One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Hello ladies!
I am a new on this board. My one step Left Breast Reconstraction with Permanent Implant placement and Right Breast Matching Augmentation surgery scheduled for Oct. 16. I will have PreOp Appt with my PS next Thursday.
I turned 50 in July. On Jan. 18 I discovered some lump in my left breast. My Primary Physician did ultra sound and told me it was just a cyst 2.2 cm and sometimes it could go away itself. Three weeks later it didn't go away, almost the same size, so he drained it. Biopsy was benign. Also, after he drained cyst, he was able to see several solid stuff like dots, so I needed Core Needle Biopsy which also was benign. My BS told me to wait since it was benign and really small. Two months later cyst started growing again. I scheduled a mammo and ultrasound, they asked me if I had a biopsy before, I said Yes, and both of them were benign. They looked confused, week later I received report from them that my exam showed an aria they believe to be benign and they suggested to have a follow up in 6 months.
My BS was really scared about a size - solid stuff along grew really fast - from small dots to 3 cm!!! and she suggested to remove all this stuff. I agreed. On Aug. 7 I had cyst mass excision surgery done and after that my DH was told that it didn't look like a cancer but let's wait for a biopsy result. I had a follow up appt on Aug. 12 where I was told I had a cancer!!! and it was a Phyllodes tumor, a very rare type of breast tumor, which can be benign or malignant . Phyllodes tumors account for less than 1% of all breast cancers. Even though the tumor may be benign, it is still considered a type of breast cancer, because it has the potential to become malignant. Surgery to remove a Phyllodes tumor is the standard treatment. This type of tumor does not respond well to radiation, chemotherapy or hormonal therapies. If tumor is relatively small and benign, it may be removed with a lumpectomy. Large benign tumors may require a mastectomy, so as to remove both the tumor and a clean margin of breast tissue. Malignant tumors are removed with a wide local excision (WLE) or mastectomy to remove as much of the affected tissue as possible.
Bad news - mine was malignant, margin had some atypical cells, I need at least one more surgery to remove additional 1cm tissue. Depends on result I will probably need to have Mx. Good news - she removed it all, I don't need rad, chemo or hormon, usually lymph nodes are not involved, I am a good candidate for one step Mx. BS represented my rare case on the Tumor Board, they suggested the same.
Since I am skinny (5.5", 123) ,have a small breast, 1 cm tissue is almost all I have left, and I am also concerned about metastasizes, I decided to skip this 1 cm re-excision and go streight with Mx.
Thank you all for listening.
Thanks a lot to all of you for sharing your information and experience. I found this thread very helpfull.
Sorry for my English, I am not a native speaker.
Have a wonderfull weekend!
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Hello I_am_OK...wow, it sounds like you were very lucky your doctor didn't go the "wait six months" route.
I'm sorry about the malignant diagnosis. Seeing your surgery date of Oct 16 made me think of what it felt like to have my August 19 looming ahead of me for three weeks. You're in a very tough stage right now, knowing you need treatment but having to wait to begin. In some ways the time is a blessing, because we can get as organized and prepared as possible...I would think that choosing to go straight to mastectomy has given you a certain level of peace.
My PS won't be doing my left side breast lift until the time of my nipple reconstruction on the right. That will be a few months from now, after I complete 7 weeks of radiation for positive and close mx margins. He'll wait to see how the reconstructed right breast "settles" and heals before doing the left. You say you are small breasted--maybe that makes the matching easier and so it can be done at time of the first surgery.
Fortunate 1, have you had a breast lift?
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Welcome, I am Ok. Your English is fine.
I understood you perfectly, and I was an English teacher in high school and college! Sorry you're having to go through bc surgery and treatment, but it sounds like your outlook is good. At some point after the shock subsides, we have to count our blessings that our situation isn't worse.Yesterday was a milestone for me. I played golf for the first time since my BMX! I didn't play golf WELL, but it was wonderful to be out on a golf course with my dh and a very nice couple from our club. As always, I did lunch extremely well. I MUST get back to wiser food choices and smaller portions. Tonight's dinner will be steamed veggie of some variety, fish filets and salad.
Today is a lazy Saturday. We slept in. It's so-o-o-o nice to wake up and know you can get up if you like or lie in bed longer. No commitments. No appointments.
Last night I browsed a bit on bc.org and read some posts in a thread about choosing an implant, round or teardrop. This was the first I've heard about a teardrop implant. Puzzling concept, placing a teardrop shape behind pec muscles. Is anyone else knowledgeable on this subject?
