Exchange City

noodlesmom . . .I had my TEs for about 7 months after December 2014 BMx. I had a second Exchange/Revision Surgery this past March for Capsular Contracture. As for help in sleeping, see if you can find a total body pillow. Dh bought me one less than 2 weeks after BMx. I still love sleeping with it because of the extra support for my shoulders etc.

Scottie

noodlesmom- its also possible that this is cording. Can you get a referral to a PT? I had so much improvement in my range of motion after I went to one. I felt like she knew what was safe vs too much on the stretching also.

Ok warrior sisters I need to do a little venting....

I had my BMX in Apr '15 and had TE put in at that time. From the very beginning I knew I needed rads and secondly I knew that I wanted nip recon. My PS was WELL AWARE of both. He was also very aware that I wanted extra full projection implants.

I am 4 months post op from my exchange and had an appointment with him two weeks ago to discuss nip recon. He asked me how I was doing, I said physically Im great however I think there are some things we need to address about my breasts before we proceed with nip recon. I pointed out the clear difference in size/shape between my two breasts as well as the difference in the IMF. He told me he thought everything looked good to him...keep in mind there is a NOTICEABLE difference in the placement of my IMF as well as the size. He tried to dismiss the size difference and blamed it on the rads. When I said but there's a 450 on the left and a 415 implant on the right regardless if I had radiation or not that's a significant difference right there. Again he told me it looked great to him. Umm of course he thinks that he's the one who did it. Grrrrr! I told him that I felt like my breast looked flat like burger buns. I asked him what happened to the projection I was looking for? He told me that lack of projection is unfortunately one of those things women with mastectomies have to live with. I then pointed out that we had discussed Inspira SRX/SSX implants and he gave me Inspira SRF. He said the SRX/SSX wouldn't look right with my frame. I said but I don't have any feminine curves, up top and after the hell I went through I feel like I should get what I want. Seeing I wasn't going to get anywhere with him, I switched the conversation to the nip recon.

He said, Im not going to do that on you since you had radiation, you should just get tattoos. At this point I was beyond upset and said I have never just wanted tattoos, Im 45 years old and I don't want some lick em stick em tattoo that looks like its a nipple! He said I could go seek a second opinion (Like I needed his permission) and he wouldn't be offended. He also said I wouldn't find anyone close by who's opinion would differ from his (he's the COS at the hospital). I told him that I was going to just take a step back from all of this and just be. He agreed that this was a good idea and told me, by giving it time Ill change my mind about my results. Umm Ive read too many stories on this site to fall for that one. If women aren't happy from the start there's a good likelihood they'll never be and go for a revision. The next day I called my friends PS who did her reconstruction for a nip recon consult.

Yesterday I went to see who I will now refer to as my PS, I apologized to him in advance for seeming bitchy but I told him my whole story. I told him if he was going to help me I felt it was important he knew what I had been through. He listened carefully on what I said and took notes, and then said to me...if I can switch out your implants and 1 make you bigger, 2 give you more projection and 3 reconstruct your nipples would you be in for it? Shocked I said I was only coming to you to have my nips reconstructed. He said but you're not happy and after all you've been through you deserve to be happy. During my exam he noted that my upper pole and medial cleavage looked awesome but agreed that my implants were not right for my chest and then suggested he would like to move my IMF on my right side (cancer/rad side) but he wants to wait. He examined my skin and said it was in amazing shape for having been radiated (love coconut oil) but that he wanted me to massage the tissue 2xs daily for a few months to soften things up a bit. He said since Im only 4 months post op he wants me to come back and see him in late October early November and see how things feel. Best case scenario he's going to swap my implants, move my IMF and give me nip recon...worst case he's only going to reconstruct my nips. Only time will tell but at least I have someone who is willing to listen to what I want.

I really cant believe that Im looking for a new PS at this stage in the game, but Im confident this one will help me feel more womanly. I'm nervous as all hell about doing another surgery and moving my IMF down....anyone have any experience with that one?

Also, who has Mentor Smooth Rounds Ultra High Profile? Do you like em, love em? Feel kinda meh....

Hope everyone is well out there and thank you for listening to me vent. Cyber hugs all!

Scottiemom1- That's excellent news, congratulations! May I ask if your implants were the same CCs as before or did that change since it was a UHP? Also, who did your tattoos? Im still torn if I should make the trip to MD for my Vinnies...this is all so overwhelming!

Thank you for reassuring me in my decision!

MT- I am in Chicago, I checked his schedule and I haven't seen him out this way. I don't mind flying to either MD or So CA. Since Im a revision in waiting Ill cross that bridge whenever I get to it. Thank you for reminding me about the Cali guy....I have also heard about his work.

imkopy2, I met a woman on this site who had nip recon in Chicago. She says that she's had nurses tell her how lucky she was to have been able to save her nipples--they couldn't tell the difference! I can ask her who her PS was. I'm pretty sure she also had radiation.

Imkopy, I had Cory Miller, from LA Ink do mine! They are amazing! He is in Upland CA. His shop is Six Feet Under. We had a retreat this last weekend with my cancer support group from my church and showed 2 ladies my tats and one said " Don't tell me those are flat!" She said they look so real,

ladies, if you chose round silicone implants, how did you make the final selection of brand and type? Thansks

Tara:

My PS and nurse pulled out samples of brands based on the discussion of textured vs smooth (going smooth), cohesive gel and round vs anatomical (going round). I believe most PSs probably have favorite brands they use. Or multiple brands.

Tara - in addition to the samples & discussion with your PS, we have a wonderful resource here at BCO. Take a look at this "breast implant sizing 101". Read the entire header and then you can post the specs requested along with your questions for Whippetmom. She is amazing.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

Tara17 - I had my exchange June 6, my PS only uses Mentor, I would have liked to feel other brands, but in the end they seem fine, my implants are round and smooth.

Hi Ladies! I've been away from the board because of family things:

My son with autism (age 21) graduated from High School on June 13.

My daughter (with major depression, anxiety, and panic attacks) graduated from High School on June 20.

My CC surgery is coming up this Friday, June 30. Been on the phone all week with last minute details. My PS group works both out of the hospital, and in their own outpatient surgery center. Due to some scheduling changes, they've changed my location twice. It's a little nerve-wracking. Also, I had to track down my anesthesia records from previous surgeries b/c I don't want a repeat of the horrible nausea I've had on two previous surgeries. 

Hubby finally decided to take PTO to be available for drop off and pick up. He's just getting back this evening from a 5-day business trip.

Mominator. . .congrats to bother you're ASD kiddos. Best wishes for your surgery. I too get horrible nausea if they do not follow my "works for me" protocol - anesthesiologist screwed that up for BMX because he did not listen to me.

Scottie

Mominator good to see you again!!! Wow exciting family update ... you must feel very proud of them ... it is a huge accomplishment!

Best wishes on your surgery. You deserve a peaceful recovery!

Love & hugs

My. Dr likes Mentor, I dictated smmooth round and he said I could have pretty much what I wanted