continued Tissue expander pain!!

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  • Muffy
    Muffy Member Posts: 144
    edited December 2007

    I haven't skipped my periods but they are a couple days earlier than normal.  The duration is the same length as usual.

    I wouldn't concern about missing a couple, because I agree with what your Gyn said......our bodies can only deal with so much.  This is trauma. 

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    If you read my post carefully you will see that I am not trying to convince any one what they should do except to be adequately informed. You are the one who said "heres the real deal..." And in that post you said some things that were simply wrong.

    1) single stage placement is not some outdated technique that was only used in the past.

    2) skin tightness does NOT cause capsular contracture.

    3) just waiting long enough will NOT guarentee that you will walk away with natural looking breasts. 

    These are not my claims they are in the published literature for all of us to read and evaluate on our own. 

    I believe that your surgeons are very good and guarentee you that not one of them would argue against the literature. If your going to provide information for us then make sure it is accurate. 

    Jani 

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Denise 1956,

    It is funny that you would mention this. My periods have been absolutely regular for as long as I can remember. I had my surgery on Nov 2nd (right after my period) and have missed my November end period. I was just starting to wonder if the surgery had any thing to do with it. You might be right about the stress that this puts on our bodies.

    Jani 

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  • jdg1
    jdg1 Member Posts: 608
    edited December 2007

    Tracy,

    I am so sorry to hear about your pain, but glad to hear you haved gotten some relief from it finally.  My expanders have not caused me any discomfort what so ever.  The bulg on the sides of your breasts will be taken care of when you have your exchange.  For the flatness on the front that is normal also until the exchange.  ARe you going to have your PS make nipples for you as well. 

    I go for my exchange on the 8th of Feb. I still have to finish chemo which ends on Dec. 21st then I need to make sure all of my lab levels are okay for surgery so no chance of infection.  I am so looking forward to the exchange because I hate sleeping on my back.  These boobs are so big and uncomfortable that I really can't sleep on either side. 

    Take care and Good Luck to everyone else going through this.

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited December 2007

    Good Morning Ladies,

    Jerri, they tried the percoset post mast and I had a reaction (vomiting and fainting...not a good combo when your chest feels like a mack truck hit it!). It appears I have allergies to the actual drugs I mentioned along with the synthetics. I just grin and bear it and keep telling myself that everything will pass. I have many drug allergies as well as some others so I take Zyrtec every night to keep my hives at bay. 

    Someone was writing about flexeril for the muscle spasms...that has been the best thing for me. I couldn't function at the 10mg. during the day so I broke them in half and was able to teach without much pain; it took the edge off  the spasms. I do take 10mg. at night which allows me to get some sleep.

    As far as the shape of the implant goes, my ps and I decided to go with silicone that has a normal, mid-range shape (no teardrop for me; I'm a big girl and it would not have looked right on me).  I know nothing will ever take the place of the "real thing" but in the whole scheme of life, this is a good alternative.

    The issues with the expander was not something for which I was prepared. It's been miserable and I won't miss them a bit. Every woman must make the choices about how fast and how big to go for herself. If you have to do 25ccs every other week, so what? It will just take you longer to get to the end of the road but you'll still get there. I had my last fill October 7th and they've been sitting since then. Even with a skin sparing mast you have to stretch the muscle so the implant will have something to hold it inplace after the exchange (in my case anyway). The ps went up to 760ccs because he's building the nipple at that time. After the exhchange I should be a regular "C" which is fine (was a DD before the mast and he did the reduction on the right after the mast). He's going to tweak things a bit Dec. 18th when I have the exchange.

    I whink the most important thing for all of us to remember is that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to be treated for bc. We are all different crayons in the box and what works for one many not work for another. We are all unique in our individual experiences but are united in that we've all been touched by bc. If you need stronger drugs to deal with the pain, then take them as long as you and your doc say it's okay. If it takes 6 months to get to the point where the fill is complete so what? Six months would have elapsed anyway. I wanted things to move quickly and I chose to do it the way I did because I needed to do the exchange during my Christmas break (Dec 5 until January 14). The ps put in 100ccs at surgery; first fill came 5 weeks later (180ccs) and 120ccs every other week until the last one in Oct. It worked okay for me but it may not work for anyone else. 