Okiegal, your nipple thread has been really busy.
Meg, Fortunate1, and Tracy, hope you're enjoying the weekend.
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Welcome, I am OK, Sorry you have to go through this. If you have any questions, we can help. It seems like you are in good hands with your BS. I hope everything works out well for you. The time between dx and surgery can be very stressful. I spent that time getting my life in order not knowing to what to expect after bmx. Before you know it your surgery day will here. Let us know how you are doing.
Carole, I don't usually drop in on the weekend. I just took a minute to see if you were here. I figured you were playing golf yesterday. I am glad you are back to doing what you love to do. The dh must be happy too.
I hope everyone having a great weekend.
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Welcome I_AM_OK! Your english is great. I could only hope to communicate so well in another language! Wow, you sound like you've had a lot of surprises with your diagnosis. I'm very glad they were finally able to give you a diagnosis. Although no one wants to have a mastectomy, I was relieved to have mine. I wanted to get passed it and like the others mentioned, kept myself busy with cleaning house and getting ready to be out of commission for a few weeks. I'm glad our ongoing conversation has been helpful and I hope you come back with any questions or concerns and updates!
My nephew's girlfriend said "yes!" So exciting!
Carole, I noticed you didn't chime in yesterday. Glad to hear you had a nice time playing golf! It's such a relief when life starts to get back to normal. Did you read my latest post at my nipple reconstruction question? I've decided to meet with my PS to discuss having the procedure. I'm a little nervous and want to know what technique he will be using and if it will make me even flatter in front. I've scheduled the surgery for mid October. I figure I can always cancel if I change my mind. It really helped to have other women relate their day to day experiences with the finished results and to see pictures. Someone on TimTam's picture website had wanted to see pictures with clothes on, but no bra. There wasn't a lot of "show through" for most women. Add in the fact that most nipple reconstructions shrink substantially and I was finally convinced I would be okay.
What I know about the teardrop implant is that they are shaped like a tear drop. No surprise, but one of the complications is that they can rotate in the pocket causing distortions. If a round implant rotates, no one notices. The reason women want them is so that they will have more upper pole fullness and a more natural elongated breast shape with more natural droop.
We are having a beautiful warm fall day.
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Welcome I_AM_OK, you have found a good group. The wait is hard, but it sounds as though you're in very good hands. I found it a great relief to have the mastectomy. After such a difficult diagnosis I think you made the logical decision. Hang out here with us until the 16th.
Carole, congratulations on the golf game, a bit of 'normal' back in your life. And with lunch, too.
Tracy, no lift for me, my breasts are small, kind of wide and non sagging, 'perky'. They were quite similar to the implant, actually, but with different curves in different places. Drat, that flat spot!
I think I'll go and check out the nipple thread.
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Hi Everyone,
I have a question. I had a bilateral mastectomy on August 11th and I am having a problem with an area healing. At the point beneath the breast where the vertical line meets the "smile" underneath the breast there is a 3/4" spot that is not healing. I had another surgery on 8/28 to have it redone. It got better but I still have a 1/4" spot that I had to have restitched this last Thursday. The cancer breast healed perfectly but the innocent breast is the one with problems. The plastic surgeon said that it is from the pressure of the new implant that is not allowing it to heal but he said it was looking good and it WILL heal. I am scheduled on December 10th for nipple/areolar reconstruction and he said I can't get this done until everything heals. He said that we will be doing surgery on December 10th because it will be healed. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do for it. At this time I am putting SSD (used for burn patients and I don't know the long name) on it three times a day. Any other suggestions?
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Hi Julie L,
Does the healing involve fluid, or inflammation? I had separate trouble with both. I was in tears in my PS office over this point of pain maybe an inch square just below the breast, and he said it was where the stitches were in the lining of the ribs to anchor the implant...prescribed heavy duty motrin and assured me it would heal, made sure I still had some of the narcotic stuff to get me through til the motrin did its work...and within four days, it had. It hasn't hurt since.
If it's the incision itself not healing, I'm afraid I have no experience with that. it's hard, isn't it, to suffer what we consider set backs because before the surgery, we picture a steady uphill pace toward healing and health...at least I did! Naive, I guess.
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Hi Tracyanne,
The area is on my skin and it is not coming together so he stitched it again on Thursday. Actually, I just looked at it and it looks alot better than it did from last night. He says that it will heal it will just take time. He told me to up my vitamin C to 2000 per day and it seems to be helping. He also put me on antibiotics because the skin was red. I don't have any pain because the location skin that was breast skin so I have no feeling. He stitches it without numbing it and I don't feel anything.
