Exchange City
Comments
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Kristinka/Jaclyn...everyone....
This is why I say do not go by BRA SIZE, because a DD cup on a woman after mastectomy will look smaller than a woman with a DD cup via augmentation or a natural DD. We have no breast tissue or fat and we have no nipple/ areola complex to provide true projection. Even if someone has a NAC sparing MX, the tissue plumping up the NAC behind the NAC is removed at the time of MX and so that natural projection is for the most part lost. If Jaclyn is happy with the 475 ccs of fill...it will take another 50 ccs to 100 ccs of implant volume to match the dimensions she has now. Unless, of course, she has had a unilateral and a smaller implant is used to obtain far more "droop" in order to match a natural breast. Then the parameters change.
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I do think that my PS stated he thought between 500cc and maybe even up to 600cc was what he had in mind before we even started the reconstruction. (at my consult before my BMX) I have see many photos of his work as well as personally met many women who had reconstruction by him. He is also very much the perfectionist and I have been fortunate in having no infections or complications. (Knock on wood, throw salt over my shoulder, turn around three times and keeping fingers and toes crossed !!!) From reading these threads over the last few months I do understand that the implants will NOT look the same as the TEs and I would rather err on the side of being a bit larger than disappointed with too small.
Whippetmom/Deborah - I did see your photos and your results are absolutely stunning. I am hoping to achieve something similar - or a wee bit smaller. I do want a high upper pole and since I am more athletic, I do want round and not the "droop" or slope. I like others feel that the old pair tried to kill me and I have not hidden the fact that I am getting new perky ones - so I want them to be just that - perky and out there!!!
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Icing on my cupcakes!!!!
So a couple of my employees wanted to help out my PS and provided me "petals" to wear so he would know where to place them ~ thus my new avatar. (Hope it isn't too racy and I get booted . . .) He loved the petals!!! He even brought a level with him that a patient gave him. Too funny!!!
It was totally bizarre being awake through the whole thing. No pain, just tugging and I could tell when he was cutting the skin. He did the "origami" for the nips and then skin graft from my bikini line for the areolas. CRAZY BEING AWAKE!!! I totally experienced the whole thing and all I could see was the blue sheet over my head.
He is patenting a new bandaging technique (posting pics next) and you will see the circles on me that are a kind of soft foam. They usually stitch a bandage onto you to let them heal and then it comes off. He put the foam on one side and then stitched the other side the other way so he could take a picture side by side of the different procedures.
When he went to take the picture I said "Wait, I don't have any lipstick on!" Hysterical since my face was completely blocked from all sight. Anyway after my brief photo op he took the stitched side back out and "foamed" it.
Feeling great!!! Think I will go take a nap though . . . . since I can.
Thanks to ALL OF YOU for all of your thoughts and prayers ~ they worked!!!
Colleen
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Thanks for the responses on stomach sleeping. I hope I am able to sleep like that so soon after the exchange. I will be one happy girl!
Jaclyn: I will be sure and post after my exchange. I have 450cc in and he will be using 500cc. I will be really happy if my size stays around where my implants are now. We'll see. I am going to do my best not to be stressed about it but rather just be glad to be cancer free. I am trying to just stay positive, get back to work and LIVE!
Becky
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jaclyn: You have the height, ribcage circumference and desire for upper pole height which would make you a very good candidate for the Allergan Style 45 - an ultra full projection style of silicone round. Currently Allergan has it and Mentor does also but Mentor's version is not available here yet. Discuss this option with your PS also.
Don't be fooled by how my implants look in photos. I know I look huge in the photos on the pictures forum. That is very deceptive. In real life...in clothing, I look much smaller. Honestly, I am at home today just wearing one of my Michael Stars' tees braless and I look like an itty bitty B cup! I am wearing no bra because I am trying to give my poor nipples a break!
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Bcincolorado and Katey and all others wishing me well. Thank you.
I likewise wish everyone my best and enjoy Passover and/or Easter.
