Exchange City
Comments
-
Just thought I'd throw it out there that I just got my my Spanx catalog in the mail...and they have swimsuits now!!!!!
Pinkribbongirl
0 -
Do they have full body ones?
0 -
I got my catalog too!! They have some really pretty styles.
0 -
Well it depends on what you mean by full body...chin to feet...no, but they do have some one piece suits that are really cute. They are kind of pricey...but if they make a girl look good them what the heck right:)
0 -
Thanks Grakenmom for the good wishes for my upcoming surgery!
MooreTennis and reeltchr: I hope that your results meet all expectations and that you have painfree recoveries!!
TCK
0 -
Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Nips are complete. They are HUGE right now and extremely comical to look at thanks to the syringe barrel protecting them. I have to wear the protection for 4 weeks. Should be fun dressing for work tomorrow. There is no pain due to the fact that I don't have any feeling in that area of my breasts/foobs. I will post pictures on the forum within the next couple of days. Only one more procedure to go - tats!
Also, I think several pages back there was discussion on laser hair removal for our arm pits. Spoke to my PS about this today and he said ABSOLUTELY we can have laser hair removal. - YEA!!!!!
0 -
Hi ladies
I haven been on here in quite a while, had bmx (nipple sparing) and te's jan 11, and another surgery on the 12th due to excessive bleeding...needed blood transfusions, not the fault of the surgeons: I was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder last summer. So...got great news today: my exchange surgery is scheduled for March 26th!!! I can't WAIT to get these coconuts out! I find that I'm getting a little nervous now about bleeding, but my PS says this surgery is MUCH easier. They will give me a drug to help my blood clot beforehand, they used it with the Jan surgery too. What was the recovery like for you all that have completed the exchange? How long before you went back to work? This is week 8 post op for me, I tried to work last week and was NOT ready: big mistake. Im going to wait till after the exchange, just wondering what the recovery is?
Oh...and for you all considering laser hair removal: it is FANTASTIC I highly recommend it! I havent shaved under my arms in 5 years and they are soft and smooth: worth every penny!!!
0 -
Hi ladies - I need your opinion again, please!
Today I went for my pre-op ooph on March 8th. The doctor said why not a full hyst/ooph this way only one surgery and better if I'm taking tamoxifen. So, now I'm scheduled for a full clean up!
Is there any reason why I should not remove the uterus? I've been so focused on the ovaries and forgot about what to do with uterus. Dr. wants to remove cervical area also. I guess I'm going to be left with only my vagina now!
I hope the cervical removal doesn't cause more sexual problems. As is I'm already putting that though asside these days!
0 -
Suzanne - It is hard to tell right now about my projection... I had measured it by holding my hand under the TE's and I could not see the palm of my hand when I looked down.... That gave me about a 3 inch projection.
I woke up convinced that I was flat chested and told my PS that I was... He assured me I am not flat chested and a week and a half later, I am still in a tight smooshed bra. I see him this Friday and that will be 2 weeks post-op. The mentor moderate plus profiles have projection listed but who knows how to convert to inches? NOT ME - all my rulers are inches - not metric
I am waiting until the new girls are able to relax in a real bra before I freak out about the projection. On me, I think the 800 look small, but I saw a group photo of me and they looked pretty good in a sports bra...
I know he gave me the biggest gel implants the FDA has approved, but if bigger ones are made available he will gladly give me them if I want. I love my PS - he is magic!
Hope this helps! I think the projection will be good, they are just not in my face like the TE's were. The TE's were HELLO and these are Hi There! They are so natural looking and feeling - I love them but wish they were bigger. They might be once they drop and fluff! Too soon to tell right now.
Kimberly
0 -
fairportlady55 - I just had my exchange on 2/18- it was a piece of cake! I even went out to dinner on the way home from the hospital! No drains, no pain. Listen to what your PS tells you. Mine promised me and delivered on every promise!
