Exchange City
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Paula, Lilah, Estepp, Becky, Laura2 and all other well wishers: Thank you for all the kind wishes. The PS expects the exchange on the rt to go smoothly; he anticipates pocket work on the lt (the side with the torn muscle and hematoma after the Mx). DH is home and that helps (even though he has to leave Sunday). My emotions are right on the surface this morning....I'm sure I don't even have to explain why; at least not here and not to you my friends.
Kat - hope you're awake and doing well!
I will take all your well wishes and prayers with me this morning. Thank you. I'll check in as soon as I can.
Love,
Marianne
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Best wishes Marianne
I had pocket work too and still felt good....some twinges of pain for few days but nothing like the mx So glad your husband surprised you and came home... breath 
Hellooo Kat......are you out there
The waiting is killing me.....hope your resting comfortably Val...how did the nip surgery go? Easy breezy? Scary? hope your comfy too
Up date on my new boobies....they are becoming more natural looking
but there isn't any natural giggling going on. They are soft to the touch but they don't budge on their own.....I've been reading the picture forum a lot and was amazed to hear that it took up to 3 months for some to feel their true transformation truly settled in....the photos attest to this too! I was glad to hear this because I know not to expect too much too soon. My transformation is slow but there is some natural form starting to take place I will post a 3 week photo on Monday after my stitches are finally gone m-star....photos are the only way I could make up my mind....find your own photos to show your ps what you hope for and look at all the photos he/she can offer....it really helps both you and your surgeon to clarify you goals
It's a hard decision even if your not a Libra Strength, healing and courage,
Laura2
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Marianne- Good Luck today!
Kat- Hope you are feeling good.
All my other sisters that had exchanges my prayers are with you.
Donna
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ok,i have messaged TimTam to see if i can get access to the photo forum so i can start comparing the 2 types of exchange i can opt for.
Do you think looking in magazines for the type of shape i want would help me with my PS? Or is that just going a bit too far? I mean,i'm not going to start showing pictures of Katie Price (aka Jordan!) as thats unrealistic! But if i can find the type of cleavage i'd like,of maybe the fullness etc? Then my PS could guide me as to which implant would best achieve that effect?
My hubby thinks the round ones (if they look anything like my TE's do) will look too fake. I don't want to make a choice i'll later regret. With only ever being an AA cup,i guess i'm trying to get the 'young perky boobs' that i never had all my life. But i'll be 37 this year and i don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb.
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Good Luck Marianne today!
Val, I hope your nips are doing well too
Yowza! That exchange surgery really did smart, sting and deliver searing blows of pain. Yes I think this is more pain than the BMX...but maybe it's just because I forgot how bad that pain was. I was not prepared for the pain that I got. He didn't do the fat injections but he did do some mastopexy to my inner cleveage. When I lay down I'm fine, when I sit up I'm fine but when I try to get up from a laying position it smarts something horrible. I'm popping vicodins like they're tic tacs. Also on Keflex 4 times a day. My armpits are also killing me. Not sure what they did there but I just want to be pain free.
They had a problem tubing me (airway) so no wonder my throat is raw. That hurts almost as bad and the new foobs. They look good though. He used #20 600 silicone implants. I'm not sure if they are high profile or not. They should be as we discussed it many many times...I don't get to follow up with him until 25th! because he's going out of town. I'm going to have to go earlier and see the PA or PS 1.0 or something because I"m wrapped in this plastic tegaderm with these rows of tape criss crossing over my sternum and supporting each breast. I can shower but I can't remove these dressings until I see someone so I'm shooting for Tuesday.
The little natural card they gave me only state 20-600 and a serial number. Not if they're high profile or moderate profile. How do I find out this information? Is it on the web somewhere?
The upgrade is a good thing though...now they're soft and not rock hard coconuts so that's a good thing.
Thanks for all your good thoughts! I hope I can pop in online at the end of the day when our modem arrives overnighted UPS.
