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Exchange City

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Comments

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

    Oh Sandy you are so right!  A gift and a blessing and a safe place to be!!!

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Yay for nips and exchange dates for Kathie and Jaimeh!!

    Deborah -- shot under both armpits?? I was LITERALLY LOL on that one -- think I woke the dog up!

    My new left nip started oozing some blood this morning -- well, the areola graft, actually -- and I think it's because I've been sleeping on that side every night. I'm sleeping on the  couch and I try to lean against the back so I'm not completely on my side, but sometimes I wake up and have rolled more forward. Tonight I'm switching ends so I can sleep on the other side, and see if that helps.

    Sheila

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Sheila take it easy or we'll both be getting it for nipple abuse : - )

    ok time for some sleep

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Sam1991 - Nips in June! That is so cool. When did you have your exchange? I don't remember. 

    Wow ladies - Thanks for all the support. I am bit groggy, but doing fine. I received 400 cc style 20. They are all covered up w/ bandages, but they feel soft and look great (as best as I can tell). I didn't need drains!! And didn't need pocket revisions, so I am doing very well! And I am psyched w/ what I can see so far. I love them so far! Hopefully all will continue that way. Now I am off to lay down. Love ya all. - Jean

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2009

    Yeah Jean....so glad to hear from you. I'm glad I logged on before work. Softness rocks!!!! My exchange was 3/18/09. So 3 months from exchange to nips...Not too shabby. Now if I can just find a bra I'm comfortable with...LOL. So just rest and admire your new equipment. Isn't love grand....LOL. 

    xxoo Kathie 

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2009

    Yeah Jean :)  I love to hear when people come back and say they are sooo soft.....oh to dream.  What 61 days kathie ??   Soft boobies hear I come......

    My PS said something that if everything looks okay I may get my nips the day of my exchange.  Is that odd ???  Or should I suggest waiting ??

  • tg33
    tg33 Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    I am glad to hear everyones still here..I have been very busy lately...I am going to work mon. and started my other job too..Yest I went to the ps for the pain...about 1 wk ago the pain of my TE reduced they became softer and did not contract all the time..just some times..So my TE is sideways...I guess they are oblong and the oblong is upwards and not side to side..really know big deal They will be in until June 22.

    I wish everyone a speedy recovery with surgery nips..The rad sounds painful...I am sorry...Hugs to all...

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Been reading but not posting much on here.  Happy healing to all from this week.  Sure is a good thing I have this site.  Getting nervous about next weeks OR already.  Hearing the people here excited about their results is sure helping

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Jean thanks for hoping on and sharing the good news

    I'm happy to hear your PS went with 400cc because I was thinking you mentioned 350 and a little part of me was oh I hope they won't be too small.  I love when us ladies are happy with what we get.  I hope when you can get a good look you'll be really happy with your results.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    KMMD I would suggest not getting nipples at the same time as an exchange just in case one drops more than the other.  A few gals have done it and worked out fine but most of us wait just to be on the safe side.

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    I'm with Sandy -- I'd definitely wait for nips. My foobs changed considerably from the time of my exchange til when I had my nips done 6 months later. If I had had the nips done at the same time, I think they'd probably be placed wrong now.

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2009

    yay Jean!!! so glad to hear you are doing ok!! Big hugs to all!!

    Lorraine ox

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Hi ladies,   I am moving to his forum,  I lurk all the time in the other forums to read and stay updated on everyone's happenings.  I had my last fill on 3-24-09, surgery for R mastectomy was on 12-29-08.  I am scheduled for the exchange on 6-15-09.  I was a small B before surgery, I have 500 cc tissue expander in now.  I am 5-6 and 150 lbs, so I am happy with this size.  My questions for those that have already been down this road.  How long were you off of work?  I am doing both sides for symmetry, so I don't know what to expect as far as pain, and convalescence.  Was the procedure outpatient?  Pain level? Same as the mastectomy or more or less?  My PS will not do the exchange surgery before 2 months after the last fill, (3-24) then waits for at least 3 months before reconstructing the nipple and then another month or two before the areola tattoo.  I am curious if this is how it went for others.  I just want this rock off of my chest.  I am praying that the implant is softer and that I can sleep better after the exchange when I don't have to maneuver around the "rock"  Is there a picture file here that I can look at?  I am curious as to what the nipple tattoo looks like.   Jan

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

    ((((((JEAN)))))) so happy!

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

    Welcome Jan.. I have not had exchange.. but someone will come along and answer your questions.. I just wanted to say hello!

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Peggio, whippet mom, I was reading the posts,  where did you get your information on the implants?  I am concerned that right now I have width and hamburger buns of rock right now.  I want to have more projection and less under my arm pit.  I would appreciate any information that you have or where you can refer me to another site.  I want to make an informed decision not just take the PS word on what would be best for me.  I had a friend that had augmentation, her PS took poetic license and made her a full size bigger than she wanted.  Needless to say, she is not happy and after the implants settled, they look even bigger.  I just want to stay a small to average C cup size.  This would be 1 size bigger than what I was before BC, so I am happy with that.  The thing that cracks me up is that I have had several friends tell me that "HEY, at least you are getting a "Free" boob job!"  They don't have a clue at the cost of the "free" boob job has been to me.  With the deductibles and the emotional garbage of BC, I could have paid for boob jobs for 10 women that wanted it done.  Personally I would rather have just had my old boob back without the BC of course  : )  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Hi, Estepp,  I followed you in the tissue expander forum.  I didn't respond much, but read every post.  This is the best forum and such a loyal group of ladies.  The shared information and the commraderie of the knowledge of the ladies that have already made the journey and are willing to talk about the experience is so valuable to me.  Thank you all again, I'm off to clean the bathrooms, ahhh, life goes on.  Jan

