Exchange City
Comments
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Val, my PS said no underwires... when I questioned him on it later because after looking around there were no cute sexy bras anywhere without underwires, he said occassionally it would be fine, and it would be fine to buy one and cut out the underwire, yeah, like I want to dish out $70 and cut it up! Anyway, right now I am still in the sports bra that he says I need to wear 24/7 at least until I see him on Monday and then we'll see. I am still tender under my right side from inside sutures, so the thought really of putting on an underwire doesn't sound very appealing, but this gets a little better daily, so who knows where I'll be at by Monday. Deborah recommended I try Freya Pollyanna or Eleanor; Chantelle C-Chic; or Notori Style 136001... Would love to hear anything you have to say! Thanks!
Judy, awesome news!
Paula
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Paula - The bra that my ps has me wear every day is the Freya Pollyanna, and I sleep every night in the Eleanor or the Arabella. I also have the Chantelle C-Chic, but it's new and I've only worn it once. Only problem - they're underwire, as are all the Freya bras with the exception of their sports bras and nursing bras (don't think you want to go back there!) I absolutely would not cut the wires out of a bra; since wires are the primary source of support, there may be little left to compensate and you'll end up with a bra that's worthless....pretty, maybe, but worthless. May I ask what size you were measured? You can PM me if you want. Some bras don't come in certain sizes - like I'm a 30 band, which is darn hard to find except online. What I can tell you is that in the past 6 months, I've probably tried on 40 or more bras - and probably bought and returned more than Kristinka (and that's saying something!) - and my conclusion is that there really are certain brands that are infinitely superior in terms of support than others.....and by others I mostly mean VS. I do have a couple bras that I bought with gift cards from friends. Every time I put one on, I end up changing it after a couple of hours because the foobs just don't feel supported. Sexy, yes, but so are my Freya's! There...I've said my piece....don't send the VS police my way, please!0
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Val: SO excited that you are going ahead with nipples! You are so brave. I am a little nervous about them. Please share all the details with us!
Kitty: I will and have been praying for you. I have told another BC survivor that i work with about you and she is praying for you as well!
Judy: So glad things are going to be ok. Still praying and sending positive thoughts to you!
Dinner dishes still in sink after two little league games and it is 9:10 pm. UGH
Kristen
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Judy, I'm so relieved for you! Sending prayers your way that THIS IS THE END OF IT.
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JUDY: Oh what a relief it is!!!!!
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Judy: Thank goodness! I'm happy for you!
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JUDY.. THANK GOD ! Lady.. will you PLEASE stop scaring us... come on now... really.
Thanks girls for making me feel better.. you have such a way...... yes you do!
Deborah and Diane.. I wrote you both on here... I thought I was on EC... LOL.. NOW I am off to see WHERE I THANKED YOU TWO PUBLICLY... brother...
Today I had the grandkids at 7:30 am... we ate... then went to the grocery.. got crab legs and steak... Sponge Bob cake.. and Bakers... came home... went for a mile walk to the creek... rode our big wheels.... came home.. ate lunch...got the call from dh that his blood run is still not good and we have to check the heart.... rocked me some babies to sleep.. ( grands are 3 and 2)... made the salad... made up the steaks... set the table for 7... played online...babies woke up... son and hubby got home... played soccer with grands... and then our OLDEST son and wife came to dinner for his 24th birthday party... AWE!!!! Todd and I cannot believe our oldest is 24 .. His wife is graduating in a WEEK with her Bachelor's in Teaching... she teaches 3rd grade... AWE... everyone was OUT of our home by 8pm... THANK GOD as American Idol was starting... a girls gotta have a little somethin' all for herself...lol....( thus explains WHY I love you all so much..roflol )
Today was sooooooooooo busy... but as tired as I am.. my heart is full...
thanks to you all.. I feel safer about my best friend of 26 yrs......
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Laura - you don't look old enough to have a 24 year old son!!!
Judy - I'm so glad things worked out for you!!!!
Thanks everyone for the prayers. I went to pick up the t-shirts and stuff for the Susan G Komen walk this weekend. I have 15 people on my team!! One of them is my SIL who is "sleeping in" for the cure (she lives in Cali). Anyway, I made myself so busy today, I didn't have time to do the whole doom and gloom thing. And now I'm exhausted and watching American Idol!
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Judy!!! Great news!!! So very happy to hear it.
Val! How great for you to honor your EC sisters on that walk and BTW I LOVE the hat- you are so very cute.