I felt the same way you do. We exspect it to be uphill and have everything in place knowing we are doing the right thing for ourselves but he said it is a small setback and he assures me it will heal. I hope you are doing well considering your pain. We will get through it one way or another.
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Okiegal, How exciting that your nephew's girlfriend said yes. The next thing you know, you'll be a great aunt!
Julie, I did not have any problems with my scars healing, but Carole on this page did. I'm sure she when she come on she will tell you what med she used. She did have it restitched like you and I think she is healing nicely now.
Fortunate1, Carole Tracey, and I am OK..Hope you are all are having a good weekend.
DH is working today..it is cold and raining.
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Hi, Julie. Your incisions must be located differently from mine, which extend sideways from the outer edge of the aureole about 3 1/2 in. I had nipple-saving BMX. My incisions were slow to heal and I developed some necrotic skin along part of the left incision, about 1 1/4 in. long. Necrotic skin turns black. For about a week, I applied nitroglycerin ointment (nitro-bid) to stimulate blood flow. Next I used Silver Sulfadiazine cream, which is probably what you're using. Finally my PS got nervous about losing the implant so he trimmed the necrotic skin and resutured a portion of the left incision. Now the incision looks good. Tues. will be 4 wks. since the revision surgery, which required general anesthetic and was done in the same surgery center where I had the BMX.
My incisions were done with invisible stitches and then the suture lines were covered with glue that is the most incredible product. After 9 wks of being rubbed gently with a soapy washcloth during daily showers, about half the strip of glue is still there on the right (healed) incision. The glue on the newer portion of the left incision is still there, too, of course. I could pull the strips off, but Dr. C. said to let them come off of their own accord. Surprisingly, I think I will end up with neat suture lines after all the angst about healing.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I went back to the Lifecell website and watched the surgical video about using Alloderm in implant reconstruction. I still don't understand the whole procedure that well. Where is the pectoral muscle that was "loosened"? When I poke a forefinger into the top of my breasts, is that pectoral muscle I'm poking? Or implant? I'll have to ask Dr. C. when I go to see him in 4 wks.
It was so nice to be missed when I didn't check in on Friday!
Today I logged far too much time in my chair in the living room watching sports on tv. The NO Saints won their game. And the PGA Championship was very competitive.
Tomorrow I'm meeting some women from my schooldays (grades 1 through 9) for lunch. On Oct 10th our little class is having a reunion get-together, the first one since we graduated in 1958.
Okiegal, how exciting that you've made up your mind about having the nipple procedure. It seems that most of the women who have it are quite pleased with the result. And if it's an option paid for by your insurance, why not go for it?
I hope Year of the Hat will check in and give us a report on her revision surgery. She mentioned in earlier posts that she was having her implants replaced with larger ones that would make her more her natural cup size. Sure hope that procedure went well, Year of the Hat.
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Hi,
Carole, I looked at all of the life cell videos today for the first time. I did try to watch them previously, but chickened out. My bs said something at my last visit that peaked my curiosity. He said that he cut an oval shape around my nipple and then made cuts like "peeling an orange." I think this created flaps to make the opening larger. I didn't see that type of cut in the videos.
I believe when you poke the top of your breast you are touching muscle. At the lower half, you are poking AlloDerm.
I read some disturbing results of some "one step" AlloDerm patients on Life cell. Apparently, the AlloDerm and your skin can stretch over time causing the implants to drop. Also, if your skin is thin, the implant can break through. They have pictures showing this. It is disturbing. I wonder if we should be waring bras to support the weight to avoid the stretching and possible breaking of the skin. I was also wondering how strong is the AlloDerm? Can it withstand regular massaging? Is massaging waring and /or stretching our skin and the AlloDerm?
What's that saying?...curiosity killed the cat! I was already upset that I was never informed that my muscles were going to be cut. I was told, "the implant goes under the muscle." I knew the procedure would included the use of AlloDerm, but PS never mentioned how AlloDerm was going to be used.
I so appreciate that we can talk to each other about these issues. I learned nothing from my BS or PS. Everything I know I leraned here...Thanks
My breast are still changing. They have dropped a little more and I have what appears to be little bulges of stretched skin on both ends of the scars. Also, my breast are not perfectly round like i have seen in some pictures. They also stick out toward my underarm.
