Exchange City
Comments
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Nadeza, I see what you're saying. I guess I would ask how much the PS would expect the lifted side to drop. I'm kinda going through the same questions. My right side hasn't dropped as much as the left, there seems to be a specific area that doesn't want to release. I don't know, maybe it never will but I have nipples scheduled in 2 weeks. I'm going to see my PS Monday to see if I should wait since that side hasn't dropped, my question is going to be if it drops how much difference will it make in the symmetry of the two nipples. I'm okay with them being a little off, I've had good results so far and the small things like that don't bother me at this point. If they look really off, I'll be very unhappy though. You are blessed to have one natural nipple, I can see how it would make wanting the other less of a big deal. In your case, I could see waiting till you know what the natural side will do. On the other hand with one natural and one not, will they always being fighting gravity in different ways so maybe waiting doesn't really matter???Annie and Karen, Good luck! The waiting is the worst but figure most of the time, the news is good. Unfortunately we know what the bad news feels like all too well!Kristen, Yippy no pain!! I find that I still wake up sore if I don't wear a bra at night. Patty, Ahh so glad to hear you didn't have nausea, I know you were dreading that! Sounds like things went well, can't wait to see how they progress. My mom works in a GI clinic and was just telling me that you can mix 1 cup prune juice, 1 cup apple sauce and 1 cup unprocessed bran keep it in the fridge and start by taking 1 tablespoon 3 times a day then adjust as needed.KristenPInk, Are you asking about breast massage or massage of the incision? I think the incision is okay but the breast should wait. Julie0
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Thank you so much for the well wishes, healing vibes and prayers for Monday!
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Julie, a little bit off is a LOT off visually in a nipple.. JUDY
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I have a question similar to Julie's question. It seems like my right foob is 1/2" lower than my left one. I see that it has dropped (due to less upper pole fullness), but the right hasn't, probably due to tight skin along the bottom of it. The left was always a little higher than the right after the surgery, so I don't think the problem is worsening over time.
When I wear an underwire bra, the difference is not visible. But, I'm wondering how many of you have differences like this? How much should I stress about this or should I just be happy that they look pretty good? DH is happy with how they look... I want to see the PS soon to ask his advice. Another trick is I still have my areolas, which are pretty even - though he can make adjustments with them when he does the nipples. So confusing.
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Kristinka: Maybe you should wait for the other one to drop before you make a change to your areola. The tight skin might change with massage and the weight of the implant?
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Congratulations to you, Patty! My favorite bra is a Natori as well - so comfortable. Best wishes with your healing.
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Julie~
Thanks for you input. I guess I am worried about that symmetry with the nipples if my lifted side settles down south. Right now I have accepted how they look together so I'm not looking forward to asymmetry issues again!! I think if they (nipples) are not balanced it would drive me crazy!! As of now...having just one nipple...well...it does not bother me. My DH doesn't mind either.
Kristenka~
Say..I hope you take a pic of yourself from a side view & post it on the pic forum. Why you may ask? I was curious..if you had an areola sparing MX...I am thinking you probably have most of your projection intact?? This is the problem with us uni's. I think this is the ONLY problem we face. It may be too late for me....I wish I knew of these options of different procedures. I would think an areola sparing or nipple sparing would lead us to a better outcome... This is only my opinion of course.
Good to chat with you all again!
NAE
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Houston gals! Just letting you know there is going to be a speaker Monday night at support group on PET scans, MRIs, and CT scanning. This is the Memorial City area: 909 Frostwood #152 at 7:00pm. Thought this would be interesting. PM me if questions. Anyone is invited.
Wishing great results for everyone this week!
Deen
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Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes for tomorrow...I will be sure to post how it went.
Oh, yes, the waiting is just awful, no matter how far out you are. More reason to become as someone put it, wonderfully, here...my husbands "prophy" wife.
Karen, I am sorry I didn't get on here before!!! Sending all good prayers and white light to you along with asking angels to attend you during and after brain scan. Pls post when you get the (GOOD) results.
love to all
Annie
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Annie--Thoughts and prayers for tomorrow!! You need to let us know your GOOD results. I'll have mine Tuesday.
Hugs--Karen
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((((Annie))))) Praying for you girl!
((((Patty)))) - Congratulations! Cannot wait to see photos!
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Hi girls just wanted to let you know I got up the courage to post my pictures of my exchange on the picture forum !
They are under JustmeAlicia
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Luna - Praying that everything goes beautifully tomorrow, especially the IV!
