Exchange City
Comments
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Laura - I can't believe you looked already!! I'm too scared to look. I think I will wait until tomorrow to look. I was originally filled to 600 and the plan was to use Natrelle 600 High profile. After surgery they said they put in 650 High Profile - I'm not sure why and was too drugged to care at that point. I also now have more incisions -- both the original incisions along the front and now underneath also.... Is that typical? I know they had to do some work on one side as it was higher than the other. I'm hoping I'm not too big. I liked my expanders and was a nice full C.
The pain really isn't bad at all. I'm keeping up with the pain pills, though, just in case. Boy they are making me sleepy!
greytmom_17 - I had to wait 6 weeks from chemo to exchange surgery. I had weekly taxol and continue herceptin, so I would think it might make a difference what chemo you were on. I think the weekly taxol is lighter than others.
I'll let you all know what they are looking like after the peeking tomorrow.
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Laura - pretty boobs for a pretty lady. Congrats! Enjoy!
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Laura....you checked.....you little devil you! That is exciting that your first glimses are so positive. I know, it's too much of a temptation not to want to look.
Gee, I have kind of a negative biblical theme going on here!....devil.....temptation. How about Hallelujah.....every good and perfect gift comes from above. And it couldn't happen to more of an angel!
Candi
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Awe... how sweet.. I swear.. I come here over and over because the women here are so full of LOVE. Thank you!
I HAD to look... I just did...
I am in a little more pain today... but doing ok.
How long before I can put on a regular bra? This sports bra is flat...YUK...lol... I wonder how long it will take the pain to go away so I CAN put them in a push up bra kinda thing... WAWAWA....
PMellon.. go ahead girl..Peak! My PS said for me to take off bra and gauze to shower... and then just put bra back on... so I am sure you can do this...
GO PMELLON! And all other gals dealing with exchanges.....0 -
((Terri)) Hope you are doing well and that you are marching through this process with grace and a big banner! Know that there are a lot of "sisters" behind you in this one of a kind parade.
((Laura)), ain't it great!!! I am so happy for you. I will tell you that I have 3 sisters and a cousin that I am very close to and we had a bra party 2 weeks after surgery. I had always wanted a Victoria's secret bra and never had anything to hang one on. So I splurged and bought one and found some other nice ones at Macy's (no underwires) I felt so girlie and it was a great day! Have a party, get those "sisters" and enjoy those new little sweater puppies! woof woof! BTW those semi-hamburger buns start to settle about 2 weeks for me and still continue to make a nicer shape!
Pmellon, same for you! have a peek and let us know what you think! I think you will be very surprised and happy. I hope that you got everything you wanted, Christmas in July. jan
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Dani, thanks for the answer!! Congrats on a happy unveiling Laura!
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I have a question for those that have been through the exchange healing process. Right now I am in the surgical bra 24/7. What usually comes next? I go for my post op appt. tomorrow and wanted to have the next bra ready if he tells me I can get out of this harness. I know each ps is different. I want to wear something that will still keep the new girls in place because I don't want to take any chances that the left one will start shifting again. Thanks for any advice you may have.
Dianne
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Jean you can change my surgery date to August 5th....did not get July 29th....
2 weeks from tomorrow I will be getting my NIPPLES AND AREOLAS built.....wahoooooooo
Laura, glad you are happy and feeling pretty good. I will be praying that the rad side does not act up. So far so good with mine.....
Also went to see my General Surgeon and I asked him if I could get a copy of my file including what I brought to him from Georgia when I had the lumpectomy/radiation and he is getting it for me.....also he called an oncologist about my hot flashes and that doctor will do some research on what I can take to help with those......
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August 5th... so be it!
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Jean- My actual exchange surgery date is going to be August 11th. They had origonally told me August 5th but it was bumped. ( They must have know that Linda54 wanted that date all to herself even if she is in a different state,,,lol). I was bummed, but it's only 1 more week.
I don't know if I'm the only paranoid one, but today I have myself convinced that the right expander looks smaller than it has. My DH says it doesn't of course.
When I saw my PS for my preop exchange visit yesterday he told that I would be able to shower and peek the next day. He also said that I would only wear the surgical bra for one week. Then I would go to my bra of choice, just no underwires. He said no stomach sleeping for about a month, and I could drive in a few days. I just chuckled to myself as I was listening to him thinking of all my sisters here who have been told such different stories. Where is the consistancy???
Laura- Glad you peeked. I would have too.
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Dianne,
I think you will probably get a bunch of different answers. I had my exchange 7/2. I wore the surgical bra for about a week and then they said I could wear whatever was comfortable. I had an full implant on one side and a lift and smaller implant on the healthy side. I wasn't able to go very big so it probably isn't as "big" of a deal with smaller breasts.
I've been wearing mostly camisoles, they are more comfortable than a bra right now. I've never liked wearing a bra anyway, they always seem to chaff under the bra line.
Hope you get some "comforting" answers!
Candi
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wow ladies I had 10 pages to catch up on
I hope everyone is doing well
I'm so happy to hear Laura had her exchange and that I hit it on with the 450cc
when I read 550 back a few pages I was like oh that might be more than a C
I've just been super busy. Sat I went biking and Sunday we had a family reunion. I actually went biking again last night. I had a friend add a pix on facebook which some of you may see. Tonight we bought a 3rd vehicle so our 16 year old will be very happy. Plus I got my small SUV like I wanted. A Torrent. I have some routine test coming up this week so wish me well. Thur MRI & mamo and see oncoligist and main surgion Tues and gyno Wed for my fibriod.
