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Comments

  • butterflybailey
    butterflybailey Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for your reply. I am going to talk to my PS surgeon today and ask why he wants to do everything at once. I sure hope that it doesn't have to do with my insurance. Will post after my appointment.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited March 2015

    Sherry67 - Sorry I have Allergan. You might try Breast Recon 101. After you read the entire header you can then post your stats for Whippetmom. Also others may chime in.

    Edited - oops sorry I listed the thread name wrong - breast implant 101. Here's the link.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...


  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Minustwo, how did you find your recurrence of breast cancer? That is what scares me the most, especially since I will not be having any more mammograms since I had a bilateral total mastectomies. I did have a clean, but narrow margin, on my more extensive dcis side. I just had exchange surgery to silicone implants. I understand routine mri's are recommended to test for silent ruptures after about 3 years. Thanks.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited March 2015

    Kingster - My MO recommended an MRI at 19 months post BMX (1 year post reconstruction) and everything was clear. I think now the standard is to just scan for symptoms. A couple of months later at 2 years post BMX I had a swollen lump under my collar bone. I pushed for an ultrasound instead of MRI & they did an immediate needle biopsy based on what they saw on the screen. The recurrence jumped from original type DCIS to IDC & was in lymph nodes which were previously clean. Also turned up HER2+, which they don't usually test for with straight DCIS. It's disturbing since the tumor grew 5.5cm in 4 months. Personally I'm going to push for a PET/CT every couple of years because any hot spot will light up, but I expect a fight with docs & insurance.

    I don't think there's any "routine" anymore for standard tests due to possible rupture. Because I was part of a study with Allergan 410 implants, I will get an MRI at 5 years & 10 years.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Minustwo, thanks for responding:) I am told that there is a 1-2% chance of recurrence with dcis. Cancer is very sneaky. I was not tested for her2 because I had dcis. My dcis was extensive involving 3 quadrants on my left, and I had 2 areas of dcis on my right. No chemo, radiation, or hormonal therapy. Just concerned that my clean margin was less than 1 mm. I guess I will just have to be vigilant and keep an eye out for lumps and bumps. Initially, I didn't even think that breast cancer could return after having bilateral total mastectomies, but I guess it can. So scary. My family history is full of cancer. My cousin is battling breast cancer too:( Thanks again fellow warrior:)

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    Had my postop today and got to see my foobs. They look great! Even and so soft compared ro TE. They said there us still swelling but not bad. Must wear a no wire sport bra 24/7 for 6 weeks.

  • jabec
    jabec Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2015

    robinblessed - so happy to hear that you love how you look! That gives hope to all of us who are behind you.

  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2015

    Hi all,

    My exchange is next month. My PS tells me the surgery is nothing and I will be back to normal within the week. He told me I will only need 1 week off work, max. He is really playing down the whole surgery. I am not sure if he is just trying not to worry me or if it's really a walk in the park. What should I be expecting? My original BMX went quite well, besides for the annoying drains I handled everything fine and was off pain pills within a few days post op. So I am not really worried I just like to have clear expectations of what's to come. No sugar coating!

  • Kazzy115
    Kazzy115 Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2015

    Stephanie- seems I may be an outlier but I had an easy go of it. Surgery Friday and back to work Monday. No prescription pain relief needed. I hope yours is as easy

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    See my post above- piece of cake! I didn't have pain to speak of just tightness from wrapping which was removed today. I took sone Tylenol with codene but only for a couple of days. Had more itching than anything. I work for school so off on spring break for 2 weeks, but could go back to work on Monday if I needed to. My BMX was easy too. Went back to work after 3 weeks.

  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 290
    edited March 2015


    Modified repost from March 2015 Surgery Sisters thread:

    I am on way home from my revision from Allergan rounds to 410s...about an hour's drive left (don't worry, my husband is driving...hehe). Surgery went well. Waking up from GA sucked a bit - I was kind of shakey/shivery every now and then and really foggy...but NO nausea! I made sure to tell them my nausea was terrible last time and they tried some new things. I was very happy. Poor woman across from me in the unit had horrible nausea though and I felt for her. Pain in the incisions only really this time (with my original PBMX/Recon it felt like a 4x4 was parked on my chest and it took some time to get the pain under control). Percocet helped! Hopefully this post makes sense when I read it later ;) I only took them a couple days last time so I expect to have leftovers again this time

    I have only seen a top down view but things look good so far; my husband got a full front view and said they look much more natural than the old ones. Time will tell, I am a bit swollen though not as bad as last time.


