Exchange City
Comments
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Jan,
I have the exact same thing on my left (non cancer side) side. It is on the upper half, almost center between nipple and top of breast. It kind of comes and goes. Another thing to talk with PS about in October. I'm glad you asked, wish I had an answer, but it isn't limited to your implant!
Hugs,
Karen
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Hi Peg,
Thanks for the offer, with my oldest in LA now, I may just get down to SD some time!
Hugs,
Karen
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About pec exercises - my PS ok'd them. I specifically asked about each different exercise and the size weights I use. I don't use over 10 lb hand weights. It wasn't a new program for me, but a simpler version of what I had always been doing. The contraction/distortion of the implant doesn't happen with chest presses, overhead presses, bicep curls, tricep dips, shrugs, side & front arm raises, flyes. It does happen with the exercise called "pec deck" which you can do on a machine too, but I can also do this exercise without scrunching the pecs. I can stand, with no weights, and make them flex & change shape. So it's not the exercises that are doing it, it's the way in which you contract the muscle. I try not to scrunch them because it feels funny but my doctor said as long as I use light weights and don't overdo it, he encouraged me to work out. I am having revision surgery next month, but it's not for anything that my exercising has caused - it's for the rippling and "corners" I've had from the beginning due to thin skin. He's going to place more alloderm between my skin and the muscle and to cover the bottom of the implant where it is more visible below the muscle. I've found that exercising and stretching have helped keep me from rounding so much - my first instinct was to protect my chest which made me slump. I think we need to use caution because we've been "rebuilt" but not abandon a healthy lifestyle which includes weight bearing exercises. And now you have my 2 cents worth!!
I'm not contradicting anyone else's advice. I'm certainly not an expert! But I know what feels right for me. I think there are multiple approaches depending on each person's history, condition and doctor's advice.
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How do I post the date of my upcoming EXCHANGE? It's September 16th!
Thanks, Catsmeow
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A question to pose to the group - I am having a unilateral (no nipple sparing) with implants. And thinking ahead to the nipple/areola stage = at first I was thinking to take part of the areola from the good side and donate it to the mx side - hoping that there would be enough blood flow to keep it going. And all that would have been done during the second, exchange/good side lift surgery. But now, Dr Sultan recommended that I should have the good side lift surgery during the first mx surgery. He thinks that he will get better symmetry results if the good side lift gets settled by the time of the second surgery - so he will know what type of implant to use to get the best match. Of course when he says that, it makes perfect sense. When the other ps's say, do the lift during the second exchange surgery, so they can match the good side to the implant side, that makes sense too!! Any thoughts?
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Denise....it sounds like the same thing.....I bet it's a nerve thing......anyone else experience this?
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wow, again, I am amazed and thankful for all the info and support that has poured into this forum on this topic.
Let me just reiterate, you ladies are the strongest, bravest and KINDEST out there.
I'm in now way having a problem with another mastectomy....the first was a lat flap, and THAT I don't want again, no way. Not that the outcome isn't lovely, not that I have a single issue with the use of that arm, I don't. Simply that it was an extreme surgery and don't want it again. A straightforward mtxmy, hell, off with her head!
. Give me a foob, any day.A good point was made...my surgeon is NOT A BREAST SURGEON ONLY. He is a wonderful person, head of surgery (that is all surgery) and he is amazing. But I think the onc's going to throw that decision back into my lap, and I will ask him for another reference as i am looking at doing this next summer. My daughter needs a trauma due to mom's boobs free year at college.
Since this is elective, I will step up the monitoring, set my sights on next summer, and I will find me another surgeon, one who specialized in boobie surgery. I will have a matched pair, and as one of you put it so eloquently "I am not strong enough to have this worry every day in my life".
After lumpectomy, rads, mastectomy (it was a new primary, not a recurrence, which they say was a better prognosis for me. OK< guess all things are relative) and recon, I don't give a double DA&*^* if there isn't anything in the other girl. She needs a facelift.
