Exchange City
Comments
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ok, i think i understand this site now..thx everyone!!! i have read that many women go w/ the silicone & some ps use allorderm too w/ it. if u want to go bigger, my advice is to go to the website justbreastimplants.com i learned a lot there too...i do NOt want to be bigger, i want to go from this C to a B. i already had a reduction 4 yrs agao from a D to a C, i wanted a B butmy ps then said no
so now i will get to be a "b".0 -
Unfotunately I'm not going to read the recent posts since I am feelinfg pretty crappy. I finished antibiotiic on Tues and Wed night I started to run a fever! Been sick since running fever. If you remember I really thought I had appendisitis...so I have not been moving at all...well except for going to the bathroom. So I was wondering if that was where the infection was. You know fever means infection. I don't have feeling in my breast but strangley enough I am having sensation on the inside. My left breast has been having this tickle/itch feeling, but of course scratching it wouldn't do anything since I have no feeling. So I had hubby look at my left breast was thinking the incision...cuz I can feel that.....he said it looked fine but....as I suspected...my breast is RED and HOT! Dang it! I HAVE CELULITIS....FOR THE 3RD TIME IN MY LEFT BREAST!!! I have had 3 different implants in this left side! It's good that I haven't had my drain taken out. He said if we had taken it out we would have to put in a new one. The drainage doubled the days I was running a fever. Well I still am running fever and I feel miserable. Anyway if these double strength meds don't work then I will have to go back to the hospital for IV antibiotics which I have done before urgh. And worse case he will have to take the implant out. WAH!!!!!
OK I'm gonna snuggle with my kitty and sleep...sleep sleep...
HUGS to you all!!!
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Janet, I am so sorry that you are going through this, good thoughts and prayers sent your way.
Welcome to everyone here, sorry I I missed anyone! jan
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Mykidsmom, hugs back this is a lovely BUNCH !
Jazzy, so sorry about your problem. I am hoping and praying the meds work and you can KEEP the IMPLANT !
Laura, glad your boobs are looking good. REST those eyes and I hope they feel better soon ~
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Jazzy: I have had cellulitis too many times to count over the past 20 years or so..At least 10-15 times...
It is cured each time by a very specific antibiotic..dicloxicillin
Thought If you are not on this, you might ask your doc about it...So sorry you're having to go thru this..JUDY
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Thank you to all that responded to my post about having nipples done at the time of my exchange. My PS does breast reconstruction primarily now; he's one of the few PS' in my area that does flaps. I will ask him further about having my nipples done and waiting, but I've heard from a couple of ladies that had them done at the same time and things worked out okay. So far all his recommendations have turned out great, so if he says to go for it I will.
Jazzy- so sorry about your cellulitis. Here's hoping that the antibiotics do the trick for you.
Good luck to you all!
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Laura--Happy to hear about the girls. I hope your eyes feel better soon! ((((hugs))))
Janet--Darn, what a drag, sweetie you've been through so much. Hang in there. Do you need anything? I'm close enough to help out if you need something. ((((hugs))))
Saw PS today and we are going to do fat grafts to reduce step off, and tummy tuck in June--he will only do the tummy tuck if I lose 15-20 pounds--a little personal responsibility, I'm OK with that. I won't have a date until May. Can't do it before then because of work and school.
I'm looking forward to my MRI tomorrow to figure out how to stop this shoulder pain!!!!!
Night!
Karen
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Janet... sireously....this better not end bad... grrrrrrrrrrr
My best friends mother just died.. and I cannot go be with them...due to my condition. I feel so sad for my dear friend... I hate this part of life...
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Laura--I'm so sorry, it does seem unfair, doesn't it? Your dear friend knows you love her and want to be there for her, and you will be in spirit, prayer, by phone, and as soon as possible in person I'm sure.
Love--Karen
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Coolbreeze~
How are you??? Hope you are doing and feeling better. Thoughts and prayers!
