Exchange City
Comments
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whippetmom....
Thanks so much for the info on PS in NE. I will check her out.
Mary
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Judy - Glad to know everything went well with your exchange. At least you spent the night before near the hospital and didn't have to go there in a tow truck (LOL).
I had to be towed by AAA from Clearwater to Sarasota after my bi-lat biopsies and it was not fun! (We got a new car shortly after my BMX as I was not going to ride in a tow-truck for the third time for the same car)!
Sending good thoughts for an easy recovery for you.
Nancy in Sarasota
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whippetmom - thank you so much for the research. I know the one ps I saw comes highly recommended. He said if I wanted DIEP he would refer me to NOLA. One of the surgeons there actually did his residency at UNMC. It is so confusing on what to do. I am seeing a 3rd ps tomorrow. I really want implants but really dont want to do TRAM or LD flap.
alitman and mhm - we should all try and compare notes. I am in Omaha and mhm I saw you are Norfolk.
Thanks for all the help and suggestion. I will see the gal you mentioned if I dont like this 3rd consult tomorrow.
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May 24th!!!! I am so excited i am sending flowers to the surgical booker at my doctor's office.
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MHM and Allison
My original PS is Dr Nagi Ayoub - board certified and a specialist in recon. I liked the original stuff he did but I am changing to a new Dr for a revision as Dr Ayoub and I do not agree on what I want. There is another PS Dr Stice (female - can't remember her first name) I've heard she is very good.
My new PS is located in Wis - and is a very good friend of my Stepmother. I will have him do the revision, nipple construction (origami style) and a tummy tuck ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. I am beginning to get nervous and excited all at the same time. I know the tuck is going to hurt like heck but I am also convinced it will all be worth it.
I live in Blair - where do you two live?
Allie
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Congrats Judy!!! You've certainly waited long enough!!! I'm praying for you to have the best results!
Deen
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Jean, I'm scheduled for nips on 4/7. Could you add me to the list please. Maggie, I know I'm a little delayed but you are so right about the growing pains. It took me a couple months to get back into the groove of being a real mom again and working again. I was so amazed at the crazy things I couldn't keep up with in the beginning but it does come back, we are resilient that way! I still have my moments where I feel overwhelmed, I always had those moments, but now my reaction is different. I used to feel like I was failing everybody now I feel like I'm allowing myself to miss the important stuff. Last night I had a melt down because in order for me to go to yoga I have to go after work which takes time from my kids which is more important kid time or mom time??? I really struggle with this. Judy, I'm SOOOO happy for you. Comfort at last! Fairport, Give it time. The first couple months were an emotional roller coaster for me because they hadn't settled. I took pictures every week and posted them on the forum so you can see how dramatically they change. If you haven't seen them, I think my post is on the second page now. Julie0
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You know.. it amazes me too.. how many recons. doctors... do not have elaborate websites .. and do not have info about themselves out there. My personal PS does mostly reconstruction. He just got back from Probono Haiti. He does not post this... Then another PS here in KC is ALL OVER THE Internet... TV ads..etc... and I met him. ( due to his... credentials. and Internet advertising and info)... he was a HUGE ass ( sorry) who would not allow me to have the recon. that I wanted and MD Anderson protocol suggested. Later I find out , IF it had failed for me.. HE would have had a " bad recon" under his belt.
Deborah... HOW do we ( meaning us BC ladies looking for a PS) NOT fall into this.? The doctor in KC I speak BADLY of.. looks GREAT online and on paper... BUT... only because he will NOT treat hardships like myself.
Any ideas?
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thanks all for the good thoughts. I will post pictures soon, when the swelling goes down. Love, JUDY
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JUDY... I need to talk to you... can I pm you now? I do not want to put you out as you JUST had surgery...:)
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You can PM me. I am always ON !!
