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Exchange City

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Comments

  • hood1980
    hood1980 Member Posts: 168
    edited April 2009

    Hi Ladies,  I just wanted to invite those of you who enjoy your  new cleavage and/or have questions about plastic surgery to join me on the cosmeticsurgeryforums.com.  After you've been a member there for awhile,  they have a private members only gallery where we share our pictures  showing our new cleavage.  It's not porn, just a bunch of silly ladies like all of us just having fun!  It is run by Bailey who is an expert on cosmetic surgery.  Her sister Cheryl is a member too and is a breast cancer survivor. 

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited April 2009

    mykidsmom - thanks.  Maybe the tamoxifen is making me hyper-sensitive.......... 

  • suegmomof3
    suegmomof3 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2009
    Hi Ladies, It's so encouraging to hear from those who have gone through their exchange surgeries and come through so well ... thanks for sharing your experiences...  I have learned so much through all of you!  I won't be having my exch until July so I've got some waiting to do, but I'll keep checking out here to see how ya'll are doing.  I had my sixth fill today and am at 600 ccs - she said I have one more and then I'm done.  Woo hoo!  Can't wait ... I'm beginning to feel a little like Dolly Parton though .. but the PA who does my fills says that I've got great projection, and thinks I'll be thrilled with the results.  I just hope I don't end up being a DD ... I told them I'd be happy with a full C. 

    I do have a question - my insurance company rejected $20,000 of charges from my surgery and guess what that charge is for?  the AlloDerm that the PS used when he put the expanders in.  Needless to say, I was in sticker shock ... I called my ins co right away and they said they have to check into it and will call me back tomorrow.  I was wondering - has anyone else had a problem with having their insurance companies not covering AlloDerm?  I'm hoping it was simply an error but I'm still a tad worried ...

    Valerie - it could be he's just struggling to adjust to all of the changes you've been going through and wants some part of you to be "the same as you were before b/c" ... Sometimes we forget that our partners/spouses may be grieving but don't want to show their true feelings for fear of hurting our own feelings .. I don't know ... it may be best just to ask him if he meant anything by those remarks, or perhaps he didn't realize how they came across to you.  My DH said "we need to do something more with our dinners - lately they haven't been very creative".  I gave him "the look" and he immediately apologized, saying that as the words were coming out of his mouth, he realized that he said the wrong thing.  Duh!!  I (kindly) reminded him that I am NOT back to my normal self yet, that I'm not sleeping and am tired all the time, I'm still trying to keep up with homeschooling our 3 kids, keep the house somewhat in order, keep up with the laundry, etc etc etc ... Sometimes men are just men, and don't realize how insensitive their remarks can be!  Hang in there......
  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Val, typed a long post, hit a key and lost it.  I'll try again. No expert, wouldn't even pretend to be.  But, part of what grieves us most with this whole thing is the realization that our lives will never be the same.  Still good, maybe better, but never the same.  Maybe the profile and hair changes are just symbolic of that to him.  Things he sees that reflect that grief and fear. He may even like the changes, just not what they represent.  Or, maybe he thinks you're acting out of character and wants to check in and make sure that is a healthy thing that you need for you right now, and not an indication of a need for more support.  Don't know.  I'd keep telling him the importance of it to you, and hopefully there will be a moment when he's ready to talk to you about what is really bothering him

    good luck 

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2009

    Val61,

    I think in a way his comments are flattering because he is saying that he liked you the way you were.  If you were small, knowing that that didn't really bother him would be nice to know.  My breasts were pathetically small but nothing but problems.  When I had the mastectomy scheduled and the plan was to increase what I had before, my husband was very excited.  I told him to be careful because the small boobed person is who I really am and it may bother me if he gets too carried away.  He also likes my hair long,but I go short from time to time for me.

