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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Sheesh 1961,  I feel stupid, I tried to PM Timtam to be allowed into the private forum, I couldn't figure out how to figure the arrow thing out to put her name in.  I must be doing something wrong.  If someone can PM me with the information I would be so grateful.  Jan

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Hey Jan -- click on Search at the upper right, then enter Timtam in the member name field and hit enter. That will give you all of Timtam's posts. Just click on her user name in any of them, and it will take you to her profile -- then click on the "Send user private message" link in the upper right of the profile, and that should do it! We're very careful to make sure all new requests go through Timtam -- I only sent the info directly to Laura because I know she's already on the pic forum too. :)

    Sheila

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

    Jan - Here is the link to PM Timtam...

    http://community.breastcancer.org/member/11047/message

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

    Jan - Sandy is going to need the model/style number of the Siltex TE's.  There are a number of different styles.  Also - she will need the actual SIZE of your TE.  You are filled to 500 cc's - but this might be an underfill of a 550 or an overfill of a 450... I just don't recall that there are any Siltex 500's??? Maybe I am wrong about that....

    Anyway, click on the link she provided for Mentor and look at the various Siltex styles and see if you can identify which one you have  This info is required to get the accurate dimensions of the expanders to correspond to implant sizing.  Sorry that it has to be so technical. 

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

    Thanks ladies for the PM !!!!!!!! :):)

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2009

    Good Evenng Ladies!
    Just wanted to check in and say "Hi" to everyone, I have been so busy with all of these spring brides that I haven't had time to chime in much and I miss you all!! Jan, welcome! I wanted to respond to your question about how much time off for exchange, everyone is different, some of the ladies here bounce right back, I on the other hand was off for two weeks, but I had had some TE infection issues so wanted to be extra careful!!

    I have had a bit of a hard time catching up on all the posts, but YAY to Laura for finishing rads! you must be thrilled!!!

    I love you all so much, and think of you every day and pray and pray and pray for all of us on this journey!

    Lorraine ox 

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Terri - I can totally relate w the pre-surgical jitters. I think Deborah hit it when she said that this is IT. But I can also say that it is totally worth it. The surgery is no big deal and the results are wonderful!

    Ladies - Can I share that I am so VERY PSYCHED! I love my new girls! They are soft and bounce and look so much more like breasts that the TEs ever did! I am thrilled. I feel like I have made a major step on the path to returning to normal.

    But I do have a question. Like many of you, my PS is pretty casual about wearing a bra. And one of my new girls is a little to the side (the TE was WAY to the side), so this morning I put on a tighter sports bra w/ a zipper in the middle. I don't want these girls slipping to the side. That's what you recommended, right??

  • sheesh1961
    sheesh1961 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Jean, that's so great that you're happy with your results! And they bounce?? Wow, mine don't bounce! Smile What my PS told me about wearing a bra was that I should wear a snug-fitting bra 24/7 for the first two weeks while the pockets healed. That was to keep the implants in place while the pockets heal. That's what I did, and those babies definitely stayed in place -- no straying here! I had one TE off to the side too, and my PS fixed the pocket at exchange, and it hasn't moved again. So the 24/7 snug bra thing definitely worked for me.

    Sheila

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2009

    Jean

    I'm so glad you love your new girls.I wore my fitted sports bra 24/7 for 3 weeks. Sometimes I even wore the binder I came home with from the hospital at night because it was more comfortable an kept each of my girls in their rightful place!! The bra bothered my drain scar revision so I sometimes wore it over a very thin t shirt...and yup, did it look silly!!

    But I will say...I was 4 weeks post exchange on Wednesday. Something happened Friday and I couldn't believe the difference. I'd been having a little phantom nipple pain and started to get worried.....must have just been the implant settling because last night I looked in the mirror and cried. I will now be happy to claim them as mine!!! No more hamburger buns. They filled out and dropped beautifully. I was happy with them but now I'm just thrilled! It's a nice feeling that I hope everyone will experience somewhere along the journey.....when we can look back and wipe our brow and know it really WAS all worth it! 

    xxoo Kathie 

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Sheila - Thanks. That's what I am going to do.

    Kathie - I can so relate to the crying part. Now they are part of you and belong to your body. Congratulations! This part is SO much better than the BM and TE part.

