Implant Exchange (oYo) ~ Anyone go/stay SMALL?? (B cup)
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Excellent question and Id love to know too! PS is sending me home in a velcro front bra for 2-3 weeks and then I can wear whatever and after reading everyone else's experience, im like HUH? Ill have to get a better answer out of him!!!
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I thought I better check back in here even though I am still flat as a pancake. I have my last chemo next Tuesday so excited about that. I am hoping that surgery will happen to restart the reconstruction the first week of August.
Just to chime in on some of the discussions about sizing, etc. I did go to Whippetmom to check on her opinion as I just wanted to see what a second opinion would be. Seems like I got second, third and fourth opinions on everything else, why wouldn't I for size? She completely agreed with my ps, so I felt much better.
My ps generally only uses high profile or moderate plus. He said he feels that as a rule the medium and low ones spread out too much. In my case, he recommended moderate plus, and after reading hear I was paranoid that I really needed high profile. AFter more research I decided he was exactly right for me.
Too bad I ended up with pseudomonas and had to start over!
I love reading this topic. It is my favorite!
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So much to catch up on!!!
Susan, I soooo loved your pic from the Komen day. Glad you made a great wknd of it with your hub...thanks for sharing your thoughts on the day itself, seriously, all that sugary food seems insane?!?! hellloooo, sugar = bad news for bc, right?!?!? I just woulda thought the organization would support a better "menu"...interesting to hear how the other Komen race was different...Sandy, so glad you enjoyed the race!!!
Lago - I second-guessed just about EVERYTHING as exchange got closer, I totally get the panic, but am glad your mind is put to ease after you talked to the office...my PS told me he almost "always" uses mid-profile, but in my case went high profile because of my requests for projection and smaller chest wall "boobage" ;-) ...wishing you allllll the best!!!
As far as the stripper boob-thing, to be honest, yes...my boobs are bigger now, but even at high profile they don't look all that fake and stripperish while dressed, tanks, Tee's, whatever, I feel pretty normal next to the average woman boob-size-wise...but today on the beach (my first major "unvieling" of the girls) I did feel like they could be "fake" looking while lying on my back...in a triangle-bikini top they sat right where they were supposed to...I wasn't bothered by it as much as I marveled at how impressive they were ;-) ... not stripperish, but pretty damn amazing after recalling last summer's boobs being non-existant while laying on my back at the beach! (and just to note, yes, I would take my "old girls" back in a second if it meant none of this "bc nonsense!")It's all a process of getting used to the new you, and I can tell you as much as I do love my new boobs here at 10-plus weeks exchange, I still have lots to learn!
I definitley had to put my faith in my PS after I said a gazillion times what I was looking for. I didn't know until exchange what I would wind up with, and that freaked me out until I let go of it and just trusted that he's the expert and truthfully, he was right on with the size...
As far as to "bra or not to bra..."
...that is the question!!!! As I sit here typing I haven't worn a bra alllll day. I woke up, put on my bikini top, showered, then put on just a tank. I must say that this is not the norm every day. I have been religious about bras, but since I like where my boobs are now, I let 'em loose every now and again.
...the best was I went to the beach ALONE today...(kids still in school and I couldn't resist the weather!!!) I wanted to tan my back, so I "discreetly" dug 2 holes in the sand, laid my towel down and felt more comfortable on my belly than I have in MONTHS!!! I forgot what being flat and laying straight on my stomach felt like, a piece of heaven!!!
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Megan! Soooo awesome about the beach! Jealous! Well, unless you fried and then, Im right there with ya! I have been peeling for 2 weeks now and its been too hot to be outside at all! LOL
Hey are you around this summer? I want to drive up and show you the new girls if you'd like to meet for a drink! Oooh, I should PM this....
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Sue
yes, yes, yessss!!!!!
I have said this before but will say it again, my boobs want to be seen by you, and I'd love to meet yours!!!
