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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Route53
    Route53 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2009

    Just a question for those who have had their exchanges.  My wife had her exchange back on 12/12/08.  How are your scars healing?  My wife is actually already going back in for some revisions with her Plastic surgeon on 3/24 to adjust a pocket that has developed and to revise a few scars.  Obviously it still is early, but I thought it was interesting that our PS figured that he needed to do a revision already to clean up a scar.

    Route53

    http://route53.wordpress.com

  • mom_of_2
    mom_of_2 Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2009

    psalmist...

    Thank you for all your info. I am so happy you are pleased with your results. I know its very soon but do you have any idea what cup size you ended up? I am scheduled for exchange on Wed and like everyone...cc vs cup size is driving me crazy. I'm at 420cc and feel hugh (5ft tall) but thats because expanders are too wide on my chest. PS said he is bringing both moderate-high and high profile into OR and will decided at time of exchange. I am leaning towards telling him to just go high profile. I figure I am only doing this once and might as well go for it!!!

     Thank you thank you thank you everyone for info and support!

    Kris 

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    Has anyone noticed ripples or denting on your new implants?  I have noticed that the cancer side has several puckers in it.  The non cancer side doesn't have puckers but is not as full looking as the left. 

  • Montana_Mom
    Montana_Mom Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine and Psalmist - CONGRATS!  I am so happy for both of you!

    I stayed overnight in the hospital because my dressings needed to be changed on Wednesday and since we live out of town, it just seemed easier to let the PS come to me.  Probably was a good thing because I sprung a leak so he had to tighten the stitches and re-tape one side.  I am all smashed down with an ace bandage and a sports bra because my PS likes to keep the girls from moving around too much the first week; also to reduce swelling.  I am not as big as I thought I would be with 600 cc high profile silicone implants, but they do look natural, with no signs of rippling or implant edges.  They are so, so soft.

    The relief of having the implants gone is immediate!  I was having a great deal of right rib pain and my arms and shoulders ached most of the time.  I am so happy to say that all that pain is gone!  The pain from the exchange surgery is less than what I experienced from biopsies!  My PS went in through the same "doors" as he used for the mastectomies, but did not need to open the entire scars. 

    My 57th birthday is on March 14th, and I have asked my dear husband for a gift certificate from Victoria Secret.  This mom of three and grandmother of six is going to have some sexy bras!

    Thanks for encouragement, sharing your stories, and smiles.  Sharon

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    Hey Ladies! Have been off line for a while, tired, groggy and a little down for some reason....congrats to all the exchanges!! Laura, I hope your scans are good!!

    I have the PS this afternoon to reveal the new girls, quite honestly I am scared and I don't want to cry if they don't look good....right now they are bandaged and I have on a surgical bra, last night I lifted my right arm and the right foob made a farting noise WTF!!!! I hope to God that this is just cos they are squished!! I seriously hope I don't have to walk around with farting foobs!! I am so fed up I have to laugh I guess but I am actually crying as I am worn out with all of this just exhausted, sorry to be such a downer, I have been so UP during this whole thing, and today it just smacked me in the head.....

    Lorraine ox

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine and others...

    feeling really tired for about 3 days after being put under is very normal at least it was for me. 

    Try to take it easy and don't push yourself to hard.

    I think it's normal to feel a little down because before hand were so excited than they knock us out and make us feel all Undecided

    Lorraine you'll have to let us know how your appointment went and remind us again what kind of implant you got.  It's so hard to keep everyone straight...

    your not being a downer your just being honest and that's were all here for.  Everyone share how you feel you don't have to try to always be positive.  It's ok to have lows now and than

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine,

    I am with you about being tired of this whole ordeal.  I hope you like the way you look when you are unveiled.  I haven't had the farting, but I hear a swishing. 

    I too have not had the pains that I had prior to the exchange and the softness is wonderful.  I just hope that the rippling goes away and that I get some fluffing.  I want more projection.

