Exchange City
Comments
-
Good Lilah....I am interested in the style of the 410 she selects.
0 -
Julie - thanks for asking about our dear "Savannah." She made it through surgery well, and when the vet went back last night to check on her, she ate an entire bowl of food, then romped through the clinic......there's nothing like a setter! I'm waiting for my dh to come help me get her home right now. .........Now, as for the nipples, before we decided on my revision, when ps and I were discussing nips, I asked him about areola grafting vs. tatoos, because I'd done some reading on the grafts and was a bit intrigued. At least for me, he said the grafts weren't an option - finding a host site would be difficult (no c-section scar, and no extra skin) - plus he mentioned that blood supply with expanded skin is always an issue, so grafting carries more risks. For the actual nips, he uses the C-V flap procedure that Deborah illustrated. Just the other day I saw nips that my ps had done on a friend in November, and they look pretty darn good. That procedure produces very nice results......thankfully I'll be completely under so I can't embarrass myself with my mouth - or my hands......
0 -
Julie, my PS suggested I just buy round band-aids and position them where I want the center of my nipples.
0 -
Kimberly - congrats! you make me look so forward to my exchange. Absolutely wonderful report!
Val - I was in twilight when they put my port in. My DH said the BS said I talked through the whole procedure. I don't remember and am afraid to ask.
Katey - Fighting BC - Love it!
Deborah - thanks for the diagram and hope healing is rapid. I know with as much research you have done, you will be delighted.
Suzanne
0 -
Lilah, Thanks for the explanation. You sure have done your research. I think I thought CV and origami were two different methods, thanks for clarifying that.
Val, Glad to hear Savannah is ok. She sounds like a hoot. I'm guessing I wouldn't have any place to take tissue from for a graft either. I still have some imperfections that I want fixed first but I'm so ready for nipples, it's so silly!
Texas, Band aides, that's a thought, I certainly won't get any false hopes from those.
Julie
0 -
Deborah I will keep you posted! From what I could see it comes down to only a few choices, really... as we are going to be aiming for a 660 cc implant (roughly)... so that leaves width (which presumably will be similar to the expander) and projection. I read that there is an extra full projection made but not availabe in the US yet... so that would leave me with medium or full projection (I assume I would not not want low projection lol). I did ask her about the implant projection being less than the TE and she said that is not the case with the 410s (at least I think that is what she said). It was in the context of our conversation about how much more to fill at this point... since she overexpands by about 100 cc's (which is what I found out at last meeting). Overexpansion for me is a good idea since we are looking at getting symmetry with the existing breast (which though it will be lifted and reduced will hang differently than an implant... but the implant should match better if overexpanded, as I understand it). Anyway she said that at this point the more I fill the WIDER I would be able to go, not more projection. I was surprised to hear that. So I am currently planning two more fills of about 60 cc's each... which will put me at 780 cc's by early March (wow!) with the plan to go about 100 cc's smaller with the implant. I may only put 100 cc's more in at this point though.... it's really going to be about seeing how it goes at this point.
Wendy -- if you are around: I know you had 410s implanted... did they drop and fluff? Was the projection close to the TE?
I have the impression that some of the things we talk about here re: implants are different with the anatomical gummies.
Lilah
0 -
The projection on some of the 410's is amazing. The key is to match the width but also the height of the implant - this is what differs over calculating measurements with the round implants. Very interesting. I hope to learn more about this. I wish I could have some better visuals of the various styles than on the Allergan website...
0 -
Very interesting Deborah! I will keep you posted!
Lilah
0 -
Deborah - that is the nipple procedure I had last March and I love the results. My ps also called it origami but all the same. And mine look great with the tatoos. I don't know how to post photos without my son's help and don't think he'd be too interested in helping post pictures of his mother's foobs - lol.
0 -
bobcat - Maybe you will have to go to Vegas with us so that we can see them in person!
This is bizarre but I am more neurotic about this procedure than any other in this entire breast recon process. I am now thinking that I did not get the nipple placement right and I should have moved them laterally about a centimeter on the right and maybe two centimeters on the left. My DH is no help at all. All he is concerned with is that nipples are SOMEWHERE on my breast and are as big as possible, and of course, I just want them to shrivel down to nothing at all! My DH could have played Pin-The-Tail blindfolded with that stick on nipple at the doctors on Wednesday, and he would have been perfectly happy with his placement choice.