    Yall have a good one!

    Margaret

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Oh, my goodness Margaret. You are my hero. I can’t imagine fills that large and with no pain meds. Time constraints on this process really suck. I am so glad that you are almost finished. How is your exam marking coming along. I used to teach university classes during my graduate years. Loved the teaching, but not the papers, exams and grading aspect. Luckily I got a research position, which is what I love best. And it allows the family to travel with my husband when he goes on sabbatical. We are both running our research labs from afar this year. It also allows me to take my time with this expansion process.

    I had a good, long talk on the phone with my PS yesterday. We discussed possible outcomes; mainly my preference to go with a smaller size than before if that has a better appearance –according to me that is. Apparently, I may be able to go slightly smaller but probably not small enough to go with the medium profile because there are particular constraints of the procedure that I have had (skin/nipple/areola sparing) like the amount and nature of my skin, and my chest size and such. But he said that we will make the decision as to the type and size of permanent implants later after the expansion is complete. Right now we have to get the expansion to turn out right. I thought this was just a matter of expand and plunk the permanent ones in. But he explained that he is looking for a certain form to evolve by the end of the expansion (lower pole fullness) and that we may even go into some over expansion before he is satisfied with the form. He said that upper pole fullness with little lower pole development and/or under arm bulging are signs that I was filling too fast (for my particular progression – not anyone else’s) and to slow down. So it looks like I may be at this for a longer period of time than I had thought -ARGH!

    I am with Terri on this; I don’t know how many more expansions I can do. With massage, stretching, resistance training, sauna, and my pain meds I do get through, but each one now seems to be more difficult. However, reading what people like Margaret and others who have been through this write does give me courage.

    About the question that I saw someone pose as to the relationship of these expanders to the permanent implants in size and appearance. Apparently the expanders are most similar to the low profile permanent implants. The med or hi profile implants will sit more on the chest (not under the arms) and should ‘sag’ into the muscle that has been expanded. Funny how the sound of sag in the breast sounds positive now when just a few months ago it was a negative thing!

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited December 2007

    Good Morning Ladies,

    Jani, I'm finished with all my exams!!! I teach courses in sociology (sexual behavior, drug abuse, criminology, delinquency, marriage and family, social problems and intro). This was an especially difficult semester but the college has been great by letting me teach 2 days a week at school and the remainder of the week online. They allowed me to change my teaching schedule mid-semester. If it wasn't for that I don't know how I'd have gotten through all of this. I'm using my time before the exchange to get things ready for next semester. I'll be doing 3 classes at school 2 days a week and 3 online. I had a research assistantship in grad school (worked with a domestic violence expert) but much prefer being in front of a class. Teaching is a really good fit for me. In what area do you do your research? I like that aspect as well but haven't done much of that since I graduated. One of my colleagues and I keep talking about writing a paper together but it hasn't happened as of yet (bc definitly got in the way of that!). We want to look at individual's changes in eating habits since Hurricane Katrina (I live right outside of New Orleans...the flooding stopped a block from my house-good karma I guess!). 

    I'm no saint when it comes to the expansion process. I felt fine with the fills until later in the day and start having spasms a few hours after which continue to this day. The flexeril has taken the edge off but they aren't gone entirely. I have 11 days before the exchange and that can't come soon enough! The expander is half-way under my arm and boy is it uncomfortable! The ps noticed this as soon as the fills started and said he'd fix that at the time of the surgery so the implant won't do the same (who'd want an underarm boob in the first place?!). I wasn't prepared in the least for the issues with the expansion process; I thought the surgery would be the worst part but it wasn't. I stumbled onto this site when I started getting the fills. I wish I'd found it sooner so I could've been a bit more prepared for the recon process. At least I'm closer to the end of this leg of my journey and couldn't have done it without the ladies here.

    I'm going to see my family in Baton Rouge today (some of which haven't seen me since the mast). I'm sure I'll get lots of questions (and stares) from 2 of my sister-in-laws (who are the biggest b****es on the planet!). Well, my mom always says you can pick your nose and pick your friends, but your relatives are wished on you! Hmmmmm. maybe I should dose myself up with flexeril to make the visit easier to take...Yall have a good one.

