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Comments

  • blessedby4
    blessedby4 Member Posts: 117
    edited November 2009

    fairy49: In members list there is a Timtam from Japan.  Is that who I am to contact and then ask to access the picture forum??

     Thanks for you help with this!

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited November 2009

    I have further question regarding surgical nips - Did you need to wear a bra at night? I am 2 1/2 weeks out from my surgery and I went bra-less today for the first time and they seem better. So I am trying to decide about tonight. So far I have worn a bra day and night, and starting this week I wore the nipple guards at night only. But I think they are healing better at this point w/o the covering. What do you think?

    Lorraine - As for during the day. I wore the nipple guards the first 1 1/2 weeks. I wore a bra (surgical type) over the guards and then work a sweater over a t-neck. The sweater covered the guards so that no one noticed.

    For those trying to send a PM, you will see PRIVATE MESSAGE on the top row next to MY FAVORITE TOPICS. You can go there to send a PM to TimTam. And I do believe she is from Japan. She controls access to the picture site to ensure privacy for the lovely women who have posted there. If you send her a PM she will make sure you have posted here for a while and that she knows you are "the real thing."

    Hope this helps. Hugs to you all. - Jean

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited November 2009

    Mykidsmom - I wore nipple guards for 1 week, then loose shirts.  No bra at night, but tried to sleep on my back or slightly tilted to the side, with no pressure on the nipples.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited November 2009

    L/Fairy49

    My PS gave me a sponge to wear over top my nipple (which was just the cv flap no graft so can't help on other ? Jean ) I could wear my VS ipex bra which is a little padded and couldn't realy see my sponge

  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009

    OK girls... here is a direct link to timtam's profile: http://community.breastcancer.org/member/11047/profile

    On the right you will see it say "Send member a Private Message".  You click on that and then type just like you would an email. 

    I hope this will help everybody!!!

    Smile

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited November 2009

    Jazzy I was just going to post some stuff to help the girls find Timtam but you beat me too it.  Good Job  : )

    Hope your feeling good

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited November 2009

    Robin:  How are you doing?  I keep thinking about you...Did the ointment help?

    JUDY

  • blessedby4
    blessedby4 Member Posts: 117
    edited November 2009

    Thanks Jazzygem for the direct link, I sent her a request and will wait for a response!

    Thanks again to all for the help!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited November 2009

    Typoon55 with just 7 post don't be surprised if Timtam waits till you have a few more post

    You may get in but sometimes I think she and all of us likes her to wait till a few more post to make sure everone is legit

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited November 2009

    Typoon55 I just clicked on your name and you totally seem legit.  I hope I didn't hurt your feelings by making the above comment.  I hope your fills are going well.  Sometimes it does help too have fills every two weeks if every week is painful.

  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 63
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies!!

    I am in need of some advice.  I had exchange surgery July 31 with no problems what so ever. I am scheduled to have some "clean-up" surgery on November 19 which  involves fat grafting for a divot, clean-up of a scar and hopefully finally get rid of "dog ears" on both sides.  These areas were lipoed at time of exchange.  My problem is with my implants.  I wanted to be a full C cup with the implants but on one side (cancer side) I seem to have lost fullness in the upper part and now I don't fit into a C cup bra.  B cups are too small and C cups are too large.  What should I do?  I go for my pre-op on Wednesday.  Does anybody know if there is anything that can be done short of new implants?  I think the slope and loss of fullness is to give a natural slope to the breast.  Can anyone help??  I appreciate any and all advice.  Thanks.  Oh, by the way, please add me to the list this month.

    Kathy

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited November 2009

    Thanks for the advice girls! I still have my bandages on, but they are coming off tomorrow, I am not sure if she will be giving me nipple guards (oh that sounds like more fun LOL!) I didn't have the areola done, I had the modified CFlap. 

    L

  • bookerdust
    bookerdust Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2009

    So anxiously awaited my exchange surgery..................it's been three weeks tomorrow.

    When I raise my arms in certain lighting, I see all sort of thumbprint indentations, small indent lines, what have you. One boob looks a TAD bit smaller, and the area closet to the sternum looks SLIGHTLY more flat, not round.

    Is this normal since I have no breast tissue, or defective implants?  PS put implant under the muscle, and on my first visit he told me I looked fine...........just want's me to start doing arm raises daily right now.

    My Mentor HiProfile silicone gels are 450cc's.  Will see the PS this week to show him pictures, but I am SO down in spirits. I read that some of you come out looking like you never had breast cancer, then others, like me are told that it take 2 to 3 months for the skin to sorta MOLD around the implant.  Will that get rid of all these imperfections??????

     I got professionally fitted with a good sports bra with side supports, since that is what PS recommended, and I am in them 24/7, but even when I take the bra off for showers, the bra seems to leave an indentation where the supports are (on the one side especially.)

    Are implants that delicate to take shapes like this?

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited November 2009

    I wore nipple guards for 1 week.  After those came off I would stack gauze squares and cut a hole in the center to fit over the nipps then place another one on top.  I could wear a slightly padded bra and you could not see the gauze.  I did wear a bra at night just to keep the gauze in place.  I am a side sleeper and in the beginning I slept on my back but I cannot remember the time table of when I started sleeping on my side again but I would use a small pillow so that I would not roll over on the nipps.  It has been 3 months and I have no problems with sleeping or wearing clothes.  In a sports bra you can only see a hint of nipples.  Perfect!!

    Jean, I worried about mine healing.  I did end up with some dead tissue where the flaps were joined but PS cut it out and they healed fine after that.  You just have to give them time. 

