One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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wow, sitting here reading all ur wonderful responses..thank u again..it is heart warming..wish i knew abt this grp when i 1rst started to go for mamos & biopisies & stuff...
ok silly questions here!!
1- what is nipple sparing ? If i even have it right..
2- if they remove ur breasts & do a 1 step implant & sutures r in the inside except for the rains, why do u have scars?
3- can u go home with this pump t help keep u numb?
4-when u got the 1 step implants did it hurt or just sore & for how long?
i know everyones answer will b different & thats fine w/ me. Been down similar roads b4..when i had the reduction, i did not know wHAT TO EXPECT..NOW I AM PREPARED.
gOT MY SURGERY DATE YESTERDAY Dec 15..so i have more time to research & i c the ps at the end of NOV & have been talking to the BS & she does e-mail which is wonderful. I have an appt w/ her after my MRI begining of Dec. So by that time i'll have all the questions ready..LOL
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Soshi
I had a college friend whose nickname was Soshi.
1- Nipple sparring is surgery that leaves your nipples intact. To qualify there cannot be any bc cells found near the nipple, they have some pre-established parameters for how close is to close. I had this kind of surgery..
2- There are scars because the skin has been opened and then rejoined with sutures, the scar tissue is the tissue that the body forms to repair the incision, some people scar better than others, some scars thicken some keloid.
3- You go home with pills, the only people I have ever heard of with a morph pump have been hospice patients. You want to get off the morphine as soon as practical,
4-The mastectomy hurt, I had one step and had all the aches and pains of the mast and the expansion pains from my implants which were the cohesive gummy bear implants. The bad pain ended after a few days, the drains hurt till they were out, after that it was mostly soreness and stiffness, you have to be diligent with the range of motion exercises. I was at my office a few
Hope this helps
Wendy
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Hi, Shoshi. "Nipple sparing" means the nipple is not removed. At the time of surgery, tissue behind the nipple is removed and sent to pathology for analysis. If any cancer cells are found in that tissue, the nipple would have to be removed in a later procedure. So I have my natural nipples. The left one looks very normal and acts normal in response to stimulus. The right nipple went through more trauma but is looking better as time goes on. Nipple-sparing MX is fairly new.
You have scars because the surgeon has to make an incision to remove the breast tissue and place the implant behind the chest muscles. Once the incision heals it looks like a pink line and gets lighter as time goes on. One MX procedure involves a circular incision around the aureole. The nipple and aureole are removed and the surgeon does his work through this opening. This wasn't the procedure I had so I didn't do any research about it.
I went home with the On-Q pump. The numbing liquid lasted 4 days. Then I had it removed when I went for an apptment at the dr's office. My PS has his own method for making the On-Q pump the most effective. I was told NOT to leave the drains open all the time. I kept them closed for 4 hrs and open for 1 hr. If they're left open, you're draining the numbing agent. That was my dr's reasoning and I think he's probably right. Because the pump worked very well for me. I did not use the prescription painkiller except for days 2 and 3 after surgery.
My insurance did not pay for the On-Q pump. I had to pay $500 because I had both breasts removed. I think it's $300 for one breast. My PS buys the pumps himself and charges only what they cost him. A hospital or surgery center might charge more. He strongly believes in using them. He doesn't want his patients to feel any pain.
I felt some pain the 1st week when I had to raise my body and get out of bed or get back into bed. I learned that holding a soft little pillow against my chest helped to make these motions less painful. Lying still in bed I didn't feel pain. Mostly I felt extreme soreness. I also felt extreme fatigue, but I am older than the other ladies in this group. I'm 66 yrs old. Most of you are much younger and your bodies should rebound faster. However, I have been athletic my whole life and was in pretty good condition when bc caught up with me.
I didn't keep a written record, but I'm sure I had some soreness for at least a month after the surgery. I was careful not to lift heavy objects or strain myself with reaching too high. It has been 3 months for me now and I feel no soreness whatever. I'm back to playing golf and I'm back to lifting weights and there's no soreness in my chest when I do these activities. I have good range of motion and can raise my arms straight upward.
You didn't ask about sleeping position, but I was instructed to sleep on my back the 1st 8 weeks. It's very important because of the use of the Alloderm. For several weeks I slept with my upper body propped up on a foam wedge and pillows. This makes it easier to raise up when you get out of bed. I had a pillow under my knees to protect my back and a pillow under each arm. Gradually I started sleeping less propped up until I was comfortable lying flat with just one pillow under my head.
