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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2009

    welcome Peggio.....I to felt my expanders made me look likee a football player weight lifter.....which is ok if that is the look you are going for.....II was not.

    Thank you everyone for the emotional support....was having myself one heck of a "pity party" last night......feeling like no one understands the emotional and physical pain going thru this BC.....bui you are all so wonderful sweet souls who are also facing this.....and most of you seem to being doing it with such class......

      I found the pic forum and can only say thank you to  all who brave and tech savey enough  to share.....there were pics of some wonderful results IMO......but each of us has our own standards of what we will accept.....thats great....just remember you are all beautiful to me.......

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited March 2009

    My, alot going on today....I am just checking in, and I have to chime in, that it seems to me, that my foob, tho it looks amazingly natural sans cherry on top, is saggy.  I don't know why, maybe it's the mothership on the other side dragging it down?  Or maybe it's just crappy rads skin.  However, all to be addressed when the "dust settles from the hysterectomy" as my PS put it.

    Whittpetmon I chat to my girls all the time; glad someone else does too. :).  Saggy Aggy listens, but does not care, she only wants to be perky again, and the new foob has an attitude problem.

    For a bra, I've had tremendous luck and comfort with online Glamorize brand or even better, Champion sport bras.  Lift and separate and comfy too. 

    Still waiting on path.................I think they will let me know when they see me.  They'll know me too, I'll be the one drooling down my chin from anxiety.

    So sign me up in the "lady in waiting" list.  Don't know whether to go ahead and finish the cherry, or to wait on the prophy which won't be til fall at least.  Any votes on which is better for the summer wear?  Nipple petals, so you don't nip out on the old gal side, or a fake silicone nip?  questions, questions....

    xoxox

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    Wanda,

    I am in the same boat as you.  I am 5'0" and 104 lbs. I wasn't able to get a fill during surgery but am now at 330 cc's.  My ps said he plans on my implants being between 300-330.  Being a sub-A at the start of this, I initially would have been happy with a full "B" but now I am greedy. 

    I talked to my ps's assistant about high profile because they are narrower with more projection.  I have to talk to my ps though.  Being small framed, the TE's are very annoying under my pits.  The first few weeks I felt like I was walking around like a football player.  I couldn't put my arms down to my sides!

    It will be interesting to see what we end up with!    

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 144
    edited March 2009

    Peggio I had my exchange last Friday.  My PS puts the drains to help keep the implants in place.  He told me they wouldn't be in as long as the drains I had for my bilateral.  I had those drains in for a week.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Kathie

    I just wish that was the case with my DH....He is one of those guys that does not say anything.  Probably don't know what to say.  I don't push him.  I have told him what all of you have been saying about my boobs but it does not faze him.  That is OK because he is the best hubby in the world and I can live with his lack of enthusiam about my boobs.  I am hoping that when I get the nipps he will change.

    Deborah, you are so funny.....I love to read your post.....I would guess that you are a D.....

    Dianne,  I was the way you are describing, like a football player LOL  I am small also 5'1.5" and 112 lbs....a year ago I was at 106....menopause just does something to a body!!!  Anyway, I fill out a C cup pretty good and band size is 34  (29" rib cage)  I love this size on me.  I am small boned and anything bigger would not have fit my body.....I have pictures posted....

    Thanks to all of you

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2009

    Linda! I have to wait to get home to see your pics on the forum, I can't wait! I am sure you look fabulous! :)

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2009

    Deborah...I think my PS uses a compression garmet (binder) for his exchanges as well. I had one after my BM too. I think I have to wear it 24/7 for 2 weeks because of the lipo. I'm really bruised above my implant where he deposited the fat from my belly/hips. The garmet around my belly is because of the lipo. The transition from my chest to the implant is nice. He said I may need another graft but we'll wait to see how things settle. I'm a small girl so I can't imagine where he's going to get the fat from this time...LOL. After the first 2 weeks I can switch to something like spanx for compression on the belly....have to wear that for 4-6 weeks. As silly as I look, I'm much more comfortable with the compression. Won't I just win mother of the year at my son's football banquet tomorrow evening. No idea what I'm going to wear.

