One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
Comments
-
ok, can anyone here besides the legal definition of what mentor is...explain the difference between allorderm & mentor implants. Does anyone have a preference & why?
BTW, i love reading everyone's posts..they r very sweet & funny!!!
0 -
Hi Shoshi,
Mentor makes Mentor brand implants. http://www.mentorcorp.com/breastsurgery/reconstruction/breast-implants.htm
AlloDerm is not an implant. It is a skin tissue product that is used in reconstruction to support and cover an implant. It is made by LifeCell. www.lifecell.com
Hope this helps clarify for you. Try the websites.
0 -
hi fortunate, i went to Mentor website & i didnt get much info. I'd like to understand what the difference is & what r the benefits of one vs the other. i'll c if the site ur suggested is any dofferentt hen what i saw.
Thanks!!
0 -
Hi Shoshi,
I don't think you're understanding. AlloDerm is not an silicone breast implant. It is not used on it's own in breast reconstruction, but as a support for an implant. So it is not a matter of one vs the other. They serve two different purposes. I'll try to find a website that is more descriptive.
0 -
hi fortunate...thx again ur so patient & helpful, i went on so many websites already my brain is fried..LOL but the funny thing is the ps who did my reduction who moved away from my area has his own website & posted pix of women after the reconstruction...wow..he is good...LOL but he is to far away....i hope this ps is as good. His office staff is ok..he was very nice when i met him . i have an appt the end of Nov w/ him, but starting to think i should push it up b/c i have questions, & this way it give some more time to research...i wish i was more prepared back when i had my reduction as i will be now
0 -
Here's one more to try. http://www.breastreconstructionmatters.com/ I'm looking for a site that had an illustration of the AlloDerm sling in position supporting the silicone implant, but I can't find it. It was so clear. Sorry
0 -
Just to make it more confusing, Allergan makes Naturelle implants (Mentor's competitor). Easy to confuse with Alloderm!
0 -
Good point DRT. I think you may have clarified things! I think surgeons choose a product or brand they like and then work with a representative for that brand. I imagine that both Mentor and Allergan offer very similar products for breast reconstruction.
0 -
I think you are exactly right. Both products have fine reputations and it just depends which one the surgeon has the most experience and expertise. (and has large arrays of demos and samples in his office to show you!) I know my PS had a huge cupboard of many sizes of Allergan products, saline, silicone and TE. Most docs would likely find it very impractical have multiple brands in their office. But what you really want, is the product with which YOUR surgeon has had good experiences.
0 -
Here's the report on my PS apptment. The left implant is drifting a little left, observed Dr. C. That's why I have a little dent or divot along the cleavage which disappears if the breast is cupped on the outside and pushed a little inward. The right implant isn't drifting but he would like to see it repositioned a little lower. We'll wait another 3 mos. and see how things have "settled." He thinks I should have larger implants. In truth, I don't think Dr. C is drumming up business. He just gets totally imvolved in his surgery "projects."
Here's the message I'm getting. The notion that the 1-step accomplishes a totally satisfactory reconstruction is hoping for a bit too much. To get a really good result, some revision procedures are often necessary. I think it would be more honest to tell women this up front.
My nurse SIL from Atlanta is visiting and she wanted to see my reconstructed breasts. She has avid interest in all matters medical. I bared my chest for her today, and she was very impressed, not to say amazed that mx and recon had been accomplished with such small incisions, 3 to 3 1/2 in. She thought I looked great. Preening, I went off to see Dr. C. who was somewhat less complimentary!
Year, when you had the revision for larger implants, how did that feel? A lot of pressure and tightness? How long was/is the recovery? I guess you have to limit lifting, etc.?
I'm such a cheapskate, I wouldn't want to have to buy bigger bras and discard all these new ones I've purchased. Still, the thought of going a little bigger is intriguing, I must admit.
Meg, I'm extremely impressed that you hang wallpaper. I've done some research on how to do it and toyed with the idea, but always ended up hiring a professional because it seems so difficult.
