Exchange City
Comments
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Laura: The last time I saw my PS, I knew I probably wouldn't see him again for six months, so I just made a small list of questions for my appointment. I didn't want to forget anything, and since he did my chin and my eyes too, it would have been easy to forget something I needed to ask him.
You probably just have some leftover swelling under your eyes; they look lovely in your picture. I had my upper eyelids done, and it took a while for my swelling to go down.
We can compare eyes in Vegas! Wahoooooo!
Diane
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(( tears))
you all are so sweet to me.....I feel like a poser when I am the one who tells you all to go get what you want.. ( and I mean that 100%)... I just need to buck up and feel secure in talking to my doctor. he is really wonderful and I am sure he will hear me.
My dh says I am big enough..lol... due to my size.. if I were bigger I would look heavier... I think I just wanted... ummmmmm... I do not know.. maybe it comes down to I just wanted NOT to have BC. I loved my old breasts. I did a photo shoot here.. before ..you know.. the mast. So I would never forget.. anyway....I admit, I am just MAD with cancer today.. so many deaths... it gets to a soul...
I do need ot address the ripples... and the lower side... and my eyes...
I will be fine... I will just remember..." Go Laura Go Laura..".... Thank you!
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Just remember Laura, YOU ROCK!!!! bc SUCKS, but we are STRONG and we have every right to get what WE want. Make your list and let him know how unhappy these things have made you feel. I went back and did a whole new reconstruction (lat flap) and I got my BIGGER boobs! He knew I wasn't happy and wanted to make me happy...I'm sure your ps is the same way.
You will be just fine girl! Look at all of the support you have here...man I think all of us would go to your appt with you if we could! Just know we will be with you in spirit!
HUGS!!
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Hi Everyone...I know this is off-topic but I didn't know where else to post it.
What do you think about getting the SWINE FLU shot? On the one hand it was fast tracked thru FDA, meaning it was not tested as fully as normal. And there was a lot of pressure to approve it. So, we don't really know what side effects it will have..
On the other hand, we are immuno-compromised. In my case I also don't have a spleen on top of everything else. And my friend's boyfriend (27 yr old) got it, and he is NOT immuno-compromised and has no underlying medical issues. Another 27 year old just died from it here. He had no underlying medical issues either. What to do, what to do???? I'll probably get it, but it scares me. JUDY
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I understand , it scares me too Judy. Im getting the vaccine because I fought to hard to beat cancer to have a damn flu take me out!
But thats me.
Teresa
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(((((Val))))) I was nervous before my exchange- I think because I didn't want to be flat on my back for the recovery phase- Friday will be 3 weeks for me and I am now walking 3 miles a day and feeling better and better everyday!!!!
Judy- I keep seeing on the news that if you are younger than 27 you don't need to worry about the swine flu- if I do get one- I am getting it in my leg so I don't risk lymphadema!!!
Denise- so glad it went so well for you! My doctor did not repair my saggy skin under my armpits and I am not happy about having to go back in for that. UGH! I will wait a while for that though- right now I want to be free of the OR for a while!!!
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Would someone please tell me where these pics are? I don't have any to post but I'd like to be able to see what the others are posting. Also, what is TIMTAMS website? If there is more information out there, I'd certainly like to read/see it. One last thing....I have had my last fill and my right foob is still hurting - it slides around a bit and causes me pain. I have started using an ace bandage around my body holding the rt one up and to the left where it feels more comfortable. Does anyone know if this is okay to do or am I going to cause myself more problems in the future??
Allison
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Hey, ladies! - y'all would have been so proud of me yesterday at my pre-op! When ps asked if I'd thought about how big I wanted, I said, "As big as you can get me!" I think my dh nearly fell over in his chair!! Anyway, you will absolutely not believe what he has planned. He said he'll take SEVEN implants in - Style 20's in 375, 400, 425, & 450cc, and Style 45's in 400, 460, & 500ccs!! When I asked him how you can make the big jump from my 250cc TE's, he said that because of the low-height TE's, you have the whole upper pole of the "foob" (obviously not his word) to fill. he also said he goes by width, not by volume, so since my TE's are 11.4cm, those implants are in that range. Nothing wider than 12cm, he said. He thinks the 45s probably won't work for me because I'm so thin - thinks they'll look unnatural - but feels I'll have excellent results with the 20's. He prefers the allergan over the mentor because he said although mentor's written projections appear to be larger in print, in practice they just don't "measure up." Anyway.......drains 'til Friday at least, and will be wrapped in the lovely foam tape stuff til then - no showers or peeking, of course...... btw......ps said he's currently writing a chapter in a reconstruction text on implant selection.....your next book, perhaps, Deborah? (lol)
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HI to all,
Sorry I haven't posted to much been sick with a virus just lying low.
Can someone please tell me about fat grafts?
