Exchange City

Hi Wildtulip the answer to your bra question varies depending on your circumstances, procedures, how your body heals, your PS and of course what works and is comfortable for you ultimately.

As for me I ended up with some extra work being done and will be wearing one 24/7 for awhile. Plus I don't have two implants I have one made from flap and one implant so I'll always wear a bra just like pre- MX . I am well balanced but with having natural tissue on one side I want to keep it that way.

I am sure there are others here who can give you other situations as well and share their experience

Thanks LRGO . I don't like the tight bands either.

WildTulip, I think each situation is different. When I went in for my two week appointment, the PA told me that the PS had said "she's going to need to wear a supportive bra like forever". I was like what do you mean "forever"! Then she said well at least for a few months. I have been wearing sports bras 24/7.

Okay that is weird LRGO. Maybe they are giving you a standard answer that they give everyone? If so that's not very good individual care. But I think I'd go with what the surgeon said. He did the surgery after all.

Thank you, ladies! So interesting!! I specifically remember when I interviewed my PS that he said when I'm all done I will not need a bra, which I'm very happy about. I went flat for a while after BMX, then prosthesis. Although I liked the shape of prosthesis, I didn't like going back to a bra after getting used to not wearing one. I have read on other threads that larger implants should be supported with a bra, but I'm not going very big. My PS has a great deal of experience and I completely trust him, but my concern is any potential complications that would change the long term bra need. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Hi Seedsally! Oh yes the numb feeling is weird. I am started to get some feeling back in certain areas, but I don't think all of mine will. My two front teeth are also numb from a surgery years ago, so I feel like a patchwork person. I'm sure you're foobs will look a lot better after your exchange! what type are you going with?

Jessie...yep. I get my seam ripper...make a small slice in the outer part...and just pull out the wire. I find that with the good quality bras, that there is plenty of support from just the "wire casing", that I can wear virtually all of my bras all day long (12 hour shifts), with my no more wire underwire bras, lol. I did that with a swimsuit as well. So much more comfortable;) Platex full coverage, maidenform comfort devotion and vs body by Victoria, Olga are my favorites. Also, cloud 9 warners is very soft. The inside material has to be soft and not itchy. We must be careful because of all the numbness post mx to prevent skin damage. Burlington, Gabriel bros, and vs are my favorite bra places. Soma is supposed to be good, but expensive...and I don't like spending a ton of $ on bras.

For me lipo hurt more than the exchange too. In fact I still have sore areas on my abdomen, and have not been able to wear jeans yet. I went with round saline, which I think I already mentioned. I like the shape a lot. I do have a slope at the top like a normal breast and actually they are kind of soft. They don't feel or look like TEs. But I have this weird feeling my fat took more on one side. I know that they put 360 on one side and 370 the other. But the outer area of the right foob looks fuller on the side than the other. At first I thought it was swelling, but now I wonder. Maybe I need another fat graft, but at 5'6 and 116lbs it might be tough to find. Bring on the Ben and Jerry's I guess!

Hi Remi50,

I thought I'd share my current experience with the 410 natrelle. I'm also very, very thin and small on top (this being one of many factors leading to the implants I have) and she said rounds would simply look artificial on me (more than one reason for this, too). I have the LX410 290 extra full projection which are not very big by any stretch of imagination. I had my surgery 1 1/2 weeks ago. My PS warned me that I might feel smaller when I first looked down as these implants are less full on top, while my round TEs were more evenly full top to bottom.

Anyway, my first look down I was surprised to have the opposite reaction than she thought I'd have. I thought I looked bigger and these guys seem to project more than my TEs did. To be honest, I'd be surprised to have felt differently. These implants are competing with nothing to project off the flat surface of my chest. She padded around the top with fat and I can't say for sure how much that is adding to the look.

One additional note; she showed me the options prior to surgery - round saline and the silicone anatomical. Her main point in that was to talk about rippling and that there would be less with the silicone. My implants are above the muscle so rippling is a greater risk, I think, for me with only my skin covering it.

