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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    I think some of our ladies should be writing books! Deborah - You are sad - but still hilarious! I hope that things will get better for you!! You have been such a support for so many of us here! And Yvonne - You are a wonder with words and abbreviations. Thanks for the smiles.

    And I am with Laura - I am so sorry that so many of us are not happy w/ the exchange. I don't know the magic answer. But I keep telling myself, there are always revisions. But I also know we have been through enough surgeries!

    Deborah and KinAZ - I know that someone posted somewhere about paste on fips. As was stated, Sandy will know. Sandy is amazing!

    Nana - You need to get permission to get on the picture forum. To get permission send a PM to timtam on this website. She will verify that you have been posting a while here, and then provide a username and password. The site was a tremendous help to me before I had my BM's - it helped me to know that I would look "normal" again some day. And I love the ladies that have shared their stories and pictures for all of us!

    We have two sisters up for surgery this week, best wishes!!!

    3/25 - KinAZ - TE reinserted

    3/25 - mizbabygirl4 - Exchange surgery to Allergan 410s in the 450 or 495 size

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2009

    Deborah, you've probably already left, but I got a great Lily of France sports bra at Kohl's for my post-exchange time. I loved it because it had a hook in the back (also t-strap, but the hook in addition made it LOTS easier to take off), plus separate cups and just enough padding to fill me out while I was "fluffing."

    Yvonne, I was ROTFL at your CRABS idea -- we need a CRABS support group!! Oh, and our tagline can be "JUST SAY NO to age-appropriate foobs!" Tongue out

    Jean, you're right, there's a post about paste-on fips. In fact, I think Sandy posted it. I know I saw pics on the October Reconstructioneers thread. Who could forget that?! I think it was posted on this thread too -- but it was a couple days ago, so probably about 20 pages back - ha! :)

    Off to bug my son to get in the shower, then try to strap him down to trim his hair. 13-year-olds! Ugh! :)

    Sheila

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited March 2009

    Linda... where do you get the nipples for you gals.... I know you talked about them....

    Sandy will know too... :):)

    Deb, I would give your boobs the 8 weeks to see how they look... I keep hearing about time....

    Yvonne... CRABS was cracking me up too!

    Jean, I think it is so awesome you got to meet some of the gals here! I bet they thought you were AWESOME!

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    I am working today, crazy flippin brides!!!! aaaahhhh!!! LOL!! but had to check in!! and wanted to say, after all we have been through........MATRONLY foobies, not an option!!!!!!

    Lorraine ox

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine... what is it you do again... if you are working today.. I am thinkin retail... brides.... dresses.... weddings.. hmmmm got me curious! :)

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    oh! wedding planner!! fabulous job, however today here its crazy windy and we had some rain earlier, so have had some stressed out brides!!

    wanted to post this link for anyone wanting to try on some "fipples" I plan on getting them just to see where I want mine placed, oh my God isn't this hysterical!! who would have thought.........

     http://www.decolleteenhancement.com/PalsNipls.html

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2009

    Oh no not matronly.....that is for sure not what I meant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I just thought that they looked very real to me,which is what I am hoping for so that my real one doesn't look sooooo matronly! LOL!!!!!!  I had to go back to the picture forum and look again and I still think they look great but I did see what you where referring to by being bottom heavy.  When people refer to fluffing, do they mean that they puff up and out instead of looking bottom heavy maybe?????  Either way the girls are yours and you have to be the one that feels good about them.  I agree with Laura to hang on for a few weeks and see if they perk up a bit.  I am sending uplifting vibes your way.

    I am feeling really achy today because on Friday I decided to go chip some ice away from the drain on the street so that the little bit of melted snow we finally had would run down the drain and not up my driveway.  I imagine you California girls can't quite picture this but we still have LOTS of snow everywhere here and I am more than anxious for it to disappear.  They weather channel said that the next province to us got 25 centimeters (almost 1 foot) of snow today and it could be headed here.  IS SPRING EVER COMING????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was diagnosed with BC at the end of last fall so I am associating my BC misery with winter!!!!  Sick of both in a big way.  Anyway...off to get my heating pad, some ibuprofen and settle in for a movie.  Thank God for HD and big screen TV's!