My exchange was 5 weeks ago and yesterday getting my herceptin tx my onoc checked them and I could tell by her face that she wasn't happy. first she said, the left side implant seems to be leaking and I was starting and infection. Than she said well I can see he needs to do some revisions. the left implant is empty at the top pole area she. I had been noticing that on either side of my chest bone area I can feel right thru to the bone no cushion at all. remember I got the saline implants because that what I PS prefers. I do have more rippling in the left and she said it's most like a leak in the implant.
So I have 3 questions
1 fat graft
2. How long do I have to wait if the implant needs to be removed?
.3. and can I get a silicone implant - will that make a difference. The pockets and such are already done so in my mind I keep thinking maybe this would be less surgery and less recovery.
lastly, I want more cleavage how do I get that?
Thanks everyone I just feel like this was way to much to go thru and trying to find a fitted dress for a wedding I need to attend has really made me think about accepting less than I anticipated.
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Hello everyone! I had bilateral mastecomies with alloderm and TE's on 8/27. Since then some of the skin died on my non cancerous side and I had to go back in and have it removed and have saline removed on that one side. So now I am 240cc on the right and 60 cc on the left. I have not looked at it yet as I have to leave the bandage on until tonight and I am afraid to look. I am scared the skin left will not heal, it worries me. I plan on posting pictures when all of this is done and would like to see pictures if at all possible. It seems it is very hard to find them on here. Can anyone help? I have found a few on the internet and to be honest I look at them quite often, they help me look forward to what will be instead of what is. It is hard to see the scars in the mirror and these TE's are so uncomfortable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for my exchange but unfortunately that date is unknown right now.
Thanks girls
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JUDY: You are a candidate for this vaccine. You are at increased risk for bacterial infections...also those who are undergoing chemotherapy [or recently have undergone chemo???], according to this report from the CDC:
"To decrease the incidence of secondary pneumococcal pneumonia, the CDC is also recommending prophylactic administration of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1). The recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are as follows:
- Vaccination for all persons over 65 years of age
- Vaccination for persons 2 to 64 years with the following medical conditions:
- Chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies)
- Chronic pulmonary disease, including COPD and emphysema
- Diabetes mellitus
- Alcoholism
- Chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
- Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
- Functional or anatomical asplenia, including sickle cell disease and splenectomy
- Immunocompromised conditions, including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant
- Vaccinations for persons 19 to 64 years who have asthma or smoke.
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Val: I love your plastic surgeon. I think he is going to be your new best friend. If he needs help with that chapter on implant selection, he can call me...LOL!!!
malleme: Ask your oncologist if she can refer you to another PS. I'm not kidding. Does he know what he is doing? Forget about the fat grafts - you need to get those leaking saline implants out and exhange for silicone....WHAT....your PS did not even know that your implant was leaking? You might not even need fat grafts.
RE: PICTURES FORUM
Timtam manages the pictures forum, which is an entirely separate and protected site from bc.org. You need to PM her to gain the password and entrance to the pictures forum.
http://community.breastcancer.org/member/11047/profile
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Deborah - I will post pictures next week once I get my drains out (appt is on Monday).I don't have a before mx picture but plan on asking PS for a copy of his. I would like to document the entire process when I post. Thanks for all your advice.
It's so wonderful to be soft again. What a difference! Now that the anesthesia has worn off, feeling a lot of muscle soreness due to the pocket revisions and my sides are still extremely tender but I know it will be worth the extra pain in the end. Nipple reconstruction will be at the end of December.
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Judy - my dh is a pulmonologist (albeit pediatric) and said it really is important to get the vaccine. Any kind of flu can be a risk. We (this area) had a child die this week from H1N1 with no underlying medical conditions. Kinda scary. You'll be one of the first groups to get it - before the general population - but he said they've been told there should be enough vaccine for those in the last group (2-64 w/o medical conditions). You do need a regular seasonal flu shot before the H1N1, though, I think about three weeks prior. Double check on that. Our son at college has asthma, and my dh just reminded him to get his regular flu shot asap.......
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Hi Lady's, YIPEEEEEE!!!!! The Exchange is over. I'm doing soooooo good. It is just amazing. It took longer to get my med's from the pharmacy than for the surgery!! I was at the Surgery Center at 8:30 and out of recovery by 11:30. I think they look great too. The hollowness in the top is gone and I can bring my arms forward with out them rubbing. And I have no bruising. I have been sleeping great too. I would love to share some pictures if someone would tell me how to go about that. Hubby will have to help me as I'm not so good with computers. How do I get in touch with Timtam. I have hardly any pain its simplely amazing. My incision is in the fold and it is only 3 inches long. I only have two 4inch bandages. I have only taken two vicodin in two days. Just mostly Alleve. I hope mooretennis and catsmeow are doing this good. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers everyone. Di
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Allison: I remember after one of my fills I had a real uncomfortable sensation of movement and pressure against my ribs....but it did resolve after a week or two. Have you tried wearing a sports bra to see if this relieves the discomfort? I just would be careful about displacing the TE....0
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whippetmom, I just got back and the PS said it is not leaking. He so nice but when I said what about the upper area cavedin, I don't like it he said give it time and that's ok. His nurse said I could exchange to bigger silicone. but that's why I want to know the timefames. I got the number of another PS, and now I'm waiting for him to call back to see if he will give me a 2nd opinion? I is so difficult with the Dr shield around here. How soon could or should I have the exchange made to silicone? I can't believe I have to wait for a call back to see if this new Dr will see me. He is one of two Drs in the state who does anatomical silicone and has the study, but boy these PS's won't interfere with one another.
