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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Ladyredlocks
    Ladyredlocks Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2009

    Evening everyone... thank you psalmist... I'm feeling much better tonight... the tide seems to be out on my emotional tsunami.

    Cathee and Lorraine ... my PS also told me he would prefer if I didn't wear anything but the bandages he put on... after one day home I was very uncomfortable so after reading all the posts here I put on one of the zip front bras I bought and ohhh much better.  I wear it 24/7 now.  My research of the general consensus here is wear it 24/7 for 4 - 6 weeks after the exchange surgery because the muscle needs the additional time to heal correctly.  Then we can be bra free when ever we want Laughing

    Sharon... here here to fluffing firming and shopping in VEGAS baby!!! 

  • hood1980
    hood1980 Member Posts: 168
    edited March 2009

    I'm headed back to the ps this morning to get my stitches out & to show him what i think are ripples in the cleavage area !  Why there?  I was so looking forward to wearing cute tops and showing some cleavage!  I guess it's still t-shirts and layers for me!  :(

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    Wow - I can hardly keep up w/ all that is going on here. Most importantly, best wishes to our surgical sisters this week!

    Jax - I cannot imagine what you must have felt. I too have my fingers and toes crossed. Sounds like your PS is feeling pretty confident. Best wishes.

    KEW - Welcome, we will add you to our growing list.

  • mom_of_2
    mom_of_2 Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2009

    Nerves are starting to set in!!! On my way for pre-op testing which is making everything very real. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am tomorrow so by the time everyone is settling in for their morning routine I should be in recovery!!!!

    Thank you all for your care, advise and support. I couldn't do this alone!

    Love...Kris 

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    Good morning Ladies:

    I am feeling better today. 

    I was wondering, I wasn't given a surgical bra; I came home in shrink wrap and two ace bandages, after four days, I was given permission to remove ace bandage.  PS removed shrink wrap and didn't give any instruction on bra wearing.  should I get a good supportive bra and wear it 24/7 for awhile?  From what I am reading that seems what most are doing.

  • hood1980
    hood1980 Member Posts: 168
    edited March 2009

    Hi PinkyLee,  My ps has be wearing a tight sports bra.  He suggested a zip front that was one size too small.  I've been wearing it 24/7 for the first week & a half and went back today and he said to wear it for 2 more weeks.  I hope this helps.

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited March 2009

     Laura..GREAT NEWS!  Such a relief..!

      Mykidsmom and Rockwell Girl:  I have a surgery date: April 14th to get my TE's.
    And, I solved the mystery!  My PS uses a skin tissue expander!  Model SFV-12.  VERSAFIL Round, with a remote fill port.  It has no metal (the titanium in the connector for the port won't react to an MRI)

    And it has a very small diameter, 12,  and a very high projection, up to 9  it can be filled up to 600cc.  woo hoo   It was when I called for the model number that the mystery was finally solved.

    So there you are, April 14th and I go for it.  JUDY 

  • boyzbeebs
    boyzbeebs Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2009

    Has anyone gotten saline implants?  If so, how are they holding up and did you have any problems with them?

    Also, same question for slicone?  I have my exchange surgery next week on 3/19.

    Thanks,

    Nancy

  • Ladyredlocks
    Ladyredlocks Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2009

    Morning Ta Ta sisters... much better day for me today emotionally YEAH!  Now if I could stop these darn hot flashes... with my red hair and the way it makes my skin suddenly go red and rashy I look like a beet for about 4 minutes (my husband lovingly says I "glow in the dark") LOL

    Praying for you today Choice... you'll do great and feel so much better getting those TEs out!

    Kris  .. just breathe today!  I too hate surgery and for me the waiting is a time filled with anxiety.  I asked for a Valium for the night before my exchange surgery so I could get some much needed sleep ... it worked for me.  If you think it would help you talk to your PS and ask... don't be afraid to ask for what you need (something I am learning to do better in this process).

    PinkyLee!!! Yeah I'm glad you are feeling better today.  Your posts yesterday brought tears to my eyes too because I could relate to the waves of overwhelming emotions this disease has brought on us all (I practically ran out of the theater Saturday night sobbing and drawing much unwanted attention to myself - I just couldn't control the tsunami of emotion that washed over me).

    I wasn't given a surgical bra either - actually my PS told me NOT to wear one (HUNH!!).   I decided after a day of trying it his way and being in constant pain I'd try it my sisters way and wear a zip fron jog bra 24/7 ... much better for me!!!  I realize from reading what all these ladies PS say that every PS has his or her own approach to this - for example yours wrapped you in shrink wrap - mine sent me home after the exchange with only two 4x4 thick gauze pads taped to my foobs - nothing else! no support of any kind!   Every PS does it different.   For me, it is MY body - not my PS - and I'm trying to do what my body is asking for right now to heal and for me that is wearing the jogbras and supporting my new girls.

