Exchange City
Comments
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Val -- thanks for the welcome back
I've been lurking but basically I'm in my busy season and so am not able to keep checking in as much (which means when I DO check in I have so much to read that a response, in most cases, is redundant or three days old -- so sorry!) Busy season ends in mid-May... followed immediately by surgery and a whole lot of rest!Brenda -- you are welcome to share those exercises any time it helps someone! They aren't mine (just ones given to me).
Happy surgery to all of you lucky ladies this week! Here's to easy and quick recoveries and fantastic results
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{{{{{{{Candi}}}}}}}}}}
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Alitman is searching for another PS right now as well. So newbie from Omaha....we will start working on this for you.
Deborah
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The link I posted basically stated that Myriad lost the case, where they can have a patent on gene testing. The ACLU took them to court. Not sure how this will all play out, but hopefully it means that the BRCA testing is available to more people.
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Hi Ladies
Looking for some advice. Had my exchange 3/26. My post op PS check is tomorrow afternoon. Wanted to get some feedback before i speak with him. My right breast is great size-wise. It was larger than the left during my TE fills, which he said he would correct at exchange (he didnt seem to think it was anything to worry about at all) I had equal volume of saline during the fills. His plan at exchange was to remove some scar tissue which I am assuming was the cause of the asymmetry. I dont even know where or which side it is, (I think it is the right larger side because during one fill he squeezed it to break up an area of encapsulation) I cant feel it but with the TEs I couldnt feel anything anyway. My left breast is smaller, and too small in terms of what I started with before BMX: the R is just where I used to be. (implants are 300cc: perfect for my small frame) At the exchange he could only do the exchange and not any scar tissue removal or "tidying up" because of the bleeding disorder I have (there was excessive bleeding during the exchange which neither of us expected , I didnt respond to medication I was given to prevent it) Immediately post op he told me this and said at my post op check he would show me how to massage the area to break it up. I had nipple sparing bmx and the nipples look great (left areola has a few depigmented areas but both nipples are pink and do become erect) Also looking in the mirror the nipples are even and pointing in the same correct direction.
My question is its been only 5 days since my exchange and I have read that 3 months from now things may look quite different than they do now, due to the dropping and fluffing . Im a little bit sad about the asymmetry and the smaller left breast but how disappointed should i be this soon out? I will talk to him about it tomorrow but I can say with certainty that unless there is a really major major problem (that would effect my health, not my body image) I am not going to be considered a candidate for additional surgery because of my bleeding issues. Im sure I will look fine in clothes and I dont want to be picky or greedy and lets face it, Im single and Im the only one who sees them anyway: but its still me and I would like to know what to expect. Thanks to anyone who has some experience to share. (I should say my bmx was prophylactic , it was the left smaller breast that had the hyperplasia and biopsy's but it wasn't disfigured at all)
Hope post op ladies are doing well and resting comfortably this week
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Hey all, it's been a minute since I have been on, life has started picking up pace again. I forgot to give my date for nipple reconstruction, I am having surgery on Good Friday, April 2, and will be out a week. I am still a little of kilter but my ps wants me to wait 6 months from day of exchange surgery before he does any revision. I hope the left side drops a little more, so that I can be finished with surgery.
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Smore, best of nips to you on Friday!!
Fairportlady, I'm sorry to hear how anxious you sound. Hoping that it is just too soon for accurate results, but am sure Deborah or someone with great knowledge will weigh in. I did have a lot of scar tissue on last implant that was removed in september. Was bruised from my armpit to my waist, now I am supposed to massage to keep scarring away with new implant, tho was told one side would always look a little different. To me, it's fine, so much better than before. Over the years of uneveness and various surgeries I would adjust bras, sometimes use a rubbery bra fill I bought at VS, sometimes just an extra bra fill pad on one side, till I discovered padded VS wireless contoured bra. They hide a multitude of problems! My encapsulated side didn't even fill entire cup, but it still held it's shape! I do hope with time you will even out more to your liking.
Speaking of bras! I have a new one to add to those seeking wireless! Calvin Klein wireless contour F2781-001. Simple look, nice fit, slight padding, nice shape, can even switch to a racerback. And are on 25% off sale at Bloomingdales(you can probably go to their online site). Also liked the Wacoal wireless with a pretty pattern in fabric, but calvin's were much less $.
Maggie, hope today is better. We all have those moments, and yes we all do get it!
