Exchange City
Comments
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I just found this video on massage techniques to break down scar tissue. The video is of a foot, but the concept is the same for breast tissue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZRb46Ezh7cEnjoy!
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rozem-I had no cleavage with the TE's. It is too soon to tell what I will have now. I had a considerable amount of cleavage with my natural breasts so I am still hopeful.
I ended up having high expectations because that is what my PS lead me to believe. He talked a very very good game and the end result is an epic failure.
I wish you lots of luck and I pray your PS is more honest about the outcome they can provide, than mine was.
CindyLoo-I wish you the best of luck. Let me know how you like your HP's.
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I will keep you all posted for sure!
I'm sure she wondered where I got all my questions today. Lol. Thankfully I read all your posts before I left this morning.
I also told her that while I don't want to be huge, a full C would be great, if she is in doubt she should opt for larger over smaller.0 -
Honeypotpie and chawkins - did you visit the Breast Implant Sizing 101 thread before your exchange? Whippetmom is an absolute guru when it comes to proper implant sizing.
Honeypotpie - I'm surprised that your implant volume was so much smaller than your TE volume...unless the width of the implant is just as wide or wider than the TE width, you may have some issues with migration. This is a definite question for whippetmom.
I was filled to 620ccs in my TEs, and I got Allergan Natrelle High Profile Smooth Saline 68-HP 700cc implants filled to 700 ccs. I was told that I wouldn't get the projection I wanted with anything less than high profile implants.
However, since my implants were narrower than the TEs, I also had quite a bit of pocket work done, including removal of scar tissue, additional release of the pectoral muscle at the top and bottom, and lateral capsulloraphies on both sides (stitching all the way around each pocket to prevent migration).
It was a longer, more painful recovery with more restrictions, but I'm glad the PS did it, because I'm very satisfied with the size.
I am 5'5", 144 pounds, with a 32" chest measurement. Depending on the brand and style, I can wear a 34DDD, a 36DD, or a 38C.
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Honeypotpie and chawkins - I am sorry you are going thru this dissapointment, I have been there. You have an idea that you may look somewhat like you anticipated and then you get a stack of pancakes or in your case hot dog buns. PSs do not listen and do not want you questioning their expertise or decision making. I had revision for a uniMX in July along with a breastlift on native side. My breasts always had separation between them, and wasn't expecting a lot more cleavage as I understand that with a MX all of the breast tissue is gone and it certainly is not the same as having augmentation surgery. (BUT be assured that they can change in the next months, it is like they somehow blossom a bit more, but not always enough to your expectations)
I think more often than not the PS should choose high profile & a slightly larger size than what he first intends. Because I think they have far too many patients unhappy. Why do we have to go thru this a 2nd time for a revision if they would have only listened to us? I have revision surgery tomorrow to go with a higher profile & bigger to give more projection and the PS office told me that since we are trying to achieve symmetry to the native breast insurance should pay. Maybe it is different with double MX.
All I want for Christmas is my new foob to more closely match the old. Do you think Santa will get it right this time? Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!
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thank you so much for understanding Janice. I told my PS that I didn't want to look too big. I wanted small and round. I had boobs down to my navel before. I guess I could live with these but it is SOOOOOOOOOOO disappointing! They are so flat!!! Why so wide? Actually I'm feeling some slight pain on outside of foob that has never dropped. I almost hope it is CC. Maybe insurance would pay to correct that. It's encourageing to hear your insurance is paying for symmetry. My PS said that anything cosmetic would not be covered. My life certainly changed 18 months ago. I just want to go one day without thinking of this. I will pay if I have to. I have looked at Mentor's charts. 800 hp is as large as they make. I wear an 8 or 10 shirt. I cannot imagine why 650 Mod profile plus looks so flat one me. What do larger girls have to get. PS put in 15 cm tissue expanders in me. My implants are larger. UGH. Blessings said implants have to be as wide or wider than TE. Whippetmom....I know I have asked you before but what do you think. I have no idea how to post pictures but will try to get DH to help me send you a PM with pictures. Thanks so much.
I just pray this can be fixed..........