I believe you have to keep a balance between pushing yourself toward recovery and yet not hurting yourself by doing too much. It's a very individual balance that only you can work out for yourself.
My PS has a big album of before and after photos of his patients. No faces, of course! When I go for my apptmt next week, I'm going to ask him whether I've made the cut for the photo album! I feel very comfortable joking with him.
Feel free to keep asking questions!
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I_am_Ok, this morning when dh and I were walking, he reminded me of a lovely walking path we discovered last summer in Redding, CA. We just stayed one night at an rv park in Redding because we were on our way to Vista. Enroute to the rv park, we saw people on a walking path so the next morning before departing, we drove our tow truck to a parking place beside the path and walked a portion of it. It had beautiful natural plants and trees and was out of sight of the nearby highway. I imagine that your walking and hiking trails might be similar. If so, you are indeed lucky.
I arose to the occasion at the Oyster Fest last night and pigged out. Also drank more than I should have. But the food was delicious and the company was fun. There were nine of us.
This morning I was cooking oatmeal with dried cranberries for breakfast, reached for a bottle of cinnamon and spinkled some into the mixture. Noticed later that it wasn't cinnamon, but chili powder! Very interesting taste.
Tonight we're invited to dinner at another couple's house. So two nights in a row without having to cook dinner. Whoopee! We normally don't socialize much so this may do us for a month.
Guess I'd better do something productive.
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Shoshi, I also went home with the On-Q numbing pump...had it for five days. I think the name is misleading...to me, "on cue" implies that the patient can give the cue to release more of the numbing agent. However, it just seems to work by itself once the doctor sets the level of medicine to be delivered.
In the hospital, around 3 a.m. about ten hours after surgery, a nurse told me I couldn't have pain medicine stronger than Darvocet because anything stronger would have a negative interaction with the "pain pump." Well, she was wrong...maybe she thought it was a morphine pump? I had a very bad four hours until my PS arrived at 7:00. He prescribed hydrocodone and soma ( a muscle relaxer) to take along with the numbing pump.
It was my BS that prescribed only the Darovocet plus numbing pump...I think he didn't realize all that the alloderm one-step involved. His part, the removal of breast tissue, didn't involve cutting muscle, but the PS's part did indeed involve the cutting of muscle. I encourage you to talk with your surgeons beforehand about what their plans are for pain management.
Managing the On-Q pump at home is pretty easy. Mine came with a little canvas bag that had a handle to grab (the thing feels surprisingly heavy at first but lightens as the medicine is dispensed). I just carried it around with me as I moved about the house.
About three and a half weeks after mastectomy, I saw a physical therapist who helped with range of motion. Made such a dramatic and immediate difference...whatever she did hurt at the time (pushing and pressing to release the pectoral muscle up toward the underarm) but it was very worth it to me.
Like Fortunate 1, I wear a bra now for symmetry. The recon breast is fuller at the top than the natural breast, but in general size and shape I am happy with the result. When the natural breast is surgically lifted at the time of nipple construction on the alloderm breast, I think it will be a very good match.
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Tracy, I was only in the hospital overnight after an early-morning surgery, but I had a morphine pump in addition to the On-Q that had been placed during the surgery. Nobody said anything about the morphine pump interfering with the On-Q. I didn't use the morphine pump as often as I could have because of some mental confusion. Nobody explained that the pump is regulated so that you can't overdose yourself. My mind wasn't exactly clear!
My On-Q pump was in a little bag with a long strap that I could slip over my head. As you said, it got lighter each day. My two drain bulbs were in little pouches on a belt around my waist with velcrox fastener. It was all well-thought-out for convenience, but I was so happy to be free of all the tubes.
I would probably still like to see a PT familiar with implant reconstruction. I may ask about that next week at my apptment with the PS. I'd like to know what exercises are effective for strengthening the pec muscles without wreaking havoc with implant placement.
Today I have a golf game at noon, and it's a gorgeous day for being outdoors.
Happy Sunday to all.
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Shoshi, with nipple-sparing, you also need to be prepared for the possibility that abnormal cells will be discovered by pathology after the surgery is completed. This would require additional surgery to remove one or possibly both nipples within a few days of the first surgery. I know of a couple of women to whom this has happened recently.