Erika09 - Sorry to hear about another choice you need to make... I don't have any helpful knowledge. Big Hugs and Warm Wishes
0 -
I have decided to get a 2nd opinion on my upcoming nips and tuck - My PS has suggested that he cannot and should not make a couple of changes I'd like to see. As afraid as I am of my stepmother - I called her PS friend and will be making the 6 hr drive thursday night for a friday am appt. I just want to be sure I have all the information I can have and I know he is an excellent PS and I am comforted (in a weird way) to have my stepmother go with me. I promised to take her to lunch afterwards.
Allie
0 -
Hi Gals, I just found this thread. I had a BI MX and TE's on 10/26/09 and my exchange is scheduled for 03/10/10. Next Wednesday!!!! I am expanded to 1150 and 1250 cc on the rght and left side. I was a DD before the mx and will hopefully be a D after the exchange. My PS knows I want projection so he is using the Becker 50 implant which is a combo of saline on the bottom with a silicone pillow on top to make them feel softer. I hope so. I am so tired of the Hard Chest and Irom Bra...My muscles are over expanded and even household chores make them spasm...So I am really ready !!!
Thanks to all of you for the information
Lynn
0 -
Hi ladies!!
I am a bit late in getting this on as my exchange is in the morning!! WAHOOOOO!!! This is a "do over" as I lost my implant back in June to infection. This time I am taking antibiotics prior and also did the CHG wash.... just want to be a cautious as possible. The new TE has gone well with only the last fill be VERY difficult but only for a few days. I did uncover that the Pharmacist mixed up my med labels!! I had not used any of the pain pills but did complete the course of "antibiotics". I don't need many pain pills to take off the edge as I am not very big and this time had taken 6 with NO relief!! Brought the pills back to the pharm in the morning to ask if there could be a chance they were not what was to have been filled. The other pharmacist is the one that discovered the switch. So.... when I thought I was on antibiotics, I was actually taking hydrocodone AND driving!!! Just thought may be I was swiped out from all of the surgeries and fills LOL..... lucky for them I did not have a crash. So....just a side note of caution for us all to ALWAYS check the pills against the description on the vial.
Anyway, onward and upwards to the end of this long journey. I can't wait to have TWO foobs again!!
I would like to ask, there have been a number of you that have mentioned wearing a bra after the exchange. This is not the course my PS has had me follow and wonder if I should have been. The one has dropped and I have a step off that I am not pleased with. He has said he would do fat injections once the other side has caught up. I am thinking of a possible revision down the road to lift the left. Any insight and thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks and good luck to all of us in our upcoming surgery!!
0 -
Hello all
Just feeling up to posting after my exchange on 2/25. The operation was over 4 hours with pocket work, cap.contraction, stitching to reinforce folds, etc. The first four days were dicey with nausea and just feeling like id been run over by a truck. I guess i forgot it is still a major operation. I am taped up all aloung my folds to reinforce stitches. Also I am wearing a sports bra that is very snug for support (for folds and all stitches and incisions) and i have been told i will be wearing until at least my next appt which is two weeks from now. It is a little uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as the TEs!! When I take a nice deep breath it makes me feel like i have my old boobs...soft and comfortable. I only have a 300cc implant in and that is all my body could handle with my thin skin issue. I am happy with my beautiful breasts and happy to be cancer free. Good luck to anyone who has a surgery coming up. YOu can do it!
Kristen
0 -
Thanks Hannahbearsmom - May I also extend the best for you as well I'll be thinking about you when it is your turn.
Moore Tennis - Glad to hear that your procedure for nips went well. Sounds funny about the syringe barrel.. If I recall correctly, someone described it like a pair of goggles. If that's the case, it must be a hoot to see.
Well, the countdown is really on. Getting closer. Deep breath and my fingers are crossed.
All the best. Chris
0 -
DENISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful.... you are home and healing... I gotta see those HUGE nippys...LOL.... from what we know... they shrink to nothin but a great little nub....:) call if you wanna chat!
0 -
Yippee Squishy for KristenPink!!!
WOW - you had a lot done - but aren't you happy with the soft feel of the new girls?
OMG it is so much better than the TE's! Hope your recovery is comfortable!
Kimberly
0 -
wbuggie - I drove on Lortab all the time! Glad you didn't crash either! Good luck in the morning!
As for the bra, I think you should listen to your PS and ask him/her what to do and why. There must be a reason for what they are telling you.