Okiegal, I'm so glad you have a picture now! And it's a nice picture. Okay, Meg, now it's your turn!
Hi to Fortunate and Julie and Tracy and I am Ok and Shoshi and everybody else. Hope we all have wonderful dreams tonight.
0 -
The gummies are a cohesive silicone gel implant, all silicone is cohesive in that it sticks to itself, but these implants are more cohesive, they are sort of like those silicone wrist guards that go on computer key boards to keep you from getting tunnel carpel syndrome. They are by inamed, which was taken over by mentor, the style number is mentor 410 implant.
the implant is much firmer then regular silicone gel. I don't like the way they feel at all, and am awaiting an exchange to regular silicone. The shape is great, but there is absolutely no jiggle or give.
0 -
Wow, thanks everyone for the compliments on my picture. Now I'm preening! My camera gives everything a wide angle look which distorts the image. This looks substantially like me, but a little weird. I probably took 50 shots before I was even a little satisfied...Okay, okay, I have a vain, perfectionistic side!
Carol, I also have a divet, just as you described. I didn't know there was a way to fix it. I'm happy enough that I don't want to undergo any corrections for it, but we're all different (the nipples might be another story). It would have been nice to know that "revisions" are part of the normal procedure. I wasn't clear on that. The one-step is sold as the "easy" solution. I guess that's the goal or hope, but I wonder what percentage need some revision whether it's a dog ear or repostioning or something else? It would be nice to know the alternatives in advance. I don't feel like doctors want to tell you anything extra. I think they just like to take it "one step" at a time, possibly to avoid confusing the patient? But, with 20/20 hingsight and as one who likes to think about things and know my options and their consequences, this drives me crazy. Oh well.
BigApple09, thanks for weighing in. Have you decided what brand you will be having them replaced with? I'm pleased with the Allergan Natrelle. My implant card says that mine are catalog # 20-550. Before the nipple reconstruction, I was surprised that it seemed that there was a little "jiggle" starting to happen.
It's raining again today. Looks like chili would be good for dinner tonght.
Hi to all and have a great day.
0 -
Okiegal, you have hit upon the real description of this recon procedure--One Step at a Time. I would love to know the number of women who get a truly satisfactory result the first try. What is the size of your implants? It should be printed on the card. Mine are 457 cc. Dr. C. thinks 500 something (I forget the other numbers) would be better now that the pec muscles are stretched and the pockets are firmed to hold the implants in place.
I asked to see the implant he'd used and one of the two assistants in the room got one from a display cabinet and handed it to me. I asked Dr. C how much it weighed and added that I wondered if my weight gain since surgery was actually the weight of the implants. He chuckled and said that was a good theory.
This morning I turned the A/C back on. It's in the upper 70's and very humid and overcast outside. I said to dh that I'll go for a walk/swim this morning. Cooler air isn't due to arrive here until Sat. So chili isn't an appealing dish for us tonight. Last night we had a healthy "chopped" salad that is a good winter salad when the tomatoes and cucumbers don't have much taste. Cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots chopped in the food processor. Add hand-diced avocado. Dh also chopped red onion to add to his salad. I don't eat raw onion. Dressing is liberal amt. of extra virgin olive oil and a tsp. of your favorite seasoning. We used cajun, Tony Sacherie's. Crunchy and very tasty. Leftovers are good for the next day.
After a walk, breakfast and shower, I'll go check out some stores for long-sleeved golf shirts that it looks like I won't need this winter with all the rain. When the course gets sloppy, I don't play.
Some problems have developed with my mother but too complicated to explain briefly. Not sure how much is mental and how much is physical.
A happy Thurs. to all.
0 -
I'm back from my walk. Sweated off a lb!
Meg, I sent you a PM.
0 -
Hi all. I have cohesive gel implants by Mentor. They are high profile. Bigapple thanks for the input on cohesive gel. I had seen that term but didn't realize what they were.
