Exchange City
Comments
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Hi all, Wishing only the best outcome for all those with procedures this week!!!
JAX.....hang in there girl. very happy to hear there is no redness. I agree with Whippetmom, get some quick and serious attention. My PS has me on antibiotics...1 week before surgery and 1 week after....just an added layer of protection. I guess some of us have to be that 1%....but I think we are both overdue now for some positive outcomes.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Hugs, Karen
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Bigapple...Oh DUH....forgot the 410's are grams and not cc's. Well, another issue also is that you have a tear-drop shaped implant in a pocket which previously held a round implant...so this might contribute to some of the discomfort - as the muscle adapts to the pressure of this new foreign form. What you are experiencing is what many women feel with the pressure of their expanders. Does your PS feel that this discomfort will resolve? What is HIS explanation for your extreme discomfort? If this pain does not resolve at all and is protracted, evaluating a switch to a round, smooth silicone is certainly warranted.
I do recall reading something by a California PS using the 410's in clinical trial...regarding utilizing the 410's:
"The surgeon must ensure that the pocket is made [e.g., with use of an appropriate expander?] to fit the implant, which is a very different approach than most surgeons use with a round smooth implant...in which [they] make an overly large pocket to allow the implant to move around. One must be cautious in patients with loose, empty, or floppy types of breasts, as loose tissue may allow the implant to move around." Dr. Teitelbaum says another concern would be patients requiring "revisions in which there is already a pocket that either may be too big for the new implant, or is already lined with smooth tissue, thereby preventing the textured surface in the teardrop implant from adhering and preventing rotation." If a patient is getting old implants replaced and the pocket is just too loose, a round gummy bear implant may be used. However, the round ones are not available in the United States at the moment."
This might not apply to you at all - but it was an interesting observation.
I also have a strong family history of BC - no BRCA genesis. All of the women on the maternal side of our family for 3 and now 4 generations. Well, not my sister, but she just had a prophy BLM - nipple and skin sparing - with expanders - last month - her move to dodge that nasty bullet.
We hope you stay around these forums and perhaps find some encouragement and others who have more information for you about your level of discomfort.
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Bigapple, I think your pain could be totally normal and not because of the gel implant. Last year before all this BC stuff I had saline implants put in. I went back to work after two weeks but had pain until a month out. It was probably six weeks before I could sleep on my side or back. I was miserable. Your pain may be from the immediate large pocket made with the implants plus the BM pain. I feel for you!
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Bigapple....Another thought. You might want to PM Beesie. She has been on these forums for three years - has the 410's - knows quite a bit about the mechanics of them also. She has always been very helpful and could perhaps give you some insight or offer some suggestions.
Link to PM Beesie:
http://community.breastcancer.org/member/22436/profile
Deborah
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Hi Girls,Just checking in and can't believe how many wonderful ladies are here. I go tomorrow for I hope my final prcedure!! TATTOOING!!! YEA!!! My fipple was done 3 weeks ago and still looks a little funky. The underside is either one BIG scab or it is dying tissue. I'll know tomorrow. I hope it doesn't need to redone. But He did tell me some nipples fail. My PS is doing the tattooing. Best of luck and Gentle hugs to all having their exchange this week. Happy healing to all who just had it done. Jeanie
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Ok, so I just went to Title 9 to buy a front closure bra for after my surgery, and I needed a DD. Yes, I'm expanded to 725cc and will likely get implants around that size, but they don't look that big to me. Right now I'm wearing one of my old bras (I took out the under-wire, PS said no under wire), and it is a C cup--I fill it, but I'm not busting out of it. Again with my height 5'8" and weight usually bouncing between 150-160, I look in balance. So, has anyone else been surprised by the size of bra they needed for post exchange? I'm I going to be swollen, too, should I go bigger?
Thanks everyone. I just had a smile remembering buying a bra for the first time with my mom. I appreciate any thoughts.