  • LoriWNY
    LoriWNY Member Posts: 178
    edited March 2015

    DiveCat--I am so glad to hear that you are in not much pain and the surgery went well.  Make sure you listen to your body and don't overdo it.  I took Tuesday through Friday off from work and then worked from home for two weeks; I just went back to work this week after my revision and each day, my discomfort diminishes but I am wiped out by the end of the day!  I needed Percocet for about a week and a half and then switched to Tylenol and Ibuprofen but found that after about a week of Ibuprofen, my stomach started bothering me so I switched to Tylenol only.  Since last Saturday, I have been on Tylenol only as needed and most days, I don't need any at all but on the days I do, it is usually just before bed when my pec muscles seem to be the most tense.

    I wish you a speedy and painless recovery.  Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if your issues were addressed with your revision.

  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 290
    edited March 2015

    Lori,

    Thanks for the response! I think you had a lot more work than me (I did not need capsulorapphies) and am advised recovery should be like with a regular exchange...about a week. I plan to go back to work next week, though will get a ride there and back (desk job, so no intensive work). My PS said I can start walking as soon as I feel up for it; it's beautiful here so I might indeed try that tomorrow. Don't worry...no aerobics or jumping jacks; I'm not even allowed to put clothing over head for at least a week :)

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2015

    Has anyone had an expander replaced? Did you get a drain? How long was recovery?

  • B123
    B123 Member Posts: 239
    edited March 2015

    I had breast implants 3 years ago, I have had pain under arms throughout, especially effected/radiated side. Lately I have been having achy pain/numbness under arm, under pectoral muscle especially when I squeeze arm against side. I feel like numbness runs down my arm into hand. Is this normal to have still and for it to get more noticeable at times? I have pins and needles to touch along scar where lymph nodes taken out, which has been all along unfortunately. I'm just worried about something being wrong? I'm told its ok and I had ct scans in2012 and a mini one in January . Any advice?

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    Is it normal to feel tenderness on lower portion of breast ? I am wearing the Fruit of the Loom front closure sports bra 24/7 for 6 weeks. The elastic band is soft and around chest. It does hold breasts tightly in place. PS had to cut capsule on the right side to lower implant.

    Hope everyone is resting comfortablely. Robin

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    Also, did your PS use glue to cloincision?

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Leslie, I had my left tissue expander replaced in August. No drains. Recovery quick, just long enough to heal incision. For me, 2 1/2 weeks. I have a physical job, so I wanted to make sure I was healed 1st. Surgery was about an hour. At the time, ps lowered my inframammary fold a little, which I definitely felt. Overall, a piece of cake compared to my mastectomies.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Hi Robin. I had my exchange 1 week ago. My ps did use glue to close my skin this time. If your ps lowered your fold, it will be sore. My ps did not do any pocket adjustments with my exchange, so my surgery was a huge relief from the pressure of the expanders. My ps made that adjustment at the time of my expander replacement. Rest easy!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited March 2015

    B123 - you need to get your MO or RO to refer you to a physical therapist that is trained in Lymphadema management. I have truncal LE on top of radiation fibrosis. This week for the first time in 18 months I have full range of motion after 4 months of therapy with no pain in the arm that had the nodes removed. You can read the "Grrrrr..." thread on BCO, but also go to the following site to learn more about LE. http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

    As for the numbness, you didn't say if you had chemotherapy or not. It could be a touch of CIPN - chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.

  • eep
    eep Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2015

    Hello everyone. I am almost two weeks post op after double mastectomy and expanders placed. The expander on the right appears to have formed a "shelf" at the top while the left is round on all edges.

    I previously had cancer with lumpectomy, rads and chemo on the right. (Brand new LCIC lon the left lead to these surgeries 5 years after the first round).

