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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited July 2009

    Jan I'm concerned about DV8Q as well.  I PM'd her so I'm hoping to hear from her.

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2009

    Thank you Judy for your website information.  My PS also likes to do the grafting for the areolas (spelling?) and I'm not too sure I want to have another surgery.  I am leaning on getting the tatoo's.  How do you pick out a color?  I am concerned....I don't want the red look.

    Good Luck Estep and pmellon!  May you wake up happy with your fobbies!

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2009

    Txbadboob - Would you mind letting know if you find someone in our area for the tatoo? 

    Sonia

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    They looked red because they were just done (on the website) they don't heal red.

    They can be anything from a light pink-ish or a light beige to a deeper brown and anything in between.  A good artist can help you decide.  Often women take the opportunity to become the color they'd like to be.  Others, want the color to be the way it was before.   Just more to think about...  Smile    JUDY

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited July 2009

    ((Janet))  Thanks for PMing DV8Q,  I am concerned and want her to know that I am thinking of her.  Hopefully she will respond, thank so much.

    ((Judy))  Thanks so much for the tattoo information.  I think your talent is a great gift to help restore our bodies to a near normal look. 

    Jan

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

    Me too.. DV8Q.... we are all praying for you!!!

    SANDY.... again... where are you too... miss you???????????

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited July 2009

    Deborah- I also thought that I should have the implant exchange and fat graft first; but the PS said if I have the niples done, I may just be satisfied with the foobs as is. He said the nipples make such a big difference; but, he is probably just sick of me and wants the whole thing over.   I don't know what to do.  I am so confused and upset over issues in my personal life. that the whole breast thing just annoys me.  I just want to wake up one day and have it all go away.

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited July 2009

    Ok Girls.....I'm just gonna advocate for nipple grafting one more time. I posted my post surgery photo on tim tam;s site. It's been a month and I'm sooooo in love with them,,,,ask Dani....LOL. They have healed beautifully and I am taking the girls to Costa Rica tomorrow for a week. I will try to post my recent pic as they have changed beautifully. No more scabs, sutures or telfa pads....Oh My!!! My GF is coming over today so I'll have her take some more pics.

    Robin...I'm so sorry to hear about the breakup. Don't know anything else to say except I'm sending you huge hugs....xxooxxoo 

  • oncRN
    oncRN Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2009

    SueG, Dani, and Deen...thanks for your input.  I am a chemo nurse, and when I go back to work I will  only be mixing chemo for a few days, which is sitting on my butt largely with minimal lifting (liter bags at most). My exchange is a Thursday, and I plan to return to work to mix the following Wednesday.  I will be mixing the remainder of that work week.  Does this sound reasonable?  Thanks to all for your experienced advice!

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited July 2009

     Sorry for thelong post in advance..  . .. . ..

    ((Robin))  I think you have so much going on that it is time to pull inward and not let the BF, or the implant dilemma  or other garbage put you off kilter until you get balance back in your life.  I would NOT do the nipples until I had seen another PS and have reassurance that what I have is normal.  Weigh the question for yourself; are the current implants the best they can be for reconstructed breasts, or can another surgery give a closer reproduction of the natural breasts that were taken off? I am keeping you in good thoughts and prayers that you get peace about your body, BC shakes you up from head to toe.

    ((Sam1991))  If I were younger (less than 52) I would consider the grafting.  My PS has offered it but stated that a good tattoo would give me the appearance of an areola without further surgery.  He will make a nipple.  I may change my mind, so thanks for the reminder that I have choices.  The tattoo's I have seen on several websites look amazingly natural, with follicles and shading etc!   I have seen a couple of websites that show work that I wouldn't want done on me.  I am realistic that the "hat on my lady" will be ink and I just have to have faith in the artist that is going to bless me with a pretty new "hat for my lady"

    ((LAURA))  I am so excited for you tomorrow, take care, rest well and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I can't wait to hear how you are doing!  hugs!

    ((Pmellon))  My good thoughts are with you and you too take care and have good thoughts about tomorrow.  Write in when you can to tell everyone how it went.   