    Judy ... Welcome to the Ta Ta Sisters!  We will be here for you to answer your questions and concerns and hold your virtual hand if times get rough.  virtual hug (((( Judy )))))

    All the best to everyone... it's supposed to be sunny here in Portland, Oregon today and there are some little weeds with my name on them so I'm off to commune with my little patch of Mother Nature... catch up with you later 

    P.S... I did some checking on Vegas last night... Many of the hotels are running specials through Dec and I saw rates as low as $24 a night!  My husband recommended the Bellagio but I couldn't find any specials for it.  As for shows - there is a pretty funny hypnosis show running and of course Cirque du Soleil is running and the Blue Man Group.  According to Lvol Bette Midler and Cher are performing at Caesars Palace... this is just a smidgen of whats happening the last week of September.  Lvol.com has a comprehensive list of entertainment that is sortable by date.  For me, I can come the last week of September - the first week of Oct I will be prepping for the Portland Marathon (Oct 4). 

  • Ladyredlocks
    Ladyredlocks Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2009

    Nancy, I almost got saline last week... actually I flipped and flopped back and forth between saline and silicone... I decided on silicone.    I did my own research of the medical journals (I take classes at the local University which gives me online access through the Library to JAMA and other medical journals)  and found no quantifiable link between silicone and any autoimmune disease (Lupus runs in my irish birth family so I wanted to make sure I wasn't introducing something into my body that was going to cause me more health problems down the road) which is why I decided to go with silicone.  For me silicone is more "natural" feeling.  When I handled the two implant samples at the PS office the saline felt more like a rubber ball filled with water to me.   Hope this helps.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Hood let us know what your PS says about the cleavage area

    Judy/Facecrafter thanks for sharing that info, it's good to know you'll be safe if you need a MRI

    Nancy/Boyzbeebs as I posted earlier my saline implant were very hard.  If you do decide on saline stress to your PS not to fill them to the max as that may cause them to be hard.  Although I do know of a gal that was filled to mid range and she says she hard also.  You just have to do what you feel comfortable with.  As that link I shared with you earlier it is good to know silicone implants changed from years ago.  They are now much safer. 

  • boyzbeebs
    boyzbeebs Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2009

    Thanks LadyRedlocks and rockwell-girl.  I am just afraid that with silicone it will leak.  I had bad allergies for a few years and no doctor could figure out why.  I also had bad eczema and nobody could figure out why.  If I didn't have to, I would probably get nothing and just get the expanders out, but then I would have too much skin.  With my luck the damn things would break and I would have a flat chest and then I would say, I did it for nothing.  My PS and his office aren't very nice and I just want to get the surgery overwith.  I don't want to go to a new PS b/c it would just delay the process.  Pray it goes well.  Thanks.

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    If you aren't comfortable with the ps, get one that you are comfortable with.  It is your body and your life, don't let them make you feel otherwise.

    I know I plan on calling mine later and question these puckers and the lack of project.  I am not happy, but thankfully my ps is a very nice easy to talk to person.

  • boyzbeebs
    boyzbeebs Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2009

    PinkyLee:  What type do you have.  Silicone or saline?  Why?

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited March 2009

    Hi, ladies!  What a lot to catch up with after being away from computer since Friday!

    dani42 - thanks for the encouragement!  My skin is still pretty tight, though I have developed some stretch marks radiating from my incision lines.  I guess that's why I'm not ready to fill yet.

    psalmist - thanks for the link info on implant sizes.  it explained a lot.

    smmr - thanks for the pep talk and understanding my boob greed! 

    rockwell_girl - thanks for your encouragement, too! I had no idea about overfilling the TE's, but from reading this thread it sounds as if it's fairly common. That makes me feel better.   I'm pretty sure I have the Natrell expanders 'cuz my fill kits which came home with me from hospital are by allergan.  As for the measurements under my TE's, I'm not sure exactly where to measure, but from edge to edge under my folded TE's -  (I guess they're like "training foobs!") it's 5".  I don't really have any swelling; I'm now almost 7 weeks out from surgery.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited March 2009

    Hi girls, Im in hospital for ovaro/hysterectomy tomorrow which they now tell me will most likely be the abdominal one with six week recovery (grr) and a 2-4 day hospital stay (grrr again) so wanted to wish all well and tell you all I am sending good vibes to everyone for everything to work out AOK for all.

    love and luck

    annie

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    val61 next time you see your PS ask him which style number TE he gave you.  That way you can get all the measurements off the web site.  Or if he has all the dim handy (as they were in my file my PS had) ask for those so you won't have to look them up.

    Annie & Mona sending big (((HUG))) and prayers your way : - )

  • CAZ
    CAZ Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2009

    Annie,

    We'll be thinking about you.  Hopefully, you can still get the laprascopic approach.  I hope you are back home and comfortable soon.

    Carol(AZ)

  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 427
    edited March 2009

    Good luck for everyone heading for surgery.  For those getting hysterectomies:  I give me my special add extra prayer and hope you don't get hot flashes anytime soon.  This surgery is so different than the masectomies that many of us have had, but you will get through this too.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited March 2009

    Oh Annie.. I sure was hoping you could have done this vaginally. I am sorry. It will be a slower time for you.. but enjoy the pain pill ride girlfriend!