Have a good day
Ps..they're definitely soft! So YaY to that0 -
KatRN, so sorry about the pain. Sounds like the way I felt, so I truly feel for you. I had that strong tape along bottom of breasts, it was almost like an underwire and held imf shape, so don't be in too much of a hurry to remove that part. If you go to top of this page there are links for allergen and mentor which will describe profiles. Or maybe someone that has that same one will chip in here so you don't have to search! take it easy, and keep the vicodin handy. (crackers before and don't forget the stool softeners or laxatives, yuk!)
mstar, yes to bringing any photos you like with you to ps! Wouldn't like to see you look like a mutton either! LOL!
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m-star, I can't remember where you are at in your expansion? Do you have a ways to go or are you ready for you exchange soon? I would not bother with pictures of real boobs, personally... Because it's just not realistic, and I think if you go into your PS with pics of real boobs and say I want these, he's going to tell you forget it... if you go in with pics of recontructed boobs and say I want these, then he's going to think you're being realistic. I understand that you don't have access to the picture forum yet, but there are pics on the internet of recontructions... just do a search. A lot of PS's have websites with photos and there are some others... I'm sorry I don't have any links for you, but someone else might. As far as you being too old for perky boobs! Girl!!! You are way younger then me and I am totally going for it!!! I was a 34B (barely) before and I am now wearing a 34D and thinking of having a revision later to go bigger, and they are perky too! I don't feel like I am a lamb or mutton or whatever you said! I think there are a lot of ladies on here that are doing the same thing. We have been to hell and back and we deserve a silver lining! And that means you too!!!! I have moderate profile smooth round and they do not look anything like my TE's.... as someone else said, the TE's are there to do a job, to stretch you to get ready for the implant... you cannot judge the TE, it isn't even close to how you're going to look or feel. Go online and get pics, and do not ever think that you are too old or don't deserve nice big perky girls!!!! WE all deserve that! (if that's what you want !)
Paula
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Has anyone gotten their insurance to cover fat grafting? My PS is doubtful. We will have to submit for preauthorization and wait and see. I'd like to know the odds as it may factor into my decision (option is surgical revision).
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KatRN - I'm so sorry you have all this pain. I was in lots of pain after my exchange, too - I had to keep a chart of the meds for the 1st 10 days after the exchange because I was popping too many pills to count. Keep in mind that you'll feel a little better every day, and please continue to take it easy. I caught up on my DVR recordings the week after my exchange and really had a feeling of accomplishment!
Best wishes to Marianne for a super surgery and I'm sending healing wishes to all of you who have had surgery this week.
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Good morning AStorm my insurance covered the fat grafting your PS needs to submit pics to support the need.
Well I will go in for a revision on my left side to reinforce the pocket and positioning of the implant we are not going to do the surgery until mid July to make sure that the fat grafting and everything else is ok. I am fine with that the only thng is that pushes my nips out even further.
Kat glad to hear you are home I hope your pain gets better. Val I hope your doing well also.
Tngolfer your in my prayers.
Rebecca
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Kat: You have high profile Allergan implants. Style 20 is high profile. Congratulations! I think you are going to be one happy chicklett!!
m-star: You need to get style numbers from your PS when you are talking "gummy bears" or anatomical implants. If it is the Allergan 410 or the Mentor CPG, they are the same styles we have here via clinical trials in the US. Okay, so my two cents on this is that PERSONALLY, I would not want the "gummy bear" in its current form - meaning degree of firmness and rigidity. My own PS suggested I might want it when it is approved, because she feels it would address step-off issues I have. I told her that I would NOT want this implant and that I would rather endure the step-off, not knowing what I might be trading for in the long run. I have a bony ribcage and I just see more complaints with the "gummy" when used in women who are thin with no adipose tissue anywhere to be found on the chest wall. There are some who do have a thin and bony chest wall and ARE content with the anatomical gummy, but not as many who are happy with their silicone rounds. I think it [the gummy] could be quite the best choice for women who DO have sufficient "padding" or have the type of body habitus which seems to sort of swallow up the standard silicone rounds. [There are other good reasons to use the "gummy" - e.g., complications with expansion, seromas, hematomas, rads, as the "gummy" has a lower risk of capsular contracture than the standard silicone rounds.] Referable to your TEs being anatomical - the contoured tissue expander is the same one the overwhelming majority of us have in the U.S. as well. But perhaps in the UK you have some other version of anatomical gummies which will not be available for eons here in the U.S. So continue to research and once you get on the pictures forum I think you will see that the silicone rounds are a nice shape for breast reconstruction patients - especially those who are on the thin side of the spectrum.
