Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen girl, One of my favorite writers. didn't know you were explanting now, thought you were an old timer by your posts. You sound incredible. You really bounced back. I ended up with two ruptured silicone implants but I feel fine now except for a little more joint pain than usual. I mean you didn't experience pain or anything. They day silicone burns. I think I experienced that sensation after my surgery, which was suppose to take 2 hrs. to 3 1/2 hrs.I believe the silicone got shook around because I burned so bad, those were my exact words, it burns. I was in tears for over a day. I'm happy for you. And isn't it a great feeling to have them off your chest. so much simpler of a feeling, just natural, you know. If you don't mind me asking how old are you? I'm 43, I have implants for 15 years. You? Love, Colleen <cfortner@...> wrote:

I was explanted Friday morning. The pain was not nearly as bad as theimplant surgery. I am mostly just sore on the sides now and feeling a littlerun down. The first positive effect I noticed was that my eyesight has improved alot.I'm anxiously waiting to get well and see if my energy is back (I wasextremely fatigued all the time).It feels good not to have those things sitting on my chest anymore. I'm notreally happy with the way I look right now...but at least I'm making stepsto get healthy again.Thank you so much to everyone in the group...you have helped me make toughdecisions and given me invaluable information.THANKS!!!!

[Guest guest]

I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to feel " normal " .

Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

From: michelle king <michellerking1@...>

Reply-

Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 09:13:12 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Hi Colleen girl, One of my favorite writers. didn't know you were explanting now, thought you were an old timer by your posts. You sound incredible. You really bounced back. I ended up with two ruptured silicone implants but I feel fine now except for a little more joint pain than usual. I mean you didn't experience pain or anything. They day silicone burns. I think I experienced that sensation after my surgery, which was suppose to take 2 hrs. to 3 1/2 hrs.I believe the silicone got shook around because I burned so bad, those were my exact words, it burns. I was in tears for over a day. I'm happy for you. And isn't it a great feeling to have them off your chest. so much simpler of a feeling, just natural, you know. If you don't mind me asking how old are you? I'm 43, I have implants for 15 years. You? Love,

Colleen <cfortner@...> wrote:

I was explanted Friday morning. The pain was not nearly as bad as the

implant surgery. I am mostly just sore on the sides now and feeling a little

run down.

The first positive effect I noticed was that my eyesight has improved alot.

I'm anxiously waiting to get well and see if my energy is back (I was

extremely fatigued all the time).

It feels good not to have those things sitting on my chest anymore. I'm not

really happy with the way I look right now...but at least I'm making steps

to get healthy again.

Thank you so much to everyone in the group...you have helped me make tough

decisions and given me invaluable information.

THANKS!!!!

[Guest guest]

Wow, Colleen, it is hard to imagine being bedridden for 3 years. Especially at your young age. I wonder what your doctors say about the implant/illness connection? I hope you have gone back to some of these specialists, and educated them in some small way. At any rate, your recovery must feel like a miracle! I am thrilled for you!

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Colleen

Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:28 AM

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to feel "normal". Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Patty. You and the other ladies have been so wonderful and have helped me SOOOO much!

It was TOUGH being so sick and having to be bed ridden for so long. I went through a deep depression. It's really strange because I can't remember hardly anything that happened for that period of time when I was at my sickest...I guess it's a defense mechanism!

My GP has been so good to me. He has seen me off and on throughout my ordeal and has been very interested. I have definitely educated him on the illness. He told me one day in his office that he now could help women who come in to see him with implant related illness because of me. That is so powerful. The thought made me cry the whole way home.

I was seeing an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Land, at the same time that Dr. Shanklin was testing me for silicone reaction. Because I was seeing Dr. Land the next day to get test results for Lupus and some other things, we thought it would be easy for him to give the silicone test results to me at the same time, so Dr. Shanklin faxed Dr. Land my test results with a note saying " POSITIVE FOR SILICONE POISONING " at the bottom. At my appointment with Dr. Land, he seemed very content to diagnose me with Fibro and give me anti-inflammatory meds and try to send me on my way. I could see that he had the results from Dr. Shanklin in his hand, so I asked him if they were positive. He held the paper up and crumbled it and said " yes, but that is quackery and people like Dr. Shanklin are quacks. " I couldn't believe it. I would love to educate him on the illness, but some how, I don't think he'd listen!

