Exchange City
Comments
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Well, today I decided to go to Nordstrom's for a bra fitting while I was out finalizing my Christmas shopping. Someone on here-I think it was Nedeza- had mentioned going there recently, so I thought, why not?
The woman working there was very nice and professional. I have been wearing my hook and eye front Walmart sports bras during expansion and since my expansion is done I decided to treat myself. I was an A cup before bc. Imagine my surprise to find out I am currently a 32 D!! My PS did overfill me-shes says usually 10% overfill. I had hoped for a B cup when I started this process. Now I don't know what to expect or even what I want. Thanks everyone for all the information you share with others. Have a great Monday!! TCK0 -
Ladies,
The girls are really feeling funky today. Can anyone tell me what it's going to feel like after the exchange? These things get tight, and move around etc. Is is going to be better? Please tell me they will feel more natural like.
I went shopping for my "exchange surgery outfit" and the front closing sports bra, and it all came rushing back. Beginning to feel the helpless feeling again. I think that's going to be with me along time. As I'm sure you all had the same experiences, but being so weak I couldn't even open my own medicine bottle, or get ice for a glass of tea, will be one of the memories that won't go away for a long time. I don't ever want to feel that way again. I'm just now getting to the point that I can do different things without thinking about it. Is it going to be like it was after the MX or easier?
I guess what I'm asking is will they "feel" better?
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Good question Nancy. My radiated side also feels vey funky, but my prophylactic side is starting to feel normal after a week.
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Back from my first fill -- it was not at all painful! Felt funny a few times (because, I think, I have feeling on the inside but not the outside of my breast). Found out I have a 600cc capacity TE. Today they added 90 cc's so that means I now have almost half of capacity (270 cc's) -- maybe more if they don't end up filling it up all the way.
Hannah -- well that is awesome being a D! Perhaps the A cup was not a proper fit to begin with? In any event, the numbers matter less than how you feel if you ask me. Hope you feel WONDERFUL
Nancy -- sending you HUGS! You sound a little down and I know that feeling. I am certain a new normal will come into play and you will eventually put all of this behind you. I say have a good cry if you need to then do something lovely for yourself
Texas -- how interesting that you've had a harder time with the exchange (vs. BMX)! Is it more painful? I hope whatever is the trouble, it goes away soon. Sounds like you followed chemo/radiation with MX. Surprised to hear that you are still feeling SEs from the chemo! Since you had your BMX last August, I am assuming the chemo ended at least a month before that. I finished chemo November 9 and am still losing eyebrows and eyelashes, which is a bummer, and still no sign of regrowth of hair (but hopeful that SOMETHING will change soon). Still have a bit of a drippy nose (lack of nose hair). My skin is not so dry as it was though. Are you taking tamoxofin (sp?) or arimidex? Maybe the SEs are from those?
Cheers,
Lilah0 -
Val - I still feel stuff w/ my pec's - perhaps that is forever.
Texas - When I was post surgical, I asked a boy I didn't know at the convenience store to carry out my milk and he did so w/ a smile. I think he liked helping me.
For those of you about to have an exchange. I found it MUCH easier than the BMx. The two surgeries were not even comparable for me. I hope it is the same for you.
Hugs to those having surgery and recovering this week!
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THANK YOU ALL SO SO MUCH.
Yes Kelsey got to visit me Saturday and it was wonderful until they ran the vanco again and it made me so sick and she was crying and I was crying, it was a thing.
I am home now on Zyvox oral antibiotic for two weeks. I still can't look at the missing side,it sort of looks like a shark took a bite out of me.I know its temporary so I am trying to focus elsewhere,like on getting well and ignoring the visual.
I know ups and downs are coming,and they will SUCK big time, I just need to feel better first.Thank you to everyone, thank you for the PMs and phone numbers,I will call I just need to find my center for a little bit.
Wendy
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LizziesNuNu ~ The exchange was SO much easier for me as well....like night and day. I had pocket work so there was some soreness and the limitations were more because I wanted to protect the pocket work and not have anything shift. I did not feel as helpless as the BMX. I did wear front closing shirts at first mainly as I said to keep the pockets in place.
From a comfort standpoint....night and day. My TE's hurt so bad and I believe my ribs were compressed but after the exchange softness and I could breathe again!
