Exchange City

Well, my laser face peel is healed enough for me to go out - so I went to Victoria Secret and got measured.  I had been to a little bra/masectomy store near me a couple days ago so I knew what my size should be.  They were very helpful and nice and got the same measurement - 32 D, there aren't many in that size so 34 C works as well - that's just what the masectomy store had told me.  They also recomended an underwire that almost makes a full half circle around the bottom of breast - anyway I told them that others were disappointed in their knowledge and service and they said as a company they have had meetings etc. and are trying to improve that.  So I have 2 bras now - going to Noordstroms next week.  I wonder how many I need?

SMH - I too was a 34 A or almost an A, now I'm a 32 D or 34 C and sometimes I feel too big, but I do look much better in clothes, the doctor says it is the perfect size (for me) and I'm beginning to think so to.  Whippitmom over on the implant sizing thread helped determine what would look best on my body -you should ask her, but you are the one that has to be happy with them.  I know another lady that was upset because she wished she had gone bigger!  It's hard to know - good luck.  hugs, Valerie

Hi Colette -- welcome!

Mstar -- waaaahooooo on having the exchange at last!  I bet you will come to love your new size... and I too can't wait to see the pics!

Bonnie -- ugh what an ordeal!  But glad to know you are already feeling better.  That's wonderful.

Here you go sweetie....regarding your friend's PS using a skin advancement flap technique....

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7100307

In answer to your question regarding why your implant migrates laterally when you are laying down..

It is likely that the one pocket was overdissected and a lateral capsulorrhapy was not performed to secure the pocket.  It only will be evident when you are laying down, but because pectoral-based exercises and also the gravitational pull while you are sleeping can pull that implant laterally, I would always wear good lateral support, even when sleeping.

Colette37: Sorry to hear about your difficult experience.  I've also had a difficult road and had two staph infections - one after my last lumpectomy and one a few weeks after my mastectomy which landed me in the hospital on IV antibiotics for 5 days (and another 9 days of antibiotics when I got out).  It feels so good to finally feel healthy, although I still have TE discomfort and don't have all my energy back.  Hang in there!  You're going to feel so much better after your exchange next week.  My exchange is the following week - Nov. 10.

 Congrats to all the girls who had their exchanges this week! 

The discussion about size has me thinking - has anyone come up with a way to try on a C or D cup or even better a CC amount in advance............and wear it around for a while?  When I was looking for a bra last week I tried on some that were just B and they looked terribly large and others that were just right, so I'm not sure how to be able to judge - also there is the projection issue. 

Before my mx I tried on pushup bras in VS to see what I would look like bigger, but it was just for a minute in the dressing room and very silly, especially when the sales person saw me in the largest size and told me how great I looked (I'm only 5" 1" and they were padded up to D+.  I don't want to go larger then my barely B just to find out that I'm not comfortable being that large. 

Heebie Jeebie -- I remember someone saying she measured out X number of CC's into a balloon (making water balloons) and put them in a bra to see how they felt... not EXACTLY the same but close.  That is closer to saline than silicone but at least you'd get a feel for the size.

Good morning ladies,

I am home and resting. I had my revision from what I can see seems to be successful. I am bruised and wrapped up like a mummy and am in a considerable amount of pain.  This pain is mostly due to the work on the pockets. I had a lot of fat grafting done to be honest I am liking how my belly is looking so far.

Thank you all for your positive thoughts. I will post pics as soon as I feel a little better.

Mstar congrats on your exchange I hope you are happy with your results.

Rebecca

Rebecca:  Gentle hugs and glad to hear from you!  Love the fat grafting!!!  Can't wait to see your pictures.

Bonnie:  Thank goodness you are getting the drains out, as it is my least favorite part of any surgery.  Just know that this is temporary, this was not the right surgery for you, and you have other choices down the line when you are healed and long past this day.  ((((Hugs))))  Hope that this ends your pain.

vmudrow - glad to hear they don't stop you from sports as I am really active also.  I should be at 350 after the next fill.  Then he wants me to see how much more I'm comfortable with or if it gets too uncomfortable.  He says I have thin skin. Do you have a small frame? 

sweetie:  I have the ripples on my MX side, too .  I don't plan on doing nipples anytime soon, and my PS still says fat grafting then, but it doesn't always stick around.  I am curious to see what your friend looks like after surgery.  Think she might join BCO and the picture forum?

How many weeks out are you?  I hear it can take 3-5 months of drop & fluff before we see their final shape.  That's why I am waiting (and hoping) for the nips.

Thank you, Sweetie!  Since I am a uni, I saw how the augmented side dropped and then fluffed (exactly how it sounds--they just become more "natural" looking)--there was a huge before and after, though it may not be obvious to you in my pictures.  I notice that my right side is fuller all around compared to the MX side but my MX side has dropped a bit just not fluffed so much.  Did you have rounds or gummies (sorry, chemopause has made my brain not function)?

sweetie - I noticed ripples about two weeks out and I was disappointed, devasted really.  I think for me, the main issue is because I have really thin skin.  And you know what?  I'm three months out and I don't even notice it anymore.  I think they have gotten better but I also think I've gotten used to them.  Give it some time.  If they're still there in six months - year, then there are things that could be done to help.

Bonnie -- that is so great to hear!  It's an affirmation of how right this decision was for you. 

SHM -- that's the "fluff" factor (looking fuller) if I understand the drop and fluff right.

Sweetie -- you're still SO early... you need to give your implants time to fluff. 

Rebecca -- forgot to comment: wahooo on being done and hope you heal up soon!