I am feeling better everyday. I have gotten a juicer and my husband and I have started juicing some food and eating alot of raw food. We have been vegans for several years anyway, so the " diet " hasn't been too hard. I am trying to prepare myself for possible " flare ups " in the future and not get too ahead of myself and take it easy. I walked a mile yesterday with my Chihuahua. It's the first time I've really been up in years! I got a little sweaty in the Memphis humidity, but it felt SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!!

As for the way I look, I got upset one day because I was getting ready to go rent movies and couldn't figure out how to " stuff " my bra on one side because I only have one breast now. I ended up not leaving the house. My grandmother who had had a mastectomy years ago gave me a couple of inserts that she used to use and now I feel like I look normal with one of the inserts in my bra. I'll just have to get used to it!

Colleen

From: " *~Patty~* " <fdp@...>

Reply-

Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 15:46:14 -0700

< >

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Wow, Colleen, it is hard to imagine being bedridden for 3 years. Especially at your young age. I wonder what your doctors say about the implant/illness connection? I hope you have gone back to some of these specialists, and educated them in some small way. At any rate, your recovery must feel like a miracle! I am thrilled for you!

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Colleen <mailto:cfortner@...>

Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:28 AM

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to feel " normal " .

Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

[Guest guest]

Sorry about your experience at your docs office. Sounds like a Rhuemy I went to a few years ago, that told me I was "emotional and crazy" (really) , and to get the thought out of my head that my implants were making me ill. When I asked him, was it normal to have all these diseases at my age, and he didnt find that in the least suspicious, he told me it was completly normal to have Hahimtos and Rhuematoid arthritis. He also threw the dumbest study ever at me- the infamous Mayo study. He told me to get ahold of myself (this is the day I found out I tested positive for both diseases) and to calm down. My husband told me "Shame on you for treating women like this" (And he never says anything, he is so sweet!)

So as I was leaving, I pointed at all of his patients waiting the sitting area, and told him firmly " You tell me then, why I am so ill,and the only one in this office under the age of 50? That is funny, isnt it?"

I then got them out, sent him copies of my blood work two weeks before explant, and improved bloodwork 2 weeks after, with about 10 pages of studies, and also a note on why the Mayo Clinic study was really in fact, "FLAWED" That was real satisfaction for me. Sometimes, doctors think they know everything.

>From: Colleen

>Reply- >

>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen >Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 14:11:11 -0500 > >Thanks, Patty. You and the other ladies have been so wonderful and have >helped me SOOOO much! > >It was TOUGH being so sick and having to be bed ridden for so long. I went >through a deep depression. It's really strange because I can't remember >hardly anything that happened for that period of time when I was at my >sickest...I guess it's a defense mechanism! > >My GP has been so good to me. He has seen me off and on throughout my ordeal >and has been very interested. I have definitely educated him on the illness. >He told me one day in his office that he now could help women who come in to >see him with implant related illness because of me. That is so powerful. The >thought made me cry the whole way home. > >I was seeing an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Land, at the same time >that Dr. Shanklin was testing me for silicone reaction. Because I was seeing >Dr. Land the next day to get test results for Lupus and some other things, >we thought it would be easy for him to give the silicone test results to me >at the same time, so Dr. Shanklin faxed Dr. Land my test results with a note >saying "POSITIVE FOR SILICONE POISONING" at the bottom. At my appointment >with Dr. Land, he seemed very content to diagnose me with Fibro and give me >anti-inflammatory meds and try to send me on my way. I could see that he had >the results from Dr. Shanklin in his hand, so I asked him if they were >positive. He held the paper up and crumbled it and said "yes, but that is >quackery and people like Dr. Shanklin are quacks." I couldn't believe it. I >would love to educate him on the illness, but some how, I don't think he'd >listen! > >I am feeling better everyday. I have gotten a juicer and my husband and I >have started juicing some food and eating alot of raw food. We have been >vegans for several years anyway, so the "diet" hasn't been too hard. I am >trying to prepare myself for possible "flare ups" in the future and not get >too ahead of myself and take it easy. I walked a mile yesterday with my >Chihuahua. It's the first time I've really been up in years! I got a little >sweaty in the Memphis humidity, but it felt SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!! > >As for the way I look, I got upset one day because I was getting ready to go >rent movies and couldn't figure out how to "stuff" my bra on one side >because I only have one breast now. I ended up not leaving the house. My >grandmother who had had a mastectomy years ago gave me a couple of inserts >that she used to use and now I feel like I look normal with one of the >inserts in my bra. I'll just have to get used to it! > >Colleen > >From: "*~Patty~*"