    I went to my ps yesterday only to find out that he won't do anymore fills.  In fact, my implants will be about a shot glass equivalent smaller than what I have in my tissue expanders.  My left one had shifted a month ago and we were on a wait and see plan.  When I went in yesterday he said that I am still pretty tight and my skin is shiny, which means my skin is too thin to expand any further.  He told me my skin was a concern at my first consult.  I am only at 330 cc's so I was very upset by this.  My husband told me to stop being a baby, the doctor knows what he is doing and basically quit feeling sorry for myself.  Needless to say, I let him have it.

    Now that he knows I won't be as big as I had wanted, he is fine with that. I'm not.  My exchange will be more involved too because he has to do repair work from the shifting foob.

    As far as the hair, tell him it's the you right now.     

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

    Dianne:  Your PS is conservative and although conservative can be frustrating when it comes to issues such as yours, it can also be necessary.  You want to avoid complications down the road and lack of skin integrity is a road you do not want to travel down in this journey.  Ask your PS about how you can improve your skin integrity though.  I know that my PS did not want me massaging my expanders with massage oil or cream, because she felt that this would stretch my skin too much.  You want this to occur.  [I had other technical reasons why it would not be appropriate for me...]  Also, delay your exchange as long as possible, to give your skin and muscles time to relax and accept the expansion. 

    Now referable to getting implants smaller than the expanders...I think this warrants some questioning. [Read the widely popular "Implants Smaller Than Expanders" thread, to see where I am going here.]  If you maintain what you have and your skin adapts to your current 330 cc fill size, why could you not have implants which correspond to the dimensions of your expanders?  You would be sufficiently expanded to be exchanged at the very least to a 350 cc or 375 cc implant , and if  you have not already posted your expander dimensions and particulars, we could crunch the numbers for you.  You then could show your PS the numbers and work on getting closer to where you want to be with reconstruction.  Let us know how we can help you with this.

    Deborah

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited April 2009

    suegmomof3, I've heard that some insurance companies do not consider using AlloDerm for breast recon. standard practice.  I guess PS's haven't been using it for that long.  Only a few years.  That's why some don't pay.  My ins. co. has been sh**** about many charges, but that they paid for.

    Val61, my DH didn't want me to go any bigger either and I was a moderate A before bilat. mx.  Every time I had a fill he's say, You aren't going any bigger are you?  I don't think you'll like it.  I don't know either what his motivation is.  It's not like he doesn't appreciate large breasts.

    I'm having my exchange surgery on Wed. 4-29.  I saw my PS today for the pre-op visit.  I have Mentor 354-6312 expanders.  350 cc's, 11.3 x 11.8 x 6.  I'm over-expanded to 460cc's.  He said he'll take several sizes into surgery and see what fits my body the best.  He'll try to stay close to what I have.  So, he'll take smooth round high profile Mentor 350-4504 450cc's diameter of 12.8 cm, Mentor 350-4254     425 cc's, diameter 12.5 cm and Mentor 350-4004 400 cc's, diameter 12.2cm.   My question is:  with the expander at 11.3 x 11.8 aren't the pockets too small for the implants measuring over 12 cm?  My chest measures 32 inches below my breasts.  The expanders already almost look too wide.  I'm hoping he won't have to use the 400cc's.  Expanded to 460, I'm just a small C.  It makes me nervous.  I know he'll do what is the most aesthetically pleasing.  But...  You all know what I mean.

    Thank you to all of you for the wonderful information I gleaned by lurking about here.  I went into my appt. much more informed than I would have otherwise. 

