Exchange City
Comments
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Nedeza - if I'm recalling correctly, it seems like we discussed the issue regarding wearing a bra with TE's a couple months ago. I think the thought was that with larger volume TE's or those that aren't low-height style, wearing a bra might help to support the stretching skin. I never could wear a bra during expansion - couldn't find one that fit - but did wear cropped cami's during the day, though nothing at night.0
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firstmate... please let us know what the office says. i am concerned about the redness and oozing. hang in there....
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Robin thinking of you and hoping all is well.
Thanks for the update on Laura--We love you Laura--I pray that all goes well with the doctor today.
Deborah--good luck tomorrow.
The bra issue. I didn't wear anything while being expanded but wish I had. I've been wearing one all the time since the exchange, but last week stopped wearing one at night and the girls actually look better, go figure. My solution is some nights I will and others I won't. Can't remember if I mentioned this but on Friday PS said I could start wearing an underwire as long as I make sure it fits well, and maintain it well, and keep an eye out for point wires that may stick me. Too busy this weekend, but next, I'm going bra hunting.
Hugs--Karen
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I am back from my Texas trip~! I was also able to meet Val, who is so adorable! We had a very special time together last Friday morning. I cannot wait for "Y'all" to meet her in Vegas next year! We had the hotel clerk take two photos of us and I wish I had looked at them, b/c the flash did not activate. I'll try to work on them and post them later....
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Welcome back!! We missed you!
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NAE: I agree with Sandy about the Allergan Natrelle Style 20 - 475 cc's. A good size for you....I would say no less than 450 cc's.....
kbram: Can you go to the pictures forum and post a photo? Or you can email it to me privately. PM me if you want me to take a look.
Someone posted about capsular contracture....cannot recall who it was though....and I just want to say that this is something you can watch, but do not try to "live with it." CC is rated on a Baker Scale....and it typically worsens and then there is pain as it moves up the scale. It also squeezes the implant and you do not want to risk rupture... Personally, if I can actually FEEL the implant firming up [which is about a Baker II] much less SEE distortion of the implant, I am going to get it taken care of immediately. Just my own personal view of capsular contracture. I would never, ever permit closed capsulotomy.....If it does not resolve with massage or medication [I have heard of various pharmacological remedies] - I would just take the surgical route....
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Hi to all...NIce to see you back Deb..goodluck on your surgery. Hi Judy, how are you? Laura, I hope you are feeling better. I have a question fo ryou all..How long does the doctor gives you time-off from work after the exchange and also how long from the exchange will the doctor tell you that you are ready for a nipple reconstruction? I will my ps in two weeks and I do not know what to expect on that visitation. I want to be prepared. Any advise is deeply appreciated.
Btw, is it natural to wake-up in the morning and your breast hurts because the upper body seems to be frozen...I have this every morning. Or is this telling me that I am over-filled and maybe need to take some fluid out. I told my PS about my valium and Vacodin. He said that I should limit narcotic pills and should be doing fine now. I don't believe him. I am better when my body is in an up position.
Have a wonderful day. Thanks,Celine
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Two double D's! Val and Deborah in Texas - 10/31/09....
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you girls are gorgeous!!
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Wow you both look gorgeous. 0
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Deb and Val.... thank you for sharing your beautiful picture in Texas..Awesome!!!
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Whippetmon......my daughter has my camera so I don't know that I will be able to post a pic before my appt on Wed. (I will try though) I noticed this morning that my right foob (cancer side) seems to be lower than my left one. My mastectomies were at different times and had different techniques. The cancer side scar if straight across and the implant was round looking that has now slopped down. The left side (non-cancer) scar is underneath where the IMF is and is teardrop shapped. Do you know how involved a surgery it is to get a new pair of implants? Is this something that can be done during "revision" surgery? Thanks for all your help. I know that you are the resident "boob whisperer" and have loads of knowledge on all of this.
BTW, great pic of your Texas trip.
Hugs, Kathy
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Deborah and Val: great pix of the two of you!! Thaks for sharing..
Celine: You want to wait until the implants settle before you add nips. Otherwise they can be in the wrong place and not match each other as they may settle differently. That is a minimum of about 3 months or more. JUDY
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wecome back Deborah! You guys look fabulous!
I had the unveiling of nips this morning, they are just amazing, I cried! I will post pics later tonight.
L
ox
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Hi Post-Exchange Ladies!
Question: Is it reasonable to expect to return to work 7 days after exchange surgery. I have planned to start a new job 7 days after suregery.... the job involves 6-8 weeks of classroom training to start(no lifting) but does require 8.5 hrs/day, 5 days a week. Am i crazy?
