Exchange City
Comments
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Oh, I so know what you mean about "supporters" falling away by the exchange comes around... No one even seemed to notice or care about that surgery. But I guess if you're not living it day to day you just don't get it. Even my wonderful husband didn't seem to care as much... He even thought about leaving me to take the kids to soccer games the very next day alone, but I cleared that up real fast! I wasn't cleared to drive yet! Anyway, I don't think that you are alone on that one.
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Okay, just had to share, just ran upstairs to grab something and realized that I was feeling somethign that I hadn't felt for quite some time.... I was bouncing!!!! My yippee squishy's are jiggly!!!! Yayyyy!!!!
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Paula! I noticed yesterday when I was walking across a parking lot that I was swaying... it was such a good feeling! I have not run anywhere but look forward to bouncing!
Yippee Squishy just got better!
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Paula I am so laughing right now. You are to cute. I hope I get to that point soon I am truly getting depressed about the size issue. Don't get me wrong they are soft and a lot more comfortable. I am not happy with the size yet though and they are not bouncing at all.
Well I will see the PS this afternoon.
Rebecca
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Paula - You go, girl! Just don't let them bounce TOO much....just a smidge.....you've got to keep them "in and up" so they can heal in the right place.....hike up those straps......the bra czar has spoken.....
Julie, Texas, and Colleen - thanks for the nips info. Glad they won't be square forever!
Lilah - your time is almost here!
My friends continue to be amazed at the length of the whole recon thing. I think we're a great education for them. The one's I don't see on a regular basis, I e-mail before each surgery, updating them on what's going on and asking for prayers. I think that helps them stay in the loop, because they almost all say they thought I was done......never really, though, huh?
Well, ladies, I'll be leaving town early tomorrow for Alabama to see my older son graduate from college! I can't believe he really did it! Needless to say, I'm running around like crazy trying to do all the requisite "mom" stuff in order to get out of town and have everything run smoothly once we're there. As I've told my friends, wouldn't it be great to be a guy and just show up for stuff?! At least all of this has kept my mind off my surgery next week......and the TUMS supply not dwindling quite as quickly as with my other surgeries!
Since I may not have a chance to check back in later today, I'm wishing all of you who are mothers a blessed Mother's Day! And special hugs to you, Kitty!!
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Oh......and I PROMISE my little "bra epistle" will come next week.....just couldn't get it together this week.....
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Rebecca! I am 3 months out and have just started to feel the movement! Do not get too down, it REALLY does get better with time! As far as the size is concerned... wait at least 3 weeks before you get new bras! then buy them slowly... what you think you like or fits well may not the next week!
Big Yippee Squishy Hugs!
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Paula, Congrats on the jigglies on your yipee squishies!
Kittycat, I am among the many women here who are praying for you and I also admire your strength and positive attitude.
Are there any 32-34 DD bra wearers here? I may have my exchange in June and I am wondering about unwred bras- for 34DD. Any recommendation- I did see P 417, and a lot of them have D's but not DD's
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Waldo -- since you haven't had your exchange yet, just wondering how you know you will need DD bra?
Rebecca -- hang in there (and I'm sure someone will be saying this to ME next week)... you don't know what you have yet it is still too soon after surgery. It gets better.
Paula -- woo hoo on the jiggle!
Val - CONGRATS on your son's graduation... that is a real milestone!
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CS7777 - I use the Skin Deep website as well http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. I will check out the "good guide" web site, thanks for the tip.
I have switched pretty much everything that I use and only use natural and organic products. I use alot of Burts Bees products.
As someone else pointed out, parabens are pretty much in everything not just moisturizers. They are in shampoo, conditioner, liquid soaps, make-up, etc. (even baby shampoos and lotions!) Who knows if switching to all natural products will make a difference, but I figure I will try anything. BC does not run in my family and I don't have any of the high risk factors, so who knows how I got it in the first place. I think most of us are in the same situation. All we can do, it try to take care of ourselves the best we can and try to gain as much knowledge as possible (but always be careful it is coming from good sources). Just my thoughts.
Here is another interesting link for anyone that wants to check it out:
http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/research/endocrine/videos/makeup.cfm
Wishing all you Mom's out there a very Happy Mothers Day!