I think you gals have made up my mind for me. I am already sick of the time I feel I have wasted with this decision, but we sure got thrown a curve ball when the BS (or surgeon, actually, not BS)told us not necessary. I don't think the medical community considers your heart when they consider your well being. My oncologist does; he usually speaks from his and tells us what he would do if I were his wife. He may be a reactive and scarey guy (just his rapid fire method, scares the heck out of me) but he is great dr. and I trust him. If he says go for it, I shall.
Thanks to all of you, I am now relieved and will monitor the he** out of the girl until I can get her safely "re organized".
love you all and thank you.
p.s. Alison: you are no fraud; you are a total hero and a warrior valkyrie along with the rest of us.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooooto all of you!!!
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packergirl- no I chose not too. I switched PS's in the middle of my TE injections and the new PS recommended I go over the pec due to all the swimming I do. I asked my BS about it and she said she does not like that because then there is a small amount of tissue that she can not manually check for. So, I kept in under the pec. He had a lot of work to do, however! My sternum still hurts, I occasionally am still on the valium (I took one earlier today because I did too much this morning with it being my kids first day of school) but all and all it's OK and I am so much more comfy without the brick boobs (TE's in) he told me I had about 65 internal stitches- eeeesh....he stitched all the way up under my armpit (I guess there was a big pocket there) and he tried to bring my boobs closer together because the TE's had traveled under my arms. They look pretty good though. I am pleased. They are high profile 550 mentors. One looks better than the other but he told me to not pass any judgement on them for 3 months! So, I am hoping they will look more matchy by then! He seems to think they will. I did talk to several of the new PS's patients who had them over the pecs (all athletic type women) and they looked fantastic!!!! Plus, then there is no problem with it traveling when working out. They all loved them.
Denise- thanks sweetie!!!!
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Hi ladys, Well one week from today I will have my exchange!!!!!!!! I can't believe it is just around the corner Sept 14th. I can't say that I'm not worried a little, because I'am. But it will be good to be over this part. A quick question to this group. Do they stitch the implants into place? If so how do they do that? Are their some kind of tabs on them? I saw the implants when I was in the PS office and I don't see how they could stitch them in. Sorry if this is a dumb question. Di
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MOM2B.. I sure hope your exchange is going well today !!!!!!!! (hugs)
Robin.. how are the nips??
I have been offline for about three days ( holiday) and I jump in here and there.. I feel I have missed a LOT here....
I wanna know how my girls are doing here at exchange city.. and with grandkids spending the night tonight.. I have no time to go back and read the pages to fins out...LOL.. I have this time now, because they are asleep...lol...
I had my bone scan today..Lordy those take all day... anywhoo... the tech told me mine looked all clear... NOW I wonder if my Onco will believe my pain is from rads????????? HA!
Ladies.. Let me know how all your surgeries went last week.. I missed the outcomes... either that.. or I am loosing my mind being so busy...bahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Love you!
Annie.. I did see that you made up your mind pretty much... wahoooooooooooooooooo!
I am proud of you!.. oh.. and.. you said " I am not strong enough to worry about this the rest of my life..".. something along those lines... well I say to you and everyone else who choose a mast for safety.. or a bi-lat when docs say there is not need... I say.. WE ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO SAY..... THIS IS WHAT I WANT!... not "week enough"... WE ARE STRONG.. and we go after what we want so that we can gain even more beautiful strength!
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((((((Laura)))))) OH sweet sweet Laura- how did I miss you had a bone scan today??! I am so sorry. Well I am so glad the technician told you it all looks great. Here's praying that your oncologist helps get to the bottom of the bone pain and finds some relief for you. My aches and pains got so much better after the body adjusted to chemopause.
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Laura - Congrats on the clear bone scan!!
I have my follow-up appt on Thurs. The dressings and protectors will come off then. They are oozing a bit now, but I can't really see much. Not really any significant pain, just a hassle clothing wise. I have to wear really loose shirts, so there is no pressure put upon the nipples for fear of lack of blood flow to the area.
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Hi ladies - Sorry I have been away so much. I missed the last four pages. I see that 11catsmeow is scheduled for 9/16, but have probably missed other days. Please pm me if you have an upcoming exchange and I will add it.
