Exchange City

greytcruise

MBJ, bumps or groves, not like a rash actually groves in implant and under bra band.

Lilah

Greytcruise -- the post surgical bra my PS gave me had a sort of ripply pattern that would leave its mark on my implant (and to some degree even my native side) due to wearing 24/7.  It no longer happens to me so it might just be something to do with the skin healing... but it is probably nothing.  That said, if it is red or seems like a rash, you should have your PS look at it just in case.  Bumps and grooves sounds an awful lot like imprint from the bra you're wearing.  Does your bra have shirring or other variations to the surface that might cause this?  If so, it's most likely that.  After about 2 or three weeks post exchange I would give myself an hour off from bra wearing and found that the marks went away.  This silicone is impressionable!  Especially early on.

rowan

Hello everybody,

Who and how do I PM to get my exchange date posted???

Also, I am really not crazy about posting pictures of myself,  but those of you that have, have you found it really helpful in deciding what size  you want to be?

thanks!

MBJ

Rowan:  Posting my own pictures and looking at other women's pictures dictated my entire treatment I chose except for chemo--the most valuable and helpful thing I had ever done/received.  It was the only place to realistically know what to expect and what the actual complications of each surgery was.  Size is dependent on our individual bodies and what they can do.  Best to ask Whippetmom on Breast Implant Sizing 101 to get you where you want to be.

Lilah

Rowan -- read the header of this thread for who to PM re: changing the date of your exchange! (Mykidsmom who started this thread).  It's right there at the top of every page.

I also found it helpful to both see others photos and to post my own.  I was shy about posting but what helped was to get nice comments from everyone (I was VERY depressed post-exchange which, I now realize, is completely normal).  My results are great!  But it took me awhile to see that and a big part of my healing was sharing.

rowan

thanks Lilah and MBJ--duh, I could read the directions.

Lilah--are you one of them I PM regarding the  picture forum?

MBJ

rowan: ditto what Lilah said.

SuebeeBC

Rowan it took me what seemed to be forever to post my photos!  Once some of the gals out here who had their surgery at the same time or right before me started posted, I started to gain strength.  Some of them were relatively the same size as me (body type) so it was REALLY helpful to see how they were faring and how certain expansions looked on them.  I think once you start seeing some of your BC friends going through the same, you realize we are all in this together to support and help each other through it.  Its been great!  Of course the final decision on what size you should be is all on you and your PS, but you can definitely get a better idea.

rowan

thanks all of you for your input.  I need to get my implant size this week from my PS.

That was quick with  exchange date---somehow seeing it there makes it seem a little less scary

SuebeeBC

Rowan, By the way, I am outside of Dayton!  Good luck with your appointment.  I hope to hear good news at mine tomorrow!

Lilah

Rowan -- gatekeepers for the picture forum are me, MBJ, Whippetmom, Estepp and Firni.  The Picture Forum was created by Timtam (who does not post here a lot).  You can PM any one of us to get further info.

slinky

Three more days to exchange date. I am happy to be rid of these coconut shells! I will not miss them in the least.

nolo1098

Good luck Slinky! I'm counting down to my exchange on 6/17 and know exactly what you mean about the coconuts. I've had them since 1/28 and am ready to get rid of them too!

PitPat

Hello to all you amazing ladies,

I'm joining this thread (again) because I have the journey to reconstruction completion ahead of me.

My biggest concern is the use/look of my pectoral muscles with the implants. I'd really appreciate being able to be on the pictorial form as there really isn't much out there.

I have one TE and need to get one placed (I had immediate recon last Sept which failed on one side) I've completed chemo and radiation and now off to the PS to learn time lines for the next stage of recon to begin. I'm so ready to not be lop sided. And really want to know if this feeling of the TE is much different than the implant. I would love to hear that I'll have some cleavage and they will be soft.

the road still seems so long.