    Anyone heard from Rascal_gal?  DV8Q?   SANDY!!!!  Bike rides don't last that long, hoping all is well with you.  

  • jezzy234
    jezzy234 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2009

    Hi Sue from Midland.  Congratulations on your exchange.  Sound like the PS is very happy with the results.  That's gotta feel good.  I find out next week when my exchange will happen.  Can't wait! 

  • mooma
    mooma Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2009

    Hello to all you wonderful girls!  My exchange is coming up next week and I am so looking forward to it!  I was going to post pictures but haven't done so as of yet.  I had nipple sparing and there are not many pics of this surgery so I wanted to share what I can.  My surgery is 7/27 so I hope to get some before and after pics on.  Blessings to all!

  • ilovehorses2
    ilovehorses2 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2009

    Well I got a date this week for my exchange YEA!!!!! September 14, I'm getting the Alergen 410MX size 685.  In talking to my PS about just how I want them to look  he thinks this is the right ones for me. I first thought I wanted the FX full height. But for me I really don't want them to look high at the top. He said the MX will fill the area I want out nice. I had to tell him about the recent findings in the CT and xray. I still have to be ok'ed by the Pummanary doctor I'm seeing for the elevated left hemidiaphragm. Hope they find out the cause of this and I get some answers before my surgery. I've read alot about this and I guess a number of things can cause this. My PS didn't seem to be to concerned. I got my appt with Pummanary dr. moved up. I see him on Tuesday. Wish me luck.  Di

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited July 2009

    Di - You'll be one week before me - I'm Sept. 21st!  Can't wait to get these TEs out.  This morning when I woke up - kinda uncomfortable, as usual - I realized I still have two months to go.  I almost had a little pity party, but got myself together..........  Good luck with the pulmonary doc. You certainly don't need any more concerns!

    Val

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2009

    Laura and Pmellon--best of luck tomorrow for soft, pretty new girls, and no pain!

    I also hope for no pain for Laura's PS (which means, he'd better give her what she wants!  Laughing).

    Laura, I hope you love your newly improved eyes too!  I had my upper lids lifted, because they were so droopy that they interfered with my vision, and it makes such a difference!  I had very little discomfort.  Just be sure to sleep sitting up for several nights, so your eyes don't swell, and use lots and lots of icepaks or gelpaks on your eyes (bags of frozen peas work great). It is soooo worth it!!!

    Diane

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited July 2009

    Congratulations to you lovely ladies that just had your exchanges.

    Laura and pmellon, our thoughts and best wishes will be with you tomorrow! Hugs!!

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2009

    Good Luck Tomorrow ladies,

    Look forward to hearing from you when you are up to it.   

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Member Posts: 247
    edited July 2009

    whippetmom

    I can''t post pictures for professional reasons, no matter how secure a site is, it can always be broken into and, I really can't risk it.

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Good luck laura and pmellon, sending you healing vibes for a speedy recovery and great results.

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

    THANK YOU SO MUCH GIRLIES! I am nervous.. but excited! Ladies who are the rads girls.. I go before you tomorrow... I will be able to tell you over the next two months.. how the rads boob does!... I will be keeping you all informed.. and will post some pictures after. I am like BigApple.. I can only post some pictures.. but I get darn close to showing the whole boob..:)..... I will post good shots of the rads boob.

    THank you all for the thoughts and prayers for me.... I really cannot believe the day is here. I have had these TE in for 7 months... so it will be weird to feel something different.

    Thanks Diane for the good report on the eyes.... That probably is freaking me out the most.... I hope I still look like me... but not so tired...lol... I will ice pack and ice pack..... promise!

    Love to all... Laura

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited July 2009

    Prayers and hugs to Laura and pmellon!!

     We'll look forward to hearing from you both!

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

    PMellon... GOOD LUCK tomorrow sister!!! You are going to do great!

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited July 2009

    Hello darlings, just checking in on all my girls........support and prayers to everyone getting exchanges/revisions/nips etc.

