Exchange City

AudreyB

Robin, he hasn't said anything. While very supportive he has not said a word about how they look. Last night I was in my regular bra with tshirt and a VS sweatshirt zipped up to just under them. They looked great. While I caught him looking he made no comments. We have to remember they are coming to terms with this ordeal too, at least that's what I think is going on. I'll be as patient with him as he has been with me. Poor guy has gone through months of my obsession with reconstruction, implants, treatments and 4 surgeries, all by my side with no complaints.

mysunshine48

You look great, Audrey! I am scheduled for 650 cc's too, but really do not want to be as big as you look. Would you mind sharing your bra size now? This is such a difficult decision since cc's don't equal bra cup sizes. Are you swollen?

Msmath

Audrey you look great! I think you are right about our husbands and caregivers. My husband and family have been so supportive through all of this. Sometimes I feel so bad because I feel like all I talk about is my upcoming surgery and what kind of implants I want. I'm also really focused on my hair growing back and my nasty chemo nails growing out. He just listens and lets me vent. I feel so blessed to have him and my family.

AudreyB

mysunshine, I'm in a 36c biut it's a little snug in the cup. I don't think I'm swollen and there is no bruising at all. Keep in mind my pic was a strange angle with my arms lifted. They don't look huge t me but they are just what I wanted. I'll try to post another photo later to give you more perspective.

cheddiecat

Wow, it's comforting to read that for most women the exchange to implant surgery is much easier than the BMX process. Some good news!!

Have a question that I'm curious about and hoping for opinions and responses to - - it's weird, but only someone who's had this experience could answer. Do the actual implants move and bounce like real breasts? Or will they feel similar to the TEs which don't move because they're placed under the pectoralis muscle? I'm asking because this might help me with the final sizing dilemma on whether to go smaller or not (have already been to Implant Sizing 101 site and know I'll be getting Inspira round gels). Have been wearing a sports bra while exercising, but don't feel like it's needed and sort of like the no-bounce aspect (was a full C cup with age sagging and had to hoist the girls up all the time). Trying to find the positive in this!

robinblessed54

cheddiecat, the anatomicals do not bounce. They are soft to the touch but stay put. The implants also go under the pecs. They replace the TEs in the pocket that was formed. I was a 36B before and are close to that maybe a small C. I am 61 so having perky boobs is nice!

Rob

AudreyB

AudreyB

AudreyB

ok, above are two more pics without my arms raised and wearing black. I have 655cc HP Sientra smooth round. Currently in a 36C bra but the cup is tight. No swelling that I know of and no bruising. I'm going for a professional fitting in one month and would not be surprised if I'm a D cup.

AudreyB

cheddiecat, I'm not bouncy at all and don't feel any weight in them at all. They are kind of stuck there in the pocket like the TEs were but so soft and comfortable. No edges digging into anything.

mysunshine48

Thank you, Audrey! You do look wonderful! And, I am jealous of your hair. It will be a year before I will hsve hsir, I suppose. 5 more weeks until my exchange. Long, but will give me more time to get stronger from chemo.

Scottiemom11

cheddiecat. . .my mentor high profile rounds don't bounce or move. Of course I don't run so not sure how high impact would affect them. I have very tight pockets/pecs and my 300 cc came out to about a 36 C cup. Bigger than before and nicely perky. My PS warned me that they would look fake in low cut clothes. I said, good. They are fake.

Scottie

kingster

Cheddiecat, my smooth rounds move, but not like my natural self. When I do a jumping Jack, my abdomen still moves more than my chest! My tissue expanders did not move at all...solid as a stone. I have a some chest movement, and I can move them around a little.

Audrey, so happy for you! You look beautiful:)

Eee3

Audrey, you look amazing!

ca55

You look fantastic, Audrey!

Scottiemom11

Back to work tomorrow. Finally after 4 difficult weeks. I do feel much better but still frustrated at my limitations. Lots of PT coming up in the next few weeks. I just want to get back to a normal work/school/college soccer schedule. We have one in 8th grade and we have a sophomore athlete in college.

Scottie

Badgergirl

Scottie -

YAY for going back to work! I'm hoping that the routine of work will help you - or at the minimum, not leave you with much time to feel frustrated ;-) I'm so sorry that it's been a rough few weeks for you. Boo. You will be back to normal soon...your body is saying that it still needs some slow time, and while I know it's annoying, it's much better than any alternative given the circumstances! Not trying to be Pollyanna, but just trying to say although it's poopy now, it won't always be so! And I'm sure your family thinks you're doing great!

Sending virtual hugs your way.

Lillp07

I got my second fill last week 120cc and at the end of the fill blood started pouring out where the needle was in and the doctor needed to remove the needle. Has anyone else had this happen? Thank you. xx

AudreyB

Oh lillp07, that sounds terrible, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I've been on these boards since January and have never heard anyone describe that but hopefully someone will offer some guidance. What did your Dr say? I fainted during my first fill. All fills after that were done in an incline position which was way more comfortable.

Lillp07

Thanks Audrey. The doctor didn't say anything. I should have asked. The nurse just popped a gauze over it and it stopped.