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fairportlady - You should definitely give this more time. Things change on a weekly basis. I had a BMX with one side (left) having cancer and the other side (right) being prophylactic. I had my exchange surgery to silicone implants in November. As time went on it appeared that my left side was smaller than my right even though the same size implant (Style 20 - 650 ccs) was put in both. At my six week check up the ps said it would be no problem to swap out the one side with a larger implant but I had to wait a few months. The decision was up to me what I wanted to do. While it is not that noticeable when I'm dressed - it bothers me when I'm not. I decided to go for it and that surgery is scheduled for April 16th. PS will replace the left side only with a 700cc implant. I hope this has a good outcome because I already decided that however it turns out I am done with that part of my reconstruction. Don't think your being picky or greedy to want to have the best outcome possible. You have every right to be happy! I do think you need to give it more time because things will change.
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Kathy, please don't start worrying yourself so soon after surgery. From what everyone here says you and I both need to give our new foobs (and ourselves!) some time to adjust. Probably several months. Is it possible the larger one just has more swelling that needs to resolve?
Hugs to you,
Cindy
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Hi everyone!! I'm a little tired and trying to catch up.
My surgeon did a great job I think. He broke up the CC, lowered the one side (it was an inch or more higher) and he did liposuction of my tummy for the fat grafting he did to fill in the low areas. At the moment it is swollen, but soft, SOFT.SOFT!! I am so glad to be rid of those rocks...He used an Style 20, 600cc implant, as Deborah and I suggested.
Interesting. I had always said to him that I didn't want nipples built. He always seemed disappointed, and he was reminded that I am a tattoo artist, and still seemed disappointed. Well, guess what? He said the skin on the radiated side is so thin, that he doesn't think I could have nipples made... He really does not want to try to suture that skin again...
The surgery only took about an hour and a half, and I was home by noon. OF course I had to be in the hospital at 5.15am..didn't know that time existed!! they gave me EMEND for the post anesthesia nausea and it worked..YAY.
That last part of the story is that it is about an hour to the hospital, so we stayed overnight in a hotel to avoid getting up an hour earlier! Well, the car broke down on the way home and so I rode home in a tow truck!! I didn't know AAA had a medical priority so we didn't have to wait for them very long. All is well in the end, but do you believe it?
Thanks to all of you for you thoughts and prayers..I could feel them all coming toward me and it was very calming to know all my sisters are there for me, and wishing me well. You have no idea what that means...I love you all, JUDY
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I am also interested in getting a name of a good PS in Omaha as I am not happy with my results and would like to get a second opinion.
Thanks in advance for any leads!
Mary
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Judy -- Wahoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fairportlady ~ I think just give it time. Hopefully they settle in and the size difference gets less noticeable then it is to you now. I think I have one bigger then the other too --- not sure. And for some reason I am one that doesn't really care. Think I am just ready to stop thinking about cancer.
Judy ~ woo HOO for you. SOOO sorry about your car breaking down, I cannot imagine riding home in a tow truck after surgery. I hope you are feeling okay.
Hope everyone is doing good !
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Fairportlady: What is it your PS wants you to "break up" with your massage regimen? Do you have capsular contracture? Why don't you email me photos and let me see what is going on and see what I can recommend for you. I would also ask for a hematology referral so that you can have your bleeding "disorder" evaluated further. I would want to know what is going on in that regard. PM me if you want to email me photos...or post them on the pictures forum....
mhm: I have to tell you NE gals that this is the most difficult state in the U.S. I have encountered for locating good plastic surgeons. I do not know what it is about that pocket of the U.S., but I have had more problems with NE than any other state. So I am researching this for you. Our other new poster before you mentioned a female PS and I will do a little research on this plastic surgeon - as she is at least one name I have not heard of in the past year.
So hang in there....perhaps later on this afternoon I will have some names for you Omaha gals...
Deborah
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Glad you made it home safely Judy!!! WHo new AAA had medical priority!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Deborah -- I'm surprised to hear that you have trouble finding good Plastic Surgeons in New England! Boston is a hotbed of very good medicine and there are a number of excellent hospitals there (and it's where my family is).
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Lilah: As a born and bred Connecticut girl, I thought the same thing, then realized that the abbreviation for Nebraska is NE.
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Yeah Judy!!!
Thought you all might enjoy this. Colleen
A group of 40-year-old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the waiters there were good looking and had buff bodies.
10 years later at 50-years-of-age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.
10 years later at 60-years-of-age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.
10 years later at 70-years-of-age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the restaurant was wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.
10 years later, at 80-years-of-age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they had never been there before.0 -
Sunsnow -- OMG you're right! (Sorry Deborah -- NM
Colleen -- LOL!
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Congrats to you, Judy!!! And good for AAA - that's a nice benefit. Happy healing to you.