    I tried posting pics awhile ago but because they are all from my phone, they don't get accepted. Only a certain end like .jpeg are accepted. If you PM me your email I would be happy to send some pics to you. I've chronicled everything!!!! Funny to look back on my post mastectomy pics...never thought exchange day would arrive...thankfully it did .

  • Sprtwareor
    Sprtwareor Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2009

    Deborah--Whatever you do, DON'T go to Fredericks to get fitted for your bras. The really nice young woman at Frederick's in Vegas fitted me last month. I think that's when I REALLY began to feel bad. I had been cramming my new implants into a size 36B bra, so when the young woman fitted me into a size 36D I'm sure that my jaw was hanging open to the floor. I made her repeat the size 3 times. I was in shock!!!  No way!!  I told my PS I wanted to be a 36B.  Of course the Fredericks 36D picks up all the sag and cures the muffin look, and camoflauges the dents on top. If I could just look like that without the bra I would be happy. Ahhhhhhhh---those must be the youthful foobs instead of the matronly foobs!  My PS must have been looking in the wrong aisle.

    Don't you wish we could just go into the store and be fitted for our new foob the way they fit you at Fredericks?  I could see me now . . . at the TaTa Sisters annual reunion in Vegas . . . being fitted for my perky foobs.   Ah . . . now THAT'S progress!!!   One day, sisters, our children and grandchildren won't have to suffer through these archaic methods. 

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 271
    edited March 2009

    My exchange surgery has been scheduled for Friday, April 3rd.  The PS is doing the exchange, a lift on the other side and also removing the chemo port.  He said it would be a 3 hour surgery and an overnight in the hospital.  I'm not looking forward to another surgery or a night in the hospital, but it is worth it to get rid of this hard turtle shell and get back to the beginning of a "normal" body and life.  Take care.  ~Bonnie

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2009

    I think I just truly joined the ranks of the breast-obsessed today (Not that I wasn't already a member).  My husband and I were involved in a three-car accident today (we were just sitting, and got hit by a car that got hit by a speeding teenage girl who ran a red light), and the first thing I did (after yelling "oh sh**t!" as the car crashed into us) was look under my seatbelt to see if my new girl was OK.  Luckily, she seems fine (although my nerves are shot). Do you ever feel like you have a target on your back or something? Geesh! If my new bust had been busted, I would probably still be sitting there crying.  Should I go see my PS? The airbags didn't inflate or anything...

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009

    NVDiane - Oh my goodness. Are you all okay??? That is so frightening!! Did you get pushed in the chest? I would think you would know it if there is something wrong, but I would at least call the PS tomorrow. I am so glad you are okay!!!

    Bkokie - We will add you to the list. Congratulations on having a date!

    Annie - Your path results MUST be good. They would have called you by now if there was an issue, right!?! I will be thinking of you on Wednesday.

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

    Diane - Oh my!  I think you had quite a fright!  What a relief you and hubby were not injured!!  It sounds like all is well with your girl.  I would watch for redness or bruising...

    BTW - I will, for the rest of my days, drive with a pillow inserted inside the seat belt going across my chest.  It has become second nature to me to use it.  I realize it probably looks rather odd - this pale pink fuzzy pillow across my chest.  Once, at McDonald's, where I get coffee several times a week, I was in the drive through and the girl leaned out the window and said, "oh, that's a PILLOW"!  I thought it was a stuffed animal in there."   WHAAAT?   So WHY would an adult woman strap a stuffed animal to her chest? 