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Jan the exchange surgery is way easy for most of us

    usually it's outpatient and usually no drains

    the time frame you explained was very close to what my PS used

    I think for my 1st exchange I had surgery on Wed and was backto work on Monday

    I just tried not to lift anything over 15lbs for the 1st couple of weeks

    Your implants should be way softer

    if you want to get to the private pix forum you need to PM Timtam and ask to be let in

    if you give us the style of your expander and tell us if you like that size on you we can try to give some in put about  implants

    ok ladies I have to step away from my computer for about 1 days but will check back when I can

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Jan & any body wanting this info

    I just thought I would post both the mentor & the Natrelle web site so we have them together to compare...

    http://www.mentorcorp.com/breastsurgery/reconstruction/breast-implants.htm

    http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Thanks ladies, I'll take your advice on waiting for nips

    Jan, your sense of humor is better then mine if you can let your friends tell you how lucky you are to be getting a free boob job.  As you said, the cost is not in the $ 

  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2009

    Jan,

    The website for allergan that rockwell girl posted is what I used.  You will also need to find out the tissue expander that the PS used. They will know at the desk if you call.  The width is really a deciding factor of the implant they use.  Find that out and also measure your ribcage from where your breast begins under your arm to the other side.

    I am rushing off to a horse show for my daughter that will last most of the day but I will check in tonight. You can also PM me.

    Peg

  • Jeansbeans
    Jeansbeans Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2009

    Hi JAN, I was off work 3 weeks, but I could of gone back sooner, but as long as I had to use my vacation time with my disability , I went South to visit Grandchildren and recooperated there.Exchange was EASY!!  Went in at 12:00 and left by 5:00. I just have to say, I would wait for nipple surgery . The new foobs do settle. Not much pain at all. I had nipples done 4 weeks after. I did have a set back with my nips not healing properly. I have been 3 weeks post nipple surgery and can now say I am finally healing. I am still on topical antibiotic, The necrotic part of nipple came off and I still have a nice looking nipple left!  YEA!  I was so sure I had to have my nips redone.  My PS made the nips large enough to allow for shrinkage. Thank God he did.  I WELCOME all the Newbees here, and congratulate everyone having their exchange. LAURA, so glad you are now done with rads.  Happy healing and Gentle hugs to all!  Jeanie    

  • dietcokemom
    dietcokemom Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2009

    Hello friends,

    Friday afternoon has me anxiously awaiting a busy weekend before exchange on Monday.  For whatever reason I am feeling overwhelmed and very anxious about surgery.  I am overly weepy, and sensitive and cannot even fake a good mood!  Tomorrow is my daughter's Sweet 16 party  (for 125)  and then Sunday has me taking care of my 83 year old mother.  I feel like i have been waiting for months for this surgery and now that it is here, I am scared and not ready.  Anyone else go through these feelings?  I have never had a panic attack before, but today have had these completely LONGGGGGGGGGGG sighs, as though my thoughts took my breath away.  Anyway, guess I just needed to share, don't mean to vent or bring anyone down, just writing sometimes help me feel better.  Thanks for listening and hope all are feeling well today.  Terri

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

    Terri:  I think that many of us had this strange apprehension about the exchange surgery....that "well, this is IT"...kind of feeling.  So we understand where you are right now...I had no qualms about the mastectomies.....and the exchange is so much easier - by FAR so much easier a procedure.  Yet I was full of anxiety about it.  I wanted to call the PS and tell her I was keeping my expanders and would not be showing up for the exchange.  So hang in there girl.  You can do this!!!

    Jean:  400's!!!  Woohoo!  I am so excited for you. 

    Deborah

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

    Ladies. a quicky.. I am at work and trying to get to the Picture forum.. I am on a different laptop and did not bookmark,. it... grrrrrrr. can one of you PM me the http: addy for it. I know it is private to us and I did not want it posted here direct... THANK YOU to whoever does this.. I am TRYING to show a lady my rads pics without getting naked here...LOL

    Laura

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thank you  Rock-well_girl,  I went and got my surgical reports, I had a Mentor moderate profile siltex tissue expander.  It is now filled to 500cc, and I am done with the fills.  I just want a natural look instead of the turtle that has taken up residence in my chest. I will private message Timtam and see what I am in for.  I have been pleased with the situation so far, except with the hardness of the TE.  I just want something that moves a little like normal breast tissue.  Thanks Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Jeansbeans,  I didn't know about nipple shrinkage, is this when they make the end of the nipple, or the actual tattooed areola?  There is so much to learn, I would prefer to have this done once and correctly.  Since I have one natural breast, and one Foob, I hope they come out somewhat symetrical since I opted to only do one breast for mastectomy.  I just pray it doesn't show up in the other breast.  The final pathology report showed high grade comedo carcinoma DCIS with microinvasion, so hopefully it won't come back.  jan

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Laura -- PM'd you with the info.

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thank You!!!  I have already been to the web sites, it gave me enough information to ask the Dr. about the type and style of prosthesis he may be using.  My PS has a good aesthetic eye for matching body type and size and prosthesis.  He is geared to the body looking natural, and have the breast size fit the body.  I trust him and everything he told me to expect regarding the surgeries had been right on target, so I have a feeling that he will take good measures for a great outcome. Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    I hope I have this right, I need to PM Timtam to allowed to view pictures of outcomes.  If this is not the correct way to be invited to this forum, please let me know.  I will send a private message right now.  I have plenty of time until the exchange surgery, but I want to make sure that I get all of my questions answered before the big day and not have to say OOPS! maybe I should have asked the ladies a few more questions.  Thanks to all of you, you make the journey a lot less lonely.  Jan

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