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Exchange City

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Comments

  • chinablue
    chinablue Posts: 31
    edited May 2011

    My ps did not mention anything about massaging my implants (one silicon, one gummie)?

  • Just_V
    Just_V Posts: 436
    edited May 2011

    So I will have me one TE for about three months starting the second week of June - and I live in Dallas - sounds like summer will be less than great, huh... so all loose Ts and camis - no swim suits or tight sleeveless shirts, huh?

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2011

    chinablue my PS did not say anything about the massages either but i asked him about at my second fill. He showed me what to do but said that I don;t get the full effect yet.

    vhshea i have two TEs and I live in Kansas City. It was 90 the other day. I am a little lumpy, a little lopsided but i notice it more than anyone else. You can wear a little light padding to even you out if you need to. It was 80 today i did not even wear my sports bra.

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited May 2011

    counting down the days to nipples...how whacked is that?

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2011
    annetek i love counting down. SOmething to look forward to. The end.
  • ditan3
    ditan3 Posts: 35
    edited May 2011

    annettek ~ actually, if all continues to go well (with the exchange process), I may look into options for nipples as well.  My PS says I should wait for at least 6 months ~ is this typical?  Not so sure I want to go thru the skin grafting procedure though.  Are there many options?

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited May 2011

    my exchange was on March 16 and the nips will be done on June 8. Really depends on a person;s recovery.

    The PS "grew" some extra skin on my breasts from which to make the nipples...he does not like to take a skin graft from another part of the body. Less surgery the better to his way of thinking. (I agree. I have a little ripple that he may fat graft but then again, he may not. We'll see how everything looks that day. He does not like grafting on areolas either-they will be tatooed on about six weeks later with the nipple color. He has done them successfully but then again he has had problems as well. If I insisted he would, but I am not. I am thrilled so far. I am still not completely clear how the heck he makes them- I was so distracted last visit making him rate my results hahaha he said 9.5 and I asked WHY NOT A 10...he laughed and said well, you don't have any nipples. I get pretty silly on those visits...sure a change from when I was so devasted on the first one following DX last year....

    have you been on the pic forum?- lots of nipples and everything else on there...Helps to see sometimes.

    PM Lilah, MBJ or Timtam for access

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited May 2011

    MBJ -- ruffles as a secret weapon -- LOL!

  • redskyatnight
    redskyatnight Posts: 80
    edited May 2011

    Hi there,

    Just gained the courage to post my TE pics on the photo forum under the same name... My exchange date  is July 21-  hoping for 400/450 hi profile implants.  

    Opinions are welcome!

    Thanks 

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited May 2011

    redskyatnight - I posted on the forum ... you look GREAT!  :)

  • SuebeeBC
    SuebeeBC Posts: 545
    edited May 2011

    Nips - YEAH ANNETTEK!!!!

    Redsky - Im on my way over...glad you were finally successful!

  • redskyatnight
    redskyatnight Posts: 80
    edited May 2011

    Thanks, Dawne! I am gradually figuring out how to do the pic forum posts. BTW saw your pic forum and your results are lovely!

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited May 2011

    redskyatnight- Thank you! 

    Your avatar ... I had a yellow/white lab too!  I had to put her down in 2008 but she was my best friend & walking buddy!  Your pic reminds me of my girl!  Aren't they the most awesome dog? :)) 

  • Rnjules
    Rnjules Posts: 19
    edited May 2011

    hi everyone. I am scheduled for exchange on 7-7-11. Good date right? I am overfilled to 800cc now and feel like I have boulders on my chest. I am amazed at the posts that say that some women are working out in the gym with tissue expanders. I am a Hopsice RN and it is really hard to physically work with my patients, today I had a muscle spasm in a patients home and I looked down and my left foob was changing shape! How they are able to change shape when they are 100cc overfilled is beyond me :) Please tell me exchange is easier that the TE's

  • Estel
    Estel Posts: 2,780
    edited May 2011

    Rnjules - When I was overfilled and waiting for my exchange I kept bumping into things because I had these huge, numb boulders on my chest ... rather embarrasing!  Embarassed

     The exchange surgery is way easier than the TE placement but therein lies the danger:  Because we feel so much better, it's easy to overdue.  You'll have lifting and reaching restrictions for a few weeks but it is wayyyy easier than what you've already been through.

     You Hospice nurses have my kudos.  My mom was in the care of hospice and I've never met such loving, caring, compassionate, nurturing people. 

    Hang in there!  Where you're at right now is one of the most uncomfortables places in the whole TE process.  Someone really should write up a comedy routine ... I'm sure we all could add to it, eh?  Tongue out

  • slinky
    slinky Posts: 166
    edited May 2011

    Rnjules, I was able to work out everyday until my last two fills. Ouch, ouch, ouch!  The spasms will come on so suddenly that I grab my TE's and try to pull them away from the nerves (or whatever it is resting on).  I don't look forward to sleeping because this is when the pain is the worse.

    I can tell you that before cancer, I did have implants.  After the initial surgery (some pain and discomfort), the implants felt like a part of my body.  I had them in for 10 years and forgot I even had implants.  These TE's have a job and it is only temporary - this is my mantra for the next two weeks until my exchange!