    I see my plastic surgeon Monday, but curiosity has me now questioning why the significant shape difference. Any thoughts?

  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2015

    Kingster, were you out of work for two weeks? I have a desk job so I'm hoping I won't need that long for the expander replacement since I'll need to take off more time for the implant exchange. I just came off disability last month after chemo

  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 290
    edited March 2015

    robinblessed:

    My PS did use glue again this time with Steri Strips over - which is great as my scars from last time were so clean and minimal! The glue will come off on its own in time - do not pick at it ever! Last time my Steri Strips started to come off at close to 10-14 days, and excess glue came off over next week or two after that

    If it is sensitive between the band and your skin or incisions, you may want to place some gauze or sanitary pads in between. I did not have much pocket work but I am still sore and have "morning boob" every time I wake up from a nap!

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Leslie, yes I was off work for 2 weeks for te replacement. I have a physical job with long hours. I am a nurse and work 10-12 hour shifts on average, standing most of the time. Lots of pushing, pulling, and lifting involved. A desk job would probably be ok to be off a week or so. I guess just listen to your body. Take care:)

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Eep, the skin on the radiated side will be different than the non radiated side. I am guessing this is the reason for the difference. Radiated skin is not as pliable. Expander to implant reconstruction is more challenging from what I have read. Tissue reconstruction and fat grafting are good options for reconstruction on radiated tissues from what I have learned.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    Kingster, my EX was a day before you! My right TE ended up being a bit higher than left so he had to lower it to make me even. Not too bad just sore and tender. I am happy with the results so far. What kind of implants did you get? I have Allergan 410 FF 475 cc anstomicals. I have the glue and no steristrips.

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    Oh don't worry I will not pick at glue! No sterstrips, just glue. Not rubbing at all. Just a slight soreness/tenderness where pocket had to be lowered. My TE was slightly higher on right side so needed to make me even. The Allergan 410 FF 475 look good already. After 6 weeks in sports bra to hold capsule around them they will be awesome. I am vpleased

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Hi Robin. I know, we are going through this exactly the same time! I got mentor memory gels 700 ml each side. Also glue, no sterile strips. My glue is coming off more, looks like a snake shedding its skin, yikes. My ps lowered my left side a little when he did the expander replacement in August, so no extra cutting this time:) I am very comfortable. I went back to the gym yesterday and today. Cycle Friday, elliptical machine today. Just taking it easy on my arms until I am sure skin incisions are completely healed. Are the allergen 410 a "gummy bear" highly cohesive implant? I believe my surgeon sticks with mentor because he has worked with them for a long time, and they are manufactured in the good old USA. So much better than the expanders. I am finally now able to sleep at night, thank goodness. Happy healing to you!!

  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2015

    kingster, mine are gummies highly cohesive as well. You had your expanders in a month before me. I am 60 so just wanted to be about the same size as before. Are you bigger than before? I am very happy with the results so far. Looking forward to putting this behind me and getting on with life.

  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 289
    edited March 2015

    Hi Robin:) Mentor memory gel are cohesive silicone, not highly cohesive. They are a lot softer than my te's for sure. Sometimes my muscles still like to clamp down and not sure if that will ever stop. I heard that random pain can go on for a long time. I feel like I had those expanders in forever. My ps prefers to keep the expanders in a full 6 months after final expansion. I had a bump in the road early on as I had to have my left expander replaced post op week 6. It folded over inside my chest and the bottom of the expander covered the fill port, then got holes in it during the fills. Glad to be done with those! My ps wants to do fat grafting to improve the flatness that I have in the front. I am thinking in the fall. Gonna take a reconstruction break. I was not able to have the nipple sparing because the dcis was so extensive. I am now 48 yrs old (47 when diagnosed). I used to be a 38 b, but now I have to wear a 38 c because of the width, but do not fill out the cup because of the flatness. I am trying to move forward as well. Did you need chemo or rads? I did not and am so thankful for that. My mother passed away at age 50 from inflammatory breast cancer after only 3-4 months after diagnosis. What size are you now? So nice talking with you.


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