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Comments

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited September 2009

    Sounds like you all had such a wonderful time - sure hope I can join you next year!

    Deborah - he gave me a picture of a bra, which looks to me like a La Perla or some European design, but he said it doesn't have to match the bra - he's concerned about fit.  It is to be an "unlined, underwire, full coverage bra.  Underwire must fit tightly under the base of the breasts.  Underwires in the area between the breasts should not push the implants apart." My friend is taking me to Nordies tomorrow morning, so we'll see what the fitter puts me in.  I could probably scan the pic and send it to you - can you do that on PM?  Like I said, I'm rather computer-challenged.......

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2009

    Linda, if she's as worn out as I am, she's probably taking a nap, which I am seriously considering...

    Hi Deborah, I'm so glad you got back safely!  I miss you already...

    I miss all my sisters...

    But Vegas was awesome!!!

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited September 2009

    The pictures were great and I am so glad you guys had such a great time!!!  I hope I can go next year!!!  How lovely!

  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited September 2009

    Did we have a wonderful time???  UM ......it was PRICELESS!!!!

    I'm looking forward to my surgery Oct 20th!!!  Hyster/ooph/exchange of my capular contracture/tummy tuck/ lipo of my side fat!!!  YAY!!!

    Also this thursday Oct 1 marks 1 year of NED!!!!!  WOO HOO!!!  My girlfriend is having a party for me!  YAY!!!!

    Those of you who are new to this site, trust me you will stay FOREVER since all of us provide that forever kind of love!  The love, compassion, support, and we must not forget all of the education we receive here!!!  It's beyond AWESOME!!!!!!

    I LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!!

    HUGS!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited September 2009

    Sounds like you all had a great time.  Janet, when you texted me last night during class, I checked, bad, bad, student, and I burst out laughing--way to draw attention on the first night.  I promise, no matter what, next year I'll goSmile thanks for thinking of me!

    Dani --How are things going??

    Hugs,

    Karen 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    Karen.. School... WAHOOOO.... I hope you accomplish mucho honey...

    I AM BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK....:) ( not that is it a big deal...lol... but I have been off today as I am TIREDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD... lol.. and did not want anyone to think my plane crashed.....TRACEYZ airline... we need to fly her friendly skys

    Rest in Peace Mena... :(... this hurts. Linda.. thank you for posting that here... I love that thread and I THANK YOU MENA for starting it,. lets keep it going ladies... it is a very important thread ..

    Linda.. you did not pull me away.. We were allover the place that night. We did get mucho pictures..:)... I was very happy to hear from you and tell the ladies you said HELLO... my heart

    was so happy to hear from you and Di!... And to know you and Jill and Di were talking about us all on facebook....wahoooooooooo

    To all new gals here.. welcome!

    To all who had surgery and I missed it.. I am sorry..and I sure hope you did great!

    VAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure did see you are great !!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Lorraine.. I did get your PM on Hormones.. THANK YOU! Hey girl.. you and I are surgery girls! Oct... 28th... YEAH!!!!! Jean.. Oct. 28th for me ( AGAIN, Foob lift to to falling rock.. and 550cc implant to get me a C cup and hopefully.. no ripples..) and Lorraine... NIPs...

    Ladies... I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO  NOT NOT NOT the boss of pictures... that is "other gals".. surly some pictures will begin to surface around... and a whole web site for them soon.. that will be password protected for safety.... ( we only want the best for us Ta Ta's)

    Love to all.. missed you who did not come.. but remember... NEXT YEAR.. I can now tell you... you WILL enjoy it... :)

    Diane... are you behaving at home with the hubby????? BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2009
    Laura...why would we want to behave? It isn't nearly as much fun as not behaving, LOL!! Laughing
  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited September 2009
    Nice one Diane!  Laughing
  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 109
    edited September 2009

    Welcome back, party girls!!!!  Sorry we missed the trip.  Will try next year.:)

    Deen

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited September 2009

    Hello Everyone!!! My last chemo is tomorrow and I scheduled surgery my exchange today - Yippee!! Whaa Hooo!! - November 12th! I am so excited to have a date to get these bricks out. 

