Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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I had alloderm inserted with my TE's and got an infection. PS says the alloderm 'saved' my TE so I didn't have to have it removed. Yay!!!
Jan
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SusansGarden - thanks for the info on Alloderm.
Sounds like everyone gets a good outcome from it. My PS said he uses it in rare cases - didn't need to in mine and I'm happy with results so that's ok - was just wondering!
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I had Alloderm placed in with my TE during my UMX. My PS said it was necessary for me because I'm rather small up top and being that the implants were going to be bigger than I was, I needed the support of the Alloderm as a sort of "sling" or "hammock" to help hold up the implant so my wussy little chest muscle wasn't doing all the work. I didn't have any problems, and I'm glad he used it!
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I wanted someone who only did the Alloderm sling as I had heard that it keeps them in place and that they look more natural. For those of us with thin skin, .going bigger, rads, or in need of general support it's a really great thing to have available to us.
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Soooo do you think I'm ok without the Alloderm? Hope so.
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Lilah- Hi, so I'm back. I had a 2nd opinion appt. today w/ a plastic surgeon in NY to get his opinion on my asymmetry issue with right implant. Well, he basically told me that he would be hesitant about having me do a revision surgery to fix this problem because the asymmetry issue is very slight. First he checked my stomach to see if I had enough fat to do a fat injection. He said the best time to do a fat injection would be from inside the breast pocket during the surgery instead of doing it from outside the skin. He also said that I would just need very little and it wouldn't really make a big difference. He also mentioned possible complications/infections.
I then asked about perhaps getting a slightly bigger implant on the right to even out the projection. He then told me that my implants would not look the same if one has more filling than the other. I told him about how I heard of other women who were able to get different size implants to achieve an even projection, but he said that would only work for those who have had bigger breast and not thin. I asked him if it would work if I switch it to silicone gel but then he told me that the round implants will give me flat top. The last option was by tightening the right implant on the side to give a little more volume on top where it kind of looks deflated right now. But then, the left implant would look flat on the top.
So he basically told me that I could run into alot of problem(even asymmetry) by trying to fix slightly asymmetrical implant. So I've decided to just be content with what I have.
I couldn't really tell that much w/ a bra on. It's when I wear a sportsbra and a tea shirt, it looks pretty obvious to me. So I learned today after the appt. that I will still have asymmetry issue even with the surgery, so there's no point of doing it then..
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vmudrow: From what I understand many who haven't had Alloderm do fine, but I think wearing a bra is key especially in the first year of exchange.
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About "fluffing" the implants after the exchange -- I found out today at doctor's appt. that the reason why implants look "bigger or rounder/fuller" after some time after exchange is due to CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE around the implants. Implants are tightened and pushed by the capsular contracture around the implants so therefore creating fuller and rounder looks.
Interesting..
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Wasin -- it sounds like you are making a reasonable decision. So basically the second opinion was the same as the first. I do think it is always a risk having more surgery and if the results are good you should not risk it. Have you posted pictures of your results on the picture forum?
I have never heard that about CC and "drop and fluff"... am not sure I believe it (though with gummies, by the way, it doesn't happen... and I think it's because they adhere to the skin and don't move, NOT to do with CC or not). But who knows? I HAVE also heard that all implants have SOME capsular contracture... it's the ones with too much that are the problem.
As a uni who reduced (rather than augmented) to match I have to say mine are not a perfect match and I am OK with that. My PS used the largest implant she could fit me with and reduced my remaining breast as much as was practical... and I while at first it bothered me a lot I have come to feel rather content. I am content not only with how I look and feel but also with the idea of NO MORE surgery for a good long while. My final thought on the whole issue: most women's breasts are NOT identical... and a slight difference is not a bad thing. My natural breasts were not the same exact size (the one that is gone used to be bigger one... now it is just the smaller one).
BTW -- once you get nips you may find you're a LOT happier...
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Hi Lilah,
No, I have not posted a picture of myself in the picture forum.. (I don't have good lighting in my place so it was hard to get the right picture for Deborah.)
I'm so glad that I had this 2nd opinion appt. with another PS. It just confirmed what my initial PS told me so I feel like I'm ready to go forward w/ nipple reconstruction surgery coming up on 5/3.
I heard that nipples actually shrink alot after the nipple surgery. I'm wondering how much it will shrink on me..
