Profile for musi

Member Since: September 14, 2006
Last Login: May 20, 2008
Location:
Occupation:

Biography

Strong family history of breast cancer
Diagnosed with DCIS 2/06 (microcalcifications - no lump)
Had sentinel node biopsy (clear)and bilateral mastectomies with tissue expanders 3/23/06
Had Mentor all-silicone permanent implants 9/12/06

Diagnosis

Recent Posts by musi

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: May 20, 2008 05:08 pm

Need help/advice on what type of implant to get

Hi Lag,

I've had silicone for about 1 1/2 years (double mastectomy). I strictly went on my plastic surgeon's recommendation. I have been very happy with them. They are as close to "real" feeling as you can get.
They are Mentor high profile but not "gummy bear."

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: May 19, 2008 06:00 pm

3-D nipple tattoos

I had bilateral mastectomies 2 years ago and permanent implants in 9/06. I am ready to get nipples but do not want constructed nipples as I enjoy going braless now and don't want them sticking out through clothing. Just want to finish the job. . .

I live in Florida and have heard Melany Whitney with The Center for Permanent Cosmetics (New York/New Jersey/Florida) is known for her 3-D nipples/areolas.

I would love to hear from any of you who have had the nipple tattoos done by Melany Whitney.
Thank you in advance for any feedback you can give me.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 17, 2008 05:43 pm

exchange of expanders with silicone implants

My permanent implants are smooth, round, high-gel Mentor brand. One is 550 ml and one is 650 ml.
I usually don't wear a bra but when I do, it's a 38C. Really wouldn't want any bigger. They are bigger than my own boobs before they were removed. I am 5'6", medium build and weight. Hope this helps!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 17, 2008 05:33 pm

implant reconstruction choices

I had bilateral mastectomies in 3/06.

My advice would be to do your homework and get the best plastic surgeon you can find who has lots of experience with breast construction, then follow his/her advice. They are the experts.

The other thing I would definitely do again would be to get the all silicone implants. They are closest to the real thing.

Hope this helps!

Marianne

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), Created: Jan 13, 2008 10:07 pm

meaning of calcification

I always had calcifications on my mammograms. Most were tiny dots, little specks on the film. Some could only be seen with a magnifying glass.

My radiologist told me the important thing is to always have the radiologist compare the mammogram to the prior one. What they look for is 1) any change in size of the calcifications - if they are bigger than on the previous mammogram, 2) if they are clustered, or 3) if there are new ones. All of these are warning signs for cancer.

In my case, I had some calcifications which were clustered differently than the previous mammogram. I subsequently had a stereotactic biopsy, which proved to be DCIS. This is something that NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN FELT - only detectible on mammogram. I had bilateral mastectomies, reconstruction, and now I NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BREAST CANCER AGAIN.

Marianne

Marianne

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), Created: Jan 13, 2008 09:47 pm

Bilateral Mastectomy

I had DCIS on one side but, due to a strong family history, I decided to have both breasts removed to eliminate all possible risk for the rest of my life. Sometimes BC will show up in the opposite breast 10-20 years later. That happened to my mother and a sister. I had expanders placed at the time of my surgery, then permanent silicone implants 6 months later.

After the surgery, my surgeon told me my "normal" breast had lots of hyperplasia, so it was just a matter of time before I would have developed BC in the other breast. I didn't choose to have the time bomb ticking. . .

Almost 2 years after my initial diagnosis and surgery, I am happy with the decision I made. Do it all at once and then get on with life!

Marianne

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 13, 2008 09:04 pm

exchange of expanders with silicone implants

Dear KRose,

In my opinion, you definitely did the right thing choosing the silicone over saline. I had bilateral mastectomies in 3/06, expanders, then permanent silicone implants 6 months later. I'm still getting used to the implants. My PS says it takes a good two years before you really feel comfortable with them.

Look at it this way. Thank God we have this reconstructive alternative. Now with clothes on, nobody would even know these are fake.

It took a few months for my permanent implants to "settle in." They were high at first. By the way, I never got nipples. It's fun not having to wear a bra most of the time.

Marianne

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 3, 2007 04:23 pm

questions about expanders

Hi,
With both my original mastectomies and expander exchange, I was not able to sleep well. I am normally a side sleeper.

I found that sleeping in a recliner with a small pillow under each arm was most comfortable.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 3, 2007 04:19 pm

Drains with exchange surgery?

Hi Deb,
I had bilateral mastectomies on 3/23/06 with exchange surgery on 9/12/06.
No drains needed. The exchange surgery wasn't a big deal. Just know that, immediately after exchange, the implant is higher and the area is swollen, which will change with time.

Hope this helps.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 3, 2007 04:14 pm

Silicone or Saline?

Hi Kathleen,

I have 2 all silicone Mentor implants after bilateral mastectomies. I originally thought I would choose saline, as I heard they were safest, but when it came time to make the decision, I asked my PS what he used the most. I was surprised when he said three-quarters of his reconstruction patients have silicone. All implants, whether saline filled or silicone filled, have a silicone shell.

I have had my permanent silicone implants for almost a year now, and I am so glad I chose silicone. They are much softer and more life-like than the saline.
Present day silicone implants are NOTHING like those in the 80's that gave women trouble.

Hope this helps!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 10, 2007 05:39 pm

How long hospital stay?