My DH took family leave when I had my bmx. At my last visit I had to give the BS new forms because they filled out the original form incorrectly. Today, they called to tell me I can no longer be on disability. That's interesting...I don't work! Then she said my husband can't get the time he asked for...even though his job allowed him one month family leave in a year. He didn't even need to use the time allowed. Grrrrrr Grrrrrr
I hope you are all having a better day.
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Good Morning Everyone and thank you all for the welcome and support!
I am pretty calm now and beleive I made the right choice. I just want it is done ASAP.
Could you please tell me a little bit what to expect from the pre op PS appt? I know I will need to sign a lot of papers. But what else? I has been asked what kind of implat I want, saline or silicone, and I chose a silicone. Now I found out that there are a lot of them. I don't know if I can ask about some specific or it is PS' s choice.
Thanks again and have a good day!
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Hi i am OK,
Your PS should explain to you the procedure you chose. Ask your PS any questions that you have. I was on an antibiotic and vitamin C the week before. My PS used an implant that she believed was the best. It was the newest one the company (Mentor) offered. It is a smooth silicone gel. She also chose the size and said that she wouldn't know what size she was going to use until the surgery. She said I would not be larger then a full B. She suggested I purchase a sports bra a size larger (C) because of the swelling.
Do you know how long you will be in the hospital? I had a visiting nurse come to my home two days after I came home. She could have come back up to 4 more times, but I didn't need her. You can get your prescription for pain filled out before you go into the hospital. You will want some comfortable pillows to sleep with in a sitting up position for a while. Smaller pillows for under your arms when sleeping will make you comfortable. I sat in a comfortable recliner during the day. Make a chart to write how much fluid is being emptied from your drains. The anesthesia and pain medication will constipate you. A bc friend recommended ducolax.
I don't know if I'm forgetting anything. Some one will add to the list.
Let us know how your doing. Good Luck with your appointment.
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Hi, I am Ok. One suggestion I read on this website was to make sure you have a couple of button-down-the-front blouses for wearing after you get home from the hospital. I bought two blouses that were a little big and wore them for weeks! I also bought some pajamas that buttoned down the front. It was quite a while before I could manage pullover blouses or nightgowns because I was told not to lift my arms high the first few weeks.
For sleeping I used a foam wedge and put pillows on top of it so that I was propped up. Getting in and out of bed is difficult the first week so it's better not to be lying flat. Like Meg, I rested my arms on pillows and had a pillow beneath my knees. I slept on my back for 8 wks but after a couple of weeks did away with the wedge.
If you stay overnight in the hospital, you'll be given a measuring cup for measuring the output from your drains. I was also given a chart for writing down the amount of fluid and the time and date the drain was emptied. The nurse explains all that in the hospital. My husband emptied the drains for me the first few days. I had two drains, one on each side, and they were taken out on the 9th day. But that varies from person to person.
All I did on my preopt visit was sign papers and receive instructions. On a previous consultation with the PS, he explained the reconstruction and showed me the type of implant he would use, cohesive silicone gel, round shape. He talked about the Alloderm, too. During this visit, the PS and his assistant took a lot of measurements. If I could zip back in time, boy, would I have some questions that I didn't know enough to ask!
As Meg said, you will need to take something for constipation. I took Miralax, which finally worked after 2 or 3 days.
I tried to walk around the house as much as possible when I got home from the hospital and as soon as I felt strong enough, started taking short walks outside to build up my strength. It's amazing how surgery can sap your energy. But the energy comes back!
I had an On-Q pump installed in each breast during surgery. It was wonderful for managing the pain because it automatically discharged numbing agent. It stayed in 4 days and by then I was taking Tylenol for any discomfort. Some people have more pain than others.
It was nice being waited on! Take advantage of it for as long as you can! Good luck and let us know how it all goes for you.
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Meg, now I'll have to go back to the Lifecell website and read some more!
One of the Warner bras I bought has an uplift feature, a bulge of foam on the bottom. I wore it today and at some point my breasts started feeling not so comfortable. When I got home and took it off, there was an indentation on the bottom of both breasts. I'm wondering if I should discard the bra.
I hear the dh entering the house. He was on the lawnmower when I drove in. Guess I should get off here and greet him!
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Meg, I think what you saw on the Lifecell website were unfortunate side effects that alloderm is supposed to prevent. That alloderm hammock prevents the 'bottoming out' dropping of the implants, and covers more of the implant to prevent that nasty looking break through. I'm sorry it was alarming, we don't need any more alarming. I think most of us learn far more about what's going on after the surgery. I know I could only hear so much before it was crazy overload.
