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  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 431
    edited March 2010

    Navymom:  Good luck today--hope you get great results and have a painfree recovery!

    TCK

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  • NavyMom
    NavyMom Member Posts: 1,099
    edited March 2010

    Good Morning Ladies.  Thanks for all of the well wishes.  I will be leaving for the hospital in about an hour for my exchange surgery.  I will also be having my port removed and an enlarged lymph node on my cancer side removed.  Looking forward to crossing over to the yippe squisshy side of things.

    Navy

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2010

    Julie, some of the nipple shrinkage will depend on whether your ps uses scar tissue or just skin and the underlying tissue.  Scar tissue will shrink much less.  Protection is needed for 3-4 months until the bud is completely healed.  Then squishing them won't matter.  BUT nipples made of just skin and tissue can keep on shrinking until it's gone.  The body will try to re-absorb them.  Kind of the same principle of fat grafting.  Sometimes it takes and sometimes it doesn't.  Thus the Radiesse.

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2010

    Good wishes this morning Navy.  Nice to get that port out at the same time.  Hope that lymph node is nothing to worry about.

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  • Katey
    Katey Member Posts: 733
    edited March 2010

    Kristinka!  Just got my copy of The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan by Kaelin, ordered it online from Borders.  Great book, thank you for suggesting!  So much info, easy to follow, I would also reccommend!!

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2010

    Hi everyone !  I hope those that have recently had exchanges or nippies done are feeling good.  This thread moves very fast.  I do find it hard to keep up.  But, I do read it and find all of the information so helpful as I prepare for my exchange next week.

    Had my pre-op testing on Monday and thankful all is GOOD !  Lungs clear , etc.  So Tuesday I get my foobies ~  I am getting moderate profile, saline, anatomicals ~ I have asked my PS to go as big as she can.  I had already had a breast reduction prior to having a double mx.  I am a bigger framed girl and feel I don't want to do this again.  Hoping we can get it right the first time.  I really did want silicone but know with my high anxiety personality I will always be worrying they will be leaking and don't want to have to undergo mri's. 

    Have a good day everyone !

    :)
     

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  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Member Posts: 452
    edited March 2010

    Alicia - You will love the implants compared to your TEs.

    Yippee Squishy to you on the 16th!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Julie- OMG you are hilarious....although I'm thinking' my dh probably feels the same way as yours....it would be quite the change from the ones he married, but then again, so are the foobs!  I asked my ps how long after nips for tats, and he said if they heal "appropriately" about two months.  For me, that would be in the dead heat of the Texas summer.....yuck....

    So...if our bodies want to re-absorb the nips......just how much (without intervention like Radiesse) will be left after a year....two years.....is it worth it?  Anybody know if there are pics on the forum from a year or more out?  

    Congrats, Alicia, on your exchange next week!  It's been a long road for you.....you're almost there.....

    Go Navymom!  Check in when you can.....(from a former Navy mom...I actually loved those years)

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  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Member Posts: 520
    edited March 2010

     Best wishes to you next week, Alicia!  

    Katey, it was someone else who recommended the book, but it looks great and I'm going to order a copy for myself.  My PS doesn't have any exercise recommendations, and I'm becoming such a weakling.

    re bras...I must be singularly untalented when it comes to choosing bras that fit.  One of the 2 bras I bought at that MX bra shop doesn't even fit (though the other fits like a dream). Since the MX, I've bought 13 bras (Nordstrom: 3, Macys: 1, Pennys: 5, Marshalls: 2, MX bra shop: 2) and only 3 fit.  I returned 3 yesterday and will return 4 today.  The other three I've worn so I can't return.  Am hoping for better luck with my online orders! 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for the good wishes !  Musiclover ~ Love the yippee squishy !  :) 

    Val ~ I am curious too on the nip absortion.  May have to make my plastic surgeon make them the size of cigarette butts and just pray they shrink down without staying too big.  LOL  I have months to plan that.  Have to wait for the drop and fluff ! 

    Kristinka ~ I have kept all of my old bras in the hopes that some of them may work.  Doubtful but I think I just wasn't ready to get rid of them all just yet.  I have always had a problem finding the perfect bra so can only imagine after I get the foobies.  I am thinking camisoles with shelf bras may be my friend for awhile !

    :)

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  • Katey
    Katey Member Posts: 733
    edited March 2010

    Val and Justme, I have a nip that was created in 1991!  Woohoo!  The shape still looks fine.  I do remember being mortified at first at the size, sorry, don't know how long it took to shrink.  It was made from a skin graft from my upper thigh. I think but I'll have to find out one of these days whether it was just the areola was grafted, and the nip part not.  It was tattooed, and that has faded, yet still looks pretty real because of grafted skin is a bit different.  I'm not going to do grafted skin again, just because of wanting the much simpler procedure, in office, no general, followed by tatto.

