Exchange City
Comments
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KEW -- thanks for the welcome!
Love that story about your son. Something better will come along. And I can't help but think, when you write that you'll be at a conference and that is when doc will call: don't forget your cell phone!
Cheers,
Lilah
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Laura: glad to see you are getting better.. and Deborah- I feel for you but..I have to admit I was laughing about the michelin man..what an image!!
Pam: Good luck at NOLA..(for those who do not know (NOLA is short for NewOrleans LA, the breast reconstruction center..known for DIEP surgeries among other things--just trying to keep up the education of the newbies..)firstmate: How's the tattoo recovery going??
and to everyone else-- Good luck and Beautiful results!! JUDY
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Laura: I hope you heal quickly and GOOD FOR YOU for having vanity surgery. I would if I could. I hate that some people see my reconstruction as vanity. I may have a few minor things done when I get my nips in February or March.
Thanks to all for the imput on implants, when to go back to work, nips, etc. I surely am looking forward to getting rid of these TE's on Friday. I am so stressed about missing working and their reaction to "Jane having ANOTHER surgery". They are not getting that this is part of my cancer treatment.
Love and prayers,
Jane
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Good morning.......glad to have you back home Deborah and wishes for quick healing. Now I kinda have an idea of what I'll be going thru with fat grafting, only I have enough fat to donate for everyone on EC!!
Well, today is the day of my pre-op and my "big discussion" about a second set of implants. I will let everyone know what happens. Although..........I am kinda nervous. I will be glad when this is over!!
Laura, prayers for contined healing.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. It is sunny and beautiful here in GA.
Kathy
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Good day all...
Laura glad to hear each day you are feeling better. I will say i should probably talk to my ps about a face lift when i am in getting my foobs lifted (lol) i cant believe how much i have aged since this dx i was a stress bag before just imagine me now LOL
Kew hope you get the answers you are waiting for take care
Deborah Welcome back!!!! hope the results are just what you imagine they will be
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YAY Deborah!!!! I hope you are feeling better each and every minute!
Laura--I'm very glad to be getting older, it is the cartoonish feeling I have---like things are just breaking down. Oh, and it cracks me up when I realize I'm older than the parents of some of the other grad students...Glad your eyes are doing better.
Good idea Jan, maybe I'll but a little blush on my nose so it looks read and I'll carry a box of Kleenex.
Lilah--I won't forget my phone.
Thinking of Don23 today!
Yes, Laura--there should be a thread started, it will help me save money. I do not want to miss this one.
Happy, Healthy, and Loving Day to you all!
KarenW
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I finally got on the picture forum. Thanks everyone! Until now, all I could do was to go online to see only a few before/after pictures on different websites. This forum is wonderful! The only thing is...who is who??? Also, I'm having some difficulty identifying who is who with the username/name...I know some now... Whippetmom is Deborah...etc.
Thanks Facecrafter for explaining some of the initials. I figured out most of them except for DH (dear husband). I'm a dental hygienist and I figuiring that DH had nothing to do with Dental Hygiene!! Hee...hee...hee!
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NAE..I am on the picture site... but I am very private about that here. SO.. I have a private name there... if you wanna see me and my journey through rads and Implants... PM me and I will give you my name there...
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Question for all, has anyone been unhappy with exchange in that they got bigger implants than they wamted? That is my big fear as I am small in size and always had small breasts. I think I'm at 300ccs and PS said 1-2 more fills of 60cc each. I told him no more than a B cup. I tried on a bra and it's really hard to tell with the TEs being so oddly shaped. Any help greatly appreciated...
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Oh I did get on the pictures and thanks for all you who posted there.
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Ladies... I am going to try to post a few pictures tonight...
The ones where the NON rad boob fell and the new me.. in a bra. I still have tape on the incision.. so I will post the whole boob when all tape falls off and no yukkys.. Plus .. this iwll give my new boob time to fall... ( DEAR LORD NO....LOL)... I think it will stay.. I just need to wear underwire daily for the first month or so..
My eyes are 30% better today... thanks ladies for caring.. you are all GREAT!
Deborah..... are you feeling like a Mack truck hit you today.... TAKE DRUGS! Talk to us when you can... but rest for now.. no pushing it young lady!
JANLOY and ATHENA... almost your turn... WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
DON23... how are you sister?
Off to fix hubby and I dinner..... salad for me.... spaghetti for him...
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Hi Estepp---thanks! Understandable about the privacy Hope you are doing well.
typhoon55--I, too, am concerned what my outcome will be after the exchange. Since I do have this opportunity to go bigger, I want to go bigger. My DH said he does not care as long as I'm happy with the results..I will say, though, my DH's eyes lit up after my last expansions!
