One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Hi everyone,
Meg9, I agree, it sounds like you are at the center of everything at your lovely church! What a wonderful solution of combining the old cross with the new. I used to attend a church that was built about 100 years ago....can't beat that stained glass!
I met with a new internist on Wed. She is ordering a bunch of blood tests for general purposes. I'm fasting this AM and will go "donate" blood in about an hour. Looking at a past blood test, she noted that I am "slightly anemic". I'm wondering about my thyroid, as well, but I'll find out soon enough. Maybe everything combined is causing my odd symtoms. After talking to the BS, PS and internist about the tingling (and continued swelling under the SNB arm) no one has anything concrete. My PS thinks it's neurological, the internist is waiting to see what the blood test say. Whatever it is, it isn't life threatening and I'm in good shape overall. I'll continue to take the Gabapentin.
I learned yesterday, that my PS is ready to revise the nipple some and do the tattoos in 2 weeks. Although I guess I should be excited, the news kind of upset me. This stage has been more emotional than I expected. A lot of anxiety and fear. My "barbie boobs" were looking healed and were soft before the surgery. Now, there are red (but healing) incisions, stiches (that are now out), a new puckered area (small dog ear), crooked nipples each with big scabs and the infection. It's all rather ugly and upsetting. I know it will all look better with time, but right now it feels like things have gone somewhat poorly. I may wait until next year to finish this off. I'm kind of tired of messing with all of this.I'll think about it and call the PS when I feel ready.
The weather and fall leaves have been beautiful this week. I'm surprised that a big Oklahoma wind hasn't come and blown all of the leaves off yet. Just wait! For now it's lovely, the high for Saturday will be in the 80's! The weather is dry...feels a lot like SoCal...wish it would stay that way.
Carole, I bet the golf course are busy! My sister found a fish market that has fresh Bluepoint and Wellfleet oysters available. Tis the season! We are going to buy some tomorrow and see if they taste as good as they did in Boston.
Fortunate1, good luck with your next firing. "Hi" to all the rest!
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Good morning,
Another fan of stained glass here. DH and I can spend hours in cathedrals looking at stained glass. The last thrill was the National Cathedral, a wonderland.
Okiegal, I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the best. Answers and quick solutions! I think I would be thinking the same thing about nipple revision. Enough for a while, and have it done when you feel better. Nipples was supposed to be the easy last step.
Lots going on here. We have a weekend of dinners and fun celebrating my in-laws 80th birthdays. Much of it will be here and the house is none too clean. Plus teaching. Plus Dad. Luckily DH is doing the cooking, pretty much all of it. A favorite dish.
Hugs to all. Have wonderful weekends everyone.
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"None too clean." Hmm. I should make a sign and hang it here in my house! Unlike you, Fortunate1, I have no excuse other than busying myself with activities I find more interesting than cleaning house.
Okiegal, I'm disppointed that your nipple procedure hasn't gone as well as you'd hoped. Is it normal for the constructed nipples to have scabs? I was lucky not to have any scabbing on my "saved" nipples except for a spot on the right aureole that was shaved a little thin on the inner side. Gradually that spot is looking more like the rest of the aureole. I read about instances where there was scabbing on saved nipples.
A few days ago I asked Dh what he would do in my place--go back to surgery for the revisions suggested by Dr. C. or stick with the reconstructed status quo. He said he would probably stick with the status quo but it was entirely up to me. His objection to more surgery is having to undergo recovery again and go through a period of not being active. Which I've done twice. First the original surgery, then the revision surgery on the left incision. Interestingly, the left incision is nicer now than the right incision that healed on its own. I'm not sure what I'll decide. The weather outlook for Jan. will factor in. I do wish now that Dr. C. had used the larger implants like Okiegal's.
Today was beautiful. I had a wonderful time with my golfing women friends. The round was slow because we were held up by men golfers in front of us, but we didn't get impatient. One other woman and I walked, so we were able to amble along. I'm tired in a nice way and am looking forward to soaking in a big tub of hot water.