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

    suegmom -

    There is a thread regarding the topic of Alloderm and insurance coverage.  It is a tricky one.  Essentially your PS should have obtained clearance from your ins. provider beforehand.  But in a way it is good that he put the cart before the horse - because you have it and you did not have to delay surgery fighting for it.  There is an appeal process.  Get all of your info here:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/695488?page=1

    Deborah

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Dianne - I was filled to 400 cc on the left and 370 cc on the right and my PS put in 400 cc implants. So I think you can be bigger when the implants are placed. Best wishes! - Jean

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

    suegmom - You did not post the projection numbers for those Mentor implants and it is the projection which factors into the PS' ability to use wider implants.  You are losing a centimeter of projection with the implants versus the expanders and this will enable him to use your pocket size for the new implants.  Now if you could get him to use Allergan Natrelle Style 20 implants, you could get the following:

    Mentor:  450 HP - 12.8 x 5.1

    Allergan 450 HP - 12.4 x 5.2.  You get a narrower implant and a minute increase in projection. T

    I like the Allergan Style 20 @ 475 cc's the best - for this reason.  With a 12.6 width and 5.5 projection, it has the best overall width to projection ratio of all of the sizes in this category.  I would think that since you are expanded to 460 cc's, this would be fine.

    However, you are expanded nearly perfectly for the Allergan Style 45 extra full projection implants, although since you are over-expanded, you will have a few millimeters more projection with your expanders.  You gain projection with overfilling.

    Allergan Natrelle Style 45:  460 cc's - 11.4 x 5.9,   500 cc's - 11.9 x 5.7,  550 cc's - 12.4 x 6.0.

    Hope this helps...

    Deborah

    Addendum:  However, confer with Sandy about getting too narrow an implant.  You get better cleavage in a bra, as the implant gets wider. 

  • warrior
    warrior Member Posts: 43
    edited April 2009

    Mykidsmom,  Can you put me on the list for exchange surgery...June 15th?!!! Thanks!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited April 2009

    Step-off.  I've been calling them "my gutters."  I have it above both breasts.  My PS was talking about a breast lift, but I'm going to ask him about fat injections.  I guess I won't know how it will look until after my exchange. 

    It became real today when I found myself sitting in the same chair I was in 6 months ago at the hospital pre-op for my BLM.  I'm really having my exchange soon.  I got a little nervous about hyster/ooph, but tell myself people have it done all the time and do very well.

    Thanks for being there ladies,

    Karen

  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2009

    Tablover - I have the full-height gummy bear implants (the 410s, the ones still in the study period), size 495, full projection. I don't have a "step-off" or dent where the upper pole of the breast meets the chest wall, but I did notice very recently that I have some rippling at the top of each breast. I'm 4 weeks out from my exchange. I won't see the PS again until this summer, unless I make a special appointment, but I'm wondering if the rippling has to do with the type of implant (gummy bears) or the size not being large enough, or what. 

    Janet 

  • looper
    looper Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2009

    Hi Ladies~~I saw my PS on Tuesday armed with information from this forum on implants and ready to fight for a replacement from Natrellej style 10, 420cc, to style 20, hoping to get more symmetry.  My PS finally agreed that my implant is smaller than my real side, but explained that a larger implant would cause an unnatural step-off and not correct my cleavage complaint.

    He wants to do fat grafts, probably in two sessions, as I need a dent near the underarm filled also.  I think he  said I could get more projection also to correct the empty space at the point of my bra.  He drew lots of colored lines on me (again) and took lots of photos to send to the insurance company.  He thinks there is a real issue and that they'll approve it, but we have to wait for that, which will be several weeks.  Otherwise I'd be ready to do this now.

    I had a lift on the real side that hasn't totally healed--the incision is still crusty at the bottom inch or so.  I didn't ask about facilitating that healing--should I still be applying Bacitracin or something?

    I thought I'd be in good shape by summer, but now we're talking into the fall--it will be a year in September--I had no idea!  But at least I feel I have some answers now.  Just hate being at the mercy of the insurance co.  I see by your posts that I'm not the only one!

    Suzie

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited April 2009

    kmmd - So glad you posted and are doing well.  Rest, relax and heal! 

  • tablover
    tablover Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Janet - are you happy with how the full height 410's look (other than the ripples)? Do they look natural or can you see the outline of the implant? In terms of the ripples, that's strange since my understanding was that with the 410's you are not supposed to have any since the silicone does not really move. The lack of ripples and lower cc rate are supposed to be two of the largest advantages of the true gummies.

