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Exchange City

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Comments

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2009

    annie7216, your comments to NAE about moving forward are beautiful.  I keep feeling like I need to move on, the hard part is over, but there are just moments that I want to just curl up in a corner and cry for no good reason.  In general I've been very positive so those moments catch me by surprise and frustrate me.  

    Deborah,  I saw my ps yesterday and, ughh, I'm so frustrated.  He told me to stop looking on the internet because I can't compare myself to other people even if they are of similar build.  I was, of course, upset and didn't ask most of the questions you told me to.  He was ready to stop filling me yesterday which would have put me into a 300 implant (he likes to expand 100 over final implant size) but I got upset and told him that I was wanting at least 4-500 which he said we could do but when I asked about the implants, he said that he plans to use a moderate plus in me and that he only uses hp on larger women who have more "fluff" around the implant.  This doesn't make sense to me, I thought because hp is more narrow, it would work better on smaller women?

    He also placed a dermal product made out of cow skin on both sides when he put in my TEs.  My left (cancer side) has done well but the right side had a lot of swelling in the beginning and still leaks sirus fluid through the needle hole each time he fills me.  The shape of the right is bizarre, rather than being round, it's the shape of a football which is limiting how much he can put in each time (120 on left yesterday and only 60 on right) neither side hurts but he says my skin is too tight for more yet.  He says this will all be fixed with my exchange, but in looking at others photos I don't see anyone so odd with expanders.  Has anybody else had this dermal product and could this be the culprit?

    I'll try to post my pictures so far but I'm clueless with this stuff and I have a mac to make it more difficult.

    Julie 

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited December 2009

    Hi Julie

    I only read your post above...

    wanted to share High Profile implants are usually used on smaller gals as the implant is more narrow which makes since.  I don't understand what your PS is saying

    Don't let your PS make you feel bad and hold back from asking questions

    I remember one time my ps said I couldn't have any more fills because my skin was getting thin

    I went back in a month and in about 3 seperate visits had another 100cc added

    if it's something you want push for it or ask for another 2nd opinion from another PS

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2009

    Just catching up on this thread -- lots of progress reports this week.  I'm looking forward to reading more about all of these new nips.  That's something I haven't even thought about yet!  It's amazing that reconstruction is such a long, diverse and on-going process.

    I am back at work this week and am extra tired.  My new foob feels and looks so much better than the first one, and even though it is a little smaller, it is soft and actually moves around in the pocket.  The first one was very firm and never moved at all, so I am cautiously optimistic about this new implant.

    Yesterday my onc's nurse called to ask about my dosage of Arimidex because she couldn't read the doctor's notes when the pharmacist called to get an okay to refill the Rx.  That was weird, especially since she is right there in the clinic with the onc AND the pharmacy has the original Rx.  Made me wonder...

    Is anyone ready for the upcoming holidays?  I've done nothing, so it will be a busy weekend. 

     --bonnie    

  • typhoon55
    typhoon55 Member Posts: 48
    edited December 2009

    Hi everyone,

    I got the call from the surgi-center and exchange surgery is planned for 12pm.  I have to be there at 11am.  Anesthesiology group said to expect to be at the surgi-center for total of 6 hours from entering to leaving.  That means leaving around 5pm.  With a 1 hour drive back home, I probably won't post till Sat depending on how I feel and the time.  Guess there goes eating for most of tomorrow.  I think tonight I will take 1 of the Valium the PS just gave me for muscle spasms/ANXIETY.  What anxiety!!!

     Blessedby4, lifegoeson, and Neen2059,

    Best of luck with surgery tomorrow.  I will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best outcomes.

    Till tomorrow,

    Janet

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited December 2009

    Delilahbear - Welcome to our list!

    Laura - "No" way - way to go sister!!

    Annie, Sandy and Linda - Missed you all! Nice to see your posts!