    Margaret

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  • jametera
    jametera Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2007

     Ladies,

    Brand new to the site. I am happy to say, I was done with the expansions last month, my recon. doctor is fabulous. I had the expander put in at the mastectomy in March, had one expansion before Chemo started in April (no pain at all).They only injected 45cc's at a time. Began again in August after one month after Chemo and finished in November. I will have my surgery on December 28, he will put an implant on the left and then a small lift on the right. The waiting time is well worth it. If you are new to this start out in little increments, it is better to go slow.  Talk to you all soon, Katherine

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  • Sharon67
    Sharon67 Member Posts: 154
    edited December 2007

    Hi ladies, it's been a few weeks since I was last here. It's nice to hear everyone is doing as well as we all can at the moment. I have only had one fill since the middle of November due to our wonderful winter Michigan weather....SNOW... My PS is 3 hours away and travel has been difficult. I have finally arranged to have the fills done up at a local hospital and have the final transplant done down south. I do have a few problems that I did not expect. I work with Special Education children, and even though I am blessed with wonderful insurance that includes disability they will not let me return to work until after my final exchange. This is due to the fact that the children are very physical and do hit quite a bit at the instructors. This happen to me after one of my first core biopsy appointments and what wonderful aim that 6 year old had...you guessed it, straight in the chest and I felt like I was shot! Can any of you guess what it may feel like after a fill!! Yikes! So that was let down on my behalf, I really wanted to get back to my kids. I'm hoping that my fills start back up next week, now that the good PS doctors have sent the paperwork back and forth at least a dozen times. My PS wanted my husband to do the fills (he's a Dr. as well) but he refuses. He has this thing that he doesn't want to hurt me. I keep trying to tell him there is NO Feeling at my ports but he still won't do the fills. I told him I would do them my self but it's kind of like cutting your own hair in the mirror, you always screw up. Oh well, I guess if I don't get in at the beginning of the week, I could always bribe one of his nurses:) Anyways, I'm glad everyone is doing well. I'll get my boobs one of these days, that's the price to pay if you live in "God's Country".

    Take Care

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007
    Hi Margaret, You must really, really love teaching – I can’t imagine so many courses in one semester. And the logistics of marking and grading! You must be one organized girl! I am in the Neurosciences. My lab has 2 lines of research: Alzheimer’s disease and recovery of function following stroke. Both my mother and my mother in law have Alzheimer’s. We just have to find something that stops this horrendous disease- especially since the baby boomers are just on the verge of entering this age group. I don’t think anyone quite understands the magnitude of what we will be facing with this disease in the next few decades.

    Hey Sharon, You should try to enjoy the break from work (not very many bonuses in this process, right?). The uncertainty of not knowing when the fills will be must be frustrating. My husband has done all my fills. He was very nervous at first too but I convinced him that it really was numb, and that I would rather he does it than some doctor I don't know (my PS is in San Diego and I am in Norway). After the first fill went well though he has not been nervous at all. I like that it is done in our home and it is very comfortable and relaxing, with no scheduling or worry about spontaneous changing of appointments. It is very special to me that he has agreed to be involved in this way.

    I know what you mean about the unpredictable movements of children. My 11 year old has had to learn that his big boisterous hugs have to be gentle semi hugs. We both miss the snuggling. I am just too uncomfortable to have anything pressing or poking around my chest, especially the spontaneous activity of a very active boy. Can't wait to grab him in a big bear hug again. I really have to hand it to my 2 kids though; they have really risen to this occasion big time. When I came home from the surgery I told them that there was several ways that they could help me. 1) Quit squabbling with each other, 2) don’t say, ‘Yah, in a minute’ when I ask them to do something, etc. They have been amazing in the way they have pulled together. They are actually cooperating and just maybe it will last??? Hey Teri, your kids are younger. How is it going? Do you have some help with the day-to-day business of childcare and such?  Is your husband able to come home often? When are you planning your next fill? Mine is tomorrow - here we go again!