    Gentle hugs to all. - Jean 

  • smmr
    smmr Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2009

    Thought I better post again after my initial disappointment!!  Either I'm getting used to them or they're starting to look a little better, either way I'm not quite as discouraged as I was that first day.  I had a dream the other night that they had majorly shifted and one ended up totally under my armpit and the other one divided into two different boobs!!  I woke up and just had to laugh!  I think it was God's way of telling me to be happy with the results I have!! It could be a lot worse!!  I'm just still amazed at having no pain!!  I took a pain pill the first night and that was it!!  What a wonderful surprise!!

    Sounds like most of this week's gals are happy with their results.  That's awesome!!

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thanks, I am trying to take this journey one step at a time and not worry about the last procedure, before I have to go through the next procedure.  It keeps me a little saner that way.  Thanks for the link.  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    WhippetMom, thanks for helping me navigate the system, I am kind of lost here with all of the technical information differences regarding the TE and the eventual prosthesis.  The TE is a Mentor moderate profile, Siltex tissue Espander.  The reference # is 354-6213, Lot # 5866632,  Serial # 5866632-019.  Is that what you need.  I think I have a 450cc, filled to 500cc.  I am full!  I have a rock, I am not an Island, but some days I feel like one!  ; )  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thanks for the input!  I am doing more office work, less outdoor work, but still am physically out there working for the State.  I can fine tune my job to be in the office, but I will be bored.  Is driving an issue after the exchange?  Driving and checking on the crew is a major part of my job, so that is a concern for me.  BTW as a wedding planner, have you heard of Beau Ideal, owner Kathleen Hagan?  She does a lot of make-up and hair for high end weddings, but mostly in Santa Barbara and LA, but some OC stuff.  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thank you,  I did message her, you ladies ROCK!  I am so grateful for the virtual hand holding on the various forums.  I have done a lot of lurking but now that I am getting down to the wire on a permanent decision regarding the prosthesis on the right, lift on the left for symmetry.  I don't want to have to do a revision because the wrong size was put in or I didn't get a natural look because I didn't communicate well with the PS.  I am fortunate that my PS is a good guy and makes the lifestyle age, body and breast of the woman match to  fit together.  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Mykidsmom, way to go, what type of implant did they put in?  Silicone or Saline? If you don't mind me asking.  I want the exchange prosthesis to at least be flexible enough to get out of my armpit!

    You brought up a good point, can the prosthesis move once they have been placed in the pocket?  I can't wait to read on the different opinions on wearing of the bra vs limited bra wearing.  I want to be prepared for my surgery and all of your experiences help ground me for what is ahead and take away the jitters.  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Kathie!   YIPPEE,  that is a story that was great to hear.  I am glad to know that you don't come home from surgery with perfect symetrical breasts.  This would have freaked me out had I not read all of the stories of what to expect.  The kindness and openess of your individual stories make me hopeful of a great outcome.  Jan

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

    I see miss Jan is fittin' right in,,,,Kiss

    Happy Boobies ladies,,,,,

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Estepp, nobody can tell you how to walk the walk, unless you have worn the shoes.  Thanks for all of the insight, and the sore "Feet", sometimes the shoes don't walk the way I want them to.  Jan

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Sue - Your dream was perfect. I think reality has to be better than one foob split in half! LOL! I am so glad you are happier w/ your result!

    Jan - I have silicone, 400 cc style 20. I am not sure of the manufacturer. I will most likely get my card from the PS next week. They are SO soft. I love the softness compared to my TE's. For that matter the natural me was pretty lumpy, so they are softer than that as well.

    Thanks for the Happy Boobies wishes Laura. You will be there soon!

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited April 2009

    A bit belated, but welcome, Jan! 

    Jean  - congrats on the exchange!  Happy healing! (and settling, and fluffing, etc.)

    I had my 2nd fill yesterday, so am just a LITTLE bit closer to joining the exchange club!  I'm now expanded to a whopping 85cc!  (that was supposed to be sarcastic...Smile) I did have my dh take pics before this fill, though I'll wait to post them until I'm through exchange.  I figure there's some other formerly ultra-flat girl who will thank me.....

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited April 2009

    Kathie,

    So glad that you had your moment with the new girls,it made me cry to read it!  I can't wait for my exchange, to be softer, and embrace the new me.  Thanks for sharing.

