Exchange City

We need to change the name mastectomy, which society is so programmed to believe is such a deforming procedure, to BTR (breast tissue removal).  Most woman have the skin sparing mastectomy, so really we are not getting our breast(s) "chopped off", we simply are getting our breast tissue removed.  I believe simply changing a name would help many newly diagnosed women not feel so scared to "lose" their breast(s). We are not losing anything, but simply putting in new breast tissue in the form of an implant.  Just a thought.  

interesting topic about weather we thinking of it as having real breast, normal, or our own. I suppose it does take time. I don't quite feel "normal", but I do feel like they are what they are and they are a part of me. They feel a lot like how they used to but not. I can sleep on my side but it feels funny to me, I don't know why, I end up on my back eventually. They look amazing, I still have the great cleavage I always had, but they are a cup size smaller. In my clothes . .  yeah they look great for the most part. Naked not so much. The scars although mine have faded a lot, they are still there, and I still see them staring at me in the mirror. When I got my nipples I decided not to show my husband anything until the tatoos are done. Then I will have teh big reveal and I am hoping we both feel better about them.

Hi ladies,

Wow....wasn't able to check this thread for the past couple of days and was amazed at the number of posts. I'm so excited for you sweethearts that are finally getting your exchange done after waiting for backordered implants!

I had my last fill on Jan 24 and am at the max capacity for my TE's of 600cc each.  I see my PS again on Feb 21 and I assume we'll talk about exchange information.  I thought all the worry was behind me but I'm a little concerned about what his expectations are compared to mine.

At my last fill I mentioned that from what I'm reading in a few different threads here that the final implants are typically more cc's than what the TE's were. That has made perfect sense to me, because the TE's have such a firm, rigid back that when they're exchanged for silicone or saline squishies you would lose some projection from the squishies molding themselves to your ribcage.

My PS, however, said that typically a SMALLER cc implant is put in compared to the TE cc capacity! He explained it in such a way that it also seemed to make sense to me at the time (I just don't remember how he explained it!).  I'm bringing my hubby with me next time, as well as Whippetmom's recommendations and some comments from ladies here about getting larger implants than TE's. 

I've recently spoken to an acquaintance that had the same PS and is VERY unhappy with her results. We ran into each other at the gym a few days ago and did a little show and tell in a private locker room.  Her journey has been different than mine in that she required both chemo and radiation and I had neither. She lived with the TE's for 14 months before finally getting the much anticipated exchange, and then was sooooo disappointed it breaks my heart.  Our PS is not comfortable and very conservative working with radiated skin, so hopefully I won't have a problem.

I just want to make sure I get the projection I want.  My TE's do look pretty nice now and I have absolutely beautiful cleavage.  But they still don't quite fill out my old bras. 

OK, I just realized I am really, really rambling here.  Suffice it to say that I intend to keep communication with my PS very open and honest to ensure I get results which I believe are reasonable and right for me. 

Oh, and as far as nips go, at this point I think my personal decision is leaning way, way toward 3D tattoos.  I love the thought of braless in the summer and just don't think I need little bumps to make me feel whole again. Like everyone says, it's a very personal decision and not one single person feels exactly the same about it as another.  I do know that when I look in the mirror now I've become very accustomed to the look of my new (albeit temporary until exchange) bosom with no nipples. The scars don't really bother me, they're a badge of honor for fighting a fight that I was forced into by circumstance.

Have a blessed day everyone!

mrenee68 I bottomed out.  The first thing that I noticed after my exchange was everyone was talking about they could not wait for their implants to drop and fluff and I was like gee I am lucky mine have already dropped and fluffed and it has only been 4 weeks.  Then I noticed that my bra sat really low on my ribcage.  I thought it was not right but tried to talk myself into thinking everything was OK but then I had a large divet develop in the upper pole of my right breast.  Basically between the top of the implant and the top part of my chest.  I knew that was not right so I saw the PS and he said I was bottoming out and we did a complete revision right away.  I had my revision 3 months after my exchange.  In looking back the other thing I noticed was at the fold I felt alot of pressure from the implant when i did not have a bra on.  I had alloderm placed at BMX but even with that I bottomed out.  Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

"different stuffing" love it!

 I often think what I would say if someone asked me if they were fake.  Since I have one one each, not quite sure how I'd answer.  I don't really think of my reconstructed breast as "fake." I need to come up with a pithy response just in case some is rude enough to ask. Any suggestions?

Cheryl_e: Thanks for the response. I'll definitely post after my next appointment. I have to say I do love the cleavage, it's really very pretty. They're fairly close together but not close enough to where they touch each other (unless I mush them together just tosee if I can ).  Anytime I give my lady friends a peek of just the cleavage they're all oohs and ahs. The size, however, I'm not thrilled about. 

They look 'nice', like I said above, and they're more than a handful, but they just don't have the projection I'm expecting in the final product.  That's my main concern, and I need to understand if my expectations are realistic and reasonable.  I was wearing a VS 36D before surgery. I just really need to talk with PS more in depth about implant sizing and what his philosophy is and how/why he developed that philosophy.  I think he's willing to overfill to get room for a larger implant, but I need to hear again from him why he typically does a smaller implant than TE and what he would expect his plan to look like on me.

Good thing I'm bringing my DH with me to this appointment to be another set of ears.  In the past two weeks I have completely forgotten about four, count 'em, FOUR, doctor appointments and had to reschedule.  Two chiropractor visits, one eye doctor and a breast surgeon follow-up.  Egads!  Can I blame it on prescription meds?  I don't forget to eat, or sleep, or go to work!  I kind of figure it's an indication of how much better I'm feeling that I don't constantly have 'doctor on the brain' syndrome any longer

Since you have one of each it would be fun to say "one is, one isn't"....then just walk away and leave them wondering....



