Exchange City
Comments
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I have thought about some of this - I do want silicone as I understand it give a more natural feel. And, I am willing to lift my left breast and augment it to give an equal appearance. I'm very tiny though - 5'3" and 97 pounds. All of that weight is in the bust - 36 large C/small D. I want to keep exactly what I have now - people have always thought I was a bit freakish as it was so I don't want to make it worse. But, I liked my big boobs and don't want to go smaller.
Being 51 though, I know that there will eventually be sagging in the remaining breast (have escaped it so far) so I'll have to do something to keep them even.
As for brands/high profile, low profile - no clue what that means! Is there a faq for basics like this somewhere?
Yes, I thought it was very odd that the last guy never examined me. Maybe though, it was my response. He called me in there, said I was too small for flap recostruction and immediately started showing me pictures. My shock was clear on my face and maybe he realize there was no point in examining me as I wasn't going to be happy there.
It's not the way I'd have done things. I am not a doctor - but I am organized. I'd have looked at the patient first,, and then showed some pictures of people of surgeries I'd done that looked like HER. If you have been doing this for 24 years, as my last guy claimed - you think you'd have a few skinny woman with one implant that matched closely to show, right? Somebody the patient could relate to? Well,that's just me maybe but it made no sense for me to see women who had a natural DD,sagging, and a perky but wrinkled brand new impant B cup without a nipple and showing me this as his good work, and telling me she was happy with that. It's a person's choice if she wants to walk around with that kind of mismatch, but the first thing I said to him was my goal was to be symmetrical and then he showed me that.
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Hi--
My PS didn't have me wear anything with the TE's (I had nipple sparring) and afterwards he had me in a snug fitting front zip sports bra for a couple of weeks. It had nothing to do with the nipples, he was just trying to keep the pockets and implants where they should be. I agree with Deborah, I wish I had worn something while being expanded as I think my skin stretched too much at the upper pole as well.
I now wear a bra almost all the time. I sleep in a sports bra, but once in awhile don't.
Hugs--Karen
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CoolBreeze - you absolutely are right about ditching this doc. Not even examining you? How did he know you were too thin for a flap procedure without an exam? There truly are wonderful docs out there who will do EXACTLY as you just described - thankfully, I am lucky to have one of them. I'm thin, like you (but taller), and the reconstruction can be a bit more involved, so it's extra important to have a ps who knows his/her stuff. As for info on the implants, click on the links at the top of the thread. They are sized by width, projection, and volume, and you'll see the difference between the styles when you compare them - some are much flatter, some are more rounded, and some are "anatomically" shaped. There are all different kinds represented here on EC, so feel free to ask questions - we're always happy to share!
.......I think I'll vote for the Christian Louboutin's......in fact, I think that's what I got!!...... LOL!!!!!
Cheri - such good news about the run! Did you get a certain kind of sports bra? My ps's nurse said that maybe next week I would be ready to go shop for some. She said the main goal is that they are compressed as tightly as possible against the chest, which might even require wearing two bras. Although I don't run - did once with my dh when we were dating and he asked that i never accompany him again! - but I do teach high impact aerobics, so the bounce factor is definitely there. Right now even bending over feels like it pulls - just did it once, accidentally a couple days ago - so the mere thought of even skipping scares the heck out of me!! Sorry, I don't have the same issue with the arm flap, so can't advise.....what a pain, though, especially since you're so happy with everything else.........
Alicia - welcome hugs to you!
Blessedby4 - welcome hugs to you, too! - and congrats on your last fill!! There's a good bit of variability in the post-exchange recovery time, which seems to depend on how much "pocket work" your ps has to do. The times have ranged from less than a week returning to work to several weeks before any lifting. Just check with your ps for his/her expectations, especially since your job requires strenuous activity.
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I had the same prophylactic BMX nipple/.skin sparing surg and my PS had me in a "comfortable" sports bra after the first week. Surgical bra the first week. He said just something to offer slight support. I was 360cc right after surg and now am at 600cc.
Cheri
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Kerkle: That compression garment is far too constrictive for your aunt. She should not be in that kind of agony. She needs to call her PS and make an issue of this.
CoolBreeze: I think I am going to post a thread which will contain those FAQ'a. Good idea....
Your PS SHOULD look at your breasts and if you want essentially the same volume and appearance, select implants based on this criteria - especially taking into consideration the width of your current breasts. For someone so tiny, you have a larger ribcage - OR you have been wearing the wrong size of band size for years....What is your ribcage measurement? The circumference, measuring around UNDER the bra line? If you want to get even more technical, on Page 99 of this thread I posted some additional measurements which are taken into consideration when determining if a patient is a candidate for high profile versus moderate profile implants.