    P.S.  I sure didn't mean to offend you Deborah with my age appropriate comment....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine - OH MY GOSH!  Those cannot be fipples!  They look like little mini pacifiers!  The color of baby bottle nipples!  Did someone have a creative thought in their head when they made these???? Holy mackerel!  But I am doing this just for technical reasons, so I guess it does not matter...

    Sheila - I am home from Kohls...no grass growing under these feet....but PLEASE look at the style number of your Lily of France bra because I will go back tomorrow and look for it. 

    I bought a Champion sports bra which you do have to either step into and pull up like a bra/girdle or slip over the head and you have to manage to avoid twanging your foobs.  It definitely has more support than the surgi-bra I came home with from the hospital.  I feel better already, but Sheila, I would like that Lily of France bra.  I am a total lemming...

    Yvonne - I certainly hope they "puff up"....those of you who remember the fluffing process...did you PUFF UP?  And you did NOT offend me!   "Uplifting vibes",  tee, hee, hee...I get it....Also, Yvonne - since you are in Canada, are you getting the true gummy bears? - the Allergan 410's?

  • digger
    digger Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2009

    Well, I finally worked up my courage to take off the surgibra and see what's what.  And I really, really like them!  They're just about the same size, and same location, not under my armpits but not in the middle of my chest either.  I'm not sure how much cleavage I have, but I wasn't asking for that because I never really had that in the first place and that would have felt odd on my body. The PS did a gorgeous job!

    For those considering a lift/implant on the "healthy" side, I'm also happy to report that I'm really glad I went ahead and did that.  Now, they both match, instead of one saggy one and one perky one.  I agonized over that decision, but, now that the pain has pretty much totally subsided, I'm really happy with my choice.

    One thing I'm definitely finding an adjustment is the weight of the implants.  It definitely feels different, like I've got two water balloons on my chest.  My proportions are now different, you know?  Like when I was eating dinner tonight, I kept bumping my chest on the table.  But, as I learned from the mx and the expander, it's just a matter of getting used to my new "reality."  It's nice that I don't have to adjust each week like I did with each expansion, so once I get used to these new balloons, hopefully I won't even notice them anymore and can get on with my life.

    Wow, I'm happier than I've been in a long time! 

  • digger
    digger Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2009

    About sports bras, I really swear by my Lululemon bras.  I've got the lift and separate ones (with distinct "cups" for each breast) and am just awaiting the word from my PS when I can start wearing those instead of this surgibra.  What's nice about the Lululemon bra is that it fastens in front.  I bought them pre-surgery, figuring I probably wouldn't be able to reach back to fasten something behind.

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2009

    Digger - Where can I find a Lululemon bra?  I'd love to have one that fastens in the front! Great idea!

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 144
    edited March 2009

    Wow!  I cannot keep up with you girls!  LOL 

    Deb...sorry to hear you aren't happy with your girls just yet, the time thing seems to keep coming up. 

    My PS told me to wear the bra or not wear the bra, whatever felt better.  I'm not sure if it is different for the Gummy Implants.  I've been wearing it just to help keep the drains from pulling on me.  I had some oozing around the one drain last night, but that is because I think I was doing too much!  It's all good today!

    I'm still happy with how they look at this point.  Will be glad when they are completely finished.  I was worried about not having cleavage, but he was able to move them closer together TE's. 

    As long as I can shimmy them in Zumba class...then I'm happy!

    Digger...just had to look up the Lululemon bra...of course nobody has them here...but I can find them in Ohio!

    http://www.lululemon.com/products/womens

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Deb,

    For the fake nipps go to Amazon .  I have ordered some but should get them this week and will post pics.  They look more realistic than others I have seen (at least in the pic) but they are pricier than most. $25 plus postage.  I am planning on wearing them to the PS next visit.  I wanted to prove to him that my boobs would look fine without a revision.....  And I also wanted them to get the correct placement.

    Sports bras------Champion model 1691 is what I am wearing in the picture on the forum..I have a black and a white one.  I really like them.  Fastens in the back like a regular bra and the straps are adjustable with velcro....The cups are separate light weight fabric to wick moisture and then you have the stretchy fabric.  I wear these when I run and they keep me in place pretty good.....