I am still in the bed recovering from my extremely bruised pelvis and back from the lipo after my revision surgery. Can NOT wait to take the tape off Friday and see the results of my boob and under arm flaps. Wish me luck!!! Just on valium at night. Not too bad in the pain dept. just hard to sleep on all the bruises!
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Hi Ladies,
My exchange surgery was 2 days ago and I just peeped under my surgical bra. The PS had said they would be bigger than my expanders, and they are, but she also said they would be closed together and they're not. Will they move closer together, or am I stuck with a wider valley between them forever? Thanks.
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Susie, sorry don't know about the closeness factor, but I do know that they change a lot as the swelling goes down, so give them some time, I judged way to early and was proved wrong! Give it some time! Mine are better on a daily basis.
Paula
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Val or Deborah,
I was thinking about ordering a bra, and just did a google search and found the Freya Pollyanna at Dillards for $21!!! compared to Nordstroms for $60? Any experience with Dillards and returns? I just remembered that I am supposed to go dress shopping on Sunday with my future daughter in law for bridesmaid dresses and mother's dresses.... can't very well shop for a beautiful Mother of the Groom dress in a sports bra! Of course, I probably won't get it in time anyway, maybe I should see if there is somewhere close to me that might carry some of these brands... Macy's maybe? Anyway, can't beat that price for a Freya, it's on sale until May 1st...
Paula
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Judy -- so glad it's going to be OK! You have been through ENOUGH!
Laura -- I echo what others have said... cholesterol issues are genetic not lifestyle, though sometimes lifestyle changes can have a positive impact. My brother who is SUPER healthy has high cholesterol (and so do I -- NOT superhealthy lol). That said, before your hubbie starts taking Statins (which may be inevitable but hoping not) he should ask his doctor about taking Niacin, a vitamin that has proved helpful in lowering cholesterol. Also: I LOVE American Idol! Haven't seen it this week though -- TOO FREAKING BUSY -- hoping to watch it on playback this weekend.
My PS is adamant about no underwire bras for the rest of my life. I honestly do NOT understand how there can be such a wide divergence of opinion on this. Aside from worriees about the wire poking through and harming the implant... there is concern about the wire digging in to the suture she makes in the fold under the boob. I'm disappointed! I have worn underwire bras all my life.
Kitty -- it's Thursday!!! Hoping for good news.
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Lilah, my PS is a no underwires doc too... I had pretty much decided to ignore his wishes after hearing so many others that wear them and are required to wear them... but I know that I have a lot of pocket work on the bottom of right side, I never thought about those sutures... Any thoughts on that Deborah or Val? I know that Deborah said that Val's PS was one of the best in the country and he recommends them, so I just don't know what to think about this! Hmmmm, too much confusion! I also have always worn underwire because I needed the extra help to look like I had something, but I never realized that most of the other bras that don't have underwires are just boring and kind of ugly, nothing sexy there... sigh...
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Hi Laura1...I can't say that much about cholesterol other than what has been said. One thing to keep in mind is the overall score.....if triglycerides are high that can push numbers up and triglycerides come from sugars in simple carbs found in most white foods, breads, pastas, white potatoes, sugars in general, and in alcohol. So much attention is paid to the HDL and LDL numbers but it is also very important to get down the triglycerides which can add to damaging cholesterol. You can have a high cholesterol number overall with a high HDL (good) and low triglycerides and low LDL (bad) and your still good
I hope your able to find your answer....not nice to have other worries Ok so now I've finally faced the mirror and put up my photos...they are in the "Under Construction" section.
Strength and healing,
Laura2
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Laura2, I checked them out! Looking Good! Remember you're only 3 days out, they will change on a daily basis, that's why it's so good to take pictures, when you see them compared side by side in pictures you can really tell the difference. Yippe Squishy!
Paula
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Laura2 -- you look great! I agree with Paula... chart the progress as the changes will continue. You already look beautiful and it will only get better
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Thanks Paula and Lilah
I'll keep documenting each day...glad you think they look good
Yippee Squishy!
Laura20 -
Well ladies I am back in pain. I would love to say yipee squishy but no can do I really dont feel anything yet I am so wrapped up. My surgery lasted 4.5 hours little longer than expected. I do have same range of motion in my arms. I am happy to report
I did get my 800's so Kimberly I guess we are 800 sisters.
Well I havent seen the new girls but I see my PS at 3pm today so I am excited about that. I need to go and post with Brenda I am sure she has been waiting she has been so supportive with me.
Deborah I have to thank you your advice has been great. We are lucky to have you.
mIrbelle I hope to hear from you soon we are now exchange sisters.