So Annie - Did you decide to go for the prophy? If it is any help, that's what I did and I have had no regrets. Constant monitoring would have driven me right up a wall! But then, that's me, miss worry wart!
Laura - I am glad the scans look good so far! Major hugs going out to you sister!
To all our sisters having surgery this week - HUGS!!!!
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Hey ladies, I had my exchange surgery July 15 (Mentor HP 500ccs). Size wise, I'm a little smaller than I would have liked, but I'm withholding judgement until the 3 month marker to allow for "fluffing." I love my left foob, but the right one is significantly smaller. I'm hoping when my muscles relax that the right one will look more like the left. I wear the breast band most of the time. I find when I do wear a wireless bra, my chest muscles feel tight and achy at the end of the day. I look forward to putting the band back on because it feels better, which is ironic because I hated the thought of wearing the band, though now I can't sleep without it. Will the achiness of the chest muscles disappear eventually?
Also, it looks like I have a very large ripple appearing on my left breast starting at the top center and running down the foob. What causes this? Could having the band on too tight lead to this? Could it go away as I get closer to the 3 month marker?
My PS said to schedule the nipple surgery 3 months post exchange. I was a bit surprised how quickly she was willing to do it. Is this enough time? I was thinking of waiting a bit. Also, can they do a revision surgery (slightly larger implant) and the nipple surgery at the same time?
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((Laura)) Hugs of happiness that your bone scan came out clean. Thanks for the report, how scary to have to go through yet another procedure, I am glad that you were able to get the answers today.
((Mykidsmom)) Did you have any idea when you started this thread that it would be so popular? Thank you for keeping the tabs on all the surgery dates. This is such a great family of "sisters"
((Karen)) I don't know about your other questions, but my Dr. wanted at least 3 months after the exchange to let things settle before doing the nipple. Now I just may consider having the nipple tattoo'd on. The question about a revision with a nipple surgery was a great question.
Waiting to hear from Mom2b to see how her exchange went. Dancing veggies is scheduled for Friday.
RANT ALERT! Warning to those not in the mood to read my gripes! I am still getting bills from the exchange surgery 6-15 I owe another $320.00 of the $1600.00 bill to the anesthesiologist for co-insurance. We have a deductible, a co-pay and co-insurance. How many fees can they add and still call it insurance? To add insult to injury I still have not received a bill from the hospital from the original mx surgery on 12-29-08. The hospital is in a dispute with Aetna over the amount paid. I will still owe another $3500.00 to $4500.00 on this bill. Don't you just love my FREE BOOB job! I should have gone for a D cup! I might not be as crabby! Jan
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Jan1- I also have private insurance which is part of Aetna. I have had three surgeries this year and each time I get a huge bill for the anesthesiologist. They tell me that they're not in my network. That just kills me. As if I have a choice of who my anesthesiologist is. Just got my EOB for my exchange surgery. The PS charged $10,600. My insurance covered $1,500. The maximum he can beill me is $136.00. Can you imagine $10,600??? I was only in the O.R. for 45 minutes!!
(((Laura)))That's great news about your scan.
Red91RU- What is this band thing you are talking about? My muscles are so sore by the end of the day. I can't stand it. My exchange was 4 weeks ago tomorrow. I can't believe how tight I still am. I wasn't prepared for this. I just want to be comfortable again.URGH!!!
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Could anyone give a quick analysis of the COSMETIC advantages/disadvantages of saline versus silicone (NOT the gummies, the regular ones) - in terms of rippling, shelves, looks etc??
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Firstmate.....I wore 2 gap body t shirts over my new nips. The black worked perfectly and no body at work noticed unless I was the one to point out my square dressings......
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((Denise)) You have the same issues as I do with not knowing what your costs are going to be. There is no price sheet in advance so expenses can be anticipated. They are calling the $320.00 a co-insurance. I have already paid the deductible and co-pay, now there is a "co-insurance" fee, basically I have a 80/20 plan, after you pay the deductible and co-pays. It just adds up so fast. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for the heathcare that I did get, it just seems that there is such an inequity in reimbursement rates for the same services. Jan
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Jean- Thanks for keeping up with the updates. On this thread it's no small task! I, of course, am still waiting...