     I guess I will have to wait the 3 months to have the fat grafts and see if that helps.Whippetmom, I'm happy to hear some women here have been happy with the result. It's hard for me to imagine getting a natural looking slope with such large "step off" dents.

    Thanks, Lisa

  • suegmomof3
    suegmomof3 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2009

    Thanks, Deborah, for the link to the insurance thread. I am hoping my insurance comes through for me, but yikes - I'm in for a long process of appeals and hassles if they don't from what I read.  btw, my skin is all shiny now too, just really noticed it in the last couple of days.  Makes me a little nervous knowing I have one more fill to go, but at least it's not for another 10 days ... gives my skin a chance to rest a bit before the last one......   Happy Healing to everyone -- sue

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Firni I will try to make a reply to your implant question tomorrow afternoon

    I need some sleep now

    I just want to double check one thing

    you said your rib cage measures 32'

    or do you wear a 32 bra band size

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Deborah for all the info.  I think my PS only uses Mentor but I'm going to really push for the Allergan Natrelle 45 extra full projection 500cc or 550cc.  That sounds a lot better than the Mentor options.

    Sandy, my ribcage measures 32.  Band size is 36 

  • staceyw
    staceyw Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Just found this thread, I have not been on here for awhile, but I am having exchange surgery tomorrow morning, it sounds like from most people it is not too bad.  I had fills up to 340cc's and I think ps is going to put in 350cc silicone implants.  I will also be interested in nipple discussion.

    Thanks for this thread,

    Stacey 

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2009

    Sandy, Thanks for the cool whip bowl picture.  You are quite creative and I would gladly wear the cool whip bowl if I get results like you did.  OK, I still need to know what "fluffing" is and what are "Gummy Bears"?  I keep seeing the term, but need clarification.  You ladies keep me going.

    Warrior, we will be sharing a special date, Monday June 15th is my date, so hopefully only 8 weeks to go from hard rock to soft rock!

     KMMD, thanks for the update and I am so happy for you that all went well, your report of how it went is so reassuring.  

    GG, loved the T-shirt!  upload a picture of it if you can.     

    Jan

  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2009

    Tablover - I am satisfied with everything about the gummy bears except the rippling, which doesn't seem to be the implant itself, only my muscle fibers showing through sometimes. And then only sometimes. This morning, for example, no rippling. I like the anatomical shape of the gummy bears. My chest wall blends quite naturally into the upper part of the breast and, as time goes by, they are dropping a bit and I have some nice, natural looking cleavage. They are on the smallish side for my frame (I'm 5'10 and now wear a 36C), but I was pretty flat-chested before, so I am thrilled.

    Jan - The gummy bears are the Allergan 410 silicone implants. They call them gummy bears because the silicone is more cohesive. That is, even if it ruptures, it holds its shape and doesn't travel. They are not yet approved in the US, so you have to be part of a clinical trial to get them, but that may change soon. Here is how they are described by Allergan: "The Allergan Style 410 silicone-filled breast implant contains a more cohesive gel than previous silicone-filled breast implants and is designed to allow the implant to maintain its shape while simulating the look and feel of natural breast tissue." [I think it's a little firmer than natural tissue, but it has gotten a little softer since my exchange.]

    Janet 

  • tg33
    tg33 Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    anyone close to mich ...we are meeting in Mt Pleasant sun the 26 th at applebees for lunch..amyone want to join 12:30...hope to see you there ask for sue's table...

  • Baxter
    Baxter Member Posts: 91
    edited April 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    This is the first time on the site since my 4/16 surgery and I haven't had a chance to read all the posts. I just wanted to check in.

    My surgery went well, but I was really sick with pain and nausea. My PS kept me in the hospital an extra day.

    I'm feeling pretty good. He used a different profile expander this time and also used Alloderm. My DH already thinks that the shape of this expander looks more "breast like" than the other one.