     

    Cheers

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  • Teribear
    Teribear Member Posts: 60
    edited December 2007

    Hi Jani, hi ladies,

    I know what you mean about the movements of little ones. My girls are 3 and 5 (boys 16 and 18) and the girls are always all over me and have to sleep wrapped around me.  I have to keep my back to them and I hate it...but if I don't I get an elbow, a knee or a foot in the chest.  Not a great way to wake up.   I have not scheduled my next fill up yet.  It has been 2 weeks now and I am scared to even make it.  I still hurt on my right side alot.  Now this is weird but last night I was laying on my right side and as I got up it felt like my left boob was larger than before and so hard...and my right one had shrunk!?  Still today it is the same and my right one feels hot.  So now I am afraid I might have the beginning of an infection or something so I will  have to call my ps tomorrow and see what he thinks.  He is very hard to talk to even though he does great work.  He tends to stare and have nothing register on his face which drives me nuts.  LOL  but I have no idea what is going on with it and I would think after 2 weeks things would have loosened up more than they have.  UNLESS I went too fast and really need some more time.  It also has a bluish tint to it.  Whereas the other is somewhat normal in coloring.  The hardness/hot to touch has me worrying about an infection. 

    Jani, I don't have any help at all with the day to day childcare/housework.  I am on my own.  Husband barely cares enough to call home to check on us.  He didn't come home for Thanksgiving but says he will be here this upcoming weekend for the holidays.  It has been a very hard road to travel alone for me.  I get emotional when I stop and think about it.  I read where some of you ladies have your husband doing your fills and I think that is just awesome!  How lucky you are to have such support.  I just have to work through the emotional/rough/painful/exhausting  times and do the best I can.  As I said before, my best friend lives in Iowa and she does what she can to be supportive.  But sometimes it would be so nice to have a hug.  A hand to hold.  Someone to lean on when I feel like I can't take another step.  I resent my husband for leaving me at a time like this and I am not sure I can get past it. 

    I do work at home so I am very lucky I can work in my jammies and not have to drag the kids to daycare and all that.  My kids have all been very gentle with me.  I do have to remind them every now and then.  We are used to spending the summers on the trampoline and wrestling around....so they didn't understand why all of a sudden mommy in bed all the time.  I hated giving all of that up.  But it is worth it to know that I will be here next year to do it all again!

    Margaret I know you are anxious for your exchange and I can't wait to hear all about it!  My boobs are becoming underarm baggage as well and driving me nuts. I sure hope my implants sit better!  And MOVE some!  These rocks are so hard and far apart! 

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Teri.

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  • ItsJules
    ItsJules Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2007

    My husband talked me into getting on this forum. I am glad I did, I laughed and cried when I read all the posts.   I had bilateral mastectomy on September 29th, recovered pretty well.  Today I go for my third expansion on my breasts.  I dont sleep much at night because I am so uncomfortable.  I am grumpy, emotional (I cry a lot), and pretty bi-polar lately.  I will start chemo after the expanders are removed and implants are put in.  I also have to have more breast tissue removed because my surgeon doesnt feel that she has a clear enough margin. 

    My breasts feel like they are bricks, my back is contiually hurting and I am just down.  I want it over and want my life back.  Its Christmas time and I just dont feel in the spirit at all.  When my kids leave for school in the morning, I go back to bed and sleep.  When I sleep, I dont think.  Its sounds wierd, but I am in a little rut.

    Thank you all for your posts, like I said before they are encouraging and I dont feel like I am crazy for the way I am feeling.   I have my next epansion this afternoon, I am wondering how much difference there will be in the size of the implants to what he has expanded me to now.  He told me that they would not be as high, they would drop.  But I am having a hard time deciding on how to big to go....

    Bless you all

    Jules

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007
    Welcome Jules. It is nice to meet you. Funny how most of us come seeking this site AFTER we are already struggling with the pain and discomfort. Too bad we could not have found this before the mastectomy. I am hoping that all the women who don’t come seeking this kind of support are women who are breezing through this process without a hitch. I really appreciate this site. I look forward to reading the posts each day and I think about the different girls off and on and how each is getting on. I especially feel for you Teri. I am so sorry that you have to carry this load on your own. Do what ever you can to keep your spirits up. You certainly got your eye on the prize when you say you will be enjoying life with your girls this time next year, and the next and the next. You are a strong woman. This period of your life is really putting you to the test though. But you gotta know it is all worth it. I do get down too with just the chronic ness of this process.