>Reply- >Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 15:46:14 -0700 >

>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen > > >Wow, Colleen, it is hard to imagine being bedridden for 3 years. Especially >at your young age. I wonder what your doctors say about the implant/illness >connection? I hope you have gone back to some of these specialists, and >educated them in some small way. At any rate, your recovery must feel like a >miracle! I am thrilled for you! >Patty > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Colleen

> >Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:28 AM >Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen > >I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for >the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a >doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was >surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling >better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to >feel "normal". > >Anyway, thanks for the kind words! > >

[Guest guest]

That is a great idea - sending the idiot proof...hopefully that changed his opinion and he'll know better if he encounters another woman like you....but probably not. The ignorance of some " specialists " really is amazing isn't it?

From: " JOSEPH PALANCA " <juliejp61@...>

Reply-

Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 15:18:26 +0000

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Sorry about your experience at your docs office. Sounds like a Rhuemy I went to a few years ago, that told me I was " emotional and crazy " (really) , and to get the thought out of my head that my implants were making me ill. When I asked him, was it normal to have all these diseases at my age, and he didnt find that in the least suspicious, he told me it was completly normal to have Hahimtos and Rhuematoid arthritis. He also threw the dumbest study ever at me- the infamous Mayo study. He told me to get ahold of myself (this is the day I found out I tested positive for both diseases) and to calm down. My husband told me " Shame on you for treating women like this " (And he never says anything, he is so sweet!)

So as I was leaving, I pointed at all of his patients waiting the sitting area, and told him firmly " You tell me then, why I am so ill,and the only one in this office under the age of 50? That is funny, isnt it? "

I then got them out, sent him copies of my blood work two weeks before explant, and improved bloodwork 2 weeks after, with about 10 pages of studies, and also a note on why the Mayo Clinic study was really in fact, " FLAWED " That was real satisfaction for me. Sometimes, doctors think they know everything.

>From: Colleen

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

>Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 14:11:11 -0500

>

>Thanks, Patty. You and the other ladies have been so wonderful and have

>helped me SOOOO much!

>

>It was TOUGH being so sick and having to be bed ridden for so long. I went

>through a deep depression. It's really strange because I can't remember

>hardly anything that happened for that period of time when I was at my

>sickest...I guess it's a defense mechanism!

>

>My GP has been so good to me. He has seen me off and on throughout my ordeal

>and has been very interested. I have definitely educated him on the illness.

>He told me one day in his office that he now could help women who come in to

>see him with implant related illness because of me. That is so powerful. The

>thought made me cry the whole way home.

>

>I was seeing an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Land, at the same time

>that Dr. Shanklin was testing me for silicone reaction. Because I was seeing

>Dr. Land the next day to get test results for Lupus and some other things,

>we thought it would be easy for him to give the silicone test results to me

>at the same time, so Dr. Shanklin faxed Dr. Land my test results with a note

>saying " POSITIVE FOR SILICONE POISONING " at the bottom. At my appointment

>with Dr. Land, he seemed very content to diagnose me with Fibro and give me

>anti-inflammatory meds and try to send me on my way. I could see that he had

>the results from Dr. Shanklin in his hand, so I asked him if they were

>positive. He held the paper up and crumbled it and said " yes, but that is

>quackery and people like Dr. Shanklin are quacks. " I couldn't believe it. I

>would love to educate him on the illness, but some how, I don't think he'd

>listen!

>

>I am feeling better everyday. I have gotten a juicer and my husband and I

>have started juicing some food and eating alot of raw food. We have been

>vegans for several years anyway, so the " diet " hasn't been too hard. I am

>trying to prepare myself for possible " flare ups " in the future and not get

>too ahead of myself and take it easy. I walked a mile yesterday with my

>Chihuahua. It's the first time I've really been up in years! I got a little

>sweaty in the Memphis humidity, but it felt SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!!

>

>As for the way I look, I got upset one day because I was getting ready to go

>rent movies and couldn't figure out how to " stuff " my bra on one side

>because I only have one breast now. I ended up not leaving the house. My

>grandmother who had had a mastectomy years ago gave me a couple of inserts

>that she used to use and now I feel like I look normal with one of the

>inserts in my bra. I'll just have to get used to it!

>

>Colleen

>

>From: " *~Patty~* "

>Reply-

>Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 15:46:14 -0700

>

>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

>

>

>Wow, Colleen, it is hard to imagine being bedridden for 3 years. Especially

>at your young age. I wonder what your doctors say about the implant/illness

>connection? I hope you have gone back to some of these specialists, and

>educated them in some small way. At any rate, your recovery must feel like a

>miracle! I am thrilled for you!

