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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009

    I just added some new pictures on the pictures forum.  I think I'll add those cupcakes to my post!  Then I can move it here.  Thanks Sandy!

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009

    BOOBCAKES

     
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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009

    Oops.  I was so excited about getting the picture to post, I forgot to give the description.  My sister had prophylactic BLM's last month and I went to San Diego to help take care of her.  Her friend brought over a dozen of these cakes for us!  Was that not just the greatest idea? 

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  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 326
    edited April 2009

    Hi ladies, I had to go back to work, so the forum time has been cut a lot!  I haven't had time to go back to see if I got an answer about "fluffing", could someone tell me what that is, and what the cool whip container is all about!  I have so much to learn. What is the difference between a nipple graft and a tattoo?  Is one better than the other?  Enough with my questions,

    Judy, big congratulations,  the pathology report sound great, that must be a huge relief.

    Jax, Your endurance and attitude towards all of the problems you have endured are incredible.  Your since of humor crack me up.  All I could think about with your new "leak" was the little Dutch boy.  I hope you aren't sprouting any other leaks!  Take care, keeping you in good thoughts.  

    Jaimieh, I am having (God willing) my exchange on 6-15-09.  I am trying to gleen as much information from the wise women here that have gone before me and have insight and reassurance and patience to answer my many questions.  

    Whippetmom, I loved the cupcakes.  I think I will steal the idea and make them for my Bunco party in July. The ladies of the group have been so supportive and a Bunco friend had BC, lumpectomy 2 weeks before I was diagnosed.  I know they will get a hoot, or hooter out of the cupcakes.   Jan

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  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 274
    edited April 2009

    Jax, I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers - good things coming your way. We are scheduled to have surgery on the same day and you are going to make it! 

    Deborah - I love the cupcakes!  I live in San Diego too and had nipple sparing - if your sister would ever want to talk or get together send a PM.  I'm sure you have just been such a great support for her though.

    KMMD- keeping positive thoughts for you. Best wishes.

    Peg

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009
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  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited April 2009

    Jan I figured you'd have to see it to beleive it...

    Yes I will admit I'm a little crazy but while I was going through my expansion I was putting lotion on my boobs to help soften them up and help my scars heal.  So I was trying to find a way to keep the lotion off my shirts so I came up with the idea of wearing a cool whip container with a tight t-shirt to hold it in place.  I actually did the same thing after my nipple surgery so I won't smash my nipple at all.  I even found my surgery bra would hold my bowl so I didn't have to wear the tight shirt to hold it.  Well here's the proof I really did this crazy thing.  But if you saw my swim suit pix you may have noticed my scar did heal really well

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  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 302
    edited April 2009

    Good news Judy!  That is the kind we like to hear!!!

    Deborah - I love the cupcakes!  It is great to be able to keep a sense of humor while going through this crap.  I'm glad your sister is on the mend.  She should join this whacky group of gals!  It sucks to be able to be a member but you'd never find friends like this anywhere else.

    Jaimieh - Good luck with the drive-thru surgery.

    Jean - New bras for your bodacious new look!  Little bits of joy!!!! We have to take them where we can find them!

    ((((((((((((((((((((((Jax))))))))))))))))))) Girlfriend!!! Will it ever end???  You poor leaky girl!  Frustrated for you....but happy that things may be looking better.

    Kmmd - Praying for you and hoping that all turns out the best it possibly could!  Post soon so we can stop worrying!

    I went to the PS today and once again my little spot is closed up. I don't know for how long but one day at a time is good enough for me!  He says I will have to wear this DuoDerm dressing until I have my exchange and also said that things have to stay healed or he won't do the exchange as planned for mid May as it could cause an infection if it wasn't healed properly.  I was a little bummed about wearing the dressing but I know that I shouldn't be as there are way worse things out there. 

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  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited April 2009

    Yvonne when you just mentioned wacky girls were you thinking of me lol : - )

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  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 302
    edited April 2009

    Far be it from me to call you wacky Sandy...just because you wear cool whip containers on your ta ta's!!! ROTFLOL!!!  I am the pot calling the kettle black...LOL
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  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited April 2009

    I'm glad you stopped back to see this...

    ok I better get some rest that alarm is going to go off way too early

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  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 790
    edited April 2009

    {{{Kmmd}}} Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!!

    HUGS! JazzyJ

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  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh,

    If you go to www.breastreconstruction.org there is a list of questions to ask your PS.

    Good luck with everything.

