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  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Posts: 90
    edited June 2010
    Bigapple09 - I used ScarAway silicone tape. It has been very effective in keeping the scars from raising and the scars are fading very well (which usually takes years for me). I know a few others have used this products as well. My PS also said as another option, that if I wasn't happy with the way the scars are healing he would laser the scar to lighten them.
  • Ruthy
    Ruthy Posts: 9
    edited June 2010

    Didel-I also felt terribly down about the loss of my lashes and brows. I remember asking the onc if they would really grow back. They really do!. I read that eyebrow hair grows very slow. It took quite a while-latisse was not on the market yet so I did not have any. Mine finally came back and I used latisse which really got them back to the way they were. My hair on my head also took a while to get back to the way it was but now it is very thick, wavy hair like I had before. You are going to get your beautiful lashes and brows back. I hope you feel better very soon. Ruthy

  • Luna5
    Luna5 Posts: 532
    edited June 2010

    Laura2.....I don't take it so don't know first hand...but...have read of people complaining of hair loss when taking Tamoxifen.  Don't know if it ever happens to those choosing to take Aromatase Inhibitors.  I'm no expert on these drugs.  Just thought I would mention that if you google "Tamoxifen and hair loss" you get a lot of people saying it is so.  So, if you are taking any major drugs you might want to google that drug and hair loss and see if there is any connection.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2010

    Coolbreeze -- that is truly unbelievable.  You could contact the breast surgeon again or, quite frankly, talk to Deborah (Whippetmom) who I know keeps a private list of good plastic surgeon (amassed from the recommendations made by women here).... perhaps she can recommend one in your area?

    BC -- sorry you're uncomfortable in the sports bra... you could try padding yourself with gauze in the areas where it hurts... that might give you some temporary relief until you can find a bra that fits or feels better.

    The only funny feeling I have really is the numbness (still) under my arm and heading toward my back from the SNB and the MX... the feeling does seem to be coming back, gradually, but the process is very slow.  Some numbess still, too, on my upper arm... all from nerves cut in those two procedures (or so I assume).  I've mostly gotten used to it but I do miss feeling normal there.  My implant is still so much more comfortable than the TE that it does not feel heavy (to me anyway)... just soft and comfy :) 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited June 2010

    SCARAWAY.... Just what MooreTennis taught me to use. IT WORKS!!

    HAIRLOSS... : From your BCO stylist.

    Yes sisters.. you are going to loose hair.. quite a lot. If you have any of the follow.

    1. Chemo Pause

    2. Meds going through your body long term.

    3. Menopause

    4. Chemo.. DUH

    5. Anesthesia

    6 Thyroid issues and/or thyroid meds.

    7 . Heart or blood pressure meds..

    If this is you.. your hair loss is normal. Not good or fun at all.. but it is going to happen.

    Please use Nioxin from you Salon for help.. It does work to stop hair loss from these about issues.. and it does help to thicken what you have.

  • jeaniept
    jeaniept Posts: 8
    edited June 2010

    Hi! Can you tell me what kind of implant or implants you got?  I got the new "Gummy Bear" allergan implants and I am in Month 4 of hell! It is (just the right side) hard as a rock, and will never bounce, even if I went on a trampoline! VERY uncomfortable and I may switch out to a softer implant. I know someone who likens her implants to "water balloons." Mine feels like a softball!

    Thanks,

    Jeanie

  • AStorm
    AStorm Posts: 1,393
    edited June 2010

    Heather - there are some really arrogant PSs out there. I chose not to work with "the best" PS in town because he was really arrogant, and because he told me I shouldn't have the bmx because I wouldn't be happy with a reconstruction. Just didn't seem like we were on the same page.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited June 2010
    Coolbreeze: Wow, that is so not right.  I got all of my recommendations from my Oncologist.  He's well connected and I just told him what hospitals I wanted to go to (I had insurance limitations) and he advised me as to which ones were the best.  The arrogance of my first surgeon was unbelievable.  I now wonder if he was just tooting his own horn.  The second consult was kind of wishy washy and then I found out I wouldn't be fully covered there.  The third was the charm.  I ended up with better care then anywhere else plus 15 minutes from home!  You deserve better care.  I find when things are right everything just seems to go smoothly.
  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited June 2010
    Laura: My hairstylist recommended Nioxin when I was having thyroid issues and I have to say, it really did make a difference.  I can't believe how my hair seemed to change.  I used everything: shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, treatments.  Question:  Does anyone ever have their hair color go back to what it was prior to chemo?  Mine was black with a little grey now it's grey with alot of white!
  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited June 2010

    KATE33

    I loved The Boob Fairy Never Came for Me!