>Patty

>

>

>----- Original Message -----

>From: Colleen

>

>Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:28 AM

>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

>

>I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for

>the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a

>doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was

>surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling

>better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to

>feel " normal " .

>

>Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Now there's a real jem of a doctor....NOT! Eegads! I hope he is not still practicing! Now here's a good example for why Dr. Mercola calls rheumatologists worthless....

----- Original Message -----

From: JOSEPH PALANCA

Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 8:18 AM

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Sorry about your experience at your docs office. Sounds like a Rhuemy I went to a few years ago, that told me I was "emotional and crazy" (really) , and to get the thought out of my head that my implants were making me ill. When I asked him, was it normal to have all these diseases at my age, and he didnt find that in the least suspicious, he told me it was completly normal to have Hahimtos and Rhuematoid arthritis. He also threw the dumbest study ever at me- the infamous Mayo study. He told me to get ahold of myself (this is the day I found out I tested positive for both diseases) and to calm down. My husband told me "Shame on you for treating women like this" (And he never says anything, he is so sweet!)

So as I was leaving, I pointed at all of his patients waiting the sitting area, and told him firmly " You tell me then, why I am so ill,and the only one in this office under the age of 50? That is funny, isnt it?"

I then got them out, sent him copies of my blood work two weeks before explant, and improved bloodwork 2 weeks after, with about 10 pages of studies, and also a note on why the Mayo Clinic study was really in fact, "FLAWED" That was real satisfaction for me. Sometimes, doctors think they know everything.

[Guest guest]

I totally agree, I only sent him the proof to place it in his mind, so there would always be this lingering question.... even if he doesn’t admit it. Funny thing is, he has called me twice since sending him those letters, and I wont return his call. I have nothing more to say to him. I hope his actions haunt him someday down the road. Not meaning to sound crazy or anything. ----- Original Message -----

From: Colleen

Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:29 PM

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

That is a great idea - sending the idiot proof...hopefully that changed his opinion and he'll know better if he encounters another woman like you....but probably not. The ignorance of some "specialists" really is amazing isn't it?

From: "JOSEPH PALANCA" <juliejp61@...>Reply- Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 15:18:26 +0000 Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Sorry about your experience at your docs office. Sounds like a Rhuemy I went to a few years ago, that told me I was "emotional and crazy" (really) , and to get the thought out of my head that my implants were making me ill. When I asked him, was it normal to have all these diseases at my age, and he didnt find that in the least suspicious, he told me it was completly normal to have Hahimtos and Rhuematoid arthritis. He also threw the dumbest study ever at me- the infamous Mayo study. He told me to get ahold of myself (this is the day I found out I tested positive for both diseases) and to calm down. My husband told me "Shame on you for treating women like this" (And he never says anything, he is so sweet!) So as I was leaving, I pointed at all of his patients waiting the sitting area, and told him firmly " You tell me then, why I am so ill,and the only one in this office under the age of 50? That is funny, isnt it?" I then got them out, sent him copies of my blood work two weeks before explant, and improved bloodwork 2 weeks after, with about 10 pages of studies, and also a note on why the Mayo Clinic study was really in fact, "FLAWED" That was real satisfaction for me. Sometimes, doctors think they know everything. >From: Colleen >Reply- >>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen >Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 14:11:11 -0500 > >Thanks, Patty. You and the other ladies have been so wonderful and have >helped me SOOOO much! > >It was TOUGH being so sick and having to be bed ridden for so long. I went >through a deep depression. It's really strange because I can't remember >hardly anything that happened for that period of time when I was at my >sickest...I guess it's a defense mechanism! > >My GP has been so good to me. He has seen me off and on throughout my ordeal >and has been very interested. I have definitely educated him on the illness. >He told me one day in his office that he now could help women who come in to >see him with implant related illness because of me. That is so powerful. The >thought made me cry the whole way home. > >I was seeing an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Land, at the same time >that Dr. Shanklin was testing me for silicone reaction. Because I was seeing >Dr. Land the next day to get test results for Lupus and some other things, >we thought it would be easy for him to give the silicone test results to me >at the same time, so Dr. Shanklin faxed Dr. Land my test results with a note >saying "POSITIVE FOR SILICONE POISONING" at the bottom. At my appointment >with Dr. Land, he seemed very content to diagnose me with Fibro and give me >anti-inflammatory meds and try to send me on my way. I could see that he had >the results from Dr. Shanklin in his hand, so I asked him if they were >positive. He held the paper up and crumbled it and said "yes, but that is >quackery and people like Dr. Shanklin are quacks." I couldn't believe it. I >would love to educate him on the illness, but some how, I don't think he'd >listen! > >I am feeling better everyday. I have gotten a juicer and my husband and I >have started juicing some food and eating alot of raw food. We have been >vegans for several years anyway, so the "diet" hasn't been too hard. I am >trying to prepare myself for possible "flare ups" in the future and not get >too ahead of myself and take it easy. I walked a mile yesterday with my >Chihuahua. It's the first time I've really been up in years! I got a little >sweaty in the Memphis humidity, but it felt SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!! > >As for the way I look, I got upset one day because I was getting ready to go >rent movies and couldn't figure out how to "stuff" my bra on one side >because I only have one breast now. I ended up not leaving the house. My >grandmother who had had a mastectomy years ago gave me a couple of inserts >that she used to use and now I feel like I look normal with one of the >inserts in my bra. I'll just have to get used to it! > >Colleen > >From: "*~Patty~*" >Reply- >Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 15:46:14 -0700 >>Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen > > >Wow, Colleen, it is hard to imagine being bedridden for 3 years. Especially >at your young age. I wonder what your doctors say about the implant/illness >connection? I hope you have gone back to some of these specialists, and >educated them in some small way. At any rate, your recovery must feel like a >miracle! I am thrilled for you! >Patty > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Colleen > >Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:28 AM >Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen > >I am 25. I was barely 19 when I got my implants. I have been bed ridden for >the past 3 years. I had seen dozens of specialists and finally found a >doctor who told me it was my implants. My recovery was very fast...I was >surprised! Mostly just soreness now. Now that they are gone, I am feeling >better everyday. It's been so long...I don't remember what it feels like to >feel "normal". > >Anyway, thanks for the kind words! > >

