Exchange City
Comments
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Fabulous! I just ordered a pair! Whoopie!
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Lorriane I say show away we will give you our opinion
Digger I know I drove with my drains in after my mastectomy
but I had them for a long 4 weeks and 1 day
if it's been a week I think you should be good to go : - )
Deb I hope you show a pix in a bra or swim suit so we can see what you mean how you look different than Linda & I
Nana ask away at any time, yes Mentor high profile are the narrowest with the most projections and on the natrelle brand style 45 would be the same thing but even better projection the mentors
Linda I love the G-string comment lol
YvonneB I'm so glad your hubby gets it, mine gets up set that I'm on line but this is such good therapy for me
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Thank you all for being here. My prayers are with all of us that are having a bad day or not feeling up to snuff.
I was on the road to a pity part, but I must say some of the post made me laugh out loud. I know that my SO truly thinks I am crazy now since I have been in here laughing and he doesn't know why.
I too am afraid of the airbag with my Foobs. I was afraid of it with the expanders too. I have been called paranoid, but I don't want anymore surgery if I can avoid. I don't want my months of pain splashed all over the car.
I too have been talking to my new girls trying to get them to even out and look like I have visioned. I now know that I should head for the nearest Fredericks.
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I forgot to comment on the cool whip container
it really helped my skin get soft which I think helped me get a few more fills
plus my old scars did heal pretty well
since my exchange I have been bad and not useing anything and need to get back in that habit
if anybody is wondering
after putting cocoa butter or bio oil on I was wishing there was a way to keep it off my shirt
that's when I got the idea to wear a cool whip container over my boob and than a tight t-shirt to hold it in place
only me I know lol
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Cool whip containers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL you just think of everything Sandy!!!!!! That is too funny. Yes I am lucky that my husband does get it. I do think deep down he wishes that I would "get over it" but he would never say that. I just get that feeling sometimes. I know he wishes things could go back to the way they were but who doesn't???
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Laura))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) missing your posts and praying for you to feel better soon. How many left to go?
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I found this web site about climbing at Palisades Park
so close to me and I didn't know folks did that there
I knew a lot of folks went for hikes there but didn't realize they climbed there
the two I climbed were part of the sentinal rock
I hope my teammate sends pix soon
this weekend I got with my twmamates plus the gal I did berryman race with last year
they want to do it again this year and it's the same weekend as the Vegas trip
I told them I couldn't do it and am feeling really bad
I love doing that stuff with my friends
it so hard I really want to do both things : (
http://oac.cliffgear.com/docs/Resources/MississippiPalisades
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Linda! saw your photos on the pic forum, I think you look awesome!! LOVED the red bra ones!! you look fabulous!
I just can't post mine, I am shy........ish!! anyhoo, if anyone would like to see just PM me your email and I will send over! OH! can anyone tell me how to resize a photo??
Laura, I am so sad that you are feeling down......I hope you feel better soon, I am sending prayers your way.
Diane, gosh! I am so sorry you were in an accident, how scary! I am with everyone else, definately call your PS just to let them know, I hope you and hubby and feeling ok.
Have to tell you, have seen miss Kathie - Sam1991's new foobies and she looks incredible! nice job!
I saw something about cool whip containers???? but didn't have time to read that far back!........I am a little scared LOL!!
love and prayers to all!! I am in full wedding mode right now and miss you guys as I can't check in as much, please don't forget me!!!!
Lorraine ox
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Ok Ladies need some help. I was directed to the Exchange City site by two nice ladies for some help, hope someone can give me some advice. I have my exchange surgery in two days and I'm still on the fence as far as what size to go. My saline implants are filled with, I believe, 650 cc on one side and 720 cc on the other. I'm 5'7" and 150#, my rib cage under my implants measures about 34". I feel like Dolly Parton now because they ride so high, but I definately want to have a full "C" look when I'm done. The PS keeps telling me they'll look different because of the shape, but I just want to make sure I get it right. Anyone out there with about my size build who has had the silicones put in and what size did you go with?
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Carol - THere are a few ladies on this site that could get a PhD in sizing implants, I am sure they will post soon. Do you want us to add your exchange date (3/26?) to the list at the top?
Laura - HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry the rads are dragging you down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We all love you!
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Sure, you can add me. I'm relatively new to this and not very tech savy. Thanks for your help. Hopefully someone will give me some advice!
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Carol, I'm 5'6" and about 130 pounds. I had my exchange last Tuesday. My expanders were filled to 710 cc's. My rib cage measured 35". I have 700 cc mentor moderate plus profile implants and a little fat grafting above where my mastectomy ended and the implants begin. So far I'm tickled pink!! They look very natural. Had my post op appt today. PS removed my few donor site sutures and just smiled...we both did!!!!
I'm not one of the PhD's..LOL but I hope the info helps. Welcome and good luck to you.