I'm a B cup and want to be a full C cup....I thnk??? See what I mean? I just don't want them to look rediculous on me (my body frame). Whippetmom--- You suggested no less than 450cc on the Natrelle's Style 20's. I'm at 450cc now. Do I need to expand more? I went to 500cc but had a lot of discomfort. I feel wonderful right now. What cup size will this give me?
Thoughts and prayers for all of you!
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NAE... my ribcage is now 31. I needed the 500 Mentor HP's to be a full C. You can see my pictures now...
I am 5ft tall...and am still 10 pds over the weight my oncologists want me at... but I think my boobs are gonna stay the same size no matter if I am chubby or thin..:)
Knowing how you feel... I am just gonna tell you... to tell your surgeon to ERR on BIGGER!
If they think the 450c will be good on you... GET THE 500 or 550... I'm just saying
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Ok Ladies... I have posted my new pictures... I will post more in about a week.
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Deborah - Michelin man, thanks for the visual ! Glad you are back safe and sound and recovering. Good to hear from you. Hope you heal quickly and that your results are amazing! (((HUGS))) and get yourself a good night's sleep.
Terri
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Laura - Do you think Pam would want her surgery date and type listed? If you think she would, give me the details. Thanks.
Hugs to you all! - Jean
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HEY EVERYONE... I just heard about this..surely we know some poeple..I just posted it on the Chemo forum, but had to tell you!!
Cleaning for a Reason
Any woman currently undergoing Chemo, There is a cleaning service that provides FREE
housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.
All you have to do is sign up and have your doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in your zip code area arrange for the service. http://www.cleaningforareason.org/
Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through Breast Cancer treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help you. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. JUDY0 -
Judy... I heard of this while I was in Chemo... but I had so much help here and did not need it... but for those who might... WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting!
Jean.. so nice you asking... let me ask her... I hate to just say yes.. I am SURE she won't care.. she has felt so outside the box for a long time now... she just felt she did not fit in anywhere....
Thanks Jean!
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Jean.. Pam is on a NOLA thread... so.. I will call this one... :
Lets leave her off our "list"... but I will add in our posting here about her...
Nov 5- Dejaboo (Pam) - Stage 1 SGAP in NOLA w/ Drs. M & S. Monteleone 11/3 - 11/4, St. Charles Surgical, Homewood Suites.) t her...
Thanks for thinking about her Jean!!!!!!
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Deborah, I am glad that you are recovering. I cannot even begin to imagine how you are bandaged. The Michelin man image is in my head though. Rest and heal well.
Laura, I went to the picture forum yesterday (finally) I saw your older posts and you look amazing. I was looking for uniboober nipple reconstruction pic's for symmetry. I am glad that you are healing, I was worried about your vision.
Judy, Wow, I am emotional today, the generosity of so many people and organizations to sisters that need help really moved me. Practicing random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty is such a loving gesture.
Don23, Post when you can, hope all went well and you are safely home.
Jan
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My 2 cents....yes...the nipples are totally worth it...whatever procedure you choose.
Linda...I agree...low beams...perfect!!!!
I hope all of you are doing well. Work is so busy that finding the time to post is at this point unheard of....but I think of you all often.
Peace, healing, comfort and love
Kathie
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ok ladies here goes my stuff for tonite...i am glad to hear that everyone is doing better..i must learn who is who..i do apologize!!!
1rst i have tired to join the pix board. I am still waiting on a reply from the main administrator..anyone know how long this takes & what i can do? How abt breastreconstruction.org..that one too.
so i have seen some posts on cami's & stuff that you can wear after surgery that holds u & the drains...anyone tried any? Do u know where they can be store bought & not on line ordered ?
when u ladies had your 1rst surgery ..ur mx, you got TE. How long did u have them in, did it hurt to get them filled? When did u know that it was a good size for u? how did they feel? How long after u knew it was good did u have the exchange surgery? How abt stay in the hospital & drains? I know everyone is different & i have read some stories..but if u wouldn't mind 1 more time. how abt work? i have a friend who didn't have drains & went back to work the next day!!!
ok i think i have asked enuf for 1 night!! Hugs to all!!! Thank u all again. I moved up my ps appointment to next Fri afternoon. Any thought of questions? Since u have been thru it all..i could use ur help
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Kathie--So good to see your smiling face! I hope all is well.
Hugs--Karen
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Hi ladies,
I am a little behind and have been catching up on the posts. Here is an update:
My exchange surgery is a week from today on Wed. 11/11. Could someone post my surgery date on the list? I am up to 445cc and when I got my last fill last week one side was larger and my PS wanted me to come back this Friday for 50cc more on the smaller side to even things out. Well, now I can't tell the difference so I really don't know if they will put more in or not. I asked what kind of implant he will put in and his PA said the high profile but I don't know the make or style. He will be taking in sizes 450, 500, 550 and 600. I told him I wanted to be a large B / small C. My ribcage is 31" and I am 5'10". I have nipple reconstruction scheduled for 1/20/10. I will be taking Wed/Thur/Fri off and going back to work on Mon.