Annie - Praying for you and your scans, too, girl!
Kristin - Do I remember correctly that you have alloderm in one side? If so, I'm wondering if that side is the one that's dropped more.....just a thought....from pics it seems that the alloderm foobs seem to have a better "droop" than those without (mine - essentially no droop).....
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Thanks for the information on the bra! I'l lhave to research them and maybe try one. Maybe I would feel a little better in my clothes right now. I think I changed clothes 3 times this morning when I got dressed for church. Everything I put on with my cami underneath just was too obvious I was so lop-sided right now. Thanks again!
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Hey Patti, my statuesque friend. So glad you are post exchange and it sounds like you are liking your results. I sent you a couple of messages on the 'expander ouch' thread wishing you well. I can't keep up on this EC thread; it moves so fast. But I was glad to see you here. I hope you are feeling better, and I agree with the prune juice theory, that is if it doesn't irritate your IBS. I'll bet you look wonderful. Can't wait to see pictures.
Best of luck with everyone having scans and other tests this week. And also for exchange girls coming up, WaaaHooooo. Boy are we gonna look hot this summer in our new bathing suits!!!
Bobbi
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Kristen/Val, I had a dermal product on both sides and one side is not dropping as much but that's an interesting observation. I put some little round bandaides on this morning to see how off a little off looks. One higher and one lower doesn't seem to make as much difference as one further to the side and one closer to the center. But I am a bit more concerned because Judy knows nipples and she says a little off is indeed a lot off. Judy, have you seen women who have one breast drop more than the other? Ugh, I want to move onto the next step but I don't want to regret it but I don't want to wait if the darn thing is never going to drop anyway.
Nadeza, I've been researching nipple articles for the past 3 hours and an interesting statement was made in one of the abstracts. It says that "Statistical analysis of the data revealed inferior patient satisfaction when there was a longer interval between breast mound and nipple areola reconstruction". It does not state why this occurs, I would think that it's psychological more than physical differences but don't know. Anyway, something to consider as you decide.
Val, Did your son get home. Except for yesterday, he was here for some great ski weather! We had cub scout rocket launches so we didn't make it to Santa Fe this weekend. Hoping to attempt a camping trip in 2 weeks though.
Julie
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That's interesting Julie...thanks! It seems that the longer the time passes the lesser the importance of that one nipple!0
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Yes, I'd have to agree with time passing for nip. I'm afraid if I wait till fall I won't want another procedure. I found my old notes from '91 and I had to wait 2 weeks to swim, but then it was a skingraft , so maybe the non graft ones don't have as much recovery? It was interesting to read the old stuff, unfortunately not much has changed. It's good to keep a log of what you're going thru.
Nae, I don't know, even tho I sagged and became uneven (due to expected sag made even more so by menopause), I was glad I had the nip. This contradicts what I said above, I do want to put the icing on the cake!! Just want to enjoy our short NE summer without procedure and recovery!
Best wishes this week to those going thru procedures!!Luna, Cnenth, Texas, Fairportladyand CDP!!!
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Alicia - You look WONDERFUL!!! Congratulations!!
Karen and Annie - We will be thinking of you both dear sistas!!!
To all having surgery this week - best wishes!!!! Cyber hugs going out to all of you as well!
3/22 - Luna5 - Re-exchange and Push-up Surgery
3/24 - Texas357 - Nips!!
3/25 - Cnemth - Nips!!
3/26 - CDB - Exchange surgery
3/26 - Fairportlady55 - Exchange surgery
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hey, Bobbi, (2Xsenough), how on earth are you?? Thanks for the well wishes; so nice of you. I no longer have an issue with the constipation but there was a great recipe in the post by juliempw (above) and I'm keeping it around just in case this happens again (thanks, Julie!). I'll check that other thread; I haven't been there for quite a while. I need to be checking in on some old friends!!
And my vote is, I want the "icing" on the cake. I may even want some candles. : )
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Julie: Very interesting. Are you bookmarking or saving the information you find? I wish there was a way to archive all of this stuff...0
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Annie and Karen.. dear ladies... I pray for your nerves and you scans.. girls... it will be ok!
All ladies having surgery GOOD LUCK !!!!! and 1 poke ONLY for everyone this week !
TEXAS... I pray special for you as you have nips this week. I know you know the chance you are taking. I PRAY FOR YOU!!! IT WILL WORK FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Luna5, Texas357, cnemth, CDB, fairportlady55: Hope you all have painfree surgeries and speedy recoveries!!