Rebecca
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Woo hoo Rebecca! You'll feel better soon... heal up!
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rebecca - Hang in there, girl.....some of us had a lot of pain with exchange, so you're not alone. It will get better. You go with those 800"s!
Paula - I am the Pocket Work Queen.....had a TON of it both in my original exchange and even more in my revision. My ps says there is no conflict with wires and pocket work....in fact, the stability that the underwire provides actually helps protect the integrity of the sutures..... As for Dillards, I actually got my first Freya Pollyanna there, then ordered different colors from Herroom and BareNecessities online. Their return policy is good - as long as you keep the tag on with their little sticker. I think you'll like it. There's something about Freya bras that just fit the reconstructed breast better than many other brands I've tried.
Here's how to find and properly fit a bra for post-exchange especially: The main goal of the bra post-recon is to stabilize the implants both laterally (from the side) and vertically (from the bottom). So, you need to find a bra that does NOT push the implants out to the side. I can't stress this enough! That is one of the leading reasons for revisions. This can be very difficult to find, especially in a non-wired bra. Be careful of any trim along the center edge of the cups, as even this can push the implants out. The best type of bra is an UNLINED one - yes, no lining or padding at all, because these can interfere with optimal positioning of the implants. Here's the clencher: ideally the band should be extremely tight and the straps pulled as tightly as possible so there is no "vertical play" in the implants. If fitting an underwire bra, be especially careful that the wire completely encapsulates the implants, especially on the medial aspect. It should sit just on the outside edge of the implant (under your arm). In the center, be careful that the wires sit AWAY from your chest and don't touch the implants, which could push them to the outside. In the words of my ps ,"THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE IMPLANTS IN AND UP!"
I took some pics last night of me in my "sleep" bra - my Freya Eleanor and Arabella (which my dh calls my "Miss Kitty bra - the one from Gunsmoke, not Japan!) I'm going to post them on my thread along with a copy of these instructions...... Hope this helps!
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Thanks Val, awesome info and great pics!!! You've been so helpful! Love the Miss Kitty bra!!
Paula
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Paula: That price of the Freya at Dillards! Whoa....girl...order it in a couple of sizes....
Here is the thing though: If you want a vavavoom bra for the wedding, I think you do need a bra with some padding. The Freya and Chantelle lace bras are great for encapsulating and they are pretty bras - but they are not "tee shirt" bras or bras to really give some "oomph" to the chest. There are a couple of Victorias Secret bras you could wear for the wedding - I would get the wireless versions since you have some trepidation right now about underwires...especially since you will be moving around a lot...DANCING perhaps at the wedding...right? So that is the way I would go and perhaps you have a VS nearby? Here is the one I have...makes me look huge...it is the "Angels by Victoria's Secret"...lower right, pictured in black...
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ARGHHH...trying to get this VS link to work...
It still will not work. Just go to the VS homepage and look under "wireless" bras and then look at the one I mentioned....
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Hi, all! Had my exchange yesterday. I still haven't peeked at the new girls yet, but the pain is significantly LESS than the TE placement - YAY!! And no drains!!!!! I just have some burning-like pain on one side around the incision and that's it. [Fingers crossed here]
How do you tell how many cc's they are? Is it on the card? My PS said he was going to use 750, but I don't know how to tell and of course I was too drugged to ask/care yesterday when I left the surgery center.
Rebecca - sent you a PM. I can't believe you were out so long - my DH would have freaked out if they kept me in there that much longer! Good luck with your follow up today!
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Thanks mIrbelle I just woke up from my second nap. I took a little peek and they look small. Maybe I am still drugged can 800's really look small? I hope kKimberly chimes in here or maybe Deborah. I just peeked from the top opening of the gauze.
Rebecca
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Rebecca: The implants are being compressed by the pectoral muscles, which cover the top two thirds of the implant. The muscle will relax and release over the next week to two weeks. Implants can have a tendency to look misshapen and somewhat like the bottom half of a hamburger bun initially. Give it some time. When can you remove the gauze and shower?
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I will see my PS at 3 and she will remove the bandages. I also wanted to post I did have the fat grafting also maybe that is why it took longer. I am nervous to see the results. I guess I dont get a shower till after I see her. I am sooooooooooooo glad this step is done.
Everyone was right this was so much easier than the BX MX.
Rebecca
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Rebecca - I'm getting the same impression. Nice to hear from whippetmom that it will relax and settle a little larger soon.
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mIrbelle the card they gave you should say the size tht was placed. also they gave me a form that I guess registered my foobs also.
Rebecca
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