    I do have a question...have anyone else been expanded with the Allergan Style 133LV (low height variable projection) Tissue Expanders with Biocell?  I have been to the Photo Forum and from the photos I have seen, it appears that everyone has had the round expanders.  Mine is shaped like a crescent moon...I am having serious challenges with trying to post my pictures and I am usually great at computers Frown

    Soooo Happy to hear everyone had a great time in Vegas!!!!!!

    Michelle

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    ladies.. what are calcification's in the breast? A friend is being called back for another mamo because they think they see something but it might just be... " calcification's?"

  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 347
    edited September 2009

    Calcifications can be released from cancerous cells....or not!....meaning they can be B9 or indicate a problem.  How many, how they are arranged, what previous mammos looked like all play a part.  They show up as "speckles" on a mammogram. 

    My radiologist followed my calcifications for 5 years.  Then my gyn felt a lump, sent me to a BS, I had them removed through an open biopsy and low and behold..they were B9!

    4 years later, with no calcifications showing on the mammo, I developed BC in the same area.  Go figure...

    Good luck to your friend, Laura.

    God Bless!

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited September 2009

    I had microcalcifications to show on my mammo.  They form as a result of changes in the breast tissue.  They are deposits left by breast cells as they die, like ashes.  They cannot be felt.  Most often they are B-9....but some cancers produce microcalcifications.  When the microcalcifications are grouped together in a small area then this could be a small cancer developing.  This is what the radiologist saw on my mammo. He showed it to me and pointed out how the white looking specks were forming a pattern.  After I read up on microcal's I knew it was not going to be good news...

    I pray your friend will be OK....like they say, MOST Cal's are B-9.....

    Love Linda

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited September 2009

    Laura - my DCIS was diagnosed due to calcifications on the mammo.  Linda is right - if they form a pattern (linear) as along a duct or increase over time (as mine did), then a biopsy will probably be recommmended.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    Thank you ladies! I will pass this on to her........ You are the best!

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90
    edited September 2009

    Yea! First day back to work since my exchange and I am so excited to fill in the tops of my business clothes again (even in a sports bra). Can't wait to buy a real bra!!!

  • malleme
    malleme Member Posts: 164
    edited September 2009

    Welcome back ladies..... sounds like it was a blast.

    Question- exercise- How long after exchange surgery do we have to wait to raise our arms? I'm more than 6 weeks out from surgery. any recovery exercise program?

    And if I exchange from saline to silicone how long do I have to wait. And has anyone with step off/divots used gummy bears and has that solved the problem or do silicone gel work just as well.

    Thanks Ladies. 

    Malle

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited September 2009

    o2bhealthy - I had the low-height TE's, though they were Mentor, and I have my TE pics on the forum.  Just got my drains out  from my exchange yesterday and dh very busy, so haven't yet taken any pics of the implants.  Will try to do that maybe tomorrow.  I'm amazed at how it's possible to go from those sloped, crescent-shaped foobs to ones with rounded tops.  The lower poles look very much the same, but it's essentially doubled in volume to fill up the top.  I'll really try to get the pics up soon..........

    malleme - seems like ps's are different in the exercise area, as well.  You should probably make sure to check with your ps for his/her specific recommendations.  

    Laura - I, too, had calcifications for years - was told they were fairly common in very dense breasts, like mine were.  Like Angel, I wonder if they missed something since I had the very sneaky ILC........ prayers for your friend!

    mooretennis - congrats on returning to work and filling out your clothes again!  I'm headed for my first  ps-ordered bra fitting later today - can't wait to see how it turns out!  ...........I am a bit worried about trying on bras since my drains were just pulled yesterday and I'm still oozing a bit, plus the silvadine mess.....oh well........

  • jdjr
    jdjr Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2009

    Thanks valerie and whippetmom for the great feedback.. Of course, my PS has all my Expander infor.. I'll try to get it.. Thanks !  Jeanne

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited September 2009

    jdjr:  Technically, you are supposed to receive a little plastic card with all of your TE information thereon - because this is a registered medical device.  Many of us received the card after surgery. 