I am just glad to have women with greater problems than me this week to help....to take my mind off my stupid nipples!!!
0 -
Deborah, you must have an obsessive visual gene like me! I'm like that too, a centimeter off, the color is a smidge too light!! Redo! Hardly anyone else notices these little things, and we have to be easier on ourselves! It's great that you help so many of us, but please take some time for yourself! Funny description of your dh!!
0 -
Deborah - I'm sure I'll be the same way! My life is ruled by symmetry......it's a curse, really...... and also, what is it with guys and nipples - especially ours that are just for "looks?"0
-
Julie & Lilah - thanks for your comments on my picts! I have been waiting months to have something to share, but obsessing the whole time about the implants because I loved my TE's they were so good for my mental state! Just waking up after surgery with baby boobs was wonderful!
Suzanne - I posted on someone's thread how stressed I was getting closer to the exchange and it turns out I worried for no reason. I love my PS and he did a wonderful job to begin with, so why was I stressed?
I am now obsessed with nipples again. He keeps mentioning skin grafts. I keep telling him it freaks me out and I want the skate flaps, but now I saw the CV flap diagram. More research to do before I see him again. I will have a new list of questions and probably bring in some photos.
On the Asheville Permanent Cosmetics site there is a set of before and after picts of the nipples I want! I have confidence in him to completely conceal my MX scars, the only thing that will show is the scar from the lumpectomy he did not do. and I am sure that will fade in time anyway.
OH gosh! it's 5:15pm - 24 hours ago I was rolling down the hall to the OR! It seems like so much longer! I can not believe how great these soft squishy implants are! Instant gratification!
Big Hugs to Everyone!
Kimberly
0 -
Kimberly - SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!!
0 -
Kimberly, Congrats on your successful procedure. You sound delighted and I am happy for you. My exchange is 2 wks away and I am getting very anxious. From what you have said it sounds like you went thru the same thing as I am currently feeling. I'll be glad to get this behind me as well. Take it easy and rest and I know you will enjoy those new squishy things.
Jazzy, Kristinka and Deborah - Well done ladies! Rest up, baby yourself and walk proud. Ya'll have awesome foobs. Wooo-hoooo!
((((((Everyone)))))) Chris
0 -
Kimberly, I looked at the Asheville photos, they do look awesome! I love that city, might be worth a trip there!! you sound sooo good!!
Hang in there reelchr! I think I walked a million miles just in circles days before each surgery. It's so anxiety provoking, but we all get thru it somehow!
0 -
Thanks Geena, Chris & Katey!
Chris - I was an emotional wreck last week! I was crying over everything and nothing! Turns out it was all for nothing... I guess I just had to go through it to get to where I am now.
I keep waiting for the pain to hit and from what some one some place posted a few days after exchange I may be more sore than today. NO worries - my PS gave me plenty of pain killers!
I took a long nap today and the biggest thing I did was shower and get dressed. I am just taking it easy and might go get my mani / pedi tomorrow since I can have nail polish now. I didn't want to ruin a good paint job by having to remove it for surgery.
Pain FREE Hugs to All
Kimberly
0 -
Hi all,
Back from having nips and areola done today. PS was going to the the CV flap with grafted areola from upper inner thigh. Somehow it changed during surgery. PS explained to DH but he can't remember all PS said. I know I have major scar on 1 side from an old biopsy and a slightly smaller scar on the other side from another biopsy. He said that was going to cause some probs so I guess he had to do a different areola. Ready for this....I have soft black foam "hockey pucks" covering the nips and areola along with "saran wrap" around my chest area. Not too comfortable with the wrap. I see PS in 3 days to remove dressings. I have to get the corn pads and goggles also. I also had scar tissue and enlarged lymph nodes removed from under one arm that already had 9 lymph nodes removed. That is the only discomfort I feel except for the saran wrap.
Brenda,
I know your interesed in the rad side and the nip. I'll let you know how it looks after dressing change and how it heals. I think PS used the breast tissue on the old rad side to make the areola accordidng to DH but DH is not sure except that an areola was done.
Janet
0 -
Deborah, I think my PS performs this type of nip surgery. At least it seems very similar to what he's drawn out. Thanks for the 3D drawing!!!
I'm about 2-3 months from getting the nip surgery done. I'm still pretty flat across the front of my foobs. I've read some posts about fat grafting. What's that all about?
