Exchange City
Comments
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Dragonfly and Cmartin, Thanks so much for the info! My PS will wait the 1 month because I told him I had to go on a trip...lol..I was afraid he would do it sooner if not. I didn't lie, I am going to see my G'kids in 2 states before my next surgery. I have only seen them once this year as it has been a full year for me. I was diagnosed the end of January and tried to avoid extra surgery by having the expanders inserted at the BMX. Boy, was I in for a shock, I should have healed first and then had them inserted. I got infections, staph, tried to flush it out, didn't work, ended up having to remove expanders and then July 20th reinserted expanders. All those surgeries are hard on a 62 year old...lol and not like you I am out of shape, very little exercise this whole year, I was suprised he found any muscles in me to stretch...lol.
Dragonfly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your mom, so very difficult, and then a double whammy for you to be diagnosed but it happens too often, sending prayers up for you. Glad you are taking control over this horrible disease. I have the Estrogen fed and was hit hard as it doesn't run in my family but I have lots of faith and know God has a purpose in all things.
Cmartin, so happy to know 1 month will be long enough. I have had a lot of problems with my right arm, anyone else have that? I think since my right expander is place under my right arm too much that is the cause, just praying he will get it put back in the right place. I have a wide space in the middle of my chest, anyone else have that and PS corrected? I sure hope he can move those pockets in more to the middle because the foob under my arm is really a pain. Probably1/3 of it is under my arm.
Thanks to you ladies and I am so thankful to you and all the others as I have learned a lot by just reading the post. May God Bless you all with exactly what you need and I thank him for you sweet & strong, ladies to help me.
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Dragon...I'm putting off working my pecs because I'm afraid ill make them harder!
No issues with my arm but a bit tight in the pit. The muscle in the cheast sure doesn't let the middle or cleavage look natural.
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Cindy: As much as I've been complaining, I think it does get better very slowly. This morning, for the first time, I thought they finally felt just a bit softer and looser. I think I'm 4 weeks ahead of you, so I will keep you posted
. I do think it's important to the massage/displacement exercises. I try to do them 3 times a day. If I only manage to do them twice instead of 3 times, the implants feel much tighter.My upper arms desperately need toning (always my weakness, along with my thighs). But, like you, I don't want to work my pecs. I have asked my massage therapist to work out some routines for me that will work my biceps and triceps and minimize the impact on my pectorals. As soon as I hear back from him, I will pass it on for anyone who is interested.
Caro: I had terrible issues with pain and restricted range of motion in my shoulders/arms halfway through my expansion. Seeing a massage therapist who had experience with breast reconstruction (I think this is key!) made a world of difference. I think several others on the board have also posted that massage or physical therapy really helped them in this regard.
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Dragon...thanks! Keep me posted. My Ps hasn't mentioned massage.
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Cindy, do you have textured and/or anatomical implants? Some round implants are textured and I think anatomical implants might always be textured... someone please correct me if I'm wrong! I don't think you're supposed to massage textured implants, or at least not massage them the same way as smooth implants. Also, if you have smooth implants but had a lot of pocket work, you plastic surgeon might want you to wait on the massage. If I recall correctly, though, your PS set your next appt for 3 months down the road? In that case, if you have smooth implants, I think it's worth calling him to ask about it.
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Smooth I think. Yes three months. I did call but didn't get much direction. I think I will call back...
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Sherry my Te's never really bothered me except they were hard as a rock. I am almost 4 weeks post exchange and they are so much softer. When I had the TE's in I have a friend who was moving across the country and when I was telling her goodbye we were giving each other a big bear hug and then she said OMG you are hard as a rock!!!
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I did fly with TEs, I had a card from my PS to show security, but u didn't ding at all.
My TEs were about 380 ccs and my implants are 390. Getting a boot softer and settled but definitely firmer and less movement than I thought. I'm at the "whatever" point. They look nice. BTW my sister is using the temporary nipple tattoos and they look good.0 -
Dragonfly, The PS is supposed to address the cosmetic concerns during the implant surg. I got bruised up cause I told them that the cancer side was moving too far over the middle of the breastbone and looked like the TE were in the spin cycle,instead of boobs in the middle of the chest they had slide over an inch or so looking very odd to me. They tried to correct that in the surg and I believe there are also after surg bras I can get to keep them separated so one side doesnt try to fluff over,the BS went in under my arm to get the nodes and to extract the breast tissue some that way and then the PS had to do a horiz cut at the bottom of the boob to get the TE in there during first surg and that side wants to be a big one and drop&fluff and be its own uni boob and compete and the non cancer side doesnt wanna participate. The twins dont get along!
