Exchange City

Christenee. I had nipple/skin sparing mx on my right breast only so I didn't have an horizontal incisions across my breast.



Instead my incision on my right side is the re-incision of my mx scar. This runs from the right side edge of my areola straight toward (almost at) my armpit.



My left (natural) breast had no scar as it was untouched until now (except a few biopsies). So she made the incision under the natural fold/crease benneath my breast; where my breast meets my rib cage. This is where the most discomfort is currently.



I gratefully will not require any additional reconstruction as my breasts look totally natural now. Of course I can't feel my right breast/nipple- it looks great. Here are some pre exchange pics.

Sandlake: yes, my surgeon was AMAZING. After my mx I was so scared to look; and when I finally did, what I saw was my breast, I just couldn't feel it anymore. My PS told me on Thursday before my exchange that the nipple being kept so perfectly was all my Breast Surgeons skills.

movetomaui...how many ccs are you?

I asked her prior to surgery what it would take to get me to a full C. She approx 600. Every week when I go we discuss how much the fill will be.

movetomaui...surprised that you and your Dr have never discussed the cc's. Didnt you go in for bi/weekly appts for fills? I'm confused as to how you did'nt know?! You can check your TE card that you were given  to see what the max is.

Juneaubug,

You look absolutely fabulous! , just had to pipe in and tell you that!

loriio - glad your exchange went smoothly. . . sorry to hear it started so late.  I hope you are resting comfortably and have an easy recovery.

LovesDogs

loriio: yay you!!! Rest up tonight; tomorrow a new world filled with squishys awaits you!



Hawaiik: thanks, I'm happy.



Lovesdogs: my PS told me she always goes 50ccs more in the implants then the TEs. It makes up for the difference in "Bulk" from the TE itself to the implant "skin". I too have two friends who were very disappointed with their size. Here's what I've learned... If you aren't at least as big as you want to be after your exchange, with your TEs fill process completed, then you will be disappointed and therefore need more fills.

Chrisrenee all of your 2012Sisters are in your pocket and like I said over there Juneau is hogging all the space with her new squishy cantalopes. You'll be so relieved when it's over.

Juneau do you know how many ccs your new ones are? I like my new size alot but I don't have my cards yet (left them at the PS office) so I don't know what they are.

MovetoMaui take it from me you need to talk to your ps about size. I don't know how much emphasis particularly on cc's as I've seen lesser cc's look huge on some because their frame was smaller, but you definitely should discuss it. I was happy with the size of my TE's but when I got my 1st implants I was so disappointed. The shape and hardness of the te's is really so much different than that of the implants. My PS said they were a perfect size for my frame and fairly large but I was didn't like the size at all. I just went in for "revision" surgury last week but when I had my presurgical visit I wore a padded bra over my 1st implants and told her that I hoped my new breasts would appear closer to the size of my padded bra. She said she would take a couple in and see what looked best. I told her that since her idea of what was large was somewhat different than mine, that I would prefer she err on the side of what she thought was too big unless she thought there would be a drastic difference comfort wise. lol So far so good size wise-my problem is I have adhesive allergies and my incisions are bright red and somewhat swollen so I'm not completely sure of what I will end up with. Plus I got some fat transfer in my upper poles and those spots have taken on the bruised look lol. So just make sure your idea of the size you want matches the PS's thoughts. There are actually lots of ladies who were huge prior to bc that really want to drastically downsize and others who are hoping to really increase-just need to make sure your ps knows and agrees with your wishes. 

Maui, trusting him is one thing, but knowledge for your own peace of mind is something different. It's your body so tell him you have some questions and ask him. They love to talk about what they do, so fire away.

Maui I agree with CindyLooWho I trust my PS skills 100% but just found out the hard way that our ideas on size varied. Juneau also had the uni-mx and the  same types of surgerys as you are planning so I'm sure she will have some good advice as to what to ask etc.

Movetomaui,

I had my implant placed on Nov 19th, along with a lift of my "good" breast, so I was in the same position you are.  Since your PS has your "good" breast to refer to and try to match, he should be able to get the sizing right, and if like most, he will take several sizes in to surgery so he has the best match available.  I would make sure though that he doesn't intend to "reduce and lift" your good side, if you are happy with your current size. Before BC, I wore a D bra cup and wanted to end up the same, if possible.  My PS REALLY wanted to reduce my good side (said the best outcomes are with smaller breasts), but I told him no, just lift and tighten things up.

As things look now, my breasts get more even (at the nipple level) by the day.  My lifted side (both actually) are still firmer than I think they will end up (I can't even conceive of a mammogram on my lifted side right now!).  I am very satisfied with the result but do think I look smaller than before the lift.  It's hard to tell because my breast is so firm it doesn't have the give of a normal breast yet.

Staynsane - I so appreciate your post!  Our stories are so similar.  My PS has always just said that he was "lifting" my unaffected breast and knows I want to stay the same cup size (full .  I have never asked the question, "Would the lift decrease the size at all."  Do you think it could?

You just had your exchange surgery 11/19!  So happy that you are very satisfied with the results.  I hope the rest of your recovery goes as planned and that everything "falls" into place.  I will be curious to know how they feel as a pair.  Right now the TE breast has pretty much no feeling in it ... will that continue? and what will be the end feeling in the lifted breast?  Are they overall the same roundness?

How did yours look just prior to 11/19?  Kinda how I describe mine looking right now?

I am grateful for your sharing.

I got to see the girls. They looked pretty good. Much more naturally shaped. Smaller than I expected, but he told me they would change as they settle into the pocket. I have to wear the ugliest bra in the world until my next appt. in a week and a half. Small price to pay. I'm a little more sore than I expected but I'm kind of a weenie when it comes to pain. The best part is they feel real. I couldn't believe how soft they felt. Now I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Best of luck to those with upcoming exchanges and continued healing for those who had recent exchanges.

I had my first fill since April and I'm happy beyond happy. I started chemo in April and radiation in October and today was a long awaited day. Herceptin doesn't interfere with surgery. It seems like my timing is going to work out well. I can have my port out with my exchange and have my last few Herceptin treatments via IV. Of course more than any of this I am praying to stay cancer free. I struggle with accepting the good events of this week because I have been through literal hell and it is hard to hope I could actually have a good life. My dad went into the hospital the night after he saw me on Skype with a scarf on my bald head. He passed away and never got to see me with my cute short hair. So many awful things have happened in 2012 I struggle to hope. But I showed up for my fill today and I try to believe. I haven't exercised in ages. Radiation and other health issues knocked me on my butt. So I needed ll my energy to keep my job. Onward. I can't wait to get to 350cc expansion.