I'm wearing a 32D currently, but I don't think that's correct. I just tried to get something with the underwire (needed for my healing period) not sitting on the implants. My best guess is I'm a 30D (although my daughter's 30D didn't fit correctly but think that's a strap issue - she has broader shoulders than me). I tried on several 32B, C sizes and I filled out the cup in the C and B without gaps in the cup - just the underwire wasn't correct.

I have not looked at many pics online and I'm not sure I'm comfortable sharing mine, but I'd be surprised if anyone would be able to easily guess these are anatomical vs. round. I keep feeling them and they feel full and pretty roundish to me. I know a picture would be most helpful, but maybe my description helps a tad.

Ok, I'm editing this to add that I just stared at them for quite a while and from the side I can see the slope of the anatomical design. It's just pretty slight and gradual and that may again be due to the smallish size.

It's kind of confusing, isn't it? Best wishes as you make your final decision!

I actually have some rippling on the outer part on one side. That is the side where I don't think the fat took . I am going to discuss it with my PS when I see him next. No rippling on the cleavage area. Thank goodness! I went with smooth round saline because I'm a worrier and have fatigue issues. I knew I would always be stressing out if I had silicone, and blaming the silicone for health stuff. PS said it was no problem and they didn't want me to have to worry about it all the time either. Also I'm kind of obsessive about my cosmetics and food being free of this, that and the other. So it's just easier for me this way. I did kind of worry about what they would look like. But they turned out to look fine. Luckily these days we do have choices, and I think there is something for everyone.

Hi Gabby, I had LD flap with TE placement this summer. I stayed two night in the hospital. The LD flap surgery is pretty major and I would expect to stay at least one night.

hi Jessie Jake,

Thanks for sharing so much with me. That's ok if you don't feel comfortable with showing me pics. Your description was quite good. My ps basically said the same thing as yours. She is highly recognized and I wanted to trust her judgement. However, mine are under the muscle so I may not get the projection you experienced going over the muscle. She felt I may be disappointed with the size after exchange. She felt she would only be able to put in 360cc. My skin just could not stretch anymore. This is so anxiety provoking. I research so much about all aspects of my treatment. I even started to work with Whippitmom for sizing etc.. But then the ps and pa said that she would be trying different sizes shapes when I was in surgery and she would pick what she thought would work best on me. I felt that I would leave it in her hands and pray for a good outcome. So far that isn't happening. I am looking for encouragement from my bc sister's along with anyone who may have close to the same style and size implants and what their final outcome was. I appreciate everyone sharing their info with me. Naturelle 360 cc , 410FX anatomical silicone under muscle.

Also good luck to all you other bc sister's that are experiencing different issues that I don't have the experienced myself. You woman are phenomenal with your outreach and support that are passed around these threads. I hope I can help others after this next phase passes. For now.. I'm still hanging on that ledge.

Hello Remi50, I have 475 Natrelle 410 FF annatomicals under muscle. I am 18 months post EX. I am very happy with my results. I haven't had any problems with my implants. Yes, trust your PS. I had the choice but like you, I didn't want to look unnatural and wanted the best outcome possible. PM me if you want. I am willing to send pictures if you would like.

Robin

hi robinblessed54,

I am new to this thread as I just had my exchange surgery 9/15/16..last Thursday. I have been conversing with jessiejake and SanFranKitty that have been a savings grace. I had an exchange to 410 FX( high profile & high projection) silicone anatomical implant .. 360cc's. With fat injection at time of exchange. I was so disappointed when I woke up because I did not have any where close to the projection I had with the tissue expanders. Looking down in the compression bra they look flat like pancakes. Can you give me any insight how your implant exchange looked with having the same style implants that my ps chose for me.

Thanks,

Remi50

Hi Remi, I bet the effects of the anesthesia are also making concentration difficult. That combined with the pain meds. The first few days after my exchange are a bit of a blur for me.

Hi Gabby56b,

I had LD flap with TE's in April after a BMX last September. Mine was done outpatient and I had no problems. My DH was home with me the day after but I didn't really need him. Most of my pain came from the TE fill at the time of surgery more than the incision on my back. I am scheduled for my exchange on the 27th and looking forward to it. I hope this helps if you are forced by your insurance for outpatient surgery.