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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Me me me... I said it Deborah.....LOL.........

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited July 2009

    Laura - sounds like our ps's have similar practice styles.  I, too, have the short height TE.  I'm very full in the lower pole, but pretty flat on top.  Do you have quite a "slope?"  It's almost like you could ski down them!  I think I've finally figured out how to re-size my pics, so I'll try to post some soon.  I have them up to this last expansion, so I need to get my dh to take another one. 

    Deborah - the explanation about the short height TEs makes perfect sense.  I do think my pecs are not completely unaffected, though, as after each fill I've had that pec tightness that runs down your arm.  Does that make sense?  Maybe because my natural breasts did not sit very low.......who knows?..........

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2009
    Deborah- Ok, that's exactly what I am going to say on Monday!! I know that at one time he said he would use mentor implants. But, if he is open to using something else, its there another brand/style that you think would work well for me? I definately want to be happy the first time around. ( As does everyone!!) I am filled to 450cc exactly as he felt that my skin was done stretching. I would say though that about a week after my last fill my skin really loosened up and I have had little, if any pec. spasms since. In fact, my physical therapist said that my skin looks great and the expanders felt soft to her compared to the others she was working with. I don't know if that means anything. I just can't wait to wish them a fond fairwell.
  • georganne
    georganne Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    Deborah - Is a step off anything like that small bubble or a tiny spot that is seemingly a thin area in the flesh I mentioned yesterday?  I'm trying to follow your description too, and awaiting final ok to get into the picture forum.

    My problem is minor, but there for sure.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Val... hi there lady!

    I do not have a slope but a shelf. The top is like a shelf on the wall... I could sleep a small figurine on it...LOL.... my PS assured me I would be as round on top as I am on the bottom and sides after Exchange.... He better be right.. 'cause I am the lady who told my PS that " he might as well knock me back out... cause I ain't going home smaller...".....LOL....

    I am happy with a C cup.. really... small C to large C.. It will fit my frame... a B cup is not what I want.. and a D cup is too big... sooooooooo we'll see if PS is everything he is cracked up to be... he is pretty young... ( 40's like me) and pretty good looking... so.. he better pull

    "Dr. 90210... Dr Raye" right out of his behind and make me fabulous darling....LOL

    ROFLOL

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited July 2009

    Laura - YOU came up with that statement!  Well, we are adopting it from now on!

    Georganne:  No, that is not a step off you are describing.  I was doing some research on that for you and I just want you to call the PS and make sure this is not implant extrusion - especially since it is at the end of the incision.  It could be due to thin skin in that area, but your implants are completely submuscular, so this perplexes me.  Just worth even emailing him a photo of the area if this is possible

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited July 2009

    ((Laura))  You had me rolling again with the "You might as well knock me out, cuz I am not going home any smaller!"  My DH thougth I was laughing at something on TV.

    ((Di)) I am so sorry that you are going through this lung stuff and whatever else is going on.  Keep us posted and keeping you in best thoughts.

    Thanks to all the ladies that reported in after your surgeries, it makes me glad to know that all went well with you.    I hope that the new "adopted girls" are everything that you all deserve.   

    Jan

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    (((Di))))  Hope all's well and that you do NOT have to reschedule!!  JUDY

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Judy... how you doing sister? Rads over right?

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2009

    Are you girls still planning on meeting in Vegas?  I haven't been online in quite awhile.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Cathee.. go to the " 1st Ta Ta sisterhood in Vegas" we are getting there the 25th of Sept.. and leaving Monday... Can you come????????????????

    All are invited.. wahoooooo

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    I will bump it Cathee

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    Laura:

    Yes, my rads are over, marking the end of my treatment. 

    I told everyone in my family:   Now we Build A Breast..sort of like building a bear. 
    First you stuff it.., then you fluff it.. then you decorate it..

    I didn't mention that they need to be filled first.  I re-start my fills on Aug 5.  Watch me grow!!

    JUDY

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Judy- Good luck as you grow, so glad you are finished with your rads and on to the next step.....we really have to meet for lunch one day being so close to each other.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Judy.. good luck with fills. Do you have really good pain meds available to you? I will tell you, it is harder to fill after rads. Get the pain pills in your prior. My dear friend filled the rest of the way after rads and it was challenging for her if she was not on pain pills 24/7... just want you to be prepared and have your DRUGS for this sister!

  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 74
    edited July 2009

    LOL Judy..."build a breast" ok that is just funny funny funny.

    Teresa

  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 74
    edited July 2009

    Deb,

    Thank you so much for your info.  So that was you, I read that post.  I am so excited to get my implants....and finally sleep on my side without pain! 

    I can not wait for Vegas!!!! 