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today was a one-day bra sale at Macy's, so I let myself go into a little bra heaven for an hour instead of rushing home to cook dinner. of note was a comfy underwire bra I hadn't seen before: Maidenform "The Dream Bra" - it's a t-shirt bra with a super padded wire so nothing pokes you or digs anywhere. ($15.95!) so much better than cooking, but I did have to whip something up when I finally got home...
a restful evening to all of you lovely ladies
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Mykidsmom: I'm scheduled for my nips on June 15 and I would love to be added to the list also. Thanks!
Kristinka: I don't want to jinx myself but I really want to go to Vegas
. I have to make sure I can get the time off from work. My husband is at Air Force reserves training until July and he has been away since the beginning of March(so I had not mentioned the trip to him). I have been really thinking about it alot and would really like to go so I talked to him about it tonight and he said to go for it! I have been off work since my exchange and I go back to work on Monday. So, tomorrow I am going to try to get in touch with my supervisor who does my work schedule and if she says I can have off the time then I would like to be your roomie if you still need/want one. I hope to know for sure tomorrow---cross your fingers! I will let you know for sure as soon as I find out what she says. TCK
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Allie - OMG to funny, I am in Bennington. We are sooo close to each other. My niece goes to Dana College.
I am meeting with Dr. Ayoub tomorrow actually. I have seen Dr. Armstrong ..she is a wonderful person just have heard alot of negative things about her surgical outcomes. I also met with Dr. Hollins who is a private ps, where Ayoub and Armstrong are with Alegent.
I will send you a PM with my email. I would love to hear about Dr. Ayoub. I was given Dr. Stice as well just havent gone to her for a consult yet.
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Laura: You are so right about PSs and their websites. Mine is wonderful and does many reconstructions, but he has a website that looks more like a placeholder. He also just got back from a week of pro bono in Haiti. He did my last fill looking very tired, but he was so energized talking about his experience. On the other hand, some of the marquee name surgeons around here live in my area and I can't stand their arrogance when I run into them at school functions. And, they usually have websites as large as their egos. I feel fortunate that my BS, who had a BMX at 37, led me to my PS or I never would have found him. Now let's hope I feel the same way after the exchange!
Maura
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Judy, huge congrats!!!!!!!! Sounds like everything went very, very well (except for the car breaking down-yeesh). And, no drains, mmmmmm.
I wish you happy healing and look forward to hearing about your recovery. You are my crystal ball since we share the same PS. I saw him today and will be scheduling exchange as soon as I can. He is recommending the Allergan 45's 600-650cc's for me. Take good care, deekaay.
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Sounds great, TCK - hope you can make it to LV, and I would be happy to share a room with you!
Kristen
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Deekay: He was great, had to do a lot of work on releasing the capsule, lowering the pocket, and filling in spaces with fat (a surprise I didn't expect) at the same time. So far so good, Ask me again in a few months when everything settles...fingers crossed till then, JUDY0
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Yes Maura.. this is exactly what I mean. I am glad your BS had this wonderful secret PS for you! Thank goodness huh?
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Hi, everyone. I haven't been around for a while. I am back because I'm really sad and frustrated.
To recap, I had a bilateral mastectomy with TE, rads, and silicone exchange on 9/11. I was really small before surgery and opted to stay small.
Now, the radiated foob is all smashed and there's no inframammary fold. The non-radiated foob, however, looks even worse: I have a lumpy scar with dog ears and puckering underneath when I raise my arm above 90 degrees.
I just went to my PS today and he made it sound like he could score the scar the scar tissue, but then I'd have to go bigger. He also said he would put a larger implant in the radiated side to even them out. My questions are:
1) anyone out there do this or heard of anyone doing this?
2) is it pretty much impossible to get a good result unless you're at least a C cup?
3) anyone out there in Chicagoland area that can recommend a good PS?
4) what about fipples? can they be done over radiated tissue? Skate flap or grafting?
Thanks in advance, you guys. I appreciate the straight talk here.
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We on EC have seen really good results with small sisters. What size implants do you have? I am not at all familiar with complications with smaller implants. I do believe you NEED a second opinion.