    I went to victoria secrets for my birthday in February.  Since the ps and I had settled on a full "D" i purchased sexy bra and panties sets.  the bra's do fit, but I like the look of the expanders better.  I may have to get some uplift bra's, which I had hoped were part of my past.  The bruising is better today and the swelling is going down.  I can now see the results of the lipo on the upper sides.  Not bad.

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    thanks Sandy.......I needed that. :) I will check in this afternoon once I get back from the PS.  I was just in the bathroom, gingerly opening up the surgical bra just to see what they look like even with the bandages on, they are very high so I have a nice shelf it looks like, they don't look that flat even being squished under the bandages, but who knows!! All will be revealed at 4pm this afternoon I guess! I will just have to be patient.  I think the thing is, with the expanders we all know that they are not for ever so we deal with them looking weird or being hard etc, but these ones are IT you know? So there is a lot at stake, we all just want to look normal, or our new normal.  I don't know what I would do without you girls, you are my lifeline, just to know you are all out there is such a comfort.  Thank you....ox

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    oh, I don't know the size they put in, the PS was taking 600, 650 and 700cc's into surgery to see which would work best, I do know they were Allergan (sp?) smooth, medium profile.

    Lorraine ox

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Pinkylee

    I'm really happy to hear your bras you bought ahead of time still fit, and there a D oh sounds good ; )

    I hope if things fluff the ripples will go away

    I used to have them with my 1st implant but now have them much lesss since I went with a bigger implant. 

    We'll have to see what others say PS did to help that.  I think I read of some adding fat to the area which maybe means more lipo and who won't love a little of that ; - )

    I'm really glad to hear your pain is gone and they are soft

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine,

    You have been through alot and anesthesia does a number to us.  I felt like I was going through menopause the first week after my mastectomy.  I was hot, which I never am and weepy.   I was very, very high one day singing about how strong and amazing I am.  The next day I was right in bed feeling sorry for myself.   The farting foob cracked me up.  Maybe they are just sweaty being bound up.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    I forgot to say ...

    Sharon I'm doing the happy dance for you also : )

    ok back to cleaning my house some more...

    catch you gals later

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    If I have any advice to give from this experience, it is to make sure you know what shape you want your foobs and make sure the ps understand not only the cup size you want, but the shape.  I never realized that a "D" could vary so much in how it appears to the eye of the beholder.  I a "D" that looks like a "D" not like a "d"

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    pinkylee! yup, swishing noise, but the farting noise was most disturbing LOL!!! I HAVE to laugh, otherwise I think I will crack up! Dani42, you nailed it, I definately feel like I either have major PMS or menopause just hit me head on! My period was due on Feb 28th but nothing so far except for major cramps when I woke up from surgery, my knees were pulled up and I was in agony, the nurse gave me a pain killer which helped a lot.  So it could be just that time of the month too....great!  I will check in later once I have the bandages off, yikes, I am so nervous......

    Lorraine ox

  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 114
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine......since I have doctors orders to just sit around anyways.......I will keep my fingers crossed until you return home from the unveilling.......here's hoping that you are pleased with the result....Pinky......I hope over time.....you will come to enjoy the new girls more........I look forward to going to the PS tomorrow......and to see where we are........I am really hoping to be done this whole thing before the summer.......this doesn't sound unreasonable when I look at some of your time frames.......I think I may have to challenge her timeline......and tell her my expectations........I can't continue to sit around and put my life on hold.......I can only take my mom hovering......and taking over my repsonsibilities for so long.......kids are starting to ask why grandma is hanging around so much........don't get me wrong......I love her.......but she is vacuuming around my chair as I type this......aargh.

    Cheers

    Jax

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    Jax! oh my goodness thank you for the laugh!! My mum was here from London for 6 weeks when I had my bi-lat and I just totally related to the vaccuming around the chair LOL!!! got to love them huh! but at some point you need your home and space back........will check in later,..