NAE
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Rockwell_girl
Thanks for your reply. My ribcage is 31". I believe my TE is from ALLERGAN/Natrelle Style 133V series (??). I was told I'm a 34C prior although I was comfortable in a 36B bra. My PS did briefly mention something about a narrow base for me I was told by her nurse that my TE has a capacity for 400cc but was expanded to 500cc in which 50cc's were removed after I decided I could not take it any more! At 450cc, I feel a whole lot better. I am 5'1" tall. I wear a size 4-6. I just want my outcome to look "full"...not extremely round or anything like that. My PS and I have not discussed this too much yet. I sure she will go into more details when I return in November for the follow up exam.
More advice welcome...
NAE
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It's been awhile since my last post and have been lurking. I started my journey this year 4/30 and it took me 8 months to get an exchange date 12/08/09. Please add me to the list. Take care. Celine
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Joining your ladies since my exchange is scheduled for 11/19. Over a year after the TE (had rads, so PS is taking his time), I should be excited, right?
Only I am filled with dread. What if this doesn't work? Tissue reconstruction is really not an option for me. I'll be more disfigured than if I didn't try reconstruction at all.
And the hospital. I am scared of going back to the hospital, even as outpatient. Last time I stepped foot in that place the cut my breasts off.
Ugh. I want these rocks out of my chest, but I'm scared of what comes next.
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Welcome Welcome Celine. I am having my second exchange on 12/7. Looks like we will be bringing in the New Year with some new "girls"!
Teresa
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econmom,
I am in upstate ny as well. Who is your doctor? It is perfectly normal to have dread at this point, I think we all have felt it. Not that it makes it any easier. I ended up in tears in my ps's office right before the surgery because I feared the implants that he chose. He probably thought I was a total wacko!
This is the part we all look forward to and when it comes we worry it won't live up to our expectations.
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I am so glad to know other people get this dread-iness. I have had this sub-dermal freak out going that what if I hate the new implants more than the gummie?. What if I feel them less but they look worse? What if I don't recover as well from this surgery as the last? What if they get into my rads side and can't do anything and i wind up with no boob at all? I'm thinking i may need to see a therapist at memorial for the lead up. The whole burning my boob thing has me so worried about how well will the skin heal after the surgery etc., So glad to know its not completely weird do go a little batty leading up to this.
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out, hmm not working.
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Terri - my PS had the same approach as the other gals - he requires at least 3 months inbetween exchange surgery and nipple reconstruction ... seeing how my foobs have settled and become much more "natural" looking since my exchange surgery, I'm glad - otherwise I think my nips would be pointing toward the floor!
sue0 -
Met with my PS this past week to talk about exchange surgery. When I asked about recovery and the heavy work I do (lifting, pulling, lots of arm use) he said he felt 2 weeks is what I would need to recover and then I would be able to get back to work. That seems really quick to me. I will be having one exchange and the other side lifted and tucked with possible small implant to add volume to match the exchange side. What was others experience with recovery and being able to use your chest muscles for working??? He also said nipple reconstuct would be months later if I want that. I joked about whether he could do a nipple reduction on the remaining breast and he responded "yes" they actually can do nipple reduction but would not do it at the time of exchange but months down the road. Has anyone ever heard of nipple reduction or have had this done???? PS says I have to wait about 6 weeks after last fill to schedule exchange so I am looking at the day after Thanksgiving for possible exchange surgery. Had one friend that said she didn't know if she would schedule a surgery over a holiday weekend, not trusting the doctors and others would be fully at their best! Not sure if I would agree with that thinking. Any thoughts??
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Just stopped by to check in and see how exchanges are going. There have been SO many changes and exchanges on this thread since my last visit that it will take me days to catch up, so I'll just say hello and give you an update before I go back to reading posts.
My exchange was done in April and the implant didn't soften or drop. I have capsular contracture and will be revisiting the PS later this month to see what, if anything, will be done about it. I hate the thought of another surgery, but having one very high and very firm and uncomfortable foob is definitely not pleasant either. Vitamin E and Trental aren't making any difference, so the next step will be to decide whether I can live with this or not. My chest looks fairly even with a bra, but is very uneven without one. Love my PS, so will listen carefully to his recommendations and then decide.
Take care....