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I know Deb and the other gals do a great job but if anybody wants my advise just send me a PM and I will get a e-mail and make sure I come here and check it out
it's just hard for me to get here like I used too
I miss u ladies so much and wish the best for everyone
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Thin skin question ?? I was told after my exchange that I have thin skin and that nipples maybe difficult. Well I am 5 weeks out from exchange and I have 2 discolored areas on one side and one on the other side that are almost yellowish (the wound has healed fine) and it is almost like the skin is transparent. I have a follow up next Tuesday for the second time but this is getting more odd looking. Has anyone had this ??
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Jaimieh I was told I had thin skin but never noticed anything like that
I hope someone comes along that can help
when I had my nipple done my PS used allerderm which I think helped
plus my PS added allerderm when I had my 2nd exchange
after my 1st exchange I could even feel the valve from my saline implant
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Sandy I could feel the valve and around it turned kinda purplish. I wish my PS would have used the allerderm during my exchange. I am scared at this point that it will break open or that I will be going back in to get some allerderm for support. I'm a little scared at this point and it is almost like the skin in the area is dry and flaking (very small pieces at a time) off. Sorry that's gross but what it looks like
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I won't say to use lotion but I wonder if it would even help to put on antibiotic cream to help moisturize it since it's flaking. If you would have to have another surgery my 2nd exchange was super easy and I was much happier with my result
ok I have to sign out but I won't try and stay away so long
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((Sandy)) It was a long bike ride, but I am glad that you came back here to check in so that we know that you are well. Keeping you in good thoughts with the tests coming up, let us know how it went.
((Jaimieh)) This sounds odd, Is there any way you can get in sooner to see the Dr.? If there are changes everyday in the skin, I think that warrants an evaluation this week. I think it would be reasurring to know that all is in order. IMHO. Jan
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Okay girls - need some reassurances.... Exchange was Monday. Today I took off the bra and took a shower..... Now I know that there is going to be a lot of change and I wasn't expecting perfection, but I'm concerned. They are very flat (650 High Profile) and I mean flat. They look uneven, but I'm sure that is just the swelling... I hope. How much change should I expect and how quickly? I also have a good size lump/blister forming at the bra band. Doesn't hurt - although I guess the pain meds are probably taking care of the hurts.
Thanks for listening!
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Pmellon.. mine a kinda flat too.. But these bras so squash us in. I talked to PS nurse yesterday and mentioned the hamburger bun thing.. she said they had never heard that term until I used it... she said next week, after I get out the the squish bra.. they will fill out. Ihope so too.. I hear about this on this forum all the time.. so I am sure some great lady will come along and tell us it will be ok.....
Ladies??
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It will be OK
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Do either of you have completely submuscular implants? Partially under the pectorals upper and lower 1/3 under the fascia/connective tissue and abdominal rectus muscle? If so, you are going to experience the fluffing and increased projection significantly - but it takes longer. With complete submusculars, the implants are being compressed and flattened by the muscle. If you have partials, you will possibly have that hamburgerish and misshapen appearance for a week or two and then this will resolve. But pmellon, check and make sure you indeed have Style 20 implants. Did you get your implant credit cards after surgery?
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whippetmom - do I remember correctly that if alloderm was NOT used then our implants will be completely submuscular? If not, is that a question we should ask ps before exchange? Seems like that would help dictate implant style.
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Hi Whippetmom - My implants are completely submuscular. Yes, they are definitely style 20 650's as confirmed on the cards I got with surgery. I just can't believe the difference - so much smaller and flatter looking. I guess I will have to be patient and hope for some serious projection & fluffing. 650's sounded like they would be way too big, but they sure don't look that way so far. I really liked my expanders.
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pmellon,
I am with you on the flat thing. I went for my post-op today and got the ok to take off the surgical bra. I put a sports bra and cried as soon as I got to the parking lot. My husband even noticed how flat I was. I dropped him off at work and went bra shopping but didn't dare go for a fitting. I was not emotionally ready for someone else to tell me how flat I was.
What surprised me was that I still fit into a C bra. I tried on B's and they were too small. While I am a C, I look like an A. The doctor never came in to see me, just his assistant. She asked what I thought and I said that they are small. She said she knew I was going to say that. She said that upper fullness will go away, well, thats the only part I like!
I will live with it and see how it goes. It looks like I will still needed to wear padded bras though! If I need to redo this down the road, it will be with another ps.
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PMellon and dani42- I am sorry to hear that you are not loving your new look. I hope that you will both fluff up to where you want to be. I am getting so nervous that I am going to be in the same position as you in a few weeks. My PS keeps saying that my expanders are not wide enough so he needs to give me wider implants and I will loose projection. Doesn't that mean then that he screwed up and I should have had wider expanders to begin with ? I do not want hamburger buns. I don't need to be huge, but I would like to look like I have breast when I am wearing a sweater. I spent most of my life embarrassed about my lack of breasts.
Do you think I should ask for another appointment before my surgery? He told me that he doesn't use sizers. URGH......
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dani42 and pmellon - super Texas-sized hugs to you both! Good heavens.... after all you've been through to be so disappointed! I'm SO sorry, but hope that time will truly be the healer and that you will fluff a bunch!! I do admit it makes me even more nervous, though.......
Hang in there!
Val
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4greatkids
I'm sorry, I don't want to scare you. I guess it is too early to tell. Everyone says they change as time goes on so I will just have to wait. I don't want to add to your anxiety.
Baxter, thanks for responding to my bra question. At my post op appt the P.A. said to wear soft bras.
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Dani: (((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) - Wishing much "fluffing".
Sorry to hear that you're disappointed but hang in there.....everyone says that they eventually do "drop & fluff". Please don't be discouraged, you've come so far................
Terri
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Dani: (((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) - Wishing you much "fluffing".
Sorry to hear that you're disappointed but hang in there.....everyone says that they eventually do "drop & fluff". Please don't be discouraged, you've come so far................
Terri
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