    Janet 

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  • Hood1980
    Hood1980 Member Posts: 537
    edited April 2009

    Whippetmom, I hope you don't mind me stealing your cupcake idea!  That's the best thing I've seen in a long time!  What a hoot!  (Pun intended!)

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    Deborah - Great cup cakes!!

    Jan1 - As best as I know (pre nips) my PS uses a skin graft for the aerola (spelling???) and cuts/twists the Mx scar for the nips and then later tattoos the area to make it darker than the rest of the foob. I think that's what she does. But I don't do that until fall, so I will have more details then. She says it will be more extensive than the exchange I had last week, and will take longer to heal from. The exchange was a piece of cake for me, no revisions, just a swap out to the implants.

    I continue to love my new implants. They are just so soft and I can finally sleep on my belly or side or where ever. My PS says that belly sleeping is good for them, it keeps them pliable and reduces (somewhat) the chance of cc. Though she tells me that cc is kind of a luck of the draw, some get it and some don't. She is really pleased w/ the results she is getting w/ alloderm, she says that the implants are going in w/ a lot less revisions than before she used alloderm. She also agreed w/ Deborah's PS - I should use cocoa butter on the scars, but not until they have healed for at least four weeks. Thought I would share some of the information I have gleamed.

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  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 302
    edited April 2009

    Jean I'm so glad that you are loving the new girls!!  I dream of the day when I can roll over in bed and it will feel SOOOOOO good again.  I'm so, so happy for you!!!  My PS said to massage my scar (through the DuoDerm dressing) as it will help it heal better.  I'm freaked out that the stupid thing will open up if I do, so I've been kind of gently doing it and so far, so good!

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  • mizbabygirl4
    mizbabygirl4 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2009

    Hi all,

    I'm 4 weeks out from my exchange to gummy bears, and this morning I spied some rippling at the top of each breast. It goes away if I support the breast (with a bra, say), and is not always there, but the fact that it's there at all really bothers me. Is this what some people use Alloderm to conceal?

    Janet 

    BTW, I get a kick out of those cupcakes! 

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited April 2009

    Jaimeih 

    LOL over the pre-chemo brain thing. Yeah I know. I'ts hard to remember to go potty...

    PM me when you're ready to visit and we'll work it out!  Can't help with post exch questions, but someone will i'm sure.Wink

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  • ngcm05
    ngcm05 Member Posts: 134
    edited April 2009

    I got such a kick out of the cupcakes, I had to share.  My best friend had a "pink party" for me last weekend as I got the implants and am done for awhile.  They all bought me sexy bras and VS gift certificates.  I ordered a TShirt from Cafe Press.com that said "I survived breast cancer and all I got were these new boobs".  Too funny!  Anyway, they made these GIANT boob cakes...I couldn't decide if it was hilarious or horrifying.  I will have to post a picture.  Everyone wore pink and I finally got to say thank you for all their love and support!  I felt so lucky! 

    I am 13 days post op and feel great.  Have my new fancy (wireless) bra on and am happy!  I wish all of you the best and will keep tabs on your progress.  I will wait for my nips until the end of summer. 

    Happy days.

    GG

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    GG - Sounds like we are at about the same step. Enjoy!

    Janet - I have a bit of rippling on the sides of my new implants. I am trying not to worry too much about it. If it is a problem my PS will do something along the way. In the meantime, they look great in bras and my DH doesn't seem to mind any of the changes. So I am dealing. I hope they go away for both of us!

    Deborah - I checked out your new pictures and I'd say you are doing fantastic! You must be so pleased!!!

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    Cil - Welcome and congratulations on getting an exchange date! June is not far away!! Take care. - Jean

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited April 2009

    Quick, post becasue ready for nap, still sleepy form anesthetic a little, but wanted to THANK YOU everyone for all the good wishes.  I was dreading this.  Wanted it done, but am so tired of arm bands, IV's, hospitals etc.  However, I already feel better now then I did 4 weeks after the mastectomy and expander.  We needed to rewrap the dressings, so I got a sneak peak, and I am SO HAPPY with how they look, and oh my god how soft.  My PS has ideas for a second stage during nips to make them look even more identical, but I told her, they never did look the same, truthfully she came darn close to their previous slight differences.  She's more a perfectionist then I am.  So glad I didn't bolt out the door like I thought I might this morning.  I can't tell you how much I needed and appreciated the wishes and support of all of you the last few days (heck last 6 monhths) So, I'm off to dream happy dreams.