Jan- Don't you just LOVE insurance?? ON the other hand, think of how much it would be if you didn't have it. My radiation alone would have been over $80,000. Keep it in perspective girl! And it's not too late to get a D cup..LOL..just kidding. Hope your sister is doing well.
JUDY
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Denise - The breast band is a 3" band I wear above the girls to help keep them in place. I was surprised when my PS gave me it to wear 24/7 because I hadn't read anything about this. I was very dismayed to have to wear it 24/7 because it doesn't work well with summer clothes and anything low cut or form fitting. I often just wear a wireless bra to work then put the band on when I get home. I've really become attached to the band because when I wear a bra, my chest muscles ache at night. I can't sleep at night without it because otherwise it feels like the girls are all over the place and they get sore. Here is a pic of the band.
http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=10035&procid=1&catid=8
My PS also instructed me to massage the girls 30 minutes a day. Does anyone really do this?? I find it so hard to find the time to do it. Though they feel much better after a massage, especially after a day of wearing just a bra.
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Red,
I was given this band to wear with a phase 2 bra, but in an over/under fashion....not across the top of both breasts. It did not really do much for me, so I went back to wearing the compression vest at night, and a sports bra in the daytime until I feel comfortably assured that the girls don't wander too much...not sure how long that will be.
I have textured implants, so I only do a gentle circular massage for 5 minutes a day....hope that doesn't go on forever, either. I am usually in too much of a hurry getting dressed to give that much thought. I am so done with this "boob obsession" but there I am obsessing again....sheeshh...
God Bless!
Angel
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Red- That band goes exactly where all of my pain is. I think I'm going to get one if only to wear at the end of the day. I spend so much time trying to push the implants down because the upper pecs are soooo sore.0
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I still have my band from my TE phase- although my PS didn't recommend it- perhaps I will give it a try- I still hurt 2 weeks post op!!!
I think the male PS's tell us to massage our boobs because to them- if they had boobs this would be fun!!! They would do it all the time- hahaha- to us it is a pain! Mine told me to massage mine as much as I possibly could. Which winds up to be after the shower for about 5 minutes. I just don't think to do it!
So glad the bone scan went well!!!!
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TY!
Deborah.. How you doing? Have not seen you in a few...Thanks for all your help!
Jean.. thanks for keep the list going.. good to see you!
Have a great afternoon ladies!
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biscuit: Silicone implants feel more natural than do saline implants. Silicone implants tend to ripple less than saline implants. You need to be shown the difference between a saline implant and a silicone implant and have a chance to hold them and feel them. Conversely, if an implant leaks, you will know it immediately with saline implants. Saline implants purportedly have fewer incidence of capsular contracture than silicone [although I have read on the augmentation forums reports of women who have had saline implants and have had CC - so I would not base it on this alone.] Women who have thin breast tissue - thin skin flaps - would probably be unhappy with the wrinkling and rippling they would likely get with saline vs. silicone implants. If you have sufficient skin flaps - you could go with either saline or silicone and have a similar cosmetic result.
"Women frequently compare the feel of saline implants to that of a water balloon, while silicone implants more mimic a woman's natural breast tissue. In countries where silicone is available, patients will choose it 90 percent of the time. In all cases, patient safety and informed decision making should be primary considerations in selecting a particular type of implant," reports the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
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very helpful - thank you so much
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ATTENTION :
JG68.. How was you exchange? I hope you lurk here.. I am wanting to check on you.. see how the radiated side is doing and how YOU are doing.
Laura
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Red and 4greatkids - It has been two weeks since my exchange. My PS still has me using an ace bandage (not real tight though) above the implants (but over sports bra) like this band. Hopefully when I see him on Monday he will release me from this ace bandage.
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OK. I just got back from my fill. I'm now at 440 each. I got 100 in the non-rad side and 50 in the rad side. So I'm even for the first time. When I said I think I want to go slower, with 50 on the rad side and 50-100 on the other, they said that the PS likes to go 100 each time. So we'll see next time how it goes, But I wondered, why? Any idea? Right now I'm as tight as a tick. JUDY
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