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Rebecca -- thanks I was starting to panic. I probably should have had a revision and/or fat grafting before nips but they are done now. Nothing seems easy these days!
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A Storm: You are in California. I have not heard of anyone in California who did not get approval for fat graft transfer. Does this mean your PS has not done it previously with breast reconstruction patients?
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A storm I am having exchange and fat grafting June 4th and insurance did approve the fat grafting for me. Yours should cover it. It is all just a part of the reconstruction. Good Luck!
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By the way Deborah, I saw your pics on the timtam site and you look beautiful! Made me very excited that I could possibly look like that when all this is said and done. I have had my onc, bs, and pt tell me that my ps is an artist and her work is beautiful. That is always nice to hear. Ican't wai....I am so ready!
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I'm BACK.......well, sort of....yesterday was a blur....don't remember much actually. I'm still pretty shaky and a bit woozy, so pardon my typing skills......general anesthesia (my 5th now in 17 months) and I don't part ways easily......
According to my DH (who DID stay during my surgery, THEN went to see his patients..lol), the ps said everything went well. He took a good while drawing out the placement, then took a pic, which he showed me. Seeing those little black sharpie circles on my foobs made the world of difference....at that point I really could see why my ps said they were important.....they make the foobs look more like boobs....Anyway, the surgery took about a hour, then an hour in recovery. I had some pain when I woke up, so they gave me a percoset. I spent yesterday mostly sleeping....had some nausea yesterday afternoon (pretty sure it was the scopalamene patch, so had my dh take it off). Today still have a little bit of throbbing, but didn't take my vicodin this time, just tylenol (no motrin, of course, because of bleeding). Also on another week of Keflex.
I'm wrapped up like a sausage...or maybe like Madonna's bras.....
I get to remove that all tomorrow, then can shower. Sutures come out in two weeks. I'm to go back into my snug underwire bra with the straps loosened so there's no pressure on my new friends....
Kat - glad your surgery went well, but sorry about your pain. A few of us were like that - mostly me and Kristinka, I think. Hang in there.
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Val -- so glad you're feeling up to typing today! Sounds like not too much pain? I am sure you are going to be delighted when the sausages get unwrapped
Could this be the last surgery for you?!Kat -- yeah I was sore and especially when getting in and out of bed but I have to say its already MUCH better today (and my surgery was Tuesday) so hang in there
LOL at popping Vicodin like tic tacs I am just taking Tylenol now since yesterday morning and doing fine. My exchange side turned a little red for a few days, which my PS said would happen due to the foreign object in the body syndrome (so some form of infection? whatever it is it's fading today and so is the pain). I'm also on Keflex four times a day -- standard with my PS post-surgery -- I have to take it til they take drain out (which will come out on Monday, it's already putting out very little). My reduction side just has a huge reddish bruise on my side and on the underside but that is probably due to NO drain there. That side doesn't really hurt much. In fact, I am pretty sure the only real soreness I have left is where the stupid drain enters my body on MX side and, of course, the strain on the whole area when I climb out of bed. Man I have slept more since Tuesday than in all the weeks before!Marianne -- thinking of you today!
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VAL: Congrats on your new friends! I am glad you are home and resting. That anesthia will do a number on me too and takes a while to feel like yourself again! Take care of yourself and dont rush things.
IMF: Finally went in to see PS and he saw me between procedures for about 64 seconds. He says i 'should' be out of the woods as far as worrying about the integrity of the stitches/imf. Didnt sound super convincing but i am sure he cant gaurantee anything. He said i should start massaging the area for the next three weeks and if the pain doenst go away he will give me a steriod shot in the area when i see him on june 7th for nips. I felt better yesterday and today wearing my bra puleed tight with two saftey pins. (Pathetic busy mom AKA McGuiver)
I promise to work on shopping for bras that support me this weekend.
RACE FOR THE CURE: Walking tomorrow with my team: The Frozen Peas. I walk for each and every one of you women who have taught me so much and who have been so terribly generous. You are invaluable!
Kristen
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Val, glad it went well and I'm sure you will be happy!! Sorry you had to have general again, that's a lot of times, hang in there and wishing you a speedy recovery!!
