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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited October 2010

    I posted a few days back on your picture Bonnie... XXXOOO for you tomorrow... you are beautiful.... remember that.... BEAUTIFUL!

  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited October 2010

    Bonnie, good luck to you for tomorrow.  I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with cc.  I had my last implant removed because of it, and am trying with a new implant, so far, eh.  I didn't have much pain on that side when the implant and scar tissue were removed, you have been thru so much I hope you will recover easily. 

  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Posts: 415
    edited October 2010

    Sweet dreams and best of luck to M-star, Rebetata, asr51 and Hummingb1rd - here's hoping you wake up very pleased!!

  • asr51
    asr51 Posts: 28
    edited October 2010

    Thanks again for all the good wishes.  My PS said I won't have drains which I'm very happy about, but I still can't shower for 3 days.  My one concern is washing and drying my hair.  If I can't lift my arms for 3 weeks, there's no way I can dry my hair.  There's a beauty school fairly near where I live and I was thinking I may have them do my hair for the next 3 weeks.  I was told I could wear any bra I wanted after 3 weeks during the day, but I have to sleep in a sports or surgical bra for 6 weeks.  It's interesting how we all get different instructions from our plastic surgeons.

  • brunettesrule
    brunettesrule Posts: 17
    edited October 2010

    Yeah..one drain out (reduction side) one to go.Smile    Community nurse rang and double checked about showing and she said I can have a shower, as I have waterproof bandages over the drain holes, BUT to use only water from waist up (including hair) and I can use soap from waist down.  If I need to wash my hair, I must do it over the laundry basin.

    Cheers, Jane Smile

  • didel
    didel Posts: 733
    edited October 2010

    Good Luck to everyone having surgery this week!! How exciting!

    Bonnie So sorry for all you've been through..hope all goes well for you and yes as everyone said we"re all here for you! HUGS

    MStar YEAH!!!! IT'S about time!! you must be more than excited to have your exchange!

    Kittycat Congrats on your final Chemo!!!!! I can't imagine how you girls do 12 rounds of anything. UGH! You are so strong and an inspriration to others!

     Good luck all...stay strong!

    Di

  • kad22
    kad22 Posts: 58
    edited October 2010

    Hi everyone - new to this thread - MBJ sent me here!!

    I will have my exchange surgery in December and wanted to know who else has silicone implants and what they feel like. I am having  Natrelle implants and was wondering if anyone else has this type? Also, it says that you need to have these changed throughout your lifetime?!?

    Any help or info would be great!

    Thanks, Kelli

  • deekaay
    deekaay Posts: 254
    edited October 2010

    Happy healing to all having their surgeries this week!  Your time has come.  Special wishes to Bonnie-I hope you feel immediate relief so you can heal.

    Just back from vacation, catching up on this thread really shows the collective intelligence and genuine warmth of this group of ladies!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    (((Bonnie))) I agree with Laura -- you are BEAUTIFUL in any form!

    Kad22/Kelli -- welcome and hello!  Silicone is very soft -- especially as compared with the TEs (which are like rocks).  And yes my understanding is that you will need to exchange them once every 15 years (give or take).  Ask your PS about it.  The silicone is not guaranteed for life but for 10 - 15 years... though many seem to do well for 20 years before exchanging.  Hey, look at this way: when you have to get your next set there will probably be even better options than there are now :)

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited October 2010
    kad22- I just had my 6 month follow up with my PS after exchange and asked her about the need to replace the implants.  She said she just did a replacement on someone who had theirs for 25+ years!  She said you can tell when they need to be replaced because they will usually get hard but that some women have MRI's done every few years to check for leaks. However, she told me insurance doesn't cover the MRI's.  Insurance does pay to have them replaced, though, since you are getting implants for reconstruction purposes.  I'm with Lilah- hoping they have even better options in 10-15 years!
  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    Oh I like that 25 years number!

    Though that puts me in surgery at the age of 75 ... not sure I like THAT!  So I might go for 20 years (and go for an exchange at 70 :)

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited October 2010

    Lilah:  Oh my, won't we all be hot at 70>?? LOL!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    LOL you betcha baby! 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited October 2010

    LOL ladies.......

    JEAN....... how are you doing??????????????