PS: As to constipation: My postop instructions said to have milk of magnesia in the house for constipation problems. Hospital just called to confirm time and said to drink plenty of water this weekend. Maybe that will help constipation problems that everyone is concerned about.
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Musiclovermon and Bettey: Just rereading threads where I missed and wanted to say thank you. Postponed until Monday 3-29.
Thank you again for your well wishes. This thread is terrific.
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After reading postop instructions for home it says I will have to keep my arms still for a few days.
Silicone breast implant on mast side and lift with breast implant on augmented good breast.
Does anyone recall how many is few days? PS also said this will not be as painful as mastectomy. I have all my meds ready for home.
How soon can you drive? These are questions that are going through my head now. PS also recommended that I get a sports bra with front opening? I assume I will be coming home with surgical bra so I will wait for his instructions, but of course asking my expert friends here can help me know what to expect.
Thank you.
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After reading postop instructions for home it says I will have to keep my arms still for a few days. New silicone implant on mast side and lift with implant on good breast.
Does anyone recall how many is few days? PS also said this will not be as painful as mastectomy. I have all my meds ready for home.
How soon can you drive? These are questions that are going through my head now. PS also recommended that I get a sports bra with front opening. I assume I will be coming home with surgical bra so I will wait for his instructions, but of course asking my expert friends here can help me know what to expect.
Thank you.
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Thanks Deborah on the heads up on the girdles.
Mykidsmom~ Please add me onto the list for that lift/fat grafting on Apr. 7th. Will be doing the nipple after summer or sometime later anyway. Hope your family is doing well!
NAE
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Ronqt1,
Hi,
Someone suggested bras from Walmart. They are cotton fruit of the loom and the are like a basic jog bra and button up the front. I have been really happy with them. I had a BMx on 3/17 and I was actually able to move my arms by Friday with no too much pain. I drove a short distance Saturday and by Monday was out shopping. I was told that after you quit the pain med for 24 hours you can drive. I have taken one to sleep twice this week and was still able to drive the next day. The sleeping is difficult and the drains are a hastle but doable. It was much easier then
I though and my path report had no surprises. Good luck...you'll be post-op before you know it. I was able to milk a second day in the hospital which helped a lot. Sue0 -
That's great Suekb! I was told not to drive for 3-4 weeks after bmx, by 3 1/2 I had keys in hand! After exchange I was told 10 days, still a bit shaky at the 10 day mark. Ronna, I'm sure your doctor will tell you.
Jaclyn, I have style 45 at 460, love them.
Colleen, great description and so glad it went well!!! Did you have any valium or anything to keep calm? Love the petals!
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Ronna: I didn't need to take any narcotics after I left the hospital so I was lucky in that respect. I felt really good, so I contacted my PS and she allowed me to drive short distances after 4 days. Honestly, my husband is away at Air Force reserves training and my aunt was staying with me to help me after surgery. Her driving scared me so much that I thought I better see if it would be ok to drive
!!! My PS said that she usually makes people wait a week but she gave me the ok since I was doing really well. She also restricts pushing/pulling/stretching and lifting over 5 lbs for 4 weeks. I also had the fruit of the loom sports bra that closes in front with hook and eye--bought at Walmart after my BLM. After the exchange I bought the zip front bra from JC Penney's that Nedeza had recommended in the past(because the Walmart ones I bought and wore after the BLM didn't really feel like they fit properly after my exchange). Best of luck to you on Monday!TCK
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Hi, thank you Hannahbearmom, Sue and Katey.
After my mast, I drove after 2 weeks.For my upcoming exchange, they told me approx 10 days to take it easy. I assume that means no driving. I will take the advice from you gals and either go to Walmart and/or Pennys for bra.
Thank you all again. Have a great weekend.
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I was bad and drove on narcotics 12 days post op from the mastectomy.
AND the day after exchange - but not on drugs... none needed after exchange!
