Exchange City
Comments
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Judy,
I guess I'll stop whining about my ripples. So sorry you are having trouble. You seem to have a good attitude though so I know you'll get through this. Is there a poster child for implants (LOL)!
Estepp -- you are brave. DH hasn't seem me since MX. I keep thinking... after the exchange I'll look more normal... maybe after the nipple procedure things will look less freakish (wrong)... I walk into the doctors' offices and pull my shirt off but I don't want DH to see me (silly I know).
Bra shopping... I was at Vicroria's Secret several weeks ago looking for a wireless (they do have ONE) and the sales associate asked if I'd like to be sized. I said no and told her I just had surgery but she insisted and wrapped the tape measure around me over a thick sweater. She proceeded to tell me I measured a 36A so I went home and cried because I used to be a 32C. Well I think she was wrong but I won't step foot in that store for awhile! Good to know there are alternatives and that my favorite store (Nordstrom) seems to cater to our needs.
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Yes, that is true Judy... You will not have to massage the rest of your life... and you will not have to worry about CC in the rads breast... Flap surgery is a harder surgery... but possibly a better long term solution... maybe you should pray for ME..hehe... just kidding.. YOU will be on my mind and in my prayers Friday sister...
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Sending prayers your way JUDY!!!
NAE
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AStorm: I shopped at Victoria's Secret this past weekend. Luckily, they did not harass me about a fitting. I had already had that done at Nordstrom's a while back. The VS store near where I live only has 2 kinds of wirefree bras in stock so I was kinda bummed out about that. I think there are about 4-5 wirefree styles on their website. I'm just too afraid to order without trying on. I did buy 3--very comfortable to me. I think I trust the people at Nordstrom's as far as fittings go.
Judy: So sorry you are facing another surgery. I'm glad your PS could get you scheduled this soon though. Best of luck to you.
Nedeza: Hope you sleep well tonight
.TCK
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Oh Judy, there's no fair in any of this. You've been so patient and I'm glad that you got on the schedule for Friday. I'll be sending lots of love, prayers and healing vibes your way. We'll all be rooting for you. Maggie
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{{{JUDY}}} I will definitely be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!!! I'm thrilled they were able to get you in on Friday! I had flap surgery on both sides last year. Linda and I can answer your questions girl! Hang in there!!! We all love and care for you oh so much!!!
HUGSSSSS!!!! Jazzy
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Good luck, Judy - wishing the best for you!
Betty
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Hannah~
Got the ok from PS not to have to wear the girdle since the girdle really did not reach the area grafted on my thigh. Instead I am using an ACE bandage. Thank goodness!
I did post new pics of the lift/graft. What a journey this has been!
NAE
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I scheduled my hysterectomy and BSO for May 14th. I met with the gyn onco today. Just thought I'd be meeting with him, but we scheduled surgery too. I was reall impressed with him and his office. They scheduled me for some trial for a drug to prevent osteoporosis. I was able to qualify because I had DCIS. He liked that I was about preventing cancer. They are going to "stage" my ovaries and stuff. Another pathology report. Should be clear but still brings back those scary thoughts!!!!
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Colleen: I saw your bikini line. Thanks! I'll give Dr. P a compliment when I see him on the 19th. It also helps to have nice, healthy skin, which you obviously have.
Judy, my radiated sister! I just know this next surgery will work, but are you ready, so soon after the exchange?
Brenda
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Thanks to you all so much for the good thoughts and prayers and love! I know it will be just fine. Brenda, Am I ready? Who knows but I really have no choice, so I am as ready as I'm gonna be.
When this is over, I'll post picutres- of the old skin, and the new.. Poor VaVa will look a lot better than she does right now.. (I named them VaVa and Voom)...JUDY
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Good Luck Judy, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. We can start our own club of half flap half implant girls
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Judy, I am sorry that this had to happen, after all this time that you've waited and now this. But good positive attitude is the best way to go in! Love the names, VaVa and Voom, that's great! Looks like we'll be sharing a surgery day, although I have a feeling you'll be in longer than I am. I hope all goes well and VaVa looks great!