    Good luck to others recuperating, and hang in there for those waiting.  It still feels like you had surgery, but positive reinforcement none of the other surgeries did. : ) 

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  • Jazzygem
    Jazzygem Member Posts: 790
    edited April 2009

    {{{Kmmd!!}}} It's so awesome that you checked in!!  Even better that you are doing so well!!!  WAHOO!!!  You need to rest now!  All of us here are sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

    GG I am totally gonna order that t-shirt!!!  SO perfect!!

    My oncologist told me I will be able to go off Tamoxefin after my hysterectomy!  I will however be put on Arimidex.  Right now I am also taking Neurontin to help lessen the hot flashes...and ladies it TOTALLY WORKS!!!

    I feel so good reading all of your posts!  Everybody is loving or learnign to love their ta tas!! 

    Together POWER!!

    HUGS!! JazzyJ

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  • tablover
    tablover Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2009

    Hi everyone,

    I am new to the forums and have found reading the posts the last few weeks incredibly helpful. I had my bmx (skin and nipple sparing) in September and three weeks ago I had my exchange surgery to 410 gummy bears (mx520 and mx550). I am very interested in hearing from the women who also had the gummy bears with either the m or f height.
    I think I may have made a mistake in getting the medium height instead of the full height(my implants are about 13 cm high). I like the projection and width but I am VERY hollowed out on top ( a couple of centimeters on both sides) and it seems it will make it impossible to wear bathing suits or tank tops and it makes my chest look unnatural. My ps (who I love), felt the full height would look unnatural. We are going to try adding fat in three months to correct the problem but I can't help but feel it will still look unnatural and that we made the wrong choice. I am 5'7'' , medium build - more medium than I'd like post chemo :( and have a pretty long torso. I'd love to hear from anyone who has used either height 410 or had the fat added to the upper hollows.Thanks so much!
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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited April 2009

    Tablover-I believe Lisasayers had the 410's.  Hopefully she will be reading and be able to respond to you.

    There are some smart women on this thread that have great knowledge of the implants.  Best wishes to you.  I hope you get this issue resolved and can be happy.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Ladies - I need some advice.  Has anyone's husband acted a bit strange through the TE process?  Mine has been an absolute gem through everything - supportive, helpful, etc.  A couple days ago after my 2nd fill (I'm maybe a small A now) he asked me what I though about my "new profile."  Mind you, the only time I ever had a "profile" other than flat was with a majorly padded bra or when I was breastfeeding (ages ago).  Anyway, he said I may need to consider that I might not like things much different than they were.  I was a bit puzzled, but didn't think much about it.  Then yesterday I got my hair cut and highlighted - a bit different and lighter than before.  He almost never notices when I get it cut, but he immediately said that It really wasn't very "me."  Any insight as to what's going on in his head?  I think I need changes right now and control some part of my life (my hair!), but I certainly don't want to alienate my sweet husband!  Thanks a bunch!

    Valerie

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009

    Tablover - Lisa will respond - she has the full height 410's.  The fuller the height - the more upper pole fullness you will get.  So with either the "full height", "extra full projection" implants - 410 gummies or saline or silicone - the more fullness you will have at the top of the breast. It sounds like you have some step-off defects which not uncommon.  I have this with my left breast.  The doctors will try fat grafts.  If you have really good insurance, and if fat grafts do not do the trick, Sculptra is something they have started using - but it is quite expensive.  There are a number of women on these forums who have had fat grafting for step-off and rippling and they are very happy with the outcome.  Many of them achieve that upper pole fullness they were lacking previously.  It sometimes takes repeat fat grafting. 

    Welcome to Exchange City...

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  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 2,466
    edited April 2009

    Sorry girls, what is step off?

    Is is where the mastectomy scar and the implant meet?  Like a little line or dent almost?  Cuz I have that too.

    I think my PS is doing fat grafts from my stomach that I have nicely accomodated him with to do revisions to maybe he can do it there.  Maybe he could fill in these parentheses lines around my mouth that developed over this stressful last year.  I'm 53, but I don't want to look it. :).

    love you all

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2009
    Annie - Yes, it is a dent - but a true step-off defect is typically at the top of the implant.  Instead of having a nice natural slope from the chest wall into the breast, there is this dent or crease in that area.  I am not sure what you are seeing with your mastectomy scar area - it might be a ripple defect.  I also have some rippling in one implant and yes, this hopefully can be addressed with fat grafts.  I too have managed to squirrel away some belly fat over the years and now it might come to good use.  Wink
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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited April 2009

    Valerie - I honestly don't know what your dh meant by the comments, but it occurs to me that our husbands may be grieving as well. Just a thought. Gentle hugs to you both.

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