Exchange City
Comments
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Hi All: I'm not sure which board to post this on but I had my exchange surgery last Wednesday so I thought I should post here. I'm just SO darn destressed about the size of my new implants. I'm soooo much smaller than I anticipated. I've been in tears all morning. I was a small B Pre-BC so when I started going thru reconstruction and my fills, I knew I wanted to be bigger and enjoy having larger foobs. I'm 5'7", 130#, 29" rib cage so I decided on 600cc's implants. When I reached 500cc's with the expanders, I liked that size so I figured if I went with 600cc's I would be erring on the safe-side. I felt being a littler bigger was better than being too small. I also talked to Whippetmom who suggested 600cc's.
A little prior history...during my reconstruction, I had a stupid leak in one expander which, even when it was filled, would leak back down to approx. 350cc's. My PS didn't change it out since it started leaking a couple of months prior to exchange...he felt no point going thru another surgery. My PS is considered the #1 PS in the area so I have a lot of confidence in him. My other expander was overfilled to 800cc's. Needless to say, having two different size expanders caused some confusion regarding size for me. In the meantime, I would wear a pad in my bra on the leaky side which I thought helped me determine final size. I felt that 800cc's was insanely huge for my body type. At my exchange, my PS used silcone, high profile, round implants. When I took my shower this morning, I was so sad to see that I'm so much smaller than I wanted to be. My cleavage looks very nice and close together but I'm SO much smaller than I anticipated. My circumfrance is 34 1/2" at the widest point instead of the 36 that I was hoping to be. I'm concerned that if there's swelling, I may end up even smaller. I'm just so bummed and sad. I know I should be thankful; but the one thing that got me through all these months of reconstruction was coming out with some rockin' foobs. Girls, what should I expect from my exchange surgery? Will I stay this size? When I hear drop and fluff, does than mean that my foobs are just going to get droopy ("drop")? Should I tell my PS how I feel when I see him tomorrow? I want to let him know that he did a beautiful job but I was really hoping to be bigger. Thanks for your help....
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Diane - I am about your size and the 600cc is perfect for me (I posted on the picture forum). I think it depends somewhat on how much tissue is removed. Maybe they removed a lot of tissue close to the chest wall when they did your mx? I'm slightly smaller on one side due to this. I had swelling when I had my revision (swapped 450cc saline for 600cc silicone) but not with the initial exchange. I was fitted (Norstrom) as 32D before the revision. I'm still wearing the same size bra but I now fill the cup (the saline foobs required a "D" for the width but were flatter). The "fluffing" is what you are hoping for -- even the saline changed over the first 6 months. I got more projection as my tissue (pecs) relaxed. Drooping depends on your skin. There is a controversy about whether or not to wear a bra, but I'm not taking any chances! In any event, you should definately tell your PS how you are feeling about them. He may want you to be patient but don't settle if you aren't happy. At first my PS told me to be patient, then his nurse said I should talk to him about a revision (as did the BCO ladies). After several months when he wouldn't listen I found another PS for the revision.
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Heading for my final fill today. My exchange will not be until next year due to radiation. Can anyone tell me what the recovery time is for the exchange. I have an expander in the left side and they will be doing a lift on the right at the same time. Just curious as to what I have to look forward to:) Hope everyone is doing well.
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Rebecca! Big Hugs!
Kimberly
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Kimberly I just have been reading up on the boards. I am so happy to hear you are doing so well.
Rebecca
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Alma--what I don't understand is, if PS isn't a fan of the fat-grafting for the top of your breast, than why do it under the areola/nipple? That doesn't make sense to me, especially since he said that about the 50% thing. Is micro-grafting different than fat-grafting?
I think the lipo is a good idea. You don't know until you try something. If it doesn't work, you can always try and figure out something else.
Ferrari--glad you're doing so well!
Gail--am laughing over the seminar, too.
Rebecca--glad they were able to get the canceer behind your ear. AND Vegas for me next year, too! I was too late getting on here to go this year!
debbys--not much longer. Praying you'll be as pleased as I am with my results so far and that all goes well!
sweetie--you don't have much longer, either...yippee squishee's!
hurleygirly--I didn't mind my TE's too much either, except for the hard part. Because for the first time in my life I actually had a nice looking chest! lol
twirlandcurl--hope you're feeling really good!!
