All About Gummies

I know what you mean. My only "complaint" with the 410 on my left side is that it is wider than the right (natural) breast. The two aren't a perfect pair size wise. Pretty darn close. My doc says I can always add a tiny implant to the right (natural) side later. But really, I'm done tweaking and fiddling with it.  I just want to see how it all works once the nipples are on, how my weight fluctuates over time --affecting the right side--before I focus on recon again. 

Nolo, did you have a nipple sparing mastectomy? In my case, I'm actually referring to the nipples that were made using CV flap. One is fine . . .  the other one should come with a magnifying glass.

Thanks, Lilah. I was reduced to match the implant side as well (I ws shocked actually) that they took away instead of adding. It's off and will probably always be a little off when I gain or add weight. But I think it's the best its going to be. I'm done messing with the size part and am not interested in adding a tiny implant to the natural side to give it more fullness. I send Estepp an email and will try Whippetmom too to look for nipples w/radiated skin. It seems, based on a cursory look around, that most women here went with the first PS's suggestion of just getting a 3D nipple and being done with it.  But my local guy is confident it will look better with this flap step then the tattoo and based on what he sees now, doesn't think infection is that big of an issue. Thanks again!

So here's a question that those of you with one gummy/one natural breast can answer. I come from a family of huggers. Everyone hugs. Friends hug. Ex-spouses hug. Ex families hug and on and on and on. Yesterday I ran into my daughter's exhusband and of course . . . you brace yourself for the hug you know is coming. Afterwards, I started thinking, how different does it feel to the "huggee" when hugging someone with implants. Is it extremely obvious? Spongy feeling?

Lilah . . . that's exactly what your boyfriend said to me too!

Ah, so you do the one sided, one arm, lean-in type of hug. Definitely an advantage to be able to do that. Just another one of those things-I-never-thought-about BBC . .  before breast cancer.

It's funny because I HATE shaking hands. As soon as someone extends their hand towards me  I immediately panic and start thinking . . . OMG did they just go to the bathroom? Did they scrub their hands? However, even though I'm okay with hugs (except for this implant issue), there are definitely people who you have to shake hands. I mean hugging your banker after he just told you your mutual funds have tanked would just be plain weird.

Does anyone have a link to get a copy of the Allergan 410 Matrix that has sizes with widths?  I can't find one anywhere on line & have been waiting for 3 weeks for a copy from the PS research lady.  I have asked whippetmom - but also thought since this is the gummie thread someone here might know.

I'm still waking up worrying about getting too big...and too wide.  I liked how I looked with the TEs at 350, but haven't been able to budge the PS below 515 or 550.  Crying again at 450 now & would really like to see the matrix before my next fills to 500 & 550.

Thanks Lilah.  I appreciate your help.  Jan

Hi,

I have been on the photo site and have been looking for some "gummy girls".  Is there a section somewhere just for gummies on that site too or do I have to keep looking through each posting under the implant section to see if they happened to get gummies?

Thanks much! 

Hi everyone, 4 months out from my exchnage to gummies and still loving them!  They have really loosened up a lot, they are so much more comfortable then when I first got them.  I can squish them together and they fit in bras better than they did at first.  They are great and look great in clothing.  Don't have nipples and not sure what I am doing about that yet.  Might just have tattoos, not sure. 

My doc told me I didn't need to wear anything ever again (for bras).  I wore a sports bra the first week or 2 and that was it.  They have never moved, still high as ever and I haven't worn a bra since (unless it's for a night out in some special clothing etc).  If I had nipples I might have to go back to a bra, so that is one of the factors I am taking into consideration. 

nolo1098, my pics are on the photo site, I think if you search jillyg you will find me......they are from expander to exchange but I haven't taken any updated photos, should really do that.....they look just like they did after exchange though.

 Take care everyone,

Jill

Thanks Jill!  Good to hear that you are happy with your gummies.  I will take a look.

Erica -- have you tried massaging the gummy side?  I found that helped a lot.  Maybe it would have loosened up anyway without that... but I do feel very good now (many months later). 

Oh gosh I could tell mine was softer and more comfortable the minute I woke up in the OR.  I had had bad shoulder blade pain from the TE (it was very tight I guess) so I woke up and was immediately aware of the absence of the pain (which rain down my arm).  My gummy is very soft now (over a year later) though it was firmer at first.  I think the softness/firmness is at least in part dependent on the muscle (and how quickly it relaxes).  Either way, you should be feeling more comfy already!

Lisa:

What is the style number of your 410s?  I have a matrix and call pass along the weights.  I'll PM you tomorrow about the doc.

Jan

Edited to say I hope others who have already had their exchange will weigh in for Lisa and for me.

I have the MX-410's and two sizes because I had a LD flap on my right side....370 and 410... I would say I'm size -ise a C...which is what I was before MX. Slept the first night last night sooo much better than with TEs and then drains...it was sooo nice. I've had TEs since last August...so this was huge for me.