    My advice to everyone is to get a supportive sports bra and WEAR it after surgery.  Don't listen to the PS, they don't know their butt from a hole in the ground.  One says this one says that, so just what are we suppose to do......We have each other and we learn from our discussions......

    I am off to the pic forum to check out Deb........

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2009

    Oh, I just love how we tell it like it is here in Exchange City!  Linda - you crack me up..."they don't know their butt from a hole in the ground"....LOL!  I agree that opinions are all over the map when it comes to what the plastic surgeons tell us....and we have to do what we think is necessary and what a BLESSING to be able to come here and get so many ideas.  I already feel so much better wearing something which is holding me up!!!  I can probably order that Champion 1691 online...I need more of these for the gym.

    And I am looking up Pam's Lulumon bra - sounds wonderful!

  • karen9516
    karen9516 Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2009

    Deb-Walmart has a sports bra that all the plastic surgeons use around here and I think it is the one that MoodyK used and her boobs are super firm and it is called Bestform. It is a sports bra that has 5 hooks in the front. It is about 7-8 dollars. I have a bout 10 of them and you need to get one that is smaller and tighter than you would normally wear. You need to make sure they are compressed. I went and had my boobs measured and she asked me why my breasts were so smashed in my bra. I think you look great!

  • digger
    digger Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2009

    NVDiane,

    I looked on the Lululemon site for a Nashville location, but they haven't opened there yet.  You probably can order the bra online.  They're obscenely expensive, but I think they'll do the trick for me, and at this point, I'm sparing no expense on myself!  I figure I'm worth it!!

    Karen9516,

    This may sound like a stupid question, but why is it so important that the implants be compressed?  I can see why you'd want to keep them well supported from the bottom, but doesn't too much compression make them too flat?  Just curious... 

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Karen9516, I am wondering the same thing.  You just need that support to keep them supported not compressed.  After my exchange, when I would not wear a bra for a while I could feel something pulling in the boob that he done the most pocket work and now that boob has fallen back to the side a little.  I feel that if I had supported that boob 24/7 for at least 6 weeks then things would have turned out better....Now I would recommend a compression/support bra for running.  You do not want the girls jumping all over the place....And the Bestform bra may be Ok for after surgery but not for strenous exercise....

    Deborah, The Champion sportsbras that I ordered right after my exchange surgery was on sale for a great price of $19.95 each that is half price.  I should have ordered more.....They are probably $39.95 now.  But for you I hope they are on sale...........I made a post on the pic forum.....

    Edited for Deborah  I just checked the Champion website and the Powersleek sportsbra model 1691 is on sale for $24.99 for a limited time....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2009

    Linda.....thank you...and would you be able to link me to the nipples at Amazon.com?  I googled "nipples" and came up with "nipple arousers", which is NOT what I want!  Yikes...like THAT would do anything...

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    Deborah! went to the pic forum to check you out baby!! LOL!! you look FABULOUS!! I did leave you a message on the forum, basically just said that YOU need to be happy, I think your foobies look very real and your projection looks great! No matter what people say, the bottom line is you need to feel good dressed and naked.  I know for myself, I am going to see how it goes for the next few weeks until my next appt with my PS, and if I feel in my gut that I am not thrilled then I plan on making changes!

    Lorraine ox

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2009

    Deborah, the Lily of France bra is style 2151703. (at least that's what it looks like -- it's in really small printing!) Smile It was in the sports bra section at kohl's. It's white with a pink and gray-striped bottom band. I always wore a 38B, and this bra is a size 38B/36C. I checked out your pics on the photo site, and to be totally honest I see what you mean about feeling they're drooping too much. I wonder if your PS was going for that look? It does seem like an unusual amount of droop for implants. Having said that, though, I think you look really good. Right after my exchange I felt like the girls were a little too much "out there" with NO droop. They looked a little TOO fake. You look very natural. It's hard to say if your foobs are too big or not, not having known what you looked like before. It does strike me as odd that you'd be expanded to 400cc and then get 550cc implants -- or am I remembering that wrong? I have to say I didn't experience any fluffing "out" myself and I'm still not quite sure what the "fluff" refers to!

    Also, if anyone's interested in a light, comfy bra with just a bit of support, check out "Barely There" (by Hanes) #4285. I also found these at Kohl's, lots of pretty colors. I had to get a size 38A/B, but I do "fill it up." :)

    Does anyone else wonder if people can feel your implants or TE's when they hug you? My daughter always tells me I'm not "squishy" anymore, and I wonder if people can tell the foobs aren't natural??

