Exchange City
Comments
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my ps did 50 cc twice a week Judy...
He might wanna go more because he does not want that skin to get used to smaller size than you want..
CONGRATS on even boobs! Wahooooooooooo..you should post your journey on the rads forum...
Good to see ya!
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Judy- I don't have suggestions to why he would want to do the 100cc if you want to go less. My PS wasconcerned that if they filled too much they could not only cause a lot of discomfort but could end up opening the scar and the TE would end up exposed.
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Laura!! congrats on the clear bone scan yipee!!!!
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Whippetmom- Any idea why they report silicone to have higher incidence of contracture then saline? Do you think it is associated with the makeup of the two (saline vs silicone)? Isn't the saline implant encased in a silicone shell leading to silicone being what is against our human tissue no matter which option we choose?
As a reconstruction patient are we just more apt to develop contracture due to all the work we have done in the process vs an augmentation?
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Greetings, ladies! Seems like it's been forever since I checked in - lots to catch up with! After being gone for 4 1/2 days, I've spent the last two days reclaiming my house from the throes of testosterone!
Anyway......I want to update you on the final word from my onc regarding the mystery path report. The reason the onc didn't miss it is because it's apparently not necessarily standard operating procedure to send path on the mastectomy when they have it from the biopsy. For some reason - lab variance, most probably - mine just happened to be different - quite different. The onc DID receive the results of the FISH test, and thankfully those were negative, so that's the really important part. As for the PR- part, I learned from a very reliable source - and did some research on my own - that tamox can be less effective with PR-. So.....I checked with my onc once again today. He said that because I was nearly 100% ER+, that helps off-set the decreased tamox effectiveness, and also means how important it is that I stay on it. He also said that because my proliferation rate was very low, that he wouldn't change my treatment. All in all, I'm mostly feeling resolution. Now I can focus on getting ready for my exchange in only 12 days!
Most especially, thanks for all the wonderful supportive words and thoughts over this issue. You have no idea how much that meant to me- well, you probably do because you hang around here for the same reason that I do!
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I had my LAST FILL TODAY!!!! Yiiiippppeeee!!!! I have 840ccs in each foob. My PS noticed a bruise on my rt foob and asked if it was a result of last week's fill - it wasn't - I am sooooo not used to having such large coconuts that I keep running into things.... I will be glad to have these puppies removed. I am having 700cc implants - my exchange is scheduled for NOVEMBER 24TH. I am also having a tummy tuck at the same time - I figure what the heck - I am going to be in pain and off work for 6 weeks anyway - I might as well get something out of it....
Allison
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Val- yay!!!! I am so happy for your exchange too! 12 days will be here before you know it!!!
Judy- the first PS I went to was 50cc's every other week. The second one told me to stop when I felt full! (which was usually around 50-70cc's) I don't know why he would want to go to 100. If it hurts - tell your PS you want to back off a bit!!!
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Less than a week to go til exchange. I am so excited, nervous, anxious, stressed. You name it, I am feeling it. Ready or not, Sept. 15th here I come.
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Thank you Lorraine!
Val... well.. I am glad that is cleared up for you...!!!!
Allison... LOL.... you need to STOP running into things girl...LOL LOL
Denise.. can you believe it is almost here????????????? if you nned anything... call me ok..I am going to be at "our" cancer center on some Mondays doing hair... ( Missy's Mirror..).. where are you having exchange?
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OMGosh...
I just realized something...
I NEVER thought exchange would get here for me.. as I had rads... etc...
and now, not only am I done with exchange... my name has fallen off this threads header...WOW
Ladies... you time will fly by.. and your exchange will get here.. hang on and hold on!
LOVE LOVE LOVE
There you are Deborah... I see you...:)
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Laura - I will be having my exchange at 'our' cancer center (Plaza location) at 7:30am. I will stop in Missy's Mirror the next time I am there on a Monday. I think it is fabulous that you are working with the cancer patients.
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In my family - we all trip over lint and air pockets on the floor - it's kinda funny that all three of us (my two sisters and I) seem to have the same affliction - funny though, both our parents were quite athletic.... I figure it skips a generation!!!
Allison
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Saline vs. Silicone
packergirl - In response to your ? re: cc: Well, you will notice I said "purportedly"? Which means many plastic surgeons say saline is better than silicone for cc incidence, but they do not state why they believe this is the case.