0 -
Lilah, Had to laugh at your feeling the needle comment. It's such a bitter sweet thing--so great to have some sensation yet Ouch! I was excited about it too, my dh thought I was nutts.Deborah, I'll email you. I think I'm getting to lengthy and others don't want to hear it all. :-)Katey, Thank you for your input. I do question my questioning quite often because I do wonder if some of my second guessing is due to the emotional impact of all of this. On the other hand, I have such a hard time letting go of the idea of getting the best I can get out of this experience. Texas also makes a good point that the idea was to have a breast where otherwise there would not be one, for normalcy. Unfortunately, accepting average has always been a major issue for me, it's crazy, I am very average in every way but I'm always trying to be above. That is clearly some of my internal stuff going on and thank you for reminding me to come back to earth even if only for a few minutes right now, I'll get there and I'll make the right decision in the end. Katey, you've had exchanges since nipples have been placed? Where do they make the incision once the nipples are in place? Welcome Lynn and congrats on the exchange date!wbuggie, My PS doesn't seem to have an opinion on bras one way or the other so I've been diligent in wearing one with a good fit. Val's PS is quite strict about what he has her wear so I started following most of those guidelines. I'll pm her description to you so she doesn't have to repeat herself but if you have any questions it's probably better to ask her. Julie0
-
Sweet Julie... don't you worry about anyone not wanting to hear it all! That is what we are ALL here for.. support....short or longggggggggggggggggggggggggg... you are just FINE girl!0
-
fairportlady, wbuggie and others wondering about recovery after the exchange surgery: I think so much depends on the woman and how much work the PS has to do. My surgery 11 days ago took 3 hours and I took percoset for the pain for a week. Now the pain is manageable if I take it easy, and lie down in the afternoons. My PS had me in a bra just 48 hours out of the surgery to keep everything in place, and while that provides support, it also can be uncomfortable while my foobs are healing. It is WONDERFUL how soft they are, and I no longer have the spasms or the terrible back pain, and I can take a deep breath whenever I want to. I have another month off before I go to work, and I'll use it to gain my strength back (and get my brain in working order).
Saw my PS today and he took out the stitches - he did a great job with little incisions and I'll try to post photos soon. He told me he always wants me to wear a bra - he doesn't want my foobs to drop down at all. During the night I can go braless if I want, but I don't want to yet.
Hope you continue to feel better KristenPink! And Kimberly, I'm glad you are still going strong.
Kristen
0 -
Estepp, You always notice when people make such comments. Thanks!
Julie
0 -
wbuggie! Unreal about the mixup!! Bet you were feeling no pain while driving!! I like the warner Element of Bliss bra that Val and Kristinka (so glad you're doing so well!) recommended, I was so sore underneath breast from internal pocket stitches and this bra has a nice soft band. You might just want to go up a size for now, I find the 38 more comfie even tho I was a 36.
Kristenpink! Glad you're on your way to recovery, those first days are tough, but as you're seeing, it gets easier!
Julie, I think we will always question, some days more than others! Incision went from side right up to fip. And like Estepp said, you can say all you want here!
0 -
Julie I'm with Laura -- go LONG girl! It gives me something to read
I completely understand the perfectionism and while it is a GREAT reminder that we are sitting here talking about perfecting breasts that we have LOST (and so we are grateful to have them) it is hard not to obsess and so what? Obsess! I think eventually the period of obsession will pass and you will accept what you have and enjoy your life (as you accept -- as we all accept -- whatever imperfections we have). Don't you think?
I definitely have my good days and my bad days with respect to ALL of my imperfections, lord knows!
Kimberly I think that once you get out of the sports bra and into a regular bra you'll see significant improvement of your projection. And let us not forget the drop and fluff
Welcome to wbuggie and sheridangirl (and if I missed any other newbies -- welcome to you too!) This is a WONDERFUL group of women.
Lilah
0 -
I agree, this is a wonderful group of women. I am so glad to have found you. Was just telling DH yesterday how wonderful all of you were and wished I had found this site back last year when I was first diagnosed. So many issues and experiences that I would have loved to talked to someone that was going through the same things - testing, diagnosis, chemo, hair loss, emotions, the list goes on and on and on.
