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  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited January 2011

    MSN:  I got your butt, the height and the cooking gene, LOL!!!!

  • MSNOMORELUMPS
    MSNOMORELUMPS Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    HAHAHAAA! Ok well if I can't afford to buy all new clothes, so I guess you can keep the height & the bootay, but send up the cooking gene please. I'm a big eater and sometime Coco Puffs just doesn't hit the spot.

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited January 2011
    Hey, I want the cooking gene too!  I've eaten so well the last of couple of weeks.  Don't know what I'm going to do now that the holidays are over.  Visiting family friends last week, the lady baked pies and she asked me if I baked.  I laughed and told her 'no' and that I barely cook just so I can stay alive!  :)  I don't have the booty, either.  I want the cooking gene!  Laughing
  • MSNOMORELUMPS
    MSNOMORELUMPS Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    DAWN- From here on out, I'm going to concoct a story about the cooking gene being located in my lymph nodes that were removed. I only had 4 taken, so it was a fluke that out of allllllllllll the lymph nodes our bodies have, they just so happened to take the one that contained the cooking gene. I will then refer any complaints about my cooking to my BS.

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited January 2011
    nomore - Sounds good to me!  Now I have an excuse!  Tongue out
  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited January 2011

    LOL!!

  • deekaay
    deekaay Posts: 254
    edited January 2011

    You guys crack me up!  Love the concept of the cooking gene being located in the lymph nodes.  Had a lot of those suckers removed so I should be able to sell that story!!!!

    Here's to more humor in the new year!!!!!!

  • MSNOMORELUMPS
    MSNOMORELUMPS Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    HUH??? CONCEPT??? You say that like we're making it up. It's pure and simple biology. LOL

  • deb1012
    deb1012 Posts: 12
    edited January 2011

    I am new to this thread but since I am getting closer to my exchange I wanted to know what is going to happen next.  My last fill was Dec 22, I have an appointment for Jan 26 to decide on what implant that I want.  I don't have the exchange date yet but figured it may be in Feb.  I had a mx on the right and will be having a lift of the left.  I look forward to having this done but the nervousness of the next surgery is starting to creep back in. 

  • MSNOMORELUMPS
    MSNOMORELUMPS Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    HADLEY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR POST, BUT I SAW IN MY EMAIL THAT YOU'RE GETTING YOUR TATS TOMORROW, AND I WANT TO SEND YOU POSITIVE VIBES, AND JUST THINK ABOUT A GOOD OUTCOME WHILE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH IT. LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES.

  • MSNOMORELUMPS
    MSNOMORELUMPS Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    AT DEB1012- I'm not comfortable enough dishing out advice, but it looks as though you're well on your way. I had a double so I'm not familiar with the differences, but there are plenty of other ladies on here that would be willing to help you out. Wishing you well. 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited January 2011

    Hi Debbie! Welcome to EC! Please contact a sister on BCO with the screename WHIPPITMOM. Send her a private message about what kind of implant you need. She will know!

    HAPPY 2011 sisters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    EC has seen a few good years .............. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Posts: 415
    edited January 2011

    Does anybody know why Alloderm is used sometimes and not on others?  I don't think mine used it, but it seems like alot have used it on here?

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2011

    Debbie:  In the Breast Reconstruction forums, look up "Breast Implant Sizing 101".  Read the thread details and post the required information for me and I can help you.

    Deborah

  • kim11
    kim11 Posts: 2
    edited January 2011

    Hi everyone - and maybe perhaps especially whippetmom, the breast genius.   I had a BMX on July 21 and am scheduled for my exchange Feb 1.  When discussing options ahead of time with my plastic surgeon- he seriously advocated the 2 step process with expanders so we could "fix" things the second time.  Last time I met with him, he said there will be no adjustments during the exchange - they'll just put in the silicone implants and then, in 6 months, if it doesn't look right, we'll fix it then.  So I had 4 previous lumpectomy surgeries prior to the BMX and really want to be done.  He also said to overexpand 50-100cc beyond final implant size.  But then said that expanders are at least 50cc bigger than the implant.  So the issue now is that I don't get another consultation with him until 4 days before the surgery.  Right now I'm at 275cc which is probably the same size implant i want.  The problem is the huge asymmetry that has developed.   My left breast sits about 3 cm lower on my chest than the right and looks about 30% bigger.  I'm supposed to get another expansion but when I explained my concerns to my PS to ask whether I should since it seems I am making everything more asymmetrical - he said - no, expansion doesn't create asymmetry and just to do whatever i want - he doesn't care and overexpanding doesn't matter.  uggh.  i'm so sorry for the rant.  but just so tired of not simply being able to trust my doctors.  i'm supposed to go tomorrow for another fill and may just fill the side that looks smaller.  i don't know.  but can they fix the pocket even?  can they bring up the breast pocket to make it even with the other side.  it just seems like the implants will fall into the hole that has been created and i'll be left with completely lopsided breasts when i was originally pretty symmetrical and even maintained that through the earlier expansions...

    sorry again about such a long diatribe. it's been a while since i've been on here but knew this is where i could turn...

    thanks to everyone.

     kim

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2011

    Kim:  Absolutely he will need to perform some pocket revisions with the assymetry in the IMF region you describe.  The objective is to get as much right as possible at the time of exchange. Nips and tats do not require general anesthesia.  You can send me photos - I'll PM you my email address.  For sizing, I'll need the style/volume of your TEs - or at least the width of the TEs...your height, weight, ribcage circumference. 

