Exchange City
Comments
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Hi Gals,
Haven't been on fthe boards for awhile because I'm just trying to adjust to this news myself.
You all know my long story of mastectomy last October with infections, second TE attempt and thenn botched reconstruction on 7/2. Bad lift, loss of nipple sensation, terrible symentry. I looked a mess.
Well, all that doesn't matter know because at my 6 month check two weeks ago they found a different kind of cancer in my remaining breast. My wonderfful BS helped me locate a new PS and I am scheduled for mastectomy and a latissimus dorsi flap on both breasts.
I'll admit the procedure makes my blood run cold...I remember so well last year the pain of the mastectomy, SNB and TE....and this will be way more with back incisions. Anyway...put me on the list for 11/9. And pray...pray..pray.
When I have time, I will tell you some ways that God has really shown himslef through this.
Candi
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I feel I have been neglecting this thread... I am in chemo land right now. I am glad Laura is feeling better. Glad Deborah is home and wish you easy healing.... Kew hope that shoulder gets better... grrr...
Hugs to eveyone else having a procedure done, sharing info (Facecrafter thank YOU) etc...
(((((((((((((HUGS SISTERS)))))))))))))))))
Alicia
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Candi--I am so sorry that you are going through this ((((hugs)))). I cannot imagine how frightening, disappointing, and unfair this must seem--because it is. You have been such a trooper. I'm glad your BS has found you a new PS, I know the surgery is enough to make your "blood run cold," but hang in there. I'll be thinking about you and praying for you. We all will and with that much good energy and love, it has to turn out well.
Hugs--KarenW
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Had my exchange surgery yesterday. I am pretty sore today but so far I haven't taken any pain meds. The PS had to do a lot of stitching so I could have a cleavage. My implants are 650cc. I thought he was only going to use 550cc. He said the 650cc fit better. I can't take bandages off until Friday and now I'm scared they will be too big! We'll see!
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Oh Candi, I wish for the best for you...After all this time and all this aggravation, you should be great..November 9th is right here, and our thoughts and hopes are with you.. You go girl..
JUDY
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Candy - so sorry. I too have been off the boards for a while. Had my 6 month follow up and everything was all clear, thank goodness. But the nurse started the conversation by saying the radiologist found a suspicious area on my mammo and I needed an ultrasound. I felt like my heart dropped into my toes and my blood ran cold. I was lucky this time though. I can only imagine how devasting news like that would be. Good luck!
I am almost 6 weeks out from my exchange, and 2 weeks away from a nip and a reduction on the "good" side. Not looking forward to more surgery and a drain, but glad to be close to finished. My goal was to be done by New year's and looks like I'll make it. Good luck to all of you. Oh, the surgery is scheduled for 11/20!
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Hi Everyone ~
I have not been able to keep up as well as I would like on this thread either. I think of you all and keep you in my thoughts throughout the day.
Candi ~ I feel so bad you are going through this. I'm glad your BS is helping you with another PS. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
don23 ~ If you are sore and in pain - take your pain meds. It will help you recover if you keep the pain under control.
Laura ~ I'm so glad you are feeling better! I saw your pics -you look great!!!!!
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Deborah - you are so good natured! I don't think being wrapped like the Michelin Man in upstate NY where they are calling for snow this afternoon would be so bad but in California? Yikes! You have my sympathy!
Ok, I can go back on the surgery date board! My revision with my new ps is going to be Dec. 30th. I am getting Style 20 475 CC's! It is about a 2 hour drive so they are letting me do my pre-op at home! So I will be literally ringing in the New Year, as they say: "Out with the Old, In with the New!"
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Candi - I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of this again. Please know that we all will be with you on Nov. 11th. You will DEFINATELY be in my prayers!
Dani - Yea!!!! Good for you!
Teresa - I don't know the answer but I'm sure it is nothing the new PS can't fix!
Laura - Glad to see you feeling better! I love seeing your sweet posts!
Get well quick Deborah!
Sonia
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REGARDING TISSUE EXPANDER SIZES VS. IMPLANT SIZES: I HAVE BUMPED UP THE "IMPLANTS SMALLER THAN EXPANDERS" THREAD FOR THE NEWBIES TO READ.
If you are happy with the size of your TE's, we want to then look at the actual dimensions of the tissue expanders and then find a comparable implant with similar dimensions.
It is better to err on the side of going larger than you think you might want to be:
Someone asked a few pages back if anyone is ever unhappy because they went too large with the implants. The answer is: Rarely. There might be one or two on these boards who opted to go back and reduce their size, but the overwhelming number of us have wished we had gone a little larger or are glad that we decided to go a little larger.
Expander dimensions vs. implant dimensions:
You can read more about this on moodyk13's thread I mentioned above, but in answer to the question, "How can you get implants larger than the expanders"? We say, "VERY EASILY." If your TE's are at 450 cc's, you could exchange out to implants with a volume of at least 50 cc's greater - or 500 cc's - and some of us have implants of even more significant volume than the TE's. For instance, my TE's were Allergan 133 FV 400's, over expanded to 425 cc's and my implants are Allergan Style 20, 550 cc's. It all depends on how well your skin expands during the TE expansion process and what your PS is able to do for you. Some plastic surgeons overexpand and then use implants smaller than the expanders. You need to discuss with your PS HIS specific method and plan of expansion and exchange. If you have an idea of where you want to be, you need to share this information with your PS! You might want to change his or her way of thinking....lest you end up disenchanted with your cosmetic result.
We can help you here with sizing information.
