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Removing Pre-Cancer Implants During Lumpectomy
This might seem like an odd question but I really don't see anything on here about this. I had implants before being diagnosed and now have the option to have them removed at the same time as my lumpectomy/dissection week after next. I'll need 6 weeks of radiation and have read that often the breast will drop up to 2 sizes…
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Dr. Andrew Da Lio at UCLA Med Ctr
Hi, I'm scheduled to have the reconstruction revision surgery (under the muscle) by Dr. Andrew Da Lio at UCLA med ctr and would like to know if anyone has done it with him. I got my first surgery at Kaiser last year and the doctor there screwed up on both sides so I'm getting the revision surgery and I really hope that…
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New BCO Content: Oncoplastic Lumpectomy
Oncoplastic lumpectomy combines plastic surgery techniques with lumpectomy surgery to give you a better cosmetic outcome after the cancer is removed. You can think of oncoplastic lumpectomy — also called oncoplastic surgery or oncoplasty — as a reconstructive surgery aimed at preventing problems with the breast's…
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Recurring Capsular Contracture
Hello ladies! I'm hoping to get some input and advice to help me make a decision. I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2017 following 6 cycles of chemo & 12 cycles of Herceptin. I had immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders placed at the time. My exchange surgery was 3 months later, followed by fat grafting another 4…
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Share your Insurance claims denial story
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently ran a story about my insurance claim appeal and win. Well I just figured out a way for you guys to use it to raise your voice about YOUR situation. Here's how. Write up your response to the article with your situation front and center and send it to the Philadelphia inquirer. I have the…
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Mentor implants ruptured after only 3 yrs
I went back to the US for a checkup with my breast doctor in April, three years post-double mastectomy and reconstruction (Mentor smooth round silicone), and she ordered a standard MRI. When it was time for my follow-up appointment, she jokingly asked, "Have you been skydiving?" I said no, not understanding. She said,…
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TE TROUBLE
I've been inducted into yet another "club" — the TE TROUBLE CLUB — and wanted to start a thread specifically for all of us out there dealing with tissue expander problems. There are many of us out there who develop complications with our tissue expanders, including (but not limited to) the following: necrosis; infection;…
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Uneven Nipples after Reconstruction?
Okay, I know it's only been three days since my exchange surgery/reduction surgery but I'm curious - The reconstructed nipple (left side) seems to be a bit higher than the repositioned nipple on the reduced right side. Given the fact that both breasts are swollen right now and there WILL be changes as the tissues settle,…
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MRI to screen silicone implants for rupture covered by Medicare?
After having saline implants for 29 years after my first reconstruction, I am thinking of getting silicone this time. A big concern is that by the time I need the recommended screening MRI I will be on Medicare. I haven't been able to find a definitive answer whether this would be covered. Has anyone had an implant…
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Hello and thanks in advance
Does anyone know how many women are currently living with at least one mastectomy? Either in US or worldwide, I cannot find this information anywhere. I am looking for percentage. Thanks!!
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DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2017
I am starting a thread for 2017. I had my initial DIEP surgery March 2014. I am having my final revision surgery Monday February 20, 2017. I had several set backs but am still 100% in favor of the flap surgeries. I will be glad to host this thread for everyone to share their experiences and ask questions to prepare for…
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How long after TE placement until can you be out and about?
I am having delayed reconstruction. Bilateral mastectomy was in 2019; delayed TE placement surgery coming up soon. After mastectomy I went flat, and was able to travel and be comfortably in public about 1.5 months later. Full recovery/getting to "normal" took longer than that but I was ok getting on a plane at that point.…
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2018 DIEP Surgery
Please PM me if you'd like to be added to our surgery list or if something needs to be edited. Sometimes it can get lost in the thread as fast as it moves. Thanks!! I'd like to welcome future DIEP ladies and thank you for sharing your journey, and also thank past DIEP ladies who are so graciously sharing their experience…
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Podcast: Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat
Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat February 17, 2021 Dr. Deanna Attai is associate clinical professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Attai was an early adopter of social media for professional and patient education. She serves as the social media editor for the Journal of Oncology…
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Fat Grafting before Expander Fills
Has anyone else had fat grafting done prior to expander fills
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Revision Surgery - When to have Nipple Recon?
