Exchange City
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Laura -- poor baby! Get off this site and rest up for your surgery next week!
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Wow! Lot's of Libras out there! Happy Birthday everyone. I turned 40 on October 2nd. Yeah!!!
I find out about my exchange surgery this week.
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Hi everyone, well I saw a PS today. Not sure how I feel about her. She graduated from Cornell University, does only Reconstruction and really seems to know her stuff. She said she would want me to wait until 6 months after my exchange surgery to do anything. She said I will still be healing and things need to settle down first. She said "there is room for improvement" she did say that my outcome right now on the spectrum is very good. But she could understand my need to have the issues I have, corrected. She normally uses I believe Natrelle implants not Mentor like I have. So I spoke to her about HP vs the Moderate plus I have. She didn't seem to concerned about me wanting HP so I guess thats good. I really had to pull info out of her, that I didn't like.
I guess time will tell. Also I asked her about Alloderm. She said she uses it usually in immediate reconstruction surgeries. She would use it if needed for me but she thinks just stitching something or other up or in would work (didn't catch it all lol). I asked her if it was safe, infection chance ect. She said a study just came out that women who have alloderm with implants that had radiation have a lower rate of CC then those who didn't have alloderm. Interested hu.
Laura I thought of you when she told me that the alloderm rep told her some PS are using alloderm almost always. I said really where at and she said Kansas City.
Laura Im sorry your sick. If you cant make it to my appt I totally understand.
Teresa
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Hi Teresa:
My PS also wanted me to wait six months to see how things settled before making more changes.
At first I was devastated, I did not want to walk around with these uncomfortable implants for six months. But then as all of the side effects of the surgery starting playing out, the dry skin, dry scalp, fuzzy brain, etc., I started to think that maybe its not a bad idea to wait a few months before subjecting my body to the rigors and risks of general anesthesia again.
I had a very hard time coming out of the anesthesia after the surgery, it took a very long time for them to wake me, and once they did, I really could not stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.
Most of clients are older and I have heard a lot of stories about how they mentally feel a little slower after surgery for a while, and then looking at the drugs that are administered, I understand why. I think this made it a lot easier for me to make the connection between a temporary problems with word retrieval etc and the anesthesia.
It is hard to wait, now my surgery is scheduled for 12/21/09 9 months after my first surgery, my brain finally feels normal and in a way it probably was a good thing that I waited, i wanted to scream at my surgeon, but in the end i think that he was right.
I tend to be cynical of any one who says they "always" do a particular thing, these are our bodies and the same thing is not always needed by all bodies, I think its great that your PS is thinking of options and what will work best in your body given your facts and background.
I hope that everything works out well for you and that the waiting time goes quickly. (this was an attempt to make you feel better, I might not be good at it, so I apologize if I did not help.)
Wendy
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Angel - Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful picture with us. It reminded me to say my morning prayers!
Laura - take care of that pneumonia. Can you get the vaccine after you are recovered so you don't get again?
My appt with my ps for my revision (final?) surgery has gotten postponed from this Wednesday until next Tuesday the 27th & I'm going to inquire about a different profile - high profile! THanks again Whippetmom!
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Wendy--I am liking the switch from the Mentor CPG gummmies to the smooth rounds. They are SO much softer and do feel more like 'real' breasts. I don't think the shape is quite as good as the CPGs, but for me, I think the tradeoff is worth it. My PS is having me wait 6 months before doing nipples since she said these will change quite a bit. She had to make the pocket a bit smaller since I went smaller, and as Deborah has mentioned, this does take some extra cutting and sewing so a bit more recovery time. Right now, I have these weird 'puckers' on the sides (because she sewed me up from the inside)--but she said they will go away in a few months as I heal. A work in progress, I guess. She also was able to get rid of a fold below my right breast that I had because the CPG hadn't come down into the correct position.