Jan: All I can say is that I am real disgusted with what your insurance carrier is putting you through with all of these charges.......GRRRRR. Enough already.....!!!!!
Val: Good news about that ++++ ER receptor status. I am happy to hear how strongly positive you are....
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Jan- we as well had so many issues with our insurance. And it is blue cross blue shield! You'd think they'd be pretty good!!!! They, at first, denied our anestthesiologist fee of 5,600$ stating they were "out of network" but the hospital we went to was "in network"! Like we had a choice???!!! Anyway, after a few letters and phone calls they paid for it. But, really, do they need to put us all through all of this? I think of the uneducated, or elderly or just plain tired and sick folks who wouldn't fight it and it really is upsetting to me!!!! I switched hospitals for my exchange surgery and haven't received any bills yet (since it was only a week and a half ago) but I am wondering if we will have to go through the same process with this hospital!!!
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((Judy)) Thanks for asking about my sister. She is still in the hospital, out of ICU and they got her up for the first time yesterday! Now she has to start eating and we pray that everything comes out, as nature intended. Hopefully she will be able to go home by this time next week. I am glad that your fill went well today,when I had the 100 cc fills towards the end, I was tender and had muscle spasms for 3 to 5 days afterwards. I hope you don't have thatthey cut back to 50cc and that helped. I hope you tolerate this expansion process well, I kept you in good thoughts today!
((Denise)) You are getting so close to your exchange, there are so many emotions at the time of the exchange, so here is a cyber cheer in advance for getting everything that you want out of this ordeal. BTW, any news from Mom2b? hope all went well for her.
RANT REVIEW! I called my insurance to find out why I owed so much to the anesthesiologist, they stated that he was "out of network" I said the hospital was "IN" network and I wasn't given a choice regarding the anesthesiologist, nor his in/out network status. Since I was smart (for a change) and got the exchange pre-authorized in writing, they are going to review this and send it back for revision. The insurance was very nice and helpful. I was just overwhelmed at another expense when I didn't expect it. Judy, you are very right about having insurance. I would be in deep doo doo without insurance, perspective, thanks for the perspective. Jan
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Hi Laura (Estepp):
I am JG68 and was indeed lurking and saw your message! Thank you for asking about my exchange! It was today and I'm doing great. I got Mentor smooth round implants, moderate plus profile, 325 ccs. At first I thought they looked a bit small but now I'm realizing they will be at least a full B cup, and fit well with my frame (I was a 34B before as well). And a friend of mine whom I met on these boards reminded me about implant 'fluffing'. Do the implants settle after a while? How long would you say that takes?
Anyway I am happy and high on Vicadin :-)
Radiated side seemed to have quite a bit of scar tissue but I hope my PS was able to remove it well and am really hoping for no CC in the future!
thanks for your message - you are so thoughtful!
jackie
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Jackie, WONDERFUL!., My PS did not remove the scar tissue ( at least he did not say this).. he "cut it" it a criss cross... so that the implant can move around...
Are you willing to post any pictures on the picture page... since you had Implants only, so far, with no tissue flap?.. I know you were fully expanded too.. prior to rads...
I hope you heal well sweety..... keep us informed.. OK.... ( hugs)
I think.. if I loose all this weight I have gained.. I might look like a C cup. Now.. I look like a B cup in most cloths... I just have to get DETERMIINED to loose it..
Laura
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Jan.. what I great thing to hear your sister is awake and walking around!
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Jan- That is great news about your sister. Sounds like she's on the road to recovery..whew.
Laura- I think you are right. The doc wants to fill em up early- so they don't have a chance to contract...We'll see... I don't have the opportunity to go every week, or twice a week. The fills are done on a schedule..Every two weeks.. One of the downsides of being in a hospital setting...
Geez, this board is so busy, I ahte to miss it for a few days. I leave on Friday for the permanent cosmetic conference and won'd be back till Monday night.. Guess I'll have some catching up to do!! JUDY
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Hi-- I'm not sure if this is the right place for this message, but I wanted to share my post-exchange experience. My exchange to a smooth silicone implant was in early April before radiation because the metal port would have interfered with the rads. Recovery from the exchange was a piece of cake compared to the mastectomy. Two months after exchange I started 28 radiation treatments, which were a piece of cake compared to chemo. Now it is September and my implant side still looks and feels like it did on day 3 or 4 after exchange -- like a hamburger bun that was in the freezer too long. The implant is as uncomfortable as the TE was, probably due to scar tissue toward the top and outside. Yesterday my PS told me I have mild capsular contracture, probably caused by the rads, and he wants me to wait another 2 months to see if it improves before making a decision about another surgery. I'm planning to live with the CC for as long as possible and avoid surgery, but it's a bummer and I hope this hasn't happened to anyone else reading this!
