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One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?

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Comments

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Me too. I am at 5 weeks and they are still concrete with vices around them. Sorry to be a downer just after your surgery. In the last week I've found a new lump on the foob, been told there is a hematoma on the other, have cording, and got a port in - it had to put it right under collar bone due to swelling and the tube or vein sticks out over my collar bone and at the corner of my neck restricting my movement and adding to discomfort. I told dh I am a prisoner in own body. Just down.

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited February 2013

    Everyone is different in how long it takes. I'm 3 months out and my chest is still tight, but I'm doing better bit by bit. I do pt, stretches, phlfuffing anw starting yoga. It's stretching all at once so it takes a bit. I seem to be one of the worse cases though.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Grit girl, are they softer? Have they dropped? I'm doing my exercises and phluffing but they are just sooo hard. I know what you mean about a tight chest too. I have to think to breath sometimes.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    By the way, what size implants did your ps do? I think I was 320 or 340cc. I read in your blog (it is very good:)) that you also take muscle relaxers. My ps said they r my best friend. I take them every six hours. Mine are Robaxin.

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited February 2013

    Mine are 700 cc (which put me at a b or c cup). Things have loosened up it just has been taking time. I take flexeril which has been a godsend. The diazepam wasn't doing enough for me. Last night met with a yoga teacher who taught me some great stretching poses. I just to keep stretching slowly but surely

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Omg! U went straight to 700? I can't believe that. No implants before? U r grit girl. :)

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 5,293
    edited February 2013

    Ladies,

    I am almost 17months out from my one step recon. I have silicone, 457 cc's. I confess that I can't quite remember how long it took for them to look and feel good, but they do! Remember, your pecs are not being stretched gradually as with TE's. If you are considering one step make sure that your ps is very experienced and knows that you are a good candidate for it. Even so, there will be some who have difficulties.

    Mary,

    This thread is mainly discussing one step implants. If you have TE's, check out some of those threads in the recon forum. You are welcome here, of course, but most of us have not had TE's.

    Hoping everyone is feeling well and please know that it gets better!

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Thanks for the hope exbrngrl.

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited February 2013

    Hmmm. I wonder if what was told was 700 cc is actually something else. Oh, they're still stretching either way.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Hi, I have 600 cc mentors round .

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    My dh now says mine are 400 something. I know what I'm asking on Thursday at the ps! I'm meant to end up about a small b.



    I think they are softening a bit, but the hematoma on one hinders and the alloderm area seems tighter this week. Weird. The port going in right above the hematoma didn't help.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Lmimp64

    I hope you are doing better. I got my port out Tuesday. I looked at my scars today. None of these are what I was told I would have. I was to have underneath each breast and up to nipple area. And I would lose lumpectomy scar. Instead I have scar across nipple area and kept the lumpectomy scar. One breast looks worse than other. Kind of have questions for ps on wednesday. I see gs tomorrow. Have a good one.



  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    I'm doing ok. You sound like you are doing well. My incisions are the same. My foobs look completely different shapes still. This recovery takes a lot of time.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Hi I found a weird lump in area between boobs. Small and nearer to right breast. I see general surgeon today at 1 pm. Don't think it was there yesterday.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Mareluna,

    My surgeon said we can get lots of lumps from scar tissue or even a piece of a stitch slipping away. She said my small lump is in the skin and will check it in three months, probably scar tissue. My large one is definitely a hematoma. Don't worry yet. Your lump will probably resolve itself. Best wishes.

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited February 2013

    I had something similar and my plastic surgeon said it was a dissolving stitch and not to worry about it.

    I just got back from  my second meeting with the physical therapist.  I cannot emphasize PT enough.  The plastic surgeon never mentioned PT and had no clue about what putting two bulbuous items under my pec muscles would do to those muscles, hence the incredible pain for me.

    Hopefully, my muscles haven't settled into this painful pattern and the PT can loosen things up. Push for yourselves, ladies, and ask for that PT.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    I second that. I'm doing it every week.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Hi,

    Lump is drain tube. My tissue was clear .... I don't have pt yet. But I move my arms reaching up. And I pick things up that I drop. I will be getting home Heath cuz my cousin will be going back to Pittsburgh this weekend. I think Friday or Saturday.

