Exchange City

Well maybe Annie had something else in mind (equally legit) as she is a super doll!  Blessed I think it's great when people post -- even if once in awhile -- and I don't blame you for being shy or reticent.  This is a forum that anyone can read and one must be circumspect (probably more than I am

Kay- That's kind of exactly how it went (minus the word "fancy" perhaps)!  My PS called my BS from the pre-op room.  Yea, I think it's cool they're friends.  They did their residency together!

Kate:  I know you probably want your entire medical record anyway, but you could start by just getting a copy of your OR/recovery room records since that is where the problems occurred.

TCK

OMG, Lilah, that is completely appalling....the things people say...I've had a dear, should have known better friend, tell me over and over that "men leave for this you know"....Ouch.  My response to that was "well, if he did, he wouldn't be the man I thought he was, and if some fool did that to a woman with bc, then he shouldn't let the door hit him on the way out!"  but oh my, some well meaning people come out with doozies.

NOT that that ex gyn of yours was anything but a complete and total ass*****. 

I'll go with you, Kate, and happily too!! I'd pay whatever it takes, as you  need the info.  Bottom line, it's a business, some nice people in it, some horrible, so just get what you need, and get the drains out and get out of there.

As for the creepie crawlers that were lurking (on the photo site, was it?)  I was only referring to someone who had given me a really hard time on another thread a long time ago.  It was a guy who was obviously angry over his wife's bc, and was kind of info mining us for all our stories.  Turns out he was writing a blog about all this stuff and I had asked why all the personal questions?  And why didn't his wife come on?  Wow.  He flipped out, she flipped out, I wrote them an apology saing I felt it was a  legit query and I meant no disrespect, just asking as something seemed weird there.  My inbox was flooded with women who also were made uncomfortable by him asking these things.  Some people loved him.  The mods said to block him and steer clear of him, and I did.  I hope his wife got the help she needed and I sure as heck hope that all of the info he got didn't end up in his blog or a book without our permission, as that seemed to be where things were headed.

I would never do or say or write a thing to hurt another sister.....I felt extremely protective of us all when this happened.

Hey, Lilah, you are a super duper doll yourself.  thanks!  And your photos are AMAZING.  I think you have now given me that little nudge I needed to go there and never look back.  I am so happy to know things can turn out looking that great!!!

Aw Annie so glad to inspire you!  I feel blessed that it has worked out as it has for me... and as for that GYN, she is history.  I told her assistant why I was leaving too so maybe the GYN will learn something about how to talk to people (though I doubt it). 

Wow what a weird story about that guy -- I would have done the same if I were you.  I think when people react like that to legitimate questions such as yours, it's clear they know they are wrong and don't want to fess up (and so are overreacting).  Glad you were able to separate from that.

Well the reduction side was JUST a lift/reduction -- not an MX -- and so yes that is my nipple.  My MX side was not nipple sparing.  Yes I was very large and my PS did a genius job -- even managed to do the reduction with the single, vertical cut down from areola to IMF (not lateral cut at IMF) which means one less scar.  Annie I totally think you can have a similar result.  Have you considered going to MSKCC?  I can PM you my PS's name and you could see her for a consult if you want.  I have no idea if she does NSM or not (I did not have that option for my MX side because the DCIS which became IDC had started behind the nipple).

BTW, if you have an MX you don't have a reduction/lift (because they remove all the breast tissue).  You just have TEs and implants (if you choose the implant route).  You might also want to investigate further on the whole subject; I believe Kate can add something more here but I'm pretty sure that she posted elsewhere that candidates for NSM generally do not have very large breasts (like ours). 

Oooohhhh you are talking about THAT post?  Well that thread is about someone copying the posts from BCO to another site... NOT pictures, just words; not even our user names (I looked at it).  It is disturbing but frankly that info is just as freely available here.  The pictures and info on Timtam's site are safe -- don't worry MBJ.  That is a private site, unlike this one.

