Exchange City
Comments
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Yvonne.. I sure miss your humor lady! I am glad to see you here!
I hope your other girl will forever be.. aok!
Blessings!
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This must be the busiest forum, also the most informative IMHO. I have learned so much from the good outcomes and the not so favorable ones.
((Wanda)) Let the tears out, I feel that this is a normal response to a disappointment that is physical, mental and emotional. Keep talking about it, I am here to listen. Who knows why you got the infection, but you took all of the prudent steps advised by your physician. Sometimes **** happens, now you have to work through this process. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
((Georgeanne)) Glad to know you are home and doing well, how did the procedure go for you?
((Karen)) I am glad to know that you are hanging in there. I loved your post! I will be posting less and lurking more, but always thinking about everyone here. Back to work tomorrow.
((Yvonne)) You are so funny, You make me laugh. Best wishes to those getting rid of the turtles in their chest next week. Jan
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Karen - I am sorry if that's what you thought my message indicated. I LOVED your post!! Please feel free to write what ever you want. Long posts, short posts, sad posts, happy posts, we are all there for one another. You are such a loving and kind woman.
Sounds like a lot of us are busy these days. I am glad that we still find some time for one another.
Take care. - Jean
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Hi Ladies - Please put me down for a 7/20 Exchange!!! Looking for some input - I currently have Allergan Style 133 MV tissue expanders 400 ml. They are filled currently to 600 ml. My PS has said he will be using High profile 600 Allergan implants. I am 5'7 and weigh 145. Measure 31 1/2 around rib cage. My goal is to be a nice full C.
My worry is that currently I am bigger on one side than the other. I am hoping that the implants don't end up smaller than the side that is currently smaller.
I just scheduled another meeting with the PS to discuss my concerns, but you ladies are so full of knowledge and feedback would be much appreciated. I want to go to my appointment armed and dangerous and in control. I haven't gone through all this crap to not end up with a nice new set!
You are all amazing. I read every post and we are all going through so much. It's great to have the connection to women who understand the fears and concerns.
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pmellon:
The Allergan moderate profile variable projection expander is: 13.0 wide by 12.0 tall by 5.6 projection, but with overfilling you are probably at around 6.0 projection.
The Allergan Style 20 HP 600 cc's is: 13.8 diameter by 5.7 projection. Just verify with the PS it is indeed the high profile and that his dimensions coincide with yours.
I personally think this is a good choice for your exchange - to get you where you want to be. You also have a ribcage narrow enough to handle the Style 45 and @ 600 cc's the dimensions would be 12.8 x 6.1. You would have a narrower and taller implant with greater profile, but it takes a certain build to handle this well - as it sits higher on the chest wall. If you go to the picture's forum, you can look at Journey's photos - she has this style of implant and I believe it is 600 cc's as well.
Referable to the discrepancy in size - it is not really an issue. Your base width is the same with both expanders - it is the height and projection which is diminished and there is sufficient room for the 600 cc implant in both expanded pockets right now. But certainly ask your PS if he thinks the smaller side should have another fill before the exchange. It probably will not be necessary.
Congratulations!
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Laura: Well, changing the photo was actually a mistake. Pam [Dejaboo] added a little photo album to her profile here on bc.org and I was trying to do the same thing, and then I was going to tell all of you sisters how to do it. But I just could not figure out how to do it...and in my attempt, accidentally changed my avatar. Here is Pam's photo album:
http://community.breastcancer.org/member/64251/profile
Don't you just love it? So I am going to have to PM Pam and ask her how to do it...
ADDENDUM: Oh, I think I see what you have to do. In the Biography section you must insert a URL link to an image. Well, that makes my eyes glaze over to think about how to do that....I'll have to save that for later.
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I have seen Pams pics.. they are great and that is fun!
Pam is such a sweety!
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Jan1 and others,
Thank you for your prayers / concern. I am feeling well, just exhausted from my exchange Fri. 6/26.I feel like a WEENIE!!!!! The procedure was actually easy. If anyone is from the Pittsburgh PA area, Dr. Michael Gimbel is WONDERFUL!!!! I did get to "unveil" and shower today. I am a lot like the size I was with TEs, but I seem a little flatter somehow? The cleavage is great, ... Since I have received "unders" does fluffing apply to me? What should I anticipate? When????
Again, I am praying for each of you several times a day.
Wbuggie - HUGS to you.
Elaine, you're going to make it!!!!!!
