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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited August 2018

    SLL, sure! I was filled to 420cc and have 475cc Allergan 410 FF gummies. Everyone is different because of chest circumstance, but he was so amazing letting me determine my size.

    You are also an ILC gal. We are in the minority. When is your exchange? I had my EX 6 months after bmx, three months after last fill.

    Robin


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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited August 2018

    Hi Minustwo! Yeah I pop in occasionally. I am dealing with MGUS now, Monoclonal Gammopathy of undertermined significance!! Say that fast 3 times! 😂

    It is the pre-curser to multiple myeloma , blood plasma cancer. It may never turn into this(praying for that!), but am watched closely by hematology/oncology.

    Hope you are well.

    Robin


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  • Leilals
    Leilals Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2018

    Hi everyone I am 8 days past my surgery. I was told that I would never have to wear a bra again. So I don't plan on being fitted. I had cancer in both breasts. No nipple saving, so I quess I agree and any kind of structure really hurts where I had my lymph node dissection. As of today my left breast is still a dd. The swelling in my right has gone down to about a c. They say the radiated side takes longer to unswell. I also noticed that they put 100 cc more in my left breast and I don't know why. I wanted small sporty breasts. They told me from the get go that they could always make them smaller, but not larger. So I counted on that. If they don't get small enough I will go flat. I don't think someone else should decide what size my breasts are. I loved them before they started inflating them. I would have been about an a. I don't want big boobs. Why am I being pressured into them . At least my rt side is shrinking.

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  • Leilals
    Leilals Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2018

    Oh and I was told not to wear any support so they would fall and not be so high. Has any body else gone unbound? Thanks so much for again to everyone for all the kind words.

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  • Leilals
    Leilals Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2018

    One more question. I had a severe reaction to tamoxifen and I was supposed to take it for 10 years. Since I can't I need to be at 20% body fat. I need to lose 15 to 20 pounds will that effect my breast size. Thanks

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2018

    Hi ladies, never posted here, but I am 6 weeks out from my exchange surgery and so far I love my new boobs. But a question. What kind of bra are you ladies wearing. My PS said any kind even underwire is fine.

    I got 450 CC Natrelle inspira. Allergan

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  • ljm33
    ljm33 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2018

    Hi Shelabela, I got 415 Cc Natrelle Inspira Allergen. I'm 4 weeks post exchange. I'm still wearing Coobie bralettes. Just find them to be the most comfortable. I'm still sore where my drains were and I had a fair amount of pocket work. My PS also said I could wear anything - even underwire - but not to get measured until I'm a month out due to swelling which is exactly today. How comfortable are you? I like the way they look but still find them to feel foreign. I also have a partial frozen shoulder so I've been in a lot of back pain. It's getting better slowly. I'm not in love with them yet I think because I just don't feel great.

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited August 2018

    shelabela, hi there! I'm 2 weeks out and will be in sports bras for another month..I do switch to a Bali bra and night that is very soft but compressive and supportive. PS's are different. I was told no under wire anymore.

    Ljm, I agree they do feel foreign! I'm a couple of weeks behind you. Seems like there are alot of shoulder issues. I had the same with mastectomy. A couple of PT visits did wonders. I was back to normal now starting over with this exchange. I have been cleared to do gentle stretching exercises and will start those today. I did have pocket work on the same side as my shoulder. Thankfully no drains this time. Hoping everyone gets better each day!

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  • ReadyAbout
    ReadyAbout Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2018

    Have any of you had fat grafting/lift done after the exchange? My PS recommended that we consider lift/fat grafting a few months after exchange because I had issues with tissue healing after the bmx. Also, I think he likes to let things settle before doing the aesthetic surgery. My main reason for delaying the graft/lift is that the recovery is longer and I just can't take off that much time from school. If I need it done, I'll do it at Thanksgiving/Christmas. The upside is that it will get me out of a lot of cooking/holiday prep, lol.

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  • Maggie2
    Maggie2 Member Posts: 247
    edited August 2018

    I had fat grafting with exchange 10 days ago. My PS never mentioned doing it as two separate surgeries, though there’s always the chance I’ll need further fat grafting at a later date.