Bonnie--your's is coming up. I'm really hoping and praying this is it for you!!!
to all the others (i'm sure I'm leaving someone out!!!), keep on keeping on!
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more catching up.....
Diane so sorry you're not feeling good about your new foobs. I take it, you did go with the 600ccs? I feel pretty sure if you tell your PS (and you should!), he'll tell you to give yourself time to heal. You will have options later. Give it time. I was told after my exchange to NOT freak out! That the initial few weeks can be rough! I was warned I would look like I had hamburger buns for foobs. MBJ would be a good one to talk to. She has pics on the pic forum.
JenC--had my exchange nearly 2 weeks ago. I feel fabulous!! Apart from having to wear this sports bra thingy 24/7 (except to shower and wash it!) and still having to sleep semi-reclined, it's all been good! My scars are healing well, happy with the foobs, so far. I didn't have to have any drains and I'm soooo glad to be rid of the rocks on my chest. If your exchange goes as well as mine, it will be wonderful. I had minimum pain. I'm still a bit sore, but not on any meds. I see my PS next week for my 2 weeks check-up. I had a BMX, so there was no tissue to speak of. Hopefully, with your radiation and lift on the good boob, it will go well with you, too. What are you being filled up too?
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Bonnie,
So sorry you are having such pain and discomfort, and hate that you are having to have it removed!! I hope all goes well with the surgery and your recouperation!
(gentle) hug,
Ruth
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Brenda, I am so sorry you had this setback. Thinking of you.
Rebecca, it's good to see you again, but I am so sorry to hear about your ear, hope it's healing quickly! Would have been fun to see you in Vegas, we had a blast!!
Trying to catch up a bit, I just have to say that I wish you all well!!
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Happymom - thanks for the info. Just got my third fill today and am at 530cc's and will have one more of about 75 cc's or so.
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Dee: The PS says that he really has had success with the fat grafting beneath the areola, but isn't happy with the results that you get with using the fat graft in larger areas. I think micro-fat grafting and fat grafting are the same thing. My PS isn't the most talkative person in the world. Getting him to expound on things is like pulling teeth.
The more I think about it, I think I'm 100% for the lipo. He lipo'd a dog ear at the time of exchange and I'm really happy with how it turned out.Thanks for letting me bounce my thoughts around.
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Hi tnbcRuth!
I'm from Orlando, too.
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Happymom: I too had my exchange 2 weeks ago. It hurt much more than I had expected it to. I had the surgery on Thursday (3 months to the day from my BMX). I slept the weekend and went to work the following Monday. I do look like hamburger buns so I try not to look. I'm not sure if I should still be wearing a sports bra 24/7. Were you told any special kind of sports bra? I got some at Pennys as suggested here. They zip in the front but aren't very tight. What changes should I be looking forward to? I was scheduled to get Mentor CPGs. I ended up with Mentor silicon high profile filled to 425ccs. I was a C/D before and my D bras are big. I'm not happy but I don't feel like these foobs are a part of me. Why do you have to sleep semi reclined? Does it still hurt to stretch? Closing my hatchback is not fun. Thanx so much,
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Diane - the drop and fluff DOES change how things look so you need to give it a time. Did you get the 600 cc's? (I wasn't sure from what you wrote). You can always go bigger if you are not happy long-term. There was another woman on this site who was equally distressed at first and then once she had the drop and fluff she was quite content; ironically, her PS decided to give her larger implants anyway to help with some step off issues... so she recently got upgraded
Her name is Paula but I'm having a chemo brain moment and can't recall her user name ATM. Maybe someone else can chime in. Without a doubt you need to, as Kate33 has said, "step away from the mirror" Be patient. Also your natural girl is hurting more because you've still got tissue and nerves there! Just give it time...0 -
Diane: I think that 600 ccs is a very nice size for your frame - especially with your 29 inch ribcage. Just confirm for us that you indeed did get high profile silicone 600 cc implants. You are going to be compressed and misshapen for a week to two weeks. You need to give it all time to settle. This is a tough time for many women, the first week post-exchange. Nothing looks like it will a month from now. I think you will ultimately be happy with the size, but you can always exchange out to larger implants in a few months, if you are still not satisfied.