I know that Carole has said her implants have been soft from the start. Mine are fairly firm. My undertanding is that all women have capsular contracture but that it is staged and that women who heal to a low stage are softest to the touch. I also think mine may be firm because I have thick, heavy muscles.
My oncologist's input was what mademe decide on the one-step. He sees a lot of people going through chemo, of course, and thought that implant reconstruction without tissue-expension was much easier on women. That's all I needed to hear. When I read of complication rates for implant reconstruction, some of the main reason for revision surgery were infection, asymmetry, necrosis and others. I can't remember them all. This was not said to be sepcific to tissue expansion implant procuders, but all implant procedures in general. Having seen that, I wasn't too surprised to be facing a second surgery. I'm still thankful that I did not have tissue expansion while having chemo.
Okiegal, I love your photo. It's wondeful to see a face. My camera is horrible and I do not know how to get a good shot. I hope it's just the camera anyway and that I don't look as bad as my photos!
Here I am on Thursday, not quite running on empty but ready for the weekend. I bought my drill yesterday. I read some on-line reviews before I made my purchase and believe I have a good drill at a good price. I'm selecting all my materials and getting closer to starting my project. I still feel like I am transitioning. It will be nice to have the place just as I want it.
It's rainy here and cool but at least we don't have sleet. It seems a lot regions around the country are getting early snowfall. It's supposed to be mild here for Halloween at least. I am not sure if there will be litle trick-or-treaters at the apartment complex but I am always keen on lovely weekend weather.
I had four inquiries on my old Toyota yesterday. No one has come to see it yet but I'll blame the rain for that.
I am stealing time. I need to get back to work.
I-am_OK, I hope you are feeling better.
Hi to Melody, Meg, tracyanne, Shosi and DRT. Have a great Thursday everyone.
0 -
Correction: I have silicone gel implants - not cohesive. Yes, I could use a nap. My best to everyone.
0 -
Good morning.
Shoshi, if you have any more patience left for me, I think your answer is closer. DRT and okiegal got it. There are basically two implant makers, Mentor and Allergan. That's probably what you're thinking when you say alloderm. If that's so you should probably ask your comparison question over on the Exchange City thread. There's a lot of implant knowledge there.
I never found the illustration that showed the use of alloderm in one-step reconstruction clearly, but try this as an illustration. Put a tennis ball in your hand with your fingers close together. Hold it against your chest with the little finger side touching your chest, as a 'breast'. The tennis ball is the implant. Your hand is the alloderm, adding support.
Bigapple, thanks for the info on the firmness. It's starting to sound like a cohesive would be way too firm on me with a natural breast on the other side. When I see the PS again I'll know what to ask and I'm sure he'll have a sample.
Carole, You had quite a day. It's good that your PS invests so much care in you as a project. No 'good enough' and on to the next.
Okiegal, I'm with you. I kept getting compliments on how well informed I was before surgery. In retrospect I knew nothing. I read up on the procedures in slightly out of date books and struggled through treatment decisions in fear. I wish I had known more. I was lucky to have good doctors.
It has turned (relatively) cold here. Bright , clear, windy, dry. My hands are chapped from sticking them in glaze buckets.
Year, and Meg, and IamOK, tracy, JulieL, all the one-step at a time sisters, have a good day.
0 -
Good Afternoon All,
I have Mentor smooth gel silicon implants, and when I asked my PS if this silicon is cohesive, she said yes, because now the only cohesive gel implants are approved, so I think we all have cohesive gel, and I agree with Bigapple09 that the gummies are just more cohesive and therefore firmer.
I had my drain removed on Tuesday, skiped walks on Monday and Tuesday just in case. So far everything looks good, so I keep walking again. I stopped taking Tylenol yesterday, I felt some pain in my real breast while I was doing massage, but it was bearable.
okiegal, nice avatar and nice to see you!
YearofhteHat, good luck with you project!
Carole, wow, we have 74 during the day and 49 at night, so I turned the heater on in the morning.
Hope all of you have a wonderful day!
