All About Gummies

Good luck Jayne -- so many women are so happy with their implants (of all kinds) -- I hope you find something that works for you.  Did you replace the gummies with the more traditional silicone?

Thanks Jayne   I hope they are better for you! 

Sweetie,  About the study, consent, etc.  Yes we had to go through a 20 page consent form; it was a nonevent.  Some study centers are part of the MRI group, and some aren't.  So some women will have to do the MRIs and some won't (I'm part of the latter).  Those MRIs are paid for by Allergan/Inamed, the implant maker.  Your insurance isn't involved in that.  If you need to have the implant removed for any reason they also request you do an MRI first, also paid for by them.  Other than possibly MRI's, you also have to do a quality of life questionairre at intervals.  I think the times are before surgery and then after yr 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10.  Yes, its a 10-yr study.  As for the implant itself, it is NOT provided for free, you still have to make sure your insurance pays for it.  Mine did, no question.  I asked my provider's office in advance to make sure and they said that they don't have trouble getting ins to pay, even though it's part of a trial.  And finally, yes, there's a small amount of compensation for being in the study, which they pay after you complete specific things.  Its something like $100 immediately (I haven't received mine yet) and then $100 after a yr, 2 yr, $150 after 5, etc.  I think the total added up to about $1000 over the 10 yrs. 

Oh, and yes, I did have a drain after the surgery.  That seems to be a PS-dependent thing--some use them, some don't.  Everyone seems to hate drains and I can't say I enjoyed having it, but seeing 100 cc drain the first day and then down to 25 by day 4...well, frankly I was glad there was a place for all that to go instead of risking seroma.  Anyway that's just my feeling about it.

geneskirt - I really appreciated your writing yesterday, thanks for sharing.  This is probably the least important part of what you wrote, but it was interesting to see that you said the upper part of your breast was firm and the lower part nice and squishy.  I'd say I feel like mine's the opposite...the upper is softer than the lower.  There's still some squish, but where its thickest is where it feels most firm.  Funny how this is different for everyone.

I wonder how different, if any, it is for the PS to prepare the pocket for anatomical solid gels?

I can add this bit of  info to those that are still deciding on implant type - the CPG's are noted for "upper pole" fullness. I didn't really understand the difference when i was trying to communicate my prefrences with my PS prior to exchange. He did, but i never really noticed the nuances of different breast shapes, so I found it REALLY hard to choose.  I really  wasn't too helpful to my PS, other than to simply be trusting of his experience.   Again, i think there would be some degree of PS variable on how they prepare the pocket during expansion and exchange too, so experience and familiarity count in my books.:)

Has anyone had a PS that has inquired about the differnce in LOOK of the gummies?

Lilah:  Being a little lop-sided is ok.  As the swelling has gone down on the surgical side it looks better in a bra.  If I'm off without one, I really don't care.  It has meant I always had a side I could roll over on once my drains came out after mx. 

I finally made a lot of progress in healing the end of this week.  My voice is back again (no anesthesia voice) and I am starting to feel stronger.  I am 2 weeks after exchange today. 

As far as how it feels, compared to the TE it is great!  It isn't as soft as I thought it would be (mine let me "play" with one at my appointment before surgery).  But I know no matter what it isn't going to be "normal" like it was before cancer and all these surgeries.  The numbness just isn't going to go away, no matter what kind of surgery you do.

Lilah, I'm debating even maybe going out bra shopping this weekend.  I kind of want to have a "cancer-free weekend" either this weekend or next though.

They just felt sooooo hard.    I felt like they were digging into my rib cage and arm pits.  I also was dense before BC.  I wore a b cup.  I still buy bcups but do not fill them out.  Mostly I wear camisols.  I went with them because of the shape.   AT MSK you have to go to a reconstruction class and they have a session on all kinds of reconstruction.  They pass around samples of the implants.  I just wanted to look normal and when I held the gummies they really did look like a breast, tear shape. 

Lilah:  Your short hair is funky cool!  How long is it now??  I cut my hair off to "P!nk" stlye(love her energy!!) last summer. I even dyed it blonde, LOL!!!!  The change on the outside matched the change on the inside.  I was 'different'! I hope  you are having fun with it!?  Your smile is BEAUTIFUL in both your avatars, and you radiate Joy!

I think the Recon class is a fantastic idea.  I have just been learning a little about MSK and how reknowned it is.  You and JayneE are both very fortunate:) to have your care there. Awesome reputation!Does all your adjuvant treatment and care happen there?

bcincolorad: Go Shop for the prettiest, sexiest most rediculous bra you can find.  Take the girls for a drive out, and make it all about that!  You may not BUY anything, but it will help you get accustome to the new shape and feel.  Take your Maximum into the dressing room each time, and don't settle on anything til you look and feel comfortable in EVERY way.  Good Luck and have fun.  Can you take a trusted girlfriend or sister along with you??

