Exchange City
Comments
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Joyko- Just caught up on this thread. Hope you are feeling better every hour! I know I feel so much better since exchange. Kate gave me the same advise and I stopped looking so much. True to our sisters' words, the foobs look better and better every few days. I hope you have the same positive experience. Hugs to you!
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NVDiane: Great post. Thanks for reminding us...
Boromom: Congrats on the nipples! You must feel great!
Kate33: You look fabulous, very natural-looking. I don't even remember why you were disappointed.
Best wishes to SunnyCoconut, brunettesrule, and Judy! Let us know how you are doing.
Brenda
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NVDiane is as lovely a person as she seems on here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kate - your pics are gorgeous!!! You look so natural... enjoy!
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Brenda- I think the disappointment was more the way they felt than the way they look but it's getting better. They're starting to feel more like a part of me now. Thanks to you and Lilah for your kind words!
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A couple of questions ...
I'm about 2.5 weeks post-exchange. I've had some pain in the left side ... did a lot of reaching yesterday (I'm moving) but no lifting over 5lbs. I noticed today something like a cord running about an inch below, parallel to my scar. I called my PS and talked to his PA. I said it felt like scar tissue and she said that it is too early for that. She asked if it was red or hot and I said no. Bruised? No. Just like there was something under there. It is tender to the touch. She said that if I see any change at all, to call. I'm scheduled to see my PS next week anyway. She talked to the doc and said there are multiple things it could be (that wasn't helpful) and to call if I see changes. He'll take a look next week. I'm kind of worried. What could it be? I showed my cousin tonight and she said it looked like a vein. Grrreat, something like a vericose vein running across my new foob? Lovely.
Also, I've asked timtam to get on the picture site about two weeks ago and haven't heard anything. I'd love to look at the pics and post, but I'm not able?
What do I need to do?0 -
NVDiane: Well said! I never had a sister and now I have so many. It's a beautiful thing.
Kate: How are you doing? Have your headaches gone away? I never heard of folic acid for the hair, but I am already taking it, so that is a good thing. I had my pre-op today and my PS is going in with handful of sizes: everything from a 300 moderate plus to a 600 for my MX side. Guess I won't know what I will be getting until I am done!
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boromom: Glad your procedure was pain free! Like dressing a turkey! LOL!!
joyko: Sounds like everything went well for you! Congratulations!
dawnhope: I hope it's nothing to worry about!
kate: I'm going to look at your pictures now!
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Dawn-Hope - It sounds like a blocked cord to me. Do you see a PT?
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Dawne-Hope- I had almost the exact same thing happen a few weeks after exchange. I was reaching for something and felt some pain which didn't go away and I had some swelling. Mine turned out to be an inflamed stitch. ( I had Alloderm so I had external stitches). Did your PS use stitches for anything? My PS did say that just over stretching alone could cause pain and to take it easy. I think since I had so little pain after this surgery I wasn't taking precautions like the previous ones. I would just try to baby that side until your appointment next week and see if it gets better.
As far as the picture forum it's kind of a bad time right now. Timtam has been ill so has not been able to get back to everyone. Also, the site itself is in flux. It has grown so big it needs to be moved to a new server so they are in the process of doing that right now. They aren't sure, yet, if they'll be able to move the old pics to the new site.
MBJ- One more week until your exchange! Are you getting excited? I'm so happy you'll be getting your Y.S.!!! I am doing o.k. Headaches are still coming and going. So strange. I'm going to pop into my GP's office today and see where my blood pressure is to see if it's still high. They gave me migraine and high blood pressure medication but one of the side effects listed for the high blood pressure meds is headaches. Crazy! I really think it's more related to my messed up neck, though, and am getting another massage in a few days. I have a woman that comes right to my house. It's heaven!!!!
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Dawne -- they are working on moving to a new site... no new apps are being accepted right now. You will have to sit tight until September. Sorry.