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New to this thread but hope you can give me information on exchange surgery! Done with my fills and now have to meet with my PS to talk about surgery. Have one expander on the left and he has talked about lifting and tucking the right breast and adding a small implant to give that side more volume to match the implant side. Not sure what to expect with recovery on this, I have a very physical job and not sure how much time to expect to have to take off. Doc says it is an overnight stay in the hospital and that I will have a drain bulb again, which really caught me off guard...I thought I was through with that after the original mx. Ugh!! Not sure about reconstructing the nipple and what that can involve. I don't like my nipples anyway due to the fact they protrude too much but not sure if not getting one will only make the original one stand out even more. Do they reconstruct the nipple at the exchange surgery or is that a surgery you have to go back and do at a later point? Just got done with chemo and now I feel like I have to go through this decision making process all over again and am feeling overwhelmed on the decisions to make. Thanks for any help you can give!
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Blessedby4 It sounds like we are in a similar situation with the exception that I have had my exchange. I had a right mx, 500cc implant on that side, the also did a 275 cc implant on the left side as an "equalizer", he thought he would need to do a lift, but didn't have to. Needless to sayI was very small breasted. I am now a C cup. I also have a very physically demanding job. I took 2 weeks off to make sure I was healed, could have gone back in a week. I couldn't do any lifting for 6 weeks over 5 or 10#. I will go in at the end of this month to discuss a nipple reconstruction. I am glad that my PS has had me wait for a nipple. My mx side has changed so much over the past 3 months, dropping and fuller. I hope this helps. Jan0
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Jan1: Mine implant is also 500cc and don't know what he will put in on the other side to help them to match. I was a B cup before and I told him I just wanted to be what I was so do what you have to do. Wow, I will be in big trouble if my PS tells me not to lift over 5lbs being that is what I do on a daily basis. I understand the mx side dropping over time but why would it get fuller? Thanks for your help!
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Whippetmom
Thanks for the advice. Right now I am filled to 500 ccs. And I like the size I am right now. One thing I don't understand is how a 550 cc implant could fit when I have only been filled to 500ccs, but I see other women who have had similarly larger implants than their fills. Or will I need to get more fills? This confuses me but I'm trying to learn more. Thanks again..
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I am full of questions! Sorry! But my PS does nipple and aereola grafts using skin from the fold of the inner thigh. Although the photos in his office look amazing, the thought of yet another surgery (and I imagine it is general anesthesis again) doesn't thrill me. I know I am getting ahed of myself as my exchange surgery isn't until another month, but I'd like to learn more about this, if possible. If anyone has had a similar surgery, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.
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If it's from the inner thigh, my nipple going to have blonde hair on it!!
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My mastectomy and expander surgery is tomorrow.
I'm a strong woman. I don't cry. I never cry. I laugh and try to find humor. Lots of people go through hard things - I have a coworker who lost her 18 year old son in an accident. Nothing is worse than that. I will get through this and I will manage. You ladies have been an inspiration - you are all so cheerful and supportive and positive.
Today I had an appointment to get a post-mastectomy camisole from the breast navigation people, and I was stood up. And, I've been tearing up ever since. I know it's not about that but that's what brings it on. Every time I think about how professional care-ers didn't care, tears start to rolll. Thinking about going home with no breast, even fake padding, makes me cry.
It's silly the reactions we have.
I wish it was the day after tomorrow.
FU Cancer.
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I was the same way Ann.. you have a special place with me. I raged the night prior to mine. and could not even talk the day of. It was somewhat better when I got home. bless you.
Jazzy.. I hope you are resting and all went just fine.
My fever keeps going up.. 101.5 now... highest so far... grrrrrrrrrrrr.. I have three more days on the Z pack.. if my fever is not gone tomorrow.. I am calling.
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Laura, I am keeping you in prayer, I may have skipped mentioning your pneumonia in my last post, but I am sending good thoughts your way. I think you have had enough of the tough times in your life. Keep us posted on your progress and get well sister friend.
Blessedby4 I may not have understood your first message. You have already had your exchange to an implant? Are you now going in for another surgery on your remaining breast to add a small implant to make the sizes even? I had mine done at the time of the exchange. The fullness that I am referring to is the breast moving lower when the muscle relaxes. My breast actually looks fuller than it did the first 8 weeks after surgery.