    OMG too funny!

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    In regard to "the best ps" there is a saying I always try to remember "Those who live in the temples laugh at the G-ds" a friend used to say that to me whenever someone would toot the horn of someone I previously worked with, to remind me that when you have looked behind the curtin you iknow what those people are all about.

     I have found that the best way to pick a surgeon is a combination of speaking with doctors who have seen their work and talking to patients, somewhere in the middle is the perfect mix of good treatment as a person and good treatment as a patient.

    My current PS is one of those superstars, who was recommended by both doctors and women here at BCO, and honestly he has that combination. He was able to say "yes this is a big deal and you are right to feel the way you do, part of getting beyond this is being healed and that means more than not having cancer, that means healing what has been done to you and making the outside the way you want it so you can be healed inside and out." It was a really big deal for me to hear that, and for him to say that it was not vain for me to want to have two breasts that were pretty and matched. Then to hear from so so so many women on the boards singing his praises as a surgeon and for the care they recieved at his office was the clincher.  He was not covered by my insurance, so his office petitioned my insurance company and then entered into a single patient contract so that my care would be covered. There are good ones out there, its just hard to find the right one sometimes. I wish you the best.

  • waldo
    waldo Posts: 145
    edited June 2010

    Big Apple- how does a single patient contract work?  I'm in NJ and have Horizon BC/BS.  My PS is not in network and the bills are piling up.  I knew there would be an out of pocket expense- but I guess I didn't focus on  "usual and customary", I saw the 100% coverage after the $ 3,000 deductable for out of network.

  • Anna_M
    Anna_M Posts: 88
    edited June 2010

    So true about finding the right PS! I interviewed more than a few before deciding.  Great reputations for outcomes, but the personality had to match my needs.  I feel as though I am in good hands, I am still waiting for the dropping and fluffing but I am only going to be 3 weeks out this Tuesday.  I am not a patient person LOL.  To be told after going through BC now you have to wait some more seems so cruel but it goes with the territory.  You all are wonderful here to be able to talk with and discuss these life lessons and experiences~  Anna

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    The single patient contract:

    I have bc/bs direct HMO it may be liberety or horizon I don't recall. The way it works is that if the Dr contacts the insurance company and they come to an agreement about what he will be paid and then they do the approval process etc., His office does all the work, I don't really know the details. If you ask BC/BS they will tell you its very hard and rarely approved, so I found letting the Dr take care of it was best, his insurance coordinator knows the coordinators at the insurance companies.

    This option maynot be viable for implant reconstruction as there are so many doctors who do that, this was used in connection with the DIEP reconstruction on the side where I had implant failure and radiation damage, and the limited number of truly experienced surgeons for that procedure with a success rate in excess of 99% was limited. I would start with speaking with the insurance personat the Dr office.

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited June 2010

    musiclovermom-  Hey, I'm a music lover mom, too!  Did you get "The Boob Fairy" song stuck in your head all day like I did?  LOL!

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited June 2010
    Kate:  Thank you for the boob fairy!!! 
  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited June 2010

    MBJ- Anytime!  I think the "Thigh Fairy" visited me at least 3 times, too!  LOL!

  • negirly
    negirly Posts: 199
    edited June 2010

    I'm happy to be joinging EC as I got my exchange surgery set for 8/16 at BWH in Boston.  I'm doing well with the TE and looking forward to "yippie squishy" later this summer.  I am probably one of the few who thinks the TE looks pretty good - better than nothing (I was without a foob for 12 months during chemo and radiation).  I know a lot of PS wont do implants only after radiation but my skin is expanding and i didn't burn much during radiaiton.  I was originally going to have a  DIEP but I don't have enough belly fat.  I know that implants have a higher rate of capsular contraction after rads and may consider a SGAP if they fail in the future. You may wonder why I don't just have the SGAP now... well, I want the surgery with the quickest recovery right now - I have a trip planned to Paris, I'm self employed and just can't take the time off right now.  

    I'm fortunate to have found this site and there is a lot of good information here. Many thanks to all the posters.