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Kerkle-- As I think about this, instead of editing the document I'm working on. I would think an extremely tight compression garment could be a potential problem for her nipples. The only blood flow they now get comes through the skin and if it is restricted in anyway, for a long period of time, like being in an extremely tight compression garment, I would worry about the nipples ability to survive. There are some things about my reconstruction that I may yet change, but my PS put nipple survival above all else, only filled me to 125cc at BLM, slow small fills of 50cc over months and then two months between last fill and exchange. He even released the lower part of my pocket to try and get my nipples more centered to avoid doing a lift so as not to sever blood flow to my nipples. I guess my point is blood flow is crucial to nipples after BLM. If the garment is that tight, it doesn't seem right.
Hugs- Karen
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Kerkle-- As I think about this, instead of editing the document I'm working on. I would think an extremely tight compression garment could be a potential problem for her nipples. The only blood flow they now get comes through the skin and if it is restricted in anyway, for a long period of time, like being in an extremely tight compression garment, I would worry about the nipples ability to survive. There are some things about my reconstruction that I may yet change, but my PS put nipple survival above all else, only filled me to 125cc at BLM, slow small fills of 50cc over months and then two months between last fill and exchange. He even released the lower part of my pocket to try and get my nipples more centered to avoid doing a lift. I guess my point is blood flow is crucial to nipples after BLM. If the garment is that tight, it doesn't seem right.
Hugs- Karen
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Val- I am using the same bra's I used before surgery- under armor!!!! I LOVE these sport bra's and I got the kind with extra support. My PS recommended wearing 2 if I needed it as well. I feel good with just one. I am so flat when I wear it- it is WILD! I used to be a DD and now I am a C but I am still in the same bra! Strange huh? I think before they were long and skinny (think maxine on the hallmark cards- ha) now they are high and perky but more round. Yes the arm flap is a pain!!! If it wasn't for that I would not need another surgery!!! It upsets me but I know it is due to the other PS and the fact that my TE's moved under my armpits- he used too big of a TE!!! It is frustrating but I am glad I found "Mr Right" after all and things are great now with my PS!!! The first few times I ran (4 weeks postop) it hurt a bit- and he told me I might pull some stitches but not to panic over that. Now at 6 weeks post op it does not hurt my boobs at all to run- so hang in there- it's coming for you!!!! You'll be back to that aerobics class soon!!!
My Choice- hi fellow Cheri!!! That is my name too!!! Good to see you on here
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9/25 - greytmom_17 - Exchange surgery on the left side (completed)
9/28 - Wink - Exchange Surgery (completed)
9/? - Greytmom_17 - Exchange surgery
10/2 - Orlandogator - Exchange surgery
10/6 - Aoandrews43 - Exchange surgery
Hey Ladies... with going to Vegas... I missed how you all are doing.... Please let us know... you are all in my thoughts and prayers here at EC... and that is 100% TRUTH!
Blessings!
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Thank you all, for all that info. I passed it along to my aunt. I told her all about you guys and I was hoping to see her here, on this thread tonight. For myself, I will be seeing my PS on Thursday with a whole bunch of questions. I am 2 weeks out of radiation, skin looks good (I am shedding like a snake) and I hope to talk about more fills and a much later exchange date. Gnight!
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I had another fill yesterday. My PS wants me to start thinking about when I should be done. I go in for another fill in 2 weeks. I'm at 475 cc and might go to 575 cc, which my PS thinks will be my last fill. He suggested we schedule the surgery on my next visit (his surgery coordinator was out this week). I'm looking at sometime in December! Woo Hoo!!!
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Bras and nipple sparring:
The bra is to protect the nipples and the vascularity, its different than a recon nipple and if the vascularity is not maintained the nipple can die, so its very important to keep them and still and free of jarring as possible. I also had to wear a surgical bra 24/7 for the firstweek or two plus a gauze thingy that was taped in place.
Alice
I am scheduled to have my Gummies exchanged for high profile round silicone gels on 12/21/09
I have worries about how they will look after these things have been in place and if I'll have dents etc, and if the soft gel will feel less foreign in my chest that the gummies feel.
Please keep us updated, I have not found anyone else who has switched from gummies to the soft gel.
Thank you so much for posting.
Wendy
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WONDERFUL KITTY!!! WAHOOOOOO
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Thanks Wendy!!
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Jan YOU ROCK!!! And....what Judy said!!! :-)
We are all so blessed to have found eachother!!! The bond will only strengthen as time goes by. Our love, compassion, and support for one another is so strong, for WE ARE THE TATA SISTERHOOD!!!
WOOOO HOOO!!!!
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Hi ladies,
Wow, catching up with this after 3 days gone takes a while! Welcome and congrats to all of you who are starting recon or getting their long awaited exchanges! This is such a wonderful place to go for info on this.