    I am wondering Jules; you said that you have to have more breast tissue removed because of the non-clear margins. But with your bilateral mastectomy did they not remove all of the breast tissue at that time? How big to go on the expansion is something I have been wrestling with too. How does the size of the expander relate to finished breast size? I just don’t know. In my case my PS wants me to replace the amount of tissue removed with the water. So 580 gms tissue = 580 cc of water. Presumably then I will be the same size as before. I am at 470 cc now and even though it is wider on the base and more spread out it still looks a whole lot bigger to me at this point. If anything I want to go smaller than I was before.

    I had a small fill yesterday of 40 cc each side. Hard night! Thank goodness for the Voltaren and Tylenol with codeine, it does take the edge off. I really don’t think I could do this without it. Kudos again to you Margaret! Only one more week till your big day. Please come back and tell us how wonderful it is!

    Hang in there girls. We will get through this and there are much brighter days waiting on the other side.

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited December 2007

    Welcome Jules!

    You've definitly come to the right place for support! I think most of us have gone through (or are going through) the whole bipolar-leave me alone-crying things (I know I am!). I told my hubby Sunday I didn't want to talk to anyone or have human contact until after the exchange next week! It seems every time I open my mouth these days it's to complain about something and everything. I know it's nerves about the upcoming surgery...I can't wait for this part to be over with! I agree with Jani, I sure with I'd found this site BEFORE the mast so I could've been more prepared about the expansion process (it really sucks).

    Jani, about how big to go with the expander...my ps said he always goes bigger than necessary to make sure he has ample skin to cover the implant and construct a nipple that'll be tatooed 3 months later. I had to stop at 760cc's and should be a "C" on the other side. Katie and Traci have been a big help getting me through this last part with their encouragement on how easy the exchange is compared to this. I'll definitly post after the surgery and let you know how things go. Oh, I don't teach all of those classes every semester; I rotate them around to keep things interesting. I agree with you about the Alzheimer's research and kudos to you for your work! I can see it on the horizon as being almost pandemic-like when all of us baby-boomers get into the next decade. I don't think people have a true grasp on the issues caregivers face in dealing with one with Alzheimer's. I've read books about it and fortunately, haven't found myself in that position. The stroke research sounds interesting as well. You certainly have your hands full in dealing with 2 loved ones with it as well as your bc!

    Teri, it does suck about being alone dealing with all of this and I can't begin to imagine how you deal with it. You do have lots of friends here but that really offers no comfort when you need someone to hold your hand when you need it. What I do sometimes when I'm angry is talk to an empty chair and pretend it's the person I'm upset with. I yell, scream, cry, whatever it takes and usually feel better afterwards because I got everything out (those psychology classes sure paid off!). I'm sending you lots of {{{hugs}}} and positive energy your way!!!!!! You have lots of women here to support you and if you need to rant and go off somewhere and get angry, this is a good place to do it! We've all done it at some point and are here for you. About the issues with the discoloration on the boob, you should probably call the ps just to rule out any issues going on. Keep us posted on what's happening.

    Yall have a good day!

    Margaret

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited December 2007

    Jules, I am glad that you found this site. I had my bilat mast with expanders on June 1, and had my exchange Nov 2. The relief from the rock hard expanders at the exchange is great. I am scheduled for nipples next Thursday. I am trying to get all done this year I can before my insurance ded rolls back to 0.

    You will find great support here on these boards as well as first hand experience. We won't look at you like you are crazy when you ask what you think is a stupid question, we will respond with realistic answers.

    Sheila

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  • somethinelse
    somethinelse Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2007

    Hi everyone

    It has been a while since I have posted here, but I have been reading everyone else's progress.  It seems like everybody that started their fills about the same time as me have pretty much completed the exchange part.  I had my surgery 8-6-07- I am still getting the fills it has been a month since my last one,PS was on vacation and I needed a break anyway.  I have had so much going on in my life lately.  My dear friend has been battling metastatic melanoma for a year, and lost his battle nov. 4th, then my poor Dad is in a nursing home, he has Multiple Sclerosis, and now is really affecting his mental status, he has dementia along with so many other complications. 