!!! Bleach is REALLY hard on my hair, and everyone keeps telling me i need to do regular protein paks.  I am scheduled to see someone next week who is going to educate me on a regimen.   My daughter is going to have a 14 inch weave for the first time!!! (She cut her hair off too last summer and is now wanting LOOONG!!!!).  It should be fun.  We spend alot of time doing FUN things now.  I think it wll be great.  The stylist said she just did full extensions for another lady who just finished Chemo and her hair is just 1/4 inch long.... !!!!!! They are 'bonded'.   then cut, styled etc.  Now i understand why celebs have the locks they do..... they are enhanced and RECONSTRUCTED  to be anthing their natural hair isn't, so who am i to judge, lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cs-777-thanks for the information on the study. I guess I need to confirm it with my PS. He was very rushed at my last apt where I had my first fill. Tried asking a few questions but he had that one foot out the door attitude. He's usually great so I gave him the benefit of the doubt of having a bad day.

Lilah-love the hair! I keep cutting mine shorter and shorter. It used to be super long, then a bob, I always wanted to go short but worried it wouldnt' suit me. It actually looks good on you, and you have a beautiful smile. My sister in law just did the Victoria Beckham asymmetrical bob, it was short in the back, but cute!  There's a lot you can with short hair, especially nice in the hot summer!

You ladies who had the reconstruction class, that sounds great. It seems like it gives you more of an idea of the whole process instead of muddling through it along the way, like some of us. I haven't even't felt the implants yet! Oh, and the drains, ewwww, I really hate those. I need to ask my PS. I still have the large marks on both my sides from the MX and they made an indentation and are dark.

Bcincolorado-I'm glad you going good. 2 weeks goes by fast! I hope you get out this weekend and enjoy yourself. You deserve it! Good luck bras shopping!

Sweetie2040- yes, Mentor.  Wouldn't hurt to ask.... thats what i meant by the CPG's being noted for more upper pole fullness - as opposed to other gummies on the market.  I just remember my PS saying something like that.  He also talked other features to consider, like textured (supposedly to reduced risk of contracture?, i think).  but, i was so overwhelmed at that point, I honestly just told him all I could contribute was my thots on volume.  I am happy with what i ended up with. It's important to convey that early(when choosing TE).  I really entrusted my PS.  I think i conveyed more a preference for what LOOKED good, instead of feel.  So, gummies it was.  They are more firm than natural breasts... but they look BOMBIN', lol ...That makes ME feel better inside throughout the day.  They restored my 'self', not my breasts., Ya kno??? There is  physcological AND physical elements. 

Hi sweetie2040,

I actually had to look back in old posts to remember what i was expanded to...lol!!!  I bet its hard to believe that some day you may actually FORGET these details.... its like childbirth, i guess.

I was expanded to 490cc and my implant was 495cc.  The  i recall the TE was designed for 350 to 450 cc... so it was over expanded! 

That was my late stage request.... to go to my maximum allowance for my frame (aka 34D or 34DD at approx 125 lbs and 5'5 and 29" rib cage).  I'm happy with my decision now. I rarely think "they're kinda small", and occasionally feel "they're kinda big" , so most days i feel they are "just right".  LOL... its like Goldie Locks!!!!

And, i noted you asked this on an earlier post.... I did not have a drain with the first exchange. which is more common than not.   Unfortunately I had a seroma that resulted  in a need for a repair of a pec muscle tear.  The second exchange of that side had a drain.... and was removed promptlly on day 4 post exchange.  Just my body's response to trauma, i guess-lots of fluid.

When is your exchange?

Geneskirt- I have a 400 TE in and he said he can go up to around 450. I'm 5'7" 125, kind of an athletic build. It's weird about size because they already feel bigger than I was before. The shape is so much different it feels like they are under my armpits! Before they were just out front and perky. They feel fuller and wider now. I'm not sure if I like that. I like the natural shape but I want them closer together.  I wonder if that can be adjusted during surgery.I understand what your saying about feeling different about them one day to another. It's strange getting used to a different body image. I'm glad you happy though, that is very encouraging!  Since I was set  back about 5 weeks because of wounds not closing I would guess my exchange would probably be Sept/Oct depending on how many fills I get. I am trying to settle this all in my head and know what I want. I don't  like the we'll see as we go approach. I'm getting that feeling from the Dr, but I want to convey my goals with him. He spent so much time talking to me before surgery and now I feel like I have the questions I need answered. I think at times I have learned more on this website than I would have in the Dr.'s office. It's a different perspective hearing the details from someone who is going through it or been through it.

 Sweetie
Diagnosis: 2/25/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, ER+/PR-, HER2-

Well I didn't do the bra shopping over the weekend.  DH thought it might be nice to do something "non-medical" for a change since he and I both have health issues.  So we drove up in the mountains to a festival on Saturday instead.  I'll be up by Nordstroms next weekend and DH and I can go shopping then.  You know how men just LOVE to be in the bra section of a store! LOL!

BC - Excellent weekend activity - glad you did it!  Your DH in the bra shop...well, tell him to bring a book. 

Lilah, yes, hopefully it will.  If you're feeling tight I'd recommend you get the PT now if your insurance will cover it.  Really, it just feels so good and can get you back to full fxn more quickly.  Everyone I know who's had it raves about it.  I don't know why its not just automatically ordered for MX & MX/recon patients but its not.  My BS almost rolled her eyes when I mentioned it.  Luckily my PS was amenable to ordering it although I had to bring it up after my MX.  Now after my xchg I pointed out that my implant is just a tad high and the PS immediately said "I bet some PT could help that - some massage and ultrasound.  We'll send over a referral."  I don't know if it'll help or not but it's not likely to hurt and it sure feels good so I'm on it.