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Blessings- My PS subscribes to the belief that you have to overfill to fit a smaller implant. I was happy with the 800, hell I would have taken a 750HP, just not what I have. I did many MANY hours of research into what I wanted, style profiles, ect. I wanted allergan 45's XHP, and I was told flat out NO "you have to trust me". I cried the entire way home from the hospital. My DH said "trust him, he's the head of PS for a world renowned hospital, he won't do something to make himself look bad." I allowed myself to fall into this pitfall of faith. It wouldn't have mattered what whippetmom said
even if she would have agreed with what I wanted, my PS still would have done what he wanted. It drives me mad!! He gets to pick, the insurance pays and I get to suck it up for the rest of my life?!? I call BS!!Janice-Thank you for the encouragement that there is possible light at the end of the tunnel. I wish you lots of luck tomorrow! I will keep you in my prayers! Keep us updated on how your revision went. I agree wholeheartedly that if the PS only listened to us in the beginning there would be no question of whether the insurance would pay or not because there would be no revision to be had.
I don't understand how PS can be so cruel! We have suffered enough in this whole process but for the one person we have to put trust in to make it right won't listen, what recourse do we have?
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/39896774@N08/8291436648/in/photostream/ Here is the link to my before mastectomy photos, what my doc said I could have just in a "slightly smaller scale" and what I have post op exchange.
In love with life
Surgery 06/11/2012 Prophylactic Mastectomy (Both)0 -
I so understand wanting to be bigger because these new implants just don't project. I can't recall what my TEs were but I got 600cc silicone round gels and I thought I was getting 650. The goal was to go as big as he could. I was a 36DD and I am now a 36D so not that different in actual size but when you look at me I look more like a C because they don't project. My doctor and my husband both thought they looked great. They both thought they looked natural and age appropriate. I am 48 5'7" 165lbs 32in rib cage. I keep hoping if I lose weight they will look bigger but struggeling with that.
I am overall ok with how they look though. Not ecstatic just ok. I am getting some fat grafting in about 3 or 4 months to try to get more upper pole. Then if I still want to go bigger my PS said he would do it. But I am thinking I will quit while I am ahead.
I will say though, and everyone says this. For those of you who just had your exchange they will change A LOT in 2 months. Mine were super flat and square and then they relaxed into the pocket and look way better.
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Carrol-I am so sorry to hear you did not get the outcome you had originally wanted. What does the fat grafting process entail?
I was hoping as well if I dropped the weight I put on during the past year it might help the appearance of the implants. Did you have to purchase all new bras?
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honeypotpie don't feel too bad for me I am not totally unhappy with the result. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I wanted Playboy boobs lol. fat grafting is when the take fat from somewhere else on your body and inject it onto your foobs. In my case he will go in through my belly button and take some tummy fat. He was supposed to do that during my exchange but the hospital didn't have the tools he likes to get the best result so he will do it for me for free at his private practice. My PS assures me that if I lose weight they will look bigger because I would not lose weight in my foobs. Everyone who has seen them says they look great. I have amazing cleavage and ptosis. I did start to like them better after I got nipples. I can't wait to get tattoos. I cannot wear my old bras really. I suppose there are a few I could that were too small before. But I work at Soma intimates, so as soon as I could I bought all new bras there that I love.
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Carrol-I wanted playboy boobs too lol. I was naive enough to believe it was possible. How did you make it through the first few months of adjustments? I am having the absolute worst time coping. I think I will talk to me PS about some options like the fat grafting.
Thank you for the info
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Age appropriate?
The heck with that! I don't want 50 year old boobs! I never had kids, so mine, while small, we're firm and perky. I want bigger and firm and perky.
I must say that I am happy that my ps is a woman because she does understand how important it is to me.
I feel so bad for you ladies that are not happy. You have been thru hell and you should be allowed to walk out the side and be happy with how you look.0 -
Although I was not terribly happy with mine at first, I actually like mine now. I wish they were just a tad bit bigger, but when I lose weight they should be better and look better. However, I think my PS does not like the size they are. I asked for a High C cup, but he thinks they still look slightly smaller. He said we are going to wait another several months and see how they drop. Not sure if he is looking at doing a revision or not right now. My right breast is the largest size they have 800 Mentor HP gummy bear and 650 in the left. I don't want stripper boobs just a good "rack" lol. I was a 38D prior to this bitch of a disease. I don't know if I want my boobs "stacked" because they don't make them any bigger than 800.
hope all are doing well
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My ps said that the flat wide TE allows for a larger implant with more projection. So while mine are at 600, she is going to try implants of 650 - 750.