0 -
Lilah and Adnerb:
My expanders were placed during the Mx procedure and filled to 240cc. Then they were filled once more to 340cc.
Then I had radiation. Then they were filled the rest of the way--they are at 540 now.
then I had to wait 9 months after radiation before my PS would do the exchange. So it's almost a year- March 30 is my exchange and April 14 will be a year. UGH. I can't wait to get them OUT.Deborah: Thanks for the illustration.. It's great to show people what a CV flap is. And stop obsessing!! You also have to wait for them to settle! Happy nips and be patient.
JUDY.
0 -
Hi everyone,
So good to hear that Kimberly and Janet are doing well, and Deborah, I'm sure that your fipples are going to turn out well. I know well that desire for symmetry...!
I'm doing ok after long afternoon lolling around in my bed on percoset. I'm not doing so well with food, just had peas and a bowl of cereal for dinner. Wow, Kimberly, I can't believe you went to the Olive Garden right after surgery!!!
While Kimberly's surgery was just over an hour, mine was three hours (!!!), from 7:30-10:30 this morning. Perhaps the PS broke in the middle for a little happy hour or just works VERY slowly. I was told it would be 2 hours. I am groggy, but seem to be coming out of it - it's now 8:30 pm. I poked around under the hospital wrap I'm in. I definitely felt SQUISH and there are no hard edges around the implants like there were around the TEs.
I'll take a peek tomorrow, am not up to seeing the real deal right now. As for pain, my pecs and underarms ache, but my back is fine. I was having such back pain the last few weeks, so this is a relief.
Sleep tight everyone - I'm so happy that I don't have to wake up at 4:30 am this morning like I had to today!
Kristen
0 -
Judy - OMG a year with the TE's! I thought 4 month was torture!!!
0 -
Just goes to show you--you can get used to anything!! JUDY
0 -
Judy... my dh is not squishy at all... he is really firm all over... just pisses me off..hehe. ( now that i have this STUPID 25 pds to loose...)..... so no.... you cannot feel him up..heheheheeh
Deborah.... relax sweetheart... did you obsess about your originals? If not... the know.. you are beautiful now.
I SAW TERESA's today... WOW.. the nips with the CV flap... AMAZING! She told me she let Dr. R. pick placements for her and did not do what Deborah did...( hehe)... her nips and placement are so beautiful...
I admire you ladies getting nips and tats and such !!! ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
0 -
Kimberly - I am soooo happy for you.
0 -
Good Morning Kristen!
I hope you are feeling better and able to eat today. I have to think the reason I am doing well is because I was fully expanded and my PS just replaced 800 cc with 800 cc. I remember telling my PS that I woke up flat chested! He assured me I was not!
Overnight I grew again! YES! YES! YES! slowly it looks like I am getting the projection back - it could be swelling - I will just have to wait and see. I have a few weeks before I go bra shopping. For now I have the ever so sexy surgical bra on! I guess I will wear these until I get the OK to go with under-wire in 3 weeks.
Some one, on one of these threads, had asked when you start feeling like your foobs are part of yourself. I am feeling these new girls as part of me right now! I woke up in bed this morning and I felt normal. It was the best feeling in the world to wake up and not even think about how to get out of bed. I just rolled over and climbed out.
I hope everyone has a great day! I think I need to go find something to do and get out of the house.
Kimberly
0 -
Thanks Allie!
Now maybe I will get to the gym!
0 -
Julie, Kimberly, and other gals deciding on areolas and nips: I have the skin-graft type areola, and I love it! Mine was taken from my inner thigh, and the color is an exact match for the other areola, so I don't need to have it tattooed. If you're on the picture forum, you can check mine out. PM me if you have any questions. Oh, and my nipple is a Maltese Cross flap.
0 -
Kimberly, so great you're feeling so well! and 800 - woohoo!! Are you seriously thinking the gym already! You are in great shape!!
Kristen, hang in there, I had a long op with some extra work, it just takes a little longer to heal, but you will get there! Soups, crackers and applesauce were good for me the first few days. Take it slow and let everyone else take care of you!
0 -
Hi Kimberly, I have an 800cc foob too! Let me assure you, you don't have to worry about being flat, LOL! We are members of what Karen (KEW) calls the "boobious maximus" club (I love that name!), so flattness is not a problem for us. I was expanded to 1000ccs, got the 800cc implant, and it was really a pain-free surgery for me. I'm really glad you're doing so well!
0
