Exchange City

I still have TE, but I found these Bali Revolutions bras that have slight padding in them to soften the TE's, and they are so comfortable.  The are a combination of a sports bra and a regular bra. The straps are a little wide which I like because it looks like I am layering a tank under another shirt, but instead it makes the TE's look good.

TRL!!! will be thinking about you today!!

Runnermom1956: Sounds like you had a bit of a drama going on with your IV! Glad they found the right drugs for you and you could procede. Made it a long day though, huh? But you're done now... YAY. That is great that you may even be able to get the drains out today! I'll cross my fingers for you.

I've always from the start said I wouldn't be getting nips. Maybe a 3D tattoo though later on. However, I have just been starting to think I will at least research the options available to me for nipples. I'm going to talk to my PS about it next week at my 3week post-exchange appt. There does just seem to be seem level of 'completeness' there that I feel I need at least to think about.

I do some running too. I was hoping to train for my first half-marathon this year, but then the diagnosis in March changed those plans for me. I did get back to some running with the TE's, but I'm back on hold now after the exchange for 6 wks. Do you know how long you are sidelined for?

Runnermom, I'm glad to hear they got the antibiotics worked out, so you could complete your exchange. Hope that drain comes out today! I'm also 57, and have decided I don't want nips. I like the smooth, flat line, and am glad I don't have to worry about headlights anymore! Maybe in the future I'll consider tats, but honestly I'm fine without them, and don't want to mess with my radiated skin any more than necessary.



Rose, I love the Bali bra! It holds the implants snugly and the light foam padding makes them look great. My implants aren't perfect, but the bra takes away the feeling of self consciousness I have over one side which is smaller and flatter than the other. As for sizing, I recommend trying them on. I've always had a hard time finding bras that fit and were comfortable, even before my BMX. I used to buy a 36B, when I still had my natural breasts. In the Bali, I bought a medium, and it fits perfectly. A small would have been too small. I think I may pick up a couple more in some fun colors!

I'm so happy that all you girls found the Bali 3488!! I've been wearing them since my exchange over 4 months ago and find them to be the only really comfortable one I can wear. I wear a 34D and a Medium on the second hook fits perfect. Kohls sometimes has the old colors on the sale rack for $12-$15 and Belks does too. I saw about 15 hanging on the Belks sale rack yesterday for 50% off. Also go online at Kohls, they will put out of season colors on sale. I bought pink and lilac last week for $11 each. I ordered them from the kiosk at Kohls so got free shipping to my house. And JCP has them regular price for around $25. Be sure and get the ones with the foam cups!

I also saw a very similar one called Bali 3550 which is new at Belks. It's cut a little lower at the cleavage and has adjustable shoulder straps if people would rather have that. Could be that they are phasing out one over the other. Anyway, I know this should be on the Bra forum but after exchanges it really helps to have a comfy and somewhat cute bra!!

Well, the redness has come back. I took a pic and sent it to the PA and she showed it to PS and he has called in a prescription for antibiotic as precaution until my appt. on Tuesday. If it gets any worse I am to go to the ER. Thanks everyone for the advice. I guess I just don't want to believe I can have anymore problems. I just want this to all be over with, but I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

Chinneymae, that has to be frustrating. I hope the antibiotic does the trick and you won't have to go to the ER. I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way!

Oh, Chinneymae, our posts came in at the same time and I just saw yours. I'm so sorry the redness came back! Glad you are in touch with your PS office, and I hope the antibiotics work quickly for you!

Runnermom, sorry for the reaction, but so glad you're at home! Go slowly for the 1st couple of days, the more you do, the more output in drains. I'm a year older than you (big difference -not!), not planning on any more either. Personally, don't care for the extra effort for the nips, feel normal in clothes (beats 16 years of prosthesis) so leaving it there. Also, dropped off all my old bras, prostheses, mx bathing suits from initial umx, now that felt GREAT!

What a good discussion on bras! Exchanges are going so well, it is so encouraging as I still wait with these TEs!  

Wishing all a good recovery ahead and the best results possible!  Hang in there chinneymae, hope the infection is caught early and responds to tx. When's your exchange scheduled?

runnermom-congrats on your surgery, glad all worked out well, rest and heal!

TLR-hope all went well on your surgery, happy recovery-many ((HUGs))!

Goldie, I don't know about runnermom, but the feeling was instant relief of rock-hard pain, soreness to be sure (it was surgery of course), but a HUGE relief, no more iron bra feeling!

Everyone JCP has the Bali bras to...I wear sz medium as well second hitches..only bra I feel comfortable in and I'm not doing Nips either no need for headlights and I personally don't want any more surgery..

Hi everyone, checking in to let you know all went well. I do have drains but my PS was kind enough to put in the smaller ones. I had some lipo done under the axilla so between the drains and the lipo it's pretty tender under the arm. Otherwise the pain is minimal and they do feel softer then I was expecting (410 750 CC). They do have the flat pancake look to them from what I can see. I know, I shouldn't be judging them yet, but I'm not sure I'm going to be thrilled with the look. I will however accept what I have. My PS thinks I will have a good result in the end so time will tell. Righty was under my arm and high and that has been corrected so I am very happy about that.



Runnermom, so sorry to hear about your reaction. Glad you are better and making a good recovery.

Goldie, that's a great idea about letting Bali know how well their bras work for mx girls. I just bought another one today, Bali 3463. Not sure what's the difference between it and the 3550 but when I put it on I was pleasantly surprised. It was as comfortable as the 3488 but cut lower with adjustable straps and it actually perked up the girls instead of kinda smushing them down! But I do love the 3488! It was a life saver with my UMX. Only bra I could wear that finally made the girls even so I didn't feel so awkward (although everyone kept telling me they couldn't see a difference, I could, and it it bothered me)!! Sure hope Bali keeps making them.

Goldie, pretty much. I had a revision July 5th not to improve appearance but to relieve pain (but while she was there....). So the recovery process starting all over on that one side. Looking good, incisions still healing and pain is so much better (unless I over do and then I pay for it). Heard about that warmth thing (it's not uncommon) but haven't experienced myself. You're correct: the other side of exchange surgery, that is, after the TE's is SO very much better. Is your surgery planned, if so, when? Hang in there!