I don't know how I will wait until 1/24....😢. These are so hard and tight....0 -
CindyLooWho: I'm in the same boat as you. No kids with small boobs. They were "a nice set", yes in quotes as that is what my breast surgeon said... I had a "really nice set" actually. SO... I wanted them a bit bigger. I'd always wanted a boob job in my early years... of course when I hit 35 or so and was still going braless I was grateful for my small perky boobs.
Anyway, like Carol I'm 5'7" (but my weight has been going up since the tamoxifen!) I was 168 at exchange and now I'm around 175 in only 3 weeks. I've been told losing it might be harder then ever before as the Tamoxifen is putting it on me. That sucks since I know that too much fat creates estrogen...
ok - so my exchange. talked to the dr yesterday and it seems the discomfort in my augmented breast is normal. "just keep massaging" she said. SO: my PS (also a woman) said she NEVER puts in smaller ccs then the TEs had for exchange. In fact she said she ALWAYS go 50 ccs higher. My boobs are exactly what she said they would be. She asked if I was happy with the size of my TE - and that is the size of my implant/augmented side. I was ready to be disappointed, but indeed they ended up just as I had thought. In fact - perhaps a little too big. I never had trouble reaching across my chest for something, or reaching my shoes to tie my laces because my boobs were in my way. No one warned me about these things if they were bigger! And now you are telling my they will look even bigger over time?! Ut oh! Well maybe it will make my stomach look smaller - since when I gain weight it all goes to me belly first - I look pregnant for gods sake!! ARGH! I hate my body these days but still keep eating... trying to feed the monster and shut in the feelings I suppose.
ok back to work...hugs ladies. and one last thought. If your boobs are not what YOU want/wanted, and you have a dr that said trust me (and you did) I don't care if he is the worlds expert on BC exchange surgery... Don't wait months until your next appointment. you go there NOW, you TELL him that you want your boobs fixed NOW, and that you are not paying for it. Either HE can do a probono and pay for it, or code it for insc purposes, but HE NEEDS TO FIX THEM SO YOU CAN LIVE WITH THEM... full stop! end of story... This is not a time to be nice, to allow them to play Dr knows best. this is YOUR BODY and you have to live with it and IN IT. FUCK WHAT ANYBODY ELSE SAYS AND GO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE... NOW!!!!
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CindyLoo-My TEs were at 600 also, and my silicone implants are 750. They look large incircumference, but I think they had to be like that to give the desired projection. I am satisfied with the outcome....especially how they look in clothing. They still felt tight, but are relaxing some as time goes on. My PS used his discretion, and took 650, 700 and 750 in the the operating room. I think he made a very good decision. I'm hoping your outcome is great as well.
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Yeah Juneau....what she said!!!
And I thought your looked great!0 -
Juneau-I see him tomorrow and the gloves are off I am not playing nice! I'm sorry you are having discomfort but I envy your wonderful outcome!
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HONEYPOTPIE I cried a little bit at first. I thought they looked terrible and I kept reading on this site that if I wait they will get better. I took pics one week after, 1 month after, and two months after and that is how I could see them change. I also work in a store that sells bras and I saw quite a few women with recon and thought mine looked really good by comparison. So I knew it could get better. I also knew revisions were super common. So i tried not to get upset and consoled myself with the idea that if I really want to I can get bigger implants. I think I am at peace with them now. I put on a good bra and they look great. The issue that I had to come to terms with is this is not augmentation there are limitations. A lot of people think we are lucky we get a free boob job, but we know better now. It's one of those things you can't imagine until it happens to you.
