Exchange City
Comments
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Hey Tina! How are you feeling my friend? How are the "girls"?
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Someone's comment about all the new boobs on here made me think of alternative name for our new girls......drum roll......Noobs! Or should I say Newbs!!! lol
I think I like noobs better than foobs personally.
Wishing all recovering ladies speedy healing.
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So I had, what I think, is my last fill this past Mon. PS suggested I come back in 3 weeks and if I want another fill, he will do it, if not, we will schedule exchange surgery. So here's my question(s). I was a 36B before BMX. I'm now a 38C (in all honesty, I probably should have always worn a 38-I have a "swimmer's back and 36 was very tight But I was barely a B cup). I've gained about 20 lbs through this process
-and am not really happy with how I look (except my boobs-which look better than they've EVER looked). My BS thinks they "threw" me into menopause with the surgery (I was pretty close anyway-I'm 51, but had a hysterectomy years ago so can't tell from waning periods etc). I am typically a pretty small size. I am 5'5" and usually weigh in around 115-125 (weight fluctuates related to stess). I weigh more now than I did with either of my pregnancies! But I'm trying to be realistic-what if I don't take all of the extra weight off. I'm currently walking 10 miles a week-and it hasn't made a dent in my weight gain-and I'm not a big eater-to say the least.So, at the start of this, I was sure I wanted to be a 36B, but now, I'm kind of liking the way I look-the boob size is more proportional to my body size, and I'm thinking about staying with it.I'm obviously going to have to talk with my PS about this, because at the start of all this I said 36B-no change, but now I'm rethinking that.
Anyone else out there that decided to go bigger? Any regrets? Am I thinking about this correctly? Should I consider the weight gain as part of the process that may go after I'm all done (that really doesn't make sense to me-but I have hope
).Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, experience-much appreciated. This is, as you all know, a big decision, and I'd like to make a well infromed one.
Pat
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rehm046, I am 5'5" and 110-115 lbs. I have 650 cc high profile implants. They are big for my frame - and finding a bra in 30DDDD is very hard. In clothes I looked very well proportioned, but in a bikini I look stripperish. Since I don't run around in a bikini on a daily basis, I am happy with the size.
You might want to PM Whippetmom for her thoughts on sizes for you.
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Hi Pat,
Your PS should be able to give you a good assessment of how big you can go (or not)
I am 5'2", 125 lbs. have 600 mentor silicone. This made me a small C cup. (the other original 55 year old is hanging at my hip (jk) and DD. :0 ). New girl is "forever 21".
It depends on your individual frame and the pocket that the surgeon made, so have that discussion with him. Everyone will end up with a different cup size, depending on that. Can't go by the size of the implant.
Good luck!
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Lilah - I think "affrecyed" is supposed to be affected.
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Thank you Annie and Slinky...of course, I want the immediate and right answer, but you are both correct, I need to talk to my PS about this and just be a bit more patient. Since I did have a BMX, I think I have more options... my anxiety just gets away from me in the evening when I have time to think about it...I will do what you have both suggested-and keep women here posted. This site has been a God send for me and made me ask questions that I never would have thought off, and also made me connections that I would not hve thought possible Pat
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jbennet -- thank you! I think you're right. I'm usually good at reading typos too... but that one flummoxed me
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Someone mentioned on here earlier the emotional rollercoaster you go through after exchange done. I'm having mine Oct 3rd and have already anticipated this. My thoughts are this...once we are diagnosed all our "normal" lives stop and suddenly we are putting all our energies into fighting for our lives, making sure our friends,significant others, children, parents are all coping well. We worry about insurance coverage, finding the right docters, the right hospitals, scheduling procedures, preparing for chemo, etc, etc. I think most of us in our heads see the exchange as the light at the end of the tunnell. I know personally that realistically I know there are still checkups, bloodwork, MRI's, etc in my future but the exchange feels like it will be the beginning point of my life again.
I had a scare with one of my TE's earlier this week that possibly would have required removal and starting all over again, and I was devistated, more so than my initial diagnosis. It was then that I realized just how much my mental stability depended on me getting to this milestone and fast. I anticipate that after the exchange, all the emotions will come. The fear of leaving my kids, all the crap I've been through in the last 6 months, etc. I think after the exchange we give ourselves permission to not be so strong, to not be so positive, we give ourselves permission to be human.
Just my thoughts.
Congrats to all new exchangers and quick recovery. Love the Noobie name.
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I am having my exchange tomorrow and all I can say is right now I AM SO EXCITED.
