Exchange City
Comments
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Welcome back Samiam and Welcome Jane, I enjoyed reading your posts and your experience.
((Allison)) I am in the process of making a decision about having a nipple made, vs a 3-D tattoo. I have been talking to Robin and she seems happy about her decision to have a nipple made. I can't have mine done until November. I have to have my Mammogram on the remaining breast before the PS finishes up. He wants the fipple to match the natural nipple, but wants to make sure that I am BC free in the remaining breast.
Question? For those ladies that have had a fipple made. Did the fipple add any projection to the breast. My natural side projects further than the foob side and I was wondering if the fipple would be an equalizer?
((Mom2b)) I am glad you reported in! I hope that you are happy with the results. It does take time for them to settle. I am much happier 12 weeks out than I was 4 weeks out. Hang in there and wait for the girls to "hang out"
Jan
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Deen: One week after the fat graft transfer I noted loss of contour in the area of grafting. Over the ensuing few weeks, it seemed to reabsorb completely. The key seems to be to not wear any garment, bra or otherwise which puts pressure on the grafting site. I did put on a push up bra one week after surgery and it was the next day that I noted the "deflation" of my upper pole.
Jane: Well, the implants do not have to be smaller than the expanders. Mine are the same size as my expanders...but I insisted that I wanted the same dimensions as the TE's and this meant that my implant [silicone] had to be of greater volume then the TE's. So my TE's were expanded to 425 cc's and my implants are 550 cc's.
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Wink - I have heard that cc is much less likely when the implant is below the pectoral muscle, so perhaps what you heard is the reason why.
My fellow exchange sisters - I am not on this site nearly as often as I used to be. I am pretty busy working w/ my new business. So... if I miss your posting on your exchange or fipple date, please PM me. The PM is sent to my work email so I will check in when I get it. I don't want to miss a date. I did a little updating of dates today, so hopefully I am caught up!
Best wishes to everyone having surgery this week (Ilovehorses, mooretennis and catsmeow)!
BTW: I think this coming weekend is LV. Have a lovely time my friends and raise a toast to all of us that are not there with you. We will be thinking of you!!! - Jean
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I have a question for everyone. If you have the gummys - where do you live??? Most PS here in the midwest are saying "I am not familiar with those OR I havent even seen those yet"
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Hi ladies, just checking in you all, my what a busy board this is, I've only been off for a week or so!
Glad to hear everyone is making it thru their surgeries well, and that new foobies are settling into homes nicely.
Interesting to ehear about nipples and fat grafting. I am still having to do the other girl first before my PS will touch my foob for revision. He may, when I tell him I am now getting a 2nd opinion and doing it during the summer. Here's hoping.
Wishing everybody happy boobies and nice contours....
xoxoxo
annie
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notfakejustnew: I live in St Louis and got my gummies here. Parkcrest Plastic Surgery has several surgeons participating in the trial. If you google them, they have a website. Good luck!
Also, I had a question buried in my post up above that was probably hard to see. My implants turned out to be Allergan 410 FX 615s. Does anyone know what this means in terms of ccs. Does 615 g = 615 ccs?
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Well Jane.. if I may add...
Since you are dealing with radiated tissue.... you are different than Deborah...( no offense Deb)
You just might need a smaller implant like your doctor said. Your radiated skin will not stretch like non radiated skin, So for us ( rad girls)... it is very hard to go bigger than our TE.
if you want to PM me... feel free.. ok....
... radiation changes everything. We are just not the same as those who do not have rads....0 -
Deborah--For how long do you think one needs to avoid a "garment" that puts pressure on the grafting site? Since we are both "bra sleepers" do you think that needs to be avoided for awhile?
Deen--Looking forward to pictures.
Samiam--Nice to see you, I like your new picture. 1cc= 1 gram . One liter of water is equal to one kilogram. One kilogram is 1,000 grams. One liter is 1,000 cubic centiliters (cc).
I am never up this time of night. I took a fall on Saturday at the x country meet going down a hill and my left hip is pretty bruised and painful, it keeps waking me. It was a tough day on the kids record high temps in Olympia, WA, hot for PNW kids, lots of kids finished and threw up--ah sports, and it was only 2.3 miles usually they run a minimum of 3 miles. Long day started at 4:30 am, got home around 8pm.
