Exchange City

((( little Annie)))       I STILL read your card you sent me...:)     SISTER. SOMEDAY you HAVE to come to VEGAS... and it should be in 2010... SERIOUSLY... it is NOT that much mulla....

JAN.. is Judy the "tiny ta ta" lol.... who is who??

I am a tiny ta ta at 5 ft tall... so not poking fun here...:)

Maura, Big hug!  I really struggled with anxiety and depression just before the exchange as well.  The day of surgery was like one long anxiety attack but I didn't realize it until 3 days later when I was having muscle spasms and took a valium.  I was suddenly a new person from the release of anxiety.  Maybe ask for something to help, especially the day of surgery.  I'm not a fan of drugs but when you need them, there's no point in denying it!  So many of us have huge amounts of anxiety before exchange.  I don't even think there's a single good explanation for it, it just is, so do your best to breath through it and know that things are going to be fine, I've yet to see somebody come out looking like a freak, there may be some tweaking but no freaks around here.

Julie 

Hey Ladies

I had a bi lat mastectomy with TE expanders on March 4. My PS put in 300 cc in immediatly  and boy did I feel the pain when I got home. The pain has calmed down some and yesterday got my first fill, wasn't bad at all. Today kinda soar, but taking pain killers and just dealing with it. I was not prepared for these TE at all, they really do feel like iron cast in your chest. I try am massage them and everything, warm bath, stretch, anything for a minute of relief.

Anyway by my PS putting in 300 cc to begin with I should not have long to go. I was only a C cup before my mastectomy and a C cup is were i want to stay. Right now these things feel bigger than that. I'm getting anxious and I just begun...lol

 I was wondering were can I go to see the pictures of some of the women that have completed the process, I cant find it in the forum.

Thanks Ladies a.k.a Fighters

Thanks everyone for the support and advice about my meltdown today. I'm usually the strong one and this just blindsided me. Tonight is my youngest daughter's 15th birthday, so it was nice to have something to focus on. The days are long when I'm by myself, so I've called the local senior center to pick up some shifts serving food and reading to the seniors. It should be a good way to take my mind off my own neurotic self. Your kindness in taking the time to share your experiences was so helpful, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Maura

Thanks for the good wishes all! Laura, I think you're right about this being a very positive step.

I finally got DH to take a really good look at my girls last night. He'd been wondering why I was even contemplating a revision when I look okay in clothes. He immediately agreed that a slight tweak on the prophylactic side would make a huge difference, since it is noticeably lower and larger.

I plan to mention it to the surgeon when I see her today, although I won't do anything about it until fall (after swim season). Not sure if I'll have to hold off on tattoos until after the revision??

Maura:  What a wonderful idea to be able to focus on something else other than BC and help someone else!  Good for you!  I know if I didn't have to work (disabled spouse) I would have been doing some kind of volunteer work myself.  It does help keep everything in perspective and there are people who do have life harder than we all do. 

Texas: YES.  hold off on the tattoos until after all is said and done.  then wait at least  3 months until everything settles into place.  JUDY

Ladies,  I'm having severe doubts if I am ready to to have my nipple/areola done in a couple of weeks.  As many of you know I am not happy with my results due to asymmetry and lack of projection.  My pictures are on the Timtam site.  I just feel that if I do the nipple, that I am  accepting this as my final outcome & I don't want to do that!  I emailed my ps yesterday about my concerns & of course he wants to see me.  I have an appointment on Monday, but do I really want to start this LONG process over???  Trying a high profile silicone implant on my healthy breast (which probably isn't covered under insurance) and additional fat grafting on the foob side for projection???  Or are these self doubts coming from me tapering off the Effexor I've been on for a year for hot flashes???  So many questions...so much confusion...you all are my go to ladies to help me through this!  Thanks!

Hood.. Joyce...

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))

I HATED EFFEXOR.. but it served its purpose... and I am through Meno.. and THROUGH with Effexor..

Do me a favor. Call your insurance Co. and ask " if" they pay for your symmetry. THEY SHOULD... but call and ask. If they say YES... then If I was you...since you are having these feeling now.. I would forgo the nips and get those girl evened out to where you want them. I bet you could have all this done in April/May.. and then do the nips in  July/Aug. Both surgeries will require little downtime.. and maybe only a few weeks off work.

Anyway.. start by calling your insurance and asking . This can get you started on really making your decision. Either way you do... 2010 will STILL be your END year !!!

Hood, I agree with Laura.  Do the symmetry fix first, then the nips.

I am also short, 5 feet flat.  But my TE's are huge, with 800 cc capacity.  At 640 cc's right now, they don't look that huge.  I told my PS that I am happy the size I am right now.  He said he wants to expand up to 800 or 850.  He had that planned all along, and I thought he was crazy.  I guess he knows my body more than I do.

Brenda 

Laura, did you have radiation?

Hood, I was going to look at your pics to give feedback and I can't find them either.  What name are you using on that forum?

I'm a little asymmetrical as well but I've decided that it's not worth a fix for me and am going ahead with nipples in two weeks.

Julie 

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((TEXAS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Texas. how did he do this?  Where did the PS take up skin on the prophy side?  My right is 1/2 " lower than my left, and I'm wondering what my PS can do before nipples.  How wonderful that he seems to have even you up!  Congrats to you!