Hi,

I had bilateral mastectomies with expander placement. The surgery was around 2:00 p.m. I was in my room by 9:00 p.m. Nurses tended to me every few minutes through the night but made me go to the potty around 3 or 4 a.m. By 9 a.m., they had me out of bed, going to the potty again and then slowly walking around the hall. I never got back in the bed again, just rested in a recliner, and we left the hospital by 5:00 p.m. (the day after surgery).

I too questioned whether or not I would possibly be ready to go home after just one night in the hospital, but that really is all that is needed. You CAN recuperate much better at home, but you should have some help. Hospitals are dangerous places to stay any longer than you have to. Lots of germs lurking. . .

Hope this helps.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 10, 2007 05:23 pm

Getting nervous!!

Hi Southernchick,
Where are you in Florida? I had bilateral mastectomies with expanders placed in 3/06. I had my exchange surgery with silicone implants in 9/06.

The bilateral surgery, even though major surgery, was really not bad. Ask your surgeon if he/she can put in a pain pump. Mine was called "On-Q," a ball-shaped fanny pack type of thing with 2 tiny catheters. The surgeon inserts these into each side at the time of surgery, and it delivers pain med directly to the areas. You do need help from someone with the drains the first week or so, but after a few days, I learned to empty them myself, and that was no big deal. I was only in the hospital overnight - had my surgery in the afternoon and was walking around at 9:00 the next morning. Just rested and went home by 5:00 p.m. the day after the surgery. You don't want to stick around the hospital any longer than necessary. Lots of nasty germs lurking ...

Because of the pain pump, I can say I had no pain whatsoever after the surgery. Upon discharge, I was given a narcotic, antibiotics, and pain pills to take as needed. Don't be afraid to take pain pills. I do remember that some type of medication I took caused serious constipation - just a warning. I took a shower on the third day home. I just had to be a little creative with covering up the area and hanging the drains over the shower door.

The most difficult part for me was sleeping, because I am a side-sleeper. I slept on my living room recliner for three weeks with a small pillow propped under each arm (which they had given me at the hospital).

I agree with what the other gals said. Prepare some meals & freeze them or arrange for friends to help so you can just lie around when you get home. Accept any help anyone will give you and don't feel the least bit guilty. You will sleep quite a bit, especially the first week; this is perfectly normal.

Trust the Lord to bring you through. I had lots of friends and relatives praying for me in preparation for surgery, which gave me total peace.

Hope this helps!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 10, 2007 04:47 pm

Annual ob/gyn visit after recon....

Hi,
I had bilateral mastectomies and, when I went for my yearly GYN exam, he DID check the underarm area and lower neck area. I had my surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute Hospital in Tampa. My breast surgeon told me I never have to have a mammogram again - one very positive thing about having this procedure done.

Hope this helps!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 4, 2007 11:00 am

tissue expanders and flying??

Hi Mary,

I flew from Florida to Ireland with 2 expanders and I was concerned about this too. I took a copy of my surgery report with me just in case, but I had no trouble going through the Airport Security machines. If anyone should question you, just ask to see a female security person, and tell them your situation. You shouldn't have any problem.
Happy 4th and enjoy Vegas!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 2, 2007 03:32 pm

SNB/blood draws

Sorry. Take out the word "never" in the first sentence. That's what I get for not previewing my post!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 2, 2007 03:30 pm

SNB/blood draws

I had a SNB on both sides but never only had 3 or 4 tiny nodes removed from each side. I had no problems with lymphedema whatsoever. I have blood pressure taken on either arm and haven't had any problems. My mastectomies were 15 months ago.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 2, 2007 03:26 pm

No nipples?

Thanks to all for the replies. What I am most interested in is those gals who had BILATERAL mastectomies done at the same time. What has been your experience with tattooed nipples?

By the way, I have a sister who had a mastectomy at 28, with breast & nipple reconstruction. Fourteen years later, she got cancer in the other breast and never did get around to getting a nipple on that one. She was just sick of doctors after all of that.

If I do decide to get nipples, I think I would probably go with tattoos only, as my PS said creating nipples (skate flap) would flatten the breast a little, and I really don't want them any flatter than they are now.

Do any of you have a recommendation for someone who does total nipple tattoos in Florida? Do you know if this is covered by insurance if it is done 2 or 3 years after mastectomy?

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 26, 2007 03:48 pm

Nipples created by skin graft

Hi Deb,

My sister had a graft from her thigh, an office procedure, a couple years ago.

When I questioned my PS about what he uses, he said skate flap. He said he hadn't done a graft in over three years. More than half of his practice is breast reconstruction and he does lots of nipple work.

I'm sure a graft would be fine; it's just an older method. Why don't you ask your PS to show you some photos of his nipple grafts or give you the names of some satisfied patients to check with?

Good luck!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 26, 2007 03:39 pm

No nipples?

None of you ladies said how old you were. I think nipples are probably less important the older you get. That's what my plastic surgeon also said. He also said you could get nipples, created or tattooed, 2 or 3 years down the line.
No hurry!

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 20, 2007 04:26 pm

How do you sleep after reconstructive surgery?

I had bilateral mastectomies with expanders, then exchange surgery 6 months later. The only way I could sleep for 3 weeks after the mastectomies was in a recliner with a pillow under each arm. Did the same thing after the permanent implants - recliner for a couple weeks, then finally back to the bed. (I am a side sleeper.)