Successful surgeries to the ladies of the week:
9/14 - ilovehorses2 - Exchange surgery
9/15 - MooreTennis - Exchange Surgery
9/16 - 11catsmeow - Exchange Surgery
Ok, going to try to sleep again...
Hugs--Karen
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((Karen)) How are you doing now? Goodness, I hope you are OK! Nothing like heat and vomit and a fall to make a memorable day! In reality, I bet everyone had fun, the weather could have been a little more accomodating however.
ilovehorses, Moore Tennis and 11 catsmeow, keep us posted on how your exchanges go, I will be thinking of you on your day. Jan
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Hi Jan--I have a beautiful bruise! I'm in training from the current team mom to take over her role so yesterday was perfect to see how it can be. It is a big team 80 kids and a ton of work, because there is a ton of food and fluids, ice etc to have on hand--they do get sick and injured and often their own parents aren't there. Yesterday was 4:30 AM--until 7:30PM with driving time. I'm hoping another parent will step up to help me, I don't think I can do it alone, with work and school. I do not know how the current mom has done it the last 3 years on her own. Kind of frustring when parents come watch you do all this work, watch their kid run, and leave. I sure love watching the kids strive to reach the personal best. I watch the girls and hope that there are better bc treatments in the future.
How are you doing?
Hugs,
Karen
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Hi Ladies;
Sorry I have been away so long. My S/O said that I needed to not go on the site that it was making it harder for me to move forward. And the truth is, he really just was not prepared for it to take me anytime to get over what has happened. He actually said he thought it was taking me so long to get past because I have always been pretty and a bunch of other dopey things. So long and short, we are not together any more, and I think its kind of normal to not be over losing your breasts for a while.
I'm still uncomfortable with the 410 implants. The unradiated one looks great, the radiated one still looks very weird and diffrent, in clothes you can't tell but anything that shows clevage or naked and its obviously different.
I am having my 6 mos follow up with the P/S on wednesday and I am tinking about asking if they can take out the 410 and put in expanders to make the muscle looser, the pulling is still bad, and if I can change to a softer silicone gel implant. ANY one have any experience with this? Also on the radiated side, they used alloderm, but they said the right side was far more damaged than they expected. I don't have enough of a belly for deip for two breasts, has anyone ever heard of deip for the one side?
Any help would be great,
Wendy
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Wendy--The S/Oectomy sounds like a great idea. Of course it take awhile to move through our experiences. I wonder how long it would take him to get over having is bits removed because of a life threatening disease? Probably never. Many people want us to be over our experience so their lives can get back to normal *@#$% them. We heal physically and emotionally in our own time. I can't address your questions about your implants because I didn't have rads, or gummies--someone will respond. You are stunning in your picture as I'm sure you are on the inside. Hang in there.
Hugs--Karen
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Hi Allison and Jan, I thought I'd pop in, it's been quite afew months and want to wish you well with your nip surgery. I had to do mine over twice , They became necrotic and PS said he would not try again for fear of putting a hole in the already thin tissue, so, once it all heals again, he'll 3 D me a tattooed nipple. I do have a little projectile on my left side, but nothing on my right. All, in all I am very satisfied with the results,just very tired of Dr's appt's for 16 months now . My drive is 2 hr's. I hope to be completed in Oct.!! My areola tattoo looks so real. I finally feel whole again! Best of luck to all you wonderful gals!! Gentle hugs to all, Jeanie
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Jeansbeans - Nice to hear from you, I am sorry for all that you have been through. But glad that you are moving forward! Hugs. - Jean
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Hi ladies - I've been off the board and was 20 PAGES behind! NO way to catch up :-( Surgery will be 9/25 for the exchange, left side only. Then in December I'll get my nipple and a reduction. Went back to work, so have really just had the energy to do that and come home. Sitting at the computer takes too much energy! That seems to be improving so hopefully I'll be on the site more. I have my pre op with the PS on Wednesday then lab work next Monday - yippee!