    I restart my fills this friday, I am slowly getting there- need to get to 600cc, have 2 more 2 go- then will get to finally schedule my surgery..yeah  I am one of the ones that had to go very slow with my fills , just couldn't take the pain and spasms with the larger fills.  My body has finally started to accept these hamburger bun things and they really don't bother me that much anymore. 

    Margaret, will be thinking of you next week!  I hope you get instant relief... please let us know how you are doing..

    Thinking of all of you,   Susan

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  • Sharon67
    Sharon67 Member Posts: 154
    edited December 2007

    Margaret,

    Sunday must have been BC Day! I too told my husband that I did not want to speak to anyone and had a box of Kleenex in my hand all day. I think I cried more that I smiled, and was driving everyone insane!!! We all have those days, where there is no reasons or whys, it just happens. If I didn't have a bi-polar husband, I would think I was the one with bi-polar and I still have all the lower organs intactSmile.

    I cannot thank all of you women enough for all the late night laughs that I get on these different sites. Thank you so much. This morning I started a post on the DCIS board-Pink..Pink...Pink---Ugh. If you ladies want a good laugh, read a few of these. I was just having one of those mornings....

    Sharon

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2007

    ]



    Discussion closed. So you know Vit K, not my field of expertize...mine is the LAW

    We are here for Bc not to fight with each other. (check your phara #4)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2007

    Jani

    I am a bit confused also, relative to the expansion size. I had 200cc at the time of surgery. I then had to wait 6 weeks for my first fill (had 2 infections and incisions removed). Two weeks ago I had my first fill, 60cc each side. I felt better when I left the office than before the fills. I have continued to fell better, although still in pain but nto as much as before. Thursday I will have my second fill, somewhere between 60-100cc. He wants to pump me up to 750-80cc before the exchange. However I think he wants to make me D ...NOT AGAIN...I will be very happy with a nice B and no more bras.



    My PS rarely fills more than 60 at a time. I want this over ASAP, but not enough to force 100cc. He generally does the fills every 3 weeks but I asked for this one to be sooner, as I am having chemo next week and do not want to spend Christmas ever with new fills and chemo vomiting. I have a Pacemaker and the fills may cause an issue in that department, so we need to move slowly.

    I was a "D" but will be very, VERY, happy with a B, and not having to wear a bra ever again.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited December 2007

    Jean,

    You are the one in control of how big you want to expand and the final result to be. Let the PS know in no uncertain terms that you do not want to be as big as before surgery and your expectations are that you want to be a B cup. My surgeon let me decide when to stop my fills. I am a nice B cup now versus A cup one side and C cup other side.

    Sheila

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    That is true Sheila, but how do you know what cup size your expanders relate to. Other than a sports bra, which covers most all sizes, I can't fit these wide, hard and generally obnoxious things into a regular bra. So for me to decide when to stop would just be a guess. I am counting on that I will probably over expand and then at the time of the exchange get fitted with the size I want.

    Hey Teri. Been thinking about you. How are you doing? Did you get in to the doc to check out the concerns you had (breast warm to touch and change in color)? Hope all is well.

    Jani 

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Before this group I had never been on a chat line before or a support group. I have only been communicating here for a couple weeks and have already learned a couple important things. One of the purposes of this forum is to share information and sometimes we can be misinformed about what we communicate. That is okay. No one can be right all the time, and probably none of us are experts in this area of expanding breasts! It is important to correct when we see something that is in error, but just pointing it out is probably enough. We are all intelligent women and we all know how to use the internet to check on things.  So, I would suggest that it be best if we just point out the error and leave it alone. No one needs to feel bad. Then we can just move on to the most important purpose of this forum, which is to provide support and company through this difficult part of our journey.