    L.ox

  • psalmist
    psalmist Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2009

    Mykidsmom, I was expanded to almost 600c (590) and with the 450 implant expect to be a small C now.  Honestly, with all the extra skin I have a lot of jiggle and softness.  I like the way they look so far.  I remember being at 350 to 375 and thinking, "this is all I can stand."  But when I got to 465 I changed my mind and liked that size.  I'm glad I went bigger, because they seem small to me after the exchange; although they are perfect for my body size (small chest diameter).  

  • psalmist
    psalmist Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2009
    Mom of 2 - I have on a sports bra right now that is a 36C and filling it out nicely. It's hard to say what I'll be at Victoria's Secret!  I am delighted with the high profile, but when I raise my arms they are closer in at the sides than my expanders were.  No biggie -- I still like them.  Congrats on your exchange!  Isn't it amazing how much EASIER it was than the MX?   Pinky Lee, I don't have ripples that are visible from my vantage point, but my PS said to expect a few along the bottom.  I'm really hoping they don't show up. I do hope you are more satisfied with your results as time goes on.  Lorraine, Even though I'm so happy to be finished with the exchange, the anesthesia does a number on my emotions and it doesn't help that my PS won't let me take a full body shower yet.  Route 53, Sorry to hear your wife is going back in already for a revision.  I hope she will be pleased with the results. 
  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    psalmist,

    Thank you for the information on your implant size.  My tissue expanders don't even have saline in them yet and I am fitting into a B cup bra.  Mostly which is under my arm pits and not very comfortable!  I am 5'0" and 104 lbs.  I won't be able to have an implant that is too wide, especially after the tissue expanders practically reaching my back.  I have my first fill tomorrow and the ps said he only planned on doing 2 or 3 fills.  We haven't discussed size or shape really.  He did ask me what I size I was thinking and I said I wanted to have breasts that were in proportion to my size, not the look of two basketballs on my chest.  He has since said that the goal is to achieve a natural look.  

  • hood1980
    hood1980 Member Posts: 168
    edited March 2009
    I've been reading all your posts ladies.  I want you all to hang in there because it does get better.  I had my exchange a week ago and I am beginning to like the look of my new foob!  Am I allowed to say it is cute???  It's only 450cc because that is all the stretching my skin could handle but it is a cute little foob!  Embarassed
  • traceyz
    traceyz Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2009

    Hello My Lovely Ladies,

    I am finally feeling better after the very depressing Susan G Komens Young survivor Coalition conference in Dallas. It was one of the most depressing things I have ever experienced. To see so many young women that were not lucky enough to catch this early was enough to push me over the edge. It was however GREAT to see that the majority were doing GREAT, and are still cancer free after so many years!!!

    Okay lets get down to business! On a few threads I think this one, the October thread and the expander pain thead we talked about getting a reunion together. I am ready to start working on the details. I think it should be after Laura has her exchange... maybe sometime in the fall. Or we could do it just before her exchange. I am thinking September or October. But I need feedback. Being a flight attendant I get great discounts on hotel rooms. We just have to decide where? When? And for how many days?? I think it should be somewhere that we can lay out by the pool, get massages, have drinks, and party hard!! A few places that have been mentioned are Vegas or Florida. Please give me your feedback. I think it would be a wonderful celebration of our sisterhood!! 

    Take Care,

    Tracey

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Hood I'm so happy to hear you got a cute foob ; - )

    Tracy a gathering would be great.  I love the thought of someplace warm.  I know about 4 years ago we went to Vegas and it was very reasonable priced.  The 1st two weekend in Sept are usually busy for me but I will have to check my schedule and see if I have races again those weekend that I plan on doing.  I'm flexible on the length, I would think 3-7 days depending on how much more it would cost to stay more than the 3 days...  Sometimes the flight is the most expensive thing and the extra days don't usually cost that much.

  • HuneyB2
    HuneyB2 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Pam, I'm ready!

    Pam (also)

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    Sharon - I am so glad that you are home and feeling much more comfortable! Congratulations.

    Lorraine - I think I would be a bit freaked too if my implants made noices!

    Hood - I like the idea of a cute little foob. I think that's me!