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Hi everyone.
I had a lovely day. We had mild, sweater weather today and I took a long walk in a very nice area then I napped which is the ultimate luxury for me. I made hummus, vegetable soup, apple salad and a sour cream coffee cake. I vaccuumed the sofa bed thoroughly. This project will take a while. I'll need to have the cushions cleaned too. It's a comfortable piece. I am looking forward to the day that it is functional for me. Carole, I've always dreamed of renovating an old house. How satisfying to live in a place that you created yourself. I am impressed that your dh is skilled enough to do the cabinets and wood work. I bet it's beautiful.
I like my nipples quite a bit. I'm so glad. The skin gets a little smoother there all the time. I am not sure what kind of flap he used. I'm not knowledgable about that. I've had quite a bit of stiffness and numbness especially on the axillary dissection side, but I worked a lot of that tension out today when I stretched after my walk. I love these days when I can just take care of myself. It feels wonderful.
This apartment has a really great dish washer. I would not have done so much cooking at once if I had to wash all those dishes. I think I ran it three times today but everything is clean and put away. Ah, the comforts of home.
Shoshi, I'm excited that you set a date. I'll PS you and can send pictures of my recon. For some reason my scars have always been very uneven, one is up much higher than the other but I do not think that's typical. I really have no concerns about anybody seeing my breast. I was telling a friend recently that I don't feel that they really are mine. If someone sees them I feel they are seeing the doctor's good work, not really my body. That will probably change over time. Even today looking in these great mirrors that are another benefit of my cute little place, it has five huge mirrors, I noticed my proportions looking OK. I think if I get in shape I'll be a fox. Ha ha ha!! My PS told me I was a fox. I bet he says that to all his reconstruction patients! I have no idea how the font got to be so enormous just now. I do not see an icon for font size. I must have a hit a key by accident.
Meg, your nearby orchard sounds marvelous. Is the foliage at peak where you are now? Our winter weather comes about 3 or 4 weeks after yours. I sometimes want to head back home just to take a long autumn drive. I am an apple fanatic. I hope you get a dry day to head out there soon.
Hi to Tracyanne, I am OK, Okiegal and anyone else that I may have forgotten. I hope everyone has a peaceful, restful night and a lovely start of the week.
Year
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Hi to you too Fortunate!
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And Hi to you Year...... (((big hug)))). In fact hugs all around. It's great to come back after the weekend and find so much going on.
I'm glad the oyster fest was yummy. I would have been a disaster in the making, with the fried oysters, no restraint at all. This morning on the scale, (having escaped the oysters) I find I have lost another pound. Can five pounds really make a difference? Maybe I'm seeing what I want to see, but I really think I look better. I truly have never lost weight on purpose and am feeling very good about this little thing.
Meg, how was the celebration? Did it go smoothly?
Year, You sound so contented. New place, new projects, new comfort with your reconstruction, new adventures to come.
Okiegal, how are you doing? Are the nipples improving? and the pins and needles?
Bigapple/Wendy and Okiegal(I think), I have a question about the cohesive implants. Do you think they're soft enough to use for a unilateral? During last visit with my PS, he mentioned the possibility of exchanging for a new anatomical cohesive implant to correct the flatness and drop off/divot I have. I have been hoping for a better match. I don't know wether it is a new kind of implant or just newly available to him. But I am wondering if it will be a better shape, but harder and immobile next to a soft natural breast. Also thinking that with my very strong, very jerky pectoralis, would it run the risk of turning in the pocket for some real weirdness? Oddly, with my Ps's willingness to talk about my concerns I am actually coming to terms much more with my asymmetry, and may just live with it. Any thoughts?
Good monday friends.
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Hi everyone,
Shoshi, sounds like you have plenty of information now. I just have to say, the women on these boards are awesome!
I'm off to a slow start today. Think it may be the combination of drugs....and it's Monday. I am taking the Neurontin and I took a little Darvocet this AM. I think I'm doing better and will forego the Darvocet today. I did some vacuuming on Friday and the 'pins and needles' peaked again! Don't understand what this is all about. It doesn't really hurt, but it is stingy and annoying. The antibiotics seem to be helping, but the incision on the left is still very red and the "nipple" area feels bruised. It just so happens that I have a followup appointment with my BS on Wednesday, the day after I finish the current prescription of antibiotics. Maybe she can give me an opinion.