    Karyn

  • susiered
    susiered Posts: 83
    edited June 2010

    Hey ladies I need your quick and honest opinion. I am going to a wedding tonight. I tried my dress on and my surgical bra shows. I'm thinking it will be allright to wear my regular bra just for those few hours. What do you all think? It looks great by the way and the bra I had fits perfectly!!!

    Thanks,

    Susan 

  • susiered
    susiered Posts: 83
    edited June 2010

    Oh and Karyn I just had exchange surgery to implants and I had radiation on my left. Everything is healing beautifully and it looks GREAT! You have every reason to look forward to a healthy and beautiful exchange in August. Good Luck sweetie!!

  • Bigapple09
    Bigapple09 Posts: 247
    edited June 2010

    susiered

    As long as there is enough padding around the wires and anywhere you have sutures you should be fine for a few hours, just bring a little mirror with you so you can check in the bathroom from time to time that there is not too much pressure on the suture points. You can also remove the wires. After my original reconstruction I used a seam ripper to open part of the seam on bras I had, and just slid the wire right out, the bra still provided support without the wire to dig into anything. I would also wear the bra loose (ie on the first hook) so as to reduce pressure.

  • susiered
    susiered Posts: 83
    edited June 2010

    Thanks bigapple. As a matter of fact it is a wireless bra so I think I'll be fine for a little while. I sure can't go with this beautiful surgical bra hanging out. Lol!

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited June 2010
    susiered: I would be concerned about comfort and not doing any damage--bigapple is right about loosening the bra, padding it, removing the wires.  I only wear soft cups when I have to leave the house because even these are too uncomfortable with just my expander in.  I am so glad your exchange was a success!!
  • waldo
    waldo Posts: 145
    edited June 2010

    Susired the wireless one you have should work as long as its comfy and not pushing in/out/up or down. Surgical and grandma bras don't get to come to weddings with us

  • Jerusha
    Jerusha Posts: 339
    edited June 2010

    Susiered: Have fun at the wedding!

    Karyn: Welcome! You'll feel very supported here.

    Jeaniept: That sounds awful, awful, awful. What are your stats in terms of dimensions of TE, how many cc's you were expanded to, and size/height of implant. Have just been learning about this relationship. Have been told that "hardness" has something to do with size of implant vs size of pocket it is placed in. 

  • boromom
    boromom Posts: 28
    edited June 2010

    Kate, I came home from my exchange in this goofy ace bandage kind of thing. It has this supportive "ledge" that wrapped around my upper body right underneath my boobs and it fastened. Then it has an ace bandage that velcros from the side of one boob across the top of your boobs to the other side. This keeps the implants pushed down. I wore this 24 hours a day for 3 weeks. I'm sure it has a real name but I can't remember (story of my life now :) Anyway, my point is then I went to a sports bra that fastened in the back from JCPenney. I couldn't bare to think of pulling one of those over my head. At 4 weeks, I felt like I was close to where I would be and went to Nordstrom's for a fitting. Best thing I could have ever done. They are amazing. I am 7 weeks out now and the bras fit great.

    Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

    Melissa

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited June 2010

    Oh how in the world did I end up four pages behind?  Good thing my DH is going to the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach for three days and I am alone to surf the web without my computer monitor here to torment me!  LOL~  I will catch up tomorrow! 

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited June 2010

    Karyn- I just wanted to say welcome, too.  This is a great thread.  The hardest part is keeping up with reading all the posts!  I am like you- counting down the days until my exchange!  Hope you're doing well.

    Melissa- Thanks for the info.  My PS e-mailed me and said she is going to send me home in a surgical bra that she wants me to wear 24/7 for 3 weeks.  After that she hasn't said but I have my pre-op appointment on Tuesday so I'm going to be sure and ask.  I am definitely going to Nordstrom's, though, when the time is right! 

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited June 2010

    Hi everyone!  I have my final pre-op appointment this Tuesday and my exchange on the 29th.  Are there any questions you recommend I ask my PS that I might not be thinking of.  I have been scouring this thread and will ask the usuals about post exchange bras, exercise limitations and confirming final implant size.  Just wondered if there was something you were surprised about afterwards that you had wished you had found out ahead of time.  Thanks!

  • rebetata
    rebetata Posts: 213
    edited June 2010

     I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

    I am having my doubts now about exchanging my silicone for saline in Sept. because my DH seems to think I am big enough and thinks I should just get the revision and leave the same implants in. I was looking for more projection but I don't know now.

     Laura I hope your PT is going good.

    Rebecca

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