Lilah, glad you sound a bit better today, sleep does wonders! A lift isn't the easiest thing but it does heal fast. Hope that stupid drain comes out soon!!
Kristen and the Frozen Peas! Have a good walk tomorrow, hopefully you'll have some of the nice weather we're expecting up there!! Interesting to massage the area, does it hurt to touch? Hope it goes away before a shot is needed!!
Rebecca, sorry that a revision is needed, I was hoping all would improve, as I'm sure you were!
On the happy side! I am finally able to dig and play in my garden without pain, yeah! (had shoulder injury and surgery before the bc stuff). Picked up lots of annuals today for windowboxes and potting, it brings me so much peace when I'm in the gardens!
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Susie -- thanks for the post. that is encouraging.
Whippetmom -- that's right, he has never done this for a reconstruction patient. Doesn't sound promising does it? There is another patient in the office who will be doing it sooner than I would. I suspect that doctors tell you the worst so that you aren't disappointed but he really seems to think this won't be covered by insurance. I called my insurance this morning and they said my PS would have to submit for pre-authorization and they look at it on a case-by-case. Not sure my PS will be too convincing. I'm pondering a 2nd opinion. I'm afraid that once I get rejected it will be harder for another PS to get it approved. Do you know how long they usually wait from the exchange before fat grafting? Thanks for your help, you have an amazing wealth of knowledge!
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Kat so sorry your hurting
The mastoplexy must cause more pain than the more straight forward exchange..... I hope your feeling better soon and vicodin gets you through this rough patch Hope each day brings you closer and closer to comfort Val glad you home and healing
Is general anesthisia always used for nip construction? Can't wait to hear how the unveiling looks M-star....I found a nice site that had lots of photos of reconstructed breasts....as soon as he saw the one photo I liked he knew what sort of implant I was hoping for. I have a moderate plus which I love so far. It has a nice natural slope to it....but then I'm 60 and I wanted look like my body was not too far from where it was before my mx....but I didn't mind being a wee bit perkier
Each of us has our body shape, size, etc. to consider I was fairly small chested and athletic, I wanted my breasts to look like me This is a personal choice and there is no wrong choice....what matters is your own self image and what your hoping for. Here's a link that allows you to enter you own body shape and then apply different implants to see how they would look. This is for augmentation which is quite different but it is a way to get a bit of an idea of how the different implants look. http://www.natrelle.com/simulator.aspx This next link I used to look at many reconstructed before and afters - http://www.theplasticsurgerygroup.net/photo-gallery/details.cfm?ID=750&IMAGEID=1837&StartRow=1 Once you go on our own photo forum you will see many possibilities Hope this helps...Kristen have a great walk with The Frozen Peas tomorrow!
Strength, healing and comfort,
Laura2
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Internet is back on! YaY!
Whoohoo! Thanks Deborah...high profiles...I'm going to be a happy camper!
The pain is a lot better today...still hurts but it's manageable now...making the vicodin just an added bonus. HA! Actually, I took excedrin today and that is what's helping the most. I'm taking Vit C and just got my appetite back this afternoon. My throat is 100% better too.
I took a shower and washed my hair. My range of motion is not bad and my bio-occlusive dressing with crossing tape is still quite intact.
Val, I found the scopolamine patch is great at preventing nausea and vomiting...I wont go under without it and this has been my 3rd time in 5 months. Today though was drying me out more than usual so I took it off at noon...In the past with the drains, I attribute my extremely low output to the patch that I left on longer. Your procedure sounds involved for the nips but I'm excited for your outcome. I am really warming up to the idea and I hope he can give a small projection.
Lilah, glad you're feeling better. My skin was bright fire engine red too in a spot under the steristrip so I'm very compliant on my keflex and Vit C and it's doing so much better.
I'm really glad I didn't get the fat injections because I don't have step off (yet) It's pretty smooth straight shot from upper chest to upper pole. I'm anxious to see how they will be in a week...in 2 weeks. I already like them now so it's all good!
Marianne, I hope you're doing well...sleep, sleep, sleep....:)
Go Kristen and the Frozen Peas! What a great name
Have a good evening everyone.