Tomorrow Dh and I are going to an art festival over in Ocean Springs, MS, a really cute little town across the bridge from Biloxi. We're invited to the home of a former co-worker of dh for food and drink. Wouldn't be surprised if we decide to stop at Beau Rivage Casino on the way home.
Wishing everyone a joyful weekend.
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Hi Everyone,
Okiegal, I'm sorry the nipple reconstruction has stressed and disappointed you. I'm sure it will turn out well. I think I would wait on the tattoos and give everything a good chance to heal. I keep remembering how my breasts kept changing size and shape for a while.
You said you had Barbie Boobs! I wish! My breast are soo much smaller then my natural ones were. I don't watch this show...but I realized one day that the shape of my breasts look like the baby's head in the "Family Guy!"
It's OK...I don't think I will do anything to fix it. I am grateful that I got this far without any complications. I just want to move on and hopefully put all this behind me. I am more concerned with a recurrence of bc, CC or that my implants will be replaced for some reason. I can live with smaller breasts and a few imperfections. Carole and fortunate1, It sounds like you two will be having a fun weekend. It will be in the 30 again tonight and 50 tomorrow. DH is taking a couple of days off. We are going to the orchards to pick apples. I hope to visit my sister in NJ.
I hope everyone else is feeling well and has an enjoyable weekend!
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Hello ladies!
Quick update. Today is 3 weeks since my surgery. Yesterday I had appt with my PS. She said that everyting looks good, implants are soft, left (recon) will be softer in time, and right (mine with small implant) looks settled. She said I can wear some regular bra now if it is comfortable and also I can lift my arms and do some ligth exercises. Scars are still taped, so I don't know actual sizes yet. I complained that breasts are uneven and recon's one is higher than mine. She sugested to push it down very gently while I am doing massage. I did, and today it looks a liitle bit better than yesterday (or I just hope so?). Then I went to Marshall's and bought WARNERS wire free bra from Element of Bliss collection. I was 34B before and now I am 36B. Bra is comfortable, light counter cups provide natural shaping and support, super soft lining feels smooth against the skin (this description from the website, and I agree). Wearing this bra I feel more comfortable than when I am wearing a surgical bra, and in clothes my breasts look almost even. Such a big relief, now I can wear knit tops. This week I had two hikes with friends. I didn't tell them about the surgery and all this cancer stuff. They didn't notice anything even though on Tuesday I put on sports bra and fabric shirt and my breasts looked uneven
.You all have a wonderful weekends!
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Meg9 wrote:
"It's OK...I don't think I will do anything to fix it. I am grateful that I got this far without any complications. I just want to move on and hopefully put all this behind me. I am more concerned with a recurrence of bc, CC or that my implants will be replaced for some reason. I can live with smaller breasts and a few imperfections."
Like your rationality!!!! I'm on board with that type of thinking. This situation can turn you into a dog chasing your own tail if you let it.
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Hi Ladies,
I'm new here. I'll have a right breast mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on 11/16 after two unsuccessful lumpectomies. My PS told me he would put TE during the surgery. I'm thinking one-step reconstruction probably work just fine for me. I'm really small with a size 36A. Could you please give me any suggestions? Also, what kind of implant did you choose? I kind of think of saline but still not sure... Thanks in advance!
Have a nice weekend,
Liz
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Welcome, Double and Liz. Double, did you have 1-step? On this thread we've re-named the procedure One Step at a Time. Liz, everybody here has cohesive gel silicone implants. My cousin Iris had saline implants after TEs and one of her implants leaked the saline, but that was 12 yrs ago when the silicone implants weren't allowed because of all the litigation. Sorry, but I don't know anything about the saline since I didn't consider it. I think the plastic surgeons favor silicone. Good luck in making your decisions. Hope you'll keep us updated on your progress.
I-am-ok, glad you are doing well. Good to hear from you.
Tracy, how are you getting along? I've been thinking about you.
Meg, the apple-picking sounds like fun. Will you make an apple pie?
Shoshi and Year, hope you're having a good weekend. Also Okiegal and Fortunate1.