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Thank you all so much for your replies. It helped a lot to read your posts. Yes, I did get the 600cc's. Lilah, wasn't sure when you mentioned "natural girl" if thought I had an unilateral. I had a BMX. Did you mean something else about the tissue and nerves?
So, it IS possible for a PS to do a revision to a larger size even though he wouldn't be able to expand the skin much (since there wouldn't be expanders)?
I will try to be a good girl and not look at them. :-) They do look like hamburger buns, no projection at all :-) They way they look now, I almost liked my expanders better (and I can't believe I'm saying that!).
I see my PS tomorrow...I know with this on my mind and coming off the meds, I'm going to be a weepy mess. Oh well...
Thanks again
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Hi Whippetmom: I found the form that the PS filled out on the type of implants I have. It says Allergen Silicone 20-600, 15031871. Doesn't say on the form if they were high profile but I did ask the nurse when we were going in the OR to tell me the type of implants that were waiting for me. She went to the box and I believe she read "silicone, HP, 600". I didn't want to take any chances that the wrong implants were sitting there. Does this style sound right to you? Thank you as always for all your help. Oh, btw, my rib cage is 30" (not 29"). Wishful thinking I guess :-)
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Diane: A 30 inch ribcage is still small. That still is a very good size for your frame and yes, Style 20's are high profile implants. You need to give it time. You absolutely could switch out to an implant 50 to 100 ccs greater, but you might have to wait six months for the tissues to heal and for the skin on the underfilled side to expand a little more. Since you have one side which did not expand like the other....you need to ensure having good implant coverage. Maybe you could email me photos and let me see how they look at this point.
Deborah
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Hi Sweet sisters.... Back from Vegas here... ( Deborah... the stuff is in the mail... minus what you did not want... XXXOOO)
Bonnie... awe sweety......:(......... you just get healthy...K? Recon. is another step down the road right?...XXXOOO
ANNA... you better CALL ME WHEN YOU COME TO KC... it is a DATE!
I have not caught up here..... so I will just say I hope you all are doing OK!
REBECCA.. I did catch that you had a set back...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... glad they got it ! And hey.... just because the cancer stuff finally ends.... does not mean you do not have to stop coming here.. You can help others... and in doing that.... you really help yourself.... plus...... you can build relationships with some REALLY COOL CHICS!
hang around... make it your " online friends group..." And your...... " help others friends group" xxxoooJEAN............. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING EC GOING... LOVE YOU SISTER!
ANNIE........ hows my girl????? My long grey haired ugly pudgy short uni from CT doing? Come talk to me baby.........
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Diane, I am sorry to hear that you aren't happy with your results. I think a lot depends on the placement of the implants as well. I actually prefer the higher perky look so I didn't want any capsule work to really lower my final implants since I liked how my expanders looked and they were a bit on the high side. I have a 28" ribcage and in the end went with 400cc silicone high profiles and my chest circumference is actually 36" and my projection is actually pretty darn close to what my expanders were. I think if they do pocket work or capsule work and make a larger pocket, the implant may sit more flat possibly? That's my guess because it is so all over the map when it comes to sizes. You can have the same specs as someone, go with the same size implant, and still end up looking very different! I just had my exchange last Thurs and so it will be interesting to see if they change a bit. It's all so crazy how recovery is for everyone as well. I hope it gets better for you!
Whippetmom, You know...my ps never recommends anything but high profiles since she believes we need all the help we can get, in terms of projection and I always wonder why I see some exchanges with implants other than that of high profile.??? Why do docs even really bother with the lower projection implants for reconstruction?
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LADIES.... I have posted the rest of my pictures on the picture forum...... I keep this part of my life PRIVATE.. and do NOT talk about it here.... but you can look at pictures there.... it is PRIVATE
Rads girls..... my thread is a good thread for you to look through.....I am in the WELL BURNT area......
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Diane -- I'm sorry -- something you had written caused me to misunderstand and think you said you were a uni -- my bad!
But I DO know that what Deborah says is true: give it time. They WILL change. You may still want to exchange to larger implants later but you will also probably be far more pleased with them once they've settled.
