Exchange City
Comments
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I LOVED Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson! Iggy Pop also! This sent my group of friends into the punk rock movement! Wow! What memories!
Went to new PS that I liked and found out not in my network. Starting over. Oh well!:)
Have a great week!
Deen
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I am INNOCENT!!!!
Hugs--Karen
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Oh Geena - Are you a Bachelor junkie also? My DH dreads Monday nights. We had dinner with friends last night so I taped it and have not watched it yet!
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Kristen -- LOL re: the girl named Allison ... ah young love. I also was a huge fan of Elvis Costello! I can't believe I haven't thought of him in years. I always loved his cover of MY FUNNY VALENTINE.
Geena -- LOL re: her boyfriend's aim not true. How are you doing today Geena?
Lilah
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Geena - oh, please fill me in on Bachelor-happenings - we had company last night & I couldn't watch, grrrrrrr.
Lilah - sorry to hear you're in some pain, hopefully it's subsided by now & you'll continue to "forget" the te's.
Musiclovermom - thanks for the good wishes, I appreciate it. {{hugs}} to you, and wishes for quick healing!!
Have a wonderful day everyone! xo, E
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Jazzy....Praying for you tomorrow girl. Wow....it looks like YOU are getting almost an extreme makeover!!! Wahoo!!
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Deborah, Jazzy, Kimberly, & Kristin - Happy cleaning, grocery shopping, and all those other things we have to do before surgery for our families to survive without us! Just take a few moments to breathe.....
Just got back from the ps......finally got my sutures out.....after 2 1/2 weeks some had decided to take up permanent residence...... PS is a bit concerned about my incision line....had some oozing, so he wouldn't put the steri-strips on.....back to silvadene and gauze pads......he's worried about infection and necrosis with my ultra-thin skin.....is there EVER something we don't have to worry about?
Oh.....ps still has me on restricted left arm use for at least another two weeks.....I can only imagine how much fun (sarcasm intended) it will be to try to lift my arm by then.......he said no working out except a recumbent bike......though I intend to do some lower body weight work.....can't have good boobs and flabby legs and butt now, can I?
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Can't believe I got sucked into the Bachelor again, last nite there was as much kissing as last week there was crying! You might be able to watch it on hulu.com. And I love Elvis Costello. There was a bar on the upper east side that I swore had Elvis playing incognito one nite. Ok, it was after a few drinks, but it was fun!!
Val, long recovery, hope all heals soon! (and sad to hear about the live oaks) I am planning on going back to the gym and do some recumbant biking next week, love to read while riding!
Back from PS today! I have all self dissolving interior stitches, so just had to have tape removed. Tape along bottom of breasts was there to hold pockets in place, like a wired bra. Don't need the band to hold implants down, there's no sign of rising! Have to take it easy for 4-6 weeks more, then no restrictions:) So, basically, start slow, not to lift more than 5-10 pounds, arm movements ok, nothing that hurts. Massage implants and hopefully right side won't encapsulate again. That poor breast has had a tough life, and will never look as good as the left, but I am more even and happier with look in 20 years!! PS does nipple in office with local anesthesia, makes a few cuts than shapes it, 2nd visit for tattoo where he'll re-tattoo other side which has faded. Tho I was planning on skin graft again,this sure does sound easier, think I'll go this way.
I just tried on my old VS angels bra 36C, fits great, I'm a bit bigger than before (love it:) but there's probably still some swelling. Thought some of you would want to know size with 460 Allergan style 45 silicone implants, 31" chest .
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I just wanted to drop in and wish those who are getting surgery this week good luck and good outcomes.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Love,
Brenda
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Grakenmom -- Aw thanks for the good wishes
I do feel MUCH better today. No Advil needed at all. BF gave me a good massage last night - so good I promptly fell asleep! LOL I told him he released me so much I passed out.Val -- hmmm... sounds like your PS is on the ball here and I am hoping all continues healing and healing well. Bah to complications! You deserve to be done and moving on! Re: shoulder -- can you do shoulder rolls? The good news is you CAN get motion back once you ARE able to move -- it might just take a bit of effort (but you can do it). My first BS never told me to move after my SNB and so I did not (it hurt) for almost 4 weeks... then thank goodness my ONC told me how to exercise and I got full range of motion back.
Katey -- yes my PS also does a simple nipple procedure in her office and I've seen photos -- they look terrific.