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Sorry that some of you are unhappy with your size. I do think the HP give the best projection. I would have liked to have gone 50cc higher but PS said they were too tight when he tried, but I am very happy with my size. For me it was different. I was always very flat AA so I decided to go bigger. I am now a large C, small D, very large in the upper pole area, but look like a very full C which is huge compared to before. For those of you that were larger to start with it must be very hard to try to acheive that again with no breast tissue. PS made my cleavage must better with exchange. But I had to have a revision because of my implants bottoming and moving laterally as well. With the revision he did tons of stitching and moved them even closer together, so I now have really nice cleavage. Being so flat before I never had cleavage, I think even if I had been larger I would not have have good cleavage but he created it and it looks very natural. My cousins girlfriend had a bilateral prophy. She was very large to begin with and wanted to keep her natual size. Her first PS made her smaller and she was very unhappy. She went to another PS and he did the TE over and expanded her more and got her closer to her real size. He had to go through alot of paper work with her insurance but it ended up covering all of it. I know my PS says that insurance will not cover cosmetic so I think the PS have to be careful in the way the code and provide enough documentation to make sure that it is medically necessary and not cosmetic. My PS has been doing this since 1993 and is very good. He is also very ethical and not going to cheat the insurance company. My revision was medically necessary so insurance covered it.
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My TEs are very full at the upper pole. She asked me yesterday if I liked that. It's hard for me to say because I was barely a B before so I didn't have that. I told her it seems high, but the fullness is kinda nice.
She showed me the curve on the left and said this is nice but the right is a bit too high. I think the hardness throws me off too.
I joke with a friend about "my free boob job" but we both know it has really sucked, so it's nice to break the tension a bit.0 -
Someone mentioned losing weight...
I had Inamed 133MV-16 TEs filled to 620ccs...and because I was so bloated and overweight, you really couldn't tell how big they were.
I knew I had to lose major poundage (my MO said estrogen was produced in body fat, and I'm 100% ER+) so I told the PS to stop at that point.
I lost 40 pounds before my exchange, and then another 20 since then, and the 700cc implants I got are VERY impressive
but not stripper boobs.Just losing my big gut made a huge difference in the appearance of the implants.
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Hi Ladies,
Out 2 weeks from exchange and still so tight. Just wondering if that is normal and how long it lasted for you? Thanks!!
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shabby I don't remember that well it was a year ago for me but I think that is normal for about a month or so.
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Janiceg415-
I hope you have deemed your surgery a success and that your Christmas present of a matching foob came to be!
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staynsane
I had my revision on Friday, PS took out my 450 cc medium profile gel implant, and exchanged it for a 590 cc high profile. What an amazing difference, I was quite surprized at the difference in size when he told me. I thought maybe he would go to 500 or 550 but not 590. It is really hard to tell on the symmetry, as I still have bandages & swelling. But I am hopeful it matches much better than before. He did not need to do any pocket work, he just took the old one out and put a sizer in too check for best size and swapped it out.
Little or no pain what so ever. I should have taken it a bit easier yesterday, but had so much to do as my daughter & family were here for Christmas. Crossing my fingers that this will be what I originally hoped for.
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Blessings, Congrats on your new super body. I am trying,I went to the gym everyday last week after work. I dont particular like my job and I do not like exercising at the gym. I work 10 hr days so the 11th hr at the gym meant 11 miserable hrs total. I got the Nutribullet and am following the Eat to Live regimen from Dr Joel Fuhrman. Hurray!! The scales budged! I actually lost 3 pounds so far for the week of eating fruits & veggies. I cheated a little, I had 3 bites of a pork chop one day. Last night I had a scrambled egg rolled in a tortilla,cause it was 11pm and we just got in from the movie. We had not had dinner.
Hope everyone gets their exchange issues worked out in 2013, glad the world didnt end on the 21st, and have a terrific holiday and safe season everyone!
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Janice415-
Congrats on what looks to be a simple revision! So glad you don't have pain and that things look promising!
I developed fluid build-up on the lower and outer side of my foob, and after almost 5 weeks, it has not gone away. It makes my foob look about 1/2" lower at the bottom than my uplifted side, and I am hopeful that when it finally goes away my foob will not appear lower; it is definitely a fluid-filled area so I hope it is temporary. But as a uni, I have known since the beginning that revisions for symmetry are sometimes indicated.
I got a weird sensation yesterday and today; I think my foob is doing the "drop & fluff" thing. It suddenly feels like it settled into the pocket and allowed itself to breathe and seems a bit bigger. Kind of like before it was renting space and now it has moved in as a buyer. I like the feeling and the look.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! May all of your reconstruction wishes come true!
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janicegirl415- I'm happy that you had an successful & uneventful revision and that it looks like you are going to be much happier with the change in implant. Do try and take it easy, though! Merry Christmas!
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