Kathie
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Kathie - My PS mentioned using fat for the same area as yours. Do you mind my asking where they take the fat from? Does it make recovery harder? I'm 5'6" and 120 lbs. and I'm filled to 300cc's and my PS said that was enough to fill a C cup. My expanders are so wide and kinda flat that it doesn't seem like it will be big enough. I made an appt. to talk about it further and more specific,but I couldn't get in until April. The decisions about the expanders are driving me crazy because I don't want to make a mistake and I don't want to rush it but I want it to be over!
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Oh Diane, thank god you weren't badly hurt!!!! I would also chime in that a call to the PS is in order. I never knew about the pillow, I've been driving for hours, with that seatbealt behind me, and now i'll use that little pillow that I also got in my "goodie bag" from the PS's office.
Laura, honey, rest up. I got clobbered by rads fatigue after it, and you just need to give into it. Your body knows what it needs, we will all be here when you get back;. Prayers and love to you.
Whoever asked re: the rib cage question, OMG yes!!! I am only comfy now in a 38D, and I am sure it's not the right size, but I can't take more around my ribs.
My OB/GYN post op is tomorrow at 12:45........pls send good vibes and prayers for that "all clear" ....
love to all
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Dear Karen,
Good look with those fills ,I am currently up to 700cc and it gets more miserable as I go but hopefully we can cut back and do the last 2 at 50cc insteadof 100cc! I had surgery on Dec 15,2008 and hopefully I will be getting exhange in near future! I also like you was blessed to find out that I have no cancer ,no mutatations and I am not carrying the gene! I got a little on the down side for awhile as far as emotional but it goes with the territory ! These gals here are my best freinds and I haven't even talked to a1/3 of them but you can cry,laugh and learn all at the same time here! Good Luck
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Peggio-My PS harvested the fat (the same way they do lipo) from my belly and hips. It definitely makes the recovery a little harder because you're basically recovering from lipo too. Ouchy!! Bruised and burning feeling. Plus you have to wear the spanx like compression for 6 weeks. Never thought with my little frame I'd be wearing spanx but bought my first pair on the way home from my post op visit today. They have a little pee hole in them so you don't have to keep pulling them on and off.....it's hysterical. Not so comfortable but definitely compressed. The graft site above the implants are bruised and itchy but I don't care. I went through hell with the tissue expanders. So even this discomfort is a little bit of heaven in comparison!!
Plus when all is said and done....I'll have a sculpted tummy and hips courtesy of the breast cancer gene....and my insurance of course...LOL
Kathie
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You can add me to the list finally. I'm having my exchange surgery April 7th. Chemo delayed it for a few months, but I am back on track now.
I feel like my life is finally going to resemble some sort of normalcy maybe. Whatever normal is now.
I am sooooo looking forward to this surgery. I absolutely cannot wait.
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Thanks again for all the good wishes and good advice! I called my PS' office today and they said, based on what I told them, that I didn't need to come in. They refer to an implant rupture caused by a violent impact such as a traffic accident as a "flat tire"--ouch! (it hurts to just think about it!). I was assured that if this had happened, I would know about it.
So, unless I notice any problems, I'll just keep my already-scheduled appointment on the 8th. I told my boss (who is very kind to me, because his Mom had bc too--and she had the same PS!) that if that **x* teenager had busted my new bust, the cops probably would have had to pull me off her, because I would have tried to strangle her, LOL!
Annie -- I'll be praying for you, and thinking of you, tomorrow.
Destinysmom--Oh my goodness, I just noticed you live in Hendersonville--so do I! Email me sometime!
I think when I get home tonight I'll look for some Cool Whip containers; my girl needs some pampering after yesterday's trauma!
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carolm and peggio -
If you need some help with exchange to implants, could you get us the data on your current expanders? You should have a little card you came home with from the hospital at the time of expander placement which tells us if they are Mentor or Allergan [or other...unlikely, but possible.] and we need to know also the Style Number [for instance, Allergan expanders might be something like 133 MX] and the number of cc's of the expanders - like "500 cc's". If you don't have the card, call your PS and ask for the information. So, Mentor or Allergan, Style or Model # of the expander{s} and number of cc's. One of us here will look up the information and get back to you.
Deborah
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Kathie: I am very interested in the subject of fat grafting also, as I know I am going to have some upper pole issues to deal with unless I switch to the extra high profile implants. So I would love to see your photos and please describe the exact areas where you had grafting. You know, Sandy is very good with the photos and if you send them to her, she could probably see how to convert them to JPEG and load them on the picture's forum for you.
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Deb, my expander cards only say 133's... nothing else. There are a 300cc fill and I am at final fill of 420cc. My PS uses Mentor and he said HP for me. as I want projection. I wear a 34 C or a 36B with the expanders. I would not mind being a hair larger after exchange. I have a 281/2 rib cage. I wear a 36B due to comfort now. After all this hell is over I should go back to my 34C.. hoping for a full C at this point.
Any help for me? Like I said... no other writing on my card. Just 133 Allegran.
TY
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just a note.. my PS said fat grafting does not hold.. so he will not do it. He is a restorative PS. I do not think I have a need for anything like you ladies talk of.. but I just wanted to tell you what my PS said about this subject.
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Laura - Nice to see your smiling face. I hope you are feeling a little better.
