Exchange City

Tonlee...say it isn't so. I had hoped the discomfort in my sternum would be alleviated with exchange. I hope that eases for you soon.



Greenmonkey...thank you for sharing. Maybe others will learn from your experience. We all need great surgeons.

thank you MoMo, Erika, Digital, Carrol!~ 

WHAT oh...... this is crap. Was this in the fine print when we signed the release forms? really, still pain, 8 months out! I'm so glad you told me about it because I thought I was having a heart attack. the pain is in the center of your chest, right? 

GreenMonkey - I totally agree with listening to your gut, your heart, your inner voice.  Other than a long stretch of difficult healing after nipple sparing BMX I have had a really smooth ride.  I attribute so much of that to standing up for myself and asking lots of questions and also to the good fortune of having great docs that put up with me and answer all my questions.

Summer2recover

I was initially disappointed with size after exchange surgery to uniMX.  I had a breast lift to native side which really didn't change the size, just removed skin but not breast tissue (is not saggy but perky).  So then had implant put in side of MX, where he attempted to match the remaining breast.  It is not as big, so it doesn't really fill out the molded cup bra as well.  Do you really feel that the sizing changes?  and how? 

I won't see PS again until Oct of 3 mo. f/u , and at that time the medical assistant told me that I should voice my opinion if I am still not satisifed.  I had told him prior to surgery many times that I did not want to be any smaller, I don't know why he felt that he should go with just 450 cc silicone implant size.  Whippetmom had given me her suggestion of 500-600cc based on the info I gave her regarding expander size and my measurements.    He seemed firm in doing what he wanted and not for what I particularly asked for. 

I understand that it is much harder for someone to get a match to a native breast, but it almost seems like it is missing some of the projection and cone shape, instead it is more like stacked pancakes if you can understand what I am describing.

I would hate to run off to another provider to get a second opinion but I feel like I might have to.  I wanted to get this surgery part all taken care of in this calendar year so I don't incur another huge deductible at the 1st of the year. 

GraciousGal

thanks for your quick response,  I am glad to know that it is not just me that has this look.  I didn't want to be huge, I just wanted to stay close to my pre-surgery size 38C.  So I don't know if the PS still has some options or not? 

I can hope that with a little time it might change somewhat, but if the cone shape is completely gone, than I guess I will have to accept that. 

shannon you look great.  Your new PS really did a wonderful job cleaning up the mess from the first one.

My exchange is scheduled for Aug 21st.  Getting anxious about what I will look like afterwards.  I am 5'3" small frame my band width under my breast is 28.5 inches.  I am currently expanded to 400cc in each.  PS is looking at using 400 or 425 high profile.  I like the way I look now and want to stay that way.

I hope it holds!!! I hope it holds!!!    thanks ladies! 

by the way, I did a NAUGHTY think today and used some ice. WHAT a relief! not too much, not on the skin. but it feels sooo good.  

Greenness...you do look fab. So glad you have a great result at the end of your nightmare.

Wow GM, what a difference. They really do look good. What a strong woman you are to go through all of that. Some would have just given up and "settled".

Green monkey youl ook great i wish i look like that

Oh, GreenMonkey - I would be hopeful, too!!! What a gorgeous start - you look beautiful for just going through exchange!!!!! (And after all the crapola you went through.....)

greenmonkey- so sorry for all you had to go through. Its hard enough dealing with the bc. I think where ever you go you will find good and bad doctors. I will tell you, I have had all my treatments at Memorial Sloan amd do not regret a thing. My bs told me right from the start I can use any ps I want. She just needs contact info to discuss procedure with ps. I did end up using a ps from Sloan. After alot of research, and advice from a few of my friends who are doctors they recommended Sloan for ps. I met with my ps prior to surgery and after. my bmx went great. no pain, no complications. I had my exhange last week. I saw my ps two weeks prior, also the morning of surgery and in the or. He asked me many questions about what I wanted and was very informative. I left the hospital same day in no pain. My breasts look amazing, no complications. The hosptial as well as my ps called the next day to see how I was doing. I thank god that for me everything went o.k. Like I said, where ever you go a patient can have a complication. I would hate to see patient's veer away from Memorial Sloan.  Also, where ever one goes they should do research. My ps is a graduate from Harvard, his speciality is breast reconstruction. These are important things to look into. By the way- you now look amazing!

dipad thanks.  What is your frame like and how tall are you?

2FriedEggs: I had silicone implants for 4 months, then traded them in for larger saline implants. Honestly I like my saline better, for many many reasons...mostly because they feel more like the old me. They are no where near as firm as the TE's, and they are slightly more firm than the silicone implants but mine are still soft. When I get and give hugs, I have some "give".

My TE's were in my armpit because my first PS used mammoth sized TE's. My second PS did some work to narrow my pocket - have I said how much I love my new implants? I do. I have pictures on the picture forum if you want to see - under my same name as here.