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I heard from St. Louis on the gummies. Anyone else have gummies? Do you like them? How do they compare to silicone foobs?
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I've been off a few days and seems like I am a few pages behind. Kew, love the term "The S/Oectomy". Wendy, you need to be around positive influences right now but I do think it is hard to find people that truly understand unless they have traveled this road.
Samiam40- great to see you back and happy to hear that you have had your exchange.
I was taken by surprise Thursday when my incision opened up and started to bleed. It was right at the end and there was puss as well. Since it is nearly two months since my surgery I was not expecting that. I went in to have it checked and the ps's assistant felt it was just a stitch that had worked its way out. It opened up twice more since but now seems to have healed over. I went to urgent care this morning for a sinus infection and he took a look at the incision. He said it didn't look infected but gave me an antibiotic that covers skin infections as well as sinus infection.
Also, I had a milky discharge from my areola, which I was able to keep. I am wondering if all of the breast tissue was removed, how is this possible?
Hope everyone is doing well.
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((Karen)) You are a "do it" Mom. I always loved the mothers and fathers that sat on the sidelines doing nothing to help but would criticize the couple of parents that were doing the coordination of the projects. The happiness and hugs from the kids always made it worthwhile. The rewards come from the kids, not the parental units.
((Wendy)) I am glad that you are back, your SO sure put it all back on you so that he could exit stage left without "guilt". If you can find a calendar of the schedule of when BC sisters are going to be "over" the losses, pain, fear, anxiety, could you forward a copy to me? I had it easy compared to so many here and I want you to know that you can vent here! RANTING is allowed, we "get it" here.
((Jeanie)) Hey there! Where have you been, I am glad that you are a looky-loo here.
((Dani)) Do you know that you don't get frequent flyer miles for medical appointments? I am keeping you in good thoughts as you have had more that enough "stuff" happen with your recovery. What did the Dr. say about the areola discharge? Let me know. Hugs to you. Jan
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Dani--Keep us posted on how you are healing. I bet you were surprised, I wonder how long we have to worry about infections? Take good care of yourself.
Jan--I love the kids.
Hugs,
Karen
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samiam:
Standard silicone is measured in cubic centimeters [volume] while the true cohesive "gummies" are measured in grams [mass]. We would need to know the density of the "gummies" to make the conversion. However, if we took the density of pure water/liquid, 1 cc would be the same as 1 gm. The density differential between silicone and the cohesive gel....hmm....I have to think that possibly 685 grams might be "larger" or have greater mass than a standard silicone implant of equal volume. How much, I do not know. This is a question to pose to your plastic surgeon.
notfake: Here are a couple of threads re: gummies...
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/727110?page=2#post_1508617
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/731574?page=1#post_1467695
Deborah
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Best of luck to our three exchange sisters-ilovehorses2, mooretennis, 11catsmeow -who have their surgeries this week! Prayers for you all!!
Dani - absolutely amazing that you have to still worry about an infection! Hang in there, girl!
I'm starting to get a bit nervous for next week already. This week will be crazy as I'm trying to take care of all the house stuff to survive without my attention for awhile. Then this weekend we'll travel out of town for my father-in-law's memorial/celebration of life service. I get back in town Sunday, the day before my exchange. My dh, understandably, is focused on the service, so I don't want to bother him. Sorry to whine.....I feel so selfish......
Any particular questions I should make sure I ask the ps at my pre-op on Tuesday?
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Dani42- I can't believe that two months later and you could have an infection. When does the worrying end? Let us know how you're doing.
Val- I was a wreck for my exchange. I don't know why as it turned out to be a breeze. It's probably a good thing that you have a busy week ahead of you.
Karen- I am also one of those volunteer moms: team manager, team schheduler, etc. I told myself that I am not up to doing anything thia season,(which I'm not!!) But, I already feel like I won't be able to hold out because there is always a lack of volunteers, and I get so frustrated. You are a good person for volunteering your time. (((hugs))) to you on your fall. Feel better soon.
Good luck ilovehorses, mooretennis and catsmeow.
