Exchange City

RebZAmy, Welcome!  Exchange City, the title of this thread, just indicates that discussion here is generally about reconstruction using implants, with the key being that we all (or mostly all) start with tissue expanders (TEs) and then have to "exchange" them for the final implants in a later surgery.  The thread originator, mykidsmom, keeps updating her original post at the top with women's surgery dates, so besides our ongoing questions for each other, we all  support each other through our surgeries too.  The 101 thread you're referring to is "Breast Implant Sizing 101" also in the Breast Reconstruction forum.  The resident expert there (and also here) is Deborah/whippetmom, who helps women consider their options for implant type and size.  Since you're doing GAP reconstruction not implants it's not clear that the 101 thread will be relevant to you, but of course take a read for yourself.  Exchange city might not be directly relvant either, although if you consider having nips created/tattood there's quite a lot of discussion here on that which you might find useful.  Plus it's a cool group of ladies to hang with! 

To your question about whether your new GAP surgery on your BC side might cause something to come back, I personally can't say anything specific other than I think we all have a fear of recurrence. Others can chime in with info they have. I see you started a new thread with your question too - hopefully that will attract some people who've had the autologous (self-tissue) reconstructions who might give you more info related to recurrances in that situation.  Obviously asking your doctors (ask your onc & BS, not just PS) directly would be good too.  I think we just all never know, but I'll say "Here's to GREAT reconstructions and NO recurrances for all!"  Best wishes to you!

Re: chance of reoccurence after GAP surgery... the tissue that is moved from another part of your body (sorry don't recall where the GAP comes from -- the butt?) to create a breast is NOT breast tissue and therefore not a potential site for breast cancer.  I believe your chance of reoccurrence is the same as anyone having a mastectomy: 1% - 3%.  In other words: very very small.  The reason for the remaining chance after MX is that although your breast tissue is entirely removed they can never be sure they've gotten every last cell... and it only takes a cell to house breast cancer.  At least that is how I understand it. 

Teaching today and tired tonight....I have just read so many posts...such a good place to be. 

Welcome to all you newcomers, you have found a wonderful group of ladies.

Paula...got teary reading about you and your DH. Hope you laugh, dance and sing with your daughters this weekend!  

Sally hope your partner and you find comfort here.....I learned so much from so many and continue to be at home here.

Val and all bra whisperers...I went to get a underwire today......more on the forum w/pictures

Kat, I saw your photos.......you look beautiful  

Strength, healing and courage,

Laura2 

Judy -- I echo CS in sending you my sympathies for what is a seemingly endless battle to reconstruct.  I hope and pray that this is it!  And god bless you for your unending positivity and courage in dealing with all of this.  This too shall pass (please!!).

No doubt Judy!!! HEAL HEAL HEAL!

AWE.. Bigapple... I bet you are freakin' a little... you should not even have to be doing this.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. But you are going to look amazing!

just keep swimming...... I like it girl....

" TaTa Sisterhood.... just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."

I like it a lot!

Hello, ladies...this is my first post, but I have been reading discussions here for 2-3 weeks now...the things I've learned here are INVALUABLE...thank you so very much!...I was diagnosed DCIS left breast March 2009...bilateral MX with TEs 5/25/09...just had exchange surgery 4/13/10 and am having nipple recon 5/25/10...origami-style nips with skin grafts from inner thigh for areola...very uneducated as to what type/brand silicone implants I have...(DUH! if I'd read here beforehand believe me I woulda done my homework!)...I haven't seen much mention of expansion as large as mine was...I was expanded to 1000cc and 800cc implants were inserted...I'm plus-size...5'10", 260 lbs...my breasts were about 44 C...not very top heavy at all...these 'things' I have now...well?...they SUCK...not much projection and wearing a bra feels like shoving a square peg into a round hole!!!!...I keep reading about the 'drop and fluff' that happens over time and am hoping the looks will improve eventually..I asked my PS if the implants would look better with time and he said the appearance will not change much at all and that I was given the largest (800 cc) 'stock' size...any size larger is special order...mind you, I was told this one month out from exchange so maybe changes ARE on the horizon ...I had hoped to get a response from him indicating I could be prettied up a bit if need be, but all he could offer was I had the largest implant size I could get...man, I wish I had gotten on here weeks ago so I could check out the pic forum so I would have had a better idea of what to expect...now, a question: I have the nip recon next week (5/25)...I'm hoping that will improve the looks somewhat, but if I'm still unhappy will a PS revise your look simply because you aren't satisfied?...I'm speaking from an insurance coverage point of view...can I say I'm not satisfied and expect insurance to cover the cost?...is this a matter of beauty being in the eye of the beholder?...I don't want or expect perfection, but I would like to be proud of the results of almost 12 months of hard work...thanks for any input you can provide.