For everyone who had exchanges and are wondering about "drop and fluff"....it took mine about 2-3 months to notice a difference. It was so gradual that I didn't realize it until I met with Deborah who lives fairly close to me and she could tell a difference from the picture I had sent earlier. I remember reading posts about pushup bras and thought mine can't be pushed anywhere! But they could now.
Best wishes to all having exchanges.
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The pectoral "animation" is forever. I know how you feel Val - and I will never scoop icecream in front of guests. Nor will I de-cork a wine bottle. I don't drink wine any longer, but we had someone over the other night and I started with the two arm corkscrew and quickly realized I could soon be putting on a show and had DH open the bottle instead.
Hannahbearsmom: Don't spend too much on bras while still in TEs. And if you like your size in TEs, you need to communicate this to your PS and exchange to implants which have the same DIMENSIONS as your TEs. Otherwise, nearly everyone ends up with implants smaller than their expanders and then any bras you purchase now will not fit. Do not go by cup size, but rather by what looks good on your frame. Plan to go a little larger than you THINK you want, because the reconstructed breast just does not have the projection of the augmented breast and you will not have the projection of your tissue expanders with the exchange. So the key is to look at dimensions rather than cup size.....
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Whippetmom (Deborah) -- I think Santa needs to give you a Rabbit for Christmas (or a Screwpull
Cheers,
Lilah
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Deborah,
Thanks for your help in my implant sizing. I read a lot of your posts and I did go with a very slightly bigger implant (425 versus 400 cc). I read about your saying projection and I many nights measured with a tape measure and also trying on my dear daughter's bras. I am very happy with the size I just got. Any smaller and I would of been unhappy, the PS was saying 350cc. NO way. Now just waiting for the drop and fluff and then nips.
Happy Holidays All,
Janet
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Lilah: We have a Rabbit, but you still have to exert pectoral movement. Also, it is one heavy mutha...and I can never find it. At a party last week, someone had a pushbutton, battery operated cork remover. It even de-corked a champagne bottle quietly - like magic.0
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Whippetmom: Thanks for the input. I know that the 2 bras that I bought today won't fit after my exchange. It won't be until March though and I really just wanted something nicer and more comfortable until then. I was beginning to loathe the somewhat ill fitting sportsbras that I have been wearing and want to feel more "normal." I hadn't really been thinking too much about cup size, I was just surprised at the D. Anyway, my PS has told me that I will have less projection after the exchange. I still have to decide how big I want to be and what looks ok-I think right now if I end up somewhat smaller than I currently am that I will be very happy. As I get closer to my exchange date I will probably be seeking your advice about specific implants that my PS uses and what she is recommending before surgery. Thanks again, TCK0
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Hi Ladies,
Well surgery went well on Friday. I saw PS today and he is happy with the results. He took the drains out which was a relief because they were the only things giving me discomfort. PS put 600cc Silicone Mentor Implants in. He said he also did some pocket work to bring my foobs closer together and adjust the mass amount of side boob I had with the Tissue expanders. I will be in an ace bandage pushing the foobs together until I can find a sportsbra that fitd. I have a small ribcage band width so I can't seem to find a sportsbra locally that can help me push the foobs together. Will continue my search tomorrow as having the foobs squashed in an ace bandage all week does not sound like fun.
I can't say I am happy or disappointed with the results right now. My first reaction when the bandages were taken off today was that they look smaller than I had hoped. I realize I won't have the projection I had with real breasts. I had augmentation in Spring of 2008. I was barely and A cup and had 400cc Mod plus implants put in and I ended up a size 30E. Other than being cancer free, my only other wish after deciding to to have bilat mx with reconstruction this June, was that I be able to fit into my 30E bras after reconstruction was complete. Not sure if I will dill my bras or not. I am afraid to check and get disappointed. I hope a fill them perfectly. I pray I end up being happy with my foobs as the tissue expansion process was painful and I do not wish to go through that again.
As far as working out, PS said to do nothing for a week to give the pocket work he did a chance to heal. In a week, I can start working on a stationary bike but need to have my arms crossed? I am sure I won't look like a looney at the gym.
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Ooo Deborah that battery-operated corkscrew sounds fab!
Aw sorry I have always had my BF remove corks from bottles so I've never tried the Rabbit (he is my Rabbit hehe)... but I thought they were less effort.
Cheers,
Lilah
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Oh and here is a question for you Deborah -- what do you know about the projection of the teardrop shaped gummies? I believe my PS wants to use that sort of implant. Or is it not that simple? (Something tells me it isn't)
Thanks,
Lilah0 -
I must have a sick mind....