I had a good visit with the PS. Nothing will happen for revisions or nipples or anything else until early next year. I can put it to rest for a while. He wants to wait for an all clear on the one year mammogram, and for an anatomical cohesive gel implant that he thinks would make me match. Now I have something else to look up. I was going to ask for a delay anyway, don't want to do it in the middle of the semester. It would ruin my crazy little class schedule.
Once again I must run. Dad's caregiver is sick, so I have to get over there. Until tomorrow.
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I am Ok, you asked what you might expect from the first visit to the plastic surgeon...I wrote about my visit here: http://www.breastcancerstories.org/chapter/2231 on a website called "breast cancer stories." My biggest surprise was that photographs were taken, and that so many measurements were made, including a measurement of the "droop" in my breasts! I was having a unilateral, so I think matching the natural breast was all the more an issue.
Meg, I think the alloderm breasts are supposed to form a more natural shape eventually as our skin "grows into" the alloderm, and that will include some droop. I haven't seen the videos you mention--don't know if I should or shouldn't! I am looking forward to mine softening up eventually. Like yours, my breast kind of sticks out toward my underarm...like there's more tissue (I know it's alloderm) than on the natural side. I chose a silicon implant because my PS said that for thin-skinned, thin women the saline can eventually show ripples under the skin. Silicon would hold its smooth surface longer.
Carol, like you I just lived in my big button down shirts and my button down pajamas. I found it comfortable to keep my drain tucked in the elastic waistband of my pj bottoms or in one of the pj pockets (I only had one drain because I only did the one breast). Thought the drain would make me so squeamish, but I got used to it very quickly and it didn't "gross me out" at all.
As for surgery, one thing I've learned is that a discussion of hospital pain management should happen at the pre-op stage. There was not clear communication or understanding between my BS, the nurses, and me--and my night in the hospital was not a good one. I started a thread about pain management for mastectomy just yesterday on this website...I think you can see it by clicking my name? BC was my first experience with surgery, and I think I was too passive in dealing with the hospital staff...just wanted to be a "good patient" and not make trouble. Never again!
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I just realized that at the end of my PS story linked here, I wrote that I would have a scar across half the breast from nipple toward armpit...turns out my incision was able to be made centrally, across the nipple (no nipple now...just the scar). It's maybe two to three inches long? I'm a small C cup...don't know how they got all the breast tissue out through that but they did. Glad I didn't have to watch!
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Fortunate1, I'm glad you had a good visit. Your revision will be a new implant?
I checked back at the life cell site. I definitely looked at too much today and need a break from this! It seemed to me that a cut muscle stitched with AlloDerm as an extension would not be as strong as a stretched muscle. What do I know? Sorry if I scarred all the one steps out there.
I hope for us that AlloDerm is all that it is supposed to be. I'm angry at myself for not knowing more; and at my doctors for not being straight with me. I asked questions, but I did not get answers. I should have know better. I'm obviously not having a good day.
After bmx my breasts were firm and up much higher then they are now. They were fine where they were, but they had no droop. They drooped and drooped some more. The AlloDerm had to give some...like the skin on my old breasts, so I'm thinking... that I don't know what to think. One thing is for sure, I will not get any answers from my drs.
7:05 PM cold and raining. DH just came home with Chinese food.
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Wow, where to start? You all were busy yesterday! I would agree with all of the above information about surgery and add this: After surgery, in the hospital and when you are home, be sure to do deep breathing exercises for the first few days so that you don't get a lung infection. I began to get a fever after about 24 hours and my sister had me walk around a bit and sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Oklahoma" a few times a day. It worked wonders and was fun.
I would buy two or three front closure bras. You can find some inexpensive ones at Walmart or K-mart. The brand is Bestform (Walmart) or Hanes (K-Mart). They are cotton and spandex. All of the bras that were given to me post surgery at the hospital or PS's office were too small in the band size. Depending on your band size, this may not be an issue for you, but it was a problem for me and really added to my general discomfort. I pinned my drains to the bottom of the bra.
The silicone gel implants come in different profiles, shapes and sizes. My surgeon used "high profile" and yours probably will as well. Round is the most common shape. With the implant under the muscle and with no remaining breast tissue, the high profile will give you more projection. The lower profiles are for breast augmentation and would be too flat for breast reconstruction. Your surgeon probably has a favorite brand, mine used Natrelle and had a display case in the examining room.
During surgery, the pectoral muscle is lifted along the bottom horizontal edge and the implant is inserted. It is also necessary to release the pectoral muscle a little at the vertical bottom/center portion to allow a better contour. I was worried about loss of muscle function, but recently found this blog entry which refers to two studies that claim there is no loss of muscle strength long term.