...sounds wierd, but you get where I'm coming from, right?!?! 0 -
Wah ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! I sent a PM! I think you might be the first non-medical or non-husband flash I will get to do too!!!
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Hey all - in from Pre-op!!! Looks like Ill be the first surgery of the day on Monday.....YIPPIE!!!! Nothing earth shattering to tell - same old stuff. PS ordered a pregnancy test which made me laugh. Technically its possible but the thought of it....YIKES. LOL
I CANT WAIT!!!!!
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Suebee lots of hospitals require a pregnancy test before surgery. A friend of mine had to have one too. Odd but my PS didn't even give me an order for a blood test at my pre-op. Should I be getting one? I haven't had one since January 18th, my last chemo.0
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Yes I know I had to have one because I still get periods....I didnt think about why I needed the pee test last time. I am not having any blood work or EKG this time either. So I guess its not so uncommon there.
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The nurse who took me back from the surgery waiting area to the pre-op staging area had another woman and myself do a urine test first. Funny how I am such a follower and just do as I'm told because it never occurred to me that's what it was for! And Lago, my PS said they need blood work within 3 months of surgery.
Megan, I am so jealous of your beach stories! We're 3 hours away from the beach but you can bet I've been dreaming about it every day!
I've come to the conclusion that my 400's look pretty darn good naked, and probably pretty good in a bathing suit. They just get squished in clothes, especially the sports bra the PS has me wearing. But I'm kind of liking my new options. Bigger one day with padded bra, flat the next with my sport bra. I think I'm going to treat them like a brand new car for a long time though. You know, keeping them secure, protected, and afraid of that first "scratch".
Speaking of periods, I had 2 while on the Tamoxifen, then nothing for about 6 weeks. Now it started back up again!
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BTW, are you post exchange ladies doing the mandatory massages? My PS said do it several times a day for months, then back off to twice a day at 6 months.... I'm having trouble getting used to this one...
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SandyBeach why don't you have your husband help you out with that. I bet he'd enjoy it more than you do. How you feeling?
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So much to catch up on in such a short time!
So interesting on some PS's preferring high of mid range etc. And different recommendations on bras after surgery. Still amazes me that they are all so different!
I am SO jealous of you Megan! Being able to spend the day in a bikini and tank and hang out at the beach with no kids! Besides the fact that I work... we are lucky if it hits 70 here most of the summer! And interesting about the girls poking out straight when you lay down. Mine behave like "normal" breasts? When I lay down they kind of slope out to the sides? I'm gonna hafta ask the PS about that!
That will be so cool if you and Sue meet up!!! Maybe Sue can take pics and post 'em for ya!
First surgery of the day! Yay Sue! ... I'll cross my fingers that you aren't pregnant!
That made me laugh when they told me they had to test for that too. Reminds me of when I was reading through the "disclaimers/warnings" on breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. It actually said you may not be able to breast feed after mastectomy surgery. Really?! lol!Sandy ~ I'm glad you are starting to embrace your new girls! And definitely don't judge them in a sports bra!! Those always flatten me out! And like ya said... we can "plump em up" in a padded bra and still have the option of a leaner look without one. Lots of options!
One other thing I was talking about with my hubby is that I'm working on losing some weight...and what's cool about it is that your boobs won't get any smaller (like they normally would) as you lose weight!And regarding massages.....my PS doesn't have me doing anything specific. He said I could but didn't indicate it was "required"? Another thing to ask him!
Fluffqueen ~ Congrats on you upcoming last chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lago, I feel great! Just trying not to overdo it as I can feel the pain between my breasts when I overexert.
Susan, I actually got a picture diagram from my PS's office on how to massage the breasts. It's pretty graphic! The asst told me this was to keep from getting capsular contracture. She had an augmentation a few years ago and she said after moving from one house to another, she had really strained her muscles and her implants didn't feel right so she massaged them then too. She said it's something to be aware of forever... hmmmm.
