Exchange City
Comments
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CANDI... LOVE your picture...
It is soooooooooooooooo nice to see you girls putting your faces out there for us to see...! LOVE IT!... ps... how did Deborah hear your voice?? Am I missing something? ( I ususally am....lol)Hugs girls...
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kerkle: Having the access we do not yet have in the U.S., most Canadian plastic surgeons seem to go for the anatomical highly cohesives - the Allergan 410's or the Mentor CPG's [aka "true gummies"] The jury is still out on how well this suits most breast reconstruction cases. You should look at some other threads here on bc.org - quite a few have not been happy with these implants, as they do tend to be firmer, harder and less pliable than their standard silicone round counterparts. If you want to post your height, weight, ribcage [measuring circumference around the ribs just under the bra line] and give us info on your TE's, one of us can help you. Find out if you have Allergan or Mentor TE's, the style # 133 followed by two letters if Allergan [e.g., 133 MV] and the profile style if Mentor [low, moderate or full] and cc capacity of same.
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hello my lovelies!!! gosh, I can't keep up with you all!! I hope everyone is ok!! I WILL try to read through and get caught up! Have postponed my nips so I won't be getting them on Aug 11th, I went to the PS last week and told her I was planning on swimming with the dolphins for my big 50 coming up! she said NOPE!! As I have already paid blah blah I decided to go ahead with the swim and postpone the nips until just after Christmas when I have some time off!
Deb!! you look FABULOUS!!!!! when are we having coffee???
L
ox
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Thank you Whippetmom. I will get the information as soon as possible, but for now I can tell you that I am 5'5" and I weigh 116 and my ribcage circumfrance is just under 30 inches.
Thank u!
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Hi Ladies.
Two days and counting down, I already have butterflies in my stomach and I don't know why. I had lunch with a wonderful friend today, me and my son for a little pick me up which was nice but I am sitting here thinking of 100 things that could go wrong......why am I torturing myself like this....I actually want to cancel surgery because I am afraid of waking up disfigured.....I have had a lot of pain this last week with the TE digging into my ribs which is strange, they weren't before and I haven't had any more fills....is it my mind playing on my emotions? My oldest son will be home from the Navy this weekend for his best friends graduation and I am not even excited about seeing him, I don't want to be bothered really...yes I'm a horrible mother.
dani42 - I am reading that you are not happy with the implants,,,,that scares me....I know I read to much into others people's post, what works for one dosen't for another and vise versa but still....that bothers me...I hope you get what you like in the end.
Geena - I hear what you are saying and I feel your pain. I went thru debridment without losing my expander...very thankful...but in my mind I guess I am still seeing the mess that was there...I posted on the picture forum what I feel is horrible but the ladies on here don't see the same...thankful.....I think we are too critical of ourselves because of the emotions and fear tied up with this journey....I pray you get a good outcome and honestly the last picture dosen't look bad at all to me...that looks like it will heal just fine, just my 2 cents.
I am thankful for all the ladies on this site new and old because you all understand when family and friends don't, cancer is never too far from my mind and just because I've had surgery and chemo dosen't take away the fact that it was there and can come back.
mykidsmom - praying for a clean path report for you.
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Laura,
I have been communicating through email directly to Deborah about different breast issues. We began talking about a bunch of things.....one conversation lead to another about our lives. I sent her a MP3 file of a song I wrote and sang to my Mom at a conference. It is called "Jewel Of Great Price" taken from Proverbs 31:10.
It just makes me smile to see how God works and brings wonderful people into our lives.
Candi
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Lorraine! Well, I can meet for coffee or lunch and I know Kathie is coming to town in the next two weeks - we could all meet together also!
kerkle: Right off the bat - if silicone rounds - high profile 350 to 400 cc's. If you want less projection and more width - a moderate plus profile. Allergan also has a Style 40, which is still narrow but has less projection than the HP style. If you go for the anatomicals mentioned previously, at least 400 gms. Once we have the TE info we can calculate the total dimensions at full capacity. You want to go a little larger than you think you want to be...better to err on the larger side, because the volume and appearance of fullness and projection is lost once exchanged from TE's to implants.
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Oh, I see Candi... I thought maybe I missed a post...:).... I bet your music is lovely!
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Misty,
I am T-2 weeks to my exchange...and I think I know what you feel. Itis almost like it is the final step....no going back and what if something goes wrong?? BUT...heaven's forbid, if something did go wrong there are do overs...and yes, it is the emotions running on overtime. I too, feel more pain in my TE's recently than I have in weeks, and I haven't had a fill in weeks either! It is almost like I rather be in limbo than in knowing it is over and done with and I have to live the rest of my life with these new breasts that aren't really mine....as if this middle ground was better...how screwy is that??
Try and relax...enjoy your son'd visit, it WILL be better on the other side....I know it will. Keep the faith...besides, so many sisters hang around after the fact with continued support, so not all things are finished!
God Bless!