Allison -- LOL -- wouldn't that be so weird if you WERE that Allison?
Lilah
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Wow - You are an active bunch. KEW and Laura - you two are a hoot. Jazzy and Deborah - Best wishes on those nips!!! Sorry about the wrong date Deborah, I bet it was me and not you. Hugs everyone! - Jean
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Thank you CDB. I'm going to get at least two more opinions within CT......just worried about the minor cracks that can happen in the cohesive silicone (aka "gummy bear") implants.......still mulling it over.....My breast surgeon did recommend the PS; however, I just posted a "thank you" and mentioned that sometimes the symmastia "thing" happens because during the MX operation the breast pockets are larger than they need to be because of breast tissue being removed and the expanders "shift"......Trying not to stress and saying my novenas......(prayers)
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Elivis Costello is married to one of my favorite jazz artists - Diana Krall - Their kids are gonna be really funny looking but they will be incredible musicians. I don't know if I liked Elvis' version or Linda Rhonstadt's version of Alison better - too bad he spelled the name wrong!!!
Allison
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LOL Allison
CTGirl -- where did you read that the gummies can crack? I will be getting a 410 when they exchange my TE in May for implant (unilateral). I had not heard they can crack. Any suggestion as to links?
Thanks!
Lilah
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DEBORAH and JANET... sweet ladies.. my prayers are with you my friends... ((xxxooo))
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TERESA... I will be there FOR SURE at your follow-up Friday... at 11.
thank you for inviting me. 0 -
THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
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Ok ladies I need help. I had my nips done on friday so 4 days ago. All is going well....except one thing that has me a bit concerned and Im hoping someone out there can say "oh yea that happened to me too....its fine". Im not bleeding anymore but I am oozing. Its yellowish and on the right side its much more and yellow. Im not red or anything, nothing looks infected so what the heck is going on. I have pics of the pad of gauze I keep over them if anyone is interested lol. Im going to send it to the nurse tomorrow but for now Im looking to you guys for some peace of mind.
Teresa
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The Bachelor Update - Lots of tropical florals, candles, innuendos, bare-footed maidens and floaty man shirts doused in too much alcohol and staged kisses. He let Gia go. I let my brain go. It was good. Deborah and Grakenmom - I'm sure you've seen the episode dressed in other women and men before if you are a fan of the show.
My future self is rolling over in her grave. Did I really spend precious moments watching the Bachelor?
Brenda - Happy Chinese New Year!!!! Year of the Tiger! Hear us roar!
Allison - Very funny about Elvis and Diana's baby! I didn't know Linda Ronstadt did a version of that song!
As for breast stuff - thanks for asking Lilah - I think I'm doing OK. I see the PS next Monday. My right breast is definitely smaller than the left - and to my understanding they have the same sized implants in them. I do think my ribs probably got compressed on the radiated side and maybe is swallowing up more of the implant? Also where the TE had tried to come through the skin - it still isn't entirely healed and taking its sweet time. I don't know. But man, these are sooooo much better than the TE's!!!!!
Geena
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Ummmmmmm - yeah so the above is me trying to paste a really cool picture of the Chinese New Year Tiger into my email. Clearly unsuccessful and the "edit" function isn't allowing me to erase. Sooooooo - nice pic, huh?
Geena
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Geena: I am glad to hear that the implants are so much better than the TE's. Are you thinking of getting nipples? I read that Laura may not get nipples because of the thinness of the skin on the radiated side.
Since I am still in the TE stage, and I am almost certain that my radiated side will be smaller, should I plan to have a smaller implant in my healthy pocket? Wouldn't that be thinking ahead and eliminating a future revision?
Right now my radiated side just looks a little higher, but not bigger. Laura and Janet ended up with a slightly higher radiated side. I am asking my PS to plan to raise/lower pockets with this in mind.
Should I just relax and wait to see what happens after the exchange?
Take care,
Brenda
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Brenda - Hmmmm. I can tell that my radiated side was placed ever so slightly lower than the unradiated side so that they will be even when the unradiated side drops a bit. I'm good with that. The fact that the radiated side is smaller though, doesn't seem right to me. Both sides were over expanded to allow much room for implants. My PS had plenty of skin to work with. Indeed (and I am happy to say) the skin on my radiated side is thinner, but both sides have a good amount of suppleness and "squish". I guess I am confused (almost in a mathematical way) as to why my radiated side is smaller, given there is plenty of skin and the implants on both sides are the same. I do remember the intense amount of pain I had with expansion at the ribs and sternum on my right side, leading me to believe I probably have a bit of ribcage compression on that side -- which would therefore cause the implant to look smaller if it is swallowed up a bit more on that side. Does that make sense? All this is hypothesis though - I'll ask my doc on Monday........