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Kate: Yes, I am very excited. I suspect that for the first time in my life I will actually fit in my clothes! Because I am tall, I have always had to buy a large even though I am a medium, so nothing in the chest area ever fit. Crossing my fingers that they do a good job. I am so sorry that you are having so many problems. I say, get rid of the drugs, get your massages, and see if there is a healthier way to get rid of your high blood pressure. Does diet and excercise help at all for high blood pressure?
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NVDiane, Thank you so much for your post. I am 7 weeks from a dmx with delayed reconstruction. I think I let my BS dissuade me from an immediate reconstruction as she warned me of possible problems if I required radiation or if I got an infection. I now know that I was not prepared or educated to make that decision at the time, and I have regretted this delay, but no looking back now. I had to wait 11 weeks for an appointment with the PS my BS recommended. This surgeon has also been highly recommended by my other care-givers as well, so hopefully she is worth the wait. I still have 4 weeks to go until the appointment and I am getting the nerves everyone seems to get before moving to the next phase. I have spent hours reading all of the notes on this site and I am inspired by the love and courage all of you share. This week I have been questioning my decision to have reconstruction. I am back to full speed from my mastectomies and when I think of starting over with the surgeries and limitations as well as the challenges of the TE process I am tempted to cancel my appointment. The thing is that I miss having breasts (even foobs) and I really hate going flat or wearing forms. Thank you NVDiane for sharing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a life after BC, and soft breast alternatives that will make me feel whole again. You have inspired me to be strong and stay the course.
I have been reluctant to post, but I would like access to the picture site. Is there any chance that I will be granted access if I have not posted dozens of time? Thank you all, Shelley
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Hi! I am the new kid on the block. It has been 2 months since my exchange (rt side) and lift/reduction (left side). I am scheduled for nipple surgery in 2 months. When I saw my BS she suggested not doing the nipple and just getting 3D tattoes. My skin is discolored and thin from rad. I also had a gnarly infection 6 weeks after mastectomy. I am trying to decide what to do. Do I really need a nipple? I will always know the difference -- nat'l side is pointed and soft, foob is firm, flat and, of course, has no feeling. My husband says do what ever I feel comfortable with. Okay sisters ... tell me what you think.
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Does the PS feel your skin has been through enough? Is it a medical reason why she is suggesting against it?
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survivormom09 - I have thin skin issues as well and therefore nipple recon will not be in the cards for me unless I want them in an "off" location. I am in the process of researching these 3D tattoos and the best places to have them done. I have seen some great pictures on internet sites am actually very excited about it. There is a 3D Nipple thread somewhere on this forum. It would be worthwhile to take a look over there. I am waiting for the picture forum to reopen so that I can see the pics some of our sisters have posted of their tattoos.
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The thread is called 3-D Nipple Tattoos. Go figure!
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Well....24 hours has passed since the exchange surgery - so I was allowed to remove the surgical bra and put on a sports bra. I took a look --- left side (real boob...minor lift) looks almost like it did before (I'm not really big) ... the right side (my Barbie boob side!) looks a bit swollen at the top and it comes a bit to the side by my arm. Is this normal right after surgery?
I was told to wear sports bras ... but will the implant move under my arm??? If anyone can answer the way your boobs looked right after surgery, I'd appreciate it. My foob side also looks a bit higher - will it drop???
Many thanks...
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Shelley -- keep posting. The pic forum is not taking new members at the moment because they are working to move it's server site by the end of August. So in the meantime post meaningfully (numbers are not as important), share of yourself with others, and come September the new site will hopefully be ready for new members.
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joyko- I think everything you are describing is very normal. My implants seemed high, too full on top and looked kind of "smooshed". A month and a half out I think they look better now. (The women on here call it "dropping and fluffing" so yes, yours should drop.) My PS sent me home in what they called a surgical bra but was basically just a very supportive sports bra. There is a bra thread on here called "Bras 101" with some great advice on what to wear post exchange. Here is the link-
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/753120?page=20#idx_593
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Shelley--Thanks so much for your kind words. Before my mastectomy, I wondered whether I even wanted to bother with reconstruction. It seemed like so much additional trouble, and was it that important? I posed the question to my husband. He just paused, looked at me, and said quietly, "I know you, and I know you won't be happy unless you do it." And he was right; he knew what I wanted to do, before I did. I wanted a new breast, just like you do. You have decided what you want, and I'm so happy you are going for it! I am honored to have been able to help you in any way. Best wishes to you.