I am 4 mos out now from my exchange to 600cc cohesives. I have had fat injections in the upper pole, which was very subtle and seems to be staying so far. PS says may need another after 6 mos, we'll see. I still have an issue that mine are hanging too low, even though I got a lift at exchange.(Yes, I wish I'd worn a bra 24/7 during fills) I don't think I realized how heavy these new girls are! I have permanent dents on top of my shoulders from my bra straps, seriously. Anyway, PS said he could do another lift if I want, but not very much more. Problem is, my DH is tired of all of my surgeries. He thinks I'm being too picky, but it's not that. I really feel that if they were up higher they wouldn't be weighing me down so much, like leverage? I've almost come to the decision to do it anyway, because I can't stop thinking about it.
Also, has anyone had problems or pain in their upper arms? I have had this when I raise my arms a certain way, like closing car doors and taking off shirts. I've had it since my MX, but lately it's getting worse, maybe because I am working out full time again? Just wondering what it could be.
Thank you for your support and well wishes for everyone,
Deen
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Ladies,
I haven't been on for quite a while. I've kept on offering a general prayer for all of us every day. I hope you're all perservering through. Does anyone have advice for someone having nipple reconstruction. My concerns is: 1. Can you wear a bra afterwards, and do your nips show through? I saw a woman on U Tube who said she could not wear a bra for 4 weeks. I teach seniors in high school. The whole idea of not being able to conceal myself is scarey.I go to see my plastic surgeon next week to plan and schedule my surgery. Thanks for your advice ladies. Georganne
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Georganne,
My nips were HUGE right after recon, but they've gone down a lot, so don't be freaked out like I was when I first saw them. (DH said he was going to tip my PS!) They will have nipple protectors over them, but I was not allowed to wear a bra for a couple of weeks. Then I had to wear the really padded ones for a time. At least you're going into the winter season, so you can even layer over them. I hope they turn out wonderful!
Deen
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Wendy: You know, I think there are two other women on these forums who have switched from the anatomical "gummies" to silicone rounds or are getting ready to do so. I'll have to see if I can find them for you.
Addendum: SammieKay had her anatomicals removed..she might have switched to saline..PATTY50 had hers removed and went for a DIEP or one of the other microsurgeries at NOLA instead, and I am almost positive I read of someone who already switched out to the silicone rounds from the gummies. Libra Girl on the pictures forum is wanting to switch out from the gummies to Allergan 20's or 15's....
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Deen...
so sorry you are feeling your boobies are too heavy. I am new to all of this, how big is 600 cc's. I have my first fill of the TE's on Monday ~ I was told I will only be able to be inflated to a full b because I had already had a breast reduction/lift priot to being diagnosis with BC. I don't want to be too big and heavy. I will be sure to keep my bra on as it seems I ready many of you girls are sorry you didn't. Good luck with your decision to lift them up. I hear you on the soreness in the upper arms, between sore and numbness I am going crazy already and I am only on day 10.
You girls inspire me and give me so much information. I am grateful !
Alicia0 -
Deen: Do you have Alloderm slings holding up those puppies?
Also, what bra are you wearing? There are bras out there which displace the weight and remove the burden from the shoulders...
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Hi Deen,
Sorry the girls are feeling so heavy. Have you posted pix lately? Maybe they aren't as low as they feel, although with that said, I feel mine are lower as well, which makes the step off worse, but I don't know what I'm going to do if anything. Talking with PS at end of month. Mine do not feel heavy and they are 800s! I think after the TEs anything would feel OK to me.
I get DH wants life to be "normal" again, help him to understand, if you can, that this isn't about vanity, that it is about__________ only you can answer that for yourself or him. I know for me it is about beating cancer on the inside and outside, and although I will never look like I did before, but we should be able to get as close as we can.
I'm having trouble with both arms, have ROM on cancer side, but my shoulder on the other side is limited and painful. My thoughts are that it is time to see a PT, but I'm also starting to use the Pilate's equipment today at the gym. I think we lost muscle mass and strength during all of this and I'm not sure regular weight workouts will hit the more subtle muscle, and think about it, with our pecs stretched all associated muscles are working differently, and the more we begin doing the more they will feel their "new responsibilities." If you can I'd try and see a PT, I'm going to call mine today, I haven't seen her since April.
Welcome to all the new ladies! This is a great place to be.
Jean, please remove my November 17th date for revision, if I do it it has to be over Christmas break, or at the end of May.
Hugs--Karen
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whippetmom wrote:
Wendy: You know, I think there are two other women on these forums who have switched from the anatomical "gummies" to silicone rounds or are getting ready to do so. I'll have to see if I can find them for you
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Hi, I'm one of those women--and Wendy, I've PM'd you, although I'll repeat myself here if it is useful to others. I didn't mind the gummies, but I think that the rounds are MUCH softer than the Mentor CPG gummies I had before, even though it has only been 2 days since my surgery. They're not like real breasts of course, but then again, my real ones were big and floppy so I didn't want to duplicate that exactly either.