0 -
Hello Everyone,
Okiegal, I love your picture.
I was at my PCP at 8:00 am. I have flu symptoms. Actually started on Sunday night. Yesturday, at dinner time it hit me like a ton of bricks. Fever is making all my muscles ache. She gave me antibiotics and something for my sinuses. I've been in bed all day. Going back to bed now.
I hope you all have a good weekend. The sun finally came out this afternoon.
0 -
Hi Meg, I am so sorry you have a flu symptoms. Take care and get well soon!
0 -
I-am-OK - That sounds familiar about all silicone implants being cohesive gel. I am having a brain-tired day and I don't think I can keep anything straight. I am achey too but just from fatigue. It's the sort of day I started having after completing chemo, where it's hard to get out of a chair. That's a new feeling for me.
I'm sorry you feel so sick. Feel better.
0 -
My PS told me the same, that all the silicone implants used in recon. are cohesive gel. The gummy bears are harder. Mine feel like natural breasts, soft and spongy.
Meg, hope you feel better quickly. So many people have come down with the flu. It seems too early in the year.
I_am_Ok, I remember how glad I was to be rid of those drains! I had a hole on each side for quite a while and you can still see and feel where the tube punctured the skin.
Year, good luck with using that new drill and getting started on your project.
Does anyone on this thread take red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol?
Tomorrow dh and I are driving to the state capital, Baton Rouge, to meet some rv friends who are traveling through the state. We'll tour the Capitol building, which neither dh or I have ever done. We tend to go to New Orleans more than to Baton Rouge. We're located between the two cities.
Hope everyone has a wonderful evening.
0 -
So we all have cohesive. Remembering back to my PS's statements, it makes sense. Implants being better, etc. I guess there are semi cohesive and fully cohesive? All the best questions come after the PS appointments.
Oh Yes, IamOK, congratulations on losing those drains! What a relief! At nine months my drain scars are almost invisible. Now you're really going to take off across the hills.
So sorry about the flu, Meg. I have been unsuccessfully trying to chase down a flu shot. It's never been difficult before. Hope none of my students give me a "present". I hope yours is a very short bout and that you feel better quickly.
Have a good time on your trip, Carole. From way over here it sounds very exotic. So does red yeast rice. Totally new to me. The salad makes my mouth water. A good idea for tonight.
Okiegal, your photo makes me smile back at you. Good evening all. Back to work.
0 -
Oy, i cant cut & paste, i cant post more then 5x in a 24 hr period & i cant upload a pix of me this is not turning out to be a very easy board to write on...LOL
OK, Carol, what size r u now & what size do u wanna b? When did u have the 1 step?
Fortunate, i have all the patience in the world for ppl that have patience for me!!! Thank u for explaining all this, the web site w/ how Allorderm works helped me understand, wonder why more dr's dont use it..hmmm.well i guess i'll find out more from my ps when i c him...i 'm ok....when did u have ur recon done? how long were ur drains in? u were able to walk arnd & do stuff w/ them in? When i had my in for my reduction, i couldnt do anything
Meg, i hope u feel better..the flu sucks big time...
now why can i only post 5x in a 24 hr period ? Does this include all the discussion boards or 5x on 1 board? Does this include pm?
now who can explain abt the nipple reconstruction...there is a graft surgery & then a tatoo process?
lets hope i can post now
0 -
Shoshi, I wear a 38B bra. That's about half a cup bigger than I was.
Good luck in your fact-finding. I would be surprised if your PS doesn't use Alloderm.
Happy Friday!
0 -
Good morning everyone! This has been a busy thread!
Carole, if you Google "Implant worksheet (McGhan), you'll find a chart that lists sizes. Apparently, I have "Style 20", which is the highest profile/projection implant and then a "550" volume. The diameter and projection measurements are also given. My PS made measurements at my original consultation in order to assess what size implant to order for surgery. I guess they try out a few sizes during surgery to see what can be safely inserted. I'm sure, now that everything has stretched out, I could get larger if I wanted (and wanted to pay for it!) But I'm pleased, my goal was to be more or less the same and symmetrical. My PS achieved that goal.