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Mississippi, you asked about worries about your implant rising in your chest ... that's a big concern for those of us who have had radiation therapy. My radiated side rose, while my prophylactic side did the "drop and fluff" that others talk about. I hadn't heard that the muscle spasms could be the cause of the implant rising. I do recall quite a bit of spasms immediately after the surgery, but only the radiated side went higher.
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Hey, ladies! Congrats to Luna, Texas, and Colleen for successful surgeries!
Welcome, Jaclyn! Like Kristinka, I'm about your size, as well, though I wasn't naturally blessed with DD's like you..but I ended up there with the Allergan style 20 425cc's. As Whippetmom said, you could probably handle the Style 45's quite well. My ps tried them for me, but I didn't have adequate skin to cover the volume of implant he'd need to give me the width I needed - doesn't sound like that's the case with you. I will say that even with the 20's I have pretty good upper-pole fullness, though.
Katey - how interesting that Mentor puts that on their site......I'll have to ask my ps about that since he's INSISTENT about underwires immediately......
Attention swimsuit searchers: My plethora of Freya and Fantasie (the bra companies) swimsuits arrived yesterday....LOVE THEM! I ordered a couple different sizes to compare fit. If anyone wants to know specifics, I'll be glad to share - PM or otherwise..... Bring on the cabana boys!
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Val, sorry to even bring that up again! It's so confusing!! I have a question for you, I'm still not working out to the capacity I would like to, but after a semi-hard workout for about 40 minutes, hill climbing and walking or recumbent biking, I am so shaky and tired. Do you find that at all? I'm eating before, so it's not that. Does it just take this darn long to get strength back?0
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Laura - OMG I did see that bump and I almost posted something... all I could think when I saw it was: really? Isn't this thread ALWAYS in the top 10 active topics? Certainly always on page 1. I too laughed at the thought that this thread would ever need a bump.
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Judgejaclyn: I know Novak and Fitzgerald and Adamson and all of them. they are great docs.
I had a good reason to go to Moffitt. I'll PM you..Nothing bad, just a personal situation. JUDY
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Facecrafter Judy - Good luck with your upcoming exchange, you are probably counting the minutes!
Judgejaclyn - I am in Sarasota and very familiar with all of your docs. I had a different team perform my BMX and recon. as I use the BS as a primary doc as well. She and the PS are a great team and I decided to stay with them. Fortunately didn't have to have chemo or rads, but that choice (if I had to make it) would have been Silver. I have sent several friends to her and they really liked her. I work at SMH so know most of the doc's and their reputations. Your's have good ones.
Maybe you and Facecrafter and I could get together and compare notes once we are done with our journeys.
Delilahbear AKA Nancy
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oh, Katey....I wasn't complaining at all....good heavens.....I just continue to be amazed at the vast differences among recommendations......I guess as my dh has said time and time again, "medicine is as much art as science"...... As for the working out issue.....remind me how far post-exchange you are since I can't remember and don't see it on the list....0
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LOL Val, not thinking of complaining! working out - exchange was Feb 4th with extra pocket work. Are you back to pilates? I miss it, my belly misses it, and will try a core fusion pilates dvd I bought before I attempt to show up in a class:)
Have my 6 month BS checkup Tuesday. Think I will take the opportunity to shop Bloomies while in nyc. They have a huge lingerie department. Wondering if I'll be nervous for checkup, with my old dx I would be very anxious, but with DCIS and BMx, I'm thinking, hoping, maybe not?? We'll see. Oh, and when I made appointment was asked the neverending question, do you need a mamogram.