Paula
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Dear Judy, So sorry to hear you must face another surgery. I have to say your are an amazing woman...your wonderful attitude shines through all the trials you face. Vava clearly has other plans and will look beautiful when this next step is complete.
Your are a source of courage for all of us......
Strength and healing,
Laura
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Judy, I am so sorry to hear this about Vava. Best to you this week and will be thinking of you on Friday.
What a rollercoaster of emotions this site has, first, laughing so hard about Nae and her dh, wondering if the shades are open, what a site for the neighbors!! Kittycat, good that you're happy with this doctor, were you able to schedule it laproscopically?
I had a good experience at Bloomingdales in NYC, very nice fitter, she stepped out while I changed and she checked, adjusted and suggested bras, plus gave me some kind emotional support. I forget her name but she has amazing long hair to her waist! Miss those days and locks!!
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Judy, sorry your exchange didn't work, but I'll keep you in my prayers for succesful surgery and results on Friday. You have always been a very inspiring person to me. Thanks.
kittycat, glad to hear you scheduled your surgery. What is the drug you will take for osteo? I am on Zometa for that and to reduce my recurrence chances.
Good luck to all of the ladies in surgery this week and happy healing to those of you recovering.
Deen
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Laura - You are so sweet for thinking of me...I've been lurking here and there and haven't had much time to post. Well, I have gone from breast reconstruction to house reconstruction! The house we bought is an existing house that we are remodeling. It is so much more time consuming than I thought, but I'm grateful that I have a house.
Judy - You will be in my thoughts on Friday...you have had such a long journey.
Astorm - I had a not so great experience at Victorias Secret too. I went into the dressing room and the woman asked if everyhting was okay. She was older (my age) not someone in college...so I asked her opinion. I said I recently had breast reconstruction due to BC and what did she think of the fit of the bra. She said "Well I can see that one is bigger than the other." WHAT! I said "No, they are evenly sized and she said "No, I can see a difference" I told her to leave immediately and then told the manager she was not qualified to work with women who had BC as there are a lot of women who feel vulnerable at this stage. Luckily, I was in a pretty good place at the time but I haven't gone to get fitted anywhere, but maybe Nordstroms is the place to go because I'm almost positive I'm wearing the wrong size bra.
Best wishes to everyone with upcoming surgeries.
Peg
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Peg -- OMG that's terrible. I'm glad you alerted her manager. I would have had a meltdown right there in the store!
Judy -- Isn't it good to have another option. On my worst days, I remind myself of that. We are all sending positive energy your way.
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Just a quick pop-in here to say "Best Wishes!" for easy surgeries and fast recoveries to everyone having surgery this week - sunsnow, jenjo, weet, pbebow, jenweg, susie123, and now again Judy. Hope everyone who had surgery recently is recovering well and quickly too!! So sorry you have to go through all this, Judy, but it sounds like you've got a great fallback plan now so that Voom will have a healthy sister in VaVa on Friday. Yay!
Have a great week, everyone!
CS
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Judy,
So sorry you are having to have another surgery. I will keep you in my prayers especially on Friday.
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Ladies!
I'm 9 weeks post bi mx with expanders, and have finished my fills. I'm at 300cc and having a tough time envisioning the final product with implants in! I'm small, and athletically built, 115lbs and previously was a 36A. I kept telling my PS I don't want to be huge, but don't want to look smaller than I did either.
Can a few of your share where you were prior to surgery on bra size, how many cc's you got, and what your bra size was post-exchange?
Thanks!!
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Judy, so sorry that you're having another surgery. I can imagine it feels like a mixed blessing. It's a rough surgery but you can relax more about future implant failure. Praying it goes smoothly for you!
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Danger -- I am thin in the top and was a 32C before bmx. My implants are 400cc and I'm wearing a 34Bnow. I'm also lopsided though and one cup is not filled. I have ripples at the top on both sides. This is due to my not having much tissue to cover the implant in the top (no fat). I'm not athletic, just thin but you may have the same (no fat) issue. If I had it to do over I would go with slightly larger implants as that might smooth them out a bit but not sure about that. The lovely young lady at Victoria's Secret told me I was a 36A now but I think she is wrong and the 34B fits better. After my fipples heal I plan to go to Nordstrom to be properly fitted.0
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Judy, I am pulling for you!!!
