Exchange City
Comments
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CS -- I'm also a uni and will be getting the gummie. I think the teardrop shape tends to match better with a natural breast? As my PS also prefers to use this type of silicone implant when attempting to match an existing breast. We shall see.
Lilah
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Hi everybody. First time on this thread. My fills have been done since November and now hoping to have exchange surgery/port removal in March. I have my appointment with PS in 2 weeks. I am trying to collect my thoughts so I can ask the right questions to get the right information. I am overwhelmed at this moment. Just thinking about having yet another surgical procedure makes me anxious. But I can't wait to get these TE's out and get rid of this port, either. So onward I go!
Navy
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I have a weird question..... does flying cause weird feelings with implants or am I imagining things?
Allison
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Allison:
You are not imagining it. It is the change in pressure. Next time you fly bring a partiall filled water bottle and watch what happens. It also effects lymph flow, so if you had any nodes removed you want to hydrate and move a lot to avoid cording or other lymph issues.
Wendy
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Welcome Navy. There is so much sustinence here. Stay close.
As for the dear ones that asked about me (((Lilah))) (((Karen))) (((Crusader))) and ((all you fab babes)), I'm hanging in. This thyroidectomy stuff sort of blows. The scar is pretty ugly (about 3 inches long, swollen, angry) and moves up and down when I swallow. SOOOOOO attractive (she said sarcastically). I was looking at it today and then also at the scars on my boobs, and then to my appendectomy scar and then to my reconstruction scars on my left knee and ankle and thought - "honey, you gotta give it a rest". I think my body has just taken on so much of my varying experiences in my life and it isn't gonna take it anymore! I have to pay attention and make the changes that will feed me, not deplete me. I've been pretty rough on it over the years both physically and emotionally (competitive sports, holding in emotions that would have best been expressed verbally) and it is clear that I can no longer do that without.... another scar! Ha! Anyway, I'm hanging in. Re the breasts, I'm still frustrated by post-op care and my doctor's office - I'll see my doc in 4 weeks - the medical assistant took out my sutures. The oddities on the sides of my breasts will no doubt have to be taken care of (cause they are not changing) and I truly know a revision is in my future (unless I like the sideways smiley face indented into the side of my foob - NOT). No use in seeing her sooner than 4 weeks away cause I know nothing can be done now anyway until I'm more healed. But thank goodness for these boards or I would have NO clue as to what was going on!!!! I'm still keeping my movement to a minimum, taping the sides of my breasts so they stay medial and being gentle, gentle so these implants don't get any naughty ideas. I can see them sort of slyly conspiring to start moving towards my armpits, like the TE's - and I will not have it!!! So far, so good.
Karen - I'm glad you're getting some shoulder relief. With the sort of life pressure you've got going on (child, school, work) you don't need mean old chronic pain!
Deen - I think your pictures are beautiful but you know what is best for you!
Lilah - Just thanks for being so present.
Deborah - The Bella Jane bra came yesterday, but the fit was too tight so I sent it back asking for the next size. I thought I measured myself well, but I guess not. Anyway, I am REALLY looking forward to that! Thank you!
Geena
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(((((Geena)))))
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Allison--My left breast started to gurgle when I massaged on a trip to Boulder, it has made the noise ever since. My PS thinks I'm crazy because it never makes the noise when I go in. Sometimes I think my implant leaked, but I don't think the Mentor gel can leak. You are not crazy!
Geena--All things considered you sound pretty good. I'm sorry about the scar, make up some great story about fighting off pirates at sea! Thanks for your encouraging words.
Hugs--Karen
Deborah--not a word to your family....if you go for number 3!
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Kew~
Nice picture!!!
NAE
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Geena - regarding scar tissue...I use reusable silicone gel strips on my exchange scars (bought at Walmart for approx $20 one strip per box approx 6in x 4in - cut in half lengthwise). I cannot remember the name but you can see the strip on my pics in the picture forum. I had told my PS very specifically that I really wanted an improvement on the scar line at exchange and was not happy with how raised and uneven the scars were...I waited for about 3-4 weeks, until the incisions were healed before using the strips and will admit that the improvement was incredible.
Good luck!
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Michelle~
I'm wondering if I have a sensitivity to medical tapes & such...if this these strips would be ok to use? Hmm...guess I will need to read the box when I find them..at Walmart you said?