    For those worried about nips always being on, mine are not that big. They are more of an illusion than anything else. But I like having the illusion of being "normal"

    Best wishes to tomorrow's surgeries and those recovering from earlier surgeries!!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited December 2009

    Bonnie--We have our tree, but that is it.  Both boys are going to be gone for Christmas so I'm going to settle into some much needed R&R,  and have a Merry little Christmas of my own, with the dog and cat.  Lucas and I will have Christmas after NYE, when he returns from his Dad's and Lindsey is staying in Los Angeles, so it begins the boys moving into their own lives.  This is why I got the puppy.  I was given an awesome recipe for candied ginger cookies...so maybe I'll bake. I'm so glad to hear how well things are going this time.

    Totally off any topic...Lindsey woke up Friday night with pink eye and went into the bathroom to look at it, then into the kitchen and saw something moving in the backyard.  The house abuts the National Forest, so they get deer, coyote, sometimes a mountain lion.  He went to the back door which is wood and glass and turned on the light to find a man standing there with a crowbar.  He ran off, they called the police and it turned out this was the 3rd house the man had tried to break into that night in that neighborhood--ALL of them occupied.  Scary.

    Is it Friday yet?

    Hugs--Karen 

  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 74
    edited December 2009

    Well looks like I have a problem.  Yesterday early evening I start feeling really cold and I was having some pain so I took to 2 percosets and went to sleep about 530.  Woke up at midnight, my cheeks were flush so I took my temp at it was 100.9.  I took more pain pills.  This morning my temp was 101.8.  I called PS office the nurse said take tylenol and see if it brings it down.  I kinda insisted she talk to a doctor who gave me 7 days of Bactrim.  My breast look fine.  I have to admit Im scared. 

    Has anyone ran a fever and it turned out to be nothing?

    Teresa

  • mbtlcsw01
    mbtlcsw01 Member Posts: 250
    edited December 2009

    I continue to be emotional, but I realize that I'm finally feeling things I would not let myself feel for over a year. I'm about 11 days out of my exchange.  One of my foobs looks like it dropped and fluffed and I like it.  The other still looks like a hamburger bun.  Hoping it will do its thing soon.  The PS decided to not cut me along my old incisions, but to cut under my breast to put in the implants.  I know I had two PS's working on one because one breast was cut about 1/4 of an inch up from the fold and the other one was cut right along the fold.  The one that was cut along the fold rubs and it is like it rubs on a nerve.  Boy does it drive me crazy.  The only thing keeping me from going crazy is wearing a sports bra even though my PS said he did not want me to wear anything.  Did anyone else ever have a problem like this?

  • blessedby4
    blessedby4 Member Posts: 117
    edited December 2009

    typhoon55, Neen2059, lifegoeson: Surgery day is almost here!!  Yeah!  Hope all goes well, I will be thinking of both of you as we all head in tomorrow and come out with our early xmas present...new foobs or nips!!  

    I have a 9am surgery time and will be staying overnight.  So looking forward to experiencing what all the rest of you have said about the difference from the expander to the actual implant.  

    Rekoz:  Glad your day is coming up also on Saturday and hope you recover quickly with the rest of us!!

    sftfemme65:  I am sorry you are running this fever.can understand you would be scared.  Hope your feeling better soon!

    KEW:  So glad you safe and hopefully they can catch this nut!!  That must have been really scary!!

  • Delilahbear
    Delilahbear Member Posts: 206
    edited December 2009
    stftemme65, I am going to the moderate profile since they have a broader base that the HP, approx 1inch 15.5cm vs the 13.4cm of the HP. If the PS can expand to maximum which is approx. 960 then the projection should be about the same as the HP 750's. I really don't like the hollow places and saggy skin over the breast bone.
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited December 2009

    Julie:  Measure your rib circumference for us.  Measure around the ribcage, just under the bra line or TEs.  Since you wear a 32 band size bra, I presume your ribcage is around 29 to 30 inches at the most. 

    I am a bit disenchanted with your PS - as you have every right to look on the internet and look at pictures to get an idea of what you might expect with breast reconstruction.   You need to be firm about what you want....if he cannot handle it.....find someone else.  I kid you not, a large percentage of us here have switched plastic surgeons midstream - Cheri is one and she can tell you her story.  You have to get your PS on board with you or go elsewhere.