Pat, I am going larger than I thought I wanted to. I am not sure why I did that but they look so good so- so far I like them. I will let you know what I think after the exchange and I get the "REAL" ones. I am aware that things are not always so exciting at first and that there are months of changes so I am hoping I don't freak out too much if things are not as I envision, again thanks to this site and the ladies on it, I am prepared for that, so I might just get through this with not too much drama.
Thank You Everyone. It is nice to just feel excited at this point.
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I have been devouring this board as my exchange date looms in 13 days.Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It means so much.
At my preop visit yesterday, the PS and I discussed my on and off pec muscle spasm that has been uncomfortable to say the least (although hardly disabling). He said if I was willing to pay out-of-pocket he would like to try injecting Botox in my pecs during the exchange and wonders why there has not been a clinical trial just for this purpose as many women seem to have more reactive oec muscles than others. It's much easier to inject when he can see the muscle intraoperatively than after the implants are in and trying to do it through the skin.
Being a former academic physician who conducted clinical research, I am more than willing to give this a go - after being reassured there were no down-sides, like not being able to perform upper arm movements! He also gave me his rate for the Botox. Should be an interesting experience. Of course we will never know if I have greatly decreased pain if it was from Botox or just the relief of removing the TE's. That's why clinical trial are conducted.
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Jammies- Good luck with your surgery!!!!
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Ok I drove on day 7 took son to dentist thn to school went to Kohls after that to get a purse. I got really queasy in there thought I was going puke. I drove home and now sitting feel Iike sleeping. You think too much too soon? I always freak out when ever I feel weird.
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Slinky: I bet if you found a bikini manufactured by one of the bra companies, like Panache, who specialize in support for larger busted women, you won't look like a stripper at all. I think you look gorgeous!
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mahometmom, girl give yourself a break. You wouldn't think it was okay for someone to have hernia surgery then 7 days out do all you've done and you had a much bigger procedure. I know we as woment think we can do anything, and most of the time we can, but be easy on yourself. You didn't just have surgery, your body is still recovering from the insult you've had to deal with for what I'm sure has been months atleast. My MO told me that after all the things women go thru with a BC dx, lumpectomy,mastectomy, rads, chemo,hormones, that it take a good 2 full years for you to return to your normal levels of energy. Go take a nap, God knows life without BC will start kicking your butt soon enough.
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survivor11- Well said! Exchange is a closure of sorts and such a positive step. It seems the friends and family breathe a sigh of relief with us and they probably think, "Good, out of the woods, everything's OK now". But, for us everything is different...life isn't the same and our bodies aren't the same and some of us still have more surgeries down the road and new medications to take and side effects to deal with. It's not over even though those around us want to believe that it is. My husband gets it, but a number of my friends said after my exchange surgery, "Oh good, you're all done now!" Uh, not exactly
virokie - Best of luck tomorrow! It is exciting and scary. But, if you trust your PS team and know that they've "heard" you all you can do at this point is to swallow hard and take the leap!
mahometmom62 - Yup, too much too soon
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MBJ, You're right...I did buy some bikinis with tops that minimalize the bust area. Unfortunately the weather where I am has not reached temperatures conducive to a bikini!
Survivor11, I have had emotional meltdowns about a week after each exchange/revision. There is definitely a pattern. The enormity of what our bodies have endured is overwhelming.
jyg, it makes sense to inject botox into the pec muscles to reduce spasms. I had this done with my back injury on a number of occasions and it worked on a temporary basis to stop the spasms.
mahometmom62 - your body will tell you when it has had enough. I tend to overdo everything, but I have learned (recently) to listen to my body! My new motto is "rest, rest and rest".
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Love the term "noobie"!
Re: Going bigger, there's a thread that discusses this topic in depth: "Implant Exchange (oYo) ~ Anyone go/stay SMALL?? (B cup)"
Re: Botox for pec spasms...now that is interesting!
Good luck to all the new exchangers!
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Hey mom2one - surgery buddy - I see you got something posted right after surgery. I'm just now getting back to my computer.
My exchange last Tuesday was truely a snap compared to the original BMX. I did stay overnight in the hospital due to prior anesthesia problems. This time I had a great anesthesia nurse who looked at my previous records, made adjustments & this time finally right - no vomiting for 2 hours in recovery and only a couple of hours to come around. My son's comment was that I was better on day 2 this time than I was on day 7 the last time.
I have drains in both sides and a surgical bra. Drains will be in somewhere from 7-10 days. I haven't peeked, but the case manager was really impressed. Since I can't take vicodin, I came home with Tramadol. It doesn't do much to cut the pain on the left side which required some pocket work, so I might as well move to Aleve tonight.