As far as fipples and rads. Yes, you are taking a chance. Just like you did by having implants without a flap. TEXAS on here just did nips and so far so good. ( and looks GREAT)
Other rads girls.. ( Judy).. their PS said nips were too big a risk long term. SOOO... it is just really up to you. If you want to " go for it" or not. Again... if you feel unsure.. get second opinion.
Deborah will see your post and pipe in soon...
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It's funny because some people have these thoughts about PS's and the people who go to them. I live in the land of PS's, but people here still weird out about them. Mine specializes in reconstruction, but he does all the other stuff. I visited 8 PS's when I had my aug. I liked the one I had, but I love the one that did my BMX. I got his name through a friend of my husband's.
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fairportlady,
I have the same issues (with symmetry). My exchange was 1/22 and I have to say they have changed shape since and don't look as bad. The right (cancer side) is lower and I can see ripples; the left is higher and smaller. I think the left side is just mad at me because it didn't even have a tumor (yet). I've decided to give it a few more weeks and then see what can be done if I'm still unhappy.
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Kristen, THanks for the info on the Dream Bra by Maidenform. I will have to look for one. I thought comfort & bra NEVER went together especially in the underwire version!!!
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Dancingveggie - I sent you a PM.
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Just wanted to say I hope everyone has a great April Fool's Day! I'm taking my daughter to Great Wolf Lodge so I won't be back online until later tomorrow.
TCK
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Judy,
Did you have the "fat fill" during surgery or at the PS office? My PS mentioned that I might want to do that if things don't round out a little better. The first PS cut my pectoral where it shouldn't have been cut and caused scarring. New PS did some work on the scar and it loosened up a bit but I still have a divot that should be filled if the implant settling doesn't correct it. I'm a little concerned about this because I already had the nips done.
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Hi Ladies,
My exchange and nipple surgery started right on time yesterday at 7:30. The staff at Mercy Hospital are so great. Several off them commented to me that they remember me from previous hospitalizations that began in August of 08. It was so comforting to see friendly faces and for them to be rooting (sp) for me that this would be my last surgery. They have been so encouraging and compassionate. Before they knocked me out I thanked the staff and my OR team for taking such good care of me.
From what I can see my PS did a great job. He has been an answer to prayer. He told my DH that I ended up being a little smaller than he originally anticipated. Along with the exchange he did my nips and I have those little cylinder tube things ( my creative medical terminology!) over them.
I have to admit, I'm in more pain than I thought I would be, but after my November surgery which was a second mastectomy, two tissue expanders and an LD flap I think I'm doing well. The last thing now will be the tattooing.
Judy, so glad to hear how things went for you. On the car thing I can empathize with you....I grew up in a family of used car salesman so I think I've spent more time in a tow truck than any other mode of transportation!
Thanks everyone for your continued prayers for me and my DH. I've been telling my friends that when we were feeling weak through these months that their support for us has been what Moses' friends did for him in Exodus 17:12.
Thank you my BC sisters. Don't ever doubt that your words and prayers make a difference.
Candi
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I posted this question in another thread, but i this this one fits it better.
My PS is recommending to get the 410 silicone filled implants that are still in clinincal study by FDA. He is one of the doctors participating in the study and says that the natural shape of the implant will look great on me.
Does anyone had these implants? if they are so good why the FDA has not approved them for everybody to use.
I was thinking to do silicon implants any way, but this seems to be a new option.
Hugs and all best wishes to everyone.
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Baxter! So happy to hear surgery went well!! Take good care of yourself and keep up on your meds (and laxatives;). How nice of you to thank those in the operating room, I was told the bar was open and they were bringing me a martini, the last thing I remember is trying to switch it to a margarita:)
Judy, home in a tow truck, love it! And love your happy attitude!!
Sandy, my last implant was shaped, this one is round, it didn't make too much of a difference to me.
Hannahsbear, what is the Great Wolf Lodge? We've spent a lot of time in NC, my daughter went to college there, but don't recognize that name. Hope you had fun! Hope you read this among the zillion pages that await your return!!
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