Diane
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Laura....awwwww......thanks so much....you are such a lovely person yourself, a sweet sister, and a wonderful friend....any Ta-Tas who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Laura, the official cheerleader of the Ta-Ta Sisterhood, just wait until Vegas!!! You will love love love her!!
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Official Cheerleader...
... I remember you gals calling me that... AWE.. MEMORIES! .. (((HUG)))MOM09... THE SISTER WITH RADS SKIN AND WONDERING IF SHE SHOULD DO NIPS........................ NO NO NO!
If you have had healing issues with your skin already.. PLEASE do not take a chance at loosing the implant and having to do flap. Flap is BEAUTIFUL, yet a larger... much larger surgery than implant. 3D tattoo's look amazing. Please contact me by PM if you wanna chat more on this subject... I will help you..... ((HUG))
Laura
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Hi All, well, I went to see my PS today about the looseness and rippling I have on my prophy side. I was concerned maybe I needed a bigger implant since I am soooo squishy on my right. Of course, my left is my rad/Lat D side so it is tighter and well covered with tissue so I can't compare the two. Anyway, I feel somewhat reassured. My PS said all implants have ripples so a larger one would still have ripples. He brought in one to show me and it had ripples all over the top. He said the difference come with how much skin and muscle you have to cover the implant. So ripple areas that show after exchange are a function of little tissue in that area. He feels he can improve the situation a lot with fat grafts so I've decided to get them. He's going to take the fat from my upper abdomen. He doesn't want to take fat from my belly, "just in case" I ever need it.(for another surgery). Bummer on that...He'll do the grafts when he does nips on me on 9/3. I am glad to have the issue of that surgery settled.
So how does this explanation sit with those of you who have had fat grafts? I appreciate any feedback from you guys. deekaay
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survivormom: On the day of my exchange (a week ago) my PS said that my radiated skin had become too thin, and that I was not ready for nipple reconstruction. During the exchange surgery one of the areas that received fat grafting was that area of concern. At my first post op appt. PS said my radiated skin is already looking better. Besides the fat, the smaller mound has made the skin less tight and thicker. Now I'm thinking, why would I want reconstructed nipples when 3D tattoos look fine and are less invasive? I would need them on both sides, so they'll be symmetrical anyway. I can see how if you were a uni, you'd want to match the natural side, and that might be better achieved with a reconstructed nipple/areola. I would like to add, though, that I actually saw a uni recon last week (in person) with only a 3D nipple/areola tattoo, and it looked great! I could not tell unless I was really close!
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NVDiane: That was a very nice post! I definitely could not have gotten through these past few months without everyone here. I just wish I found BCO earlier. Serious love and support on this site!!!
Boromom: Congrats on your nips!! I am at least 4 months away from that. I had NO IDEA I would be awake for the nip (I am only having one side done)....oh dear lord I am glad I have some time to build up to that moment. LOL thanks for the heads up on the whole procedure.
I'm giddy with anticipation for my exchange! Hope everyone is having a good week!
Good night all!!
Diane
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survivor: Sorry, my post was confusing. The gist of my post is: If your skin is too thin, fat grafting might help make it thicker. If 3D tattoo is your only option, then a good tattoo artist will do a sufficient job of matching.
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- No medical reason not to do the nipple. Very scared of infection. Had quarts of puss removed one time already, don't want to go there again. I am not looking forward to another surgery. I know they do the 3D tatoos in my PS office. I have an appointment with PS I need to move earlier to discuss this with him.
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If your radiated skin is an issue, as most are, there is a medical reason.
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It is probably fitting but I cannot have a nipple constructed safely. My radiated skin failed to hold the implant, had an LD flap and still got an infection afterward. So...my PS does not want to risk creating a nipple..and I didn't want one anyway--he tried to convince me to have one...I wouldn't mess with a radiated breast..Just my opinion. the tattooing is just fine. JUDY
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