Does that info help?
Geena
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Geena -- could it be there is more swelling in the unradiated side? (A function of the quality of the unradiated skin vs radiated skin?) I'll be interested to know what your doc says on Monday.
Glad you are feeling good! Suppleness and squish -- I can't wait for that
Lilah
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Okay, everyone, as my exchange date (March 8) approaches I'm getting more nervous. I'd love to get your input on something. I originally had an excisional biopsy. After that, my bc breast was smaller that the non bc breast. Two months later I had BLM w/TE's. During my expansion, my PS did put more in my bc side to stretch it out more, but she did even up the amount of fills at the end of expansion. So, I currently have equal amounts in each side and the bc side looks smaller than the non bc side. It has been 3 months since my last fill. Both sides feel about the same amount of tightness--not too tight though. I can tell that the muscles have relaxed quite a bit over time. I'm just wondering if my PS puts the same size implant in both sides what are the chances of my foobs being the same size? My PS did overfill. Will the fact that I am overfilled help in this situation? I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with this. I don't know if I should tell my PS that I want her to put in 2 different size implants or leave it up to her expertise. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, TCK
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We have so many complicated questions, don't we? And there are so many complications associated with MX and reconstruction. Best of luck to all of you seeking that elusive symmetry. Symmetry is certainly on my mind, since the last time I saw it in the mirror was months ago!
Pe-surgery jitters = cleaned out closets and kitchen, car full of donations to homeless shelter, kitchen appliances fixed, 100s of winter bulbs planted (w/ help), carpets cleaned tomorrow, and an aching back! I realize I will do just about anything to avoid thinking about surgery. Not sure I really want to sew on those Girl Scout badges, though...
Best wishes that you all are feeling good and that February is starting to act more like spring in your part of the country. Extra special wishes for Deborah and Jazzygem.
Kristen
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Kristen -- I'm tired just reading about all you've done this week!
Lilah (the lazy)
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Lilah, just know that this is very uncharacteristic behavior for me. We moved into our house 4 years ago, and this will be the first time that I've cleaned the carpets (and I've got three kids and three cats, so just imagine)!
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LOL Kristen!
OK I feel better
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Geena, etc.,
My theory, as far as size goes, is that the muscle (not necessarily the skin) is tighter on the radiated side. It just depends on how much of the area, how deep, etc. was radiated. My feeling is that radiation causes tissue and muscle to be less elastic. So that radiated muscle "clutches" on to the implant more tightly, thereby creating a smaller, more ball-like foob. The other side just behaves like the rest of the body, relaxes over time and gravity.
Now... my question still is....knowing everything I know as a result of all you wonderful ladies sharing within these forums, shouldn't I try to prevent what is most likely to happen? OR should I should let it go and wait to revise?
Take care...
Brenda
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Hi ladies--I haven't been posting for a bit, with a new puppy in the house I'm on constant door alert. I have been reading though.
TCK--I had radiation, so that side always lagged behind during expansion. At the end, the PS overfilled that side a little, just by 60cc and then put a larger implant in that side. I have a 550 on that side and a 450 on the other, but in clothes they look the same. Naked the rad side sits up higher and more ball shaped than the other with less projection. In fact when I had a session with the bra fitter at Macy's she thought the 'good' side was the larger.
Brenda--I don't know what to tell you. Even though my PS tried to even everything up, I still ended up lopsided. I personally think I didn't have my TEs in long enough to stretch out enough. My exchange was just three weeks after the last overfill on my rad side. Now my theory is: the implant, with gravity, will continue to stretch me into a better shape. At least I hope; I hate to think about revision even though I know most of us have to consider it. As to what you said about the rad muscle being stubborn, I think for the pec you are right, but the lat muscle that is used as a sling was never radiated???
I'm glad to hear that a lot of you guys are through with chemo. Now you get to have curly fuzzies for awhile before the texture of your hair returns to normal. Go with it and wear cute short looks while you can.
Take care all,
Bobbi
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