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Exchange City

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Comments

  • CyndiS
    CyndiS Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2010

    How about "Implants for Dummies" (lol) -- that's probably a copyright infringement... I like Implants 101 -- short, and very intuitive. I think if you put in the opening that it is only information based on the experience of those who have gone before, and that no doctors or pharmaceuticals have contributed to the content directly -- maybe that will let people understand. From my perspective, I will of course ask my doctor for the "professional" opinion... But nothing replaces the words and info from people who have actually gone through it. The perspective is really important - and wow - what a great way to share it. I feel so blessed to have stumbled on you ladies. You're amazing.

  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Member Posts: 223
    edited January 2010

    I like Implant Sizing 101, but there are several cute titles that you have listed.  It is wonderful to share advice like this, especially for those of us who have quiet, untalkative plastic surgeons... Thank you!

  • DiDiT
    DiDiT Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2010

    Whippetmom - glad you're doing this - sometimes it's hard to find info amongst the threads - and the search option on this site is difficult as well:)

    You should graciously claim the title 'expert'  -  you've done the research, you have experience, you're our go to girl.   You're not dictating to anyone - you're advising....and it's greatly appreciated my so many  -  not to mention 'reassuring' in times of need!!!!!

    God Bless You!!

    Di Di

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 271
    edited January 2010

    When I got my first implant, I went with what the PS recommended, which was a Mentor 400.  It looked pretty decent, but I had absolutely no input in the process of choosing what would be placed in my chest.  Over the next several months, I developed capsular contracture and the implant became distorted and painful.  It was replaced last month.  The new implant needed to be smaller because my skin is so thin, so now I have a Mentor 325 and it is much more comfortable, but I hate the way it looks.  Deborah - I really like the idea of having information about implant sizing available, either on Exchange City or Implant Sizing 101 because "knowledge is power" and so much of our power is taken away by BC.  

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2010

    You guys are amazing....but I did not plan on this being a thread to take away from people coming to EC for advice.  It is just a thread to refer people to for the basics - getting the TE dimensions, height, weight, ribcage - all of those things and THEN they come here with questions, already armed with the information we need.  This is just sort of a thread to link people to and then we are not repeating the same thing over and over again here on EC.....know what I mean?  Heavens, I don't want to leave EC - it is my home!  Your are my homeys!  LOL.  On this other thread there would be this statement - something like - "once you have all of the information in hand, if you still desire further assistance with implant selection, please visit Exchange City and post your information.  That is my intent anyway....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2010

    Dianne:  I was going to PM you - you were MIA.  How about some photos?  Let us know what is going on with the new girls...

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2010

    Colleen:  PM me with the PMT information. 

  • Mai605
    Mai605 Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2010

    Hi all, just had a second and wanted to drop in to say hi!  I've been laying pretty low, and am finally feeling better after the pain I've been in the last week.  Went to pt yesterday, which I think helped.  I read this thread faithfully and you all are always in the thoughts and prayers, you are all amazing women!  Your posts are so informative, helpful and encouraging.  I haven't had the courage to even view the photos on here at all, let alone post my own, not very happy with the results for now, which seems not as important as finding relief from pain.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631
    edited January 2010

    Deborah -- I don't blame you for not wanting to come off as an expert... but for sure you are the most knowledgeable person here!  I think Dianne's suggestion "Tips for Choosing the Right Implants" sounds perfect!  Then you are offering advice ("tips") rather than teaching ("101")...

    PS the redness seems less today!  Yay!

    Lilah

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited January 2010

    I like the direct one-  Implant Sizing 101--  I think people will go there.. And that is what's important.  I get what you said about repetition- a good place to send them and to preparethem..then they can come right back here!!  JUDY

  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2010

    Hi Everyone ~

    Hope everyone is well.

    Deborah -  How about "Pre-Exchange City".  That way the 2 threads will have somewhat of a link but people will know that they should start at "Pre"

    Jean - I'm saying  prayers for you and your mom.

    Geena - If your ribs are compressed they may have a tendency to "swallow" your implants.  This is what happened with me.  I have Allergan Style 20 500ccs and it's amazing to me the difference of 500ccs on me and on others.  I would say I have perky Cs.  I could only take 400ccs in my TEs and the PS was able to get 500ccs in the implant because they are so much softer.

    Peg

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2010

    Jean--Sending hugs and prayers to you and your mom.