As mentioned earlier, I visited the PS yesterday to discuss the nipple reconstruction. He'll be using a "bow tie" local flap procedure. It will be done under "local" and he'll take care of the tattooing at a later date. I get to pick the color from a chart. Speaking of color, I used some lipstick last night to get a preview of coming attractions...and it stained! I look like I have 3D tattoed areolas! Funny. It was one of those long lasting, "won't kiss off", apply-with-a-sponge-tip-applicator type products from Covergirl. Cheap stuff, I didn't like the color when I wore it, but it looks surprsingly authentic as an aorela!
I talked to my PS about the pins and needles sensations. If they don't dissipate in about 3 more weeks, he wants me to see a neurologist.
Meg9, I think Fortunate1 has given good info about the Alloderm hammock, etc. I know I did lots of research and asked lots of questions before my surgery, but in hindsight, I've worried that I didn't do enough. However, I realize we can only give it limited effort and ultimately have to trust our surgeons and doctors. I hope you aren't too angry with yourself. We can't be perfectly informed about anything in life. BC is complicated enough without requiring that we be experts on the reconstruction phase too. I hope you have a better day today. HUGS!
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Fortunate1, you seem satisfied with your apptment with the PS. I'm wondering if the implant he's waiting for isn't the same implant my PS mentioned in such glowing terms as much better than anything on the US market now. A more "cohesive" cohesive gel. It has already been used in other countries for augmentation patients. He said it's expensive and he wasn't sure the insurance co's would want to pay for it for reconstruction.
Why would the anatomical shape look more "anatomical" if it's behind a flat-shaped muscle? Wouldn't there still be a flat spot on the front? Hmmm....
Since my primary is Medicare, I'd probably better take care of "revisions" before a new national health policy goes into effect with big cuts to Medicare. Our secondary is full insurance, not a gap, so if the situation gets too bad, we can drop Medicare and go with the federal BC/BS as our primary.
Haven't been outside yet but today and tomorrow are supposed to be much less humid. Tonight the forecast is for 50's! We may be opening a bedroom window that's been tightly closed for months! But then the humidity comes back on Fri. along with more rain. Apparently we're in an El Nino pattern, which explains having so much rainy weather.
If the driving range is open, I plan to go over and hit some balls later and practice putting, too. Tomorrow I have a tee time, and a kind friend is playing with me. Once I get back to playing better, I'll start signing up for Ladies Golf events on Wed. It's a silly game, just like tennis, but addictive, and I love being outside. Both sports also involve exercise.
My next apptment with the PS is 10/28. I'm compiling a list of questions. I doubt I'll have the right implant repositioned but If I do, it won't be until Jan. I look fine in my clothes wearing a bra, and, believe me, the rest of my body isn't perfect either. I was never a candidate to pose nude for PLAYBOY.
Hope everyone has a happy Monday.
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Carole, The warner bra I have has filling at the nipple area, not at the bottom. No indents and comfortable.
I walked 2.2 miles today in 45 minutes. I also worked out with 5lb weights. My left hand started to tremble. I am still not back to myself and I have not lost the weight I gained, but it's a start.
Okiegal, I took a quick look at the link you posted about muscle strength after surgery. Would breast augmentation and breast reconstruction have the same outcome?
I only recieved my warranty card for my implants at my last PS visit. I asked about it because I heard here that people had an ID card. I recieved a booklet at my first visit explaining the implants and warranty, but nothing else.
My ID card is the sized of a credit card which is stuck onto a bright orange index card that says, "Doctor: The patient should be provided with the Patient ID Card for personal reference." I received it only because I asked about it....4 months later. Grrrr My ID card says: Mentor Smooth Round High Profile Gel. I'm not sure of the size. There is a REF#, LOT# and SN#. That''s it.
In the mail today came a letter from my medical insurance company telling me that my D&C was out of plan. It was not. I did not call them today. I'm tired of dealing with the incompetence.
I'm busy working on a stewardship project for the church. I don't know what I'm doing! The girl who usually does this is going through Chemo now. No one else would step up to help, so I volunteered. It been a lot of work!
Have to go pick up my dog from the groomer. I hope you all had a good day.
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Hi everyone,
Looks like another beautiful early fall day in OK. I'll have to take advantage of it and not spend too much time at the computer.