DS came a day early & kept me too busy to worry on Monday - new faucets in both baths, new kitchen faucet & garbage disposal, new balasts & some new flourescent lights, etc. What a treat to have a son who is not only a good nurse but willing to tackle my honey-do list.
Off to take a nap. Thanks for everyone's good wishes & I'm now wishing back from the other side.
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Ladies,
Good luck Jyg & Virokie on your exchange surgeries. Hope all goes well and you're happy with the results.
Terri
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I had my exchange back in July. Initially, I thought I wanted to do small c but ended up shotting for a med C. It was really hard for me to tell exactly what size I was b/c I couldn't really smash them into a bra
. I told my PS that I didn't want to be a D but after surgery, I went and got fitted and ended up with a 34D! Oh well! I still don't think they look that big for D's in my clothes so maybe it is just the bra. I have 450 high profile mentors and am about 130lbs. 0 -
hondagirl- It's too soon for me to bra shop and I was never hung up on wanting a specific bra or cup size through all of this. I just wanted to be a little fuller than before BC. You couldn't smash them in and I couldn't fill up the cup. However, I have read many times here that after exchange you'll look larger in the flesh than in clothing. Also, the bra cup size needed may surprise you because implants are typically a bit wider than the originals. 0
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So do most of you that have had your exchanges find that your implants are bigger, smaller or about the same size has your final filled TE's?
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Dawn,
I was a bit larger than the TE's with saline implants. When I swapped out 2 months later to silicone gels, I was a bit smaller. About a month later, my skin & muscle loosened up a bit and I'm about the same size as the saline implants.
Terri
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Mine ended up smaller
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Rennasus - Hey! That's weird, I just now saw your two posts.....I've been thinking about you the past few days and here you popped up! I'm doing great, watching the new chest change a bit, but still all good! I have a whole month off for seeing the PS this time so that's a good sign, right?
Hope you're getting better and better and enjoying life during your little break in the action.
survivor11 - Since my PS overfilled I'm smaller than I was with final-fill TEs. But, my PS took lots of pix at the size I liked (450cc), including VECTRA 3-D imaging. Be sure you impress upon your PS what your expectations are and hopefully he/she will be able to find the right implant size and shape to make that happen for you.
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As I get closer and closer to the "big day" (still not scheduled, but coming soon!) this thread has been a Godsend for me. I've had a couple of "melt down" days-a few weeks after the BMX, then as I started fills, and I expect that it will happen after the exchange surgery as well. We're so caught up in (well I am), I will take care of this ; "what's next on my list of "to do's": I will not let this stop my life-that the emotional piece almost takes a back seat to everything else. I can really see that when it's "over"-and I agree, after the exchange-everyone I've talked to has said "well then you'll be done with this" there will be a few more moments to reflect fully on the implications.
I can also say that I have anticipated that having had a BMX my risk of recurrence was gone-and am sorry to see that that's not completely true. I don't think I will have the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling I've had for the last 6 years, but I suspect there will always be a piece of me that wonders about reoccurence.
I will keep you all posted on my "decision" to go bigger or stay the same-and certainly let you know when my exchange is scheduled for.
Good luck to all of you who have the exchanges scheduled in the next couple of weeks. I will be very interested to hear what your experiences are like! Pat
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Hi all, thanks for your thoughts and prayers! I am doing much better! On 9/6 my new PS swapped out my TEs for a better size and style, rotated my nipples higher and got rid of lots of scar tissue pulling from under my breast and through my arm pits. I have in three drains and am wrapped like a mummy.
In recovery they were giving me morphine in the IV but sent me home with pills that could not stop the pain. Five hours under anesthesia and they send me home. Just from muscle strain in my neck and back I developed a migraine that just kept getting worse. Our only option was to call an ambulance, but thankfully my GP called and said Valium would relax everything and hopefully lessen the pain. . . And it did! It took a couple of days, but i noticed some immediate relief.
Saw the PS yesterday and he took out one of the drains. The other two will need to stay in another week. I love the work he did and feel I went from a flat hamburger bun to a contoured breast! I am now having to wear a bra for support, but he filled the short TEs with maximum of 350ccs,so no more fills!
Still sleeping a lot and taking heavy drugs, but I am not sure I need this much so I am cutting everything in half. I think I could even skip a few doses and be okay.
Thanks Debbie for keeping everyone updated! And thanks for your prayers!0 -
Lindsey, Glad you are doing and looking better. Hopefully smooth sailing from this point forward.
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. Bwaaaaaah! 