Regarding weight, I was more worried that if I gained, my breasts wouldn't, and that might look funny too! Susan, I like your thought process better!
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Sandy, I thought about the boobage size disadvantage of gaining too! ...but quickly pushed that notion outta my head! lol!
I will def ask the PS more specifics about the massaging. I do remember him mentioning it.
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Had to post this. It's just that funny:
Are the implants that soft? My old dense tissue breasts didn't seem to be that smooshy even doing a mammogram! (Click image for source)
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YUP!! That's what my PS showed me! Freaked me out when he first did it.. I thought they would pop! Yes, they are that squishy! ...(but mine aren't quite that big, lol!)
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He had me doing it from the side though....because of my incision.
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I just showed that to my DH....he said that just doesnt look right!! Wow...I certainly cant do that NOW! I guess Ill add that to my list of post op questions!!! Susan I think Megan and I will get to see each other! Not sure if she'll let me take pix LOL...now THAT would be awkward!!! We'll be just to close NOT to get together!!! I wish we all could meet someday!
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OMG that massage looks s-c-a-r-y. Do women really do that? I would be afraid of popping!
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Yeah...not exactly the "romantic massaging" lago was probably invisioning!! lol! In fact, now I remember my PS saying that "massaging" isn't exactly the right word for it!
I just think that is so cool that you and Meg get to see eachother! I really hope we can meet one day too!!!!!!!!!
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I looks more like a "mammogram hand job" 0
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LOL!!!!
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ok, that pic freaked me out!!! I was defintley not told about any massaging like that...something tells me I would remember that "tid bit"!!! ...geesh, I think I must be babying my boobs because in no way do I ever really squeeze the crap out of them. What I do for massage is mostly along the incision-line...and scar tissue stuff. I give my boobs a quick rub-down, which I guess would be massage in the shower, move em a bit but nothing too hard-core. Wow, do I need to actually squeeze em? So Susan, you do a variation of that? I'm gonna aska bout that one at my next visit
...and Susan, about my boobs when I lay down, they definitley fall to the sides a bit, but don't do anything like what they used to, I was completely flat as a board when I laid down bra-less. Now there is still some boob 'up there'. Definitley not freaky, like "wow, look at her boobs!" but much more feminine than what they were before! ;-) I also have a bony chest wall & ribcage so I think because there's not alot of padding I notice it. I am totally ok with it. I think I'd be more nervous if they fell "too far" into my armpits...I was worried about that happening because of my pocket work, but so far so good...
Wahoo for pre-op, Sue! It's great to be the 1st surgery of the day, less wait-time...
As far as pregnancy tests, I don't recall it, I had blood taken before the bmx, and chest xrays, but no blood or tests prior to exchange. Hmmm, what? did they think I wasn't getting any "action between the bmx and exchange?!?!
...in all reality there's no way I could be preggers, anyway...well, without my hub wondering how? He took care of "business" after our kids...I'd have some real explaining to do about that on!!! ;-)Sandy, I'm psyched for you that you are getting used to your new girls! It is nice to have the option to boost em up in a bra, or go more natural in a sports bra. After all that shopping at Nordies, I find myself wearing the basic T-shirt bras I purchased, totally not hip & sexy but my boobs look natural and that's the look I like better than all cleavagy, at least so far, I haven't been anywhere fun yet, no hot dates with the hub since exchange where I want to get in the push-up bra with padding, I'd probably not be able to handle myself, anyways!!!
