Access to the Picture Forum - READ 1st POST

babyo20

Hello I recently had a bilateral mascetomy and am in the process of fills. I currently am at the size I would like to be but wondering how implants looked as opposed to tissue expanders. I am 130 lbs, 5' 4" and was a 34b but would like to go to a full C for everything I went through. I have a 350 cc in my chest and am now at 375 cc which usually they go over in fills to allow for more space. My PS said that he will do extra fills to allow for larger implants if that were the case and also to stretch the skin too but other times he said he didn't need to do that so am wondering what others experienced.

Also, yesterday I had my fill that put me over by 25 cc and have been in extreme pain mostly on the left side which Is more round and where I had a lymph node removed, Is this common for those who have been overfilled or is there something I should be concerned about?

As with regular implants, do these settle and go down in size or since this is in between the muscles will the implant placed be true to size after the exchange too? If I tell my PS that I want the size I am now and get that same size will it get smaller over time as implants do for those who get breast augmentation then?  Were most of you happy going from a B to a C or low D and did you feel happy a C or whatever letter you choose to go to or did you think maybe you should have gone bigger? 

Sorry for the questions. The pain caused by yesterday's fill is leaving me with numerous questions and I want to be a bigger size than I was but I also know TE look different than implants so want to pick the right size based on how it will look after the exchange happens. Seeing pics of other reconstructions would help me visualize what to expect based on how my Te looks now. Thank you!

AZ85048

babyo20- Go here:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/805466?page=1#post_3572090 and read the very first post. (Not the one that nowheregirl accidentally deleted.) That will outline the rules and guidelines for the picture forum. Then you can PM nowheregirl or Lilah as they are the only two people who can grant you access. That site is not a part of BCO and is privately maintained. 

As to your implant questions, go over to the BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101 thread run by whippetmom.  Scroll to the top and read everything in the header then either post your question, or send her a PM withe information about your height, weight, rib cage measurement, TE style number, brand, and capacity.  She's the best and has helped hundred of us make the same decisions you're facing.  You can find that thread here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic...

Good luck to you!

lizsilverman

Thank you for developing this resource!  I am having my swap out and implant/lift on healthy side next week.  I am a little anxious about the symmetry and who to expect afterwards.  I would love to see pictures to be better prepared and learn more about the process.  Many thanks  

AZ85048

lizsilverman - See the post I made to babyo20 (right above your post) and follow the first link. That will explain the way the picture forum works. It is not a part of BCO but a private website.  As stated above, you must contact nowheregirl or Lilah directly for access, preferably by Private Message (PM).  Good luck!

Lilah

By first post we mean: GO to page 1 of this thread (not just the top of this page).

Thanks, AZ, for helpfully reminding people!

HollyD

would like to be added to the photo gallery if possible. I had expanders put in and wasn't aware I needed radiation after my bilateral. My nodes were clear so my BS didn't know at the time either. I'm just curious what recon looks like after radiation. Thank you!

exbrnxgrl

Holly,

Please go to the first page of this thread and read the very first post from nowheregirl (not the deleted thread starter). It will explain how to request access to the picture forum, which is not part of BCO, but run, voluntarily, by two dedicated BCO members. Good luck to you.

Sharon444

Hi there. I am not sure if I have ever posted here prior to this or not, as I am not remembering how to do this (brain has been foggy)? I have questions regarding expanders, reconstruction, and implants. Where do I post these questions?

Sharon

exbrnxgrl

Sharon,

Go to the Breast Reconstruction Forum, and browse through the thread titles that pertain to your concerns. Do check the date of the last posting to make sure the thread is still active though you're sure to find lots of active threads on all aspects of recon. 

HollyD

thanks for taking the time to give me the heads up. I pmd her!

Anonymous

Sharon444, in addition to what exbrnxgrl posted, my favorite about all things implants:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

Whippetmom is very knowledgable and eager to guide us

pkb3937

I'd like access .  I am 3 years post BMX .  I am 3 months post op from my second reconstruction .

exbrnxgrl

pkb3937,

Please go to the first page of this thread. Read the first post for information on how to gain access to the picture forum (header has been deleted, so first post has the info). The picture forum is not part of bco and is completely separate. However, it is run by volunteers who are bc members (thank you ladies!)

knmtwins

Enerva - nipple sparing is what my 2nd opinion onc recommended if I do a BMX.  Would love to know more.  Sorry, with chemo vision issues, I'm trying my hardest to read the whole topic.  Once done, I'm going to look for other topics to help me figure out what to do.  I'm doing pre surgery chemo, so I have a month or two.  

knmtwins

OK - due to chemo vision, I only got through the first four pages, as it seems this is a forum just to ask to get into the picture site (I hope I got that right)

Here is my story as to why I would like to.  Dx with HER2/neu+++, hence allowed the FDA fast tracked antibody Perjetta, IF I do chemo before surgery.  OK, I have a 7 year old and 10 year old twins, so I'll do what I have to.  I don't like the concept that cancer is in me, I wanted it OUT, but if this gives me better chances, OK.  Now, because of this, when I had my 1/2 way chemo last week, I realized, I'm blessed.  I have time to find forums to help me with my decisions.  As it is under 3cm all med people seem to point me towards lumpectomy and radiation.  My mom (adopted so no genetics) had a mastectomy and lived into her 80's, so that is what I want.  I know, no scientific reason, just the psychological interpretation of a 10 year old girl now in a 49 year olds body, but due to that, I believe if I have a mastectomy I will live and it will not come back, hence positive attitude.  The tumor is close to the nipple on the right breast, so I will lose that nipple, but my 2nd opinion onc, said, if you do a BMX, save the one on the left.  I was so out of focus, I didn't ask why.  Might it have been for sensation, hence pleasure???  So, I now have posted to this topic, sent the owner of the topic an email request and I'm going to look for other topics that might help me with this decision.  If anyone has recomendations on this site or others, please let me know.  