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Candi, so sorry to hear you have to start all over again. I will be praying for you.
Deb, you just read my mind. I wanted to pm you about this because I am seeing my PS on 11/16th. He wanted to do the same on my exchange on 12/8 smaller than my expander. I will print this out and have him read this if that's okay with you. I hope I can change his mind. Right now I am filled to 610 cc. My expander is 550cc. Thanks for reading my mind and sharing the post. Celine
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Finally results---Torn rotator cuff, bursitis, and tendonitis---I'm not sure what they plan to do with me, maybe just take me out back and shoot me!
Hugs--Karen
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Oh Karen....that is way too much! Do they know WHY all of this has occurred? So what is the recommended FIX for all of this nonsense?
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Firni: I went back and read your post re: your plastic surgeon's skillful artistry OR SERIOUS LACK THEREOF in the nipple/areola complex reconstruction arena. Don't let him touch you! Pepperoni? I-DON'T-THINK-SO! Why doesn't he just use PLAYDOUGH? I would rather have a 3-D tattoo....you can find someone locally and your insurance company will more than likely cover the cost. I do not know about the nipple though.....we need to do some research for you. Hang in there....surely, since this is a twilight procedure, another PS in your area might be willing to take this on...
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Deborah--Ha, I know, it is funny, my triple play of pain, but it hurts to laugh. Not a clue as to why it happened, was it the dog pulling to hard on the leash, Pilate's, weight lifting, or the MMR vaccination I got just before this all started....???? I just woke up in pain. No course of treatment yet, waiting for that phone call now.
Speaking of vaccinations, I'm actually going to get the H1N1 tomorrow--I never do this kind of thing--I got the MMR for school--they wouldn't let me in without it. My PCP and onc say I fall in the at risk group, even though treatment, except for Tamoxifen is over. Oh, the lung nodules, even though they are NOT cancer may make me more vulnerable to pneumonia. We just had a HEALTHY 25 year student teacher die from H1N1, who was teaching at my son's school, and one of our own graduate students had it and just told me how horrible it was. My work, a medical school--although my unit is not into medicine, has doses for compromised people and they say I qualify So, I'm going to have the shot--the problem? I can't have anything in my left arm because 9 nodes were removed and I have a little LE in the elbow area, so we use my right side where one was removed and that is the side that HURTS!!!! Trying to get if for Lucas, we are going to wait in line on Saturday beginning at 5AM!
Thinking of you Candi!
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Hi Candi, Im also going to get the H1N1 vaccine next weds our entire family has an appt for it. Im a little concerned because I think everyone but the 3yr old is getting the mist. Im not thrilled with that but Im less thrilled at waiting around to see if I can get the shot. So unless my doctor is totally against it, Im getting it.
Teresa
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Theresa--Talk with your doctor, my onc told me to only have the shot because the mist is "live" virus.
KarenW
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Candi - Sooooo sorry you have to deal with this again! Praying for you.....
Deborah - Glad you're back with us! Wishing you pain-free healing! ......Also, I was thinking about adding to your advice about implants larger than expanders.....those of us who've had the low-profile TE's can go MUCH bigger.......
Teresa - Regarding your "going south" question - one of mine went West! - and I swear it moves more each day regardless of the fact that I wear an underwire bra 24/7.... Seems like it doesn't take much to make these puppies migrate..... I'm gonna get my dh to take some pics tonight and wil post on pic forum when I get them......
KEW - Good heavens, girl! Do you feel like Job?........hang in there.......we need your wise words and smiling face here!
Dani - YIPPEE!!!!!! 475's!!!! You'll be a DD or E with those, girl!!
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Teresa -- Mine dropped well over an inch-- maybe 1 1/2 inches. It was noticeably lower. I am still not symmetrical, but good enough I guess.
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Candi -- I am so sorry to hear about your secondary cancer. Hang in there! Hugs!
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Teresa- The mist is a modified live virus-- we are not supposed to have that. I got the killed vaccine- the shot. There is a huge difference..the doc would NOT give me the mist (I didn't want it anyway) JUDY
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Laura - just checked out your pics - absolutely beautiful result!! Yippee for you, sweetie!!0
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Oh Karen, So sorry to hear you have a torn rotator cuff.. the rest is probably irritating that too...
When it rains it pours...
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Karen -- So sorry about your shoulder injury! Are you going to have it repaired surgically or what is the plan? I hope you have some good drugs!
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Robin - how are you feeling?
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Robin, what the word on your tattoo?? Healing? Is the color retained? I think about you often and worry a little...JUDY
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Just a drive by to cheer on my pals here
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Baxter - Welcome back. It has been a while. I am SO SORRY about your second mastectomy!! But I am pleased that you will be moving forward w/ the LD flaps!
Karen (KEW) - Man-oh-man, you have had quite a year! Hugs!
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Good luck tomorrow Janloy and Athena!
Candi.....POOH! That word actually bespeaks quite a bit more emotion, but I will leave it at that.
Glad you are walking the walk with the Big Guy...
God Bless!
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Facecrafter -- Thanks so much for asking about me. Your concern is so touching! I should have flown to FL and had you do it. The tattoo is finally healing. No more oozing, redness subsided, just a few healing sores. It does look like alot of color was lost on that side, and the shape is all distorted. So, I guess it will need to be touched up. I am just worried that I will have problems again after the redo.
I will have had to have everything redone (at least once) -- I am a problem case, I guess. Two redo's on the exchange; I need a tatoo redo, and a revision on the one nipple. I'd love to have fat grafting for my divot; but I am sooooooo sick of all this.
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