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Thanks Deborah and Val. I already was going to get the regular flu shot..I always do- since my splenectomy..Now I am convinced to get the Swine Flu shot too. Thanks for your responses..you are always so right on!! JUDY
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Wippetmom - yes, I have tried sports bras - the foob is just sooooo heavy that gravity just seems to take over. I will keep experimenting until I find something that works - I really HATE the feeling when it moves - it is creepy AND it hurts a lot.
Allison
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Allison: Then I agree with doing what it takes to hold up that expander. Keep it from dropping.
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Hey Val I have Allergen 20-700's. :-) I am 5'2" and have extra weight on me...(about 152) and I'm not too sure if I will ever be thin again...so these babies look good on me, I think. :-) I don't want to post pics yet, since they aren't complete yet. I have a lot of fat hanging on the sides (under my armpits) that he is going to lipo next month and the part he pieced in from my back kind of hangs over which he is going to use some of it for a nipple later on. He won't touch that until we have the shape that I am happy with. Plus I developed a CC in my left breast. He was able to squeeze the heck out of it to break it up a bit. I have been doing physical therapy which has been helping with that. He's not sure if he will have to replace the implant or not. He won't know until he opens it up during next month's surgery. So I am trying to be very patient.
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Laura, before you go ahead with fat injections, did you get your surgical notes? I am asking because my ps offered fat injections to me because my right implant wrinkles and has a "dimple". Well, I got my surgical notes and found that when he put the implant in, he had to take it out because the diameter was too wide and the implant was folding in on itself. He removed the implant and made my pocket wider and then put the implant back. When I complained about the wrinkling he offered fat injections when he knew that the implant was too wide, which was the real cause of the wrinkling.
I am hoping that your ps is more trustworthy then mine. I would just want you to know what went on during the surgery before making any decisions.
For those of you that may be wondering, I will never step foot in my ps's office again. That was the very last straw.
Val, so glad to hear that your ps is bringing a variety of implants into the operating room. It sound like you had a long road but will be very please with your results. I am very happy for you.
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Ok, I finally put some "after" pictures up on Timtam's site of my 7 day old gummy bear implants. If you get a chance, check 'em out and let me know what you think. I also posted my specific concerns on there, and any advice is very welcome.
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Hi Ladies,
After all this time I finally posted my pics on the pic forum.
VAL - Sorry it took me so long to get these up, I know you were hoping to see them before your exchange so I just barely made it. Good Luck with your surgery next week.
HUGS, Dawn
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DANI, thank you for your info... That was nice of you to share that!!
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Hi gals, sorry to have been MIA, busy week! Hubby down and out with a back issue but better now.
Re: swine flu shot: My GP said nooo way to get it. Their practice does not feel it's been tested anywhere near enough. I can't anyway, as am allergic to regular flu shot so hoping lots of Purell does the trick and I worry about my daughter at college. guess i will wait to see if it comes to her area?
LAURA O LAURA, JUST READ YOUR POSTS
Of all people who are NOT COWARDS OR WEAK, you come right to mind. Go get the PS to listen to you. You have been a customer. The customer is always right, correct? I don't see the eye issue as I think you look beautiful, but if you are not happy, then that is important to address.
I hear you on the making foobs bigger. I wish mine had been, but had very bad rads skin necrosis and am very thankful just to have a boob, it's already a lat flap. It really looks completely natural, but not as large as I'd hoped. Oh well, I have a mothership on the other side that needs downsizing....
You need to be happy with the way things turned out. I have ripples too, but when I lean over. Are they apparent standing up with a bra on? If so, perhaps you'll feel better discussing it all with your dr.
Remember honey, he works for you!!!
Love you all exchangers......
annie
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Annie.. I love you!
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Annie, why are you allergic to the regular flu shot? I am afraid I might also be allergic - I am allergic to eggs. Just curious...
GIRLS WITH PHOTOS!!! What fun. We always love to go look at new photos and Dawn and Samiam look fabulous!!!!!
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Here is the WEIRD part of me.
My PS charges 10,000+ for a Breast Augmentation.
He got 2000.00 for me. I feel bad asking.. since I am not.." messed up..".. I swear.. I think I GOT BC.. because I worry about the rest of the world... I thought this would change.. 100% after I endured all that I have... I thought I would.. " find the new me... the new normal.."
NOPE.. same old me... ROFLOL... oh well... I liked the old me....
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YES!! DAWN and SAM.. GREAT to see your photos!!! Thank you for sharing to the site.. for ALL the new gals coming.. it is SO important ladies.. for us to help them with out pictures.. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO shy this way.. yet I was able to put my pictures up.. So can you! Thank you Sam and Dawn!
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