Brenda
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VaVa, I am also pulling for you!!!
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Danger - Welcome! So glad you found us! Yep, those TE's are a pain - and it's definitely hard to envision the final product. I'm probably similar to you - I'm 5'7" and 115#... athletic build, with very thin torso (legs not so thin....lol)......was 32AA (really less - I only fit into the training bras in the little girls' dept). I had low-height style TE's filled to almost their full 250cc capacity - was at 245cc. My implants are the Naturelle (Allergan) Style 20 in 425cc. I now wear a 30DD. Hope that helps you see some light at the end of the tunnel!
Maggie - I think a lot of our dh's feel ready to move on well before we are ready to do so. I recently asked mine if he thought I'd changed, and he said most definitely, then proceeded to describe what he'd seen - some of them I was aware of and some I wasn't. The hard part is that at this point, I think he wants to move forward and forget the past 15 months - he as much said so on Easter - but I'm just not ready, not deep-down anyway. Luckily we are communicating well, though like you, I'm much more willing to actually "speak my mind" - not always true in the past. So far, it hasn't triggered anything major.....though it may be that he's afraid to cross my tamoxifen-laden self..... Hang in there, girl!
Judy - Oh, my.....you poor girl.....such a trooper, though! You'll get through this and have a beautiful result!
Estepp - You CAN do the Nordstrom fitting......they really are wonderful......I had a wonderful experience, even though they didn't carry the size I really needed......though I must admit, although I was rather shy about my body before bc, that is most definitely NOT the case anymore....probably show somebody in the supermarket if they asked me.....
AStorm and fellow VS shoppers - I frankly think the VS staff is worthless. They're NOT very well trained, and their bras aren't that great anyway for support (though admittedly they're pretty nice if you want sexy). I'd be very surprised if they had any training in dealing with reconstructions - which sadly you had to experience firsthand. However, if you have a SOMA store (kind of a more "mature" version of VS, the fitters are ever so slightly better, though still don't know much about recons.....at least they're not a bunch of giggly college girls.....
Enough ranting for the day.......hope your days are lovely, ladies!
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Hello from chilly Philadelphia - how do you northern east coast ladies make it through the winter? I grew up in RI, but after 25 yrs in CA, I can't hack it any more.
Judy, best wishes on Friday. I'm so sorry you have to have another surgery, but I'm pleased, like you, that you still have great options.
Astorm, I read your post and so was properly armed when I went into VS today. I avoided the salesgirl and her measuring tape like the plague. Sorry you had such a bad experience there.
Danger, I'm 5'7", weigh 120, and do only hiking for exercise so my chest muscles are not developed. I have medium profile implants with 400ccs, and now I wear a 34D. I was a smallish 34C before. Best wishes to you!
I agree with others who say that our husbands want to move on before we are able to. I can tell my DH doesn't want to discuss BC that much any more, but he will indulge me if I really need to talk. I do find it easier to talk with other women who have had to deal with BC, you guys are now my support network!
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Hi girls, I don't post much but reading always and thinking of you all as surgery days approach for each of you!
Judy: I am sorry that you have to go through this again but prayers will be with you!
Val61: I just laughed at your example of how you are not so shy about your body as much after bc and I can really understand that one. So many people I don't know have seen my breast and foob (I am a uni) that when the doctor asks "can I take a look" I have to try to not laugh being that they have seen me for the last 9 months almost monthly if not more and always looking at my breasts...not much to be shy about any more for me at least!
Estepp: You would just do great at getting fitted at Nordstrom's! You have been through so much and are such an encouragement to others that you just have to take that strength with you into that fitting room and know that they are there to help you and not judge you! You go girl!!
Good luck to all the ladies having surgery this week!
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Laura: We are going to go to Nordstroms in Las Vegas in October! I will go in the dressing room with you!! I know how a bra should fit! LOL! Will you be comfortable enough with me???
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Wow girls I don't know waht to say..All of your good thoughts and wishes are soooooooooo
kind and you are all truly an inspiration to me!! I'll be fine, and to all my other sisters who are having surgeries this week, be grateful that you can, that we live in a country where this is done, and we have the health insurance to do it... Good luck all, JUDY0