Plus if they keep bothering you you could give them "the look" and say, "I don't tolerate things that annoy me. One of them did so I had it removed. Got it?"



Jk!!!! Anyone who is tacky enough to ask such a question in the first place probably won't have the brains to realize they're being told off with sarcasm....



My fav is "Well, they were offering it free with the mastectomy, so...." I think it was Grier who said that. Well played!!!

Hi ladies, I had another follow up w my PS. I'm healing very nicely and he talked nipple construction today. It's funny but it made me more nervous than the explanations of BMX.



I see both sides. I feel like it's not necessary but really just the cherry on top! I can not decide! I told him I still need to make a decision. DH doesn't think I need them:0)



Good news is that I feel great! My implants are becoming natural to me:0)



Jess

Obyx:

((((Hug!))))

The first time it "hit me" I was sitting in the waiting room at my dentist's for a routine cleaning. I had to update my paperwork so I was hurriedly filling things in.



And suddenly the whole world seemed to stop. Because I had to check the "cancer" box. And I realized I would ALWAYS have to check the cancer box for the rest of my life....



Oh my word! I have cancer.



And it did feel like the oncoming semi that you mentioned.



And I got through it one day.....no, one BREATH at a time! And sometimes I still start to get that feeling but I refocus on what I'm doing and on my gratefulness for very early detection. What really helps me is the same thing that has always helped me through traumatic life events....knowing that I WILL survive this moment of fear. Knowing that God has a purpose for me and all I need to do is stay focused on Him while I walk whatever path I'm on. Knowing that my daughter needs to see an example of strength...as I saw MY mom be strong through this...as it seems quite likely that my daughter will face it too some day. :-(



And sometimes I just go in my closet and cry.



I've also made some amazing friends who are going through the same thing...talking to them is a reminder that my feelings and experiences are normal. They are a miraculous support team!

DULCIGIRL ....you and your hot heels are a wonder..... I must have read your post 5 times and will continue to use it as my inspiration to get through this. I am officially taking that "F" word out of my vocabulary by replacing Fear with Faith. Faith that I've always had but have not completely embraced during this journey because I've been so focused on the fear.



I will start today by Celebrating the milestone steps we are all taking to getting our mojo back in motion....:)



Thank you for taking the time to send your words of wisdom. Counting my blessings today for each and everyone of you on this board. (((Hugs)))))

Hi Ladies...I don't post often, but want to thank you for all of your posts.  It's SO helpful to have a good idea what to expect and what to ask my surgeon.

I had my coconut shells ---> squishies exchange yesterday, and like many of you, I agree that it was a very easy surgery compared to the mastectomy.  

Some details... my DX was in March 2012, BMX in May 2012 with tissue expanders.  My PS, like many of yours, waits for 3 months after the final fill to have the implant exchange.  Then, one week after starting chemo in July, I developed a MRSA infection on my right side and had to get my right TE removed.  That infection was awful - so painful and scary and depressing.  After chemo was over in October, the right TE went back in and then was filled and then the 3 month wait, which brings me to yesterday.

The surgery was about 2 hours, no drains, no swelling, out-patient.  I am having some pain around the perimeters of the implants where she did some pocket work, but other than that. I am truly feeling very well!  PS has no post-exchange bras or anything like that she requires me to wear, so I'm sitting here with bandages and some pain, but my Lortab is definitely helping with that.  As far as work, I am one of those lucky people that gets to work from home in my PJs if I choose, so I am only taking TH and FR off and plan to be back at my desk on Monday.  

I'm not sure what else you'd like to know...but the best thing is that they are SO SOFT!  Wow, such a difference.  Once my bandages are off later today, I will take pics.  I have a tons of pics through this process to post to the pic board...I hope it is helpful for someone to see my physical journey.  (It has been SO helpful to me to see others.)

Not decided about nipples yet (get them? get 3-D tattoos? not sure).  After my 5 surgeries since DX, the last thing I want to think about right now is another surgery.  But if I get nipples, I am going to try to coordinate it with my port removal in July.  

For now, when I want nipples, I use these, which I learned about from one of these boards, I really like them: http://myreforma.com/

flygirl--I was diag Sept 2010 I really did not breakdown until Christmas Eve.  I had just started rads and I was hurting and misserable had broken out with an aweful rash and my RO was on vacation.  Thank God for a wonderful friend who just let me cry my eyes out.

Dulcigirl,



(Continued)

This isn't to imply there won't be sad times. Hopefully, there will be fewer of these as you heal. For the sad times, I remind myself that the sad times make the happy times that much more precious. Progress, one inch, minute or second at a time.

Obxflygirl therapy can be a wonderful thing. Give it a try it may be just what you need to get through this rough stuff. BC is not easy to deal with and sometimes you just need someone to pull you through. Asking for help is actually a sign of a strong person not a weak one.

Right now for me I have good days and then I have bad days. It's been two weeks since my exchange and although physically this surgery has been easier, mentally it has been harder for me. I feel like I am starting all over with new incision, new aches and pains, and a new looking me. I still ask myself why did this happen to me. I am thankful that it was caught early, but I wish it hadn't happened at all.

Happy healing ladies and take care!

OBX - you certainly are not alone. I remember reading a post about a woman asking where her warrior went.  We are so strong while fighting, and when the big scary stuff is over, sometimes we fall apart.  I burst into tears when a Victoria's Secret commercial came on about a month after my exchange. Another day I was going about my business when suddenly, "I had CANCER!" pops into my head, and I cried like a baby.  If you feel you need to talk to someone, go ahead. Mrenee is right.  It did get better for me.  Be kind to yourself. You've had a rough year!