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fairy49 glad to hear the nips are amazing. looking forward to seeing the pic
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kbram: It is difficult to know what you are describing with your right side...although it is possible that the implant has slipped out from under the pectoral muscle....hard to say without seeing photos. With reference to your question about switching out for new implants - it is done all of the time....many here on EC have their second set of implants. Not sure what you are describing with your tear-drop shaped left side....is it the scar which is TD shaped or the implant? Do you have the specs on both implants used? But the key to the next visit with the PS is to be resolved that you want him to do something about this.....do not back down and accept a "that is the best I can do...."....not at ALL! Any PS who says that to us should have this response, "Well, then I guess I will be finding someone else who can do it better."
Lorraine: Awwww....how touching! I want to see those photos!!!
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fairy49 glad to hear the nips are amazing. looking forward to seeing the pic
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geneskirt - I went back to work in 5 days. I work a desk job so I bet you will be fine.
Good luck with the new JOB!
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Deep Exhale!!!!!
Thank you swest xo0 -
Hi Whippetmom,
Gorgeous picture of you and Val -- you both look so happy and so GOOD!
I may be the person you referred to that posted earlier about capsular contracture. My PS told me the CC is mild, but the implant feels and looks pretty much like it did with the TE, except that there are a couple of softer spots near the inside/mid-chest. I'm taking Trental and Vitamin E and massaging daily, but have noticed no softening in 2 months. There is a lot of scar tissue on the upper side toward my underarm and my foob still looks like a hamburger bun and is higher and flatter than my natural breast. My exchange was done post rads, so I'm sure that is why the skin is so tight and uncomfortable. Guess it's time to see the PS again and see what he thinks.
Bonnie
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Bonnie: Yes doll...time to see the PS.
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Hi everyone
I posted a photo on the photo website of my fills so far. I don't know my tissue expander size...all I know is that they are Natrelle 133 MX -13. I am filled to 500 ccs in the photo and that is where I will stay. In this photo I am 7 weeks post bilateral. You can see bruising on my right breast, damage from my last fill which I definitely felt. PS says some nerves are coming back. You can also see on the right breast my original biopsy scar, which is healing.
All of you ladies are wonderful. This forum is so lively and supportive, thank you to everyone.
Annie
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Welcome back Deborah...hope your fat grafting will go well tomorrow and praying that it works for you this time.
Lorraine, I can't wait to see the pics of your nipps. Glad you are happy with them.
Dejaboo, thanks for the update on Laura. She seems to be having a rough time with this surgery. Get well soon Laura. We love you sista.
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annie7216: I looked at your photo...you are looking just fine....posted a question. Just want to add though that I think you are going to want to pin your PS down on the implant size AND style he intends to use at the time of exchange. You do not want any surprises!
Thank you and bless you all for the well-wishes re: surgery tomorrow. I am heading down to San Diego right now to stay with my sister, who will take me in for surgery tomorrow - since it is being performed near her home. I will spend a couple of nights there. My DH has to stay home to babysit the dog and our grandchildren!!!
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Love, LOVE the pic!! You girls are both so radiant!! Simply GORGEOUS!
Deborah I will be thinking of you tomorrow!!
Laura, please take all the time you need to heal and rest. Praying for you to girl!
HUGS!
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Thanks ladies for your input/advice! Here's another question....I just noticed that my midline (cleavage) is off centered (unilateral MX) from the TE. Once the exchange occurs it's corrected, right???!!! Hope so! It was one of those crazy things that came to mind as I looked down on my girls this morning.0
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Whippetmom
Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos. I responded to your question on the photo forum. My PS plans to bring 2 impants with him, 460ccs and 500ccs. He knows that I would rather be bigger, so he will try the 500cc first. Then if that doesn't work, he will go for the 460. My ribcage measures 31 inches. I believe that my PS told me the style already, but I forgot it. I want to say Mentor High Profile, but I'm not sure that's right. Again, thank you so much. Good luck with your surgery. I'll be checking the boards to see how it goes for you, but I'm sure it will be successful.
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Deborah - thanks for posting the pic! It was SO great to meet you in person! Wishing you a successful surgery tomorrow and an easy recovery!
Nedeza - don't worry about the TE position - your ps will fix that at exchange. Once you can get on the pic forum you should check mine out; they were quite "wonky" (to use Fairy's word - which I love, btw....) It's perhaps not the most pleasant recovery because it does involve some pocket work, but it is done all the time.
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Deborah--- Both of my implants are Mentor Smooth Round High Profile Gel 350. I've made up my mind that I will talk to the nurse and hopefully PS on Wednesday about my concerns. When I told my husband what I was going to do he was so relieved!! I've always been a big chested girl before BC and he thought these implants were too small for me!! Although I told the PS I wanted to be a full C cup to go a little smaller, but NOT THIS small!! Thanks for all your help and I hope your surgery tomorrow is easy and the recovery smooth.
I live outside Atlanta and the Falcons are on Monday night football tonight. GO Falcons!! We are having friends over for dinner and then watch the game. These are two sets of friends that have been so wonderful to my husband and me throughout my whole cancer treatment and always invited us to dinner and did great things for my self esteem and morale. This is the first time I have entertained in a long........long time, so I am looking forward to it.
Once again, thanks and good luck.
Kathy
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