    Thank you to who did recommend the book!  I am turning a new leaf today and am going to get these arms back up and moving!!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2010

    Question about nipples and those of us who do daily implant massages. I know there's a 2-week recovery period for the nipples -- can I massage at the same time? I'm very concerned about implant migration/cc while the nipples are healing if I can't do some manipulation daily.

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited March 2010

    Julie- the nips size is of no concern in the tattooing, just the placement, which shouldn't  change.  JUDY

    P.S. I am not ignoring the forum, I was gone (in Las Vegas) for 6 days and geez, what a chore to catch up on 8 pages!!  I am finally caught up, so Im  BAACK!!  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Alicia, great to see you here!!

    I have a question for everyone:  What type of tests do you have scheduled in the place of mammograms?  My ONC is not a fan of CT scans, but he said I could have one in July, which is one year from date of Dx. 

    Thanks.

    Brenda 

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  • CDB
    CDB Member Posts: 47
    edited March 2010

    Kristinka

    I'm cracking up reading about your bras!!  I think that could be a problem on an AlgeBRA test!!!  "If you bought 13 bras and returned 2 to the MX shop and 2 to Marshall's...how many would you be keeping?"Laughing.  My exchange is in 2 weeks.  I can't wait to be out shopping for keeper bras!

    Alicia, have a wonderful weekend saying goodbye to your TEs.  Good luck Tuesday!

    Cindy

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2010

    Adnerb: so far nothing but blood tests every three months. My oncologist said he "may" do MRIs now and then. Where once I would have been reassured by more tests, now I'm happy to stay away from the anxiety of waiting for the results, not to mention staying away from labs and doctor's offices.

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  • Katey
    Katey Member Posts: 733
    edited March 2010

    Kristinka, I hope Marshall's customer service don't know the Target customer service!!

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited March 2010

    Julie - I have never heard of Radiesse to plump my nipples if they get too flat. Does this need to be done under anesthesia? I had nips and aerola grafts done in the fall. They still look great and I am still glad I did them, but they are essentially flat already. My dh and I are a little disappointed. We were hoping for something a little more real. That being said, I am not at all ready to deal w/ additional surgery. So if this is what it is, then so be it. Thanks for any information you can provide! Take care everyone! - Jean

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  • shortgirl
    shortgirl Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    I am new to posting but I have been reading on here for a year now.  I am wanting to see some pictures of before and after photos of ladies that have gotten implants.  I will be seeing my PS on April 1st and I am scheduled for my exchange on May 6th,  I want to be able to show my PS what I am interested in looking like after the implants if that is something I can do and he will be able to tell. 

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  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2010

    Brenda, Blood tests every three months to check liver, kidney and bone for changes that would indicate spread and I have a 6 month MRI follow up but I don't know if they plan to do the MRI regularly or just this once.  

    Val, Yes, I love that people post their nipple pictures but most of the pictures I've seen are very soon after nipple construction.  I haven't seen very many that are several months later.  I know that modernmades are several months later and maybe DENrulz are too.  I think people are excited to share right after the construction and then the nipps just become part of them and they don't think to share--I suppose that's a good sign. 

    Katey, Do you have pictures up?  I'd love to see the scars from exchange after nipples are in place and nipples a few years out.  

    Firni, Thanks for the nipple info!

    Alicia, Sounds like you've made a good choice for you.  Who needs anxiety!?!

    Judy, Welcome back and thanks for the response.  

    Julie 

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  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2010

    Jean, I don't know a lot about radiesse but was asking around.  It sounds like for some it works great and for others it works for a few months and then they go flat again.  It is a simple procedure so it seems very worth while to try.  I read an abstract that indicates good results with it.

    shortgirl, you'll need to send a private message to timtam and ask for access to her forum.  She will need to see that you've been around here for awhile in order to protect our privacy.   

     Julie 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2010

    Brenda ~ I will see my oncologist in the beginning every 6 weeks till she sees how I do with tamoxifen and have blood work done.  I believe every 6 months I will see my breast surgeon for a feeling up. 

    Judy ~ hope you had some fun in Vegas.

    Katey ~ thanks for the nip info. 

    Julie ~ Thanks for the encouragement.

    AND yes I will be bidding farewell to my TE's this weekend.  WOO hoo for softer foobies next week.

    Have a goodnight all !