    Deborah

  • kim11
    kim11 Posts: 2
    edited January 2011

    Yay!!!  Thank you Deborah.  I will look for your PM and send the information. 

     Seriously - you are a godsend for all of us who are just so exhausted and overwhelmed.

     thanks!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2011

    MBJ or Lilah....

    Could one of you send kim11 the instructions for the pictures forum?  I told her I would but I cannot access that information from this computer. 

    Thanks ever so much!

    Deborah

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited January 2011

    Found this article interesting.  Recent study done in Italy titled:  "Personality Factors Affect Quality of Life after Breast Reconstruction." 

    http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/572137/?sc=dwhp

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2011

    Huh?  Vindictive and self-absorbed women live longer?  Perhaps this is why we have the antithetical saying, "the good die young." 

  • Ann97
    Ann97 Posts: 142
    edited January 2011

    Hi everyone. I am new to this thread. I had a bmx in July and will have the exchange on Feb 9. I had not been to see my PS for several months and went in today. I thought I was done with fills, but the left is smaller than the right so I was filled today and then again next week. My right side has dropped and he said he liked that side but was a little concerned about the left that was still high. I hope I don't end up lopsided.

    I have a question for anyone that might be able to give me some advice. I work from home on a computer. I'm having surgery on a Wednesday. How many days should I take off of work? And how soon after surgery were you able to drive? I did not use the pain meds for long after my bmx. I think I came home on a Wednesday and took my last one on Saturday morning.

    Thanks for your help!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited January 2011

    I was on my computer the evening after the exchange.  It all depends on how much pocket work is done - if any is needed at all - and how you respond to anesthesia. But I would estimate you would be back working on your computer two days later - on Friday.  I did not take narcotic analgesics beyond the first evening after the exchange and it sounds as though you have a high pain threshhold, so you probably will follow a similar course. You will do just fine! 

  • Ann97
    Ann97 Posts: 142
    edited January 2011

    Thanks, whipetmom! :)

  • didel
    didel Posts: 733
    edited January 2011

    Ann97 I work from home as well and just had my 2nd revision since exchange. I was too high as a kite from pain meds the day of surgery and the day after surgery to work, but after that I really only took my pain meds at night for another two nights and then I was good. I didn't drive the week of  surgery or walk my puppy (he tends to pull) or lift heavy objects per PS instructions. i had a lot of pocket work done. The pain was minimal nothing compared to the mx. I needed help the first 24 hrs after surgery getting out of bed that was about the worst of it for me. 

    Good luck to you!! Speedy recovery

    Diane

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited January 2011

    Ann... good luck! I also was on my PC that day. I had a lot of pocket work done on my radiated side..

    I had exchange on a Friday, and I felt like I could have gone back to work ( Stylist) in that first week.

    We all are different... but most of us have a much easier time of it at exchange....

    Let us know how you do, ok..

    (hug)

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited January 2011

    whippetmom - The way I read it wasn't that vindictive, self-centered women lived longer, it was that such women had a higher quality of life re their breast reconstruction as well as 'apprehensive and doubtful'  or to use their language "Harm-avoidance" women. 

    The bottom line is that some women deal better than others with the psychological impacts of breast reconstruction.  For those that don't fall in the two categories, counseling can be beneficial.  My understanding, at least.  Thought it was interesting.
    Diagnosis: 9/2009, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

  • LG300
    LG300 Posts: 512
    edited January 2011

    Kim - I was just catching up on this thread and saw your post.  Like you, I had several lumpectomies prior to my BMX (I had 3).  My left side which had all the prior surgeries was definitely smaller than my right side during most of my fills.  My PS did an extra fill on the left side (maybe she did a half fill on the right side that day) to help even things out.  I also had a fair amount of pocket work done during my exchange because all the scar tissue in the left breast pushed the TE up, so that breast was higher than the right.  My PS did a really nice job during the exchange surgery.  You can see my pictures on the picture forum.  Good luck with your exchange!  LG

  • kansasmom
    kansasmom Posts: 41
    edited January 2011

    Friends,

    I have been gone too long from this forum. I was just super busy hosting the big family Christmas events at my house and my daughter (25, our oldest of 2 children, our other child is a boy,22 ) got engaged !!!! to a great young man. The wedding is August 13th, so we have been busy wedding planning. Being so busy has been a blessing because it kept me from obsessing about my exchange.

    My exchange surgery was midday today and everything went great. I am home and feel like a little kid on Christmas... can't sleep tonight because of my new "presents" (  ) (  )  no nips yet... ; )  I was expanded to 550ccs and exchaged to 700ccs Mentor High profile silicone implants. They really aren't that big for my height and frame. Thank you soooo much Whippet Mom for your size recommendations several months ago. It really helped me have the confidence to do it and my plastic surgeon ended up selecting the 700s too. You have such a good eye and vision!! But, everyone  on CBO knows this already. I just I had to add my personal props to you.  will post pre exchange pics soon. I will wait to post exchange pics for a couple more  weeks and am going to try to STAY AWAY FROM THE MIRROR : )

    Gotta go try and get some sleep. We have a meeting with the florist for the wedding tomorrow.

    xoxo to all. Deb in KS 

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited January 2011

    Congratulations on your exchange Deb in KS!!!

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited January 2011

    Whippetmom:  I sent a PM to kim!

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