Year of the hat, you sound very up beat, busy and happy (and foxy). Your apartment sound lovely! Three mirrors?!
As to re-modeling...I love HGTV and decorating magazines and to think about it all. I have lots of ideas, but also lots of projects still to do from my sister's rather disasterous re-model. My best advice, don't hire a crooked contractor! She had to hire a lawyer, etc. It turned into a real nightmare and we learned how to do a lot of stuff just to get moved in. But thank God for honest talented people that pulled us out of that tough spot. I just noticed a new crack today in the new kitchen's new tile floor (that cost too much).
Maybe I won't tell my sister.Fortunate1, I have the Allegan Natrelle silicone implants and I'm very happy with their softness. They aren't as soft as the real ones, but I was starting to feel like they were soft enough before my nipple reconstruction. The reconstruction kind of tightened things up again. With my recent complications, I am wishing I had left well enough alone.
Carole, the oysterfest sounds fantastic! I'm trying to follow WW again, starting today.
I AM OK, how are you doing?
Hope everyone else had a good weekend!
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Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to report back since it has been awhile. Everyone helped me at a time that I needed info. Decisions are so difficult and sites like these are just wonderful. How did women cope and make decisions prior to the internet? Maybe they weren't given options.
Well, I did have my bilateral mastectomy on 9/30, with no reconstruction. I just kept going back to one of the top plastic surgeons in my area who was not comfortable and felt I had too many red flag health issues. It has been almost a month and I have had a very difficult time recovering from the surgery. Along with bad muscle spasms it often feels like a rope is bound around my chest and at times it feels like barbed wire. I also had a horrible time getting docs to manage my pain. It wasn't until recently, after seeing my personal internist that the 8 on the pain scale has come down to between 3-6. Finally! Am now seeing a lymphadema/physical therapist who had also helped a lot.
Now my next big decision which I have to make within the next two weeks is about treatment. Again, another mixed bag of Muck.
Well I hope everyone here is doing well and I again want to send love and thanks to everyone!
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what is ps? thank u all 4 all ur info. it has been very helpful.
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one more thing my ps said that w/ allorderm u have 2 get silicone. did all of u that got the 1 step get silicone
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Hi Fortunate1
To be fair, i don't like my gummies. My non-rads side looks great the shape is awesome, but I hate the density, I feel like I am wearing one of those super padded victoria secret bras. When I hug someone I am very aware of how hard they feel. On my rads side, it looks weird naked, with clothes it looks fine, but the implant definitely sits odd on that side.
Hi Shoshi
P/S is plastic surgeon
B/S is breast surgeon
I had cohesive silicon gel implants. I had not heard anything about one step only being available with silicone, but I was only interested in silicone so I never had the conversation with my P/S about it being available for saline.
Wendy
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Yes from me. I got silicone. It has a more realistic feel and my PS said that there are no problems with leakage, that implants have been improved.
Melody, I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain, and glad that there is belated improvement. Are your red flag health issues complicating your treatment choices as well? It really is a big bag of muck to make treatment decisions. Good luck, and bounce your dilemma off us if you want to.
Okiegal, forgive my ignorance, is Allergan Natrelle the semi-cohesive anatomical? PS waved off the question of 'gummy bears', but did say that the implant he is proposing is soft. I really have to ask more of these specific questions of my PS. I sure know what you mean about leaving well enough alone. I don't know yet, but I just might be doing that. Lots of questions. I want improvement, but am afraid of unintended consequences. Where's a magic wand when you need one?
All the images in my mind of nippy weather and apple harvest, very nice. I pick all my apples in the summer, and today it is almost hot again.
Good evening all. I hope everyone is well.
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Shoshi - I don't remember being told that I had to have silicone with AlloDerm but that may be the case. I do have silicone implants. I agree with Tracyanne that talking about pain medications up front is important. I found that morphine made me throw up endlessly and hydrocodone kept me awake after a couple of days. They all make you constipated, as I am sure you know from past surgeries. Make sure you have some Mile of Magnesia at home.
okiegal, I'm glad you'll be going to your BS this week. Hopefully, she will have some helpful insights for you and can at least tell you if there's cause for concern. Oh, I'm such a pill popper. Don't know what I'd do without them. I have a few Hydrocodone left over from my surgery last month. I've been taking them when my residual chemo pain crops up. My legs are still wobbly from the walk I took yesterday. I have pins and needles too which is really bad when I sew. I thinks that's also left over nerve damage from chemo but it seems to be improving.