    Love--Karen 

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2010

    Deb- My vote is for "implant sizing 101" (everyone will know what that means).  I think as long as you put legalize in the beginning that you are not a doctor, nor pretending to be one on TV- just a girl, giving some advice.  Newbies can go there and read all the info you have repeated over and over here and perhaps in time a sizing chart with height and weights can be established!!!  (then you can sell that to PS offices!!!!!)  OK I will stop with the PR!!!  Sorry.  Of course, when someone on here asks for advice, we can all advise them to you and then there is ONE thread with all that info that shy newbies can look over and perhaps even match her size with a previous size.  I think it is wonderful!!!!  Eventually, you could even start a website, similar to timtams away from BCorg so other people can find it to...but now I regress to PR again....sorry.  Now go do it and be brilliant!  We all have your back and are cheering you on.

  • LizziesNuNu
    LizziesNuNu Member Posts: 33
    edited January 2010

    Hey everybody, haven't been on in a couple of weeks, so was surprized to see all the new posts. I think what whippetsmom is wanting to do is fantastic. I learned so much from this entire website, that even more information is only going to help future BC ladies.

    I had no idea what to expect as far as the exchange was concern, besides what brand and size my PS planned on using. I ended up with the Allergan 500 and so far am pleased. I didn't realize it was going to be as painful as it was, and then developed an infection and got to spend New Year's Eve in the hospital with an IV in my arm. Luckily it treated aggresively and is doing much better now, and hopefully will continue on the right track.

    Questions now, when do they settle? I was telling the girls at work, it feels like when you need to reach inside your bra and "adjust" only we can't reach inside our skin and underneath our muscles to "move" them around. I can't get fitted for a good bra until all the swelling is gone. Will the bra take care of this feeling, or do I have to learn to live with it?

    Can't complain too much it's 1000% better than having the expaners in.

    Here's to 2010 !!!!

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2010

    Liliah:

    So glad you are tolerating the RX.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631
    edited January 2010

    Wendy -- thanks :)  So far, so good.  We'll see what PS says on Thursday but I'm saying prayers that I don't have to do the hospital/IV trip.

    Nancy -- I feel like I'd like to adjust my TE!  It hurts the way an underwire would sometimes hurt - digging in to me (or that's what it feels like) - and I want to reach down and adjust the damn thing but, as you said, I can't, it's under my skin!  Not unbearable, just uncomfortable. 

    Lilah

  • CyndiS
    CyndiS Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2010

    Amen DiDiT! I agree whole-heartedly.

  • wabiwoman
    wabiwoman Member Posts: 151
    edited January 2010

    Deborah!!!! 

    I have to say my only reservation about the whole thing is protecting your time!  It is a big undertaking to take on a thread of such importance - can you really take this on?  You are soooooo generous, soooo knowledgeable, it seems like a passion for you -- but I guess as someone in a "giving" profession -- I'm projecting -- I wouldn't want you swallowed whole by the need out there!  What you have to offer is so necessary, so needed -- we come up to the pre-op, just weeks before our exchanges, with no knowledge of any of this -- unless we happen upon BC.org and..... YOU!!!  Maybe there would be a way in the introduction to say what your boundaries are...  like "I don't check the emails on Sunday" or something.  I dunno.  Just talking out loud.  Projecting.  Protecting.  Caring.

    Peace,

    Geena

  • CyndiS
    CyndiS Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2010

    I am not looking forward to being able to relate to all the TE stories on here.. Oh well... Par for the course, I suppose. Question: Since I haven't met with my plastic surgeon yet to discuss the reconstruction, is this information I should go in with (the list Jean provided earlier)? It's so foreign to me yet and I am anxious to hear what the ps says about my case in particular. But I guess I should have some opinion, I just want to be open minded since I am just getting into the process. Although I haven't met him yet, I have heard fantastic things about him including the fact that he is also an artist and walks around with a sketch book - I like that the beauty and aesthetics are something he relates to artistically - plus he specializes in cancer reconstruction. So at least I am confident in his abilities. I'm rambling - okay, I'm a little nervous! (A LOT!)

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2010

    Deborah, I'll look at those books too.  I love finding a new author to follow!  Thanks.