    Karen

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Laura, THANK YOU!  I want see the softer side of me once again.   My PS stated that I could wait until late summer or fall if I needed to coordinate the surgery with time off.  Man,  I took the first date that he had open for surgery.   This will make 11 weeks between my last fill and exchange date.  Is this about the right time ladies?  What was the time spanse between last fill and exchange for you?  I don't want to rush it if the outcome will be better with the TE's in longer.  He told me at least 2 months with the TE's after the last fill, so 11 weeks sounds adequete and they did schedule the surgery.  Jan

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Thank you!  After all of the drama of the diagnosis, the waiting time for the mastectomy, then the aftercare of surgery, everyone thinks that everything is AOK and that I am finished since the surgery.  The process of reconstruction is long, but so worth it so far.  This forum keeps my hopes up during the wait for the exchange surgery.   Jan

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited April 2009

    Kathie, I have to say that I too got all teary reading about your boob epiphany!!  I am so very thrilled for you. It sounds like you now understand the "fluffing" process.  As a pre-exchangee I still can't quite imagine what the really means.  It seems that almost all post-exchange ladies are a little disappointed at first and then are very content after the fluffing.  I am going to take a page from all of your books and gear myself to expect better things a few weeks post exchange.  I am sometimes an "instant gratificaiton" kind of girl and will get down if things don't seem right, especially all this body dysmorphic crap that we have all gone through. So...I'm not going to get all twisted about how things look right away (who the heck am I kidding)  LOL

    Welcome Jan!  It seems that your PS and mine have close to the same game plan for us, time wise at least.  I am hoping that mid May is still my exchange goal date. 

    Well, the healed incision lasted from Sunday to Thursday this time, so I've made some headway (last time it was from Sunday to Tuesday!).  I have a mini opening again and am doing my best to ignore it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (translates to me only peeking about 6 times a day).  I see my PS on Wed so we'll see what he says...most likely not much.

    My DH did take the big plunge and retired.  His last day is next Friday.  He is very excited and I'm kind of scared.  He says a big part of his decision was made because of what he saw me going through this winter.  He says life is too short not to make the most of it!  Kind of funny because I have to work for at least another 6-7 years!! LOL 

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2009

    Jean,

    I am so happy for you!  It's great to hear that you are happy with the outcome.  Happy Healing!

     Lorraine, it must be nice to be focusing on happy occassions. Although you are probably under more stress now!  Hope you aren't dealing with any Bridezillas!

    Kathie, you looked terrific before but am so happy that the girls are doing what they are suppose to for you!  

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Yvonne - Congratulations of sorts to your DH. But another opening on your incision!?! That cannot be. You have been through too much!!! It is simply not fair!

    Jan - I had most of my fills completed about 2 months prior to my exchange. My PS did add 30 cc to one side about one month prior, but that was because the skin was tighter on that side. Best wishes! 

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited April 2009

    Somebody mentioned a cocoa butter cream that they used on their foob.  Was that you Sandy?  And..was it Palmer's?  My poor skin under the artificial skin (band aid kind of stuff) is really rough and chapped looking.  No doubt since it has been under some kind of dressing for so long, but I want to start putting something on it.

    THanks Jean!  I've told by DH your story and he is encourage that something better will come his way.  I am a true believer that all things happen for a reason so I'm sure that good things will come of this too!  I just can't help but be a teeeeennny bit envious!  LOL  How are you doing today?

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

    (((Kathie))),,,

    I am not a crier.. I was and probably still am ( darn it) the one who holds tight my friends who cry... BUT.. Kathie... something about your words... something.. tears in my eyes and in my heart! I  "felt" your words..... a very blessed congrats honey.... ((((Love))))

    I do not want to see rude.. but I have worked the past three days and other than our newest poster  "Jan"...:) :):)  whom is loved....and yes.. 11 weeks is ok Jan....:)....

    Are there any new gals here? In the past three days... if you would.. just drop a "hi" tonight again.. I hate to be rude and not welcome you..:) :).. I have been a workin' fool... gotta save my pennys for Vegas baby... wahoooooooooooooooooooooo...

    I am actually taking a few trips this yr... I get to meet a DEAR DEAR sister from BCO  in about 4 weeks...wahooooooooooooooooooooooo.... and then in July.. fly to see my 90 yr old G.ma... then... some type of weekend with dh... B&B... then a Reunion here in Missouri.. then VEGAS !!!!  and to top off the year.... EXCHANGE.... PORT REMOVAL.... AND MY bags under my eyes removed as a "gift" to myself while I am "under" for exchange.. WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Take back our LIVES sisters !!!!!        AMEN!

    Ta Ta Sisterhood we are!

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

    Yvonne.. .... yes... PURE cocoa butter is the best. ( Health food store...).. if it is yellow... do not buy it.. it needs to be white to pale pale yellow..... :) Just my professional opinion.. ( and I agree with myself...heheheheheheheheheheheh)

    Good Luck sweety!!!!!!

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