    Deborah

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2009

    Deborah,

    My ribcage is 30 inches.  I do realize that I need to be more firm with him, I'm not usually intimidated by docs but I think I'll be taking my mom with me to future appointments.  She's a nurse, keeps my emotions under wraps and puts her foot down with the doc.  In the mean time the more I learn the better prepared I will be for my next appointment.

    I posted pictures a few minutes ago.

    Thanks again!  Julie 

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Member Posts: 136
    edited December 2009

    Karen ~~ And you are going to be home alone over the holidays???  You can come and get lots of R&R in my guest room.  That is scary.  Would almost make me think about getting a gun (I said almost).  Now that I think of it I didn't get the paper that you wrote, maybe my computer spammed you.

    The amazing part about "no" is that people don't usually get upset.  They are asking you first because you always say "yes".  Once you don't say it every time they move on to the next "yes totally overloaded" person.  Then you can pick and choose the times you want to say "yes".  Free at last!!!

    Firni ~ Are you going to post photos of the nips?  I think that is the procedure that my PS uses and I am very curious.  There have been several women who have posted photos and they look incredible so far.

    If I have some time this weekend I will post the latest exchange photos.  Have an interesting dimple on one side that I pray will pop out.

    Dinner is served (love that DH)!

    Colleen

  • queenlurker
    queenlurker Member Posts: 34
    edited December 2009

    juliempw

    I had the mod plus 300's with my 29 inch rib cage.  It was okay but then I switched to the high profiles-maybe 400 and am now much happier.  By the way, it does make me a 32D which I think you wanted.  Good luck with your decision.     

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2009
    Rockwell girl, thanks for the advice.  I wondered if letting more time lapse between expansions would allow me to expand more.  While I'm anxious to have the TEs out, I'd rather have the results I want than rush it and settle.  Sounds like that worked for you.  
  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Member Posts: 136
    edited December 2009

    Almost forgot ~ since our PS's are all different.  Mine said surgical bra for 15 days and then sports bra for 30 days ~ all 24/7.

    Colleen

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2009
    queenlurker, great to hear.  So they can go in a second time and put a large implant in without expanding more--not that that's the route I want to go, but it's good to know.
  • nene2059
    nene2059 Member Posts: 53
    edited December 2009

    Hi girls!  Ok talk me off the ledge a little bit please.  Exchange surgery scheduled for 12pm tomorrow.  I have a 2 1/2 hour drive to get to the hospital because PS moved my surgery date up so he could go out of town for the last 3 weeks in December ( I was scheduled for 12/17 originally) and that also switched me to the other hospital that he has priveleges. Anyhoo..I am stressing a little.  I hate the expanders but I do not know what to expect with the implants. I also am nervous about the surgery part.  This will make my third surgery this year.  I am over it. BC is the gift that keeps on giving. How will I feel tomorrow after the surgery?  Also, drains, ugh, I just remembered I will have drains again...yuck! 

    Thanks and congrats to all that are near to or are completed.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited December 2009

    TERESA.... I just got home... I PRAYED all day for you! I pray that you wake tomorrow after being on the Anti-biotics for 24 hrs... fever free...

    I will be home in the morning before work if you wanna call... I leave for work at 9...

    If you wanna call now.. I wll be up till 11pm....

    SISTER... ((((((((HUGS))))))))) please don't let your mind go to a bad place...:(

    I remember asking about infection. He said it happens in like 1% of us... and it will present in the first 72 hours usually. I then asked.. WELL... what do we do then.. if I am that 1%... he said anti-biotics.... and I left it at that.....

    Since you got cold or chilled before the fever.. I am SURE..just SURE you are sick... sounds like it to me....

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited December 2009

    12/11 - lifegoeson - Nips rescheduled

    12/11 - Typhoon55 - Exchange surgery

    12/11 - Blessedby4 - Exchange surgery

    12/11 - Neen2059 - Exchange surgery

    I am very happy for you ladies ... I pray your surgeries go well!