Angel
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Uh oh! Than maybe I am too small. I stopped filling over a month ago and I am starting Rx in 3 weeks or so. I guess I will have to be filled after Rx is finished if I want to go bigger. But it seems that 230 cc's would make me as flat as a pancake when I am done! I wonder what my PC is thinking?!
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kerkle - Oops...you did not mention before that you are starting tx - which I take to mean RADS? Well, I would think it would be better if you are fully expanded where you need to be prior to rads...Laura - what do you think about this? What was your time frame - how long after your last fill did rads begin? Did your PS say anything about expanding further AFTER rads?
That said, if your skin integrity is maintained, and do everything within your ability to help it along, it seems your PS could exchange you to a 350 cc implant, and you would probably be fine with that size. Many of us [me included] have implants 100 cc's or more greater than our TE's. Why don't you put in a call to your PS and find out...
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Angel10 - Thanks, it's nice to know I am not alone on this emotional rollercoaster.
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I will call him tomorrow. Thank you. Yes, I am starting radiation and I was measured and tatooed already so I am going to go ahead with the radiation as is. Also, since my TE are not full and have lots of play, the skin is loose too, based on what I have read, this may make the radiation with a TE in place less painful. I hope I am right. I am happy to hear that I can go bigger in the end, I guess this is what my PS meant by 15% bigger during surgery. Still I will ask all my questions this week.
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Kerkle,
Well, if you are already tattooed.. you cannot expand any more at this time. I do have a good friend who expanded after rads... and it was a little more painful for her( just take pain pills) but she did it. ALSO... FACECRAFTER ( JUDY) is doing the expansions now too.. AFTER rads. She did some prior to rads, and finishing now. I would ask her about this and how she is doing. She is great to talk with.
I would let your PS know that you want to be bigger and you plan to expand after rads.. see what he/she says.. let us know....
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Just a note... after rads.. if you do expansion it needs to be done in smaller amounts as you skin and muscle is not so " into" stretching. And if you think you can just put in a 100cc plus implant higher than TE.. you better ask about that. It will be hard, very hard for your PS to get an implant in there that is much bigger than your TE.. due to rads shrinking things and tightening things....it is different for radiated skin and muscle.. doable... but challenging.
So after rads expansion is probably the best way for you to try getting bigger.
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Holy Smokes! This is a busy forum! What a blessing that the women here just love and support each other. ((Annie's)) post a couple of pages back brought tears to my eyes!
((Karen)) you little warrior YOU! I think if I see the Hoodia display at Costco, I will have the image of you in my mind, you go girl! Your insight and wisdom come through so well in your posts. ((Geena)) you hang in there you are so beautiful! To the rest of you, know that I pray for you all when I read your posts. ((Lorraine)) wondered where you have been, hope the wedding season is keeping you busy. ((Laura)) you always make me smile!
I think we need a good game of where's Waldo? only we need to call it Where's Sandy? Jan
((Deborah)) I will PM you. Thanks for being you. Jan
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I like that Jan... "where's Sandy",,,, good one... Waldo/Sandy.... LOL
SANDY.. here ishopong your MRI was a clean one!
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Kerkle:
I am just now going for my first visit post-rads so I can't say much about me--HOWEVER, I do know that it is NORMAL around here to get fully expanded AFTER rads. There are several surgeons who insist on no expansion before rads. I know that is not necessary, but when the doc says so and the radiologist agrees there isn't much one can do..(Thank goodness, that was not the case for me!)
I was expanded to 240cc and 340cc respectively. I will let you know how the visit comes out. I can certainly tell, since the one side not expanded as much as the other was the prophylactic side and had no radiation. Hang in. And the Rx Tx will be over before you know it. It went really fast!
JUDY
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I have a question..
For those who have had exchange.. like me... why is it you wear a bra?
I wore my compression bra for a week 24/7.. now he tells me I can wear any bra.
I want to NOT where a bra a lot.. but do not want to mess up my BOOBS! I also do want to wear an underwire push up bra... what am I not suppose to do this.. I forget.
I do have about 80% feeling in my breasts if that helps.
TY
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Laura,
My surgeon said the same thing, one week of the surgical bra, then I could wear anything that was comforable, but NO underwires. I've been wearing a lot of camosoles. and it feels goooooood!
Candi,
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Laura - my PS said I don't have to wear any bra if I don't want to . She said the girls are there to stay. So...I have been going without or just a camisole, like Candi. Feels great
. She did say no to underwires though but I'm not a bra person anyway so that's good. 0 -
(((((Misty123))))) thank you. Exchange! I can only imagine all the feelings that go along with right before exchange. Wishing you beautiful energy and healing.
Laura - You have 80% feeling! Wow. I'm happy about hearing that. I also hear you about the NO bra thing - that's sort of what I've been hoping for eventually. I'll be following your bra/no bra adventures closely.
Mykidsmom (Jean?) - Let us know how your path report turns out. I'm thinking of you.