I've never heard of red yeast rice....have fun on your trip.
Year of the Hat, my PS said the same thing. He felt that women who went the expander route suffered more. Because I was about a "B" and wasn't likely to need chemo or rads, I was a candidate for the "one-step". Good luck with your projects! Hope your energy picks up.
I am OK, I'm glad you are doing so well. Thanks for updating us. What an encouragement to Shoshi and everyone else reading along with us and facing down an upcoming mastectomy.
Fortunate1, you must be a great teacher. What a masterful description of the use and placement of "Alloderm". Any PS could use that description and save themselve a lot of questions and puzzled expressions.
Meg9, so sorry to hear you are ill. Feel better soon!
Shoshi, who knew there was a limit to allowed posts per day? Are you sure?
I need to stock up on some Halloween candy. We'll have at least a few "trick or treaters"!
0 -
Good morning!
It's clear and cold, definitely Fall and perfect for Halloween tomorrow. Thanks for the compliment Okiegal. I'm touched.
Strange dreams the last few nights and I woke up this morning with the realization that I am starting on a long line of cancerversaries. Oct. 28 is when I went to my PCP and watched her face as she said I should have a mammo and sonogram and they might do this and that and....... there was really no doubt in my mind what was happening. What struck me all over again was the amount of time it took to do everything. It seemed that there was three weeks between every appointment. Starved for information. Official diagnosis/path report not until Dec. and surgery near the end of Jan! No wonder I was going nuts! I wish I had found this site then.
0 -
OK, hellp all, I'm typing this post thru my BB & the screen is small...so excuse any errors!!! So now excuse my ignorance, but when u have a masectomy they remove ur breats & put implants in...what do they cover the implants w/? Is it ur skin? So if this is the case, they cut open ur breast & remove the "inside"?
Thx as always!!0 -
Thanks, Okiegal. I went to that website and located my implant. It's style 15 which is midrange projection. Since yours is full range projection, I would guess you probably have more projection. Hm. Wonder how the surgeon decides on the implant. In my initial consultation with the PS, he asked if I wanted to be bigger. He said he could make me a small C or full B. I think I replied that it would be okay to go a little bigger. He commented on Wed, "You said you didn't want to be big, right?" With so many patients I doubt he really remembers, but he probably wondered why he hadn't made me bigger. I'm a tall, mid-to-big-boned woman and my figure would be better proportioned with larger breasts.
Shoshi, I suggest you go to breastreconstruction.org and do some reading.
Meg, hope you're feeling better.
Fortunate, I'm thinking about all those glazes you dipped into. Do you mix your own?
Our trip to Baton Rouge would have been more fun if the weather had been better. Still it was fun to see our rv friends and also interesting to tour the "new" state capitol bldg. and the old one, too. The latter is now a museum. We had to get out the umbrellas and still got wet in blustery rain as we dashed from the buildings to catch a trolley that took us from here to there. The drive home from BR was horrible. We're not used to having to put up with heavy traffic. Grumble. Grumble.
So odd that the front had come through enough in BR to bring the temp. down to 60 degrees, nice and cool. When we got home, it was still warm, in the 70's! It's only 1 1/2 hrs drive in good traffic. By tomorrow morning it should be cool here.
I'm thankful we got home safely. Home is such a good place.
0 -
Carole, I would imagine that a high profile would be less flat, not necessarily bigger, but I'm not 100% sure. I also told my PS that I wouldn't mind being a bit bigger. It's hard to tell if I am. He was able to give me the same general diameter, but of course, the shape is different. I'm satisfied, except that I can't find a bra that fits well. For now, I'm wearing the stretchy Walmart cotton bras. They make me look flatter (so much for the higher profile!) Everyone says I look the same (dressed) as always. I guess that's a good thing.
Happy Halloween everyone!
0