Annie and Karen: Prayers for you both for good reports on your scans!!
TCK
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Val - Yes I have allodrem on the right side, and that is the side that dropped a litte. The left side ain't goin' nowhere - it is HEMMED in there.
NAE - I think my projection is pretty good - I don't have that hamburger bun shape at all even when I look down. Perhaps this is due to the type of incision I had with the areolas still there. I just posted a side view, a top down view and a couple of others on TimTams side - would be happy to hear your advice about the diff. b/w the two. Thanks!
This thread moves at the speed of light...!
Good luck to Annie and Karen with your scans. Also, best wishes to everyone having surgery this week! May you all have swift recoveries.
Kristen
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Kristinka
My pain went away when i was allowed to massage and move more. Just a thought. I am sorry the nights are hard. That is frustrating. Are you back to work yet or do you still have time. Have big dept meeting tomorrow. hope it is not bad news.
Dani42---i will send you a private message and let you know who my surgeon is.
Made cookies tonight for the first time in a long time. probably used my arm/peck too much but damn those ch. chip cokies were good!
so tired at the end of each day and now my back problems are back to rear thier ugly head. 5 months before BC diagnosis I was diagnosed with begining spinal stenosis, two bulging disks (l4 and L5), arthritis in lower back, and scoliosis. Good times. sorry sometimes sarcasm is just needed.
nighty night
Kristen
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Julie, I have seen every variation of reconstructions, and believe me, when I say that the difference, though it seems small, can be huge, especially when you are putting an areola around it. I have actually make a 3D tattoo, and ignored the nipple to make them look even- this is where the nip was sort of flattened anyway...JUDY
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My best wishes for those having surgeries this week - may they all be successful and without complications.
Good night everyone. Chris
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Well I am back after going away on vacation last Wednesday (Atlantic City to celebrate my 50th -- which I will now forget actually happened and from now on I'm 45 again) and OMG there is a LOT to catch up on (6 pages in less that many days)! I can't (and should not) respond to everything but wanted to put a few things out there:
First, Laura: WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO that is SO great that all is clear and well for you 5 months post-Herceptin! I hear ya on getting back to fighting shape (though something tells me your pre-BC shape was MUCH better than mine
So in my case I just want good shape!
Kimberly -- you said you have Silicone memory gel implants... is that the same as gummies? Also: thanks for the info on how to get email notification of PMs! I had no idea.
Annie -- hope all went well with your tests. I'm sure that is nervous-making. I had a bone density a week or so ago (my doctor said because of the chemopause) and then they had me do an x-ray of my spine (because they wanted to confirm arthritis in my back but I knew it meant "making sure it isn't cancer")... so had the x-ray before I went away and while I was away they called to say the x-ray confirmed it IS just some arthritis... and luckily for me I have no pain from it (had no idea I had it)... but boy these tests do make your thoughts go to dark places.
Geena -- I saw you checked in on Saturday .... how are YOU doing?
Kristen -- woo hoo on the no pain! Hope it continues this way. And can you post a link to your favorite Natori bra? I am collecting links as I look forward to the day when I buy too many bras too
Nedeza -- do you know what the difference in projection IS between your two sides? I gather from my PS (as well) that it's difficult to match the projection on uni's... I'm still in a TE and will have a lift/reduction on my remaining breast, but I was surprised when she recently told me that it would not be so easy to match. I had not noticed a difference in the photos I was shown (but they WERE from the front, not the side) and while I'm sure she did tell me this was an issue I did not retain the info. I am disappointed about that... but still hoping that whatever the difference ends up being, I will be okay with it.
And I will add my good wishes to everyone having surgery this week!
Cheers,
Lilah0 -
Lilah - the memory gels are the smooth round silicone implants. The kind that can be cut in half and still stay in shape very cohesive.
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Oh well that is interesting Kimberly -- hmmm... well gummies are also cohesive gel and can be cut in half... so maybe similar? I am going to have a gummie at exchange and have heard they are not so soft... so since you are the lady who coined the YIPPEE SQUISHY phrase, well I am glad to hear that you have cohesive gels! (Just navigating my way through the unknown here... of course it will all be known soon).
Deborah maybe you can explain? Is it possible that one can have cohesive gel and NOT have gummies? Or are gummies JUST the anatomical, textured kind that I am going to be receiving? I know some on this site have not liked the feel of gummies.
Wendy -- your remaining implant IS a 410 (aka gummie) yes?
Lilah (who is idly revving her mind around the question of softness for no good reason
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