    Keep in touch as soon as you can. I pray for you a very very fast recovery and little pain!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited March 2009

    Annie--I'm new to this thread, but will be thinking of you, I too, have to have my hyster/ooph done abdominally when I have my exchange surgery.  I will have you and your family in my prayers, as above--a quick recovery and little pain.

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    Judy (Facecrafter)- Welcome to our group - we are there for you anytime you need us! Have you already had your BM, or are you getting that as well? Right now I have you as getting the BM and the TEs on April 14.

    Ladyredlocks - Gardening and a marathon? Wow - you are something. And all this while you are healing?!? Good for you.

    Boyzbeebs - I think that even the saline implants are surrounded by silicone, though I could be wrong. My PS feels that the silicone are much softer and "natural." But my cousin has saline and she is happy w/ her's.

    Annie - I will be thinking of you tomorrow. My healing book tells me to imagine the surgical patient wrapped in a warm, colorful comforter, so I am wrapping you up my dear!!!

    Mona - You will be beautiful! I just know it. There is another comforter for you - wrapped all the way around!

    Choice - Please let us know how things went after you are feeling better!

    Actually, it looks like I have a lot of warm comforters to wrap my sisters in tomorrow:

    3/10 - Choice - Exchange to Allergan implants

    3/11 - Soccermom96 - Exchange to silicone

    3/11 - Daisy6 - Exchange to saline

    3/11 - Mom_of_2 - Exchange

    3/11 - Karen9516 - Exchange

    3/11 - Anniealso - Surgery (not an exchange)

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited March 2009

    Hi Mykidsmom.  Thank you.  I am getting the TE's at same time as my Mx. However I will have fill "interruptus" as I am getting rads before the fill is done. 

  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2009

    Hello ladies,

    I am new to this thread, but I'm scheduled to undergo exchange surgery March 25. Saw the PS yesterday and she told me (after we discussed my preferences) that the implants I will be getting will be Allergan 410s in the 450 or 495 size. Does anybody here have the Allergan 410s? If so, what do you think of them so far? The PS said they are firmer than the old silicone implants--I'm just wondering how firm....

    I also had my presurgical testing yesterday, and when it came time for the chest x-ray, I suddenly felt terrified! What if I had cancer in my lungs? What would I do? Apparently, I didn't have anything out of the ordinary, because they let me go on my way, but I do not relish feeling this fear every time I have to get a scan or x-ray. Oy!

    Janet 

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    mizbabygirl4 see the search tab at the top of the page...

    click on that and put in 410s by key words

    than you'll get a lot of threads talking about them

    I think Beesie even had a thread...maybe send her a PM (Private Meassage) and ask her what she thinks of them

    if you don't know how to PM just let us know

    Sorry you had the scare but glad to hear things sound fine

    I hope it will get easier for you (((HUG)))

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    mizbabygirl - We will be happy to add you to our growing list. Welcome. I am sorry you had the chest x-ray scare, but I am glad that all went well! Take care. - Jean

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    Annie,

    I wanted to wish you well.  I had a hysterectomy (partial) about 10 years ago.  They followed my old c-section scar which was from the belly button down. It took awhile to get my strength back but started moving as soon as possible.  I will be thinking of you!  Its no picnic being a female, is it?   

  • DianaT
    DianaT Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2009

    Hi ladies. I hope everyone is doing well. I am going to need to have my name put down next to a date with unknown instead of in March. I have to wait for a while after this chemo stops if they even want to bother with it anymore.  I haven't called the PS office yet to tell them, it is difficult to put this off longer.  I was hoping that I would be looking great by May.  Oh well...

  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 114
    edited March 2009

    So.....things are finally looking better today.......drainage has almost stopped........and I have some good news........well for me anyway.........DH just booked us to Vegas on the 21st......we will be staying at the MGM........Have a meeting with PS on Tuesday and the Herceptin on Wednesday......and then somewhere in there with March Break and the kids off school......I have to try and fit in a litlle shopping....a pedicure......and a hair appointment......oh my.......at least this feels like something positive to plan for........my brother is gonna have the kids....time with the cousins........so they will have a great time and not miss us at all........much better than grandma......Oooh I can't wait......not quite sure how I am gonna work out the wardrobe yet......let alone the bathing suit situation......I'll have to get creative.......

    Anyway.....thought I would share my good news.......but don't worry I will still be able to make the trip with all of you lovely ladies.......and then again with th DH in the fall.......did I mention......I love Vegas....lol.

    Good luck to everyone facing surgery.......hugs to you all!

    Jax

  • psalmist
    psalmist Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2009

    Ladies, you are all such a blessing!  I pray for each of you who are facing surgery this week and ask the Lord to be in there with you, watching over your and keeping you safe.  And I pray for the surgeons to do an extra special GREAT job! 

    Not a lot of time to post today, but I did read every single entry.  I go at 1 PM tomorrow to get my stitches out and I will find out when I can resume more exercise.  It's still COLD here, but by the weekend we are set for better weather.  God bless you all -- 

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