Coolbreeze, My heart is breaking with yours and the memory is still fresh of the anguish we go through. We can intellectualize the the need to remove the breast to save our life. The emotional torment of losing the breast the we waited to grow as a young woman, that our lovers fondled, that made us uniquely a woman, that grew with pregnancy, that fed our babies, that comforted those around us in hugs and cuddles is being removed. Please know that you will wake up with a little bump with the expander in place. The emotional roller coaster ride is hard, but you have a lot of us right behind you as we have ridden the ride and will help you on and off the coaster as often as you want. God Bless and know that you are not alone.
Hugs Jan
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CoolBreeze - I'm so sorry you have to go thru this! We will lift you up in prayer. You are not alone in this. He is with you! It's OK to cry here! You can yell or scream too if you like,,,,,we understand and will share in it with you. We love all our breast cancer sisters here and we all are unique in the way this dreadful disease affects us, but through it all...we will be here with you! Many prayers of love & strength sweetie!
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Laura - Are you taking any Motrin to reduce the fever?
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Coolbreeze - My hearts goes out to you my dear. Hugs and a large comforter are floating through the air to you. We all had the surgery you are going in for, so we all know some of what you are feeling. Please know that we will be there w/ you in the OR. Sending you all kinds of positive healing vibes.
Laura - Pneumonia?!? ((((Laura)))) Oh my goodness. You MUST get well soon for your surgery.
For those of you considering nips w/ grafted areolas - I have to say that I LOVE mine!! I feel so much better. The grafting covers most of my mastectomy scar and my little nips look like ME! I do have an incision across my belly which needs to heal. But it is no worse than my c/s scar and will mostly go away over time.
Hugs my sisters! - Jean
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Coolbreeze: Thinking of you ~ and sending up big prayers for you tomorrow. Try to just breathe. It is hard I know. I was terrified the night before and the day of surgery just took forever for me to be knocked out and in the OR room. I can't tell you it is easy to wake up with no breasts. But knowing the cancer is gone does bring some comfort. And I am just 3 weeks out and 1 fill later I have a little something. All of the angels here; we will all be sending up prayers for you. You are not in this alone. Let yourself cry if you feel it. Big HUGS and prayers.
Laura: so sorry you are still feeling bad. I hate the zpack. If you don't feel a bit better I agree definately call the dr. I think when I had it last year they gave me levaquin. It worked wonders quickly. Fell BETTER. Healing hugs for you.
I hope everyone else is having a good day.
Hugs all around !!!
Alicia
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Ann--We will be with you in spirit tomorrow. We have been where you are, and we are here for you. Right now, the #1 thing is to get that #@x@# cancer out of your body! Anger is natural; let it out. As my T-shirt says, Breast Cancer Sucks! It isn't right that in the 21st century, they don't have any better way to get rid of cancer, but we're stuck with it. All that matters right now is for you to get well. Words are so inadequate...
Hugs,
Diane
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annie - new annie, not old annie [tee, hee, hee]: You see, we are factoring in the actual dimensions of the expander vs. the dimension of the implant. Remind me: Is your expander a 400 cc overexpanded to 500 cc's or is it actually a 500 cc TE which is at maximum fill? Those areola grafts sure do look purdy though...I wish my PS would graft my areolas....Kaiser just does not graft now - although they used to...
Mantra: Wow....a real blonde, eh?
Coolbreeze: Don't worry about the camisole. You are going to have little irregular expander bumps yes....but frankly, I wonder who amongst those of us who are nearly a year out from surgery with our implants and our VS and Chantelle bras can even remember too vividly what we looked like after surgery. I certainly cannot and the pictures I took got wiped off my computer somehow. With regards to some of these things, at least for me, God graciously erases them from our memory banks. Besides, those camisoles which are doled out are really meant for women who choose to NOT have reconstruction - with little pockets for falsie inserts. You are not going to need that. Praying for you tonight. We will all be waiting to hear from you as soon as you are able to report in...
