Exchange City
Comments
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Mary: Great News! We knew it all along, didn't we?
I just noticed your new avatar. Is that a rooster? What happened to the lady with the dark, spiked hair?
Brenda
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YAAAHOOOO!!!!!! So happy it was just fat!!!! (Can you believe we are happy for fat????)
Wonderful news!
Jan
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awesome news!!! ...I'm got a big smile on for ya all the way over here in Rhode Island!!!!
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MBJ what great news. What a relief.
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That is great news, MBJ
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Claire:
Good luck on Thursday with your exchange...welcome to the world of squishies!!!
Jan
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MBJ- What a relief, I'm so happy for you. (c:
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I am 6 mos post exchange and have been all over the place. Initially I felt "too small" after expanders; now feel "too big"! Went from A cup on a good day to D cup. Never wanted to be more than small C! Considering revision, anyone else shared these feelings?
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MBJ... whoooo hoooo! Wonderful news. Yeah, its only FAT!
I had my first follow-up yesterday with my PS after my exchange nearly two weeks ago. He was very impressed with how quickly I have healed and the incisions look great. Then he asked, "so, what do you think?" I told him that I know we talked about me staying my former B cup size, but I felt like I am now smaller. He quickly agreed and told me that the 325cc's were the largest he could fit in at surgery due to my radiated breast being tight. He wants to wait for a couple months and then do a revision that would include putting in larger implants and doing the fat grafting at that time. Of course, he said that it the end, it is my decision, but if I left things the way they are now, he would consider it "unfinished business" and leave a thorn in his side. This is a bit of a set-back for me, but I know I was due for some sort of revision, just didn't think it would be a whole nother set of implants as well. I am good with it though, as I am sure that I would regret it, if I didn't show up for that next surgery on June 15th. Anybody else end up swapping implants?
So, BOOTS316... I hear you. I just want a good full B, maybe C minus. I wouldn't know how to behave with a D!
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I was a 'b' prior to surgery and now I'm a 34D or 36C. The D or C depends on the width of the breast (or so I'm to understand). Also, I found info that said the implants were wider than normal breast..therefore, "D".
I'm about a month out of surgery and they are starting to soften up a bit so I'm going to try to go for the "C" bras
Jan
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Boots: There are a couple of women here who are unhappy with thier "D" size, know that implants are wider so we have to compensate with a larger bra size. We do not look like a D cup in clothes or without clothes! After all of my swelling and settling down of the implants, I am much smaller. I also, just like prior to surgery, look larger in some clothes and look out and out smaller in other clothes. I am no way "busty" and if I want to look like even a full C it requires a padded push up bra.
Joan: I am sorry you will need a revision, however, with radiated breasts it sometimes takes a bit more to get them to where you should be. Fat grafting really helps with radiated breasts and if going up a size will make you and your PS happier, I say go for it! They are going to also look alot different in a few months--keep your surgery date and you can always change your mind if you decide you are happy with them after all.
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Lol! I never thought I would be hppy about some fat!
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MBJ I am so happy to read your post this morning.
mejoy I remember feeling exactly what you are. We go through making sure everyone knows we are ok we forget to let ourselves grieve the loss and all the changes in our lives.
Thank God we have each other.
Hugs to all of you,
Rebecca
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mejoy: I just experienced this on Sunday on my bike ride. It just hits at the strangest times! I think we are forever changed.
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So, MBJ, just a little lump o' fat. Strange things make us jump for joy in this wierd bc world! So glad you got prompt attention and good news, for sure. To answer your previous question, mine doesn't hurt, but is a little tender if I press hard. It is right in a spot where I had a divot and got the FG in 9/11. Now, here's a new weird twist. I am scheduled for another round of FG two weeks from today and my PS's nurse told me he would suck out the FG lump while he's in there! Yowee! I want them to check it out microscopically just in case. The nurse said the lump is dead fat cells that don't take and just hang around. Lovely. I've been ambilvalent about doing another round to improve my ripples, but once you do FG, you've already put yourself at risk for lumps so if I don't chicken out, I plan to go through with it. My lump is on my prophy side so that makes me fnot worry as much.
I know you are enjoying th relief!!!!! hugs, deekaay
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MBJ - So happy to hear the good news!
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Claire -- just wanted to say I will be thinking of you tomorrow and here's hoping you are pleased with the results of your revision!
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MBJ - So glad it's fat! (sounds weird to say)
So I'm 9 days out from exchange. Had my first post-op appt yesterday. The bra came off (thank god) and she said I don't need one anymore. And I can go back to doing anything I want activity wise (I can even go in the hot tub next week on spring break with the kids). I would have thought that things had to be more healed, but I'll take it. I said I just wanted what I had before kids, and I think I'm exactly that. The surgeon said he put in 350cc implants (he thought he was going to do 375cc I think) but because he was revising my scars and he wanted me to be comfortable (because he knows I can't wear a bra due to back spasms) that he went with the 350ccs and was I happy. I said I thought they were perfect, and my husband thought I should have gone bigger (of course). He said that was great. They said they don't need to see me for another 6 weeks, and to wait for 3 months before 3D nipple tattoos (I don't want any more surgery, thanks anyway). I went hyperthyroid after this surgery, just like after the mastectomy for some reason, so I've been throwing up the last 4 days. I drove last Wednesday, and have just been taking the Ultram at night because I can't seem to get comfortable to sleep. But otherwise, I feel like I'm on the homestretch, back to housework and driving fine (doesn't seem to hurt at all). Though I did sneeze today and that did hurt!
