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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    I went with textured saline.  It was at the recommendation of my plastic surgeon.  I'm about 6 weeks out and so far so good.  No problems what so ever. 

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2009

    Gosh it is great to see so much going on!  We are finishing a big deadline at work so it is crazy.  I love school, though.  Laura thanks for the good wishes.

    I'm definatley posting new pictures this weekend.  When I raise my arms, it all goes to heck, I really think I need something done, but don't know what, and not sure how to talk with the PS I really like and trust, but something seems wrong.  So, I look forward to your suggestions.

    Hugs--Karen 

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

    Karen:  What do you mean "when I raise my arms, all goes to heck."  What happens?

  • Wink
    Wink Member Posts: 476
    edited October 2009

    Had my exchange on Monday; went back to work on Wednesday...just a little sore under the arms where my PS got rid of my dog-ears.

    I went with Mentor moderate profile plus 550 saline implants at the suggestion of my PS.  I thought that I wanted the Mentor memory gel; but after reading about silent rupture and mri requirements, I went with the saline.

    The implants seem high to me, but I know that I have to give them a while to settle in.  It's strange - my ps doesn't believe in any type of binding/bra post op.  If I have my way, I'll never wear a bra again.  The next step will be to visit Erlene (makeupchick) in Asheville for my 3-D tatts.

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

    Wink:  Your implants will drop.  Better to have them a little high than too low....let me tell you...

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2009

    Deborah--They get kind of square, there seems to be extra skin on the girls--there is a thickness--maybe the Alloderm sling, and the double bubble gets really pronounced, also he released my pocket at the bottom and I'm worried they are heading down, and it is becomes flat from my chest to my underarm area, instead of having that tendon/muscle/whatever its flat when I raise my arms and I haved divots that appear when I raise my arms.  And I can now see ribs (not because of weight loss) on my right, non cancer side, where I think my implant should be.  I'm thinking I may need that lift or something after all.  I have to find someone to take pictures for me, because I can't do it with my arms over my head--maybe with my big toe--LOL.

    On my cancer side the scar is raised and tight under my arm.  Oh yeah, the step off...

    There are also ripples and when I lean forward on my right side my scar sticks out like bump, but looks fine when standing straight up.  I fear I'm falling apart! 

    Thanks for allowing me to whine/vent.  I have an appt. with PS at the end of October and I want to ask the right questions and be brave.  With school now I have to wait until next summer for any revisions, or maybe December.

    I look awesome in clothes, and pretty good in the buff, but something isn't right. I'm caught between not expecting perfection but not settling for less....

    Hugs--Karen 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited October 2009
    Alo:  I am scheduled to see my breast surgeon and also my oncologist every six months - for what length of time I am not certain.  Perhaps the next three years that I am on Tamoxifen.  My breast surgeon told me to stagger the visits so that I am essentially seeing one of them every three months.  I do not know yet how often I will be seeing my PS. I will probably have to fight for an MRI in three years... 
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited October 2009

    Karen: Can you figure out how to use the auto timer on your camera?  Or maybe Jazzy could come over and take pictures for you?  Wow....you have every reason to whine girl....don't apologize...

    Outline - write down each and every issue.  You feel like you get one shot to air your laundry list with your PS...so get it all out.  Sorry you are going through all of this...Yell

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

    Boy, am I a thread hog or WHAT today?  Sheesh. 

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

    FAKE NIPPLES!

    Some of the most realistic faux nipples are made by Reforma - for breast reconstruction patients.  They usually are $49.00 but for the month of October, they are $19.99.  The "medium" color is the lightest I would buy....and they are pretty light.  So if you like a darker areola, get the dark version. They have a low profile/protrusion for the nipple portion, unlike some others out there, as these were made for mastectomy patients who wanted a very minimal projection.

    http://myreforma.com/

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    thanks for that info....I saw my onc two days ago as part of my required exams as part of the zometa clinical trail....but forgot to ask those questions!  I will see him again in 3 months.  I better make a list.

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2009

    Okay ladies - I am scheduled for nipple and areola reconstruction. My PS has recommended a skin graft for the areola from my c/s scar. How many of you have had this grafting? If so, how did it go and how long did it take to shower, heal, sleep on the stomach, return to "real" life? Thanks ladies. - Jean

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Member Posts: 136
    edited October 2009

    I have a question for those of you who have already exchanged ~~ did you notice any difference in the feeling/nerves that you have in your skin?  There was a note on another thread that someone noticed more feeling and I wanted to ask the experts!

    With my TE's I keep bumping into car doors, etc. and can't feel a thing.  Was wondering if it was the same theory as getting an episiotomy when you have delivering a baby, which I also couldn't feel since my skin was so stretched.  Maybe when less stretched I will have more sensation?!?

    Know that it isn't all coming back but wondering if there is any difference.  Right now you could set these things on fire and I wouldn't know it until I smelled the burning plastic.

    Colleen

    ps Am so sad that I wasn't paying attention and missed Vegas ~~ already marking my calendar for next year!!  This thread has the most incredible group of women that I have come to admire and adore ~~ sight unseen!!!

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

    WIth A Mastectomy.. the nerves are cut... I am sure.. some removed with all the tissue. I doubt feeling will come back after TE... because of the surgery itself. Feeling may continue to come back as time goes on... as nerves begin to reconnect. I have mucho feeling.. others have no feeling...and never will......