Patti

rowan

Thanks for the names, Lilah.  SuebeeBC--we are close.  My husband is from Dayton.  Are you north or south of Dayton?

Slinky--good luck!  I hope everything goes well for you.  

SuebeeBC

Rowan - I am in B-creek.  We havent been here long but so far I like it!

Slinky I am jealous its only 3 days for you.....but I HAVE AN EDAY NOW!!!!!  I am going June 13th!!!  My PS deemed me good to go!! YIPPIE!!!

PitPat

Is anyone here from the south east of British Columbia?

rowan

Wow, SuebeeBC--yours is soon!  You should be feeling sassy by the end of summer.

I don't know much about B-creek, but I think one of my husband's friends lives there now. My husband is originally from the south side of Dayton (Kettering).  We have good friends and relatives in the Centerville area.   We're actually going to a 25th wedding celebration up past around Belfontaine in a few weeks.  I'm hoping I'll be done with my fills by then.

SuebeeBC

Rowan Centerville and Kettering are JUST the next towns to the south and west of me....we were househunting in all 3 towns. Its all very close.  I havent been to Bellfontaine yet.   I was hoping to be finished by March but got delayed, delayed and delayed again.  I feel like I shouldnt say anything about my exchange date until it has passed!!!!

rowan

PitPat--I wish I was in the southeast of British Columbia--it's 90+ degrees and humidity today--typical Cincinnnati summer.

TinaT

PitPat:  Hi and welcome!  Just in case you didn't know, there's also a TE thread.  I have found it helpful to be on both threads for help with what's happening now (also in the TE stage) and also for help with what's to come...

rowan

SuebeeBC--now that you say that, I know where you are. 

shannonW

Question~I have access to the forum to view the post exchange photos. I have some difficulty navigating the site. Like I can view comments and pic but basically have to click on each one to see if I want to loo further. Is this the norm? IWhat am I doing wrong? Can I just type in someone's name and see their photos? This is where I am, 5 days post exchange and I have hamburge buns! Thought they'd be a little bigger but I want to know what to expect down the road. I'm bigger than pre-DCIS and perkier but they don't look like I thought. I kno it's just 5 days...toooo soon. Is there anything I can do for them to look more normal? Bra wise, or just b patient. My PS just said no undewire.  I'd like to look at a specific pic that will encourage me!!! Help!

SuebeeBC

Shannon there is a search box where you can type someones name and click a box to show only the FIRST post of the thread.....or when you look at the menu, look down the collumn of the person who STARTED the thread and you will see who's pix are the topic of which thread.

The hamburger bun thing is COMPLETELY normal!!!  It can take 3 months or more for them to start looking like the finished product.  And yes, no underwires!!  Hang in there, it will get better!!!

MBJ

Shannon:  I usually just go to the first page of "under construction" and I look at the post title and who posted and then I click on "all" to see the entire thread.  The most current posts are usually on the first two pages though, I have now seen all of them. 

Lilah

Shannon -- I'll add too -- if you click "all" on a specific thread you will start with the initial post which often is where the photos are.... and then it is easy to scroll through the whole thread from there to see subsequent photos.  Not every thread has photos... it helps to read the title of the thread to know.  And yes "Under Construction" is the forum you want.

greytcruise

Lilah, I really appreciate you responding.  I will look at my surgical cami zipper inclosure.

Hope you are doing well.

Lilah

You are welcome!  But, really, you should run it past your PS just in case... it can't hurt (I mean show him one way or another).

slinky

Nolo,, Rowan and Suebee, thanks for the well wishes. My spirits are high and I am very anxious and happy at the same time.



Suebee, so glad you got a date set! You are only a couple of weeks away to soft, beautiful, matching boobs. I am very happy for you!,

slinky

Shannon, I had implants in for 10 years and was quite happy with the size and shape. Dx with bc and had bmx. I never thought about hamburger buns before, but now when I look at my pre-cancer pics, I see hamburger buns!