  • digger
    digger Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2009

    Definitely call the PS tomorrow, NVDiane.  And take care of yourself.  Alot of times, those back and neck injuries don't become apparent until a few days later.  It's funny, but I too am scared of the air bag going off in the car, thereby destroying months worth of work on my chest.  My kids are both working on getting their drivers' licenses and I'm petrified to go with them!

    Take care. 

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited March 2009
    Deborah - WHen I was in the hospital after my BM several co-workers gave me a cute stuffed teddy bear. When my dh picked me up to drive home, I realiized I needed something under the seat belt. Guess what I used!?! So I ask you - "Why would an adult woman strap a stuffed animal to her chest?!?" It was quite a site when he stopped for a cup of coffee on the way home. Tongue out
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2009

    Oh Jean.....that is priceless!  Desparate times call for desparate measures I guess.

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2009

    NVDiane...So glad you and the girl weren't hurt. Wow...you must have been so scared. i would call too..just to be on the safe side.

    Whippetmom...I sent you an email. When I get my head together I'll send you my expander and exchange pictures. I'm feeling a little out of sorts today...not sure why...just "weird". I too put a small pillow under my seatbelt. My breast surgeon's office gives them out. They're little rectangular pillows that a group of breast cancer survivors make. It's been a lifesaver.

    Kathie 

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2009

    Deborah - You are hilarious!!! A.D.D. foobs!!  I can only picture you giving those girls a firm chat!!

    Annie - I think you girls spent the afternoon on goofy drugs- everybody is hilarious here today!!  I'm crossing my fingers that your path is just good, good, good.  My best friend got a tummy tuck the same day I had my MX and she wore a compression garment for 6 weeks.  She thought she would shovel a bit of snow around week 5 and her PS just about had a heart attack when he heard.  He said the lipo'd area needs at least 6 wks with no lifting and a compression garment to heal properly and not look lumpy.  So...keep it on!  She said she felt more comfortable with it on too and almost felt naked when she could stop wearing it. 

    Oh Diane - I sure hope you are okay.  I agree that you should have a little check up to make sure everything is still where it should be.  That is really crappy luck for you but I'm so glad neither of you got really hurt.  It was so icy here is a.m. that I slid right throught the first intersection I tried to stop at.  I was sure I was going to hit somebody but my "guy in the sky" must have been looking out for me AGAIN!!! 

    Congrats on the exchange date Bonnie - WAHOOOOOOOO!

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

    Sandy:  I want to hear again about sleeping with massage cream and Cool Whip containers strapped to your foobs.  Does this help with scar tissue reduction or does it make them soft?  Or is my brain soft for wanting to do this?  LOL!!!!   Because I WILL go out and buy Cool Whip if it works [I just found this on the picture's forum...]

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    NVDiane

    I am so sorry that you were in an accident.  I am very paranoid myself about crashes and germs.  You are probably going to feel the effects of the impact tomorrow and the next day.  I think it is wise to call you ps and let them make the call as to whether or not you should be seen. 

  • digger
    digger Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2009

    After my going on and on about the benefits of the Lululemon sports bra that I bought prior to exchange surgery, I got home after my post-op visit (no more surgibra and drain is out...yea!!!!), and there was absolutely no way that thing was going to make it around my chest. 

    Has anyone else found that your chest was swollen after surgery?  It's like my ribcage expanded.  I used to be a 34A before bc, now it looks like I'm a 38C!  I had a Victoria's Secret Ipex bra on for a few hours (36C), but that was cutting off the circulation around my chest as well.  So I decided to go back to one of those really ugly, grandmother-type mastectomy bras that the fitter gave me just before my mx.  I don't even know what size it is, I just know it's huge.  It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen but it's long, so the seams don't cut into the stitches just under the folds of both of my foobs.

    Sorry for the whining...I hate this stuff!! 

  • NVDiane
    NVDiane Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2009

    Thanks, girls, so much for the concern and the good advice.  I'll call my PS tomorrow and see if he wants to check me out. So far, just the back of my left leg hurts, and I've been icing it down.