    Sheila

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2009

    Thank you Lorraine!  Yes, I agree with you.  I just did not want to have to have revisions.  I wanted it to be over with.  Didn't you?  This and then nips and then that's it.  Oh well.  I can handle this one too. 

    I am thankful for so many things....I know this is nothing compared to the fact that I no longer have cancer....I know you all feel the same.   

    You guys are the greatest!  I am going to have more bras than I know what to do with after tonight's session!

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2009

    Nipple arousers!!!! ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!! I don't know if I am getting a gummie or not.  I'll ask him when I go on April 1st.  He doesn't share too much info with me that is for sure.  I've kind of put all that on the back burner until I heal properly and then I'll press for more info.  Right now I feel like I could be a spokesperson for all the different dressings that I have had but I know very little about my implants.  The knowledge I have stored has been gained from you ladies so I'm just storing it all up until I get closer to the date and then I'm going to lay it all on him!!  I did ask him what he thought he would use and he said "something that matched the other side".  Gee...I would never have considered that....

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Deborah,

    Go to www.amazon.com

    do a search on natural nipples

    These are Natural Nipples by LoveFiFi for $25.00

    I ordered the small size, which is 1 5/8" and the large is 2 1/8"

    They also have a Mr. Peanuts G-string for men.  You might want to check that out LOL HEHEHEHE

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    deborah, yup, I thought it would be fipples and tats and that would be it..........should have known better really LOL!! but, I don't plan on doing anything anytime soon, I have about 50 weddings between now and Sept, so it would be really difficult if not impossible to have any more time off, but I maybe could squeeze in a week somewhere before I turn friggin 50 in Sept! That was my plan to be rebuilt by my 50th! oh well!

    Lorraine ox

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2009

    Before 50 was my plan too, but I'm ahead of you Lorraine...I turn the big 5-0 in June so I know I'm not going to make it.  My daughter-in-law teases me and says she tells her co-workers that I'm getting implants and tats before I get too old!!  I said I hope you told them I am doing that because I had BC and she said no that the story wouldn't sound so shocking then....gotta love her!!!  (She is a teacher and is teaching with ladies that taught my kids and know me by the way, so they know that I am SOOO not a tattoo kind of girl). 

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Lorraine

    I want my nipples done and it all be over.  PS wants to do some tweaking before nipples...I posted some pics asking for my sisters opinions.  I hope you do get all this behind you by your 50th birthday and may I add you look wonderful to be almost 50!!!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Hi ladies just wanted to stop in

    I've been gone all day and haven't had a chance to read things

    Today not only did I got for a hike I went rock climbing

    OMG it was awesome

    I will have to share pix when I get them

    In the past I usually just repel or zip lines

    this time I climbed up faces of cliff that were real tough

    determination we got it : - )

    ps I did see some pix which I thought looked pretty darn good

    ok I better get some rest

    I will try and catch up tomorrow

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2009

    Good middle of the night to all you gals....I am up having one of those bad nights......can't sleep and keep getting emotional and tearful at some of the weirdest things. So I got up and just gave into "it".....put an sad movie on tv and grabbed the laptop...went right to this site.

      You all seem to be the only ones who understand all this.....I am so glad I found this site.

         reading the posts and your stories.....well sometimes I laugh with you....and sometimes I get so upset when I hear what each of you have had to go through and are still going through I want to scream and shout "This is so unfair......not this too with all they are going thru.

      I was going to try to go back to work today but after this bad night and getting no sleep I will wait and try for Tuesday.

       Prayers and  gentle hugs to all of you.

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2009

    oh, can someone remind this forgetful nut (me) how to get to the picture forum....I have been there once in Feb. after I got permission from Timtam......but can remember....thanks

  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2009

    Bukki, you came to the right place. I don't know how I would cope if I didn't have access to this forum and all of you sisters. Thanks to you, I feel somewhat "normal" in this journey.

    Deborah, I checked out your pics and left a comment there, but I think you look great!

    Sheila, I avoid hugging people with my TEs in place (don't want to injure them). I'm hoping hugs are more natural once implants are in place.

    Janet

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