KEW - Sounded to me like maybe you had frozen shoulder. I was working my way through that with one shoulder when I got diagnosed with DCIS. I was determined to stretch my way back to normal because I did not want to have shoulder surgery and was almost there when I had my BLM. Hope you find out soon. I am glad they think it isn't mets.
fairy49 - How are your frozen shoulders? I was hoping mine wouldn't get worse or lose all the progress I've made in the last few months. After 2 months I am still very tight and haven't really started any real stretching yet.
Annie7216 - Thanks for the info.
jrgolomb & janloy - Hi there fellow Michiganders! I am up in Traverse City. Where are you? Seems like all we do is wait for dr. appointments and make lists of questions.
suegmomof3 - Another Michigander! How did your exchange go? BTW, what is a bolster?
Nedeza - Looks like our MX were a week apart. Mine was on August 31. Are you done with your fills yet?
Celine - You made a comment about how your upper body feels frozen each morning. I feel pain getting out of bed every morning but it is more like a feeling of shifting gravity. I just can't explain it. As soon as I am upright then the pain goes away. Very weird.
Thanks for all of your help and support.
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janloy - To answer your question, I am having my surgery at our local hospital, Munson Medical Center here in Traverse City. I have an awesome PS who I absolutely adore. We may be a small town but we have a first-class medical center. My mom wanted me to consider Ann Arbor or Grand Rapids but I just couldn't see traveling all that way when I knew how good our hospital is.0
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Soshi- I'll try to answer.
It takes a little while to get access to the board. It is totally separate from this board (a separate site)..be patient, you'll get acess.
The cami's are available from the hospital, and from the TLC catalog, and online. I don't know of any stores that carry them. They are great for the drains. And very soft.
We all had our TE's in for different amounts of time, based on whether we had radiation or not, how much fills they needed and most of all on the PS. Some like to wait, others jump right in and change them out as soon as they are filled enough. .
The fills may hurt, and the pain goes away in a few days. Some are in need of a painkiller and others seems to get along with just Advil. If it hurts too much, they can go slower. They normally may fill from 60 to 120cc at a time. Some poeple go to 30cc at a time, some get the 120cc and they're fine. You'll have to wait and see.
. The size of the expander does not matter that much..They can be overexpanded. A 450cc expander can be expanded to 600 or so. You make sure the doc knows how big or small you want to be. Most of us will say the expander feels like an iron bra. Very hard, and tight. Also, don't worry about how they look, how even they are, or whatever. They are a medical device used to stretch the skin. They are not what your implants will look like.
The drains are a pain in the butt. Because they are hard to 'hide' more than anything else. And they have to be emptied, and some docs (not mine) won't let you shower with them. Mine did. You will get them out usually, when they are putting out less than a certain number of cc's - your doc will tell you- or-- when they have been in for a certain period of time (3 weeks in my case). Expect drains. Expect to be off work for a while--again--your doc will be your guide..
You will be tired, from the anesthesia, and from the surgery- you will be healing.. So use the time for yourself and take off work. Don't rush back, you will likely not have the energy. Good luck and check with the other forums and threads for more hints on surgery. The "surgery- Before, During, and After" forum has a host of information including a good list of what the have ready, where to get the cami's, etc. JUDY
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AWESOME Judy.... I did not even ask the question...LOL...
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Volleygirl- Wow! How quickly you're progressing with your journey! I had my last expansion on Oct. 15 but had 50cc removed 5 days later due to pain (now at 450cc)...plus I looked HUGE at 500cc. Now I feel wonderful. My PS scheduled me on Nov, 23 for a follow up. I imagine it will be then she will tell me more about our next step. The PS did discuss about doing a breast lift on Nov. 24th on my healthy breast then waiting to do the exchange at a later date. Right now I am feeling pretty good considering everything. I am petite so I am trying to decide on the right size. Did you say you had a BMX? I do know lately I have been getting anxious about having the breast lift...a lot more involved than I had thought!
Anyone---if I am filled to 450cc, how is it that they can replace it with something higher (cc's)? I don't want to feel over-stretched or whatever. Getting a little concerned about that.
NAE
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Hi Everyone...its been a while. I wont bore you with my ramblings. Just have a question for those of you that have had an exchange that dropped south...EXACTLY how far down can this thing go? I saw a PS almost 2 weeks ago and I believe he said it was 3cm lower, well its dropped a bit more. I'm just wondering because honestly ladies my belly is already a little chunky without the help of a dang implant.
Teresa
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Judy, way to go. You are awesome...Soshi, you have it all in one basket. Taker care...great questions.
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