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BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

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Comments

  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Hi lago: Congratulation on your exchange, I wish you a speedy recovery. I think you can take the port out once you are done. I aksed my Dr if I could get mine out before my swap surgery and it was before i finished herceptin, she did not mind and to me it was a good sign:) Now I am having laser treatment because I have a dark spot on my chest because of teh port.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    I'm keeping the port till Herceptin is done. No need to have them access my foot when I have a port. I didn't even ask my PS but I'm pretty sure the protocal is the surgeon who put it in will be the one to take it out.

    Just took my first shower since surgery. OMG I really do look like I got beat into a gang. I'm turning lots of colors now and really swollen. My body looks really funny shaped again. How long till the swelling goes down?

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    Lago -- in my case the surgeon who put my port in was no longer my surgeon, so the BS who replaced him removed my port for me.  It was done in her office with only local numbing agent at the site.  It was sore for a few days after but has since healed very nicely!  I too waited till Herceptin was done.  And was SO glad to have it gone (it always bothered me -- think it was sitting on a nerve or something).  Sorry about the bruising... I too looked beat up (thanks to a post-surgical burst blood vessel on my reduction side) -- this too shall pass!  On and re: swelling.. everyone is different; my reduction side took a good month for the major swelling... many months for some minor swelling (I had a hematoma there, however, due to said burst blood vessel).  You will probably still be "unswelling" for a few weeks still.

  • tinat
    tinat Member Posts: 2,235
    Carrol2:  Rats, I thought you were feeling pretty optimistic about the job situation a few weeks back.  Sorry that didn't pan out.  Sometimes these things happen for a reason, like a better one will come along!
  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671

    FearlessOne:  Most of us wait at least 3 months for exchange from the last fill to ensure the muscle and skin has stretched enough.  I would PM Estepp regarding caring for radiated skin.  I was told to wait 6 months for the nipple to give the incision line a chance to properly heal and the breasts time to drop and fluff.  Hope this helps.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    Carrol -- so sorry your husband lost his job.  I agree with Lago: don't give up on Art Director jobs even if you do end up taking a retail job for the short term.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    TinaT thanks yeah I thought I had a job in the bag a few weeks ago but they decided to hire within. I have been interviewing for retail manager positions. Doesn't pay very well but better than nothing. Hopefully it will be in a store I like. 
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Fearless_One:  Estepp used Aquaphor and thinks it really helped her skin after rads.  There is a thread I bumped up for you...."Preventing Radiation Skin Effects"

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/769938?page=1#post_2433522

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Nope...the link did not work.  It is in the "Radiation, Before During and After" forum.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    lago - you da woman!Smile
  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413

    Lago maybe you should change your name to linky?  (c:

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    OK anyone who wants to see my bruised beat up body I just uploaded 5 day post surgery photos to the picture forum.

  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 173
    Okay Lago..............can you give someone who really does have chemo brain some directions about how to get to your pictures.  They might just possibly be the deciding factor !!  Maybe I'll jump in after all.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Absolutely not NormaJean. Tongue out I look very beat up. This is a process. I think if you see those pictures you might get scared. Wait till my bruising and swelling goes down. Because I had fat grafting done during the exchange I think I bruised more. I always swell after surgery. Also, because my PS seem to have trouble finding fat he took from several areas.

    Like I said I look like I was beat into a gang.

    Seriously you have to contact timtam or I think whippetmom holds the keys these days.

  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 173
    Or other the other hand Lago it might just make me jealous enough to kick my behind off the fence ~~~~ Have it your way!!!  I will now go & pout in the corner.  Cry
  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 173

    Lago.............you did say ANYONE.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    Norma you really do have to contact Wippetmom or Timtam to get into the forum. You might not even have enough posts to get the password. They  are very careful about who goes on there because we are posting very personal images. It's not an open forum like this one.
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    RE: The Pictures Forum: You can contact Lilah or MBJ or Firni also!  Not just me!  Please, not just me!!!!Surprised 
  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    LOL Whippetmom.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Anyone get any exercises for range of motion after surgery? Were you told to limit how far you reach?

  • pinkbutterfly
    pinkbutterfly Member Posts: 130

    I have access to the picture forum, but, and I too will blame it on chemo-brain, I am having a heck of a time on there finding stuff. I learned how to look up a member and check their posts, but how do you simply follow a thread? Can anyone help me out?

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413
    I have a heck of a time on that forum too.  Any tips appreciated!  Tongue out
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Pink and Adey:  Look at the tutorial link, which came with your first instructions about the pictures forum!

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413

    Embarassed

    Laughing

  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 173

    My original purpose was to read this forum in order to learn then ask questions through posting. If the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer isn't enough to qualify anyone into the revered Picture Forum or passwords are based on the number of postings one has done, then this is not where I belong. I honestly do not remember where I put or even if I got a tutorial when I signed on. Call it protective but it feels cliquish.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Adey I was so confused too at first.

  • slinky
    slinky Member Posts: 166

    NormaJean65, Sorry you feel the picture forum is cliquish.  You might want to consider that BC and reconstruction is extremely personal and most of the women that post photos of themselves may not even let their significant others look at them because of the disfigurement or because it is not perfect - or simply because it is an extremely personal issue.  There are certain standards that need to be met before obtaining the PRIVILEGE of being invited to view the womens personal journey. 

    Give it time and keep posting - the BC sisters are here to help during this difficult time.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    NormaJean:  I am sending you a private message!

  • NormaJean65
    NormaJean65 Member Posts: 173

    slinky......

    I am not an idiot and can perfectly understand the importance of privacy for all the reasons you listed.  Being a "newbie" I offer an apology to any one I might have offended as I was unaware that the picture site was not connected to breastcancer.org.  But by the same token, no one knows my situation or the person I am.  While I am not perfect I can be blunt & straightforward when need be with the thought that "if the shoe doesn't fit, don't worry about it". 

    whippetmom......

    I assume you have my return PM by now.  In case this chemo brain didn't say it, Thank you for the info.

    Back to minding my on business, saying nothing and working on this ugly BC not defining who I am.  Enough said.  Hope everyone has a great holiday.