AZ85048

knmtwins - Go here:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

and read just the very first post. (Not the one that nowheregirl accidentally deleted at the top of the thread.) That will outline the rules and guidelines for the picture forum. Then you can PM nowheregirl or Lilah as they are the only two people who can grant you access. The picture forum site is not a part of BCO and is privately maintained.  I hope that helps.  Good luck to you....

knmtwins

Thanks AZ - did that, got 1st approval, created an account, now waiting account appoval.  Once I have an active account, do you stop posting here and start there?

AZ85048

knmtwins - Sorry for the late reply...  Yes, once you're granted access to the picture forum, you can start posting there. Each of us has our own thread and you can start your own when you're ready.  If you have any questions, just find my thread and post your question there and I'll see what I can do to help you out.  Good luck and see you soon!

Monis

Anybody have problems logging onto the Picture Forum yesterday and today?  Wonder if something's up or if it's just me.

vfay49

Monis,  I was not able to log on today.  I just sent an email to one of the administrators.

Loriell

Hello there,

I was DX last October with IDC. I had a bilateral mastectomy , chemo and radiation. After a year I'm FINALY starting the reconstruction process. I had fat grafting to try to heal my radiated side two weeks ago. I'm interested in sharing stories with others about their reconstruction experiences. I'm especially interested in hearing about anyone that had fat injections prior to Implant exchange. Would love to see some photos and am willing to share some as well. 

I haven't posted a lot on this site but have read it a lot since the start or my journey. 

Thanks in advance.

Loriell

Hello,

I was DX last October with IDC. I had a bilateral mastectomy , chemo and radiation. After a year I'm FINALY starting the reconstruction process. I had fat grafting to try to heal my radiated side two weeks ago. I'm interested in sharing stories with others about their reconstruction experiences. I'm especially interested in hearing about anyone that had fat injections prior to Implant exchange. Would love to see some photos and am willing to share some as well.

I haven't posted a lot on this site but have read it a lot since the start or my journey.

Thanks in advance.

AZ85048

Loriell - Go here:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

and read just the very first post. (Not the one that nowheregirl accidentally deleted at the top of the thread.) The first post will outline the rules and guidelines for the picture forum. Then you can PM nowheregirl or Lilah as they are the only two people who can grant you access. The picture forum site is not in any way a part of BCO and is privately maintained. I hope that helps a little. Good luck to you....

Loriell

Thanks for replying but I did that all ready. I read the infomration and sent a PM to gain access. Havnet heard anything back?

exbrnxgrl

loriell,

Please be patient. The picture forum is not part of bco. It is run, voluntarily, by two bco members on their own time.

TinaT

Loriell - As it states in that first post, the moderators of the picture forum have chosen to limit access to that privately run site to those who have been posting on BCO for a while.  A possible reason that you haven't heard back is that you've only posted 3 comments on this site.  After you've been posting for a while try sending one of them another request.

Best wishes!

wandawoman

Good luck getting access. I requested access, never heard a thing back. It was as if my request didn't even exist. How much one posts shouldn't be a huge factor. After all, there can always be correspondance via PM if they felt like they needed to get more information on ones intent. I came here looking for support and assistance. Had no idea what to even expect from reconstruction other than the limited pictures available on the internet. From diagnosis, to bx mastectomy, to the beginning of reconstruction was 5 weeks. It is unfortunate that the "keepers of the gate" didn't deem my request important enough to even respond to. Hope your request goes much better.  

exbrnxgrl

Wandawoman,

Please understand that the picture forum is not part of BCO in any way. It is privately maintained and run by volunteers on their own time. They get to make the rules and decisions. Again, they are volunteers who are doing this on their own time (and perhaps at their own expense). If you received no response, perhaps other things were going on in their lives at that time. They do the best they can. I hope you've found the support you need on BCO, but the picture forum is an entirely separate entity.

TinaT

There is a public website called Real Self on which both patients and doctors post photos, questions, etc.  There is a section devoted to breast reconstruction:

www.realself.com/Breast-reconstruction/reviews

whippetmom

NOTE:  I have had a lot of posts and messages about lost or forgotten links to the Picture Forum.  Please do not delete your private messages, because you can always refer back to your initial entrance instructions.

Please do not ask other BCO members to provide you with a link, if you have forgotten this OR the password.  Please contact nowheregirl or Lilah for this information.  No other BCO member who is not a gatekeeper or administrator should be giving you the password, UNLESS you are known by said BCO member, to be a "regular"of the Picture Forum, e.g., have authored a thread or have photos on the Pic Forum.  If you don't have a thread or photos anywhere on the Pic Forum, only Lilah or nowheregirl should be giving you this information.  It is to protect the privacy of all of us who have photos secured on that site!!

Thank you!