Exchange City
Comments
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(((Karen)))
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Hi Ladies... I'm hoping soft perky boobs for everyone...
tonight I'm going up to practice for the dragon boat races which will be Sept 12 & 13
I'm going to be on 2 teams (breast cancer & a cancer team)0 -
Sandy.. In Vegas.. you and I are going to sit down and you are going to tell me how you got into all this. I now have adult children. ( my kids were to busy for me to do anything in the past 10 yrs).. I would love to figure out how to start all the activity you are in.
Is your DH into it all too?
Karen... praying..
TRACY.. I sure hope you had a good experience today and are in no pain... soft and perky!
SaintMellisa... Good luck tomorrow... GO gettim'.. soft and perky boobs that is...
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Karen-wishing you good results!
And good wishes for all this weeks surgery girls!
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Angel & 4greatkids - I saw the PS and he said the puffy side things are from the mastectomy and they may take a long time to away - if ever. Its kind of strange that my right side has gone back down almost to normal and that was my cancer & lymph node side and my left side is the sore puffy one that he stupid TE had fallen in love with. He said it takes a long time for nerve pain to go away. He said I could wear a regular bra but that most women have a hard time finding one to fit reconstructed breasts. Otherwise I can just go without. I am 5'6" and 156 lbs. and he put a 400 ml. Mentor smoth round moderate plus profile in. I am disappointed at how small I am but he said when he put in the "bigger" ones my skin was stretched and the implants became hard - I had told him I wanted them soft and natural so that is why he did the 400s. Oh well now I have to lose weight so they will look bigger. It might be easier to just wait a year like he said and then go bigger. I hate to diet!
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Well, I had my PS 2nd opinion today on my reconstruction, and he agreed with my PS that this is the best it can be for now.. So, no more revisions for me at this time. I guess it is time to schedule nipples. I am disappointed and relieved at the same time. Is that possible?
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Robin.. have you posted pics? I understand if it is not your thing.. I wish I could see what you are speaking of..( I am sure I will in Vegas...:)
If you want to send me pics via my e-mail.. let me know.. I will send you my personal e-mail...
I want you to be happy...... I can understand relieved at the same time.
My non rad boob is lower.. I am sure it is because the rad boob will not drop any more. ( I love the rad boob...lol).. BUT.. do I go into surgery for 1/2 difference and raise the other side?...
Robin.. let me know.. thinking of you girl!
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Good luck to Traci, Saintmelissa, Believe1,and swest for your exchange surgery. Wish you all the best.
I just got back from my PS and had another fill. I have a total of 550 cc on both TEs. Tight now I am at full capacity of my expander. He said that he will add more when I come back from vacation and that would be a month from now.
Deb, you have given me my TE info before and here's what you told me that the width is at13.5, height: 11.7 and projection: 7.4. My ribcage is 38 inches. I asked him what is my rib cage and his answer was it is the size of your bra. lol So I answered 38 right now.I think my PS is going for the Mentor Moderate Plus silicone implant and I think that I am going to have at least 600 cc as my last fill. Do you think that I can go more up to 650 cc? I like to have a full C size and you have suggested that I will be happy 14.0 cm width. What is the calculation for the 14 cm width?
Good luck ladies on your surgeries and praying that you all have a quick recovery. Love lots, Celine
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SaintMellisa. Good luck with your exchange tomorrow.
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kookiesmom....thanks for the info on swelling being from the MX...interesting. And actually, I was giving a bit of thought to how do you find the right bra size for these new girls anyway? It would be good to hear from others on this issue. My concern is that my natural girls were not just softer than these (and much bigger too but I don't lament that loss) but pliable! malleable!! I just shoved them into any ole bra...well not really...but I could have should I wanted to have. Well that is not going to happen now!! These puppies aren't going anywhere!
I read on one of the nipple recon sites where someone just did not understand all the angst over nipple protrusion...her thoughts were why not just wear a bra and hide your nipples when you need to ? Well, one: I am not confident that I can/will find a comfortable and easy bra to wear (although I am curious as to how this new shopping spree will go!) Two: if I don't have to wear a bra at all times...I don't want to!! What freedom! Yeah!...After all these years!! And three). I don't like any protrusion at all!! Sorry ladies...just not my thing! So to wear a potentially uncomfortable and /or ill fitting bra only to hide the nipples when the ladies are at attention all the time? What the??