    I also am to wear a sports bra for the next 6 weeks, absolutely no underwire. I need to find some bras that are comfortable for both day/night. DebAL, I’ll have to look into Bali. Right now, I’m still using the compression post- surgical bra from the exchange and the mastectomy bras because they are all front closure. I’m sure that in another few days, I won’t need front-closure specifically. Is there a certain style of Bali or Coobie that some of you can recommend?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2018

    This thread is not very active but it has some GREAT recommendations about bras. I read through it when I needed advice. Bras 101

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


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  • Maggie2
    Maggie2 Member Posts: 247
    edited August 2018

    MinusTwo, thank you for the link.

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  • Ibis
    Ibis Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2018

    I like Wanayou Zip Front Sports Wireless available on Amazon.

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  • Jadalulu
    Jadalulu Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2018

    Maggie2 I had my exchange surgery on April 18th and I have absolutely lived in these inexpensive sports bras from Target

    https://www.target.com/p/women-s-seamless-adjustab...

    I really love them. My implants are Natrelle Inspira cohesive 650cc and I wear an XL in these sports bras. Not sure what my true bra size will be as I have not been fitted yet, I'm guessing a 34-36 DD. Just had my nipple reconstruction 2 weeks ago so again still living in my sports bras, which is so new to me as I was a EE prior to my surgeries so sports bras were not something in my wardrobe!


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  • Maggie2
    Maggie2 Member Posts: 247
    edited August 2018

    Thank you all for your suggestions. I will have some shopping to do, as I'm more than ready to get into comfortable bras.

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited August 2018

    hi maggie, bras 101 is a very helpful thread. I will make a bra fitting appt at nordstrom's in the next month or so. Hope you are healing quickly!

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  • Rascalsmom
    Rascalsmom Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2018

    My question is: do the high cohesive silicone implants drop and fluff also? Mine have dropped down into the pockets fully. Just wondering if there will be fluffing. Mine are round smooth.

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  • Jadalulu
    Jadalulu Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2018

    rascalsmom I have the natrelle cohesive like you and I’m not sure there is any fluffing with mine. I had my exchange on 4/18/18 with fat grafting and they pretty much look exactly the same as when I first had the surgery. A little dropping into the pockets but for the most part no change from day 1. Just had my nipple reconstruction so just one step from being finished, can’t wait!

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited August 2018

    (sientra, cohesive) mine dropped and I think they look rounder/softer. I’m not sure if that what you mean by “fluff.”

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  • Rascalsmom
    Rascalsmom Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2018

    Mine are Sientra as well. Good to hear yours are softer. How long did it take?

    I'm 7 weeks post exchange.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2018

    It's my understanding that all round implants "drop & fluff", although the timing is different for everyone. Sometimes up to a couple of months. I don't believe anatomical implants go through this process. Probably since the pocket that is created for these implants has to be exact.

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited August 2018

    I think it took about two months

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  • TrmTab
    TrmTab Member Posts: 832
    edited August 2018

    I have the inspira cohesive round and it took until 8 months before I felt the edges soften, not quishy but not solid either...having a breast MRI in two weeks...it will be interesting to "see" what's inside. TT

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited August 2018

    Minustwo is right about the anatomical implants, they do not drop or fluff. As she said, the pocket is made exactly the right size for the actual size of the implant and the circumference. Your PS has to be very skilled to do this type of implant. They do become softer to the touch, but never move much. But there is no rippling and no fat grafting is necessary because they have a wonderful tear drop shape that gives you the upper pole and the natural looking drop on the bottom.

    Robin


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  • SLL101984
    SLL101984 Member Posts: 222
    edited August 2018

    Robinblessed- yes we are in the minority! And I’m even more of a rarity....diagnosised at 33 and no known genetic mutations! Thank my lucky stars my dr noticed the small spot that “felt funny” to her and made me go get checked I do not have a date set for exchange yet hopefully I’ll get in mid-end of October. However my ps hasn’t been out the past 2 weeks with a family emergency so hopefully there’s not many surgeries that need rescheduling!