Well, on the eve of my exchange...I have a serious confession to make... I am a DOUBLE DIGIT COUGAR!!!!!  Sorry to be coming in so late on this funny bunch of postings, but I couldn't resist. And that would be by years, not months, my friends.  I am not sure I really qualify since my now DH was the pursuer, but I acquiesed, and here we are 15+ years later, almost 11 years married.  I tease him that so far, I don't plan to trade him in on a younger model!! 

So, my next post will be from the lovely yippee squishy perspective!  Good-bye TEs forever!!!!!!!!!!  Best to Brenda, too, with her exchange tomorrow.  luv, dk

Dang girls!  I leave town for a day and I'm like 2 pages behind!!!

First thanks for all the butt kicking offers to accompany me to the hospital records department.  That would have been Soooo much fun.  As it turns out when I saw my BS today to have my drains out (since my PS was out of town) I told her about my experience in Recovery and she was kind of upset.  She said she is personally going to look into it and get back to me!  I Love Her (well, as much as a heterosexual can, anyway)!!!

So little known fact.  When you have to have drains after exchange, and you've had a lot of sensation come back since your MX (admittedly a good thing) and they take those drains out......IT HURTS LIKE H**L!!!  Who knew?  They about had to peel me off the ceiling!   (I soothed myself by buying two cute shirts in the cancer center gift shop and lunch at my favorite little restaurant down there so I guess it was worth it!) 

M-star- My DH and I particularly enjoyed your post!!!

Tory- Good idea about asking for electronic copies.  I think I will call tomorrow and check it out.  Otherwise, I will suck it up and pay the .50.

anniealso- It's so funny.  I was telling my BS today that a lot of us on here were trying to educate women on here about the option of NSM.  I specifically asked her what size breasts were considered to be candidates.  She said she personally will only do C cup and smaller.  She said that when breasts are larger than that it become almost impossible to maintain blood supply to the nipple when it has so far to travel.  The other problem is proper nipple placement on the new reconstructed breast.

deekay- I'm thinking you win "Top Cougar" award.  You go girl!  Good luck on your exchange surgery tomorrow.  Hope it all goes smooth and you are soon back home! 

Kate 

DEEKAY

BRENDA

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW GIRLS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

hugs and prayers!

Hello ladies the count down is on. My exchange surgery is Monday! I am looking forwad to losing the expanders but yet dreading another surgery. This will actually be my 3rd! I asked before about medical insurance covering nipple tattoing through a  cosmctic artist but didn't get any feedback. Does anyone know the answer? Also does anyone know if Horizon BCBS covers bras from Nordstroms. I actually have NJDirect BCBS.  If anyone has an answer please let me know. ..

Fumi you rock!

Thanks Kate.  This is my third surgery in 4 months.  How big are the incisions from removing the expanders? I hope I heal quick! We just had a beautiful pool put in my yard and I would really like to enjoy it! If not right away at least by July 31st. I am having a graduation/18th birthday party for my son. My daughter who is 21 will be making jello shots. I had them the first time last weekend and I must say they are quite addicting. I enjoyed every color but they went down smoothly and it me all at once. Anyway I will be relaxing all weekend preparing myself. Tomorrow I scheduled a massage for myself and a pedicure. I figured I would pamper myself for a change

JKZ -- I think the best way to find out what your insurance covers is to call and ask them.  I haven't done tats yet but expect it will take place in my PS's office, so it should be covered as it is part of the reconstruction.  As for bras, again a call to your insurance company should help.  When I had chemo I bought a very expensive wig, called my insurance (certain they would say it wasn't covered because too expensive), but they sent me a form to fill out and I sent a prescription, the form and a receipt and they covered all but 10% of the cost (which is how my insurance -- Oxford -- works).  I was very surprised but it did make sense in retrospect.  So if you call your insurance company you could find out what is required to get bras covered (if covered at all).