  • slinky
    slinky Posts: 166
    edited May 2011

    I agree with Dawne-Hope.  I keep bumping into the the door frames, walls, people,etc...with my hard TE's.  My chest is still numb, but it is comical leading with my TE's and bumping into everthing. 

  • SuebeeBC
    SuebeeBC Posts: 545
    edited May 2011

    I'm bummed that I dont feel hugs like I used to.  With one TE and one side heavily 'fluffed' I dont realize how tightly I am hugging....my BFF laughs that my TE pokes her.  Im hoping after exchange my left one will at least feel enough to get back to some great hugs. 

  • annettek
    annettek Posts: 1,160
    edited May 2011

    hugging subeeBC so hard she can't help but not feel it!!!

  • SuebeeBC
    SuebeeBC Posts: 545
    edited May 2011

    Awww....I felt that one!!!  That was awesome!!!

  • redskyatnight
    redskyatnight Posts: 80
    edited May 2011

    Dawne, Yes, aren't labs absolutely wonderful? Mine is my walking buddy and a loyal friend/comfort to me! He's 10 and I hope he's around for awhile. My mom had BC too. I'm so sorry! Mine was just dx'd w/ a rare form of leukemia this week. It's treatable w/ chemo, but not curable ;(

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited May 2011

    you ladies are all so encouraging.  I can not wait to get rid of my rock hard overfilled TEs.  I should have a date soon, at first I was going to wait until kids are back in school at end of summer, now I am thinking in July.  My PS said one week out of work, then back to work as long as job is not to physical, does this sound consistant with what you all are hearing?? 

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited May 2011

    I am scheduled for BMX on June 14'th.  I have seen my PS once and he spent two hours with me.  I did not bring anyone with me-which was a mistake.  He gave me so much information that I left with my head spinning-that being said, I liked him alot-and was very happy that he was willing to spend that much time with me.

      So, my question is this:  I remember we talked about him stepping in and starting reconstrucion as soon as BS removes my breasts (this is prophylactic so unless they find more cancer tissue, this is the plan-obviously if they do, all bets are off).  Then he did talk about TE's (though honestly, I don't remember that much about it) and then fills every couple of weeks.  He talked about doing everything after the initial surgery in his office.

      I have no recall of anything about an "exchange" but given what I've seen here, I just missed something.  I have another appt. to see him before the surgery and plan to go armed with a list of questions and someone else to be my second "set of ears".

    He also spoke about using cadaver skin-which I was fine with-but now I'm hearing alot of positives about Alloderm.  Has anyone had that used?  Experiences?

      Whatever you can share re: exchanges and the alloderm issue would be much appreciated.

    Also, at this point, I'm planning on tear drop shaped silicone-any thoughts on the shape or silicone vs. saline?  I'm feeling like I need to speed up my info. gathering as they moved my surgery to one week earlier than I had anticipated.

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited May 2011

    Pat,

    Exchange is the surgery to remove the TEs and place your final implants.  I think use of Alloderm has become standard of care for this surgery to help suppliment your own tissue, especially at the inferior fold, helps to hold implant, some docs may refer to this as "cadaver skin", as it is derived from human tissue, I am sure you PS can explain this for you.  Not sure about your shape question, I am sure someone will be along with experience with this.  I am going for silicone as my PS suggests although my choice they are softer with less change of visible ripples.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2011

    I started with 150cc and have had three fills so now up to 400cc, 7 weeks since my surgery now. Up until I twisted my knee I have been doing zumba, step and body sculpting almost every day for the past two weeks or so. My knee has been hurting for a week and my last fill i was a little sore for two days, then had pysical therapy and don't want to hurt my knee further so no zumba for a while.

    I can say stretching is so important.  

  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Posts: 312
    edited May 2011

    Beacher,

    Sorry replying late.  I just finished all my PT for frozen shoulder before BMX.  My PS did not want me doing any arm excercises especially with bands or weight.  I had a lot of weakness in that arm for a year.  Just hoping it does not come back.  I did shoulder rolls with TE's.  Hope you can resolve this quickly--it is painful.

    Terri

  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Posts: 312
    edited May 2011

    Pat,

    Ask your PS about the tear drop silicone.  I've heard if they shift, you may be all off balance and need another surgical procedure to fix because of the shape.  I have saline implants now but will exchange to silicone gels this summer.  The saline ones are almost as hard as the TE's.  It's nice to be so firm, but I think I'll like the gels better.

    My PS used some alloderm because they took out all the tissue and I've had no problem with it so far.  I believe the cadaver skin is the same as alloderm.  I hear they use it to create a good pocket for your implants.  Good Luck with your surgery in June.  Let us know how it goes.

    Terri

  • takeadeepbreath
    takeadeepbreath Posts: 68
    edited May 2011
    Hey all--I finally got some pics loaded on pic site....quite the process this uploading! The "B"s are up there (or since they are still a little lopsided, maybe they are 2B and Not2B).
  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited May 2011

    Pat -- Alloderm IS cadaver skin :)  It's the same thing.

    Tear drop shaped silicone... I am not 100% certain but I think there is only one such item and that is the Allergan Style 410 "gummy" cohesive gel silicone.  Otherwise all silicone is round.  So you may want to ask your PS to clarify.  If indeed he intends to use the gummy then you may want to research the difference between regular silicone and gummy (which is firmer). 

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited May 2011

    Cindy & Cameron:  doing the happy dance for you!!!

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