    --Jani

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited December 2007

    Jani, I let him fill until I felt that I was about the size I wanted. From the beginning I was flexible in the finished size (I had a general idea but not set in stone) but I knew just by looking in a mirror when I hit the size. I looked at my overall proportions and when the boobs fit the body I was done. I also let him know from the beginning my expectations and he let me know when I would finish up about the size we discused.

    Sheila

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited December 2007

    My experience is like Sheila's. I want my reconstructed size to be similar to what I was before--a B cup. After my last fill, I knew it was too much, so I considered that my "overfill." I really don't care too much about exact size post exchange. I just want to fit in my medium jog bras and the shirts I already have. I'm popping out of everything right now! I'll be getting rid of all my underwire bras, anyway.

    It's really hard to translate what the expander size is to what my implant will be right now, especially while things are still settling. Bra shopping right now is quite the experience. My best fitting new purchases are a 36B and a 38C--different brands and styles.

    So, as with the cancer itself, it's all about the journey right now, not the destination (for me, anyway!)

    Anne

    PS: regarding correcting a member's misinformation--no one here intends to hurt feelings. Written notes cannot always reflect sincerity of tone. Please don't take things personally but also please don't stop the anecdotes and stories. If any of us have been misinformed, we do need to be gently corrected, as this is a public forum and people need to be given the right information.

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Anne:

    Absolutely, let me be the first to agree with you that misinformation must be pointed out for everyones good (see above I corrected a couple errors in a post - tried to do this gently, but you are right its hard to reflect the intended tone). But once corrected I see no reason to keep flogging it. If the person does not accept it so be it, you have made folks aware of the error and that should be end of the point. Any more than that and it seems like some power struggle or fighting and this affects the atmosphere of the chat environment. The less negative and the more positive vibs the better, right?

    I may be wrong -- its just a thought. 

    Jani

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Hey Margaret, I hope your surgery went well and that you are happily recovering. Let us know how things went.

    I know everyone is busy with xmas right now, but if anyone else has had this experience let me know what you think. I have been having significant pain and discomfort following each expansion. It was getting progressively worse and I was really dreading this last one. However, everything seems to have changed and I am not sure what occurred. The actual injection was not painful at all (I did not feel the needle go in on either side - recently one side has been painful like the needle is hitting a newly awakened nerve), and it did not feel tight after the fill of 50 ml, and now I can actually sleep on each side comfortably, and the vice around my chest has been released. For some reason all of the pressure has been lifted off my chest and it seems all of a sudden. Seemed to happen the day before or maybe the day of my last expansion. Should I be concerned or just enjoy? 

    Jani 

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited December 2007

    Enjoy. Your body is adjusting. The muscles are stretching. The fills can actually help improve discomfort by getting those expanders off the ribs a bit.

    It seems that each week I could measure improvement. Maybe not daily, but weekly for sure. I'm 2 months out from expander placement, and a month out from my last (and final) fill. I still am noticing changes, and expect to for a while.

    Breathe easy and enjoy.

    Anne

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited December 2007

    Hi Ladies,

    Well the exchange is done!!! The relief from the expander pain is immediate; you just feel crappy because you've had another surgery. From what I can see it looks good (still bandaged a bit and swollen). I did have some complications after surgery and they kept me overnight (my oxygen level dropped really low after they tried 5 different meds to stop the vomiting after surgery; when I'd try to sleep and they were afraid of coma, brain damage, etc...all the fun stuff!). I came through everything just fine but am really very sore. I took the pain meds Tues and Wed (finally one I didn't have a bad reaction to: dilaudid) but not on anything now. I just feel like I've been hit by a truck. I'm on my way to take a shower but wanted to let yall know how things went. I'll post again tomorrow. Thanks for all the support!!! Have a good night.

    Margaret

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited December 2007

    Sounds like a rough time, Margaret! I'm glad you're home and in your own bed.

    Anne

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  • Jani
    Jani Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2007

    Hi Margaret:

    I am so glad that your surgery is over. So unfortunate the post surgical complications. Sounds like now you just need to take time to heal. Get lots of rest and TLC.

    We have not heard from Teri and I am worried about her. Hopefully she is just bound up with xmas stuff and she will post soon to let us know that all is well. 

    Take care, 

    Janice

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