August 2013 Surgeries

Karen,

I think I'm also going to just have to let my PS guide the whole implant choosing.  That's kind of what his PA told me but I thought I'd have some say in the matter.  I've been told he is a great PS and my experience with him thus far has been great and I do trust him.  I just don't want the final product to be up so high...I'm tired of walking around with breasts that are at least and inch higher than where they should be and since I too am overfilled by 100cc...I look very freakish.  No..it's not just me.  My husband keeps telling me "you're huge" when I am certainly bigger than I was before and am bigger than I think the final implants will be...but I think he sees the breasts that way because they ride so darn high (and it doesn't help that they both have slipped far from being where they should be which is why I have them in my armpits).  I know my PS is going to have to do quite a bit of nip and tucking to get the pocket where it should be...to get these things where they belong.  And I'm really not willing to easily go in for corrective surgery.  I'm so done with being cut into....  If things don't turn out to my satisfaction, I may just say "take them out and I'm done".  Which would stink, given what we've gone thru getting the TE's placed, the pain, the expansions (sometimes very painful but thankfully I only had 2 like that and the pain only lasted 2 days max).

So tell me, did your final implants lay lower on your chest than your TE's?  And did you have any problem with them shifting to your armpits (I have like a 1-1/2 inch gap between my TE's...much too far apart than what normal breasts should be) and if you did, did the final implants end up closer together?

I'm interested in how your nipple recon turns out, given what I had read.  Not that I'm willing to have that done, but want to know how yours turn out when all is said and done.

Don't get worried about the swelling, please.  I'm still swollen under the right underarm and my last surgery in that area was back in October - 6 months ago!  I was told early on (at my first post-op visit w/BS after BMX) that the swelling can take a very long time to resolve...mastectomies are major surgery and does a real job on our bodies and it can take up to a year for the body to regulate itself.  So please don't have any thoughts that take you to dark places.  Keep an eye on it and if it does not resolve in a couple months, they'll probably do an US to take a looksy.  

I'm glad to hear that you didn't have a whole lot to say about your implants and are satisfied with the outcome - that makes me feel better that someone else has already entered into this phase nearly as blind as I seem to be on the whole final implant issue and they are happy with the results.

Take care!

Thanks Babs.  I know you've had a long road as far as these surgeries.  How are you doing?

Babs, glad to hear you are doing well.

Lisa, how are you doing?  Any news?  I have found that the permanent implants do sit lower, and are much more comfortable than the TEs. I was alarmed at first because I thought they were huge, but he assured me it was swelling, and he was right.  I had nipple reconstruction and fat grafting done at the same time.  My R nipple looks great.  My L one has been a problem child.  I went in today because it busted apart last week.  I finally had to take a picture and send it to the nurse because she didn't seem to get it.  That got their attention!  I have been on high dose antibiotic sicne then, and I had 3 stitches put in it today.  

Wrenn, I know that chemo did a number on you; I hope you are healing.

PS told me that he "thinks" the lumps are fat necrosis, but that since he can't know 100%, he thought it was a good idea to see BS (who I already had scheduled an appointment with as a routine follow-up).  BS also said that it is "probably" fat necrosis, but that it is in the area of the cancer, which means he is not going to wait on it for too long.  If it is still there in 3 weeks, I am to call him back for further tests.  He called it "concerning" but not "alarming".  I hate the waiting game.  I hate cancer.

geez Kbeee it is never ending. I don't know how you manage to stay so calm. Sustained stress like that really does a number on people.  I think i said it here before but my onc recommends psychiatrists for most post treatment breast cancer patients because of the struggles. I really hope you can have it all resolved soon. I am sorry this is happening to you.

I am ok, recently developed hypothyroidism so am hoping treating that will solve the nerve pain, slow hair growth and fatigue.  Am considering antidepressants after fighting against them for so long.  In general, and compared to most here though i am doing well. I am feeling lucky.

Take care and please keep us up to date.

Hope everyone else is doing ok considering.

I'm going to remember that "moving the finish line". It is so true. Maybe we have to forget about "getting back to normal" and accept that it is a different world.

You really are resilient though so you have that base. I hope the hand surgery won't interfere with your work. I know you love it. It must be so hard for you to wait to know what the outcome is going to be for all of this. It just really seems cruel to me that the universe hands it out and hands it out when you have tried so hard to be upbeat.

I do believe in the end you will be ok and will be stronger than ever. You really are an inspiration. I remember your attitude when I feel sorry for myself. Thank you. Take care of yourself.

Poodlemom, you have had a rough year. I really hope the outcome of your situation is good and that you can have a break from this. take care.

PS called today-he had to move up my fat grafting-it's this coming Thursday, 5/22.  Fingers crossed I don't get an infection!!!!

Babs

I am so glad I found my August 2013 surgery ladies. I love you girls. I am so humbled by your courage. We are a tough bunch.  I love the Pap smear story, I laughed so hard and can relate so well.

Lisa, I have looked for you often on this board because I had wondered how you were doing. I was able to follow Wren but I could not find you.  I am so glad you have finally felt well enough to come back.  Your posts are so very interesting and I have learned so much from you. You kept me sane last year when we were going through our surgeries and post-op.  I always looked for your posts as soon as I logged on to this board; they always gave me a good feeling for the day. I am so sorry to hear you have had to go through all of the lung cancer issues. I guess you have had a wonderful cleaning out of cancer and will certainly have a good long life ahead of you so you may recover from all of this stress. Big hugs to you and all of the August ladies!

Babs, I hope all goes well today.  Keep us posted!

Lili, Any news???

I had a fine needle biopsy yesterday on the lumps which appeared after the fat grafting.  They have not gone away after a month, so hopefully this will definitively let us know what they are.  I am hoping for results tomorrow.  For now, it's the waiting game...which I love...or maybe NOT!!!

just left the hospital  all went well. Dr said I'm out of far now. Hoping not to get cellulitis now. Taking lots of antjbiotics to hopefully prevent that

Karen. I m waiting with u. Keep me posted. Hugs. 

Babs

Babs,mHoping those antibiotics do their job so you avoid complications.  

Thanks for the good wishes everyone.  I will post my results when I get them today.  Hoping for a call between noon and 3.

Whew, good news K. I too wish we could get definitive answers to these things. I hope you won't worry too much in the mean time. 

Good news KBee, at least you know what it's not, that should give you a lot of relief.

Keep me in your prayers guys, I go on Tuesday to find out what my future holds.

Poodlemum, Let us know how it goes.  Thinking thoughts of good news for you.

KBeee - great news! 

Poodle Mum - good wishes for you on Tuesday. Prayers being said for you.

Poodle_Mum - so sorry to hear you are having a difficult time.  I don't have any advice as my surgery was different, but I'm wishing you nothing but the best.