    Laura

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited December 2009

    Julie I had my 1st exchange Oct 1st adn 2nd exchange Dec 11 ( 1st implant was saline and filled to the max which I think must have made it hard plus was narrower than my TE, 2nd exchange was still high profile but silicone and closer to my TE dim.)

    exchange is usually a very easy surgery

    I wish I would have had more info and not needed the 2nd exchange but well worth it

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited December 2009

    All who are sad.. or deal with those tears of... CANCER... either during or after our treatments...

    I hold you dear to me. You are not alone. We all feel similar at some point in this journey. Some of us heal faster than others...but we are all the same...

    I  dealt with two people today who had cancer like us.. and they are not dealing to good now. I think.. we all realize.. we are not..."immortal".. we realize that we are not getting out of this world alive...hehe... and cancer just points that out to us... so many of us at such an early age..

    So.. I just wanted to extend my arms to my girls here in a very tender loving ((((hug))))

    We will be ok... in our own times...

    KEW... sweety.. I wish you lived by me.. I would have you with me for Christmas... !... Also.... HOW SCARY that guy in your backyard area........ OMGOSH....

    I hope your arm is healing... blessings

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited December 2009

    PACKER????? PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE speak up and say you are doing AOK!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited December 2009

    Colleen--That is so sweet.  I will be in SoCal sometime in the spring--and hoping to meet some of the Sisters to the south, but I'm going to stay close to home for Christmas.  I will be alone, but I'm really tired and the thought of having a week to myself (I'm taking the week off of work, too) for reflection on this last year seems like a gift. I'm really tired and overwhelmed. I have my 1 year appt. with my onc tomorrow (1 year since my first appt. with him), I'm curious to see if he is still going to want to see me every 3 months, or if it will be different because of the lung nodules and stuff.  It is kind of a drag, I'd like to think I'm cured, but the nodules and bone scans make me wonder if I'm Stage IV and it just hasn't been declared.  I hate that the bone scans were "likely degenerative"  "neoplasm unlikely".  I want to hear NED, but my doctors say I will never hear that because of having had cancer (but other women hear NED, why can't I?), every nodule, uptake, whatever will always be "unlikely."  I haven't sent the paper out I was waiting until I got it back and I have, I just haven't sent it yet.  I will.  The creepy guy thing didn't happen to me, it happened to my son who is living in Altadena, California. 

    Thank you Laura!!! 

     Hugs--Karen

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2009

    Colleen,  I'll post pictures after the dressings come off.  Not much to see till then.  That would be next week.  Probably won't post until Fri or Sat. coz of work.

    I'm having quite a bit of pain on the right side.  PS used scar tissue on that side.  That's also my dominant side so maybe I overused.  Percocet for my nightcap tonight.  

    Good luck everyone tomorrow.  I'm praying for easy surgeries and that you're all happy with your soft foobs and perky nips.  Or chunky ones.

    Firn 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited December 2009

    Firni... heal well sister... sorry about the pain tonight..:(.. it is almost over for ya!!!  You can do this! :)

  • lifegoeson
    lifegoeson Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    Yikes it's almost 1am here and I can't sleep.  Having my nips done and also fat grafting tomorrow.  I hate the night before surgery.   Oh well, if I don't sleep tonight I'll surely sleep tomorrow!

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited December 2009

    Just want to say God bless to all having surgeries this week.  I pray that everyone else is recovering well from their surgeries.  I am doing better.  I just went to play bunco this evening with my gal pals & it was nice to be out with the girls!

    NAE.

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 332
    edited December 2009

    Firni, congrats! Thanks for the warning about pain. I never would have thought about that, even though I also have some feeling returned.

    Sadness? It seems to come and go more now than it did during treatment. Hopefully less and less as we move forward. And we ARE moving forward ladies!

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited December 2009

    Texas:  Your nip placement should be aligned regardless of your breast position.  And the areolas done later on.  How long did you wait for them to fluff and drop?  If it is not 6 months, in your case, I would not do the nips yet.  They may settle and your nips will be out of place. I know we are anxious to get this done and over with, but... 

     I do not know about the lat dorsi procedure (why do you think you might have one?)...

    JUDY

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