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9/14 - ilovehorses2 - Exchange surgery
9/15 - MooreTennis - Exchange Surgery
9/16 - 11catsmeow - Exchange Surgery
Sweet sisters... Such happiness your time ihas come! GOOD LUCK!
Laura
Hi to everyone!!!!! Love you!
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Val: Go over your aspirations for the end result with your PS tomorrow. Ask him what sizes he plans on taking into the OR - be assured these are high profile implants he is considering....ask him to err on the larger side, because you can diminish your size based on the style of bra you wear or if you wear no bra at all.0
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ilovehorses2, MooreTennis & 11catsmeow - Good Luck this week ladies! We all are pulling for you!0
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Well, you guys have been busy while I was gone!! My friends were all glad to see me looking well and 'all healed' from the treatments. I haven't seen them in a year and a half. They got to feel my expanders, (We don't get to do that, even though most of us do areola restoration and know they are hard) We see people when they are soft! They had no idea!!! We got a good laugh since I call them may foobs of mass destruction...I figure I could always stick out my chest and kill someone!! I got caught in the Phila storm on Friday and had my plane delayed for 6 hours..Ugh. But it was lovely after that.
Dani- Glad it was only a stitch coming out!!
Allison: There are several ways to get the 3D nipples done. But first, don't be swayed be other people..YOU do what YOU want. If you have one intact breast, with a nipple, it is understandable to want one on the other side. However, if you have none, then it is a matter of choice. Those who say you should get them likely don't realize that they will have no feeling, and that they are likely to go 'flat' over time. In any case, you do what YOU want.
Now that I've said that, here are some of the considerations for tattooing.
1. Do not get an areola 'cut out' to make it look "normal".. It doesn't. It just generates another scar for the tattooist to go over, and it may not be even, in which case, we have to work around it to make it look even. A nice blank canvas is best if you are considering tattooing. Real areoals are not exactly round anyway they blend into the breast and the scar makes it difficul (not impossible but difficult) to blend..2. Do not get the nipples made too early. The foobs settle in and may change the placement of the nipples.making them uneven. This is very difficult to camouflage.
3. And finally, be prepared to tell the tattooist how large you want your nipple/areola complex to be...for some reason men seem to think we want them bigger.
4. You can get them done by a traditional tattooist (a body artist) or by a permanent makeup artist, but the permanent makeup artists, if well trained, is an expert in this arena, and you might as well take advantage of them.
5. Lastly, fipples are not required to get the 3D effect, looking like 'trompe l'oeil" or the effect of being a protrusion on a perfectly flat surface.
websites to view: www.facecrafter.com (mine)
www.ashevillepmc.com (Earleen Bennett)
www.permanentmkup.com (Melany Whitney)
These are not the ONLY ones but they are examples of what you can see.Hope this helps.
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Judy- Hope you had a great trip and learned some new and exciting things. I was wondering how to go about finding someone in my area that does this procedure? I am in upsate NY. (Albany area) you do wonderful work, but I doubt I'm going to make it to Florida!!0
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Judy... do tell us about your trip..... and yes... maybe you could tell ladies where they can find good artists, like you, in there area.. this seems to be a HUGE need.
Thanks Lady!
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Denise: I don't personally know anyone in the Albany area. So you must do what I would do. Go to the SPCP website. Go to Find... technicians. (on the side of the site)
Then the country (United States) Then pick the state you want (NY You will see a list of the technicians in that state. Look for the ones who have CPCP there are several Lifetime Members in that state but I don't know them. Call them, and ask if they do areola re-pigmentation. Ask what they charge. Look at their websites, go meet with them. It would seem that the state has their share, if you want to go to NYC, Melany Whitney is one of the best at this work, but she is not free. If that's OK, I would go to her, without a doubt. If that is not OK, I would follow the trail and I'm sure it would lead to a good person. Stick with the ones who have the CPCP designation. If you have issues or questions PM me. JUDY0 -
Thanks for all the suggestions. I saw my PS today. Exchange is scheduled for November 13th. He said we were going for quality - not quantity. It appears as if I will be as big or possibly a tad bigger than I was before. I'm happy with that.
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