Thanks Kimberly for the encouragement. I had my final fill today 50cc, so I am up to 860cc each side. PS wants me to settle and heal for 6 wks and then I get to see him again and we will schedule exchange in May.
I love the term iron bra - whoever came up with that hit it just right. Will be so happy to get rid of mine.
Thank you ALL!
Suzanne
0 -
Julie: the whole point of this thread is for us to share everything involved with breast reconstruction. There will be newbies coming to EC looking for answers to the same issues you want to address. There is a great search feature on bc.org and so all of these "keywords" are important. Keywords like "excess skin"....WHICH by the way.....is completely acceptable in your case!!! Check your email....
0 -
Lynn, it's great to see you here!! Your exchange is coming up! You might want to PM Mykidsmom as to the date of your exchange.
Suzanne: Congratulations on getting the last fill! You are one step closer to the end of the iron bra stage.
Julie: I'm with the other ladies. Keep talking, let it all out.
Take care, sweet ladies!
Brenda
0 -
This weekend we're going to a party with lots of people that I haven't seen in awhile. So I've been trying to figure out what to wear, should I show off these cute new foobs or cover them up. Worried about how I'll handle people staring at my chest. Guess what, my body took care of it, I have a HUGE fever blister on my lip (thank you college boyfriend) that no one will be able to get past! What can you do but LOL!
0 -
This has definitely been a tough year and a half for me personally, but having this wonderful support of women who are going through the same things has been a tremendous blessing!!! Some of us will have better results than others in our reconstruction. Especially when we look at the pic forum and see all of the wonderful results. I have come to the conclusion that I just need to STOP thinking about my breasts and start thinking about LIVING!!! I CANNOT LET MY BOOBS TAKE OVER MY LIFE ANYMORE!!!! I will try to learn to live with my new breasts, the new me, and my new life! It's SO AWESOME that we get to start over! To look at things in a different light and to live to the fullest that we possibly can! This little video came to me when I needed it the most: http://www.thedashmovie.com/ I didn't think anything of it until a day after I watched it. At the end of the day and in the big scheme of things...all that matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
I love you girls! THE TATA SISTERHOOD IS FOREVER STRONG IN LOVE AND LIFE!!!
HUGS! Jazzy
0 -
Hey, my sweet "breastbook" friends - y'all have been busy these past couple days!
First of all, I wanted to share some info I learned today at our local "bosom buddies" luncheon. Guest speaker was an onc who treats only bc. It was primarily a question/answer session, but she did make a few statements that struck me...... First, that the risk of bc is never really over for us - the risk of recurrance is there forever...... She said that recent research is pointing to the value of extending hormonal therapy (for those of us ER+ girls) beyond 5 years (grrrrrr).........And what I think I found most intersting, is that she said that one of the hardest periods is when treatment and reconstruction is done; many patients find they are depressed and can't figure out why. For many who progressed rapdly through surgery, chemo, etc., they didn't have adequate opportunity to process the whole idea of cancer.....and it's almost as if they were experiencing those initial feelings at dx all over again. For others - and I already think I'll find myself in this category - we've been so wrapped up with surgeries and doctor visits, that there's a bit of a feeling of loneliness or "missing something" when everything is all done. All very normal reactions......support is the key to get through it......we knew that, though, didn't we?!
KristenPink - Yippee for you! You've been through a lot, so just take it easy. All that pocket work is tough - take your pain meds!
scrapmom40 - you might try a breast band for the TE, though depending on how far out you are from placement, it might not help. My ps had me wear one to keep the TE's from migrating up, but I'm thinking if you wore it snug enough it might exert some pressure to keep them from moving laterally,as well. I will tell you that mine definitely migrated laterally, and they were beautifully corrected at exchange. I probably wouldn't worry too much about it....it happened to many of us here. As for the question about underwire bras, that seems to be a personal issue among ps's. Some feel that there is enough risk of the wire breaking and potentially damaging the implant that they disallow underwires - others (like my ps) allow nothing else. I'm all for the underwire, though sometimes it's a pain - literally....
0