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Hey gals! I haven't posted on here in a while! It was nice seeing some of you in Vegas!
Diane - I have a 30" diameter chest and had 550 cc implants put in. I am close to your size (a couple inches shorter and 5 lbs heavier). My PS brought 550's and 600's in the operating room, but the 600's sat too high on my chest. He liked the 550's better. I have pectus excavatum (concave/ indented ribcage), so mine sit a little in the chest wall more. Well, I ended up being a 34D (and I fill my bra cup, on the bras that fit recon foobs). Mine dropped a fluffed a little (more on the left, but that's because this nasty little disease came back 4 months after my exchange on the right in my internal scar tissue). I very good shirts and esp tank tops. Give it some time. I had breast augmentation prior to having BC. I felt I wasn't big enough after my surgery, but within a few months I dropped and fluffed and ended up being a 34 DD. In the aug world, they called it boob greed! A lot of people get it. After being a DD (and being a little bigger on 1 side) I was much happier with the work my BC PS did and my SIZE!!! Give it some time.
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Hi ladies, everyone here is so busy, haven't been on in awhile, was in the berks with hubby for 25th...which was great.
Big hugs to everyone and soft boobies and good healing!
(Laura, geez, ouch.)
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KITWE!
How are you?????
Twila is at my house this week visiting!
I will send you real e mail!
Big Hugs!
Kimberly
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I just came from the "breast form" store and wanted to tell you that I feel better about the whole idea of having my implant removed and wearing a prosthesis for awhile. At least the two sides of my chest will appear to match when I'm wearing clothes! The woman I talked to was extremely helpful and the shop has many, many beautiful pocketed bras, swimsuits, etc., along with many different breast forms to choose from. Now I feel much more positive about my upcoming surgery because when I'm healed, I'll get some pretty new pocketed bras and actually be able to wear a t-shirt. My implant hurts my ribs so much now that I can only wear a cami and even that hurts, so Oct. 26th can't get here soon enough. --bonnie
Did I tell you that I'm also going to acupuncture for my arthritis pain and it seems to be working -- my body is moving better and, after 4 visits, I feel a lot more relaxed than I have in years.
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Ok Deborah. I will post my pics...I will take some tonight. I saw the PS today. He told me after my surgery to wear an under-wire bra 24/7 which he still wants me to do; but he was also having me wear a wide ace bandage around my breast area. When he saw me today, he told me to only wear the bandage at night. I told him that he did a beautiful job on my foobs and my cleavage was amazing. My cleavage was about 2 1/2" apart and now it's been brought in together perfectly. I did ask him where the upper pole fullness is and he kind of gave me a funny little look...not sure he necessarily likes that look; but said that I could stop wearing the ace bandage which will give me more upper pole fullness. He also said to give this process time and things will start to fill out. He said I have almost no swelling so there's no fullness to lose. He said that 600cc implants and expanders aren't really different size-wise. I think I must being having a crazy case of body dismorphia :-). After being 800cc's at the final fill, maybe I just can't get a realistic view of my foobs. He did say at one point that the 800cc's were just ridiculous (not that I ever intended to be that size) but they were so large, I think they got me really confused. So, I will post my pics and try to be patient (not my best virtue) and hope for more projection as the weeks go by. Thanks for your help on this. You gals and this site have been my life-line. Truly. Hugs.
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No problem Lilah...may have been the way I wrote my post.
Hurleygurley: Thank you for the info on the pocket work. Very interesting. I hadn't considered that may factor into the final size/outcome. See my message to Whippetmom. I saw my doctor today and going to try and be patient. I'm praying for some really good "fluffage" or whatever it's called. :-)
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Diane: Get rid of that ace bandage! But wear the underwire bra - and it has to be the correct underwire bra. Go to the Bras 101 thread and talk to Val about what to buy. Insurance should cover this. Do you have a Nordstroms close by?
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No problem Lilah...may have been the way I wrote my post.
Hurleygurley: Thank you for the info on the pocket work. Very interesting. I hadn't considered that may factor into the final size/outcome. See my message to Whippetmom. I saw my doctor today and going to try and be patient. I'm praying for some really good "fluffage" or whatever it's called. :-)
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