    Teresa

  • suegmomof3
    suegmomof3 Member Posts: 38
    edited July 2009

    HI there,
    Just checking in after having my exchange at 2 pm on Tues.  Everything went really well ...  I'm up now at 2 am to take my pain pills and antiboitics .. I remember how horrible it was to wake up in the morning and be in so much pain I could barely move, so I figured this time I'd set an alarm ... so far,so good!! I  do feel much better than the first surgery.  When the PS was drawing his lines all over my chest prior to the surgery, he stood back and said wow, sue, yours has to be one of the best result of expansions I've ever seen .... so that made me feel so good!!!  (maybe he tells that to all his patients, but it still made me feel good!)  Then he said, he had to make sure he didn't screw it up in the OR since they were close to perfect already.  :)  I told him I wanted him to try to get the 650 implants in, and he said he'd try , but if they were too high then he'd go for the 600s.  Well, when I woke up , the first thing I asked was what did I have -- and the nurse told me 650s.  So I was glad.  They look SO different - he only has gauze taped across the incisions - no binding wrap or anything. And they feel so soft - no hard edges poking me anywhere!   He said he wants me to NOT wear a bra so that the implants can settle down into the pockets - he said he's seen some patients who wear bras too soon or perhaps too tight, and the implants get pushed up and the pockets are "re-formed" incorrectly... , so I'm listening to him ... he is rated one of the top PSs for b/c reconstruction in the State of Michigan.  He told me he thinks I will be very pleased with the results, and when we add nipples, they will look perfect.  Oh, another thing - this time the nurse gave me a tiny pill to take an hour prior to surgery to help me with my nausea problem that I had last time, due to the anthesesia and morphine ... The anesthesiologist (sp?) told me she'd give me the mix of meds that best combat nausea during the surgery too .... and I feel GREAT!  I was up, walking around, eating crackers within 30 mins after waking up in recovery.  We were discharged 1 hour after waking up, I slept in the 2 hour car ride home, spent some time eating dinner and hanging with the kids, then off to bed ... what an amazing experience so far ...

    I hope everyone else is doing well after their surgeries this week.  I took pics of my TEs the morning of my surgery, and will take some tomorrow and then Thursday when the gauze comes off, and post them all on the photo site.  (I never realized how hard it is to take pics of myself..... so I wasn't able to get any side profile shots of BEFORE, only front view.)  But at least I have something I can look back on as a reference.  :)  Take care, everyone -- my pain pills are kicking in and my head gets a little fuzzy, so I better log off.  sue

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2009

    Ok, I also had my surgery yesterday and am also up in the wee hours of the morning.  Everything went fine.  I was also concerned about nausea.  I will share my meds with you in case any of you have a problem with nausea after surgery.  I was given the three pill cocktail prior to my mastectomy but still ended up needing three shots for nausea.  I told anesthesia this and they said there are six nausea receptors.  The cocktail blocks three receptors, which is usually fine for most but she said she would give me something during surgery to block the other three receptors.  It worked like a charm, no nausea for the very first time.

    I haven't looked at my boobs too much because I know they are gonna change.  They do look natural and definitely soft but too sore to touch too much.    The pain is sooo much better than the mastectomy.  I was terrified that the width would be too wide but they are actually smaller then my expanders.  I don't know how because the diameter was larger but he did do repair work as the left one did alot of shifting. I have to wear my surgical bra contnuously but I planned on it anyway because I want to try preventing shifting again. 

    Well, I will check in later.  So glad Sue had such a good experience.  Happy Healing!

  • pmellon
    pmellon Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2009

    Hi Estepp and all - Yes, I'm here and still quite the lurker on this very active thread.  I am nervously looking forward to my exchange on Monday.  Good luck with yours too!!!  I'm so looking forward to putting this step behind me and moving forward. 

  • greytmom_17
    greytmom_17 Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2009

    I read through all of the old posts but am still confused so I thought I'd go to the experts! I have an allergan 133V 500cc expander and the number on my card says 133mx-13, which I can't find on the allergan site.  I am filled to 700 and my ps will overfill to 750 with the goal of 650cc implants.  I can't find the dimensions of my expander, so am having a hard time figuring if this is right. 

    I told them I was happy @ 650, but am now worried after reading about projection and dimensions here.  I was a 36DD before my single mastectomy, so my goal is a C cup and a reduction on the right to match.  So, does 650 sound right for my final implant?  I originally planned on a 700 implant but liked how I looked after 650.  Thanks ladies
  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    Laura, Thanks for the advice.  Last time, I couldn't take anything because I was on Blood thinners for a clot.  This time, I'll be ready..

    Misty, anytime!! PM me for a date!! That will be fun ! 

    Sue, Dani--Heal well and Love your results..Can't wait to see pictures!

    JUDY

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited July 2009

    Lynn:  Glad you found your way here to EC!  You did give your bra size, so assuming you are between 33 and 36 inches around the ribcage [measuring the circumference around the bra line] 650 cc's to 700 cc's should be about right.  What is your height and weight as well...so we can look at which style might work best?

    Deborah

  • georganne
    georganne Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    Ladies, I hope everyone is doing well today. You all remain in my prayers.