Meg9 - I'm guessing that augmentation would have less impact than breast reconstruction. I read an scholarly article online about a study that measured pectoral muscle strength changes for implant based mastectomy reconstruction patients. The study measured women who were weight lifters before surgery and after surgery using some sort of instrument or measurements that I don't understand. I can't seem to find the article, but the conclusion was that there is a slight (about 10%, I think) loss in upper body strength. I wasn't regularly doing any upper body strength building exercises before my surgery, so I feel confident that I will be able to build back up to where I was. If I work at it, I'll probably be stronger!
I recieved my I.D. cards in the mail after surgery. Apparently, the nurses forgot to give them to me in the hospital. I initially thought I had to keep them with me at all times, but my BS said not to worry about it. I think it probably has a lot to do with warrenty issues and medical device law/ malpractice issues. A lot of lawyerly stuff. Apparently, each implant has a serial number on it, kind of like your car. So, if, for some reason, you had to have it removed and replaced, the company will know it's yours and not someone elses (implant swapping, theft and fraud are just so common these days....
) More seriously, I guess they could more easily track manufacturing defects, etc. Mine are Allergan 20-550. I looked it up online and they are also high profile. I think that's what is normally used for breast reconstruction.Carole, sounds like you are getting better just in time to enjoy one of the nicer times of year in LA. I also look normal in clothes and realized that if my breasts became as perfect as I want them, they would be out of step with the rest of me!
Good day to all!
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Okiegal, you sound cheerful and happy this morning! Amazing what some delightful fall weather can do for us. I opened doors and windows yesterday and turned off the A/C. It's nice again this morning. I'm playing golf with a friend at 10:00 and am so looking forward to being outside on the golf course.
Yesterday the driving range was closed so I cleaned the master bathroom, its first thorough cleaning since my surgery! I'm able to do almost anything now, mainly because I've gotten over the fear of exercising the pecs. I can even vacuum our carpet, which is much too thick. Made the mistake of letting the dh pick out the carpet when we replaced the old several years ago.
My breasts are not "stable," for want of a better description. Maybe it's the physical exertion of everyday life that affects them. I should probably cease touching them so much! This morning as I lay in bed before getting up, there was gentle rippling along the lower cleavage. But at least I have cleavage now. That's something new! Lying on my back, no less.
Guess it's either Arimidex or HRT deprivation, but I have aches and pains now in the morning. Not debilitating but noticeable.
Meg, hope you figure out what the stewardship program is since you're in charge of it!
Fortunate1, hope your father's caregiver gets back on the job.
A good day to Tracy and I am Ok and everybody else.
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Hello Everyone,
Carole, I was wondering how you were feeling taking the Arimidex. Are aches and pains a side effect? I took HRT for about 30 days 3 years ago. I stopped because I was afraid of cancer!
I read The wisdom of Menopauseby Dr. Christiane Northrup. That is when I decided to avoid sugar...no more chocolate. My hot flashes stopped, but I still had the occasional night sweats. I noticed that I am having night sweats more often now...after BMX. My diet has changed also and not for the better.
You made me laugh when you said you have cleavage lying on your back! I thought the same...I had large droppy breasts that fell flat when I laid on my back. These new breast just stayed straight up. It was a little disturbing...very artificial. They have since loosened up. Now I think they are too far apart and stick out to my sides. I wonder when they will finally stop changing. Another reason why I'll wait for nipple tattoos.
Tracy, You said your scar was 2-3 inches long! I measured mine and my scar is 6 1/2 inches long, horizontally across by breast, right across where my nipple would be.
Okiegal, I do not feel any pectoral strength yet. I can open a window, but I feel a strain to close it. Most of the floors are hardwood and vacuuming is easy, but I do feel a pull. The other day I went shopping and could not pull the hatch down on the jeep. I would think that weight lifting would have made it easier for me to recoperate.
I hope you enjoyed the nice fall day. It is cold and windy here, but really nice. The Dogwood trees have turned color and are starting to lose leaves. We will bring in the patio furniture this weekend.
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Hi everyone, I'm back from Dad's and all is fine. It's a real change in perspective to spend days and nights with him. So sad and so sweet. After a while of jumping around wondering what to do, my life slows down to his pace.
Now I'm back to work and trying to catch up. It seems I never do really catch up anymore. I kind of wish for permission to not try as hard.
The PS visit. I found out a little about my implant, just in passing and not too clear. The conversation wasn't focused on it. I think I heard moderate-plus 300. I know he is concerned about the width I need for my wide chest, but I didn't hear a width number.