On the other hand...I do realize that to expect perfect symmetry on both sides is probably unrealistic...crud I did not have that before why should I have that now?? So...a bra in that case might be a great help!! (Are you listening Laura?) But can anyone blame me for dreaming the dream??
Wish I were going to Vegas..would love to meet you gals. You all are such a hoot!
God Bless!
Angel
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Yes Angel.. lol.. I am listening sweety.. TY My PS told me when all this started for me.. that I was unusually symmetrical.. and I did not need a lift.. he said that is rare at my age..LOL
So.. to see the girls a little off.. is strange. But.. I am sure.. I will not do a thing about it.
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Ps Angel.. it is not too late for Vegas
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laura; LOVE the new picture! JUDY
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Celine: Your bra size is NOT your ribcage measurement. My ribcage is 32 inches and I wear a 34 band size. I know a few women on here with ribcage measurements less than mine and they wear a 36 band size! So it is more about comfort for band size. Do you remember that you measured a month or so ago and told me you had a 34 inch ribcage? Because at 38, you would need more width than 14.0 cm's in width. I have your information on file - I'll go back and look at it and review what I said to you.
Okay, yes, you said your ribcage was 34 inches. I think we discussed that 500 or at best - 550 cc's would be a good size for you, but I am also thinking that 600 cc's might be possible, based on your PS' expansion plans. Did you ever find out what method he uses for exchange to implants? Does he overexpand to place you in implants of less volume or the same volume as the TE's, or does he exchange you to an implant with greater volume than the TE's? If he is thinking of overexpanding, it must be the former. I cannot emphasize how important it is to clarify these points PRIOR to the exchange. Granted, he is going to take in two or three sizes to see what works best - but it is crucial to let your PS know what you HOPE to achieve with reconstruction. Also, could you email me an updated photo? I would like to see how they are shaping up now...
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Angel: Practically all of the worthy bras out there TOUT that they have "full nipple coverage" or something of that ilk! I have only one bra which does not camoflauge the nipple area and I only wear it for DH! All of my others have complete coverage.
And kookiesmom - This is simply not true that there are not bras out there for reconstructed breasts! Do these plastic surgeons think we are freaks? If you sisters are still in the dark ages with your 24 hour Maidenform bras - you need to come into the light!!
There are bras which have memory foam type material, which means that the bra cup molds to the heat of your breast. So yes, I normally would have this centerpoint of my breast which would not fill out a bra as would a natural breast, but the cups of my Natori bras mold just fine to the shape of my breast. A light push up bra can also mold and shape the breast and give it lift and swell and mask any bumps and irregularities in the breast shape. If you have a Marshalls or T.J. Maxx nearby, these two stores - oh, Ross Stores also - have an incredible selection of high end bras for a fraction of the price. You might have to try on a few frogs to come up with a prince, so expect to spend some time in the dressing room - but you just might come home with one or two which work just beautifully. 0 -
((Karen)) Prayers are going out for you and positive thoughts that will give you peace and the answers you are looking for. ((Laura)) Thank you for keeping us posted on the big issues, it is easy to miss a vital post, so thanks for being a great moderator and lifter of spirits.BTW, I love your picture, you actually glow with beauty.
((Boob Whisperer- Deborah)) I love reading all of the information you pass on to the ladies. Keep up the good work.
((Judy)) Thinking of you too.
((Angel)) good point on nipple protrusion, it is good to know what impact a reconstructed nipple will have. I want to make sure that my PS just puts a little bud there, not a giant WALNUT.
Jan
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Hi---Thank you (((((all)))) for the hugs and warm wishes today, it means a lot to me. Despite the burning sensation of the dye, and a taste in my mouth all day--like I've been drinking sea water, the scan was OK. I told Laura, I kept my eyes closed and thought of all the positive energy she has sent me, that she sends everyone really, and it helped. ((((((Laura))))) I should have results in 24-48 hours.
I have to be on travel at the end of the week, so I wish everyone safe surgeries and that you are happy with your results.
I love all the new pictures!
Hugs,
Karen
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My exchange is scheduled for 9/11. I had radiation, so my plastic surgeon has suggested saline. Anyone out there have saline?
Also, anyone have any other... optional procedures done? I asked my surgeon's scheduler if she thinks he could pierce my nose while I'm under. What do you think?