Has anyone tried using Mederma? Any good results?
NAE
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Nae--Thanks. I was having a nice day, got my hair done, preparing for a really busy week at work, when a woman in her very large SUV plowed into me in my Corolla. She got out and commented on how much damage she did to my car, tossed me her insurance card and drove off. This is going to cost me time I don't have, nor the energy to deal with, and probably raise my insurance rates even though she hit me. I'm feeling a little down-trodden, like why couldn't she have hit someone who hasn't gone through bc, isn't a single parent, with a crazy demanding job, isn't in school, and isn't struggling financially because of the bc. I'm tired of everyone telling me it is going to be OK, to get angry and fight back, that I should be grateful--I am but who are they to tell me what to feel. I'm doing the best I can but really struggling with so much on my plate, yes I chose to go back to school, but that makes me so happy, it was a good choice. This woman really upset me, she looked at my little Corolla, her car probably cost 5x what mine cost, and looked down her nose at me. I suddenly felt less than, damaged goods because of bc, and all the surgeries, broke, and like of course I deserve to be hit by a wealthy woman who didn't even stick around long enough to ask if I'm OK, I'm insignificant now, just a statistic--even though she didn't know that--all of that was running through my mind. I had just come out of the store where I ran into a woman from the group I used to attend and she had a recurrence during the time I was at group, then work prevented me from continuing in the group. I was so happy to see her tonight and how well she is doing, then thunk. Sorry for the rant, I'm just doing this alone, as are others, no family except my kids and an aunt who keeps telling me to toughen up, and I'm tired of being tired. I was going to buy a new car, I'd been dreaming of a Subaru, then dx'd, all money gone. I know it sounds really stupid and materialistic, forgive me. Pity party.
Thanks everyone.
Hugs--Karen
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((( Karen))) pity parties are OK, especially when you've just been plowed over by an SUV!!!
Just know we've all been there, done that, and have a right to rant.
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hi wabiwoman
very curious about your thyroidectomy ...did you have Graves Disease ?? I am like you have uni BC recon revision in march 2010 have had 4 ops last year for mx and recon that is too big and has to be exchanged, now just recovering from a 'C section for a massive ovarian cyst on top of 3 C sections scars . i have Graves disease that is monitered with medication but am feeling a thyroidectomy looming ....have had enough general anna's to last a lifetime so am curious for your thyroid ??
kind regards Jasper
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KEW, I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you will be alright. Sometimes this beast makes us stronger, but most of the time it just makes us tired. When you add bad stuff on top of that, it seems overwhelming. But whether we want to admit it or not, we ARE strong and just keep on truckin'! You are such an inspiring person to me, so thanks. And rant on!!!!
Geena, I have a friend who had her thyroid taken out and her scar has disappeared. Unfortunately, her voice "box" was touched during surgery and her voice is very high now. Wierd. I hope you feel better soon.
I tried the Mederma, and I think it worked pretty well. The massaging of the scars is the important thing to break up the scar tissue, I think.
Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy,
Deen
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(((((Geena))))) (((((((Karen))))))
I have been in and out of my own pity pool so many times lately that I can really understand what you are saying. Karen, I understand the car thing - my field is insurance. I am not in claims but I will try to help you navigate your issues if you want me to.... PM me if you want my phone number and I'll do what I can.
Geena - I agree with KEW about making up a great story... I am more into the stealth thing... Maybe it happened while working under cover for the CIA or a great cat fight with a woman who tried to take your man - or maybe with the man himself for being a jerk. Fair warning for anyone who dares to cross you!!!
Allison
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Hello my dears, long time no type!
I missed you guys too much! Have been really busy working at my new job; haven't even caught up with friends, so I apologize for letting too much time go by to check in with my "bosom buddies"...
I have read up and it sounds like everyone is doing well. Really glad to hear about the weird sensations while flying, as I am off to FLA in March, and i was wondering. ( Had very bizarre mental images of my hoot exploding or flying around the cabin like a balloon.) Obviously, that's not true, very glad to hear it!
I hope all are doing v well, staying warm and enjoying your new girls. I am, at two years out, so happy with mine. She looks wonderful in her new Victoria Secret bra. Now she only needs some tweaks and a cherry on top.