    Tracey - I may be able to join the reunion. I think LV makes sense, it is usually pretty easy to get to. And I am w/ Sandy, sometime in the fall. Perhaps after Laura's exchange.

    Hunyb2 - Best wishes tomorrow!

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2009

    I still say Vegas....I posted on continued  tissue expander pain thread!!! I do think after Laura's exchange but sweet girl Laura...it's up to you.

    Lorraine....OMG the farting boob made me laugh so hard. I don't think it means anything bad unless your PS used some of your butt to fill in your foob dimples...LOL Mine is using my belly and hips to fill. I'll call you later to see if your boob is still farting!!!!

    On another note...Sandy..thanks for all your research. I started to freak that I needed the high profile implants. I measured my chest and my PS is right, I need the moderate plus profile. Guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree...my son is a football player and always said my shoulders were built like a line backer....Gawd I'm only 5' 6" and weigh 130lbs.....LOL high profiles on me would be too far apart!!!! Bye bye high profile.....Hello moderate plus!!!!

     xxoo Kathie 

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited March 2009

    dani42 - good luck to you on your first fill tomorrow!  Mine's early in the morning, so we'll see how the day goes.........I'll be thinking of you! 

    Thanks rockwell_girl for the advice on prepping with pain meds.  I'll definitely do that.  I also have my soma and vicodin at hand if needed later - hopefully not!  

    Thanks to all of you for the info on expanders and implants.  I'll also ask my PS for info on my expanders.  Sounds like that will help me figure things out with regard to implants later this summer. Boy does that seem forever from now!!

  • Route53
    Route53 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2009

    Pinky,

    My wife has seen some settling and some settling that makes her lopsided.  Her physician is going back to make them more symmetrical.  My wife had a bilateral skinsparing and nipple sparing matectomy so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the irregularities.

    I have noticed some dimpling which my wife doesn't have a problem with but I told her she should at least address it. 

    For me as her partner (and I think all of you with partners should ask) I've tried to stay away from any input on this part of the recovery since her cancer surgery as I felt it was her choice and honestly wanted it to be what she wanted without question. But I think once the reconstruction had occurred my wife has asked me my opinion as she wants to know what I see as opposed to what she sees. Surprising to her (not to me) my main issue is that I feel like her breasts aren't as round and adding to that her nipples don't appear  to be as symmetrical as they used to be. Anyone else had this issue? 

    Route53

    http://route53.wordpress.com

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Route53 has your wife posted her pix on the private pix forum so we can see what your talking about?

    When you say she had a skin sparing and nipple sparing are you saying one breast has skin sparing and the other breast had a nipple sparing?

    I hope her revisions go well

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Kathie/Sam1991

    can I ask what your rib cage size is.

    I'm 5' 7" and weigh about 135 - 140

    I think my rib cage is 29"

    I went with 550cc high profile

    Kathie I think your looking at the 700cc mod profile implants which would be 15.8 by 4.9

    since your going with a lager implant you will be close to 5 for projection so I think you'll like it.

    To get that width on high profile you'd have to go with 800cc which would give you 15.5 by 6.0

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2009

    I haven't posted for a few days--my goodness, what a flurry of activity here!  My business suddenly picked up, so I have less free time, which is good, as the bills keep coming!  It's just been hard to get into the groove.

    Would love to hear from Bustersmom, Snayde, 40somethingmom, and Monique, who had exchanges within days of mine on 2/9, to see how they're doing.  I had Natrelle silicone implant, 420cc, on the left, and a lift on the right.  My right side is definitely bigger--my bra pulls to the right and I keep having to center it!

    I'm wondering how long to wait before I think something isn't right.  I know many of you had an implant exchange, but more surgery sure sounds traumatic right now!  I thought getting my real bras back would give me a bit of cleavage, but it's not happening.  Otherwise, everything is just fine.  Incisions seem to be a bit bothersome at night when I'm tired.  I see my PS on the 23rd, so maybe things will have changed a bit by then.

    I'm so impressed with those of you who went in for your exchange and were back posting in a matter of hours--Wow!

    Suzie

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