Exchange City
Comments
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Gully 8/29 Exchange
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I'm sure I'm not the only one that notices this. Has anyone noticed how everyone that knows you had a mastectomy automatically glances at your chest first when conversing with you? I'm not at all offended because I perfectly understand the curiosity factor, just wondered if you all have the same experience.
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Di,wishing you a speedy recovery.
Andrea, my first PS did not have me massage until about 3 wks later. This new PS told me to start barely 1 wk out. I think it depends on your own skin,etc and the PS ideas. I am somewhat happy with the size of the implants. I tried on a swimsuit that I was going to donate to Goodwill store because the top of this one piece was too large to fit the real boobs. Wow with my new foobs it fits perfectly! I got a ton more stuff to donate. Its the zebra print suit from when Newport News clothes from Spiegel had its own catalog. I think I wore it once in Cancun. I got a new swimsuit that fits but it has seaming on the inside which makes it uncomfortable. Did you get your implants yet?
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Hi Layla, I had my exchange on July 10. They look wide and flat still, and although I was expecting it, it still was a little disappointing. I'm about to throw away all my old bras; there's no way they'll fit anymore! I'm not ready to even think about swim suits. Even before my bmx, it was an excerise in frustration trying them on!
My PS is out of town till next Tuesday. Guess I'll find out about massaging then.
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Sweet and Special: my pastor did that to me Sunday morning!! Lol
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sweetandspecial, I have it happen too. I know everyone's going to be looking when I go back to work. Makes me think I should just stand up and say, "Here they are!"
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I just had my exchange on 7/2. I never would have thought it, because I never liked my breasts before and have always been very modest about them, but now I sort of want to shout "Here they are!" I'm so excited to have breasts that I don't hate (and to have those cannonballs they called tissue expanders removed)! So for you ladies who are out there dealing with stretched painful muscles and those hard immovable objects strapped to your chests, hang in there. (Also, my daughter and I had a moment of howling laughter when we were looking my new girls over after I got out of the shower and I figured out how to make them jump by flexing my pecs. So excited to have a new stupid human trick even though I can't show it to many people).
2ndTimeAround: I too send good thoughts and hugs your way in the hope it will lift you up and help you deal with an unsupportive DH on top of your medical issues.
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CDChristian: I've been making the girls dance ever since I got over the BMX/TE surgery pain. Women think it's hilarious and guys are a little sheepish when they realize I've now got a talent most of them don't! Good to know I'll still have that skill after exchange in a few weeks
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Hi Goldi4040,
Thank you so much for your post. Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for DIEP (I had hernia repair and tummy tuck 6 years ago...thank you 5 kids lol). But, I was never informed of procedures such as the iGAP or sGAP. My PS only sold what they did. I am so disappointed with these implants...for starters, they are sooo uneven. My TE were uneven, and PS said it would be fixed during exchange, but guess what, they are both sitting where the TE were. Second, I HATE waking up in the morning feeling like a bag of rocks is on my chest when I sit up. And finally, the under the muscle thing is not a good feel for me...I am pretty active, and while it does not "hurt" to move, it is not pleasant. I hate feeling the muscle over the implants while I am doing something as simple as reaching for a can in the pantry.
So, will my insurance pay for a redo? I know I have a deductable, but that is a small price to pay for my comfort.
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momof5kids I could have wrote that post. I too HATE these new foobs. My TE were uneven and my PS said he would fix during surgery. NOT, they are still uneven. They do not match and are not the size I was told they would be. I thought after going through all this HELL at least I would get some nice boobs out of the deal, NOT. I am going to another PS for a second opinion. Oh and I too had a Tummy tuck years ago. Even though I feel I have PLENTY of fat they could use for some reason they want to take it off the tummy. THe whole thing is VERY depressing. Some days I just say to myself cancel the 2nd opinion and just be happy with what you have, then other days I think I should go just to see if its all in my head of if they look as bad as I feel they do:-( I am in pain everytime I reach for something and my back is killing me daily. I am3 wks post exchange and still not back to work. very frustrating........