--bonnie
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Bonnie, sorry to hear about getting CC. I hope it gets better!
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Bonnie,
I'm sorry you're having the cc. I remember reading on here somewhere about a medicing they can give you for mild cc. Maybe you can ask PS about that, as given early may prevent it from getting worse? I'm sorry I don't remember the name of it.
Healing vibes to you,
Deen
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Hey everyone,
I went in yesterday for my revision. They did lipo on my tummy and injected it above my foobs where it was scooped out and where my port was indented in. The lipo looks great! The area above my breasts I can't tell as much, but it is better. I'm not as sore as I thought I would be, I don't even have to wear a compression garment, thank God. I think the bruising is just starting today.
Judy, glad you're doing well with your fills. My PS did 100cc every 2 weeks also. I took plenty of ibuprofen the three days after. Thought you might like this: when I woke up yesterday after the procedure, there was something in my eye. I scratched it pretty hard and it hurt terribly. The doctor looked at it and said he thought I got my makeup in it. I told him I didn't have any makeup on. Then I remembered I had permanent eyeliner from about 4 years ago! Well, it turned out it was the glue they shut my eye with. Just starting to feel better today. Hope you have a great trip!
Have a great day everyone!
Deen
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I am off today for the nipple unveiling. I am so nervous......
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Hi, all. Having my TE exchanged tomorrow... for silicone. Thought about it and just decided to override my PS's decision to do saline to avoid capsular contracture.
One question: how long are you restricted from lifting? I ask because I have a three-year-old and a 25 pound 11-month-old... and my nanny is on maternity leave! I was told no lifting anything more than 20 pounds for 4 weeks! ARGH!
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Dancing Veggie - my PS told me no lifting over 10lbs for 6 weeks.
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DancingVeggie: Yikes! I have two grandchildren - and I could not lift them at all. The two year old had to learn very quickly how to climb up in his carseat by himself! I don't know about four weeks though....I think I started lifting Kade about two weeks out - after a meltdown in the park. Had to carry him back to the car. Never be w/out a stroller is my motto. Having someone - a friend to help you out would be great for the first two weeks.
Bonnie: I have not heard of cc spontaneously resolving. If it worsens, it can rupture the implant. There is a Baker grade system for cc.....ask your PS what yours is. It does not sound "mild" to me if there are visable signs and/or if you have some discomfort with that implant. Deen mentioned a drug which might help.....Singulair or Accolate are two which have been used....Claritin also has been used. Anything which has a modicum of safety is worth a try.
I follow this blog....just because it is interesting....here is what is discussed
http://plasticsurgery101.blogspot.com/2008/04/does-accolate-day-keep-capsular.html
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Dancing Veggie- My restrictions are nothing over 5 pounds for 6 weeks. Let me tell you, that is next to impossible. i had to pick my monster cat up the other day because he was being naughty and I could really feel the discomfort. My cats 13 pounds and I am 4 weeks post exchange.
Most of you have heard me grumbling about still feeling tight after my exchange. I think I have figured out one of the things that is bothering me. My implants are wider than my natural breasts were. So, I still feel them with my arms upon movement. I have a lumpectomy scar that is right along the lateral aspect of my breast and it has some scar tissue that is still quite tender to the touch. (Inital surgery was in January of this year. ) I would be very happy if i could get this area not to hurt. Is there something that I can put on the scar to decrease the scar tissue inside? I was good about putting vitamim E on my mastectomy scar, but I neglected the lumpectomy scar probably because I was to busy dealing with the cancer diagnosis/mastectomy decision. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Bonnie- Sorry to hear about your cc.
Deen- Sounds like your procedure was successful. I wish you a speedy recovery.
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Deen, That is pretty funny about the makeup. Glad to hear about the procedure.. Hope it continues to be well.. JUDY
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((Judy)) Have fun at the conference! Everything you learn, benefits people like me
((Jackie)) Glad to know that all went well for you.
((Laura)) What is this criss cross thing you are referring to?
Thanks everyone for the good thoughts and prayers for my sister. I am going to call today and see how she is doing.
Jan
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