Hello all. After BMX in January 2020, I had DIEP flap surgery in August 2020. I am having revision surgery on Monday. My breasts are completely different sizes and shapes, and one is higher than the other. I also have some asymmetrical issues with my stomach, where it looks like they lipo'd more fat out of one side than…
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Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
BRAS.......whether you love them or hate them, they are often part of our reconstruction journeys. Whippetmom and I decided to share some information that we discovered throughout our respective journeys through breast reconstruction. There are different practice styles and philosophies among plastic surgeons (PSs), and…
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For those who have had (or plan to have) DIEP surgery in Boston
Hi. I'm probably going to be having DIEP surgery in Spring 2021. I'd like to connect with women who have had (or are also planning to have) this surgery in Boston. Looking forward to connecting! Sharon
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largest cc for direct to implant?
Hello ladies- anyone had or know of anyone who had direct to implant recon with larger implants? Thanks
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PENN Hospital MI-Diep w. Dr. Kanchwala -Had Anyone?
Hi, I'm hoping someone(s) has had the new MI-Diep Flap recently, done by Dr. Kanchwala at Penn Hospital. It's a new technique he and colleagues developed that is supposed to be minimally invasive to the abdomen, causing a lot less pain, and much quicker recovery. Because they don't have an arrangement available to contact…
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Latissimus Dorsi Flap
can anyone who has had the latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction procedure tell me how you like it? It’s my only option and I’m a healthy 65 year old - not young anymore. Second time getting cancer in same breast. Had lumpectomy and radiation on the breast when I was 40. Thank you
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Revision from subpectoral to prepectoral.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone else who had revision surgery from subpectoral reconstruction to prepectoral reconstruction.
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Nipple reconstruction
Hi I'm new to this forum and see there are a ton of topics on this forum. I'm not sure how to search if you r looking for something specific. I'm having my TE's switched to silicone implants next month. I had nipple sparring mastectomy on non cancer side and nipple on cancer side was too close to tumor so it was removed.…
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Health concerns of Allergan Textured implants
hello everyone, I was diagnosed stage 3 breast cancer Dec.15. Had chemo, rads, node removal, bilateral mastectomy with TE placed. Had my reconstruction surgery June.2017. My surgeon didn't give me a choice or option of implant she just said "this is the one I use". So I was given a textured, gummy bear, anatomically shaped…
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Is future implant replacement covered by insurance?
I will be having a BMX in January with TEs. That much I know from discussion with BS as we won't know if I need rads until after surgery. I have also yet to meet my PS, appointment is 12/3. I am pretty sure I will be a candidate for DIEP and am trying to decide if I want that and all the recovery but then I'm done or the…
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Repeat surgeries? Please share your experience -
I had a nipple and skin sparing BMX with immediate reconstruction using pre-pectoral anatomical silicone implants in May. I am less than thrilled with the results and have tried to be patient. I realize that things have changed along the way and I'm grateful for that - swelling is gone, pain is negligible, and one side is…
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THE IRON BRA
Hi Ladies- I had a bilateral masectomy with tissue expanders and saline implants in 2003 and have just absolutely decided I cannot take the IRON BRA anymore! I have tried and tried to make it ok but it is not OK. I felt like this from day one and I must get them out. Just dont know what the cause is of the never ending…
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Anyone wiht Nipple Discharge after NSM told possible DCIS cells
Hi everyone I haven't posted for quite a while but I still check out almost daily all the amazing info that is available on this fantastic site. I had a NSM 10 months ago with no sign of cancer, we thought we were dealing with a large mass showing as a papilloma but after the op the pathology came back showing 11cm of DCIS…
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Will I ever sleep on my stomach again?
I've been reading these discussion boards for a few month now. Had a Bilateral MX November 30th, 2010with immediate tissue expanders. 2 days ago had exchange surgery; 500 cc Naturelle Silicone implants. I have learned so much and been helped tremendously by reading the experiences of many women on this website. Here's my…
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How much do tissue expanders weigh?
Okay, another one of my rather inane questions...I'm filled to 360cc in my one tissue expander. Does anyone know how much this darn thing weighs? I seem to be a bit heavier than usual (was weighed at a doc's appointment last week and surprised I weighed that much, because I'm in my smallest size pants). I should be able to…