Re: scars, I had some doozies, with necrosis and surgery to patch the break thru. After two years, using cocoa butter, they are barely visible, and I am a natural redhead with scandinavian (translation: easily scarred) skin. Granted, I have one amazing PS!!!!!!
love all you lovely valentines
Annie
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KEW, big hugs to you. This bc biz is so overwhelming in so many ways, and some of us have more supports than you do. Although I think of myself as a strong women (as does all my family and friends), I feel like I have to "act" strong many days in order to "be" strong. Don't know if that makes sense, but that is how it feels. It just gets very tiring some times, doesn't it?
I hope you find comfort in knowing that when you post here, we all totally GET your rant. luv, deekaay
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(((KAREN))) - Your post from yesterday was so poignant. It expressed so much about how difficult this BC experience can be -- how vulnerable it can make us feel -- that we are somehow broken. Ugh. I sooooo get that feeling. I mean our bodies have been cut into, altered, traumatized on some level. I can really see where there could even be a minor PTSD effect for some people. So put that on top of incredible life stress - and you've got a WELL-DESERVED pity party! Rock it! I know someone that literally allows crying sessions for herself - full out - but she sets her alarm so that she can have the cry for say, an hour, but when the bell rings she brushes herself off and "comes back". I just love that. The other side of all of this is that I perceive you as so whole and strong! I really do! I'm hoping that today can be a different experience for you out there in the beautiful Northwest. I remember Laura instructing you to play music really loud out of your window. Maybe it's a nice Sunday for that!!! PS you picture is beautiful!
o2bhealthy and Deen - thank you for the info on the strips and the Mederma. I went into action mode last night and brought myself to our local "Whole Foods" where I purchased Vitamin E to ingest, and also a Vitamin E cream made by Jason with 25,000 IU's in it. We'll see.
Jasper - No Grave's Disease - a very large thyroid tumor that was taking up the majority of the right lobe of my thyroid. Had to come out. Initial biopsy showed benign, but doc sent this to pathology again, said it was larger than the scan indicated and she wants to be sure it is indeed all benign.
Allison and Karen - Yeah, I need a good story. I was going to go with shark attack, but that's so cliche and the scar is only 3 inches long. Maybe attacked by Pyranas in the Andes? I like the CIA and Pirate stories too. So many choices!
Anniealso - I love reading a post from someone two years out who loves their foobs! It is very helpful and inspiring.
Today is my last day before returning to work. I had intended to spend much of this med leave coming up with a new work plan for myself, but two surgeries, pain, healing -- didn't get as much done as I would have liked. However I did get some ideas and there is some movement -- I know I can't stay in the job I'm at for too long -- so I'll keep researching options and hopefully hit upon a good plan soon.
Geena
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(((Karen))) -- That sucks about your car -- totally sucks! And I know how you feel. It seems to me that I operated, before BC, under the impression that I was living a charmed life. I felt blessed and lucky for a long time and now I definitely have days when I feel not so charmed. Things break in my house and need repair and I feel like it's part of the BC somehow. The night before my surgery my brand new heating system sprung a leak (I was in the city staying in a hotel so that I wouldn't have to face a horrible commute the morning of surgery - but when my BF told me what was happening I felt helpless and pissed off that things go wrong, that things break, that I have BC, etc). Events like your accident with the heartless SUV driver seem so much worse when you have BC. Oh my favorite horrible day was last October when I was driving in the city and moved into the opposite lane on a two-way street to get around a giant truck and some guy coming toward me (I was half way through) just kept driving AT me (as if to say MY LANE) and so I moved closer to the truck to avoid HIM and ended up sideswiping the truck and tearing off my rear view mirror ($300 to repair and I made no insurance claim). These things happen even when you don't have BC -- they just suck more when you do. I once read a book that had in it a fairy who would fly up to people like your SUV woman and wave her magic wand and say "Turn to shit, turn to shit, turn to shit" (sorry for the expletive ladies, but that is the quote). So you have to give yourself a fairy like that
Wrap your big heart around you and let the fairy on your shoulder protect you (even when things go bad). Because you DO have a fairy: you are beating cancer and yet your heart remains large and generous -- you have so much of a better life than that SUV woman. Oh and by the way: GREAT PICTURE!Geena -- aw my heart goes out to you, dealing with all those surgeries and scars. But I have to say you also rock big time for being so positive and fighting back and doing all you can for yourself. You deserve a fairy too! And every time I look at my scars I remind myself that thanks to these scars I am beating cancer. It makes them look better
Lilah
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Lilah -- Hee-hee!!! LOVE it! We all should have feisty fairies just like the one you quoted!!!0
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Geena, I have the story for you. You were swimming in the ocean and saw a shark heading toward a little girl on the surfboard, you rescued the girl, fought off the shark but since the surfboard was still tethered to the little girl it recoiled and you caught a fin in the throat, knowing that more sharks would be on the way you put the little girl on the board, jumped on with her and paddled furiously toward the shore, where you passed out from exhaustion and severe blood loss, the last thing you remember was a handsome blond life guard carrying you to safety.