Karen
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I started reading labels for parabens after I was dx'd, too. Had to give up my fave Olay Quench lotion with the shimmer.....:( Now my fave is Kiss My Face Olive and Aloe body lotion and Juice Organics for facial lotion.
Waldo - Lilah's right .....you really don't know what size you'll wear 'til after your exchange - and even then they'll change a bit. If you do end up to be DD, both Whippetmom and I are DD's.....check with us when you're ready and we'll be glad to help you out!
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Val and Lilah, I am also trying to find a bra for these TE's now as well as one for right after the exchange. I'm a 34DD with only 250 cc in my TE's and we never filled. This is how I came out of BMX surgery. Deborah has been helping me with implant sizing and I am planning for Allergan 20's 400 cc. I just bought a Waacol Awareness in 34DD and it fits perfectly now, I was hoping to find a brand that is less expensive than Waacol ($60.00) for now and I thought I would be able use it right after as well. I can wear underwires 4 weeks post exchange, but now I am wondering. Is it possible for me to be bigger than I am now?
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Waldo, I am not an expert, that would be Val and Deborah, but it seems to me if you are 34DD right now with only 250cc in your TE's then 400cc implants would be bigger than 34DD... I know that the shapes are different, but I went from 650cc in my TE's to 450cc implants and I am a 34D - DD (depending on the bra)... So, I guess I wouldn't put too much money into bras for now... I didn't wear any bra with my TE's, they weren't going anywhere, so I didn't need a bra. Did you ask your PS what he's going to want you in immediately following your exchange? Mine put me in a surgery bra and I could've kept wearing that or he said a sports bra for the first 2 weeks, now he said any kind of supportive bra is fine... When you said "I can wear underwires 4 weeks post exchange" do you mean not until 4 weeks after exchange or for the first 4 weeks after exchange? I'm sure it seems pretty clear to most people what you mean, I'm just a litle slow sometimes, so just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly... Anyway, that's just my 2 cents... probably not very helpful, but I try!
Have a good one!
Paula
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Paula, I can't wear underwires right away and I can begin to wear them after 4 weeks post exchange. I'll take everyones advice and hold off on my bra shopping for now. I think the TE's are more bottom heavy with no upper pole fullness now. My hope is that the overall bra size will remain the same with a different shape.
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Kiss my Face has a lot of reasonably-priced products that are healthy (paraben-free). Someone on these boards described getting breast cancer as possibly a "perfect storm". I didn't have known risk factors except for never having been pregnant, but possibly a combination of several smaller risk factors added up to my getting sick.
So I figure I'll try to "undo" some of those smaller things: parabens, household chemicals, etc. etc. Can't hurt. Might help. I'd hate to look back someday and wonder if I could have done more.
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Waldo - good luck finding a wire less bra in a DD size.
Try Kohl's and go to the Playtex 18 hour bras in a box - that is my only suggestion!
Some of them are cute, but most look like granny bras.
I had a very hard time finding a 38DD in wire less, luckily my plastic surgeon let me wear wires at 2 weeks post op and the pretty sexy bras made me feel good.
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Interesting about the jiggle. Maybe I've been worrying for no reason and it's just jiggle I'm experiencing!! Wooha! Never had any with old implant, new side definitely has some movement, I keep thinking it's loose!
I guess it's good to eliminate what we can that could be dangerous. I became an instant vegetarian with first dx, have watched what I consume the best I can and exercise for 20 years and bamo, hit again. There's been so much conflicting info over years, somedays I just say screw it all, others like today I think maybe it's time to change my moisturizer. Guess what I'm suggesting, tho easier said than done, is not to drive yourself crazy or blame anything you did in the past and let's enjoy life!
Val, congratulations and enjoy the graduation!! Next week nips for you!! Long road, but you're just about there!!
Rebecca, some of us get the post exchange blues, hope things went well at the PS.
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Katey-
funny you mention the post exchange blues. Do those ever go away? I cried an ocean last summer when they took the bandages off my implant breast. I realized then that this is as good as it ever gets. I still just can't embrace this foreign object on my chest. Might as well have duct taped a football there. Maybe that's because I still have my other breast so I know what I'm missing (?) It's also caused me so much grief with muscle spasms and pain in my opposite back side chest wall. Are there any other Uni - gals out there who feel this way? Would nipple reconstruction make me feel any better about all this? Your help would be much appreciated.