Annie - Hugs and prayers going out to you tomorrow.
Auriga and Carol - We will be happy to add you both to our list! Congratulations on getting to this point!
KinAZ and MizBabyGirl - Best wishes for everything possible tomorrow!
And my little good news, I ran 3 miles today. My first run since my BM in December. I walk daily and had been afraid to try running w/ these TEs, but the ladies on this site inspired me. So I did it and I feel great! On top of that I had four potential clients call today for jobs! And I only started my new business last week! I am feeling much better about everything!
Take care my inspirations!! Your courage and support means everything to me!! - Jean
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Laura......I am going to ask you to get a measuring tape which also measures in centimeters. Quilters use this kind of tape and you can find them at fabric stores. Then, with this tape, do the best you can at measuring the width of the expander at the bottom of the expander. Then measure the height of the expander, with the tape in the middle of the sternum, from the bottom of the expander to the top of the expander. Then, you will stretch the tape out, looking in the mirror, to try to eyeball the projection - the amount the middle of the expander protrudes from the chest wall. Then, measure your mound size - from left to right, across the middle of the expander. This should give us a good idea. We can figure out which expander matrix your PS used with some width and projection numbers.
peggio - Also, please provide your band size. Use the Alternative Method #1 in this link:
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Deborah -
Thank You so much for your help. I called the PS and they said I had Allergan 133MV and they were the 400's but I'm only filled up to 325cc. I started out as a 36 barely A and want to go to a C. My expanders are so high up and are uncomfortably under my arms. The last fill is when he surprised me by saying I was done with the fills. He does not overfill and I think puts in a bigger silicone implant than the fill because he doesnt want rippling. I want a narrower implant with a bigger projection. I made an appt. to discuss in detail with him but I know that there are a lot of expert opinions here based on experience!
I think he uses the Naturelle brand of silicones.
Peg
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Band size is 31
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133 SV 300cc
I just called my PS because I am to tired to understand what you wanted me to do Deb..lol
The above is what I have.
I am filled to 420cc.. my mound is a little over 9 inches.
That is my best...
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Deborah...i emailed you.
Laura...Al our PS's are different...mine gave the fat graft a try knowing he may have to at some point do it again....I don't care....I'm happy with how they look and feel.
Kathie
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Kathie
I was told that an option other than implants is to use your own body fat to build the breasts, and they have a more natural appearance. My ps does it frequently, and has great results. I actually know someone who had it done that way and is very happy. If they can build the entire breast from your own body fat then it would only make sense that they can fill spaces with it with great results. I'm so happy that you are happy!!
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Ha Laura! I KNEW that would get you to call your PS for the info! Were your eyes glazing over with the measuring tape details??? LOL! I'll work on your number's next....I'm putting peggio's numbers together right now...
peggio:
peggio - So here are your numbers: Expanders: 133 MV - Moderate height, variable projection. The dimensions at "suggested fill" are: 13.0 wide x 12.0 height x 5.6 projection. The expander width is what it is - so you are probably at or near 13.0 width. You could measure and confirm. It is the projection which would increase with filling, adding to height, and so you are probably at about 5.4 projection currently. I wonder why he did not just give you a 300 cc expander and overfill by 25 cc's? You would have been 12.0 cm wide, if so. Oh well.
I am giving you specs for Allergan Natrelle implants Style 20. However, I think that with the expander used, your PS perhaps intended to give you a moderate height implant - wider in profile with less projection. You will want to convey to him your concerns about width [if you have them] and with your desire to have AS MUCH PROJECTION AS POSSIBLE. As we have all learned and come to realize with our research, it is difficult and oftimes impossible to achieve good projection with reconstruction.
This is the Allergan Natrelle Style 20 - Full profile implant sizes.
Style 20:
450 cc's = 12.4 by 5.2 projection
475 cc's = 12.6 wide by 5.5 projection.
500 cc's = 13.0 wide by 5.2 projection.
When you tell your PS that you do not want to sacrifice projection, he may need to give you some additional fills to go with these higher cc implants. However, in the meantime, here is the link to the Allergan Natrelle implant styles and sizes. Style 45's have the most projection but you get a narrower base. If he could adjust the pocket and supplant projection instead of width, perhaps something in Style 45 could be an option. Ask HIM what implants he feels would work best and give you the projection you want without too much width. Hear what he has to suggest and then you can come back here to discuss with everyone. Take some of these numbers to discuss with your PS.
http://www.justbreastimplants.com/implants/mcghan_specs.htm
Deborah
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Well, I'm back from my first fill - finally! So far so good, just a bit tight. Kinda have that heavy feeling on my ribs. My PS uses lidocaine first, though didn't really need it 'cause I'm still numb. First side was fine, but on the second side had the dreaded muscle spasm! Ironically, he was just starting to warn me about it when I nearly jumped out of the chair! Actually was more scary than painful, luckily. He only got 40cc in each side - and I was completely empty. I'm worried that maybe that doesn't bode well for my implant potential.........
Cathee - we are practically neighbors, especially by Texas standards! (probably an hour+ away)
Valerie
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