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Greetings and welcome to Liz and Double-or-Nothing. Liz, my PS said that one of down-side to saline is that in women who have thin skin or not much extra weight, the saline implants can eventually show a rippling under the skin. He encouraged me to go with the silicon instead, and I've been happy with that choice.
Thanks for the positive thoughts, everyone. Had a bad Wednesday and Thursday, feeling so nauseous and light-headed while also in pain deep behind the breast at the chest wall radiation site. Intake of breath is when I really feel it. Nothing but crackers and 7-Up since noon on Wednesday, but still vomited Thursday morning when all I did was swallow my multi-vitamin. Felt so bad by end of day Thursday that I called my husband to come pick me up--didn't trust myself to drive home.
Dr agrees with me the stomach irritation is likely more due to all the ibuprofen I'm taking for the inflammation/irritation of radiation rather than to the radiation itself, so he said to take over-the-counter Prevacid to help me continue on the ibuprofen.
I do think the radiation is causing the lightheadedness and general "off" feeling. Yesterday was better because I got to skip radiation (dr out of town). Ate a normal breakfast and very light lunch and dinner. Also, the soreness at the side of the breast is much more manageable now that I'm wearing my soft surgical bra again. Just have to dress in layers to camouflage the unevenness between natural and reconstructed breast.
Okiegal, I can hear the discouragement in your voice and it is so understandable. Your struggle with bc has been protracted by new complications, and you must be feeling so tired of that by now. My heart goes out to you. I think you really hit on something when you said this step has been more emotional than you anticipated...we all think that the most emotional time is at diagnosis, but that is usually followed by a period of strength and determination...and the emotion sets in again later. I'll be coming right behind you on nipple reconstruction, and I appreciate your sharing with us how it's going for you.
Wishing all a good weekend. Meg, apple picking in an orchard! How delightful! My son is in college in Massachusetts and there are orchards on campus where he can do that, too...sounds like a wonderful thing for the spirit.
I'm going to go to the Texas football game with my husband, but will take it easy and let the crowd around me take care of all yelling, chanting, arm raising and ruckus making :- ) I can hook 'em horns with the best of them, but I won't push it today. I think my dh really appreciates us being able to do something so fun, so normal...so much a shared thing rather than just mine. These past months have been (rightfully so!) very focused on me and my needs...I think hollering at the top of his lungs over an opponent on the football field will do him good. I'm sure he's wanted to scream many times these past few months :- )
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Carole, No I did not have 1-step. I had a bilat w/TE, then exchange. As you say, this is one-step at a time, so I'm trying to keep informed on what is being used successfully. Some steps we plan for. Others get thrown in our face. I think it's good to keep updated on things.
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Liz, even though my pbmx (did i get the intials right? LOL) isn't until Dec 15. i have been reading so many posts & doing so much research. You should also go to the board on this site Exchange City. They all have had reconstruction w/ TE & then an exchange surgery. I have read that most women do get silicone & not saline.
i would also like to know how many of u here who have had the 1 step, have had to have revisions? I have also learned that textured implants adhere to u , so they don't move..with that, the scar tissue also can adhere to u & that can cause problems, so many women are also getting the smooth implants & that the implants many times even though it appears or is supposed to b a certain size, the implant seems to run smaller, so many women are opting to get a larger implant....these r things i have read & this appears to be more a consensus with so many women. Since i have not gone thru any of this, i cannot say. Liz, u r in the right place for answers though!!! i have been quiet the last few days & just reading all the posts...thank goodness for e-mail notifications on my bb phone. I;d never be able to catch up. LOL
i hope everyone is ok & have a wonderful weekend.
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Welcome Liz, I'm sorry you had to go through two lumpectomies and now a mx. At first I was supposed to have a lumpectomy with radiation for DCIS in my right breast. Then a MRI found DCIS in my left breast also. My BS told me I had no choice but to have bmx. I was very frightened...actually I think I was in a state of denial, but what can you do? I just went through the motions and prayed that I would be OK.
