Snidera62

I Had to Reconstruct the Reconstruction - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

I used to sell Arbonne and became a manager. It is a good product but is NOT chemical free. It is over priced and yes, you get what you pay for, etc. I've heard all that. I know what their mark up is. I left because their commission schedule is one of the worst in the industry.

It took 6 months for me from the mastectomies where they put in the expanders at the same time, to nipple tattoo. But I lived 8 hours away from my surgeon. I'm sure yours will go quicker.

Hello all! So happy to see some of you here! I'm reading your comments and I completely relate. Especially Suzabelle and the dishwasher comment! Ha! So true! I'm happy with my results. I apparently have "stretchy skin" and I will go back next August to have a little tuck at the bottom of my tt where my scar is. It's a touch saggy down there. I think my surgeon and I are the only ones who would notice it. It's out patient so no big deal. My butt and thighs got so much bigger post tt! The butt I'm okay with but I've always had skinny legs. I need to exercise. *sigh*. Other than that, happy and not one bit of regret! We are getting ready to move from Fl. To SC in a few weeks for my husbands job and I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure I will get my act together and start working out there, right? That's what I'm telling myself, anyway. ;)

Just read your update. There are different types of drains and it depends on the kind your dr used. If it hurts, it's really quick...like a bandaid. It doesn't hurt when they fill your expander. It always gave me the heebie jeebies when they had to locate the port for the syringe, but the actual filling part doesn't hurt. Like I said though, you will get kind of achy later. Don't let them over fill. ;)

Msfuller32, I've had two reconstructions for mastectomies from breast cancer. My first implants were too small. My second surgeon was much better. He tried a range of implants while I was in surgery and he and my nurse decided what looked best. They are perfect for my body and my hip ratio. After surgery I asked what size I was. He said "Who cares!" Then he told me they 600cc. But your tissue expanders are NOT the same size as your implants. Those expanders are fine. I would offer a word of caution. When they start filling your expanders with saline, you don't feel it much right away. If you are like me, you may be tempted to get them over filled at each visit. Don't! You feel it later and the process is pretty uncomfortable as it is. My expanders were more uncomfortable than the actual implants. Take Advil or a pain reliever every time you go in for expansion. Your implants will be much bigger than your tissue expanders.