Peace,
Geena
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Laura:
The reason for no underwire is IF they poke through the bra, into your implant, you won't feel it.
and could do some damage....Judy
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Oh, my gosh ladies, so much action here! I had my LAST expansion today and am scheduled to meet Monday with my plastic surgeon. At that point we'll schedule my exchange. Yippe! I talked to the nurse today and it's conceivable I can be finished, nips and all, by the new year. Awesome! I'll give you a date when I have it. Good luck to all the August surgeries!
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Hope you're all doing well today - got my port out yesterday YIPEE!! Another step forward to feeling normal again. I'm at 6 days and counting and can't wait for new boobs.
MISTY & LINDA - Good thoughts for you tomorrow! Hope all goes smoothly!
HUGS, Dawn
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Good morning - just wanted to ask a few questions about the TE's or experience with them ~ mine as been fine for the most part, up until this past month (I am done with fills, just waiting for Exchange date) - I have shooting pain and pain behind the expander, in my arm, shoulder blade, rib cage, arm pit... Everything was feeling much better...so I am not sure why all this discomfort now. Is it possible to develop new tumor under TE?
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Thank you Laura, for all the information. I will call my PS today and let him know what my intentions are. About the bra...I told my PS the one great thing I want to get out of this is to never ever have to wear a bra again and he said No problem!!
Judy: Thank you for telling me about your story. I would love to know how the expansion process goes post radiation. I know of other hospitals that deflate the TE prior to radiation, so they must be able to expand again at some point. I was also told by my PS that 40% of people have ruined skin and muscle post radiation and need to do a lattimus dorsi breast reconstruction. I am ok with whatever needs to get done and I am ok with any size at the end, like all of us, I am just happy to have the BC out!!
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hi sweetie pies, oh my, so much to read, just a quick postey to all!
Hoping for mykidsmom B 9 report today!
Laura, you have my heart as well, little lovely lady.
vision4utoo: what beautiful girls, are they yours? (the children of course
tho your new girls will be lovely as well)Should think a call to PS is in order, but it sounds like a muscle pull or cramp. Not unusual. But give the office a call and do some stretches if they OK it. I needed physical therapy to get rid of mine, sounds just like it.
Theoretically, I suppose one could develop a new tumor there, but it'd have to have happened way fast. You have finished chemo, and that stuff hangs in your system for quite a shelf life; you had negative nodes, no HER2, it all sounds like a muscle pull or cramp. Perhaps you got expanded a little quickly or perhaps your PS might like to take a little bit out for a week or so. Give them a call and ease your mind.
Everyone have a beautiful day, off to do errands. Sending hugs and love
xoxoxo
annie
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Kerkle:
I had my first expansion since rads ended last Tues, only 75cc on the rads side. Before rads I was doing 120 at a time. I know thats sounds like a lot compared to what I have read here, but I didn't have a problem with that amount at all. This fill did hurt more. I may have filled to early, almost 4 weeks after rads ended and I think I still had inflammation from rads. I wont have another for 3 weeks, I hope it gets easier. The rads side just feels different. My advice is to go slow and every other week, I did have to break out the pain meds that night.
Laura, Whippetmom, Anyone...Starting to think about my exchange and implant options. Is there a better type/style after rads? My TE are Allergan 133MV-14 (L) and 133MV-A14 (R) I have always felt like they are way to big for my body. I was an A cup and I think PS had high hopes to make me much bigger. At time of surgery I had no reason to think I would need rads, PS did not hide his disappointment when I told him I would need rads at first fill. I think it was "thats terrible, to bad" I'm very close to looking for another PS, I feel like he has given up on me before we start. They say he is the best in my area. I would be happy with a large B or small C, a full C would be even ideal, but I want to be realistic after rads. Does larger size= more complications? I'm currently at 340cc and 415cc on rad size. Does anyone know what ccs would = a small C for these style TE? Will I want to over expand due to rads? The TE seem wide and flat to me not at all how I want the finished product to look. I am 5'5 126lbs, I will have to measure my ribcage. I would appreciate any help, advice or info you ladies have to give. Thanks!
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What a blessing it is to have this resource. You are all amazing people and for those of you that are here - past your exchanges to help those of us in that uncertain stage- God Bless You!
A number of pages back I posted as a newbie to this lovely group of ladies. Disappointed with how my TE outcome was progressing and the disappointing news from my current PS that some of the issues could not be fixed at exchange, ladies here encouraged me to get another opinion. I went in for my second consult with a new PS (who is a LONG drive away). I took with me implant sizing charts, how to measure (pg 99 of this thread) and other details that whippetmom took time to discuss with me. Get this... the new PS was impressed I was armed with this info. He said it is helpful when ladies have some idea what he is talking about and that as a young woman we should take a very active interest in our bodies and the outcome we want. The new PS measured and marked and talked and gave feedback on the tradeoff's between width and projection.
Whippetmom your knowledge is amazing. The goal of helping eachother is working. I am going to post some pics of current TE's with and without markings to show how the new PS plans to fix them incase some other gal has a similiar issue. I will also discuss by my pics how measurements and final implant size are factoring what will work and not work for my frame. Wish me luck figuring out how to get them posted.
Hugs ladies!
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