  • typhoon55
    typhoon55 Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2009

    rockwell gi,  no problem, no hurt feelings.  I tend to be a little shy and quiet but after a while I just had to speak up.  The fills seem to be going ok except for the rad breast (from 17 years ago).  It just never seems to really loosen like the other side.  Oh well my choice to continue with the current schedule or lengthen out the fills.  I think I want to continue with the course as I have only 4 more fills that I know of.  Next fill tomorrow, yea!!!

  • typhoon55
    typhoon55 Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2009

    A question for those with nipple construction.  I am really unsure if I want to go thru with it after all of the surgery the past few months.  Can I have some opinions on the nipple construction and if it was worth it or not. 

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited November 2009

    Facecrafter -- I have been putting ointment on twice a day since the procedure last Monday.  The one side is still very red, sore, peeling color, and oozing.  I think I'd better call the office in the morning.  Thanks for your concern.  The other side (nipple and areola) look realy good.   Thanks for your help!

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited November 2009

    Thyphoon55--I had nipple contruction and areola tattoo.  One side looks good and I think the nipple makes all the difference in the world.  I am having probelms with the other side, but hope it will eventually look OK.  I may need more surgery though to get to that point.

  • ilovehorses2
    ilovehorses2 Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2009

    I'm scheduled for my nipple surgery this Friday Nov 6th. I'm only 7 1/2 weeks from my exchange surgery but my PS says I look fine and they are where they are going to be. They are soft and have dropped some. I have woke up the last few nights and not been able to go back to sleep thinking about this. If I really want to do this or not.  The thought of another surgery is scary even if it is a minor one. He is doing what i think he called a cv flap. I have seen some pictures of the nip surgerys and after they look great. Sleeping on my back was just awful too after surgery.  I guess you have to sleep on your back so you don't mess them up? I know I left his office with more questions too, can you bath after or is it just sponge baths for weeks? Sorry for the rambling here.  Di

  • firstmate
    firstmate Member Posts: 153
    edited November 2009

    Ilovehorses2 - Yes, I had to sleep on my back or a slight tilt, so as to not put any pressure on the nipples.  I was able to shower after 48 hours.

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    Thanks for directing me to Timtam's link.  I sent her a request.  This will be very helpful and am looking forward to it...hope I get a response soon.

    NAE

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2009

    Bookerdust,  I have not heard of fingerprint type dents or lines in the implants.  I did get dents in my IMF from an underwire bra that I wore for a day.  The dents went away after I stopped wearing the bra.  My PS said the implant will take on the shape of the space it's confined to.  Since there is no breast tissue, anything than compresses the implant can leave a dent.   I too have one side that looks slightly smaller and less full in the upper pole.  I think that is common.  I was told that the breast surgeon might have cleaned out one side more aggressively than the other and I don't think my pockets are exactly the same shape.  Close enough tho.  I figure if both breasts can fit into the same size bra, it's good.    Let your PS know you aren't happy with all the dents and anything else you don't like.  If you don't say anything, he may assume you're happy with everything.  Also, when can you stop wearing a bra at night or for awhile during the day?  If the side side stays are creating dents, your breasts will need some breathing time for those dents to go away.  It's hard to be patient, but try not to be down in the dumps.  You're only 3 weeks out. Most of us don't come out of exchange surgery looking like we never had cancer.  For the  most part, we're all doing or have done the wait and settle thing.   See what your PS has to say.  Hang in there.

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    I was just thinking>>>should I be wearing a bra to bed if I have the TE???  It did not occur to me to check with my PS.  Initially, post op. I wore a camisole for the first few weeks.  Lately, I have not worn a bra at night.  Any advice?  I feel fine but does this effect it in any way?

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited November 2009

    Robin:  You are more than welcome...Definitely call the doc in the morning.  The oozing should have stopped by now.    Here's hoping you're fine, just a little slow on one side...JUDY

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited November 2009
    NAE:  I never wore a bra for my expanders and they will be in for almost a year until I am exchanged.  It doesn't really matter where they are (unless they really go far astray..They are just designed to stretch the skin and during the exchange, they will be made even...One of mine is up, and one down..I'm not worried...JUDY
  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 761
    edited November 2009

    Just wanted to let you know that Laura wants to post but...she is having issues seeing so it is too hard to read here.. She tried yesterday.. just did not work well...

    Pam

  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2009

    Nedeza when i had my te put in i have only wore a bra when going out other then that never wear one and have had no problems with it.  It is soooooo hard that wear a bra hurts (lol)

  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2009

    Laura please take your time healing and don't rush into anything we need you healthy  we are all thinking about you and missing your posts but please rest your eyes and hope soon you feel 100%

  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2009
    Deborah will be thinking about you tomorrow during your grafting......Wink
  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited November 2009
    Bookerdust - I'm just three weeks ahead of you - now six weeks post-exchange - and have Mentor Style 20's like you, just 425cc's.  I just checked in the mirror to see if I have anything similar to your indentations.  About the only "dents" I see are from my bra, which makes sense since there's no fatty tissue under the skin to dampen the pressure from the bra. I was just working out in my underwire sports bra which has the side support flaps like yours, and I have marks there.   Since my ps has me in a very tight underwire bra, I also have marks along the IMF from the wires.  I think this is probably a good thing, because it does help the new breast to "mold" into shape.  It's WAY too early for you to become disheartened, but you definitely should address your concerns to your ps.  He may have a very simple  - and nonsurgical - fix.  I think for most of us, it really does take awhile - and sadly maybe a little surgical "tweaking" - to get everything as perfect as it can be.  Hang in there!

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