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I just had my last TE fill yesterday. I had a long conversation with my PS and he said that when he puts the implants in they will be in the same place as the TEs and flat at first. He said it will take a good 3 to 6 months for them to drop and fluff and settle into their permanent positions and they may not drop at the same time so they will look uneven. He said you have to give them time to settle and then if any revisions are needed he will take care of it. Also if you go to "Breast Implants 101" on this sight you will get some wonderful info and advice. Sometimes you have to be patient. It helps to know what to expect up front so you don't get disappointed to quickly.
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Ok first of all I want to chime in my husband was not great through all my surgeries and treatments but if I asked he did it which I have trouble doing. I don't think he is repulsed by me but he is very squeamish and that did seem to affect things in the bedroom. When I got my nipples I decided not to let him see them until after my tattoos which has been over 8 months now. I don't let him see me naked now. But getting tattoos by vinnie in New Orleans and taking a vacation so gonna let him see it then . We still hug and cuddle but for now that's it. I'm kind of ok with that but it makes me feel bad about my appearance and I gained a lot of weight so working on that too.
Also
My TEs were really uneven. One was way higher than the other. In my exchange it was fixed they are 98% even now. So just wanted to give a good story to end my post0 -
Thank you all, I'm so overwhelmed by your support and kindness! Took me a while to get back here because my iPad couldn't get bco, just the scheduled maintenance message. I finally decided to try another computer and saw it's working fine.
Just fed up feeling less than... I debated whether to delete my sad post right after posting but decided it would probably die out quickly and more importantly, I wanted to let others know what while we can stay positive most of the time, there are times when sadness, frustration, pain or other negative emotions slip through. I'm trying to stay positive most of the time, but that's not always possible.
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the love, kindness, prayers, and support! You'll never know how much!
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Thanks for checking in, 2nd_time. Hope today was a better day for you.
I see you're in Southern California. What part? I grew up in Northridge, in the San Fernando Valley. Even though we're in Utah now, my heart still belongs there.
Today the tape over my incisions fell off. The incisions are tender and the PS gave me some surgi tape to place over the incision line. My left side is a little bigger than the right, which is my radiated side. They look fine in the front closing sports bra he sent me home in, so I guess I'm okay with it. We'll see how they look in half a year.0 -
chinneymae I wonder why when I went for my recheck after my exchange my PS didn't say lets give it time things will change, He just said yup your right. One is higher then the other( as it was with the TE) he also said one is pancaked out and one is full. I asked him if things would change with time and he said a little, but its not like this one that is pancaked out is going to suddenly get projection to it. He said its the way the silicone spread out. I am just so confused. I guess I will keep my apt for the second opinion. Maybe a different surgeon can give me more advice. I dont want another surgery as this has been a much harder recovery then I had expected. I just want the other Dr to be honest. If this is the best it gets I can accept it. I think what bothers me the most is not the appearance, but the bulge I have under only one armpit. I feel like I have a golf ball under my arm when I put it down. I was told by two doctors it is not swelling so it has to be the implant. Very uncomfortable:-(
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Tangles: in my humble opinion you should absolutely keep the appointment for a 2nd opinion. You obviously are experiencing an unacceptable level of frustration, disappointment and discomfort, so I don't think you could really, as you stated above, 'say to myself cancel the 2nd opinion and just be happy with what you have'. I know you're just sick and tired of the whole thing, but until you've exhausted every avenue that you possibly can (within reason), don't give up. You'll always wonder if you should have been more persistent and if you would have been able to get better resolution. I think that if you don't try, you'll never just be happy with what you have, and that long-term disappointment could have long-lasting effects on your emotions, self-image, self-esteem, relationship(s) and everything else that goes with living your life.
Hang in there. Get that 2nd opinion. If the other PS tells you there's no hope and you're stuck with what you have (which I don't believe for a second) I would even go for a 3rd opinion. Maybe your current PS just doesn't have the experience or the most current education/training to be able to fix your issues. If so, there's gotta be one out there who does!