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NAE
if your tissue expander is a 133v 400cc it's one of three sizes. There should be a letter before the V to figure out which size it is.
If it's a F it's dim filled would be appox 12 by 12.5 by 5.3 projection
If it's a M it's dim would be 12 by 13 by 5.6 projection
if it's a L it's dim would be 15 by 9 by 6.3 projection (this TE would have more of a shelf look as in not rounded at the top)
if your rib cage is 31" I would think a size 36 bra would be most comfortable. They usually say to add 5" to your rib cage size. With a rib cage of 31" I think a high profile implant should work great for you. Especially if you want to keep the projection close to what you have in your TE.
If you like the look you have with your TE you'll want to choose a implant that's close to those dim. Mentors high profile 450cc would be 12.8 by 5.1. Natrelle's style 20 475 would be 12.6 by 5.5 (this has better projection if you want to keep projection.
depending on which TE you have you may want to be looking at different implant I just wanted to share a few dim I found.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend
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Bonnie--Sorry I haven't replied to PM, love to meet for coffee, but a little later into November would be better. Sorry about the CC, have faith that our doc will do the right thing, saw him yesterday, and we are going to try and fix the step off with fat grafts next summer. He was patient with my pages of questions. I think we are lucky to have such a great doc. Good luck with your appt. I will PM you my cell number.
Hugs--Karen
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Koryn- I am also a numb sister and it is an awful feeling
Laura- rest those eyes and hope they feel better real soon.
Bonniek- Sorry to hear you are going through this hope it all works out for you.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL
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Rockwell_girl,
Thanks! I will try to find out the exact size of my TE's. I have a feeling that the PS will be using the Natrelle's since she gave me a pamphlet regarding them. I certainly feel better in a 36...don't like any "back bulges"! Anyway, I'll keep everything in mind when I see my PS.
Happy Halloween!
NAE
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Bigapple09 and dani42,
Thanks for validating my feelings here. It doesn't help that I stopped Tamoxifen prior to surgery and I think it is making me emotionally batty. I literally cannot stop crying today.
dani42, I am in the Syracuse area, and am using Dr. Quetell, out of Community General Hospital. He does all types of reconstruction: implants, trams, DIEPs, S-Gap, L. Dorsi--it is about 90% of his practice.
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((Laura)) Hugs for your best friend. It is tough to lose your parent.
((Jazzygem)) Man - ITS NOT FAIR! Get well soon my dear!!
econmom - My heart goes out to you. Best wishes for total success!
We have a lot of surgery sisters this week. One of our foob consultants is scheduled (Deborah) and others as well. Best wishes to all of you! May those of you getting exchanging experience the joy of soft foobs and sleeping on your stomach! - Jean
11/3 - Whippetmom - Fat grafting
11/04 - Don23 - Exchange surgery
11/06 - janloy - Exchange surgery
11/06 - Athena-lioness - Exchange surgery
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Econmom...
I VALIDATE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 100%... this is all soooooooooooo scary and it HURTS so bad.
exchange is better. it just is... PM me if you wanna chat.
I am in mucho pain still ladies.. I am sure it is normal.. Ihave had the three surgeries in 6 months... so this last one was destine to be the one that knocked me out.
I will be with you ladies as I can.. as heal.... LOVE YOU!
SUNSHINE!!!... THANK you for steppin' up to help the gals here.. LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Economom---I so know what you mean about wanting to get the rocks off your chest, but dreding it because of complications. My TE, the PS says is still very tight 4 months later after radiation. He wants me to wait until December because he doesn't want me to experience capsular contraction later. Argh!!! and Dred!!!! I will say , however, lately I have found myself waking up from sleeping on my stomach and now the te seems to have shifted and it hurts!
Btw, I am multifocal as well............
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econmom,
Oh we aren't that far from each other, I am in the Utica area. Is there something in particular that is making you fear the surgery? Perhaps you should go in to your ps again and discuss your fears.
As crazed as I was before my exchange, when the day came, I was very calm.
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jazzygem, I am sorry you are having this problem. I have said a prayer for your healing.
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