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  • ReadyAbout
    ReadyAbout Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2018

    Well, *(%*#... I am five days away from exchange surgery and my left side has become infected again. I've started two antibiotics and PS said if it isn't completely cleared up by Tuesday, he will remove the expander, do a thorough antibiotic "wash" of the infected breast, put in a new expander and an antibiotic plate that he says is a "thin, circular, cement plate" that continuously "washes" the tissue. WTH?! He asked me to text him a pic to see what the infection looks like (I hate missing school for appts) and I went into a bathroom at school, took some pics, apologized for the crummy lighting, and had a 2 minute cry in the stall. I was at school when I got the call that my biopsy showed cancer and that feels like a lifetime ago, yet here I am still knee deep in the mire of recovery.

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  • borogirl
    borogirl Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    Readyabout - Praying that infection clears up in full and exchange can go on as planned. Take the long weekend to rest and eat well.


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  • jallyson
    jallyson Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2018

    Readyabout -- I am so sorry you are dealing with this.  When you had your first infection, how was it handled?  The reason I ask is that I got an infection 6 weeks post mastectomy.  My PS told me the only way to address it was admitting me to hospital and put on IV antibiotics, then surgically removing expander and leaving it out for 6 months   I was kept in hospital for 5 days awaiting all labs to come back to find out what kind of infection is was so they would know what medicine would be effective.  It turned out to be staph, however, when they told me I was also being tested for MRSA I was so scared.   So I did have to wait those 6 months with only one expander on the other side (which was not inflated any further during this time).  Also after that first infection I was given the specific antibiotic that treated it for each and every surgery I had after that .  This was to try to prevent an infection once again.  I know this is upsetting... No one expects this bump in the road too. I hope your PS is treating this conservatively and not rushing to put another expander in while you are not ridden of the infection.  Keep us posted. 

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  • TrmTab
    TrmTab Member Posts: 832
    edited September 2018

    Well I am back in exchange mode...had an MRI today, tomorrow is 1 year since EX, but it has been nearly 3 years since last mammogram or MRI of left breast/remaining left breast tissue.

    Well after my disaster exchange -- too large, textured vs smooth, bruised for months and there is still a quarter sized bruised area my GYN calls an echymosis. The MRI found remaining fluid in the pocket, ugh. As it is a textured implant the concern for the lymphoma issue requires aspiration/investigation.

    When I said to the Dr that I was already investigating an EX to a smooth round at the holidays...she said I could wait on the aspiration if I actually do proceed with the EX. So I guess my card has been played, off to revision city.

    I called the new PS that several folks have suggested, now 1.5 hrs away...they will call back with their first available appointment later today or Monday. The receptionist actually said before she would take a consult appointment she would confer with the surgery scheduler...I was like, what - shouldn't I have a consult before scheduling surgery! I guess if they know they don't have space for months on their surgery calendar, they don't take investigation appointments??? Don't know, will report when I know more.

    Ugh, the circle begins again.

    Happy weekend. TT

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  • Jt3
    Jt3 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2018

    Hi Everyone, and Mods,

    I should have found this forum earlier on so I can be more prepared.

    My exchange is scheduled for Monday morning September 10th at 7 am. I gotta be there at 5:15 to check in and do some bloodwork they said. I don't know what to expect there really. I am hoping all goes well and I can get this traumatic experience behind me for a little while and feel human again. I am glad to have this group to talk to so I don't have to wear out my friends who haven't been down this road too much. My manager wants me to fly in about 8 weeks to Philadelphia and all I can do is think back to 8 weeks after BMX and how difficult that would be. I have this weekend to prepare myself/clean house/binge on Starbucks and dessert heck I don't know. Mani/Pedi/Hair I am hoping. Its still in the 90's here in Tennessee so no shower will be interesting and the drains again. I will turn the air down comfortably. Setup all the pillows and stuff again. Find the satiny slidey pajamas. I don't know what else would help? It's out patient thankfully and I get to come home.

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