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

It sounds like you are doing good! So glad you were able to get up and about and walking. I hear ya girl, it feels great to be able to get out and walk around and be part of society again, doesn't it. Don't worry about the bra insert--in no time it will feel totally natural and you will feel good in your clothes again!

Let us know how you are doing, keep us posted!

Hugs,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Colleen

Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 12:11 PM

Subject: Re: newly explanted!!! back to Colleen

Thanks, Patty. You and the other ladies have been so wonderful and have helped me SOOOO much! It was TOUGH being so sick and having to be bed ridden for so long. I went through a deep depression. It's really strange because I can't remember hardly anything that happened for that period of time when I was at my sickest...I guess it's a defense mechanism!My GP has been so good to me. He has seen me off and on throughout my ordeal and has been very interested. I have definitely educated him on the illness. He told me one day in his office that he now could help women who come in to see him with implant related illness because of me. That is so powerful. The thought made me cry the whole way home.I was seeing an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Land, at the same time that Dr. Shanklin was testing me for silicone reaction. Because I was seeing Dr. Land the next day to get test results for Lupus and some other things, we thought it would be easy for him to give the silicone test results to me at the same time, so Dr. Shanklin faxed Dr. Land my test results with a note saying "POSITIVE FOR SILICONE POISONING" at the bottom. At my appointment with Dr. Land, he seemed very content to diagnose me with Fibro and give me anti-inflammatory meds and try to send me on my way. I could see that he had the results from Dr. Shanklin in his hand, so I asked him if they were positive. He held the paper up and crumbled it and said "yes, but that is quackery and people like Dr. Shanklin are quacks." I couldn't believe it. I would love to educate him on the illness, but some how, I don't think he'd listen!I am feeling better everyday. I have gotten a juicer and my husband and I have started juicing some food and eating alot of raw food. We have been vegans for several years anyway, so the "diet" hasn't been too hard. I am trying to prepare myself for possible "flare ups" in the future and not get too ahead of myself and take it easy. I walked a mile yesterday with my Chihuahua. It's the first time I've really been up in years! I got a little sweaty in the Memphis humidity, but it felt SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!!As for the way I look, I got upset one day because I was getting ready to go rent movies and couldn't figure out how to "stuff" my bra on one side because I only have one breast now. I ended up not leaving the house. My grandmother who had had a mastectomy years ago gave me a couple of inserts that she used to use and now I feel like I look normal with one of the inserts in my bra. I'll just have to get used to it!Colleen