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Waldo, just wanted you to know I have 400 ccs and am a 34D, but 400 ccs are different on everyone. Do hold off on buying bras, and like Musiclovermom says, buy them slowly or you will end up with a drawer full of bras that don't fit quite right (like I have...with any luck my daughter might need them at some point but she's only 12 now!)
Lilah and Kat, am very excited for your exchange surgeries next week. It is luscious having some curves to show off, believe me. And Val, you know I'm sending you great nip wishes.
Kitty, you are are such a trooper. Best wishes as you interview doctors and figure out the details of your diagnosis. You are strong, you are woman, and you will beat this cancer.
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KorynH:
Hey, and so sorry your not comfortable with the implant. I'm 3 wks post exchange (yes, girls, I'm a uni!! right side) and opted for saline because I'm a worrier and worst-case scenario type person. The saline is way softer than the TE, but I still feel that stuck in place sensation with it, too. I'm sure silicone would have been softer, but I was scared....no pressure from anyone, I made my own decison. Not saying I'm not happy with it, just saying there is that noticeable difference between the two boobs (left is 45 years old, right is only 3 weeks!) My PS says in July we can do a lift on the left. I bought 2 Vanity Fair bras that say "Body Superior Support/Wirefree---full coverage, wirefree pad with elegant flat lace fabric that will not show under clothes---Revolutionary advanced support system for superior shaping----Banded frame gives additional support.......I LOVE THEM!!!! very comfortable, I have cleavage again and it helps the left look even with the right, even without underwire! website is www.vanityfairlingerie.com.
I am staying optimistic, seeing as how I'm only 3 weeks out, that my implant will continue to improve and become more comfortable. I have already seen improvement in just the 3 weeks.
Oh, and I am still having muscle spasms on the implant side and have even noticed them in my left shoulder area, too. I'm guessing from more usage of the left----I'm a right handed person. PS prescribed Valium for muscle spasms......I was surprised by that....Valium for muscle spasms, but hey, it works!
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Hi All,
Koryn, I'm having the pre-exchange blues! I'm not sure what I'm feeling going forward through this part of the process. Everyone has been treating me like I'm 100% when I'm not, but I'm giving the illusion that I am so why would they treat me any different? On one hand they think it's great that I look good and I'm acting like nothing is wrong but on the other hand, when I get needy because I'm scared and anxious or pre-occupied it's not acceptable. Now, I've got guilt to deal with that I'm leaving my position for another week when everyone feels they've covered for me enough by now.
Maybe I'm afraid that when this hurdle is jumped I wont have the TE's as an excuse anymore. I'm afraid of the new normal...
I'm also worried because my PS is talking about doing fat grafting by way of a 'peanut method' where he injects little peanuts of fat in various areas instead of the old way they did it by just squirting the fat into the divots until they filled. I'm worried that this will be painful to recover (and cover up with clothing) so I'm thinking of calling and asking to put it off. (the fat grafting, not the exchange) I just want to be well and feel well and not be in pain anymore. I wasn't in pain until my last fill and it's just really really uncomfortable. My divots aren't that severe and I think I can wait it out a bit. I would like to golf and enjoy life a little bit for a while without the constant reminder that I had a procedure done.
My goodness, I don't think I had this much anxiety about my BMX! Thank you being my sounding board! And, I'm sorry to be such a whiney baby...the girls on the January board will tell you that I'm generally a very positive person! Just having a low moment I suppose.
Slow and steady wins the race!
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Kat ~ What?? Are we not supposed to be eating bacon???? Please say it isn't so!!!!!
I have a couple of divots and am waiting to see how they settle out prior to making any fat grafting decision so totally understand how you are feeling about it. On the other hand if you can get it all done at once ... I wasn't offered that option and not sure what I would do in your shoes. My 2009 Year of the Breast is flowing over into 2010 and I am sure it is wearing on everyone around me although they are being very supportive. Seems like the first and second surgeries caused alarm and now five surgeries later it is "Oh, another surgery, call me when you get home". Ha!!!
Paula ~ I want a Hooters t shirt!!! Do they sell them to 51 year old grandmother's with really perky breasts???
All next weeks surgery girls ~ I am so excited for you!!! Seems like yesterday that I was on the waiting list and now so many have taken place in the last two months that I was bumped off!! it is definitely a milestone in this journey and you do start to think that you will look and feel normal again (whatever that is). Thoughts and prayers will be with you next week!!!