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Maggie, Sounds like you're doing really well! I know you were so anxious to get out and move glad you are! My nips are April 7. I was starting to get really nervous about it but at the moment, I'm just glad to get them. Texas, Congrats, can't wait to see them! In the southwest it's yahoooo so it didn't look like a mistake to me. :-) Becky, I haven't been a stomach sleeper since before kids but yes I find myself on my tummy all the time now. I'm a little nervous that I'm going to be sleeping on my stomach after nips and I'm afraid I'm going to squish em. Mississsippi, Congrats. Sorry to hear about the constipation, I've had the dreaded fear of going to the hospital for that too, I'm just sure if I ever had to I'd see someone I know that works there. Jaclyn, Glad you decided to join us. You've had quite a ride but it sounds like you have a good outlook. I am 5'5" and weigh 125 and had 475cc hp put in. Val, Kristen and I all have our pictures posted if you haven't seen them. Val, I would love to see the suits on you with ordering info. As I've said before, I'm not a shopper but if I can just copy you that would be so great for me! :-) Katey, I'm 8 weeks post exchange and I'm still a little wobbly with exercise. I've been so frustrated with it. I'm working on my electrolytes, drinking a lot of coconut water and that seems to be helping. Julie0
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Katey - okay....your surgery was exactly a week after my revision, so we're in kinda the same boat. After my exchange, I returned to pilates (equipment, not mat, class) after 3 weeks (though only lower body stuff and supine reformer work a week or so after since laying flat was definitely not comfy). I started back to teaching jazzercise after 7 weeks, though did low impact for another couple of weeks just to eliminate any bouncing. I will say that I remember being COMPLETELY wiped out for the first couple of weeks of teaching....the go home and take a nap kind of wiped out..but I did get my stamina back soon after. Now, I will also say that I was unable to do any kind of weight-bearing pec work (like dips or push-ups), and since the revision my ps says don't even try til about a year post-op. The dvd sounds like a good plan for now. I actually got a good one for bc patients that was very helpful after my bmx. Good luck with the checkup. Funny, my bs didn't want me to come back until my recon was complete - including nips - and she's regarded as the absolute best around here. Perhaps it's because she's in good communication with my ps and onc...who knows... With every appt I got nervous, so you're not alone.....and if one more person tells me I need a mammogram I'm going to strangle him/her.......You were'nt on EC when I had my annual gyn check-up, which was a few days prior to my dx anniversary, so I'll re-tell this story: the stupid tech who took my vitals didn't read my chart and asked,"so are you doing your breast self-exam?" to which I responded, "no." She said, "oh....why not?" and I said, "because I don't have any breasts!" Disclaimer: since that incident I've become more educated and learned that we STILL need to do self-foob examinations monthly since there is still a chance for tumors to develop in the skin there......we're never really free.....
Can you tell I'm home alone on a Friday night? Plenty of time to write.....sorry!
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Julie - my personal shopping services are always available.....and besides....we could all have matching suits at the pool in Vegas! I'll PM you with details.....0
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Val, I hope you're alone with a nice glass of wine and a good book to read...oh and I second Julie's request. Could you do a virtual modeling show of your favorite swimsuits via TimTam's site? You already know that I like to buy what you buy!
To all, have a very fun spring weekend. Mine is starting with a very healthy meal at Chiles(!?) with the kids, then watching a couple of softball games, and ending with an early Passover Seder. So it will be lots of cooking in the kitchen for me on Sunday...
Kristen
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Val....
Which Harlequin bra did you get?
http://www.barenecessities.com/search.aspx?search=harlequin&ft=1
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Deborah - a very expensive one.....Isis Balconette #5271........I got it at the fru-fru bra shop in Indy with my sis when we were there for Christmas....... for some reason my computer now won't let me copy URL's and link them....probably the Norton....sorry
Kristin - check" yes" on the wine....check "no" on the modelling....well, maybe with enough wine....lol....Seriously, though, they do fit well, so perhaps I will....dh would love that..... Happy cooking! I should tell you sometime about the Seder I went to at my roommates' home.......let me just say she didn't prepare me very well.....
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Had the "great reveal" yesterday and am thrilled. My new nipples really do add realism. I can't believe the difference it makes. Even just a few days after surgery, it's easier to look in to the mirror.
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