    I was hoping to have my drain out on my birthday (4/20.) I forgot that Monday was a holiday until I got in there. my PS came to the office just for me and one other patient. He is incredible. But to my dismay, I had too much drainage for him to take it out. I had very little drainage the last two times, and he mentioned that the increase in fluid may be from the Alloderm. I had the drain out yesterday and feel so much better...mostly to be able to take a shower!

    My PS doesn't think we will be as aggresive this time with the fills. He wants to take more time and probably not overfil me as before. He put 200cc's in at time of surgery so we have a good start. He may only fill me to 400 or so...the last time I finished with 480 cc's.

    Though I am spooked after what happened last time, I feel better better about this time. The weather is nicer this time of year and I will be able to get out in the fresh air more, and I think that will make a big difference.

    Thanks everyone for your good thoughts and prayers!

    Candi 

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited April 2009

    kmmd - I think you nailed it.  I feel that we're finally past the initial recovery phase, thinking everything is back to normal, but it really isn't.  It really is a testimony to his concern, not selfishness, that he wants everything to be normal again.  It just took me a bit to realize that.  Couple that with his extremely stressful job, and it's no wonder we both aren't headed for the psych ward......  I'm so happy that everything went well for you this week.  Prayers continuing your way for continued healing.

    suegmomof3 - your dh's dinner comment sounded exactly like what I was trying to explain.  Mine said just this week that he finally thought I was back to my old self in terms of energy.  Perhaps he so desperately wants to put this behind us, that any changes are reminders that it's not over yet.  We'll figure it out.  You are a saint to homeschool your kids.  I tried just teaching my first one piano and quite quickly knew we'd both not survive the experience!  

    dani42 - so good to hear from you again!  I've been wondering how you've been doing since the expander moved a few weeks ago.  I think there's a lot of truth in your comment about taking my dh's comment as a compliment.  Whenever I'd complain about not fitting into clothes, he'd always say something sweet.  He's a keeper......  Your skin situation sounds a lot like mine.  At my first visit my ps said that my skin was already pretty tight and considering the limited stretch marks I had from pregnancies, he'd be limited as to how far I could stretch.  Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised that he can fit larger implants than you think.  Is your exchange scheduled yet?

    firni - sounds like we have cloned husbands!  Read what suegmomof3, kmmd, & dani42 posted as responses to my quest for clarity.  They make perfect sense to me, and hopefully to you, too. Good luck next week on your exchange!

    Valerie

     

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    Candi - I am so glad that's behind you. Here's wishing for drain removal soon!! Gentle hugs coming your way!!!

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

    Candi...thanx for checking in... This will work out this time!

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

    (((((((StacyW))))))

    Good Luck !!!!!!!

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

    FLUFFING:

    Someone on one of the breast augmentation forums had a pretty snappy explanation of "fluffing."  The term "fluffing" is not a medical term at all [hence the baffled expression on your PS' face if you ask him/her when this is going to happen] and was devised by the breast augmentation crowd, who do not have the benefit of expanders to stretch out of the skin and muscle prior to implant placement.  So the "fluffing" is not going to be as dramatic for the breast reconstruction patient [unless they have immediate implant placement] as it might be for the breast augmentation client.  Here you go.....

    "OK...imagine buying a pillow that is encased in one of those shrink wrapped packages that has all the air sucked out of it so that it is a small package. Imagine what happens if you take a needle and put a small hole in the packaging. Does the pillow all of a sudden pop up to full size immediately? No...it gradually fills up and after a time it fluffs out to the full pillow size it really is. The compression of the packaging held it all in until it was stretched more.
    That is what the fluffing is all about.....your implants are compressed like the pillow UNDER your muscle....the muscle has to stretch to allow the implant to FLUFF out....depending on your muscle tightness, etc depends on how long it will take you to fluff and drop."

  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2009

    Whippetmom - I'm starting to think that you are secretly a reconstructive plastic surgeon!

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