My boobs are fully bionic. This was the last surgery in the double mastectomy and reconstructive process. The swap was made by reopening my scars, deflating the expanders, rolling them up like cigars and slipping them out.
The deflated expander’s front and back, showing the blue magnetic area where saline is filled with a needle.
The bait and switch. This is the example, but the actual implant is round.
Replaced with soft silicone, my halogen high beams became hamburger buns. I could see why my doctor wanted me to do the fat transfer. It looks as though they are in a push up bra while defying gravity.
Bra size in buns. My boobs resemble the B cup, I mean bun.
I asked my reconstructive surgeon about it in a follow-up appointment a week later.
“What’s up with these hamburger bun-like boobs? Will they change over time and gravity?”
“No.”
“Wait. I thought they would sag a little after the surgery.”
“They will stay the way they are.”
I let out a heavy sigh.
“You can still get a fat transfer to fill in above to smooth out the transition.”
“No. I can live with the hamburger buns,” then I thought to myself, “At least I won’t need to wear a bra.”
He examined my breasts and said, “I would like you to wear a bra for the next 4 months. I opened up the stitches under one of your breasts. The underwire will give it support and keep them even.”
I groaned imagining the underwire pressing on my sore stitches beneath my skin.
“And I would like you to do an exercise to keep them from sliding to the sides of your body.” He took both breasts in his hands. “Push them together at a right angle for a count of ten. Do this exercise ten times, twice a day.”
I rolled my eyes.
“When can I go back to my normal life?”
“Usually patients can start easing into things after three weeks, but I know you. You have to wait until four weeks. In the meantime, no repetitive motion, pushing or pulling.”
“What? Come on.”
My husband Danny laughed.
“What about tennis?”
“I would wait a couple of months. Start back in December by hitting a few balls.”
“Alright. I’ll be good. I promise.”
It’s been three weeks since the reconstructive surgery. It feels like a milestone even though I am a week away from being able to open and close heavy doors, vacuum, wash floors, dust, and wipe down counters. Dang! Now that I think about it, maybe I should wait until five weeks, just in case…
Meanwhile, I find that reciting these words while doing my exercises helps me with the count.
We must. We must. We must increase our bust.
The bigger the better, the tighter the sweater. We must increase our bust.
For more Boob Reports, click here.
Susie – I am glad to read things are looking up, so to speak. From the sounds of things, they always will. Ooops, I told myself I wouldn’t go there. I admire you for your courage and your wonderful sense of humor, your posts always bring a smile to my face. ALWAYS. You have one seriously positive attitude and you are always making your days count.
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Hahaha! They will always be up! 🙂
Making the days count is a lesson I learned long ago. I think what I’ve learned from having BC is to have no fear. I already faced the worst. I used to be terrified to speak publicly even in a small group of strangers. This weekend I went to a writer’s conference. They handed me a microphone so I could ask a question in a room of over a 100 people and never flinched. I am over it! Having been through this crazy experience has effected me in a really positive way! Things are “looking up” like you said!!! 🙂
Thanks for all the boob support Clay!
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I can only assume you never imagined your wild ride would take you in this direction. But I am so delighted at your progress and not at all surprised that someone with your strength, will, and joie-de-vivre would surmount all obstacles, even the cancer-shaped ones, with verve and grace. Cheers to you, and good health in abundance!
xo
Kathryn
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That is so sweet! What a great way to start my day! Thank you for your kind words. Apparently I have been fighting this type of rare breast cancer, lobular, for at least five years. Now that it is out of my body, I feel great! I have a ways to go in healing and getting back in shape, but that will come with time. Thank God they found it when they did!
xo Susie
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You crack me up! I will never look at a kaiser roll the same way again.
And I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that after this type of surgery you should stay away from vacuuming and dusting indefinitely. Way too risky.
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I AGREE!!!!! I am planning on asking for help for months to come. In the meantime, Danny started doing the laundry and he folds everything now! Bonus!
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“If B is good C is better, we must increase our bust.” Fanstastic! I amy have a hard time getting that lymric out of my mind. 🙂 Congrats Susan! I hope everyday is better and better!
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The bigger the better! Kidding! Now do some pectoral muscle exercises while you chant. 🙂
Thanks so much and I hope all is going well for you!
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Oh I can flex my pex! 😉 I’m doing great Susie. Thanks Back to work 2 days after the procedure. . Still a little swollen down there and the other day I noticed my tool had turned black and blue. Now there’s a sight I never thought I would see! I was trying to think of how to cleverly take a good picture of it, a.k.a. flower pots, but there was no way to do it and still maintain a G rated family blog.
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I guess not!!!
Hahaha! There are always hotdog buns, hoagie rolls and French bread loaves!
Glad to hear you are on the recovery path!
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lmao….You just aren’t right sometimes Susie
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I always knew you were a super-heroine, Susie!
Now the world knows it too!
Seriously though, I applaud your courage and moxie. You’re an amazing woman, Susie Lindau.
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Awww! Thanks! I am very thankful that they caught it early.
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Your positive attitude and great sense of humor will get you through anything, Susie. Congratulations on the cancer-free diagnosis and many wishes for a speedy return to your active life!
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Only you could make me smile about that type of surgery. Should I say it? I will never look at boobs quite the same way again. I want a hamburger.
Scott
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I read your freshly pressed work earlier today and decided I had to go back to the beginning.
You are a brave woman! (Would it be too corny if I said you’re strong, too?) If I have to travel the breast cancer road one day, I won’t get reconstructive surgery…I just can’t imagine doing it. (Plus, there’s nothing wrong with no chest. 😉 )
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I’ve always thought of myself as strong-willed and determined that’s for sure!
Reconstruction isn’t for everyone. I believe that within 30-40 years they won’t even do mastectomies. They’ll look back at them as barbaric. There is so much out there being tested!
Thanks so much for coming back! I pray you live a long, happy, and healthy life!
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*laughs* I have chronic depression, IBS and anxiety disorder (without agoraphobia)…so I’m theoretically healthy! (I’m also lactose intolerant; but based on other mammals, that’s a state of genetic correctness–the rest of y’all are freaks! 😀 )
I’m here for you and I plan to keep cheering you on!
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Thanks Daya! I’m lactose intolerant too, in fact that’s what I think may have gotten me into trouble in the first place. I drank a ton of soy milk a few years ago and discovered it messed up my periods. My cancer is Estrogen positive which means cancer feeds on that hormone. I gotta believe it’s related somehow. I do believe there were other factors too.
Coconut milk RULES!
Thanks for coming along for the ride!
Stop by tomorrow with a link 6:00 AM Mtn. Time to your blog. I’m having a PARTY!
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Can I wait until 8a your time? I’m still asleep at six. 😛
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Absolutely! You can come anytime! It always becomes a rager and lasts a couple of days. 🙂
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As I mentioned I know a woman who got new boobs after a double mastectomy, and she said they were a bit shifty at first.
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Shifty is right! I wrote An Open Letter to My Boobs and directly addressed issues like that…I’m still not used to them sliding off to the sides of my chest. I mean, they aren’t under my underarms, but they still feel weird. Hey. At least they’re boobs and I’m alive!
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That’s true.
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