Exchange City

Ferrari:  A fever doesn't sound good.  Does your PS know?  You might want to check in with them to be safe.  What size and style did they put in?  It sounds like a Moderate Plus as they have more bottom and more of a natural look.  Hope you heal up quickly.  Bet you are ready to get the drains out, too!

tomorrow..tomorrow..tomorrow.tomorrow

It's like Christmas eve for me...whooooooo

twirland curl - you don't seem nervous at all - why am I so nervous for Friday for my exchange?

hurleygirly - My PS is putting me in some sort of bra I have to wear for a week.  I forgot to ask what to wear after - I guess he will tell me.  Glad to hear it doesn't hurt too bad!!

twirlandcurl, You are going to be so excited when you are all done. I am so happy with my results. Just had me post op an hour ago and the three surgeons whom all worked on me said that they were pretty much high-fiving each other after my surgery!

 vmmudrow, My ps put me in a halter top like top and now wants me to wear a sports bra until I see her in a few weeks. She told me today that I don't have any swelling and for me not to do any massaging until she sees me in 2 weeks. I stopped percocet on Friday and am feeling great today..not even sore at all! Good luck and keep us all posted of course!

twirlandcurl - it's coming, girl!  hang in there! 

Hi ladies, I haven't really been participating in this forum since I posted my exchange date. I've got 3 days to go, and am feeling very anxious. I had some bad things happen with my BMX (I posted that on the Depression, Anxiety and PTSD forum under Anxious about upcoming surgery). I know in my head that things will go much better this time and it's a much simpler, shorter surgery. It really helps to see how each of you have come through with amazing results. Thanks for sharing. I only have to keep reminding myself to breath for a few my days, then I know I'll wonder what the fuss was all about. Thanks for being here.

Hi Lilah

    Yes it was the first 48 hours that I had the fever, I Don't have it anymore, I checked.  I've been feeling much better since yesterday.

Hi everyone!

I haven't been around much the past few weeks. My new job is keeping me happily busy. I'll be 6 weeks post-exchange tomorrow and I'm feeling really great! My implant has dropped, as advertised, and fluffed, but not as much as I'd hoped. I went to see my PS today and we've set a surgery date for my nipple/areola reconstruction. It will be on November 10! He told me the implant was done, for the most part, doing what it was going to do.

There are a couple of issues that he's going to address at the time of the surgery and I wanted your input. I have this kind of flap/fold on the outside side part of my reconstructed side, running vertically above the MX scar, from the scar towards my arm pit. It is the line where the tissue was cut away at the time of the MX, where my remaining regular tissue starts. There is an area of scarring below the skin, which I can see faintly beneath my skin. That scar tissue has kind of adhered to (I think) the skin and the chest muscle. Anyway, when I extend my arm forward or up, the skin/tissue behind it kind of folds over and flops forward a little bit. The effect is rather bizarre, though only visible to me when I'm not wearing clothes. The PS says that it's to be expected with a MX. He says that a bit of lipo-suctioning may correct it a little bit, but not completely. Should I do this?

The other issue is that, since my implant has dropped, I now have a gap/indentation between where my "regular" tissue is above my breast area on the interior quadrant and where the implant is. It's not too bad, but it is definitely visible when I'm not wearing a bra and even sometimes, though to a lesser extent, when I am wearing a bra. My PS said he could do a fat graft there, but he wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea. He says he's not a big fan of the procedure and that only about 50% of what he grafts on will stay. Even that 50%, he said, doesn't stick around permanently. He called it a short term fix. My question to you all ... is this worth the trouble?

He did tell me that he would also do a small amount of fat grafting beneath the nipple/areola. I am really happy about this since, as I understand it, this will give me a bit of projection and help me to fill that top cone part of my bras.

In other news, I went to get properly fitted for a bra at Nordstrom on Sunday. I am a 36C. My native side fills the cup fully and well. The implant side fills it okay, but, as I was told before surgery, leaves a void at the top of the cone.

Thanks, everyone, for your input and advice! 

Thanks, Gail. That's kind of where I'm leaning with the fat grafting. At least for today. LOL I can always do it later, too.

I don't think the scarring adhesion/flap/whatever has to do with the pocket. It's between the skin and the chest muscle. The PS said that even if he tried to release the skin, he doesn't think it would help. He felt the only way to correct it slightly would be the lipo. I had kind of thought that lipo would be the answer from closely watching my boob in the mirror as I moved my arm forward, up and down. It's crazy the things I find myself doing these days ...

It's funny, because when I asked his nurse a few months back about possibly fat grafting beneath the new areola to improve projection, she told me the Dr. didn't believe in micro-fat grafting for various reasons. Today, he brought it up on his own with no prompting from me. He does it as a matter of course with the areola graft. I guess things change daily in this game and more and more doctors are coming onboard with the micro-fat thing. Or maybe the nurse didn't understand my question?

I'm sort of tempted to wait with the gap filling. But I'm definitely leaning towards a go on the lipo'ing of the flap thing. 

 Hello ladies I have not been on the boards in a while but I think about you all a lot. I had a new area behind my left ear that had a positive biopsy. I had the area removed and fortunately seems they got everything. I feel much better right now still in a bit of depression at this point but I am trying to think more positive. I have now came to the conclusion when I stopped chatting on the boards I became more depressed.

 I will be having my re-do on the 27th and am hoping to get back on track to get all of this over and done with.

I am so sad I missed what seemed to be a great trip to Vegas. I am so on board for next year though. 2011 is going to be the year all about me.

Hugs to everyone,

Rebecca

Bonnie -- good luck with the surgery and that sounds like a GREAT plan.  The beautiful thing is that you CAN decide later and it really sounds like right now what you need is to heal -- so go for it!

Rebecca -- so sorry to hear about the new spot but SO glad they got it all!  You absolutely MUST not be so scarce if it helps you to feel better   We missed you!  Good luck with YOUR redo as well... and definitely DO plan on joining the TaTa's next year.  It truly was an uplifting experience for all who went.

Gail -- lol at "they all recently attended a seminar"

Ferrari -- ah so glad the fever is gone!

So I had my revision surgery yesterday. First off when I walked into the OR there must've been a dozen implants to choose from it took 2 1/2hrs and I literally woke up in recovery in tears. The pain is so bad from my PS having to do so much pocket work and suturing to correct his blunder. They maxed me out on pain meds then I was nauseated and took tons of compazine. THEN these automatic doors were opening  closing opening closing opening closing and slamming every time and I swear I wish I was making this up but I yelled out "CAN SOMEONE FIX THOSE GD DOORS!!!"  whoops...I told my PS I will take them some homemade cupcakes next week for having to put up with me. I just never hurt like that.

Anyhow, So far the left appears to match the right. It is a big difference. He first thought 300, put in 500 ended up at 400cc. But I was definitely pleased that he took his time and had lots and lots of options. I get the bandages off next Tuesday so lets keep our fingers cross. I will say I am currently on double dose demerol and in a lot of pain. I think and just raw inside both surgeries. I am hoping tomorrow I feel better.  

Good night all! thanks for your continued support!!!!!

Di

Gail, thanks for the positve words. I know everything will be just fine this time. I only need to make it a few more hours and I'll be in R&R mode. I'm sorry you has to have it done again. I hope you're pleased with the 2nd outcome.

Wow ladies!   This has been a happenin' place!  Moving on is a good thing...but it's nice to have those fond memories here at the EC!!!  Miss ya all!

Welcome to all who have found peace & comfort here!!!  All I can say is IT DOES GET BETTER!!!

NAE