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Oh, and SPEAKING of Chantelle bras...I was at Marshall's this afternoon looking for towels for a house staging project and walked by the lingerie aisle. Lo and behold, two entire racks of Chantelle bras! Val....you need to go to Marshalls. I looked for 30DD's - none at this Marshalls. They had 32 DD's and on up in sizing. B cups, C cups...up to 38 band size. The price for each - all four styles - $14.99! These are $70.00 bras!! I bought four Chantelle bras! LOL! I was in a bra feeding frenzy.0
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Mantra, Thanks I needed a laugh. Love your sense of humor !!! I went back to re-read after reading Whippets comment.
And yes Coolbreeze, Whippet is right that camisole is not needed. I wore mine once. It isn't pretty and those fluffy cushions are not for me!
Hugs and prayers...
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Our dear Laura....I'm praying for you also....I am so sorry you are going through this...you need to be healthy for this upcoming surgery....
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Cool - a friend told me about the camisoles. I searched online and found a pharmacy 25 miles from my home that sold them. I bought two. I loved them - they came with "pillows" that were removeable and detachable pockets for the "hand grenades" or drain bulbs. I tried the pillows but WOW the results were too much to look at. They were HUGE but I had fun playing with them. I am sure I will wear them again when I have my exchange unless the DR puts me in something else. After my MX I wasn't bound or taped or anything. My PS glued me closed and didn't even put bandages on the glued area. I don't really know what to expect with the upcoming exchange but it HAS to be better than these bowling balls.
Laura - please feel better soon!!!
Allison
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Jan1: who is thaat quote by in your signature, its great
Laura: Feel better : ( tell those germs to leave or the tata sisterhood will kick their germy butts
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Good luck tomorrow Ann....sending "cool breezes" and warm hugs your way....prayers, too! Don't be afraid to cry...you most likely will eventually...might as well go with it. But tomorrow will come and then the day after, and then you will be right back at your computer looking to give us an update on how you are doing...and we we all be here for you!
Jazzygem....much luck to you too, tomorrow....and please let us know how it all goes for you!
Hugs and God Bless!
Oops!! edited to say hope it went well today Jazzy...let us know when you can!
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Janet/Jazzy was today.. and she has not piped in yet... so continue to keep her in thought or prayer
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Jazzy- Gentle hugs and prayers going your way too my dear! Hugs. - Jeana
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Hello Ladies,
Wow ... I don't think I'll ever catch up - I've been so busy living my "normal" life since my exchange this summer, homeschooling the kids, and figuring out some stuff in my personal life, that I haven't been on this thread in a while. I just had my nipple reconstruction surgery yesterday and have the funkiest bandages called bolsters stitched over the aerolas/nipples. Can I say how much I love love love my PS? He's just the greatest. Prior to my surgery, he came in to figure out the nipple placement along with his resident and my husband ... so I had three men determining precisely where to put the nipples. It was pretty funny and certainly helped me relax with all the laughing I was doing (and this was before any meds were put into my iv!). Surgery took about 3 hours, an hour in recovery, and then back on the road for the 2 hr ride home of which I slept most of the way. Not much pain - but I do have a lot of burning where the skin grafts were taken from the sides of my breasts. My dr built up the nipples to 1/2" projection because he said they will shrink roughly 50% and I wanted 1/4" projection. He also fixed a section on the inside of my right breast that projected too much with a small revision, so I'm thrilled that he noticed it and said he could fix it. (I'm absolutely thrilled with my new foobs - they look and feel so normal - I went for silicon, not saline.)I can't take a peek at them to see what they look like until Monday when I have my first post-op. Then I will have to do daily bandage changes for the next week, and another post-op visit. I had a pretty restless night last night on the couch - hope to catch some naps today. I'll try to read more of the pages that I've missed (I'm only on pg 209 right now). My thoughts and prayers are with all of you - thank you SO MUCH for being here for each other .. it's awesome that we have these boards to come to for support and understanding. sue
Just adding a quick note - my PS cut out a pie-shaped wedge of skin from each outer side of my breasts and used that skin for grafting the aerolas. Then he used some of the masctectomy scar tissue to build the nipples. All along since my diagnosis/masc, I had decided to do 3D tattooing for my nipples, but the nurses in my dr's office convinced me to let him build me new ones because he's practically an artist at doing it .. .so I hope I made the right decision! I'll have color added in six months by someone in his office who does tattooing. What a journey ...
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