Carole, you are in seafood heaven. It's hard to get that fresh where I live and an oyster fest sounds incredible. I'm drooling. I am giggling uncontrolably at your little chili power incident. I'm sure that is an interesting new flavor. I've never had oatmeal that bit back.
Fortunate, congratulations on your weight loss. I think it's great that you are making those strides and that it gives you are enjoying your sense of accomplishment. You look lovely in your photo.
Dear Melody, you are in a tender and tricky place right now, being under pressure to gather information and make decisions while you are recovering from surgery. Right after my bilateral I felt like there was an iron bar pressing across my chest. It was painful but more so uncomfortable, a smothering sensation almost. I still feel tightness through that area but the pressing bar sensation is gone. I'm glad you are finally getting some relief from your pain. Take good care!! I'll pass around the ((big hug)) from Fortunate.
Meg, what kind of wall paper projects have you done?
Traceyanne - It's interesting to read about your mx recovery. I have seen lots of photos of unilateral mx that end up very symmetrical. I would think a lot can be accomplished with revision.
I don't feel like doing much of anyting tonight. I think I'll turn in early. I just wanted to say hi to my friends. Pleasant dreams.
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Year, I'll bet you are a fox!!!
Hi to everyone. Hope you have a restful night.
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Hello Everyone,
Thank you all so much for sharing good news about my biopsy report. It was extremely important for me to get a good one because for tumor I had there are no chemo, radiation or hormone treatments available.
okeigal, thanks for concern. I am doing pretty well, walking, light cooking, light ironing, light shopping, driving if necessary. I was hopping to remove my drain today, but need to wait till tomorrow.
Shoshi, I had a choise between silicon and saline. My PS said that silicon has a more natural feel and appearance, and now the only cohesive gel is approved (that means no leakage). But if for some reason you prefer saline you can get it.
Also I had a circular incision around the aureole that Carole mentioned about. Then my PS stitched it up from bottom to top, so I have a vertical scar.
Good Night All!
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Good morning all!
Looks like you are all night owls and here I am...all alone...in my robe with disheveled hair and the sun coming up! Guess I have this topic all to myself!
Melody55, thanks for updating us. How difficult your journey has been over these last few weeks. I'm glad to hear that your pain is beginning to be addressed. It sounds like you made the right decision and eventhough you aren't an "Alloderm girl", please feel free to join us!
BigApple09, welcome to you too! Your picture is very nice. I've struggled with taking one that looks half way decent. I hate my camera, it's lense really distorts things. And then there's always lighting issues, etc. Maybe I'll post something anyway. I get confused, what's the difference between "gummies" and silicone? I've heard complaints from others about their "gummies" being too firm. Is it a difference between manufacturers? Or type? and while I'm on the topic, I too understand that you can have Saline or Silicone with Alloderm and that Saline feels firmer. And to Fortunate1, my PS also dismissed "gummies". I'm confused with what the technical term is for my implants. I just know that I have the Allergan 'Natrelle". You can read about them on their website. They are always on display at the PS's office.
Carole, your oatmeal recipe sounds... potentially interesting. I have some Mayan chocolates that have chili pepper added. You never know what a little chili will do...plus some cinnamon and sugar...who knows? Maybe I'll try it someday!?!
Meg9, I'm an expert at taking wall paper down, but have never tried putting it up.
Glad to hear you are doing well, I AM OK.
Fortunate1, congrats on your weightloss. I dreamt last night that I ran a marathon, among other things. Maybe that's an invitation to a walk this AM. Good idea, the leaves are lovely and the sun looks like it may shine for a bit.
Hi to Year and TracyAnne and everyone else. Have a good day everyone!
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It rained overnight. The view through the windows would suggest that the outdoors has a greenhouse atmosphere. I think I'll go for a walk anyway. Yesterday I exercised in the morning, 3-mi. walk and weight workout, then shopped in the afternoon. Said I would do housework today but am waffling on that resolve. May check out several stores I didn't get to yesterday.