Who knows, the 2nd and even 3rd opinions might be to just give it 3-6 months post-exchange (I don't remember when your exchange was) and then if you're still disappointed with the look/feel, a corrective surgery would be in order. You've got a lot of years to live yet, dear one, don't give up on this just yet.
Sermon over
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My PS went to Harvard and Yale so pretty good education. He is a teacher of PS at a university. So he has a lot of experiance. He is in his early 60's and has been doing PS for a LONG time. The PS I made a 2nd opinion with uses different implants and only has 7 years experience, but used to work at an oncology office doing reconstruction. SO maybe he would be good to see? I guess it cant hurt. Just having a hard time with all this. I am 8 wks post final chemo and still not back to work. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be off work this long. I just don't think I can be on my feet with my arms up in the air all day. This chest pain much more then I thought it would be. maybe I need to call the PS office and ask if this is normal?
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Tangles,
Hang in there ..go to your second opinion it won't hurt...just had my revision on the 9th looking better so far r is still a little smaller than left but they aren't going east and west anymore and no rippling so far...I switched from Seintra HP oval 550 to the Allergan MF 640 so far they fit my skin better and believe me my PS wasent happy about doing the revision believe me ...went to my post op and didnt really say a work just took the stiches out and missed some..I know they will never look like my original breasts so I told my husband it is what it is no more surgery..so far ok and he did more fat grafting...0 -
sherry how did fat grafting go? where did he graft to?
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hi sisters,
just a small update
so far I am amazed that both my Z FOOB is gone and my shar pei foob has also left my chest and the girls look like a vey young woman's perky boobs minus the nipples...revision has me in my drug stupor feeling 'em all the time in disbelief. they are much smaller than my God given DD+++....but so okay for me...i hope swelling doesn't change my outcome....i am really bruised and am hoping for no infection.
time for a nap
Hugs,
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Tangles: my PS works with the Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, SC. He is a breast reconstruction surgeon. When you go for your second opinion choose a PS that is knowledgeable with breast reconstruction. It looks like you have done that. I hope that all it is is that you just need some time. I pray they will drop and fluff for you and you won't have to have any more surgery. Hugs to you.
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Di, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! Keep resting, drink plenty of water, eat protein, and don't overdo!
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Di2012: so glad you're happy so far, even if it IS sort of drug-induced right now. So cool that you can't keep your hands off yourself
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So, I'm freaking out a little bit. The area under the incision on my radiated side looks a bit pink. DH says it looks more like a rash than an infection. (Ha, when did he get a MD degree?) I don't think it feels any warmer to the touch than the other side, but feels a little irritated. I hope I'm not getting an infection!
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If it is as hot by you as it is here in MIchigan, it could very well be the beginning of heat rash. Keep an eye on it. Hoping it turns out to be nothing!
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BayouBabe, yes, it's hot and humid. Its still 99 outside and it's almost 8 o'clock. We had dinner with friends and I decided to shower when we got home. When I took off this uncomfortable surgical bra, that's when I noticed it. I was also wondering if that side could be reacting to the Surgi tape, but lefty is fine.
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Radiation does weird things to us. Very possible it is the tape and only bothering you on that side. Can you give it some air without anything on it for a while? My heat rashes tend to go away quickly this way.
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I will try that. Thanks!
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Andrea, most definitely YES to the tape! Had surgery 2 weeks ago tomorrow. Went in the following Monday (last Monday) for post-op check. PS's nurse (per PS) removed the adhesive clear film stuff (Taga-derm?) and covered sutures with paper tape (which I've used on several occasions). Ok Monday, by Tuesday started with red bubbles, itching and burning. Thursday night it was much worse, cried myself to sleep. Went in Friday, nurse takes one look, it was a skin allergy. Who knew? She replaced with steri-strips and all went away quickly. I'd call office in the morning and ask for a check. Hope this helps, no sense suffering if it could be easily remedied.
Edited to add: this only happened on one side, the one that had the most work done0 -
Thanks, 2nd_time. Mine's on the radiated side, which had a lot of scar clean up done at the time of exchange. Naturally my PS is on vacation this week! If it's worse in the morning, I'll call his office.
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