My prayers to all who have surgery this week. 

Thanks. 

SUTHENFLOWAH

If you are not happy with the implants now.. WAIT ON NIPS.

You CAN get larger saline implants. Larger than 800cc. I lady here got them. She said they are not hard... actually.. I felt them and saw them... they look great and the feel great! She needed more than 800 too.

My PS says this is a HUGE problem in reconstruction. The largest silicone is 800.. and on most ladies wanting this size....this can look like a small B cup.

anyway... please call your surgeon and see if he/she can get the larger saline. ALSO... PM ( PRIVATE MESSAGE) a lady here with the screen name.. MOORETENNIS........ her name in real life is Denise. She is real nice and will talk to you about this...\

(HUGE HUGS) Laura

~~wink~~

I Gap... I missed this, thanks MBJ!

Who is it that wants info on this?

We are mostly an implant thread.. but we have had/do have, sisters who have done flaps. I know of two ladies here on BCO that did the GAP recently.

Please PM ME YOU QUESTION about GAP FLAP and I will lead you in he direction you need to go.

Laura

Good evening, This is a general question to anyone with 410 gummies... With my exchange date just a few weeks away, I am feeling really troubled by the almost unanimous DISLIKE of gummy implants.(Except Lilah !! Thank you, Lilah!!!).  I travelled out of town for my BMX and follow-up care just for the purpose of getting the gummies. Now I am having serious second thoughts and wondering if I should get a different implant. (Actually, I have so hated this TE ordeal, that I am practically ready to skip implants altogether and go right for the autologous tissue transfer. I will not be so impulsive though, and at least give the implants a chance.) As I have just recently joined BCO I don't know how long it will be before I can get access to the picture site. Despite being very unhappy with the feel of the gummies, several women have referred to really liking the "look", so I wish I could see what they are talking about before I have to make my decision --- seems like this may not happen, though. So, any satisfied customers out there who are just quietly enjoying their 410 gummies....please speak up!! I would love to talk with you! Thank you so much

I had my first fill today.  My PS did not say the amount he filled and I was nervous so I forgot to ask.  I am going to call tomorrow and ask the amount.  The fill did not hurt at all.  Tonight I really don't even what to take a deep breath.  The side that they dug for lymph nodes is really tight and sore tonight.  Is that normal?  I broke down and took a vicodine.  I really hate that medicin.  It makes me crabby.  I had my bmx 2 weeks ago.  This is the first time I am frustrated with my PS.  I asked about becoming a regular C and he said I just needed to tell him when I was the size wanted to be by the fill.  Do I just try on my old bras to figure out what a C cup is?  Thank you for any guidance you can give me. 

 I did PM Tim Tam but I realize I am so new that she may want to wait to give me access.  I do understand and am glad she is safe.  I just need some help figuring this all out.

HI Paula,
That's right - I forgot you live so close!  Here's the info:  June 30 7 pm at 1309 N. Parkway, Midland.  I am the booking agent for a local band called "maybe august" and three members will be performing as an acoustic trio as the opener.  They will be followed by Brian VanderArk, lead singer of The Verve Pipe. He's come to Midland the last 3 summers for our backyard concerts -- the first year was just for the fun of it ... the second year we did it as a fund raiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and donated $1000 after expenses.  Last year, of course, we did it for Susan G Komen (we contributed to 4 different people who needed $$ for the walk) and ACS due to my diagnosis and donated roughly $2000!   Please send me your email address if you want to be included on the email invite, but certainly consider yourself invited now.    We DO have a backup location in case of rainy weather - Winston's Pub located at the Midland Resort on Wackerly Road - we'll make a decision that day if we need to move the party indoors. If we are lucky and we get to keep it outdoors, you'll need to bring a lawn chair and your beverages of choice ... I'd love to meet  you in person and I hope you can make it!  Bring friends!!  sue

Hi all

I am sooooo confused about which implants to go for still!

I know i've been over this before~sorry. I need to know what kind of questions to ask my breast nurse and PS about implants. I will be looking at some implants on Monday with the breast nurse at the hospital so would like to be prepared. I know i will get more time with her than with my PS, but i know shay wont be able to anwer my questions properly like my PS can. But if i tell her my dilemma concerning my choice of implant, then hopefully she can back me up when it comes to my PS.

If i could get rounds ones and be guaranteed the fat grafting to soften out the step inbetween the foobs,i would go for rounds. Its that step from flat in between your foobs, to foob! I have mental images of 2 half grapefruits stuck on my chest like what Victoria Beckham had!