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Becky - I did not have nipples before the revision surgery. I am amazed how well placed they are and I don't mind at all that they show though my clothes... I think the changes in my foobs and the tummy tuck have had a WONDERFUL effect on me. For the first time in my entire life I feel pretty. I am looking forward to having the nips tattoo'd - then - everything will be done.
Allie
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Hi all. I'm back. Surgery went better than expected. Only took 2 hours. No drains. No bandage and no surgical bra. Just one gauze bandages over each breast. PS said he wanted to let them drop - no bra. Can shower/bathe day after tomorrow. Actually only some soreness in each surgical site. Again, my only issue appears to anesthesia. The Anes. said I have delayed emergence due to pain med in the IV, not the anesthesia itself. Glad I brought anes notes from previous surgeries. They lessened the pain med and I woke quicker bust a little naseau and I spent from 12:30 to 3:45 in recovery. Feel terrific now and I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with the results. They are the softest loveliest breasts I have ever seen! I am up walking, even eating. But like you Kat, the sore throat from intibation is a killer! THANKS to all for your prayers and best wishes. Write more tomorrow.....will get some rest tonight!
Love,
Marianne
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Yippee for you, Marianne! Sorry about the long time in recovery, but sounds like you needed it!
Jizo - no, it seems that most ps's don't use general for nips, but mine does. (just like he ALWAYS uses drains at exchange - no exceptions) He told me that because he drapes your head (for infection control) it freaked out one too many patients....moving patients and scalpels aren't a good thing. He's also a complete perfectionist, so I think he feels he has more control that way.....
KristenPink - Good luck tomorrow! You'll love the walk.....bring kleenex... And what's up with the McGuiver safety pin trick, girl? Not that I don't like McGuiver....a real cutie.... I'll do a bit of research for you, my dear... wish I lived closer so I could take you shopping!
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Marianne - wow that is awesome! I love your PS (no bra, no uncomfortable bandges - mine are SO irritating, no DRAINs -- wtg!) Sounds like the anesthesia issues were well-handled too.
Kristen -- love the Frozen Peas -- lol (not sure what it means but I love it). Enjoy the walk!
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Laura2: The Natrelle link is great. I am going to link it on the 101 thread!
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Second week back at work as a pharmacist in a busy store. Most of my regular customers know why I have been out. Add this to the list of oh my goodness I can't believe they said that- I have a customer, male of course, who comes in several times a month- very friendly and nice- we both root for the same football team. This was the first time he has seen me since I have been back at work and I was behind the counter and he actually said "well, come here and let me see if you got your money's worth". WTH!!!!!! I was flabbergasted to say the least. I was only able to respond with I don't just go around showing them to everybody. I wish I would have been able to think fast enough to say I think I got my money's worth since they have said they removed all of the cancer. Needless to say I did not move from behind the counter and all my techs were speechless. They were so upset for me. I am over it now. But what makes a person think something like that is appropriate?
Oh well time to go to bed so I can rest up to see what craziness can happen at work tomorrow.
Good night everyone- prayers for you all.
Becky
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MStar: Kay, you and your friend Michelle are amazing! Posting your procedures on youtube to help other women is so generous. My shoulders are broad, 17" across, and I doubt that yours are so broad that you could ever look like a man! I also had the Alloderm sling put in with reconstruction--I have to say it's really weird having only one breast done. I will have to keep padding my other side until the exchange and hope it isn't too obvious. You are like me--you look very young for your age so relish it. I am 50 and people still think I am in my 30's, although, since losing my hair and having it go almost all grey due to chemo, I feel like I now look my age. However, I have a fabulous wig that looks like my real hair and when my own hair grows out I might try a crazy color or go platinum instead of black for a change. My breasts feel as if they are burning underneath the skin 24/7 ever since my first fill. Do you have this problem at all? Is that to be expected, because they look fine.
Wippetmom: Deborah, I sent you my pictures right after my surgery. Do you think that they put the wrong size expander in? I seem to have this deep cut into my side at the top and my under arm looks all wrong. Do you think I should contact the oncoplastic surgeon? I also have burning pain under my arm where they removed a lump plus a couple of nodes.
Good luck to all of you undergoing procedures and to those of you recovering!
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