Colleen, your fipples look fantastic. I think I'm having mine done in June, so I won't be able to hide those suckers behind any sweaters or scarves.
Fairportlady, I agree with the others - it is just so soon after your surgery, and the foobs really take several weeks to settle down. Best wishes to you and take it easy, girl.
Maggie, I can so relate to your feelings of being totally overwhelmed. My job situ.ation is stressful these days, I've got three kids at home (who seem to need me all at the same time), and a husband writing his first book under great time pressure. On Friday I thought I just wasn't going to make it, but this week is better.
Colleen, these aging stories are getting funnier and funnier for me these days....
Anyway, I am reserving a room in LV for the TaTa weekend and I don't have a roomie. If anyone is hoping to share a room, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll reserve a single. I'm already looking forward to a girls gettaway weekend. No kids allowed, anywhere.
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I'm home sick with a nasty chest cold. This is the third time I have been sick since my diagnosis in late october. (not counting the BC) I have two school projects to work on with my boys and Easter dinner to host. Working hard not to get depressed about the fact that I am not well...again.
JenJo: Welcome to EC and welcome to the 300 club! It is great to have you here! Vent, cry, rejoice on EC!
Bobbi: I have the same thing it seems. My PS told me to massage a lot! I just got a script for PT (specialized for recon patients in my area) so I will pass on any info that the PT gives me about getting rid of the stitches.
Maggie66: Be careful about working! As you have read I am sick again. Take vitamins, wash your hands a lot, and take care of yourself. I am non-tenured, 2nd year, and my pay is being docked as we speak because of lack of sick days.
Val16: Are you kidding?! You are so in. You helped me out long ago as someone with a small frame and small ta-tas to begin with. You are a 300 club member!
Juliempw: You are in as well!! Anyone that was below 300 or in the 300 range is in. Us smaller babes need to stick together!
Fairport: I am sorry you are not happy with your immediate results. But Deborah (whippetmom) will be able to shed some light on what you are seeing. PLUS it is a good idea anyway for your own records to take pictures. It helps you to be a more well informed pateint when you have your PS appts. Give it time. Also in a little bit you will be able to go bra shopping and play around with padding/different styles that will help a lot.
Kristen
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Judy: I can't wait to see the unveiling! Be careful, though, and take your time. Pamper yourself...
Brenda
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I forgot to say..
I have no drains (wahoooo) and only 2 little bandanges under my breast in my IMF and a couple of steri strips- scattered around, where they did liposuction. So everything is in plain sight. Amazing really.
I can shower right away, and I am to remove the little bandages after two days. Then I wait for the steri-strips to fall off on their own. I am on Vicodin for pain-as needed- don't need much- , and on a prophylactic antibiotic- Keflex- for 7 days. AND, I'm being waited on hand and foot...JUDY
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WONDERFUL JUDY!
I am also very glad your PS advised against nips for you. Too big a risk IMO. I am SO SO SO happy you are home and resting with NO DRAINS!
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Just posted the pic of my new nips. While I'm not as completely thrilled with my new girls as some of you ladies because of the way my rads side is acting, I knew the risks of going this route and had previously told my PS that I was willing to sacrifice some appearance to avoid the LD Flap procedure.
SO unless the CC gets worse, think I'm through with everything but the tats. Woo hoo!
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YAY!!!!! Judy!!!!!
And wouldn't you just be the one who gets to ride home in the cool truck! Couldn't let this surgery pass without a good story, huh?
Thanks for the heads up on how to get a quick response from AAA. You do know this has just gone global? There will be a rash of medical emergency calls.
So glad you are doing well.
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Yay Judy! So happy for you!
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Good for you Texas...we rads girl do seem to sacrifice if we only want implants like you,me and Judy....but we still look pretty ok....(hugs)
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RE: Nebraska Plastic Surgeons:
It is not easy finding plastic surgeons in NE who are also "reconstructive" surgeons - who are board certified as well. With all of my search parameters, the name I come up with who has what I would be looking for is Debra Reilly, M.D. in Omaha. Her area of expertise on her webpage at the U of NE Medical Center does not mention breast reconstruction, but she is listed in other research as experienced in breast reconstruction.
http://www.unmc.edu/plasticsurgery/index.cfm?conref=7
You might schedule an appointment with her and find out what she can "do for you." This is what it is about...finding someone who will work with you and has an eye for aesthetics and will strive to achieve the goals you hope to attain with breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
If anything else comes up...I will let you know.
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wippetmom....
Thanks so much for the info on PS in NE. I will check her out.
Mary
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