...I'd be all boob-obsessed instead of enjoying a night out! As far as the beach and the weather, it was like 95 yeserday, that is too hot for New England weather in June, but we do go to the beach as much as possible...I took the kids and played hooky from school last week and my hub (he's a HS principal) wasn't thrilled with the idea of me taking them out of school again, so I went alone...I did sneak to their schools and grab them early though!!! (the girls are in Kindergarten and 2nd grade, really, what are they gonna miss?!?!) There's no A/C in our schools here, so it gets super-hot! ...I did have a case of the "guilts" as I sat there in my chair, ALONE, that never happens to me, but man, it was a good day!
but a side-note about the beach, I wear sunscreen all the time,but purchased a sun-stick for application to my scars. Even though they are covered by my suit, well incisions are, the drains can be seen at times, I have applied the stick to the entire incision and drains prior to "suiting up". I am hoping that the extra protection, even though they are covered will keep my scars healing well. What do you think about drain scars? mine are really faint now, I apply the sun stick, but really, they are going to be exposed sometimes. Will sunscreen be enough?
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Megan ~ you crack me up!
... I love how if you went out for the night with the push-up bra.. YOU would be boob-obsessed! That would totally be me too!! And yeah.. my PS showed me to do that "uber squishing" exercise! Though , it was more when I had the TE's. Heck, I'm confused now.. maybe he did tell me to do that?
Good for you to play hookey with your girls! Like ya said.. at that age.. what are they going to miss... and they got an extra fun day with mommy!
Regarding the drain scars...mine are real faint now too. I would think sunscreen would be enough? Fortunately/Unfortunately I don't think I'll need to worry about that much here in the Pacific NW! "Bathing suit only" opportunities only come up a handful of times over the summer! ~ Plus, quite awhile ago I gave up my "suntanning days" (and bikini days for that matter! lol!). I think the tanning just makes my skin look older
.... thank god for tanning lotions! 0 -
me too, never been a "tanner" I wear the self-tanners and load on the sunscreen at the beach. I love the beach, but the sun doesn't love me! I turn red, freckle then a few days leter am white again...I agree on preserving the skin, I don't need to age myself by worshipping the sun, I think this year aged me enough!
no need to tack any more wrinkles on, thanks! The Pacific NW might not be "beachy-sunny" but I think its is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, when I visited I was blown away by the beauty!
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Your skin sounds like mine!! When I'm "tan" ... if I put my arm next to an "actually tan" person it looks more red than tan. And I have a lot o' freckles/moles.
I've lived here my whole life so sometimes I forget about the beauty here. It is kinda cool how green it is (how could it NOT be without all this rain!) and how we have big white mountains on one side and ocean on the other. I would love to visit more of the east coast though. We did a trip to DC, Jamestown, Pittsburgh etc a couple years ago and I was fascinated by all the history..and it was alot greener & prettier than I thought it would be! There are so many places I would like to visit in this lifetime....even if I had the money... i don't think I'd possibly have the time to see them all!
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I agree, there are so many places I have yet to see, one summer we spent a couple months at National Parks, camping and seeing the country. Even after that trip I am left with a list of places I need to see some day, particularly up in your "neck of the woods". I found Northern Cali up to Washington state completely breathtaking!
...sometime I'll get back and see the west coast! ...someday! :-)
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Oh how fun to just explore the country all summer! Advantages of having a hubby with a "summer off" job, huh?
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What, didnt I ever tell you that my superpower is that I can reflect the sun? Everyone tans around me BUT ME! Even if I did have a bikini body, you would not be able to discern me from the sand on any given New England beach. LOL
And as for boob growth/shrinkage....after I lost my weight last year my boobs virtually disappeared. Ugh it was so sad. I cant gain ANYthing back or it would totally defeat the purpose of augmentation!
Susan Ive been through Seattle twice (layovers on our way to Japan or back) and I loved it. I could live there but DH hates the clouds. As much weather as we got in New England, it was sunny even in the winters. Ohio? Well the jury is out whether we like it here. I miss 'home' in MA so much!!!
Megan I love the pushup bra - boob obsessed thing too.....LOL. I have a feeling Ill be obsessed for quite some time to come...but I have GOT to stop talking about them to my non-cancer friends. They are getting so tired of me!! I think they are excited for my Eday so I will just shut up about it!
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