar across my breasts and aeorla (spelling??) being built from my c/s scar on my stomach. Then I will have tattooing later to darken whatever needs to be darkened. Or at least that's how I understand it. I will have my pre-op discussion in July, so I will know more then. My PS travels around the world a lot doing volunteer surgery, so it is difficul to get a surgical date. That's why I am scheduled so far in advance. I wanted to be in the cooler weather so that I could hide the healing under lots of warm clothes. Take care. - Jean
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Hi ladies,
I'm just checking in. Just spent a bit of time reading and trying to catch up, which is impossible. These breast cancer adventures move along at a clip!
I was laughing reading the bit about husbands and our attentions to this website. I have no husband (yet! I am ever hopeful!) but identify with the constancy of being here. It is a bit of a drug, in a good way.
I'm returning to work Monday and not nervous, but just a bit depressed about it. I work as a clinical social worker in a community mental health clinic. I like most of my clients as most of them do want to feel better, but I also get a fair amount of really toxic, angry people (often clients mandated to treatment by probation or department of children, youth and families). I'm really going to be making a conscious committment to myself to go slow, go to bed early, eat right, wear some perfume, maybe bring flowers to my office -- I need to work a bit harder to keep myself protected from some of my toxic clients. I have little things I do to make this possible, and be more an instrument of non-judgement and help, but I'm feeling pretty vulnerable right now.
I continue to be pretty ambivalent about this expansion/expander process. I am 4 weeks out and I am feeling physically better - thank goodness!!!! But I guess I just don't trust the whole thing. My radiated breast incision still isn't healing, the skin on that side is still pretty glued to the expander -- yadda, yadda. I almost feel like telling my body - "So look, if you're going to reject this expander can ya do it now? If you know, already, that this expander/implant is a no go, the sooner you let that happen the better - if I'm gonna go flat, let's just get to it. I have a life to live."
Trying to just hang in with the process, slow the "negative talk" down - but then I take a deep breath and my ribs feel like they are going to collapse in on themselves from the pressure.....
You've all been right. It does get better. I just hope I can get a bit more committed to this process cause honestly I'm just still too ambivalent for my own good.
Off to the gym!
Geena
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Thanks all for the hugs and good thoughts. Unfortunately the fever was due to a massive infection with my implant. I went to my PS as soon as he was available in the afternoon. By that time I was extremely swollen, 103 fever and most of the breast was bright red. I am crushed this has happened but I do agree with him that there was little choice but to remove the implant. I now have to wait 6 months to try again. I was SOOOOO close to having all this behind me.
Can anyone else tell me if they have had this experience and if so, how it all worked out. I know I will now be counting down the days until I can get the next implant and be done!!!
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Wanda: I am so sorry this happened! It really depends on what type of bacterium was found. I hope your PS sent the implant in for culture analysis. It would be good for you to get a copy of that report. But implant infections occur in around 10% of breast reconstruction patients.
Just curious...were you on antibiotics prophylactically after the exchange surgery? Did they use IV antibiotics during surgery? From what I have read, these are the two factors which greatly reduce the risk of implant infection after the exchange.
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thanks for the info......I'll be very clear with my PS about the size......once they're in......they're in!!
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wbuggie,
The same thing happened to me. I had Maxt in October 08, had TE and fills. Was scheduled for exchange on 12/29. Christmas Eve I started not feeling well. I wasn't sure what it was. I took tylenol which masked my fever. I had been using a heating pad so I thought much of the red was from that.
Anyway....on the day of my exchange they went in and discovered the infection was under the TE. The TE was removed and I had to wait 3 months to start over. I had the TE replaced on 4/16. My PS decided not to fill me as much so I'm bummed that I won't be as big as I would have been if my exchange had been successful in December.
I am scheduled for my exchange next week 7/2. I know how you feel, it's such a bummer. Having all that extra time to think and wait to have the TE put back in was not good for me. But hang in there, It will happen for you. If you have any questions, let me know.
Candi
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Baxter/Candi,
We had our expanders placed the same day and are having our exchange the same day too!!!
I realize each and every day just how lucky I am when I read about so many of those here with so many complications. I've had a couple (nothing major) but no infections so far. Candi, I am so sorry about your infection and will be sending positive thoughts your way as we have our surgeries on 7/2.
Ladies Advice Please!
I had my preop exchange appointment yesterday and had a couple of questions/concerns:
1. My PS asked me if I wanted him to place the largest implants my tissue could accommodate? This is after we had mutually decided on Natrelle style 20 - 400ml implants after my last fill. I told him that he could go smaller if necessary due to the restrictions of my tissue but not larger. What if I end up wishing I had gone larger? I am 5'3" and 106 lbs and want to be a C cup.
2. My PS said he would be revising the right pocket to match the location of the left TE which in my opinion is too far into my armpit. I told him my concern but am wondering, should I leave this to his expertise. After all the implant will be a different size and shape? I am worried my cleavage will be too wide!
I do realize if things are not perfect with the implants my PS can do more surgery and correct any problems but I am tired of surgery!
I am really interested in your opinions or possibly some reassurance.
Julie
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