You all are talking about the rabbit... my mind WAS NOT thinking wine bottle opener....
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LOL Laura!
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Laura, The little angel smiley face tells me you think the rabbit is something other than a wine bottle opener or a cute little animal
( I thought the same thing you did at first, but I have one of those wine bottle openers, but I didn't know it was called a rabbit. I had my fipple surgery, he did a skate flap, No pain during the procedure, I am bangaged and have about a teaspoon of neosporin and then covered by a breathable opsite type bandage. I go back on Wednesday for a check up. No showers for 48 hours. So far no pain, but he used a lot of novacaine. I am going to work tomorrow, but with restrictions. I got to see it, it is amazing! I am so glad that I made the decision to have a nipple made. I thought about skipping it and just doing a tattoo, but I really wanted a matched set. Jan
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Yay Jan! I'm not sure but I think my PS is doing that sort of nipple as well (she didn't give it a name but described an in-office procedure which involved making one out of skin that is there, if I remember right, though lord knows I have assimilated WAY too much info to be 100% positive).
Anyway -- so glad it came out nice! You deserve a nice fipple today
Cheers,
Lilah
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OMG - I tried to open a bottle of wine last night. I have one of those fancy bottle openers that sits on the bar. I couldn't do it! I have a rabbit (bottle opener). Maybe that one will work better.
I was in a meeting with a customer today and had a total muscle foob spasm on the right. Nice!!! Luckily I was wearing a blazer!
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Kittycat, you made me laugh...! A great way to sign off for the evening. Thank you!
Kristen
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Hi everyone!
I'm new to this forum and was wondering if anyone has had anything done with their scars after the exchange. My PS suggested using a laser. My scars have spread quite a bit and I'm hoping something can be done with them. Thanks for any info you have and happy holidays!
Meghan
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Peggio and Texas,
Thanks so much for the info. I feel so much better this morning, than yesterday. I'm begiinning to feel excited, can't wait to see how the girls turn out. I know it will take a few weeks, to months for the final results, but at least it's coming.
I know everyone's situation is different, but it feels so good to hear from you guys.
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FOR THOSE OF US WHO CANNOT SHOVEL BUT NEED TO
I found a POWER SHOVEL at Home Depot. It only cost $99. and it works like a snow blower. It is electric and basically eats the snow and throws it about 20' in front of you. You can't change the direction of where it throws the snow - but it is MUCH easier than using a shovel. It works on larger drifts but not as well as it does on smaller amounts. Looks like I am going to need it again thursday and friday.
Allison
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Jan: I am so glad the nipple seems to have come out well...Can't wait to decorate around it!! JUDY
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Lilah, actually I had my first mastectomy October 08 followed by chemo and rads. Then in August I had a prophylactic mastectomy. In November I had my exchange but the radiated incision opened a week ago, and I had another exchange last Wednesday. The first exchange was a breeze! I think this exchange hurts because my body has been through so much.
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Texas357,
I'm sorry you're having problems. Seriously, if you get in a bind before Xmas, I live close to Houston and I certainly don't mind doing some cleaning for you. It would be a pleasure to meet you. Please don't hesitate to let me know.
Deen
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Hello Meghan and welcome!
My mastectomy scar is not a problem, but the scars on my back where I had the LD flap done have not healed well at all. They are about 1/2 inch wide and very red. My PS said to wait a full year before doing anything. I don't know about laser scar improvement.
The other thing about the mastectomy scar (in my case it's a flap), is that the instant I got my nipples done, that scar was so much less noticable. I don't know where you are in this process but if you haven't had nipples yet, you should wait until after you have them done before deciding on scar revision.
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Thanks Deen. We will actually have someone house-sitting for a few days. It's a win/win situation as this person is going through a divorce and is without a place to stay. I'm hoping if I leave the vacuum in plain sight, the floors might not be quite as crunchy/hairy when we return.
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Texas357,
If the person house sitting your place will not help at all, you could try the craiglist.com and just search in your area. I got somebody to clean kitchen, 2 1/2 bath for $35 at least once a month from the listing at craiglist.
My exchange was Nov. 16 but went for another surgery to remove the right breast hematoma after 3 weeks of exhange-Dec. 12. I have right hand limitation now until 4 weeks after surgery. I guess the doctor just want to make sure that I heal first before using the right hand. My right side was the radiated breast.
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