    Deborah, 

    Thank you AGAIN!!!!! I have a call in to my PS. I'll explain to him and pass on what I learn for future reference to all of us.  Georganne

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2009

    Sue and Dani- Congrats on your exchanges. I am wishing you both a speedy recovery, with wonderful results. Glad to hear that your nausea was not an issue. I have that problem as well, which is probably one of the reasons I am not looking forward to the exchange.

    Dani- do you think that you will be happy with the size? I know that you had some concerns with being smaller than you would like? I have to chuckle in that the doctors vary so much in their opinions. One says wear a bra, one says don't. I guess it just boils down to having trust in your doctor. How was your daughters graduation party? Where is she going to college. My oldest just finished her first year at college. She can't wait to get back there. I think she's had enough of us!!

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2009

    Deborah and Sandy,

    Back on July 1st we had this discussion:

    Sonia:  I agree....550 cc's is just not going to be wide enough or have sufficient volume to get you to a C or D in a high profile.  You could use the moderate plus styles Sandy mentioned above and get sufficient width.  You would not have as much projection, but the width would enable to you fill out a larger bra cup size.  I personally think at least 600 cc's would be better for your frame - again - in Allergan or Mentor's moderate plus styles - 650 cc's even better.  If you want the HP style implant, you would need at least 650 cc's - better with 700 cc's. 

    I had another full yesterday and the nurse told me that my PS usually puts in a larger implant than the TE's.  He uses Allergan.  He measured my TE's and they both were 13.5.  I'm not sure what for....  They actually look good on my chest.  If they weren't so hard I'd keep them.  I have my consultation next Tuesday so I'll tell you what his plan is. 

    Thank you again!

    Sonia

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2009

    Glad to hear you ladies are healing well anf both feel the pain is less with with surgery.. Happy Healing!

  • wabiwoman
    wabiwoman Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2009

    Hello Exchange City,

    I'm reading about the surgeries, exchanges, all the thoughts and concerns - so much richness here! 

    Yesterday I went back to the OR to get one of my expanders deflated, then about 2" of necrotic tissue cut out and then I was sewn together again.  The worst part is..... (drumroll).... I have another *#(*$!! DRAIN!!! Ughness!  I was going to grin and bear it and work today, but luckily came to my senses and stayed home.  I'm lopsided now (the expander in the other breast was not touched), and the new scar is currently covered -- but I am hopeful at least this will give me a new start towards a healthy healing.   I can't imagine how this skin will ever stretch to the full expanded version my PS wants me to have before implant placement (expanding way over the implant size because of prior rads) - but ya know what?  I just can't go there anymore.  A day at a time - it is what it is right now and all that....  

    The adventure continues......  I so look forward to exchange... whenever that will be.

    Geena

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2009

    Geena,

    Sorry to hear about your setback. Prayers are being sent your way that now you will be on the road to healing. My sister just recently had to go back to the OR for a similar procedure, but they ended up taking her expander completely out. Now her PS wants to do a lat flap instead of replacing her expander.She also still has fluid draining out of the origonal incision from her mastectomy back in October 08. One day at a time is what I tell her all the time.(((hugs))) to you.

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2009

    4greatkids

    The cocktail used prior to surgery consisted of pepcid, reglan and emend.  I was told that there are other combinations but that is what they found to work.  The nurse anesthisian came out to talk to me prior to going in the operating room and I explained that even though I had the cocktail before the mastectomy, I still needed three shots for nausea.  She was surprised and explained that there are 6 receptors that cause nausea.  The cocktail blocks three.  She said she would put more more emend in my IV and that worked. 

    As far as size, I think I will be happy.  I was filled to 330 cc's and these are 354 cc's but for some reason they look smaller.  I tried on my size C bra, before I started to swell, and it fit.  My husband thinks they look big.  I asked the physicians assistant if they will drop and change shape and she said they would.  Right before they knocked me out she asked if I was excited and I said No, I was afraid of what they were gonna look like! Probably not the best move before going under!

    My daughters party was alot of work!  The hall we had booked had another event going on when we got there to decorate.  The parking lot was full of cars and we had 120 people expected.  It got a little ugly.  Luckily friends and family showed up and whipped the place into shape.  I had planned on doing a balloon arch for months but had to abandon that.  It poured like crazy but we were inside so that was ok, except only about 76 people showed up.  Oh, I ordered 6 6 ft subs.  they were huge.  24 feet of sub sandwiches was a bit much.  We only used about 2.5 so I was sending people home with subs.  One of my friends said she felt like she was carrying a child out it was so big.  In the end, one of the sternos got out of hand and a fire started! My friend ran and got a fire extinguisher while my husband worked on putting it out, and I supervised!   All in all, it was a great success! LOL

    She is going to SUNY Cortland in NY,where we live.  She will be about an hour and 40 minutes away.  You survived your first year of having your daughter gone?  I told mine that no matter what she is feeling, when she calls me just tell me she is fine!  I can't deal if she calls crying.

    Boy did I ramble!  

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