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Exchange surgery was a piece of cake. Had it yesterday and went shopping and had a couple drinks last night, and did yardwork today. Back to work tomorrow, and I have a follow up with PS Friday morning. Odd that the only slight pain is *between* the boobs, but my Dr called this morning and said that's because she made cleavage
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dawn31337 that is great to hear. I just got my TEs and the surgery went well but got a bad cough somehow a week after i got home. Took off the surgical bra for daytime yesterday and it was more comfortable with it on. Maybe it takes a few times with it off to get used to it. My first fill will be April 20th I am very nervous.0
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Dawn:
Congrats on your exchange! Please take it easy!!!! Don't try to do too too much...your girls need time to heal.
Carrol: If you are more comfy with the bra then wear it. I eventually got into just cami's after a couple of fills. I felt better with more fills. Don't be nervous about the fills, go slowly..they are easy stuff!
Jan
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Whippetmom - I have some concerns as to my next upcomming replacement surgery in May. At my last appointment I was told to go home and make a rice bag to figure out the size of the inplant I wanted. My t/e is 200cc in right, my left is 500cc. I have had alloderm in right this past Jan. and that was also my radiated side.(this will be the 4th t/e/inplant) It is healing nicely and looks and feels good, what concerns me is how am I suppose to figure out the size when the T/e is basically filling out the inner portion of that pocket (closer to my right breast area) Rice bag or water balloon better to try? It's concaved in the middle of my t/e and under my arm and oldly shaped....HELP!!??? Advice, suggestions...anything??? Thank you. Mykidsmom was gracious enough to suggest I ask you.... :-)
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Curious about the 3D nipple tattoo. Anyone had it done yet and do you mind sharing your experience?
Exchange is June 9th for me can't wait!
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kjbrown: So glad you are healing up quickly, not so great the throwing up part. I have heard hot tubs are bad for us--can't remember why--maybe it's because we still haven't all of our feeling back and we can get burned or something to do with lymphedema? Anyway, I would use caution in this area no matter what the PS said. Also, many of us have had problems with the implants migrating towards the armpits hence the need for a bra for at least a year afterwards--did he sew yours down so they don't move? This is the biggest cause for revisions later down the road. And lastly, I was told by a tatto artist (facemaker) here on BCO that it's best to wait for nips and tats at least 6 months after exchange to make sure they end up in the right place and that most of the drop and fluff is done. I am not sure why some PS's try to rush us through the process--anywhere from early exchange to early nips/tats.
Anyone, feel free to correct me if I have any of this wrong!
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I am two weeks post exchange and feeling wonderful. When I went for my post-op earlier this week, my PS told me I could get back to any acitivity I was feeling up to including tennis and golf. Well, I am going to hold off on those two for a couple weeks yet, but I was so happy to get back into the therapy pool at the health club. I did some light arm exercises and mostly worked on my lower body. I agree, the exchange surgery was a breeze. Unfortunately, I get to go through it all over again in a couple months. But my PS says this one will be even easier.
Glad to hear that dawn and kjbrown are both healing quickly also. Claire.... hope all goes well today.
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MBJ -- Re: hot tubs... if you had node dissection a hot tub can be bad because the extreme heat can put you at risk for LE. That's why we are told to avoid hot tubs. If you did NOT have node dissection I think you are OK but take it easy and make sure the temp is not too hot (because you're right that the numb foobs can't feel the heat and there is only skin there... though of course the rest of you is in the tub as well, feeling the heat, so it's probably safe).
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MBJ - I completely agree, current PS said 2-3 months out, I know just from experience, the longer the better when the girls settle down and relax, find thier own spot and are happy! :-) I'll be nearing that soon enough and as for the above post I wrote, have it all figured out now as to how big and how much cc's to place in bra for right side. Had a tlk with PS offc. asst. and am on the same page and understand completely...ahhhh, I can rest easier now and relax and just plain heal..ya all enjoy the day!
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ArleneMarie, it could be some late bledding. It seems that the 12 mile hike might be too much right now only three weeks out. if you raise your blood presure for too high for too long such as in a 12 mile hike ;-) you could devleop this late bleeding, as your tissues are stillin healing mode. Why not slow down a bit - soon you will be back to full speed ahead.
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MJB: just popped in after not being here for a while - so sorry you had a scare, and thrilled that it was nothing to be concerned with!! The bike ride sounds like it was more than a delight. Hope to see you again soon on the westside!!
Carrol: I guess everyone is letting you know, so I will too, the exchange surgery is a cinch, and you'll enjoy being released from the TEs - it will happen so soon, you'll be very happy! It's a given that your tummy will be strange for a week or so, and the cough usually comes from being intubated during surgery. After five surgeris in the past year, I've come to accpet these things. It all passes within a few week, so hang in there.
Determned & Mejo: I know what you mean - it does take a toll on us, and sometimes it seems like what we've been through, and for some of us, what we continue going through, is just too complex to fathom. We won't ever be the same, yet we've made it this far, and deserve to feel everything that comes up. It just seems to hit at the most unexpected times. I criwd a lot after this last revision surgery, over who knows what? Maybe it was the drugs that got me more vulnerable, yet sometimes we've got to let oursleves fall apart a bit in order to keep going.
I posted my latest photos of my revision surgery from 3/16 the other day on Tim Tam's site, so feel free to take a look - so far, so good. PS released me to go back to exercise class, yeah!
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orchidgal you are the first person that told me they had the same issues with the cough. My last surgery was the bmx and I did not have this that time.0