Hi to everyone and hope you all have a good Tues.
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Hi everyone.
Carole, I hope you enjoy your day, whatever you decide to do.
We have a marginally interesting drama unfolding at work today with a difficult client. It has peaked all our interests and the outcome is uncertain at this point.
My cat couldn't keep his new food down this morning so I sauteed him some chicken breast in olive oil. I wish I could be my cat. He has a pretty good life.
See you all later. Have a great day.
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Hi Everyone,
Year, It sounds like your making a comfortable home for yourself. Don't give up on that sofa bed! I'm sure you will make it beautiful again. You have come a long way to be where you are and you should be really proud of yourself. Foxy!
Strange, but I don't feel like these breasts are mine either. I'm still getting used to them. Yesterday at work a woman and I were trying to figure out how to work a word processor that someone brought in to replace a typewriter that no longer works. When I reached over to plug in the processor, my breast hit the keyboard and it started typing. Everyone laughed. I didn't even feel it with the padded bra I have to wear. It was a little embarrassing. That's Life.
Fortunate1, I have Mentor high profile silicone gel implants. They were the newest ones Mentor offers. I do not think they are soft like my natural breast. They are not round on me, but I think that's because of the one-step. Where my cleavage is...it looks like an upside down V.
I am OK, Glad to hear you are doing well. I moved like a slug until my drains came out! I don't know how you do it all!
Melody, Sorry you have been experiencing so much pain. For a long time after my bmx I felt a pressure across my chest...I would describe it as an elephant standing on me...or a super tight bra squeezing me. I also felt like I had bad sunburn across the top part of my chest.
I think you make the correct decision about reconstruction. I don't think reconstruction is for everyone for many different reasons. I know of five woman at my church and school (two had bmx, three had umx) who did not choose reconstruction. To me they are all beautiful. I never knew about their mx until they approached me when I was dx. We are so much more then our breasts and I can think of many things worst then having a mx without reconstruction. I hope you will soon be pain free...be happy for everything else good. Keep your glass half full!
Okiegal, I'll say a little prayer for you and those nipples of yours! Good luck with you BS appointment tomorrow.
I too watch too much HGTV! I find it relaxing...no drama! I love doing home improvement projects around the house. I have wallpapered my kitchen, three bathrooms, living room, dining room and master bedroom. The family room ceiling is high to consider and wouldn't look good. The good think about wallpaper is that you can wash it easily and not have to paint so often. Because I do it myself it is no big deal if I tire of it...I just remove it and do it again. I have also build cornices covered in fabric to match drapes.
The luncheon on Sunday went well. Good food and good company. I think everyone had a good time. I was tired! I was asked on Sunday if I would plan another luncheon for Dec 6 when our new pastor will be installed. Of course I will!
Just kidding..it will be fun.I hope everyone else is doing well and has a good day. It is raining today.
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Wow, did I ever sleep in this morning. It's after eight. I guess I must have needed it. I think I should take a walk this morning too, as the sun is not shining and there is a nice breeze.
Thank you Okiegal and Wendy for your feedback on implants. I have a lot to figure out. I would sure like my foob to be a more natural shape, right there next to the real thing. But, it is almost right, very soft, I can just avoid lower necklines.... and get over it. Oh well, I am the queen of indecision. I will look up Allergan.
Once again I realize how fortunate I have been in this whole thing. Not much pain, just a very few pins and needles, strong enough to work right away, no rads, no chemo. So very lucky. Yet another hug for you that are still in pain.
Meg, I'm glad your reception went well. The celebration for the new pastor will be a cinch, as I bet everyone will be bringing food. That's a funny story about the typing breast.
Year and Meg, I know what you mean about the new breast not being yours. At first I sort of thought of it as a project, maybe the PS's project. I didn't feel self conscious at all about showing it. It is now much closer to being mine, my own new breast. But I think I would still show it to almost any woman. Women need to know about this. You all, well yes, in a nanosecond. We just need to get together in Year's apartment with the three mirrors.
I think we are an amazing group. Very handy. Women with power tools and 'can do' skills.
Back later, gotta take that walk.
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Everyone must have been busy today. Catch you all tomorrow morning. Work is done - time for a late night dinner and bed.