I was not sure about reconstruction. I sat in the PS office and listened to the NP explain reconstruction with TE...visits every week to fill the implant...then another surgery about a year later to take out the TE and put in a permanent implants. I thought she was nuts! Who would drag this nightmare on for a year! I just wanted this over with as soon as possible.
Then the NP started to explain diep...she even showed me a short video. I was so ready to walk out of the office. The DH said to wait and speak with the PS. My PS explained the "one step". She said everything was done in one day...no additional surgery. She would use Mentor- smooth, high profile, silicone gel implants. She told me that alloderm is used during the surgery and that the implants would go behind my muscle. The largest size I could be was a large B.
She never mentioned she would cut my muscle. She never mentioned revision surgery to fix any imperfections. She never mentioned the chance of getting CC. She did say that the implants are under warranty for 10 years. That was it....the next time I saw her was the morning of bmx when she measured my breasts.
I think we have this idea that plastic surgery makes everything beautiful. Takes away all the little flaws and we are perfect. We see models and actresses with their perfectly implanted breasts and think we will look the same. I think this is why we are so disappointed when it doesn't turn out that way for us. No Dolly Parton or Pamela Sue Anderson here! but I do have my little breasts. I'm happy to have them even though they are not perfect. I just hope they don't give me any future problems. To be honest I don't trust that they won't.
Good luck to you. I will be thinking about you. If you have any questions feel free to ask us.
Okiegal, I hope you're feeling better. It makes me so sad to hear what you are going through at this point.
Fornunate1. Like your last firing..you said you were a little disappointed...it was not exactly what you expected, but you still can find the beauty in them. Just like us!
Tracey, I'm glad you got a days break. Can your doctor give you something for the nausea? I hope you feel better soon.
I am OK. I'm not surprised one breast is a little off from the other. Welcome to the club of uneven boobs! I'm glad to hear you are doing well...so well that your friends don't even notice! Great for you!
Carole, I will be making apple pie and looking through my cookbooks to see what else I can make.
Double or Nothing, How long did it take you before you had your exchange? Are you happy with them?
Year, I hope your doing well. Working on your project?
I hope Julie is Ok too!
Going out for a late dinner. Apple picking was fun, but I'm too tired to cook!
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Shoshi, I had to go back to surgery once, 5 weeks from the original surgery, to have my left incision re-done. I had a small portion of dead (necrotic) skin that had to be trimmed. Then the incision was re-sutured. After that it healed very fast and looks great now. Any further revisions will be done only if I choose to have them done. I haven't decided yet.
Tracy, so glad to hear from you and sorry that you're continuing to experience pain and discomfort from the rads. I'm more thankful than ever that I was able to avoid rads. Please be careful taking ibuprofen. I always take it with food or milk to protect my stomach. It can cause ulcers.
Double or Nothing, my PS has stopped doing the reconstruction with TEs. He's sold on the One Step at a Time. I do think he should be more upfront and tell women patients that the first result isn't likely to measure up to his standards.
Today was a lovely day, but a little warm, almost 80 degrees. Dh and I drove to Ocean Springs, MS, an hour and a half drive, and joined the throngs at the Walter Anderson Art Fair. Goodness knows how many exhibitors and vendors there were. The fair has grown bigger every year. Ocean Springs has two artists of some note, both dead. Walter Anderson and George Or (sp?), a potter. My only purchase was a cookbook sold by ladies supporting the MS symphony. It was a treat looking at the art and fine crafts on display, but if I bought something, I'd have to put something away to make room for it!
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Megg9 - My exchange was 4 1/2 weeks after my last fill. I had a revision to remove excess skin 2 months later. Friends kept telling me to make sure I kept my range of motion, so I kept doing maximum stretching during the TE stage. Never mentioned this to the PS. End result was over expanded skin! Revision removed that. Yes I'm happy with them. Get the tattoos - you'll love them. They really do look real in 3D.
Carole - My Dr. doesn't like to do saline implants anymore, but it's what I wanted and what I did. Most patients don't realize this, but with Mentor & Natrelle you are part of their 40,000 woman follow-up that they agreed to for approval by the FDA. I already got screwed by a drug company once. