Exchange City

Hi girls!  Hope everyone is doing well.  Sorry to hear about the low WBC.  Mine has been low for the last 2 rounds of chemo.  I hope yours comes back up.  Maybe eating extra protein will help??? 

I'm really worried about having to do rads with my implants (they're my final silicone implants).  I have less tissue because my surgeon had to remove more of the capsule after my 2nd diagnosis.  He said if he had to take more, I might lose my implant.  I worked so hard for these implants with the TE's.  And I don't want to be lopsided.  I am very happy with my size and how I look post exchange. 

Kittycat:  I suspect I am not eating enough protein, too!  PerriconeMD has a 28 day daily menu to get to your optimum health and weight and it has lots of healthy protein daily.  I'm gonna try it because I apparently don't know how to eat healthy enough. 

I hope that you don't lose your implant!  Is it possible to change out the size if it comes down to it?  Will adding Alloderm help at all?  I don't know much about any of this, but I am hoping they find a solution for you.  Keep your spirits up--we are all thinking of you.  Are you almost done with chemo?  I have a friend who had rads with her implants in and she did fine and I hope the same for you.

Hugs,

Mary

I am done with surgery for now.  When I had my last surgery, my BS said that if he had to go in again and take more tissue from the capsule, I'd probably lose my implant.  This made me think that I don't have a lot of tissue there anymore.  I'm going to see my plastic surgeon and rads onco to see what they think.  They work together, so that helps! 

Yeah, I hopeful that's the case. 

I finally looked at my new foobs.  And was surprised at how good they looked.  I'm very pleased.  I thought they might too big, but they are not at all.

IIt's a strange feeling to walk around and feel them jiggle. No more rocks!  I'm still having some pain ... hopefully it will go away soon.

I'm really, really happy! 

Valerie - I had a BUNCH of pocket work done at my exchange, including moving the pockets more medial (closer together).  The PS doesn't cut the muscle per se, it's actually the fascia - sort of connective tissue - that is lifted.  Just how close the pockets can be moved is determined by just how much he is able to "release" the fascia.  In my case, I would have liked them a bit closer, but this is as close as he could get.  Not to scare you, but when there's a good bit of pocket work at exchange, you're more likely to have pain issues.  All that cutting and moving just isn't a lot of fun....

If you have access to the pic forum - seem to remember you do - check out my TE pics in relation to my post-exchange pics.  I think you'll see that the results can be pretty good....

Kate- flat hamburger buns?  Hysterical- that is as long as the buns belong to someone else and are not your own! Not sure mine look quite like that but I find they look a little matronly!  PS was really into them looking natural but at 41 yrs. old  I want the "not that natural" look!  After everything I have been through I want them to look 21! LOL wishful thinking.  But I will keep the positive mantra in my head every time I look at the girls.

x-raygirl: Welcome to the group!  If you have any questions or concerns you have come to a great place!  These ladies are amazing.

Greetings to everyone and HUGE congrats on the newly-exchanged ones! Feeling anticipation hearing all the good experiences about the long-awaited jigglers arrival. Had some stalling in the mental prep for Xchg, thinking the final stop on this stormy flight was coming soon. Instead, have been surprised by the circling, anti-climactically looking for a spot to land in the dense 5 yr. fog of Tamox.

x-raygirl- Cute screen name and pic!  Welcome!  This is definitely a "pay it forward" site so feel free to post any questions you might have.  There is always someone who can help!

whitedove- For what it is worth, I just saw my GP today and she had DCIS, MX on one side only and she doesn't even take Tamoxifen.  My BS also says I don't need it.

flacracker- So sorry your exchange has been so painful.  I have heard that the fat suction can be the most painful part.  I just had my exchange on 6/29 (also one of 4 surgeries) and can totally relate to getting rid of the "rocks", "turtle shells", "Madonna cones", "torture devices"- whatever we call them.  You will start feeling so much better soon!!!!  

Hey Laura I'm FIRST!!!  I will be in Vegas this Friday!!!  Kitty here I come!!!

Hey Laura I'm FIRST!!!  I will be in Vegas this Friday!!!  Kitty here I come!!!

Hi everyone

Tried to keep up with this thread, but it was just impossible once I went back to work. I had my exchange surgery the 22nd and I'm so disappointed , I hate my new foobs. I have to stop myself from looking at them 20 times a day because it just leaves me in tears. They're too high, and too big on top - barely contained in a 34c bra, but too small on the bottom and sides -don't even fill in the  bottom of the bra. The skin seems kind of saggy and the contours aren't very smooth. Also, I feel like they're too close together. Maybe I expected too much, but my sister had hers done a couple of weeks ago and hers are so beautiful.  I know i should be happy to have foobs at all, considering what i would have looked like if I had had a mastectomy 20 years ago, but right now I'm too depressed to look on the bright side.

Thanks girls, for being there to vent to!

HEHE.... I wish this was my week too.! Poo Poo... I will be there a whole week though.. IN AUGUST... hoping I don't burn up