    I don't think any of the titles are a bad choice but I do think keeping it simple is good, it's funny I've only been here a month but I can't remember how I found you all.  I must have searched reconstruction so anything with that word should work. If you're uncomfortable with 101, maybe replace it with "getting started"

    Nancy, Congratulations, bummer about the infection and New Years Eve though.    Diane, So sorry to hear that you're disappointed and in pain, what a miserable combination.  I feel for you!Julie 
  • blessedby4
    blessedby4 Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2010

    Jean:  So sorry to hear about your mom, hope she is doing better each day!

    Deborah:  I only wish I had known to ask more questions about sizing and all that goes with picking the implants.  You seem to understand a lot of the process that most of us probably don't and your sharing what you have learned with others is a great asset to others.  Thanks for your caring attitude and the time you give to us.  

    I got my nerve up to possibly think about taking some pictures today of reconstruction results (that I am not thrilled with) to post and of course can't find my camera anywhere!!!  I am searching everywhere to no avail so far.  Had it at xmas but don't know where it went since then.  Ugh... a new camera is not in the budget!!!

  • Breastless
    Breastless Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2010

    Jean - my prayers are with you and your mom

    Deborah - I agree that whatever the thread is called that it doesn't compete with Exchange City.  As you said it would be more of an informational thread telling the newbies what info is required so that members on Exchange City can help answer their questions.  Usually when someone has a question, you have to tell them what you need before you can assist them.  If we had this thread with information only, then anyone in Exchange City can point the newbie to the Information thread.  Is there any way that it can be an info only thread where users cannot post anything.  That way they must come back to Exchange City to post their question but at least they will come prepared with the information that is required.

  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2010

    I had my exchange on Nov 24th and I find that my implants seem kind of loose.  When I lay down they slip to my sides - the left one especially.  When it moves to the left, it creates quite a dent in the middle of my chest - is this normal?  Also the cleavage area is not quite right - it looks funny in a bra.  I seem to have extra skin in this area.  Is this normal too?  I see my PS on the 18th and I don't want to complain too much and I just don't know what they can and cannot fix.  Any ideas?

    Allison

  • wabiwoman
    wabiwoman Member Posts: 151
    edited January 2010

    Allison,

    Complain too much!  I am a big believer in the reasonable and logical squeaky wheel.  It sounds like you have reasonable and logical reasons to at least be squeaky and ask the questions you need to ask.  These are our bodies and we have to find ways to live in them - get your answers.

    Geena

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 399
    edited January 2010

    Jean, Praying for your Mom, hugs to you both

    Deborah, I think what you're doing is wonderful. You've been such a great help to all of us. The idea of a seperate forum for those just starting out is a great idea. I like the Implant Sizing 101 idea. How you find the time to do all of this is mind boggling and the fact that you MAKE the time is a testament to the caring person that you are.

    Terri

  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2010
    Deborah, I think I was envisioning what Breastless is describing as well.  Even if the link can't be set up on this website, perhaps we could create a wiki website where people can go to view basic info and then come back here for discussion.  This is where they belong anyway and you don't need another place to be having to check in all the time.  I know you're super woman, but even super woman has limits.Allison, I agree with Geena, unfortunately I'm not a very good squeaky wheel.  Even when I'm logical, I feel like a whiner but this is something that we all need to be good at.Julie 
  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2010

    I FINALLY have a surgery date.  Jan 19.  Funny how having a date gives you a nervous/scary feeling in the pit of your stomach!

    I'm planning 2 weeks from work just in case the extra pocket repair is horrible but I'm hoping instead that my new list of books to read will come in really handy.  Maybe I'll take myself to Santa Fe for a couple days all by myself.  :-) 

    Julie 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited January 2010

    Jean.. any news on mom?

    Allison... It really sounds like the implants may have fallen out of their pocket sweety. Do talk to your PS about this. It is not complaining.. but getting it right for you. Let us know!

    Julie... YOU ARE GONNA DO GREAT!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631
    edited January 2010

    Julie that's wonderful!  And Santa Fe sounds heavenly to me right now in the frigid northeast.

    Lilah

  • weet
    weet Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2010

    Hello all. Again I do not post a lot but I do visit here often and am so happy for all the good advice. I had my exchange surgery mid Oct. and without the knowledge I have gained here I would not have known about different sizes etc.I saw my PS today and he agrees that the size I have is not correct for me and I will have another exchange in April.I had a single mx and at the exchange I had a lift on my right breast that is beautiful. I know the other will not match perfectly but hopefully much better than now. I did take some pictures and will try to post them. 

    Wishing everyone a great 2010 and good luck to all having surgery this week and quick recoveries to those just done.

    Weet

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