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Ladies - I've been running around like crazy, getting ready to head out of town. Haven't had a chance to read posts the past couple of days....so sorry! I'll be in a place w/o internet - unless I can "borrow" from next door! - so I won't be able to check in. Y'all take care of each other and I promise to answer any questions I can when I get back late Sunday.
Wishing you all Easter and Passover blessings!!
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bump
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was anyone else sent home post exchange with the surgical bra (velcro in front) AND a velcro band/strap to wear over it? For the life of me I can"t get this to be comfortable and have no idea where on by boobs the velcro band is supposed to be placed!
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takeadeepbreath: I had to wear the Moreno bra and the strap goes over the top of the breasts to help it settle in and give it a more natural slope and maybe it also helps with the swelling. I had to wear it 24/7 for 4 weeks then just at night for a couple more.
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Thanks MBJ...Merena..that's the one...I have had it above -below -across,... above it will stay ...! I feel like a mummy.
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takeadeepbreath: I called it my torture torpedo boob bra. They look really weird in clothes and the only thing I could wear with it was a tee shirt and something to cover it! It does keep them in their place so keep your focus on the results, not what they look like now!
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Cindy: The same to you! You are right-they do deserve the prettiest bras! I call it my $100K + boob job. Puts the price of bras in perspective
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Cindy: LOL! That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?
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Hello Ladies,
I am not post exchange yet, 8 more weeks, but I really could use your expert advise. I am 7 weeks out from BMX with TE's filled to 750cc. I cannot seem to find any bra that does not kill my incisions under the breasts. Does anyone have any advice?
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Rnjules: The only bras I could wear were the Victoria's Secret No Wire Bras which have quite a bit of padding to them. I only had one side with and under the breast incision and most everything else was too painful to wear. Also, the zip up the front sports bras usually work because they have a wide band underneath.
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Greetings, ladies!! I trust you all had a wonderful weekend! Yes, I know it's well past the weekend, but I promised myself I'd clean my house before I got on the computer. Let's just say that I kept about half of my promise.....
Welcome, takeadeepbreath and Rnjules! We're happy you found our little group, and we hope you'll find some helpful advice here!
Going back over the posts I missed last week.........Thanks, Susansgarden for the Alloderm info. It seems that the majority of PS's now routinely use it for TE/implant reconstruction. Interestingly, my PS does use it, but only if he needs it to initially expand the TE at the time of placement. I have none - sound like our PS's have similar styles, valerie. That's rather uncommon, though, as my PS presented my case and another women's at the big PS conference last summer, and he said several PS's were interested in his technique, as they were impressed that such results could come w/o Alloderm. See....once again.....PS's have different styles in just about everything!
Wassin - sounds like you need a hug, girl! I'm really sorry you didn't get the answer you'd hoped. You obviously worked hard at your research and getting a second opinion, so you certainly tried. Everything he said does make sense, though. I know many of us - me, especially - have had worries over symmetry and have had to finally make peace with our bodies. We need to remind ourselves that most likely our natural breasts weren't symmetrical, so we shouldn't expect our fake ones to be. That resignation doesn't come easily, though, so feel free to come here and vent if you want.
takeadeepbreath - I didn't have that bra after exchange, but I most certainly had that damn band after my bmx and TE placement. You can imagine how much I loved that thing at that point in this adventure! Since my PS uses the short height TEs, he didn't want them migrating up, thus the band to keep them pushed down. Sound like your PS and MBJ's uses it for a similar result, just with the implants. Very interesting..... Hope you enjoy the torpedo bra as much as she did!
hillck - I SOOOOO agree with you on the pretty bra issue.....and I've stuck to it since my exchange! Be careful, though, 'cause you might find yourself wanting to wear only beautifully matched sets of bras and panties, too.......I'm just saying that perhaps that happend to someone else.....
And yes.....boobs (and foobs) absolutely have superpowers.....you have no idea the number of guys who now strike up conversations with me in the grocery store! Rnjules - We need to work on putting together a list of good bras for IMF incisions, as they're becoming increasingly popular due to nipple-sparing mx's. A couple weeks ago, we had the same question, so I'll look back and find what the recs were.
*****If you have IMF incisions and have bras that you recommend for early post-op wear (that don't irritate the incisions), please PM me with the manufacturer and style number, so I can add them at the beginning of this thread. I need to work to edit it anyway. Thanks, ladies!!
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Finally got measured at Nordstrom's... and bought a cute Chantelle bra in a... wait for it... 32DD. Hot damn! Weeeeeeeeeeeee! Happy Friday all!