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Hi ladies, posted on the Surgery site some suggested I post here instead, My PS is suggesting I have lipo for fat injections to help with the sloping of implant, not that I'm upset about him taking the belly fat, however not sure about lipo. I have to have another surgery in Oct, right side has scartissue so implant didn't fall into the "pocket" corretly, so PS said he would do it at the same time since I have to be under again. Just want to know if anyone else had this done, not worried about the implant fix I already know what all that is about its the lipo (the unknown once again) that has me nerves, how long is that going to hurt? PS said about two weeks of soreness and brusing, he had been right about everything else but I would love to hear from someone who had gone thur it and can really tell me what to expect.
Thanks
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Deb, I will send you an updated picture soon. I am not sure if this list of questions will help. Here's what I have with him so far.
1. Do you use a sizer to determine which one would look best on me?
Answer: Yes
- 2. Are my implants going to be smaller than my expander?
Answer: Yes ( I am guessing the last fill will be at 600 cc). All I need is 50 cc.
- 3. I have Mentor 6200 Series expanders. I like to know if it is low height, medium height or full height.
Answer: I didn't get an answer on this.
4. During exchange implant surgery, where are you going to make the incision? Is it going to be under the breast or into the original mastectomy incisions?
- Answer: Original incision.
- 5. Do you do vertical scoring inside the breast if needed?
Answer: No
6. Am I going to have a surgical bra after surgery? Do I need to get this before surgery?
Answer: Yes, order before surgery.
- 7. What I have under my armpits are annoying. Will the pocket be revised at the time of the exchange?
Answer: It will be the same but softer.
- 8. Remind myself to ask for a pill prior to my surgery for nausea and inform anesthesiologist about nauseating experience so he can mix up better medication during my surgery.
Answer: I will have a patch to wear before surgery and also inform anesthesiologist my nausea experience. Remind Dr. G about the patch.
- 9. Am I going to have a textured implant during exchange?
- Answer: I will have a smooth and also silicone type implant.
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Celine,
What patch? I have had the one that is used for motion sickness, its placed behind your ear. It helped so much. I didnt feel sick at all.
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Dancing Veggie:
I'll let the boob whisperer anwer this for sure, but why on earth do you have to have saline just because you had radiation? That makes no sense. Both Laura and I for two, are having (had) silicone and we both had radiation.. And yes, some have other surgeries during the exchange. JUDY
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Silicone here after rads...
Silicone will ripple less Veggie..
I am really surprised at the Saline is better suggestion. Some PS think textured might be better after rads.. but this really has not been proven.
Can you tell us why your PS said Saline?
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(((((((KAREN)))))))) Let us know how you make out.
Deborah- You are just amazing. I am having that problem where i have an emptiness at the center of my bra. I figured I'd just live with it. Now, I'm going to look for a bra that molds to my breast. Who knew?? I can't wait till my kids go back to school so I can have a day long shopping spree for the perfect bra. Marshalls and TJ Maxx,here I come.
Kookiesmom- Think of it this way. This is the first time in our lives that we can diet and the first thing to shirink won't be our breasts!!!
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Karen, praying for good results! Take care! Sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now.
Even with my new nips, my foobs don't fill out that last point of the bra. I'm finding that I am more comfortable in sports bras lately. They seem to be more supportive. Also lately I'm feeling the heavy weight of my new ones. They weigh my shoulders down. I'm going to discuss this with my PS on Fri. I don't want to go smaller, but I think because they are hanging so low, it is causing leverage problems.(I know, I'm losing my mind
)Swest, Saintmelissa, Believe, and Traci, prayers to all of you for great results!
Deen
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Gina, where are you? Let us know how you are doing!
Deen
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Celine mentions vertical scoring in her post. What is vertical scoring and why/when would it be needed?
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Good question Packergirl! I was thinking the same thing!
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I have my implants! No more hard shells. He put in 600Allergan hp. Just waiting for the fluffing now. I had no drains and he said to go without a bra. All I have is some gauze and tape. Can't beat that. Everyone here offered such good information that I think it kept me from being nervous about the exchange. I can't thank you all enough for everything I've learned about this un-fun process. I hope everyone else this week can be excited instead of too nervous.
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Traci126
Glad you checked in and sounds like you are a happy camper....no drains!!!! no bra!!!! Can't wait to hear more....
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