Karen
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Yea 3 more gals getting rid of there rocks this week : - )
BigApple I think your pain might be as Deb said like we all had right after our 1st surgery
Karen are your TE dim and your implant dim the same size or close to it?
you could have the same cc's but actually be a lot smaller and not need that big of a bra after all
it just depends sometimes
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Bigapple09-It sounds to me like you are having mastectomy pain. I have a friend I work with and she had immediate reconstruction to gummys. She had the same pain as I did with expanders. Give it some time, take your pain meds and it hurts like hell! I couldn't sleep on my back flat for 3-4 weeks and slept on my back with pillows on each side the whole 4 months I had the expanders. I had a nipple sparing with expanders at 350 and that is mastectomy pain plus muscle stretching pain you are having all in one! The good news you won't have to be filled every week which I think according to others on here is really tortuous. I could be mistaken, something could be wrong, tell your doctor how you feel. To be honest the pain pills only worked for about 1-2 hours and then I was in pain till the next hour. I had an on-Q pump and that really helped and the incisions under the breast are painful as well.Is that where yours are? It does get better I promise. I honestly don't think it would be any better with the regular silicone implants it just hurts. I had itching as well. I think it was the meds I was taking. I took benedryl for a month at night.
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That is a good question. My PS says they will be the same, but I have 133mv which are 600 cc (expanded to 725) and 15cm wide. I haven't seen any 700cc high profile implants that are that wide, but he said they come wide, so we'll see. On April 20 I have my preop with him and we are going to get serious about implants.
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Bigapple09, I agree with the others who suggest this could be mastectomy pain and have little or nothing to do with the implants themselves (other than that foreign object thing that didn't used to be there, of course!). Better to ask your PS/BS to be sure what you're feeling isn't abnormal, but yeah, I had itching, weird crawly feelings and PAIN after mx. You might also consider starting a new thread on the subject to get some responses from women who've had one-step. This thread is basically all women who've had two-step with expanders then exchange to implants, so we'll give you all the support you need but might not be very informative!LOL
Jeanie, YEAH on the tattooing! I hope you have no problems with the one fipple and get to take this last step!
Sheila
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I hope everyone having procedures this week has the best possible outcome!
KEW -- You and I are from the same city! Love this rain! When are you having your exchange and ovary surgery? My exchange, lift and chemo port removal is this coming Friday, April 3rd. After that heals I still need rads. Good luck with your surgeries.
-bonnie
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Hi Bonnie--crazy day, hail, rain, and now sun. I love spring in Oregon. My surgery is not until May 4th. You lucky girl, I'll be thinking about you on the 3rd, how great to have all of that happen at once!
Hugs,
Karen
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KEW I looked and your TE would be a little bigger than 15 by 14 by 6.3
Mentor makes a high profile 700cc which is 14.8 by 5.8
also they make a 800cc which is 15.5 by 6.0
Natrelle makes a style 20 high profile 750cc which is 15 by 6.0
Are you really hoping to stay that big
if so make sure you share that with your PS so he is aware of your feelings
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Thanks for checking on all that it gives me something to talk with him about. I don't know if I want to stay this big or not, but now you've given me some good stuff to think about. I love this site--I have great friends, but nobody gets it like the amazing women here!
Karen
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Does anyone have cold boobs? I am 2 weeks post exchange and I feel down my shirt and my boobs are cool to the touch.I didn't feel this with my expanders it is weird. I guess saline stays warmer than silicone. My color is good to my tissue. It is cold in Indiana and it snowed today. If I sit in front of the fireplace they warm up.
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Ok...so how many of us just stuck our hands down or up our shirts in response to Karen's question...LOL.
Mine are warm, but it's cold here today and I have a shirt, sports bra and fleece jacket on...I'll have to check on them on a warmer day...hee hee
Kathie
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Karen that is very normal for most of us that have silicone implants
they don't warm up like the saline did
I have noticed that quite a bit actually so I didn't have to grab myself
I've done that enough already lol
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Yes mine are cool to the touch also. I did ask my ps and he said there is not as much blood supply to warm the skin thus the implants. Maybe he was just appeasing my question.