I can't tell you how blessed I am to have found all of you. God IS watching over us. Georganne
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Please add me to the Exchange List - SnoopyGirl5 for 7/10
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Also I'm looking for information on "recovery time" after the exchange surgery. Can you drive within the week? Are you able to continue with the things you need to do by just being careful? For the awesome ladies that have already went through this, please let me know if you were in bed for a week or able to continue with life?
thanks!
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Hi Snoopygirl5,
Congrats on your upcoming exchange. With my exchange, it went so smooth. I was not in almost any pain. Did not need any pain meds, well only the day of surgery( And that was Tylenol). It is so much easier then the Mastectomy. Oh My Goodness. It is a breeze, well it was for me. No drains. I did not have to where a surgical bra or anything. He did have me wrapped for a couple of days. I am very happy with results, and it has been 7 months. I was so scared, that I would not like the results as much as I loved the look of my expanders. As far as driving, my PS, gave me about a week, but he said to me that, one of the reasons is that he does not want you to be driving while you are on pain meds.
I am so happy for you,
Good luck,
Shelly
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Hey, everyone! Haven't had time to touch base with y'all for ages, it seems. Last week was busy leading a little girl's "jazzerkamp" every afternoon. Being the mom of boys, I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the land of "girlness," but by Friday afternoon I'd had my fill! On a more somber note, last Wed,my dh's dad took a turn for the worse....though he's been in a nursing home post-massive stroke (hemiplegic/aphasic), it's still been a difficult several days. He passed this morning. Within the past six months my poor dh has had his wife diagnosed with cancer and lost his dad. I know several of you have gone through similar situations, so any advice on supporting him would be appreciated. He didn't used to be much for self-disclosure, but since my dx that has really changed, so I hope he'll be able to share.......
whippetmom - quick question - in reference to the style 45's, you mention that it takes a certain body build. Exactly what type might that be? Thanks.
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((Snoopygirl)) I had surgery at 2:00 on 6-15, was home by 7:30 that night. Tuesday had appt with PS that my husband took me to, felt OK, I only needed 1 percocet at night for pain for a couple of nights and that was for the augmented side, had nerve pain. Pain is different for everyone; listen to your body, By Thursday I was driving myself and I felt safe to do so. The nights were the least comfortable for me, the discomfort wasn't as noticeable when I was up and moving, but getting positioned to sleep took a little longer than normal. For me, the exchange on the right side with the symmetry surgery on the left side was easier than the single mastectomy done 6 months before. Today is two weeks since my exchange and I am back to work. I hope you go in with a good feeling about this. Jan
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Deborah, Thanks for your help. I talked to my PS and he said for my exchange in Sept he is looking at the Allergen 410FX (Full height and extra projection). Weight 560. He said he really liked the size I'm expanded to now. I go back and see him in July, to set a date for surgery. And talk more about the exchange. So can you add me to your list too for exchange in Sept. WooooHooo!! It won't get here soon enough. I have been having a rash on my chest ( its maninly where the fill port is on the expanders) and my sciatic back pain has been just awful lately it keeps me up at night. And is starting to be painful during the day. It started shortly after my surgery. Thanks again Deborah. Di
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((Val161)) I am so sorry for you and your DH, I hope that all the arrangements go easy for your family so you can get on with saying goodbye. Your family has been through a lot this year.
I went with my Mother in Love to her mammogram this morning, she confided to me last Friday that she has had a lump for a month. I was able to get her in for a mammo and indeed she has a mass of some sort. They did an ultrasound and it is not a cyst. Now she needs scheduled for a biopsy, I know she is worried. She told me that she hated to "steal my thunder" I told her I had "Been there, done that and got the shirt" It was my turn to support her, and hopefully it is benign. She didn't know that I would be there for her appt. today and she almost cried seeing me waiting for her in the lobby. No 83 year old woman should have to go through this alone. I am blessed that she loves me as much as she loves her son. Jan
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Jan!, steal your thunder? That is too funny. At 83 years old, you shouldn't have to go through these scares.
Val61, I am sorry about your father-in-law. I didn't hear that you need to have a certain body type for the style 45. I'm curious about Deborah's response.
I have a second opinion tomorrow and my exchange is scheduled for July 14. I just need to be comfortable with the implants my ps chose and right now, I'm not. I will see what the second ps has to say. He is over an hour away so I don't need to worry about the buddy system!
