Exchange City
Comments
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Rennasus - Wow, I can't believe your E-day is actually past tense instead of still hanging out there in the future! I know that you know how to take good care of yourself because you've had SO much practice. I hope your pain goes away quickly and that you have an uneventful healing course. Yay!!!0
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Hikergal - my TEs were huge - they started under the middle of my armpits and met in the front of my chest. I felt like I was walking like John Wayne - ready to draw my pistols at any time.
Have you checked out the "Breast Implant Sizing 101" thread? Whippetmom is our Implant Guru. I think you might feel more comfortable about the upcoming exchange if you know more about the size of implant your PS plans to use.
Because of my weight loss, we determined that my implants would be narrower than the TEs, and that I would need extra pocket work during exchange surgery.
Whippetmom was right. The PS went in and cleaned up scar tissue, released more pec muscle at the top and the bottom, and did "lateral capsulorraphies" - in other words, he stitched completely around the pocket to make it narrower and more secure. I was very adamant that I didn't want my implants to fall into my armpits when I was lying on my back.
I am happy to say that they do not. They have a great shape, and while they are firmer than the saggy old Original Girls, they are MUCH softer than the TEs, which are basically boulders under your muscles.
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Rennasus, I'm sure you will be feeling some relief soon! It will only get better from here! Blessings, I totally agree with that John Wayne feeling. Sooo glad to not feel so tight across my chest.
Turns out my PS used Ultra High profile mentor memory gels. Just figured that one out from my implant cards. He told my DH he used something fairly new, I left it up to him once he got in there since he knew what I wanted, and by trusting his judgement on just about everything he has made me very happy so far!
I felt sore this morning since my pain pill wore off over the night, but I took another one this morning and am feeling better. I feel a little too good and am trying not to do much at all. I took a week off because I work with special needs kids and have two in wheelchairs, so I will have to be really careful when I go back. I have great assistants that will do my lifting for me, but it is so easy to overdo!0 -
Ok,ladies,it's go time for me! Surgery tues., for reduce and lift to finallly match me. I've been a DD for 5 years and a C/D on the new girl so it's more than time.
Pls send good vibes, prayer for nothing else to be in there and a swift recovery!
good lu ck to all in surgery/txtment!
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I just know this implant and I will be good friends. It's sooo soft. Anyway, 3 days out and feeling fine. I had no problem going to class yesterday. My mother drove me, but I still did not take pain meds so that I could keep up with the class. I love how soft it is. The softness is really noticeable after that hard tissue expander. It is hard to remember not to raise my arm over my head and to avoid lifting things, because there is no pain involved with those acts. There used to be pain -- with the TE -- but not now. So I will try to just lay around and take it easy today. Did I mention how soft it is? LOL
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Good luck Annie!! Your day is finally here!
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Dune sleeper, you sound like me...soo glad to get rid of those hard things and feel the softness! My exchange was just yesterday, but I felt so good...I helped my 8 year old with his homework and ate a regular dinner. I am thinking it is dangerous to feel so good that I am tempted to do things. But I won't...
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Robin, most everyone said how much easier the exchange would be. They were right on. Now we just have to behave ourselves so that we can heal properly.
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so happy for those that have recently gotten their squishes, for me they are so much softer than the TE. I had really dense breast tissue that was very fibrocystic so i think the implants are even softer than my natural breast. At my exchange the PS did more pocket work and moved my implants further in to the center and out of my armpits which was so nice. Looks much more natural than the armpit thing.
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I'm having exchange on Weds and really nervous. Exchange on the left and lift/implant on the right. PS said he would probably do a "lollipop" incision. Anyone know anything about that? Pain & recovery time? I hate to do any surgery on the healthy girl but if Lefty is going to be a perky 20-year-old it won't look good for Righty to be a droopy, smaller 58 year old.
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Rosie - I'm 4 weeks out, and still a bit sore. I didn't have an implant, just a lift on my natural breast. I did have a lot of pocket work done on the exchange side, so that's the source of my discomfort on that side.
A lollipop incision goes around the areola and down to the bottom of you breast.
Hope you are happy with your final results!
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Dunesleeper, glad to hear your surgery went well! (Ladies are asking about you over on the TE Trouble thread.)
I am in a bit less pain today. I just posted a photo on the pic forum. Going to take a nap!
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Have a good nap Renn.
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Hi again ev1, although I haven't been posting, I have kept up w/all of you and am excited for all who now have had those evil TE's replaced. Refreshing my updates : I had my replacement in May. The scar tissue from a previous redux did not allow my rt side to expand properly. So now I have Squishy and Sqaushy. They are both 800 smooth Mentor round. I thought he would just replace Squashy, but I saw PS on Tuesday and the new plan is to replace both girls to 800 High Profile Oct. 2. He said I would not have the cleavage that I had before. (right now I have 1/2 cleavage 1/2 flat) I told him I never had this big bone before lol, he said yes you did, but you were so busty no one knew lolol. He has known me for over 20 years. I just hate doing all of this again and I am not even to nips yet. Anyways I really covet your prayers this week as another issue has come up. I am 52 and haven't had a cycle for over 15 months. actually May of 2011. So thought I was done. Then on the 24th of last month "surprise"! now 3 full weeks later still bleeding. Called Gyn on Weds. and he sent me to ER and they did that really fun thing without the "happy ending". lol. No results yet on that but scheduled for a biopsy Tuesday. DH is really scared so I researched and just told him that this sometimes happens and is ussually nothing. Wish there was a quota on what we have to go through in a time period. Thanks to you all for posting your stories. It helps us to feel that we are in this together. Even those of us who don't post, but always read. Bless you all.