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Foggy this morning. Should be clear by the time I head out the driveway at 9:45 am. We switched my mother's hair apptment to today because of the weather forecast. This is turning out to be one of our wettest Octobers.
My PCP's nurse called yesterday with the report on my bloodwork. Thyroid function is good, Vitamin D level is normal, total cholesterol is high but HDL is good and ratio between HDL and LDL is within normal range. So..... Weight gain is either a SE of Arimidex or a SE of too many calories or some combination. I can tell I'm retaining fluid because my fingers are big in the morning. Often I don't wear my wedding ring because it's too tight.
I'll do some review research on lowering cholesterol without medication. Apparently my PCP isn't prescribing a statin since there was no mention of coming back in to discuss it.
Appointment with PS this afternoon at 3:30. Probably the last checkup unless I opt for replacing the right implant.
Hope everyone has a happy Wednesday.
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Hello Everyone,
Carole, Good luck with your appointment today. I have gained another pound and I'm going back to WW on Saturday. I know my weight gain (5 ½lbs) is from eating more and not sticking to the exercise routine I had before bmx. I feel lazy....I eat whatever is in front of me! I never did that before. I think going back to WW may help me to be more disciplined and shed these 5 ½ lbs before it get worse!
Last night, while sleeping, I felt my chest muscles tightening. I don't know if this feeling is ever going to go away. It's been 5 months since bmx. Seems so trivial to complain about this, but CC keeps coming to my mind.
It's raining again. I need to catch up on some laundry and cleaning, but....I feel lazy!
I hope everyone has a good day.
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I just got a call from my ps offioce & they said they use Mentor not Allerderm. Does anyone here know of this?
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HI everyone!
Meg9, you have had me laughing!!!! And think of the things we could get away with! "Oops! My breast must have selected a new TV channel" or "Wow, I didn't remember buying these shoes online. Could it have been my breast again?" Just don't let it dial '911' accidentatlly! Finally, you may have noticed....one of my new nipples uploaded an "avatar" for me! Enough of that. Just being silly!
Visited my BS this a.m. She's happy with the way things look and not worried about the infection. It seems to be responding to the antibiotics. I'll keep a close watch. I told her about my "tingling"/pins and needles and she didn't have any idea what would cause them. She mentioned a show on the Discovery channel that tries to diagnose weird things. Maybe I can give them a call if this continues. Maybe the Neurontin will kick in in a couple of weeks. She wondered if my body was trying to reject the implants, but didn't really emphasis that. She said she would discuss it with my PS and also bring it up at the tumor board meeting tonight. Guess I'll wait some more. I have an appointment with a new primary care doctor tomorrow. I will request a full thyroid workup. Maybe it's something like that?
Carole, why are you considering having the right implant replaced? I don't remember any problems. Meg9, my concern is also capsular contracture. Apparently it's graded on a scale and they only do something about it after it gets to a certain point. At least that's my limited understanding. Let's hope for the best.
I'm trying to start again on WW, but not very enthusiastic. I'll cook a healthy dinner and try to avoid dessert because I already ate chocolate at lunch.
Fortunate1, now that I'm feeling better, I'm begining to appreciate the new nipples. Even if they are uneven. My sister said it helps make things look more normal. It feels more normal too. I also don't feel that self conscious and would show my PS's work to anyone who wants to see it.My sister-in-law has already mentioned that she would like to see. I'll wait until after I have my tattoos done and then be happy to show them off. I see it as somewhat of an educational, public service opportunity.
Shoshi - Mentor is a company that manufacturs implants. Alloderm is an "acellular dermal matrix" ( human tissue that is treated to remove all genetic information). It is used internally as a tissue graft in the "one step" procedure.
Later!
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Hello okiegal, your breast chose a good avatar. What a nice picture. I hope the tumor board has an answer about the pins and needles. It sounds like the right place, a meeting of a bunch of experts. I'm still hoping that it resolves into you having more normal sensation.
I've been grocery shopping this morning, taking up way too much of my studio time. Deadlines loom. But DH wants chicken with a tamarind marinade, and I'm going to do it for him. Have you ever worked with tamarind pods? They are a sticky bother and I couldn't find it in a jar.
I'll check back later for sure. Maybe for news of Carole's PS appointment, or to find out what Meg's breast did today. I'm all for the shoe buying scenario.
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