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Okay, re: the Style 45 "body type" comment: Well, if you have a short torso, this will not look right on you, as it is a tall implant. The more projection you get, the more height you get. Also, if your SN to N distance is on the short side, again, this would not be the style for you. Here is the post re: how to measure. A few posts down from this one is the converter to convert from inches to centimeters:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/728266?page=99#post_1346849
Someone told me that the Style 45 superceded the Style 20, and that the Style 20 was intended to appeal to a wider patient population. We need to remember that implants were developed for "cosmetic" enhancement - with the augmented breast in mind. I would imagine that this style fulfilled a niche, as the description of this style states, "the Style 45 is a narrow base width implant that provides the highest profile in cases where additional projection is required and adequate soft tissue coverage is available." So in what instances would one "REQUIRE" additional projection? Perhaps in the entertainment industry? In cases where the body habitus dictates - long torso, very narrow ribcage? I would love to find out why Allergan designed certain implants.
It has become a popular style to consider here [it is really relatively uncommonly used] because of the issue of the implants being smaller than the expanders. Some of us get expanders with a projection of 6.0 or greater and we have been perplexed about our loss of projection when exchanged to implants. However, I am sure that our plastic surgeons did not put us in full projection/profile expanders with the intention of placing us in the fullest projection/profile implants. They rarely [if ever] mention the Style 45 and the few women on these forums who have the Style 45, I believe, mentioned it to their own surgeons. My own PS has been doing breast reconstruction for fifteen years and she has not once used the Style 45. So....whew. Long answer, eh?
Di - Glad to help. I am glad you and your PS are on the same page.
Jan: Oh my...tears came to my eyes when you wrote your MIL "almost cried" seeing you waiting in the lobby. How absolutely DEAR, DEAR, DEAR you are! I will have to steal that line...."been there, done that, bought the shirt" ......and I DO have the shirt!
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Jan.. prayers for your MIL.. I am sorry for her.. tear come to me , like Deb , when I hear of another.. just makes me sick.
Val.. hug you hubby for us..
... too much.. sometimes it is... Ladies, continue to fill us in on your exchanges....
Laura
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Hi Cheri2,
Thanks for the reminder that one person's setback and help prevent it for others on here. I do feel much better if this saves at least one of my ta ta sisters from a second exchange!! I am also adding the wash the night prior to surgery. I would rather be too cautious next time.
Thanks for all the hugs as they are much appreciated. Enough of my whining... it is over and done and now I can look onward to an even better pair of ta tas (he might as well do some of the revision on the other ;-)). This is a minor blip and others are going through so much worse.
Have a wonderful night and good luck to all of us!!
Wanda
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Thanks ladies for the nudge in God ear for the "Mom". She really is a remarkable lady and she is widowed and is worried, she would never tell you that she is worried because she is the MOM of course. The biopsy is scheduled for Wed, I am meeting her there for the appt. I just hope the lump is a bleed or something from the medicine (Coumadin) that she takes.
((Wanda)), I don't think you are whining, your body has been through a lot. I do love your attitude, this is a blip on the radar, you are still on the road to a great pair of Ta-ta's, you are just taking the scenic route! Best wishes!
Jan
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Hi Whippetmom - Thank you SOOO much. I do know that my PS was talking High Profile. I have just been so worried about this whole thing. At first I just thought whatever, the cancer is gone and boobs are boobs, but now all of a sudden I want to be sure I like them! Other than one side being smaller, I really am happy with the TE's and the size that I am at and just don't want to be disappointed after the exchange. Just to have you confirm that the 600 HPs sound right gives me a bit more confidence in everything. I wasn't going to go back to see him before my surgery, but this forum has helped so much!
You and a few others with so much knowledge are so helpful and must spend soooo much time helping. It is invaluable to us. I think you need to start thinking about a new career. You have certainly found your calling.
I am off to the photo site for a while.
Blessings and prayers to you all!
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Jan, your post brought tears to my eyes. Your MIL sounds like a wonderful lady. I'm ashamed to say that I was young (married with kid early) when my MIL died and it wasn't until I got a little older that I realized how special she was, wish I'd enjoyed it more when she was with us. Please let us know how things turn out I'll be thinking of you
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Jan, your post made me cry, I so hope you MIL is ok, please keep us posted, she, and you are in my prayers.
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whippetmom - thanks SO much for yet another tidbit of information! I guess I probably fit the guidelines for the 45 - narrow ribcage & long torso. I need to check the SN-N ratio, though. Believe it or not, my ps actually mentioned the 45 as an option if I wanted to be "less conservative." Guess I got a good one! We're nearing the end of my fills, so I hope we'll discuss potential implants maybe at my next fill in another week.
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Jan - You and your MIL are in my prayers.
Ladies facing surgery this week - God Bless you. HUGS!!!!
Wanda,
I'm praying for you to sense God's great love and his hand on you in this even through the disappoinments!!!Prayers, Love and Hugs. It will work out. God Bless!!!!