Scottiemom11

Thanks Badgergirl. . .I know I'm blessed and have to keep reminding myself of that when I get on my pity parties. I will get there. I'm walking 10 miles with Dh for local breast cancer fundraiser on Oct 4 so I've got some serious homework to do. My PT says he can get me there.

Scottie

Msmath

Scottie I'm a little jealous of you because you can go back to work. Tomorrow will be the first year in 15yrs that I am not meeting my new group of students. It is so hard. Cancer has taken so much from me that it is frustrating. I went to the open house and the parents totally understand why I am not starting out the new year but I still want to scream about the unfairness of it all. I feel like part of my identity has been stripped away. I am trying to focus on getting my strength back and building my immune system so that I am ready for surgery on Sept.18th. My plan is to be ready to return to work by the end of October when the 2nd nine weeks begin.

lillop07 I had a little bit of blood during one of my fills and the nurse did the same thing just covered it with gauze. It only happened the one time and I didn't think anything of it because my PS didn't make a big deal about it.

SummerAngel

I bled every time I had a fill. Not much, though. The nurse said it was a good sign, because that meant I had plenty of blood flow throughout the area.

AudreyB

I had a bit of a downer weekend. While I am grateful that I got through all 4 surgeries this year, and am cancer free, my exchange has been the hardest mentally. While I am very comfortable with my implants, my cleavage issue had me feeling sorry for myself. On my right breast, the PS couldn't release the skin from the underlying muscle and as a result my cleavage is off center. I will now spend the rest of my life hiding this, no more plunging necklines

So, this morning I went to Kohls to try on some wireless bras and found a Vanity Fair Full Coverage bra that makes me look really good. It is lifting and separating at just the right spot. I can't tell you how happy I was to see how good I looked in it and the boost of confidence it gave me that everything is going to be ok. I know I am stil healing and the girls have to settle but I just needed that little bit of confidence. The bra plunges but covers up just what I want covered up. I love retail therapy.

AudreyB

I forgot to mention my BMX scars are visible in my cleavage area which I am also trying to come to terms with.

mjh1

Has anyone ever heard of not needing preauthorization for surgery?? I called my PS office to make sure all was set for my surgery next week and if they get my medical clearance and asked the surgical coordinator if she got all the authorizations and she told me Empire told her with the codes given I didn't need authorization.  My contract says authorization are needed, so of course I called Empire and they told me the same thing.  Of course I wrote everyone's name down that I spoke to and their ID numbers at Empire.  I find this very confusing because in all my other surgeries the doctors got authorization.  Maybe they changed their policy with respect to breast reconstruction???  This only adds to my anxiety considering I'm still fighting with Empire over last years bills.  Since it is the doctor's responsibility to get authorization I hope if they deny the claim I'm not going to be held liable especially since the doctors office did call and I called.  Anyone have any expierence with this??  Advice? 

CCS648

I had my exchange surgery the same day as Audrey, but unfortunately am not nearly as happy. I had a rough time with it - lots of pain - and stayed in the hospital overnight despite planning for outpatient. My left TE was sliding toward my armpit, and my right one deflated, so PShad lots of work to do. I have the Allergan 410s, 475 cc. I look like I have 2 hamburger buns on my chest. Definitely not happy, so came here to read the posts telling people to wait a while. This was my 7th surgery in 8 months, and I've been pretty positive, but now I just feel exhausted and let down.

Scottiemom11

Msmath. . .there is no getting around the fact that cancer sux. I have to go back on my monthly Lupron shots next month. It's a nasty drug so MO gave me the summer off because of EX. Take it easy, and the end of Oct will be here before you know it.

As for work, I fought through the nerve pain today. Hoping tomorrow is better.

Mjh1. . .get letters in writing from your PS, Empire and the hospital saying no auth. Is needed.

Audrey I also love retail therapy. Have to wait till payday on Friday but then I'm there.

Scottie

Lillp07

Thank you all so much for your responses regarding bleeding. I feel much better. I will ask what happened at my next visit.

mjh1

scottie  thanks.  called Empire again.  same story.  So now it's not my problem beause I know that conversations are recorded so at least they can't say we didn't try to get authoriziation.

Saw PS today for final pre-op.  was bummed to find out that the Allergan 410 are not available in either LX or MX like we had planned and the other 410's are even smaller than what I have now.  Looked at Inspira's (really nice and soft) but PS feels I'm better off with the Mentor Memoryshape since they hold their shape better.  Will have three different sizes in OR to see what works best.  Has a lot of pocket work to do on one to try and camoflouge the muscle detachment.  Wasn't happy to hear that she may put 2 drains in because she doesn't wnat any fluid in there at all so there be less chance of implant rotating again.

So in a nutshell, will have to clean drains for a week, no shower for a week, no lifting AT ALL for the first week, surgical bra for a week, will wear an abdominal binder or spanx because I'm having FG also done, and doesn't want me workign for a month becuase my job requires me to carry 20 lbs.  Will see her in 1 week to discuss which of these we can eliminate.  Definitely was not expecting all these restrictions.  I'm sure she's just being overly cautios bu I feel like I'm having MX all over again.  If I still have rippling after all this, I will definitely need to be commited.

Sorry for the venting.