He wants to see the new fangled implant and thinks it could eliminate the sunken slightly rippled spot at the upper inner area (2:00 on right side) and get more projection so that it's not the one pointy - one flat look. Carole, I guess with the fullest part of the implant lower, and a tapering top it would be closer to it's real sister even if it does get squished somewhat by the pec. I hope there aren't insurance problems. I've had enough of those. His thought is for me to get my one year checkup, and for him to see if the new implant is better for me. And I wonder if maybe I won't even care by then. Right now I'm hoping for the ability to wear something other than a bra with thick cups, and to also to look better in the nude. Sometimes I think it's very shallow of me, considering that I have been given my life.
Okiegal, that's the stuff - covergirl - that I've been using for my do it yourself nipple. It stays on for days. But I found one that looks good on my lips too. You can undo your nipple with lotion and kleenex and a little scrubbing. The PS was amused to see it though he said he'd put it in a slightly different spot.
I'm looking forward to A long slow California Fall. There was just a hint in the air today. The recent heat has mixed everything up, my apricot tree is so confused that it has put out some leaves and blossoms.
I am OK, it's good to hear that you are at peace with your decisions. You're getting good feedback about preparations.
Good night everyone, from several time zones away.
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I enjoyed today, but I'm very tired. I played the entire 18 holes but was running out of steam on the back 9. Afterwards my friend and I went for a late lunch. In the restaurant I remembered neglecting to take a house key with me! My friend had picked me up so I didn't think to take my keys. Dh started his golf game at noon so I was locked out of the house! Julie and I sat on the patio until he got home. He hadn't answered his cell phone because he hadn't remembered to take it with him!
Swinging the golf club doesn't bother my chest muscles much at all. But the energy level isn't there.
Tomorrow is Thursday, my mother's hair apptment day. She wants to go to Walmart's afterwards which can be a headache. I'll have to park, go inside and get a motorized cart if one is available and drive it out to her. That particular Walmart is always very crowded. She has a handicap parking permit, but all the handicaps shop at Walmart! Good luck at parking in a handicap spot.
We've been watching the Ken Burns documentary on national parks and enjoying the beautiful scenes. We love visiting national parks. Went to three last summer, Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier. Hard to pick a favorite. We've been gearing up our courage for an Alaska rv trip, which would include Denali.
I'll play a few games of Spider solitaire and go to bed early. I won't need to be rocked to sleep!
Hope everyone had a good day.
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Meg9, carolehaston, tracyanne, okiegal, fortunate1,
Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much for positive and informative replies. Yes, now I feel I am prepared for PS appt. I'll keep in mind all advices, they are very, very helpfull.
Good night everyone!
I'll keep you posted.
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I_am_OK, I'm so glad you posted and that our ramblings are helpful. Yes, please come back, join in and keep us updated. I imagine us as a group walking along down the same road together. It's nice to have company...makes it all a little less overwhelming.
Meg9 - No chocolate?....the thought makes me want to cry....
. I have changed my diet recently to a more low glycemic diet. I indulge in ten Ghiradelli chocolate chips for dessert. Other than that, I avoid sugar, feel better and am much happier overall.Fortunate1 and Carole - I'm sure you have both had your moments, but you both sound like wonderful daughters, if not angels. Your parents are blessed. Carole, may the "parking angel" grant you a good parking space and motorized cart!
I found that baby oil was finally able to remove the lipstick stain. It was kind of funny, but it didn't look so good after it was partially washed off. I was relieved that I hadn't tried it before my PS appointment, but now after hearing your experience, Fortunate1, I think it might have added some comedy to the appointment. I wonder how regularly they see lipstick aorelas? My PS is fairly reserved, but he seemed more relaxed at the last meeting now that construction is finished at his office. It would have been funny. Guess there's always another appointment....
Just measured my incision scars and they are almost four inches. I understood that they had to be long enough to avoid corners or "dog ears" at each end.
Our beautiful fall day passed and was overcome by cloudy weather and rain early this AM. It's all good, my sister planted winter vegetables and the seeds need watering. I just hope things don't get too wild. I heard something about possible tornado watches earlier in the week. I'll keep the radio on if necessary.
I have the unexpected opportunity to take a trip. My brother had two free airline tickets that needed to be used and my sister has a week off, so we are headed to Boston on Saturday. Visiting friends in Los Angeles was the first choice, but it didn't work out. Of course, the fall leaves should be beautiful and the oysters will be fabulous, so no complaints from me. I'll check in tomorrow, but will be out until next Friday or Saturday.
Hope you all are having good days in all the time zones.
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