Snoopy girl,
I had my exchange last Friday. I feel a little sore, and tired, but this is NOTHING at all like the MX. I am to wait 1 week to drive. I was asked to wear my surgical bra 24 hrs. a day. I will see my PS for follow up 7/9 - 2 weeks after the surgery. I look basically the same with my implants as I did with the TEs - maybe a tiny bit flatter; however, I've been told by the wonderful veterans here that since I received implants that are completely under the pec muscle, I can expect a bit of fluffing, or fullness to develop. I'm still honestly not sure what this will look like, but I'm blessed with a PS who did a beautiful job! I honestly think that after this ordeal is over, I will look better than I did originally. I was always "too busty" for my personal taste. I teach seniors English, and generally have hidden my large breasts behind blazers EVERYDAY.(Not a good move for a woman who had a total hysterctomy / oophorectomy and experiences surgical menopause with a vengance!!!!!!) I was able to drop down from a healthy D to a C and my clothes look great now. I'm remembering you in my prayers too. Keep us updated on you progress. HUGS !!!!!
Thanks again ladies, you're my heroes!!!! Georganne
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Just wanted to drop a note telling ya'll how things are going....I am extra sore this time but PS said he had to do alot of pocket revision.....that being said my right foob looks kind of like a square turtle shell under my skin.....I go back to see him tomorrow.....And I have been taking it nice and easy , need to get some flower beds weeded.....but they can wait.....have developed a nice relationship with my ice pack and the pain pills.......I envy and salute those of you that tough it out with only taking a couple of pills when pain is worst at night.........but I am not going try to be tough this time....lol......bring those painkillers to mama.........
I hope and pray each one of you is having a good week and get the answers and results you have been praying for......LUV Elaine
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Georganne and Elaine, I pray for your fast healing and to be pain free.
Jan, Wow, what a coincidence this sounds to me. I went through my MIL's BC with her a year before my own dx! She was at the time 83. She had a unilateral mx, and has been doing fantastic ever since. Can't keep that woman down. When I was dx'd, she insisted on going with me to my surgeries also. I love her so much! My prayers are with her and your family.
Wanda, keep your chin up girl! You'll be better in no time!
Val, I'm sorry to hear about your FIL. My mother is in a nursing home now because of a terrible stroke, and it has been hard on her and us.
I hope everyone has a great day,
Deen
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Jan- Your MIL is in my prayers. She is lucky to have you for support.
Val61- so sorry to hear about your FIL.
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Hi everyone! I have to admit I have been lurking here for quite a while gathering great information. Thank you ladies for sharing your knowledge about this reconstruction process.
I went into see the PS today for a fill (now up to 400 cc) and was able to schedule my exchange surgery. It will be August 26th. YEA!!!!!!!!! So far I cannot complain about my TE's. I have been very luck not having any/much discomfort.
Deborah & Sandy - I was wondering if I could get your opinion on sizing. My TE is Allergan 133MV-13 400cc. My PS is filling me to 550cc. I am 5'9" and weigh 180lbs. My ribcage is 36. I definitely want to be a C cup or a small D. Do you guys think 550 will get me there? Also, I want full projection. Should I ask for high profile?
Thank you both again for all you do. I don't really understand how all of this works so your input is very valuable.
Sonia
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Thank you ladies for the kind words for the MOM. It's a long post, sorry in advance.
Elaine, I am glad that you are taking care of the pain before it gets out of hand. You had a pocket revision, I would think that would entail a little more pain that what I had to go. ((Georgeanne)) I am happy that your exchange came out the way you wanted. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Any word, from golfingb on how her exchange went? 11 exchange surgeries for the first half of that seems like a record.
A side bar to the exchange topic, I have tried for 4 months to get a copy of my hospital bill so I would know how much out of pocket expense I would have. The hospital corporate billing would not mail me a copy, stating that they were still working with insurance. I went to the hospital today and picked up the December MX bill and the exhcange surgery bill as well. The exchange- 6 hour hospital stay came to the tune of $39,188.00. The 6 hour hospital stay was thankfully less than the $51,689.00 billed for the single mastectomy and a 30 hour hospital stay back in December! Insurance paid $14,143 of the $51,689.00 bill I only owe about 30% of the $14,143 allowed expenses. I caught a $10,785.00 error right off the bat from the Dec surgery bill, they billed for 2 tissue expanders and allograft derm. I know I only used one of each. I am thankful for my healthcare, but WOW! I came across a website that does hospital billing comparisons, stated that my hospital billed at 480% more than Johns Hopkins Hospital. Ouch, I am glad I went back to work, I know my bills were a lot less than others that had rads, chemo and bilateral MX. Thanks for letting me vent! Jan
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