    Yvonne - I'm so glad you weren't hurt this morning; ice is so scary! You would be amazed at how scary being on the road is, down here in the south.  Would you believe, we are such wimps that the schools will close for an inch of snow?

    Jean - I have also ridden in a car with a teddy bear under my seatbelt. Of course, I collect them, and my house is being taken over by them (and my dolls). I took a special, new, plush bear who I christened "Booby" to the hospital when I had my mastectomy last year.  When I was trying to sleep that night, I held Booby against my chest, and whenever I felt pain, I would hug her very tightly, and the pain went away. Teddy bears are very versatile! Laughing

    Diane

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

    I wish I had the energy to post more.

    Love to all of you, and thank you so much to those of you asking about me.

    I sure hope to be back in full "Laura" soon...

    God Bless!

  • hood1980
    hood1980 Member Posts: 168
    edited March 2009

    Laura,  We are all sending you our love.  You take care & you'll have your energy back soon!

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited March 2009

    We love you girl!  You'll have your energy back soon enough.  You rest.  We'll wait.

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2009

    Linda,

    I saw your pics and posted a message there- you look fabulous.   I am hoping for a "C" too. 

     I had a partial hysterectomy 10 or so years ago so it is hard to tell when I start menopause because I have my ovaries but don't get my period.  (I will be 45 on April 2).  But I feel that menopause is staring in my window when I sleep and following me like a shadow, much like the grim reaper!  It is sooo hard to lose weight and so easy to gain.  I can grab flesh at my waste line that was never there before.  It ain't pretty!!!!

    As far as band size, I have a 27" rib cage but prefer the 34 inch band.  At 330 cc's I fit into 34 C's but it is hard to tell if I will once the pit-boob is in the right place!  

    ESTEPP- I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. Get the rest you need right now.  You know we will keep "talking" and thinking of you! I hope tomorrow is a better day! 

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

    Laura - You KNOW we will be here...I am praying for you...you know that we are ALL just so very sorry and sad that you are getting beat up so by the rads. 

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2009

    Laura, lots of love and hugs to you -- just get your rest and know we're thinking about you!

    Diane, I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt. I'm with everyone else about calling your PS -- just to be sure!

    Deborah, maybe you could just use the Cool Whip container WITH the cool whip and skip the massage cream?!? :)

    I used a pillow after my BM, and with my TEs I drove with one hand holding the seat belt away from my chest -- I couldn't stand ANY pressure on those babies. Needless to say I never went any farther than the 10 miles to work and back. I missed a college choir reunion back home in Iowa because I knew there was no way I could do the 500-mile car trip with TEs!

    Well, I got to bed at about 12:30 last night, so I'm going to sack out on the couch and watch Food Network or something ...

    Tracey .... where have you been?? Everything ok with you? Are you getting excited for a week from today??!!

    Sheila

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2009

    Laura...I miss your warm and caring posts.  I wish you were back to your old vibrant self.  Rest, rest, rest.  We are all thinking of you. 

    Whippetmom...That's so funny you chat with your girls.  I keep telling mine they better start that"fluffing" thing they're suppose to do!

    anniealso...Your path MUST be Ok.  I am sure they would have called you if not.

    I want to thank the ladies who keep our surgeries updated and to Sandy for her amazing research.

    Good night everyone

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    LAURA,

    I thought you had perked up!!!    I am so sorry that those darn rads is pulling you down. I hate this stuff!!!!  Do you think you over-did the weekend? or mostly the rads ?   Whatever has you down please get some rest and when you are feeling perky again you can spend a day reading all these post!!!!  You are in my prayers for a better day tomorrow.....(((laura)))

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    more to come but posting this for now

    because it doesn't work when I try to do it on my word perfect lol

    Deb how did you know I would have info on this lol

    this is the web site that I found them at:

    http://www.senselingerie.com/c-17-nipple-covers.aspx



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