I can't say anything yet about how they look without clothes (they look good in clothes) because supposedly there will be a lot of change. I went from 585cc gummies to 450cc high profile Mentor silicone rounds and my PS did a lot of sewing to help me go smaller. So, I have weird side "puckers" as part of that. My PS told my husband after my surgery that the puckers will go away but it will take awhile (months?). I meet with my PS next Thursday, so I can let you know more about what she did and how much of that was due to going smaller vs. going from anatomical to round.
Alice
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Deborah, I don't think he used Alloderm, if he did he didn't mention it. That would have been better I think. I've been looking for bras that have wider straps now. I have Mentor 600cc, and I'm thinking maybe I went too big.(foob greed got the better of me) Any bra advice is welcome.
Alicia, I hope your soreness goes away quickly. The TEs and implants are quite different, so just know that the implants are not as hard as the TEs. My PS joked that I might hurt someone with my TEs just by hugging them!:) And yes, I do advise to wear the bra for support.
KEW, you always know just what to say to make me feel better!:) Yes, I am thinking about a PT, because the pain is getting worse, not better. I bumped up my pics to show the fat grafts for monaandtheclan, although you can't really tell too much. My PS said it may take more after 6 mos. Not really a problem, since I have more to spare!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Deen
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Hi everyone !!! I went to see my PS last week and I think he said that this is my final filling which is 610 cc. He wants to see me in six weeks which is 11/13 and that is what I don't understand, Is this a standard procedure before the exchange? What do I need to be prepared for this day? He asked me if I would like to have it on Dec or Jan. I want it done sooner. Can I ask him on that day to get it done by November? He told me that I will have a moderate plus and the sizes ranges from 475 to 590 cc. Maybe I should call for an earlier appt. with him and talk things out? I need your advice and thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Congratulations to those who have their exchanges completed and good luck to those who will have them this month. God Bless. Celine
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Celine - My waiting time between my last fill and exchange was ten weeks. One week prior to exchange was my pre-op appointment. My ps told me to think about size during the waiting period, then at the pre-op he chose several implants after we discussed size, profile, etc. Like with everything else in reconstruction, it seems, there is variability among the ps's regarding the time needed for the expanded skin to relax, plus differences between how individual's skin reacts to expansion. As for questions at your pre-op appointment, it seems that someone a couple of months ago came up with a great list. Maybe somebody will remember who it was........ I think it's perfectly within reason to ask for an additional appointment, especially if you would like to check the possibility of moving your exchange up. You're almost there, though!
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Just checking in, My thoughts and wishes to you that have posted about concerns over TE's, implants, drooping, arm pain and DH that are still perplexed at the emotional turmoil that overcomes us at times.
I do have good news, had my first post BC mammogram on my remaining breast. The radiologist stated that he didn't see any changes from last year, but he had a caveat. He states that he looks for white spots or changes in the tissue. My breast is so dense that the middle of the tissue all looks white. He suggested an MRI and/or ultrasound. I will see my Family Dr. in 4 weeks for my check up and see what she thinks, BTW she is also a BC survivor. Has anyone else had this issue before? Thanks. Jan
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Jan,
Get an ultrasound or MRI. My tumors didn't show up in a DIAGNOSTIC mammogram, but did in the ultrasound I had 10 minutes later. Not saying you have anything to worry about, but hey, you can never be too careful with your sweet self.
(((((Laura)))) I will keep it, them, with me always. I cried. LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Deen, I hope you get out of pain soon. Keep us posted on if you see your PT.
Hugs to all, I'm enjoying a Friday off, been running errands for 4 hours, but it is a BEAUTIFUL fall day in Portland. I'm going out tonight to listen to my friends play some bluegrass.
Karen
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Jan,
I suppose the radiologist is "suggesting" an MRI or U/S so that your GP can request it? Of course you need at least an U/S with dense breasts and a BC DX! I am really surprised that she didn't just do it immediately...perhaps it is the script for it that is the issue. Is your radiologist a dedicated breast mammographer or a radiologist who does all body parts? I am a big advocate in using radiologists who do mammos as the vast majority of their practice. Same for PS....
Get an U/S...please.
Hugs and God Bless!
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I am finally having my exchange Nov. 4. I will have had the t/e in for 1 year and 2 days. (Yikes). I finished rads mid May. The PS said my radiated breast still has a shine to it. I asked him what dows that mean? He said it just has to do with the damage radiation causes, but thinks overall my results will be fine. He said don't expect a perfect match because the radiated skin won't allow it. Who has 1 radiated breast (mast.) and a lift on the other side. Do yours match? Thanks!
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