  • Firni
    Firni Posts: 521
    edited October 2010

    Good grief.  If my implants last 25 years I'll be 78 years old.  I'd probably opt to add on a face lift.  And a butt lift.  And some lipo. Gotta keep it all looking the same!!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    LOL Firni -- well I say in 10 - 15 years there may be completely new options available for all of us :)

  • AStorm
    AStorm Posts: 1,393
    edited August 2013

    Maybe we'll all end up in BC Survivors' Home together and we'll support each other through our 70-something year old's exchange surgeries! You know what... if I'm still healthy 25 years from now I'll just be happy doing whatever. 

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited October 2010

    I can just see us all in the hospital at 70 getting our new foobs!  What a riot!!!

  • sweetie2040
    sweetie2040 Posts: 470
    edited October 2010

    HI Ladies-I have a question for my friend who is not on BC.org but about to have her exchange. She is expanded to 500cc's and every thing looks great, however her Dr said he will do the exchange at the hospital and keep her in overnight because he does something called a "skin advancement flap". I think it is his technique, but she does not know what it means. It is not anything special to her because he does it on many of his patients. Any idea what it is?

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    Sorry Sweetie -- never heard of that! 

  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Posts: 271
    edited October 2010

    Thanks so much for all the nice comments -- they really did help.

    Well, the deed is done.  My implant was removed yesterday, along with what PS said (with a frowny face) was A LOT of scar tissue.  I'm really sore and uncomfortable, but otherwise fine.  Have a small JP drain -- hate those little guys!  Back to the PS on Friday to get unwrapped and have the drain pulled.  Hope everyone else is doing well today.   

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    Aw Bonnie glad it's done and hope you feel better soon!!!

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited October 2010

    Firni- LOL!  I like your attitude!!!

    Astorm- Good idea!  Kind of like "Golden Girls" only with perkier boobs!

    sweetie- The only time I have heard this term they were talking about donor skin used to create a stronger inframammary fold.  Not sure if he's talking about the same thing or not.

    Bonnie- Glad your surgery went well.  Hope you start feeling so much better! 

  • brunettesrule
    brunettesrule Posts: 17
    edited October 2010

    Hi ladies, is anyone itchy around their foobs.  Maybe I am allergic to the tape, cause thats where I am itchy....driving me crazy.  Hope everyone is taking it easy with their recoveries and best wishes to those having exchange soon.

    Hugs Jane.

  • happymom8285
    happymom8285 Posts: 132
    edited October 2010

    Bonnie, glad that implant is out and PS was able to remove scar tissue.  Hope you feel more like yourself, soon!!

    Let's see, in 15 years I'll be 72!  I feel blessed to have such perkiness at 57!!  Ooooo, imagine at 72!  We might all be pretty wrinkled, but at least our foobs'll look good!  Probably have to go bigger since my waist will have disappeared by then....haha

    sweetie, my implants are firm, but soft.  PS told me to squish them together.  As far as lying down, they do go out to the side a bit.  That's why I put my sports bra back on.  I don't really like wearing it to bed, but it is more comfortable.  I had a lot of alloderm, too.  I'm wondering, since I never was big breasted before, those who were, did your regular boobs flatten out when you laid on your back?  I would think that's how they're supposed to be.

    All the girls having surgery this week.....be blessed with some awesome foobies!  And don't be shocked with the hamburger buns!!!

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited October 2010

    BrunettesRule -- you probably ARE having an allergic reaction to the tape (it's not uncommon).  You should call your doctor and get a remedy (tape needs to removed) before you get a rash... no reason for you to be uncomfortable and I'm sure your doctor will be familiar with the issue and have a remedy.  I did not have that problem but many here have... and it was easily resolved by finding something else to cover the sutures with.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited October 2010

    bonnie:  I am so glad you got that over with so yu could move on with your life.  Gentle hugs!

    brunettesrule:  I agree with Lilah! 

  • m-star
    m-star Posts: 340
    edited October 2010

    Hi all!

    my exchange went well.Had it done yesterday and came home today.feeling pretty good so far and nice to have soft natural looking boobies!

    bit sore from the pocket work but nothing like the BMx!

    Got my lovely drains in x2! will post pics soon on pic forum.

    love to you all,

    Kay xxx

  • sweetie2040
    sweetie2040 Posts: 470
    edited October 2010

    congrats on all you girls who just had your surgeries. M-star- where have you been,was getting worried! Glad you are doing fine. You are officially a gummy girl now!

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited October 2010

    Bonnie, so glad you are fixed up and big hugs (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((xoxo))))))))))))))))))))))))