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Dear Friends:
I have to say goodbye for awhile. This has been a tough few weeks for us, and it ended this week with my daughter and her four children moving back home to live with us. She and her husband are separating, and of necessity, they can't be together to work out their problems. There are some real deep issues on his part that will require treatment before reconciliation can begin, if it begins at all. In the meantime, my husband and I who were recent empty nesters are now helping to raise four little children and help our daughter put her life back together. I am tired, and it has only been three days! Now I know why young paople have children. At any rate, with a full time job and ministry, this new wrinkle in life will take all the waking hours I have. I doubt I will have time to peek in and see how all of you are doing.
This board has been a godsend for me - thanks to all of you for your encouragement and help. God Bless. I will miss you!
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We will be praying for you and your family
I hope the treatment works for him whether they get back together or not because he will always be those kids dad
My dad was a alcoholic, if it's something like that thank goodness something is getting done
Things didn't get better with my dad until I had my second child which I'm the baby of the family. I always regret we didn't push harder when we were younger to get him help.
We did try but not hard enough...
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OH NO.. Psalmist... I feel like we are loosing a family member. I cannot believe it...:(
I understand though. I hope and pray you will be able to just check in once in awhile.. and then rejoin us. I am so so sorry. I pray your daughter and her family will get healthy ..
Bless you for taking them all in. I would too...
Please, please check in.. just for you. You just CANNOT forget about YOU!
Love and Blessings! Laura
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psalmist - I am going to miss you. You have such a loving, calm way of sharing and comforting and you have been a great spiritual presence here on these forums. Please come back and visit us when you are able. I will be praying for you - with this new challenge for your family. We understand and want you to know we are here for you anytime you want to come back and vent or emote about what is going on in your life. We would love to be your sounding boards.
May God bless you and give you the strength for what lies ahead.
Deborah
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Psalmist
I am so sorry for your families troubles. Prayer will get you through the rough times...just hang in there and I am sure you have so much love for the grandchildren. Something like this can be rough for the children. God bless you and your family
we will miss you
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Psalmist
I'm so sorry for all that is happening to you and your family. Your daughter is blessed to have you and your husband to give her and the children loving support and care.
Bless you all
Kathie
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Good luck tomorrow Jeanie - The final adventure! Best wishes for a healthy fipple!!!
Psalmist - Just adding my prayers to those already offered to you and your family. Your daughter is very lucky to have such wonderful parents to open up your home to her and her children. As a fellow empy nester I now that it would be very hard to have the hustle and bustle of a young family around. I also know that as a parent you will want to do all you can to support your daughter through such a hard time. My heart hurts for you as this is every parent's worst nightmare coming true! I know it will be hard but take the time to look after yourself too. You have gone through some very hard times as well and still need to keep yourself healthy. Pop in when you can and have some "me" time with your online girl friends!! (((((((((((((((((Psalmist)))))))))))))))
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Tracyz, playmysti, and bkokie, good luck with your procedures this week. We'll be thinking of you! Let us know how it went as soon as you feel up to it.
Psalmist, I will miss your calm presence. Please try to check in from time to time!
I am off to the PS today to have my drains removed (Yay!) after my exchange and get rid of this ridiculous compression "bra." Looking forward to a shower and to being able to really check out the new girlz.
Janet
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Janet,
Thanks for the well wishes...less than 2 hours to go and so far I am still not nervous!
Psalmist, I will be praying for your daughter and her family. And also for you to be strengthened. It will all work out, it always does in the end.
Well ladies I will try and get back on later today and fill you in on how it went.
Tracey
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Good luck Tracey and I hope you are as happy as your new gals as I am with mine!
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Psalmist,
I can understand your feelings that you will not have time for this site. I had my grandchildren for an entire week, and I never was able to log on. They are quite demanding of your time (sweet as they are). But, please take time for yourself in any way you can get it. And best wishes to your family in this time of need.
Robin
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exchange to mentor 800cc gel implants on May4,2009
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