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"belly" laugh anyone?



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LT
Posts: 31
Joined: Aug 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:14pm

Anybody else have this experience? I am having DIEP reconstruction, so I go in for my first meeting with the plastic surgeon. First of all is the obligatory viewing of the boobs, then mandatory measuring of the boobs from every direction (therefore having to lift them, move them to the side, etc.)by the surgeon of course - who is very professional, but for me still uncomfortable modesty-wise because he is, after all, not my husband and it's been a REALLY long time since anyone except him got to 2nd base!(That IS 2nd base, right? I'm telling you - a really, really long time since I've thought about bases. Besides, these days, that's probably not even on deck.) So after that, he asks me what size I'd like the new ones to be and since I'm a "B" with a padded bra, I asked could I have a regular B? He then proceeds to measure my belly fat with this "fatometer" and replies "Yes, I think we can get a pair of B's out of this" !!! I was torn between the urge to slug him or hug him! So I just shook my head and laughed instead. (My hubby has been bringing me strawberry milkshakes, etc. since my appetite has been off this week - I think he may be aiming for C's) LT

chickad52's picture
chickad52
Posts: 500
Joined: Jun 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:21pm

LOL, that was so funny. I know what you mean about being uncomfortable. I hate having any doctor look at me. I know they are professional but I too am still modest even at my age!! Best of Luck to you and Hugs, Diane

tahoeboundlady
Posts: 4
Joined: Oct 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:21pm

That was funny. I am thinking of going down to a C since I am a DD now. I will do the Tam Flap also. My surgeon keeps telling me I would be a good canidate. Maybe he is trying to tell me something as well. TBL

TraciInLA's picture
TraciInLA
Posts: 1505
Joined: Jul 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:34pm

So many things about this journey are just so strange and surreal, we just have to laugh, don't we?

I don't think it has to do with age -- I'm only 40, and I still can't get over how "popular" my breasts have been since my diagnosis. For the past 10 years, exactly 2 people were granted access to my girls -- and one of them was my gynecologist! And now, suddenly, it seems like every medical professional in the Greater Los Angeles Area has seen them! Women who've never been through breast cancer just don't believe some of what we deal with....

Traci

Dawne.Hope's picture
Dawne.Hope
Posts: 782
Joined: Sep 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:51pm

It's true!

At first, with the gyne. and the day I got my mammogram I was shy and reserved. Like you, Tracey, I'm young and haven't had to do all this before. In the last few months, however things have changed ...

A couple of weeks ago when I was having a chest x-ray I came out with everything off the top and the little robe on with the close in the front. And the tech looked at me and said, "You don't have to have the robe on that way; it can open in the back." I was so embarrased! I've grown so accustom to taking it all off, I'm not that modest anymore. :)

laurissa's picture
laurissa
Posts: 774
Joined: Sep 2009
October 4, 2009 - 1:47pm

That did make me laugh, your husband fattening you up for C's. Modesty does fly out the window, doesn't it? I am a very modest person, but laying naked for hours during ultrasounds and biopsies changed all that! Hope you decide on a cup size that's right for you.

Akiss4me's picture
Akiss4me
Posts: 2200
Joined: May 2009
October 4, 2009 - 4:39pm

Mmmm...those milkshakes sure sound good though!! I am sooooo use to always having the boobies checked before anything else these days (sore throat....lets start with the boobies!!) that I automatically just take it off as soon as I get into the room! I had a 12 wire EKG done last week and I think I shocked the tech so bad that I know I was the topic of conversation with his buddies that night. I just stripped the minute I saw the cart wheeled into the room. The poor guy looked at my hubby, me, back at my hubby, at the floor, his clip board....I finally asked if there was a problem. He said no, but they usually don't ask patients to undress. He just wanted to make sure he was performing the correct procedure. LOL, guess I should start asking first! Pammy

maddie1938
Posts: 2
Joined: Oct 2009
October 4, 2009 - 4:45pm

"Belly" laughs are the best medicine - except, hey, wait a minute, when my boobs left town I discovered I actually had a 'belly' - not funny.

As a 7 yr. double mastectomy survivor, I went from an "E" to flat as a board. Believe me that in itself was a blessing, hauling around those girls was not fun.
Now after surgery, chemo, recovery and the usual multiple multiple Doctor visits, now I can throw caution to the wind... when a Nurse says take your top off and put this flimsy paper thingie on - well, I am undressed faster than they can finish the sentence. Sometimes before they even fully close the door, I forget others might not love my new chest as much as I do.
Regrets, I have but two: when I realize that there was never a discussion (that I remember) about various reconstructions available. And, not finding a uber-lightweight bra that reins in my lovely underarm flaps.

maddie1938
Posts: 2
Joined: Oct 2009
October 4, 2009 - 4:45pm

"Belly" laughs are the best medicine - except, hey, wait a minute, when my boobs left town I discovered I actually had a 'belly' - not funny.

As a 7 yr. double mastectomy survivor, I went from an "E" to flat as a board. Believe me that in itself was a blessing, hauling around those girls was not fun.
Now after surgery, chemo, recovery and the usual multiple multiple Doctor visits, now I can throw caution to the wind... when a Nurse says take your top off and put this flimsy paper thingie on - well, I am undressed faster than they can finish the sentence. Sometimes before they even fully close the door, I forget others might not love my new chest as much as I do.
Regrets, I have but two: when I realize that there was never a discussion (that I remember) about various reconstructions available. And, not finding a uber-lightweight bra that reins in my lovely underarm flaps.

jk1952's picture
jk1952
Posts: 614
Joined: May 2009
October 4, 2009 - 5:46pm

LT, I had a body that was perfect for the DIEP reconstruction: not much on the top and lots on the bottom. My plastic surgeon just looked at me (no measuring) and said that I was a perfect candidate for the DIEP. Now that I read your post, I can see what I missed!

Joyce

mlmjt1
Posts: 540
Joined: Jul 2009
October 4, 2009 - 8:33pm

That was pretty funny LT...I dont know what I will end up with just as long as they look reasonably like boobs when the doc is finished.

Have a good one

LInda T

outdoorgirl's picture
outdoorgirl
Posts: 1584
Joined: Mar 2009
October 4, 2009 - 10:06pm

pretty funny,LT! Yes,being able to find humor really helps!