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Member Posts: 136
    edited October 2009

    Did you always have a lot of feeling or has it changed over time?

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited October 2009

    I just had my sutures from my exchange removed this morning, and I definitely had some sensation  where I know I hadn't before - right in the center where the TE port was.  I never felt the lidocaine stick with my fill there, though admittedly my last fill was in July, so it's entirely possible that some healing naturally occurred during these past few months.  All in all though, everything else is the same.........

  • 2Xsenough
    2Xsenough Member Posts: 48
    edited October 2009

    As to returning feeling. I had a lumpectomy and node sampling(pre sentinel technology) followed by rads fifteen years ago. After that surgery I had a numb area the size of my hand. The feeling slowly returned over the years till the numb area was no larger than a quarter. of course now after BMX I have huge areas of numbness. I am two months out and already feel some sensation returning. There is hope.

    Good healing all, Bobbi

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited October 2009

    Sensation  The itching and tingling still makes me a little nuts, then again I didn't have far to go! 

    Question for the Uniboobers?  Have any of you had your mammogram on the remaining breast yet and how did it go.  I am coming up on my yearly next Friday and getting a little anxious, one bitten twice shy.  I also worry with the small implant in there getting ruptured.  Has anyone else had concerns like this?  Thanks sisters.  Thought I would ask.

    Dearest Breast Whisperer,  It is so good to see you back with your gift of knowledge.  I missed seeing your posts.  

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited October 2009
    athena:  Go with smooth silicone.  It is just more widely used.  There are a number of Tiny Ta-Ta's on these forums.  It all depends on your body habitus - your chest wall - your frame - your ribcage - and the style and size of implants.  Go larger than you think you want to go, because with breast reconstruction, you need to go a little larger to gain any kind of projection and appearance of volume.  Remember, these are like empty, hollowed out little pita pockets we are trying to fill....they are not breasts with tissue and fat like in breast augmentation cases.  Yes, I would like to know what size implants are being considered - and others here would like to know [because they can PM you or let you know that they are in the same size range] what size your PS is thinking, the size of your TE's now - how many cc's you have - and a picture on the pictures forum if you can.  Was that a long sentence, or what? 
  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited October 2009

    YOU SO SMART WHIPPETMOM!!!  WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU??!!!

    HUGS!

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Member Posts: 247
    edited October 2009

    So when is next year's Vegas trip?

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

    I pretty much had feeling right way.. it did come in fast though.. so fast and furious, I am taking Neropathy Meds.. it hurt like a son of a gun...

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

    Jan:  You know, our daughter is a mammographer and she has performed mammograms on hundreds of women with breast implants and she is as amazed as all of us that they do not rupture with all of that compression. She has never had a case of rupture in her eight years in this profession.  I will be praying for you my dear girl!!!  All will be just fine!

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited October 2009
    Deborah!  Thank you and thank your daughter for me for the information.  I did not know that your daughter was a mammorgrapher, another gift for me.  I am pretty sure that everything will be negative, but the nudgings of anxiety in the back of my mind are a little annoying.  I will be relieved to get a negative report.  You get the "Hero of Hooters" award today.  Jan
  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited October 2009

    JAN.... you crack me up... you are truly funny.. :)... I know a funny gal when I see one too! :)

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

    Go Diva Go Diva Go Diva Go Diva !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited October 2009

    Laura,  Yep, that's me I am a crack up, just ask my DH!  He says "You're a little funny alright"  I am not sure he is referring to my sense of humor.  I hope you have a good week-end, get some grand children time.  I am flying back on the 15th to see my little guys!  I can't wait. 

    Jan

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

    Jan, you are indeed a hoot!  I really want to meet you!!

    athena:  Big frame???  If you wear a 34/36 band size you are probably about a 32 inch ribcage.  Don't go too narrow with implants...they need to be proportionate to your chest wall.  I'll await your TE information though...

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited October 2009

    Aren't we ALL a little bit  "diva-esque?"  - and we darn well deserve it!!  (again, diva-esque!)

    I second Deborah's comment about not going too narrow with the implants.  Mine are 12.0 and despite my narrow ribcage look very proportional.  Don't think I would have liked them much more narrow....

    Well, I am in the bra from he**!  I went to PS yesterday - pulled my sutures except for the skin breakdown area on lower part of foob - and he tried all four of my bras that I had brought on me.  Wouldn't you know, he wanted me in the 30 band size - hooked on the middle set of hooks, no less!  That one was the Freya  "Pollyanna" bra, if anyone's interested.   If was very interesting watching him maneuver my foobs and select which bra he thought was best.  Basically, he lifted the implants, pulled the lower underwire up in the IMF, then pushed the center wires tightly against my chest.  After hiking the straps nearly at tight as they could be and hooking it so that I can barely breathe, he said it was perfect.  The girls are not moving anywhere!   Now the "good" news - I have to wear this lovely contraption 24/7 (yes, even to sleep) for the NEXT THREE MONTHS MINIMUM!!  Last night trying to sleep was not fun - so I think I'm either going to buy the same bra in a 32 band size to sleep in, or try the last set of hooks.

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

    Oh Val....the price for beauty, eh?  Tee, hee, hee.  I wish I had suffered through that the first three months of my exchange.  I am going to buy a Freya bra today....

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