Caro4,I got Mentor gels in 600cc and want them to fluff to a C cup cause I am so tired of being an A and wearing padded/underwires and looking flat on the beach. Anyone go bigger? All I see on here is wanting to go smaller. Anyone previously an A and wanted to go to a C after the implants? Did they fluff to a C? Any luck? The bra lady on the above site I was listing said recon patients have trouble with bras gapping in front because we dont have the same kind of slope that the "born that way" boobs have. guess I need to ask the ladies on the bra thread about that.
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Layla I was a 32AA before but wore a 32A padded. I am now a 32D. When I was fitted they actually said 32C but after looking at me in the bra I had more fullness in the upper pole so they put me in a 32D. Mine had a nice shape from exchange time so I don't really now how they will change. I am almost 4 weeks post exchange.
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Sherryc, what size are your implants...
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Sherry67 I have a 425cc in left and 400cc in right. Mentor high Profile, smooth, round silicone. My left was the radiated side and always seems a little smaller. I think they took more tissue out of it not sure but they match really well.
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sherryc, I had a total bmx mastectomy so I have no breast tissue of my own,they left the skin so that was nice,I guess you could call it a skin sparing mx,dunno. I got 600cc Mentor gels but I am a little behind,just completed my 2nd wk out and 3rd wk will officially end after Thurs but doesnt everyone heal at their own rate?
I know the cancer side dropped and is trying to fluff cause I have used the measuring tape off and on and in addition it had about an inch long crease in it that is starting to fill in. The non cancer side is a high square boob so far. The day I left surg I 2 matching pancakes,now I have a Vita muffin top and a hamburger bun just like the ones at McDonalds that look like somebody put the fries on top the bun and made a little indented spot. Come on Blessings,help me be patient here before I put my boobs in the microwave but the door wont shut like that.
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Layla, you are cracking me up. At least we have our senses of humor to be thankful for. I think that is the saving grace sometimes!!
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Layla, I also meant to tell you I was a small B before. I measured for a bra fitting last week (didn't buy one...they are just too firm to fit right) and measured at a 32D or 34C. I think the 34C fits a bit better. Since I didn't do nipple recon the cup seems to not fill all the way with a D. I had 500cc TEs and 500cc Mentor high profile imlants.
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Kayla you are funny...
Sherryc I had 580 filled with the te..radiated side is alittle smaller to then the left..hopefully he will match them as close as he can..0 -
Sorry its layla..you are funny..
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layla you crack me up I hope your hamburger bun fluffs out.
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hi all, back from my front end alignment....Dr. P did an amazing job. Of course, to my eye, the newly reduced lady is too high and small but I believe that is a drop and fluff that takes about 3 months issue. With all the premeasuring, calipers, etc. one would assume so.The nipple healed gorgeously, full sensation and the only other issue is a thick ropey scar down the front under nipple. Hopefully these flatten with time and become less noticeable. But have not even had post op yet, so this is all premature. I would assume we can talk of mederma, etc., or scar sheets at post op. Maybe it's all just way too early. In my past experience, it is really fun to watch the little miracles unfold as one heals.
Given the miracles this dr. can pull off and has, I am assuming only the best. He's an amazing PS!! Truly amazing what matching does for a girl. 1st time in 5 years I thought "wow, this will work"! And that includes still missing nip, bruises and stitches and all.
Someone asked awhile back regarding radiated boobs, dropping and fluffing. Not only did I have a radiated boob, I had necrosis, etc., it was a mess! Miracle Dr. P. patched it and yes, no massage required, she dropped, fluffed out, looked beautiful but it took longer, that's all. I would say a good year until she looked pretty.
i hope that this is helpful and thanks to all for the support
xoxo
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Layla - you know how when you pick up a small pet, they snuggle up to you, then try to climb up over your shoulder?
That's what Lefty is trying to do.
Righty is good....looks nice and round, like a ROUND implant should.
Lefty, however, is kind of squareish, almost like my Sponge Bob Square TE.
Looking at a picture head-on, I can identify the clump of scar tissue at the IMF that makes a sharp left turn at the bottom, and the loose skin in the back that completes the lovely square look.
I am also finding some new and exciting areas of loose, crepey skin when I lean forward....it's in the back, behind the implants, under my armpits. But I don't have ripples!!!! (knock on wood...)
So I spend my time thinking about how the PS told me it might take 2-3 months for the swelling in Lefty to go down, and how the D&F process might take 3 - 6 months, and how many times am I going to strut my stuff nekkid and topless down the street?
If I have no plans for that (and I don't, currently) then maybe I should be glad for what I've got. Weird shapes aside, I really am healing very well.
I will see the PS next Monday (one month out from exchange) and will ask him then if he thinks all these issues will resolve eventually, or if I'm looking at some revision surgery next year.
I DO have some nice cleavage goin' on, unless you look ALL THE WAY DOWN the front of my shirt, then you see it's kind of crooked. But I rarely let anyone do that....
Hang in there, Darlin' - I know ladies have said their D&F can take MONTHS. Have faith!!!!!
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This week will be my last fill!!!!!
I can't wait to get these painful TE's out of me! My ps said 4 to 6 weeks before the exchange and at the last visit he mentioned he might have to use some belly fat to fill in a space on the left that just doesn't want to expand. Can you wonderful ladies give me some hints on what to expect? Drains?Thanks to all!
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I had my postop appt. today w/the PS. I am pleased w/the overall shape, though they will still drop and soften some, they said. Like several of you, I was told to come back in 3 months. In the meantime, move arms carefully and slowly for 2 more weeks to reduce bleeding risk. I have significant bruising because he removed more skin to eliminate some of the overhang on the sides and did some lipo to smooth those areas. It's the lipo areas that are the most sore. He also said sports bra for 2 more weeks, day and night, and no massaging needed at any time. After incision tapes come off, I'm to put paper tape on incisions to flatten scars for 3 months. Different PS's=different instructions and techniques. Every day soreness is a little better (thankfully).
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(((((((((((((((((((((anniealso))))))))))))))))))))))
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Hi ladies, just had my exchange yesterday. My bmx was in June. I'm feeling ok, taking vicodin and Valium. The exchange wasn't half as bad as the BMX. My surgery started at 2pm (yea I was starving)and I left the hospital at 7pm. It took a while for me to get out of bed without feeling dizzy.I still have some pain today, soreness and my throat hurts which I was told will last a few days. No drains this time.
So I had my allergan 250 TE filled to 330cc and exchanged to allergan style hp silicone implants 375cc.she went 25cc more than what we discussed. I'm 5 ft, 100lbs, ribcage 27-28, wore 32a before all this madness. After the exchange, I look kind of flat, no kidding on the loss of TE projection! I am noticeably smaller now than before exchange. I can't tell yet what size I will be plus I'm a little swollen as well.0 -
tlew: You made it! Thank you for sharing your exchange surgery experience. 375 cc on your tiny build is probably humongous . I wish you a super fast healing and that the pain will subside soon. And no drains, that a reason to celebrate! take care and be good to yourself, Jill 0
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tlew glad you are done with the exchange. I am 5'3" 112 lbs, 281/2 inch ribcage. I had 425 on left and 400 on right, high profile mentor smooth round slilicone. I was a 32AA before but mostly wore a 32A padded. I am now a 32D. I had my exchange 4 weeks ago.
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tlew - congratulations on crossing over to the Squishy Side!!!0
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Thank you ladies for your well wishes! I'm glad to get on the road to recovery. All your posts have been really helpful in terms of what to expect and what questions to ask my PS. Thanks for all that have contributed. As a newbie these past couple of months, I couldn't have done it without constantly reading everyones journeys and experiences.
I will let you ladies know how my squishes are in a few days after I get a good look at them
Tina
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Laughed so hard I almost choked and then started coughing up all the pollen,OMG this thread is hilarious,well as William Wallace said or Mel Gibson in Braveheart,"they may take our boobs but they will never take our sense of humor" (ok, well it wasnt exactly what he said' but I am sure if he was a woman he would have said that)
Congrats annie,hope your recovery continues to go well.
Whoohoo rose,you are in the brown tape club like me,my PS uses the tape,wish it wasnt so sticky not fun taking it off. Hope it helps us with the scars to make them go flat.
CMartin,you are only a month since implants? Thats great that its all going so well.
Seems like we may have to get a rule for this thread,no eating and drinking while we are reading Blessings post about the "crooked cleavage" lol..
Dont worry I too have lopsided boobs and I noticed in the mirror that when fully dressed they look so ridiculously high like a 12yr old who is gonna be a D. I was never like that of course,never really had boobs to speak of until after I gave birth but still do you find these things just way too high for our age? And they are not ever gonna sag like normal proper women of our age? I am not sure I like that,I gotta ask the PS how they are ever gonna get that droop even tho they will never get the right slope I understand that.
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tlew.. welcome to the squishy side
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