    My surgeon told me she did not want to cut away too much skin. She is the general surgeon. So this is why I have the old lumpectomy scar. I have a blister near a drain from the tape. Tomorrow I see the ps and hope to get2 drains out.

    Take care ladies. Best wishes.

    Rose

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Hi and Happy Valentine's Day!

    I got two drains out. Ps says swelling takes like 3 or 4 months to go away.. Wow!

    How are you ladies doing?

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Hanging out in hospital after first chemo. Wasn't peeing and drinking like a fish. Lots of reflux too.

    I'm thinking swelling will take at least three months too.



  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Lmim,

    Are you okay now? Which chemo are you on? I am hoping you are ok.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    I'm on tc. Getting out today. Sodium levels normal again and I'm peeing. Seemingly they think I drank too much water. I'm also getting a script for reflux issues. Getting tired today though. Joys of chemo I guess.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Lmim,

    Glad you are going home today.i landed in the hospital after first ac treatment. Sucks. Hope. You get feeling better.

  • lilithmoon
    lilithmoon Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2013

    hi, good to read your messages, hope everyone is well.  I moved so I don't have an internet connection.  Lmimp, glad you're doing okay with the chemo. Mareluna, I hope your foobs start to feel better soon.  I just saw my surgical oncologist to ask about my .5mm posterior margin.  She said not to worry : (

    Also I told the nurse I want the PS to put the top of implant behind my pec muscle.  She said no problem.  I guess that will be my revision along with sticking an implant in my healthy boob.  More pain but better cosmetic result.  I'm wondering if most of the tissue is healed and the Alloderm sling has been integrated (looks really good along the bottom half) the only issue will be the pec slicing and placement of the implant (silicone gel btw).  They tried the subglandular because they thought I'd feel better, true, I have no pain but it looks like a baggie filled with liquid when I lean over.  I'm not into the missionary position all the time folks, need some variation!

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Jocelyn,

    Glad you are doing well and have a revision process ready to go. So glad your margins are good.



    My foobs are softening but still sooo tight against chest wall and the ribs/side where the alloderm is. I'm six weeks out now.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Joc, what is this.5 mm posterior margin? Sounds like you are coming along in your revision planning. I am in pain. I have found that the tape irritates me and I developed blisters. My cousin is headed back home tomorrow.

    I will have a home health care nurse to come in tomorrow to dress my drain wounds. I hope to get my last two out on Wednesday. I was approved for up to 10 days. I live alone.

  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2013

    Are you doing ok Mareluna?

  • lilithmoon
    lilithmoon Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2013

    Yes, I was wondering if you were ok Mareluna, getting what you need. Lmimp, thanks for your support - just curious if you were still taking muscle relaxants for pain or is it manageable? Mareluna my .5mm posterior margin is basically right up against the chest wall. My surgeon said statistically there is no advantage to doing radiation, my recurrence rates are the same.  So I decided that I wasn't going to worry about it. Right now I'm pretty depressed about dealing with a bf who couldn't handle the relationship after my Mx.  We plan to get together tomorrow to talk.  I'm not sure what to do.  He was so great the 1st month of my dx and then went on overload and disappeared. I want to at least know more specifically what happened, then make a decision - if there is one to make.  Pretty depressing, I'd almost rather be single and not have to deal with rejection.  Sorry for rambling, it's just been so hard.

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited February 2013

    Some folks just can't handle this. I had a friend who was supportive for the first few months then dropped out. That was about her, not me. Certainly the nasty stuff in my life has weeded out the loyal friends from the runners. I don't blame folks for having a hard time with this. It does suck. I don't even want to here for it.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited February 2013

    Jocelyne,

    I am sorry to hear your bf is having issues with the mx. I have seen what cancer diagnosis can do to relationships. My mom had a friend bail after her cancer diagnosis. It was a fear issue I guess.

    I had my first day and night alone. My cousin returned home to Pittsburgh. I told bf to stay home last night. We were having snow, and rain. I slept on my sofa. I won't go to bed if he is not here to help me up. My recliner makes my butt hurt.

    I have home health out to cleanse my wounds. So all is good.

    Grit girl I know who are friends now too. The runners were weeded out when my hubby had cancer. His family mostly bailed. I was blessed with a couple good friends, bf, and cousin. My neighbors keep an eye on me too.

    Have a good day. Feel a nap coming on. Lol









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