Colleen
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Kat -- I know how you feel
I'm having my exchange and reduction on Tuesday! I think when you are feeling anxious it's easy to worry about the little stuff. It's all beyond our control so we have nothing left to worry about, really, except the scraps of details we have in our heads from the pre-surgery meeting (or from whenever). You have to remind yourself that you chose your doctor for a reason (maybe it was a slim one but you did choose)... and so far he has done a good job. So trust him. And trust yourself. And it's okay to feel whatever you feel 0 -
Texas and Laura: I'm doing fine. I had another issue-- a seroma/hematoma that was drained and will need to be drained again..If not successfully drained by May 12th, the PS may put another drain in for it. They beat me up pretty good trying to get all the liquid/blood out of it. I have fingerprints in black and blue, along with other black and blue marks. I'm doing OK though, I'm back to work and just waiting. the pocket is on my back so it is difficult to sit certain ways.
Lilah, you must be so excited...I'm excited for you..
To everyone else recovering or having surgeries soon, keep on going --the end is in sight now. JUDY
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Koryn - I went through MAJOR separation anxiety from my plastic surgeon! I see him in the morning for a talk about building me some awesome new nips for these new girls! I have not seen him for 9 weeks!
Have you considered getting massages for your pain? I am a big massage fan! Massage Envy is a national chain and they are fairly reasonable. I try to go every 2 weeks.
As for the keeping the one breast. You are so fortunate to have that erogenous zone still. I do not since I had both breasts removed. I think it might make a difference in how I feel because I do not compare my implants to the old breasts...
I am so happy to have my wonderful plastic surgeon put me back together, I love them... He is magic! I love him too!
On a different note! I will send you my stuff to be repaired and I want one of the breast cancer bracelets too!
HEY EVERY ONE ON EC!!!!! Koryn makes the prettiest jewelry!
Yippee Squishy hugs to all!
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Val: Congrats on your son's graduation!
Psalm: I'm sorry you are having difficulties with muscle spasms right now. I'm a big believer in Valium!
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Ladies,
First of all I want to say that I came from the January Mastectomy board and Kat is right, she is usually not a whiny baby. But I too am scheduled for exchange surgery next week and feeling a little anxiety.
Had a great visit with the PS today. It has been 4 weeks since my LAST fill and we are ready to go. I PM's whippetmom (the breast whisperer!) and gave her all my info (ht, wt, etc etc). She recommended Allergan 20 silicone high profile. When I went to the PS I didn't tell him anything, just asked what he was thinking about and he said he would be using Allergan silicone high profile. He asked me if I liked the volume I was at right now and I said yes....I said will you be using a #20? He smiled, and said Yes -- somebody's been doing their homework. Thank you DEBORAH!!!
I told him I had been thinking about removing the real nipple so it would be easier for him to get symmetry if I wanted to have the other nipple reconstructed. He talked me into keeping the nipple (had a nipple and skin spaing prophylactic Mx). Said he would make the nipple on the other breast and they would match...explained how he would do it....he actually makes an incision, does some sort of flap and stitches it down; then he creates a circular incision around it and also stitches that down to make the areola and then later tattoo's in the color. Sounded good to me....I trust him and he said if I was dissastisfied that exchanging an implant for a smaller or larger size was a very simple procedure and we could do that at the same time as the nipple reconstruction. He is very patient and I am hoping all goes well with no complications (this time).
I thank everyone for their support. Glad to have these threads to go to!
Thanks Paula for all your input, too!
Marianne
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LADIES:
Those of you who are new here.. and have pending surgeries.. PM MYKIDSMOM, from the top of this page... She is the thread starter.. and she is the one who puts your name on our list above. This way... we know who we are Cheering on!
Laura
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Colleen, they absolutely sell them to Grandma's with perky boobs!!! Rock on! Go to your nearest Hooters and get one! Kat ordered one too, I'm still waiting to see her in it!
Marianne, I am so glad that your appt went well! Yay!!! A little knowledge goes a long way! I am so happy for you! You and Kat & Lilah, yippee squishy next week!!! Whoooohoooo!
Good night!
Paula
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I'm so glad to be sharing the week with Kat and Marianne!!! And you too Val -- GO NIPS!
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