    :)
    Alicia

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  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Member Posts: 520
    edited March 2010

    Katey - not funny!  I found yet another bad bra from Penny's lying around in a bag with no receipt, and I'm wondering, do I dare try to return it?

    I had a tiny bit of luck with Warners at Macy's - I tried on a bunch of different sizes and found an Elements of Bliss wireless two-ply that fit in a 34C, so I exchanged that for the one that didn't fit.

    But then the Nordstrom lady wouldn't even take my bra returns - she said come back in a few months when my foobs settle, and THEN she'll work with me.  Kind of humiliatiing to be turned away from Nordstrom, but then I've had practice with rejection at Target.

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  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2010

    Navymom - Hope you are recuperating well and enjoying your new foobs!

    I hope everyone is doing well. I went to my PS yesterday and he said  everything looks good. Yes, my implants are high but they will do the "drop & fluff" dance and it will take some time and patience. Ugggghh!!! I'm tired of waiting and being patient. Speaking of tired ---I still am feeling kind of dragged out. Ps said give it a couple of weeks. I honestly don't know how those of you who have young children and/or work and cope with all the trials and tribulations of BC do it. Hats off to all of you.

    MusicLovermom - I also did not have any wrappings, just a supportive surgical bra. The foobs are Yippee Squishy!

    Have a great evening. Chris

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited March 2010

    Katey and Cindy are not being very nice to the Return Queen....but I am getting a good laugh out of it...

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited March 2010

    Kristinka -- OMG you are making me laugh with the bras and the returns (shades of being banned by Target).  I agree with Deborah: I am SORRY to laugh but it is rather funny.  You are a good sport to take the ribbing :)

    Alicia -- WOO HOO for the yippee squishies coming this weekend!  I am so envious :)  After my most recent fill I am definitely feeling very TIGHT and can't believe I'm to have one more fill.  If I feel this tight when March 22 rolls around I may have to say forget it. 

    Wow I think I last checked this site yesterday and can't believe there were 2 pages since then!  So please forgive me if I miss commenting on others posts...

    Lilah

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited March 2010

    Yes Vegas was fun, but its back to work (or so some people call it).

    Re: Radiesse.  There is a possibility that it can last for up to 3 years, but 2 is more common. .  Radiesse (formerly called radiance) is hyaluronic acid with calcified microspheres (calcium) in it. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is in every cell of your body naturally.  It will be absorbed over time.  It is quite successful at increasing nipple volume and it is administered as an injection, so no surgery is required. It is an office procedure.  Given our lack of feeling in the breast, it is not particularly painful to have it administered. However, most plastic surgeons use an anesthetic cream to numb the area prior to the injection. 

    It is used most commonly for filling the naso-labial folds, and the cheeks along with the lips.
    Since we administer it in our office, as a cosmetic, I am very familiar with it.  JUDY 

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  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2010

    mental note ~ don't go shopping with Kristinka in Vegas ~ might set off alarms . . . . .

    Am laughing my butt off at all of you girls.  Thank goodness lint doesn't distract me, I would never get anything done at home.  Ha!

    Colleen

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  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2010

    Kristinka, You're shopping experiences are sooo funny!  Don't feel bad, I've returned several bras and as much as I hate shopping I have become a bra addict.

    Reeltchr, I can so relate to the fatigue and the impatience.  I was saying exactly the same things as you a few weeks ago but at 7 weeks out, I'm feeling pretty darn normal and the foobs are pretty even now.  Try to hang in there. 

    Judy, That's exactly the explanation I've been looking for.  Thank you again!

    Colleen, Love the mental note, I think I'll make the same note.  On the other hand maybe she'll just have a bra giveaway for the rest of us, we can save her the Nordstrom's fiasco.  :-) 

    Julie 

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  • Luna5
    Luna5 Member Posts: 738
    edited March 2010

    Facecrafter maybe you can answer this....I don't have to decide right now because I am not finished with this whole exchange process...still have another exchange surgery coming up.  Then, even though my PS wants to do nips then or a month later...I want a break and will wait until after summer and bathing suit season....

    So...my question is this...If I am not sure I want nips, can I have 3 D tattoos and then decide?  Can nips be added after 3 D tats?  My old nips stayed flat most of the time, so I am not sure if I want to always look like I am smuggling raisins and I certainly don't want to look like a turkey temp pop up timer.  I was kind of hoping to not need to wear bras all the time although it is sounding more and more like regular bra wearing might be wise....in which case covering the protruding nips won't be a problem.

    Thank you for any advice from whoever knows about these things.

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