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I will be scheduling my exchange soon. I'm almost done with the expansions, TG!!
Question...on my upper abdomen right at the lower level of my ribs, I have a fat bulge on the left, but not on the right. I only just noticed it after my BMX in May! I assume it's been there, but I had such large breasts, I never noticed until they were gone. Anyway, at my exchange I believe I am going to have it removed with liposuction. Just a little nip 'n tuck. How painful is liposuction? I had a student I was supervising who had quite a bit done, and she was in agony. This is only a small area about 10" long. I'm not worried about the exchange, because I'm fairly numb. Thanks!!
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Incognito...sorry for your troubles and sending prayers your way.
Good to hear all the relief. I really don't have that experience and they are much more firm than I anticipated. I'm wondering if its from going with 500cc implants after having only 500cc on the expanders.0 -
CMartin: I am almost 6 weeks post exchange, I think I'm a little ahead of you. I have 695cc silicone rounds and mine are MUCH harder than I expected! By the end of the day, if I have been doing too much (my PS lifted all restrictions 2 weeks ago), I still get that iron band feeling around my ribcage that is reminiscent of the TEs.
My TEs were filled to 630cc and since my implants are 695cc, I have wondered if that's why they seem to have so little give. I asked the PS if they would get any softer and he said "maybe a little" :-(. But I have noticed that they seem to have softened up very slightly in the last week. I'm keeping my finger crossed for a bit more squishiness in the weeks to come.
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Incogneato will be praying. Please keep us posted. Like you don't need something new to be concerned about!
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Dragonfly thank you for sharing. I'm sorry that is your experience. Yes we will keep our fingers crossed. I think if they would soften a bit I would feel more comfortable and "normal".
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mariwyl-if this is something that runs vertically up and down it is probbly not fat but Mondor's cording. I had that. 10% of all breast surgeries get it, and it will go away. Mine was a larger cord in the middle with two smaller ones on each side. The treatment is asprin and massage, nothing serious. Mine was sore at times, but it has gone away. I found some good pictures online so I knew what it was when I called my Ps about it.
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Hi Ladies. I've been reading your posts for awhile. I had a BMX with TEs on June 26. I have only had 4 fillls and I think I'm only going to get one more. Initially I had planned on going a lot bigger (I was not even a full A before) but I'm going with a full B. I never realized how much boobs get in the way! I don't have my exact exchange date but I'm thinking mid November. I have a trip planned the first week of November-my daughter's 7th grade trip to Washington DC. I am so happy that I am able to go with her! Have any of you flown with TEs? I'm a little worried about going thru security.
Thanks and best wishes!
Lori0 -
Lori...I believe they can give you a card fir traveling.
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loriio - I flew to FL with my TE's - went through full body scanners and didn't have to show anyone my medical device card. Take it with you in case, but you'll be fine.
Have a great trip!
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Sherryc,
Thanks! It's horizontal, and I'm pretty sure it is fat. :-( PS never said anything about cording, and suggested lipo for it. Thanks for the input, though. I learn new things here everyday.
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Sherryc,
Thanks! It's horizontal, and I'm pretty sure it is fat. :-( PS never said anything about cording, and suggested lipo for it. Thanks for the input, though. I learn new things here everyday.
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So ready to be done with my exchange surgery on Sept. 11. They said it might take 3 hours because there will be some revision work as well. The PS wanted to do nips but my skin has been so compromised with the delayed healing that I'm afraid it is so thin there would be more problems. Besides, I don't want any more surgery if not absolutely necessary. He said he definitely would not be able to use the same incisions. I may come out looking like a patchwork quilt!
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I carried a letter from my ps, but had no problem going through security.
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I carried a letter from my ps, but had no problem going through security. I also went through a full body scanner and the only thing they were concerned about was the flabby skin hanging from my upper arm. I lost over 100 lbs several years ago and have "wings".
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I have traveled several times. The first couple of times, I was concerned about going through the full body scanner. It was fairly soon after my TE exchange so I just said to the TSA person: "I had surgery for breast cancer recently and I'm not sure I can lift my arms that high". Each TSA person, quickly and very kindly directed me to the regular metal dectector line instead of the full body scanner. Since then I've gone through the full body scanner - I can lift my arms high again! I do carry copies of the cards that came with my implants but I haven't needed to show them.
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OH ANNIE......it is sooooooooooooo great to see you getting finished. I miss you kid! I am so glad I check back here before your surgery.!!!!!!!!! Ladies...I had my final surgery in 2010 I believe......and this thread connected soooooooooo many of us. We are still BFF's to this day....all 51 of us.....lol. JEAN IS A DOLL FOR KEEP EC GOING ALL THESE YEARS. JEAN......BLESS YOU! I AM FROM. KANSAS CITY. MY AMAZING PLASTIC SURGEON has fixed more ladies from BCO than I can imagine. He had taken on ladies 4 hours away. If anyone needs help finding a good PS....and you ate close to Missouri ....please contact me. I cannot post his name here .....but can discuss it in private messages. God Speed yo you all...and I offer my help to you new sisters if I can help. Laura.
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