    My PS said he could save the nipple on the prophy girl, but he'd have to do an "eyebrow" scar, as I'd need a lift and reduce.  I am now in negotiations to not keep nipple, to see if I can not do a lift and reduce along with prophy mastect.  Always something, but that is simply too much surgery for me to want to do, just to keep a cherry on top.  As I understand it, there is a size consideration when doing nipple sparing....I can't w/out a lift, as there is (ahem) too much "acreage" between the top of the boob and the nipple.  Gravity has taken a toll at 53 :).  Hope this helps some for anyone considering this.

    Love you all, sending good vibes!  (Hi Laura, how are you doing, sweetie?)

    xoxo

    annie

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

    So excited for Laura and pmellon!  Praying for you...hoping to hear from you both today!!!

    BigApple - I understand....

    Robin:  While you have this emotional roller-coaster going on, just wait on the nips.  There is no rush on this procedure.  You need to heal emotionally.  My heart goes out to you gals who are experiencing a relationship crisis in the midst of what we are all going through with cancer and with breast reconstruction.  I just remember that wrenching pain from many years ago.  I would not wish that kind of pain on anyone - LEAST of all my ta-ta sisters!!  We know that what does not kill us makes us stronger and this goes for relationships as well I suppose.  This is a new journey and we WANT what is healthy and good from this point forward, and this includes all of the other aspects of our lives as well.  I am praying for you Robin and for DV8Q...

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

    Home riding the Demerol wave..... have to sleep... but had to tell you I am home and feeling pretty well....

    Mentor Gel 450'cc ( what Sandy Picked for my 7 months ago..hehe) were the biggest he could put in due to my rads. In this bra.. I look the exact same size..34-36/C

    Will post LOTS more ( you know me) when I am stay awake..pian level 2. ... no bad.not bad at all...and here is my famous..wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • aoandrews43
    aoandrews43 Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2009

    I had my exchange surgery a week ago. I got Mentor CPG (anatomical gummies--I'm in a clinical trial that is still enrolling patients--the expanded access trial). They are 585cc moderate plus profile. They look fairly proportionate for my body (I'm 5'5" and about 155 pounds) and are similar to the expanders, although I think I only had 550cc in the expanders.

    Does anyone have a sense of how much "shrinkage" occurs in the months post-surgery after the swelling and all goes down? I'm a bit worried that I'm bigger than I wanted to be.  I was told that they settle for 3-4 months, but I don't have a good sense of how much smaller I'll be. I do have swelling on the sides since my ps did some lipo on each side, so I expect that will shrink up some.  But I really don't want to be bigger than a C - I was DD before surgery and hated it (and I'm pretty sure I'm not that big--but I tossed my old bras after the mx).

     I should probably go try on some bras and get a better sense of where I am -- the ones I wore with expanders were 38 B's but I was told they run big, so are probably C's.

     But I don't want to buy a bunch of bras if I'm going to shrink significantly in a few months.

    thanks

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

    Well, I imagine you seem larger because of the lipo - you will have more width now than you will have once the swelling resolves.  Most of the swelling from the exchange surgery resolved for me within a week. Swelling after liposuction, however, can take up to six weeks to resolve!!!  But the size you have seems just right to me.  I am 5'4" and 125 pounds and I have 550's and I am a "D" cup - 34 band.  So I would think you would be a nice C cup.  I hope you post photos - none of us have seen the Mentor CPG's!

    LAURA:  WOOHOO is right!  So glad you are home and cannot wait to hear more about the 450's.  Sandy nailed it!

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2009

    Laura,

    So glad things went well and you didn't have to threaten your ps in the hospital!  Enjoy the narcotics and get your rest.  

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited July 2009

    Oh Laura - Can you believe it? You have had your exchange!! Congratulations sister!

     Annie - Nice to hear from you, we have missed you!

  • pmellon
    pmellon Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2009

    A sleepy hello to everyone.  Thanks for all the well wishes.  I did have my exchange today and it seems that things went well.  Not feeling much pain now - can't wait to see what it is like to be rid of those expanders.  I will post again soon with progress. 

    Congrats on your successful day Laura.  Here's to happy recovery!

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