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Thank you Sisters--I really apprecite you all being so patient, understanding, and supportive. I guess it just pushed me over yesterday. Geena--PTSD I'm pretty sure is my new middle name, and I'm working in it. I think our bodies heal more quickly than our emotions. And although I've never felt I was living a charmed life, seems like a lot has been coming my way the last 18 months. I've had to be strong my whole life, and was kind of looking forward to hitting a place where I felt I could play a little. Maybe that is still ahead.
Love the fairy idea!!!
Allison--Thank you for your offer. I made my claim last night, and can't do anything else until Thursday because we have a HUGE 3 day 12-14 hours a day meeting M-W. I will keep you posted.
Oh, and Geena, I like Allison's CIA story, you would look great repelling, etc.
Judy is right, I know you are here for me, just like we are all here for each other, and I'm very grateful for that.
I love you all so very much.
Hugs--Karen
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Wendy: Ooohhh ......that story for Geena is so good it is almost scary!
Geena: Oh....my dear girl....as if breast scars are not enough for you! I pray you are on the road to recovery.....
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Okay, this is going to sound stupid; but here it goes--when I bring in pictures for my PS are they of actual pics of females w/implants from say a website that shows the actual breasts or of females who are dressed. Sounds goofy but I want to show up with the proper pics. Thanks.
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Mehere,
This is not a goofy question at all. You should feel free to take in any kind of pictures - clothed or nude. The PS and his/her staff are very accustomed to working with actual breasts/actual breast photos/implant photos so it is perfectly fine to take in the nude ones. The actual nude breast photos will give a better reference point for expressing your wishes. For example: "I like the fullness she has in the lower pole" or "I really like the projection on this one" or "That is what I would like my nipples to look like".
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So many of you are so nice and supportive of each other, as soon as my brain clears I will jump in here! I hope those recovering are speeding along, and extra recoveries, come on, can't we get a break!! Geena, I'm glad you have such a good attitude, hope your scar heals well and soon is unnoticeable to you, and the pathology is okay. I think a rude car crasher would put me over the edge!
Mostly, I want to wish Badmamajama (and anyone else with surgery this week) the best for tomorrow, great results and a quick recovery! And it looks like there's a few new nips arriving!! best to each of you!! Sorry, too fuzzy headed to say all I want to say to each and every one of you!
The big reveal! We did it, took off the bandages and.....it looks so good! I think these are my best implants yet. allergen style 45, 460, silicone, with alloderm. The shape is awesome, a nice slope down from top, nice firm sides as tho a bra is on. I'm sorry Whippemom, I don't think I'll be posting a photo I know it must surely help, but I'm too selfconscious
One suprise, I have steristrips along bottom crease of breasts, never had an incision there before even with a lift. I think it will stay hidden, hope it will!! So here's to these babies staying put. Now to go lay down, I am beat! 0 -
Geena,
Here's another idea to camouflage your neck scar, at least while it heals:
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" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="middle" /> Take care...
Brenda
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Abnerb - Fabulous Victorian bling! What a great idea! Where did that come from?
Mehere - I gave my doc pics from "www.breastimplantsusa.com" I knew I wanted a B, so I looked up the women that had gone from an A to a B. There are pics for every size. It was a good resource.
Katey - I'm sooooo glad you're liking what you see! I don't think I knew you had implants prior. What a road. Have you been able to do any sculpture while recovering?
Wendy - The best part about your story is that it goes on and on, monologue style. Ha! Oh yeah - and the last part about the lifeguard is a keeper.
Geena
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Brenda - love that necklace!
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Wendy - I LOVE your story it has a little bit of everything - danger - heroism and romance....
Allison
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