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Erica - wahoooo!!!!!!!! 32DD?!?! I cannot wait to get fitted at Nordstrom's. I had just called over there to make an appt with the MX fitters and the woman I spoke with filled me in that Nordstrom's will file with your insurance (if Nordstom's accepts your ins.) if you go with a prescription from your Dr. I had NO idea of this until just now, if you are looking to go back and purchase more bra's, check with your insurance (and Nordstrom's) and see if this could work for you. I was going to go and purchase there no matter what, but how awesome that they accept insurance? She mentioned that it could be somewhere like 80% covered for a certain amount of bras - now at Nordstrom's that's a pretty big chunk of change to save! Maybe this is common knowledge around here, but since I haven't ventured out of my sports bras yet, I may be a bit behind on these things ;-)
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Erica: Wow, a 32DD--That's amazing. You must have lost some weight, too, because at one time we had the same band width, as I am a 34DD.
Val: Magical powers of the Foobs, LOL! My DH also seems to be under the spell of them. It's kind of empowering, huh? You already know my suggestions, which are all the VS No Wire Bras. I love all of them for comfort and they even have a plunge, push up one.
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fire-dancer & MBJ: Right?!?! She had me try a DD on in another brand (I forget what it was) and it was definitely too big. They she brought in the Chantelle's, and said I'd probably fit in the 32DD in those and voila... I did! When she said the size, I said "No way!" but it's so comfy! I'm seriously in shock over that number because I feel like I LOOK like a big B, maybe small C. Crazy, these implants!
Megan, I made the appt there too (to coincide with my PS appt since they're close but both about 45 minutes from me). She was their MX lady ("certified fit specialist"), and I loved her. So nice, and helpful. I heard about insurance possibly covering bra's, but I didn't know Nordstrom's took insurance for it!! I bought just this one bra (for a whopping $76!! Well, my DH bought it for me = ) Nice boy) but I just looked on eBay and there are a slew on there that I almost bought, and for literally 1/3rd the price, so I'm gonna buy a couple on there. And I bet you're gonna be a 30DD or somewhere close to that!
Mary: I wassss 152 lbs, and now I'm 148 (without the implants, I'd be 146.5) and naturally, I lose weight up top when I lose. NOT in the boobs (nor had I ever gained it there) but I always get bonier in my collar bone and between the foob area. Why not my thighs, huh?? Argh. I did buy some wireless bra's from Victoria's Secret at 34D. You think those are okay then since they're not European? If I have to return oneee more bra, I may kill.
And just for the record... guess who ISN'T a boob man? Yeah, my hubby. Well, at least I never had to get my a$$ removed. That would've made him super sad. Hahahahaa!
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Erica: My DH is a butt man too, but my how things have changed, lol!!! He is absolutely fascinated and now chases me around the house. I am just glad he loves them almost as much as I do! If I weighed 148, I would be in a 32 band, too. You are right, they really don't look like the size we measure out to, that's why they say don't get caught up in the numbers as they really look much smaller especially in clothes.
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ericavw - I love the Chantelle' s too, also a 32DD. Now you know your size you can order from e-bay - I got some for $20 new - much better than $80 at Noordstroms!0
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Hey all-
I have the incision in the fold and started wearing Warners Elements of Bliss Bra (style 2003-no underwire) both day and night starting day 5 post op...they are around $25 on line BUT>>>> TJMaxx had 2 packs for $16 yesterday! I got them in white/tan/black 34B. They give really nice cleavage- very soft and comfortable and I feel like there is really good coverage. Lightly padded-looks perfect under tight t shirts...link below for pics:
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vmudrow: Seriously!!! Very glad I got fitted, so now I can shop away! And of courseee... I saw the bra my hubby just bought me last night (that I'm wearing, naturally) for $24.99. Grrr.
Mary: I'm cracking up at the chasing you around the house... lol!!! My hubby and I were out to dinner last night after Nordy's, and he says jokingly "Just don't get butt cancer, okay??" Lol!! And you're 3" taller than me. If you were 148, you may be see through... or getting close to see through. Haha. I know you're a fan of the VS wireless bras as well (so comfy!!) what size do you wear in those? I'm hoping my 34D's I bought were the correct size for me. Gah!
takeadeepbreath: I like those bras! They look so comfy!!
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You girls are having WAAYYY to much fun over here! 0