    Michelle:  A number of Exchange City girls have had or currently have the Allergan or Mentor short height tissue expander.  It is shaped differently because it expands in the lower pole primarily, with very little expansion in the upper pole.  Laura [Estepp] had this style also, and her photos are under "Well-Burnt" under a code name to protect her fabulous identity.  Wink

    Denise:  Congratulations.  I am so happy for you!

    Laura:  Did you talk to Teresa about your PS?

    malleme:  As Val stated, we all vary in our recovery process.  Why don't you take a look at your discharge instructions....mine had my exercise restrictions listed. If you are able, start that walking-the-fingers-up-the-wall exercise now...working up gradually to a full lift over the next couple of weeks.  Typically, the between surgery explantation and exchange procedure has been about 3 months.  But it depends on when your PS feels you are ready.  Some surgeons feel that the true gummy - the Allergan 410 or Mentor equivalent - will address step off defects for some women, because of the contoured shape and gradual slope to the upper pole, but there are trade-offs to the gummy....it is a very firm implant.  You need to embrace all of the aspects of that implant. 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    Deborah.. I sure did.. before I left.  I also called my PS Tuesday and asked if he would be willing to take on another surgeons mistake.. and he/they said they do it ALL THE TIME ( which is sad to me... but at least he does it).. I left Teresa a Voice mail on her phone.. she has not called back yet.. But I think she is flying to CO. today.. "I think".. so she may wish to deal with all this when she gets back. If I do not hear from her in a week or so.. I will call her back. If you see her on here before I do... tell he to call me... :)... ps.. I wish I would have gotten more time visiting with you..:)... I will be send you items by mail you forgot in our room...:)... look for them soon..:)

    Denise.. I am so glad you seem so happy!!!!!!!!!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/100/topic/741210?page=1#idx_2

    (((((hugs)))))

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited September 2009
    the link is not working..  Frown
  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/100/topic/741210?page=1#idx_3

    SS ... try this....

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/100/topic/741210

    I hope this works... ((((hugs))))

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited September 2009

    Ok.. my links are not working...

    Please Search a Thread called... " FRIENDS.... ((LOOK))"

    (((hugs)))

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited September 2009

    I'm back from my fitting - aka the Nordstrom fitter from you know where!  Somehow I happened to go on the day when only one woman was working, and she's the one my ps warned me about.  He said she thinks she's his bff and tries just one bra on you - which is exactly what she tried with me!  Luckily, I had my two trusty girlfriends - one of whom was with me at the ps and heard all his instructions - and they took matters in their own hands.  Where would we be without our girlfriends?!

    So, you know how we talk about how many bras we've accumulated throughout our journeys?  Well, I'm now the proud owner of 4 to take to the ps on Friday for him to choose.  We ended up having to go to Dillards for a couple because that Nordstrom didn't have any 30 band sizes.  Well.....I now a Wacoal, a Chantelle, and a Lunaire bra in 32D, and a Freya in 30DD!!!  The 30 is super tight, but apparently that's what he wants...  At least they're all really pretty since this bra has to  be my bff for the next several weeks!

  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 53
    edited September 2009

    Hello Ladies,

    Could someone please help me out I am looking on the Picture forum and cant seem to find picture on implants Allergan Style 20 has anyone posted any pictures with these implants if so please direct me to the location  as i will be getting these at my exchatnge thanks so much hope you are all having a great day  

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 25
    edited September 2009

    Hi Timtam,

    I had a double mastectomy w/tissue expander reconstruction.  Change out was May 11 to saline implants.  Two weeks after surgery, they were already droopy and the left foob had rippling.  Had a "tweak" surgery July 1, where 30cc's was added to the right foob and a 3/4" strip of excess skin was removed across both foobs.  I have been holding off on getting the tattoos because I don't know if I need more surgery or if I'm expecting too much.  Looking at other outcomes would be of help.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited September 2009

    Carolyn, That would be a big job to read through all those looking for someone posting that they have the Allergan 20....The best thing to do is to just ask and you did just that.

    I have the Allergan style 20's and my pictures are posted.  I have the LD flaps reconstruction.  I will try and bump up my implant pictures for you.

    Linda54

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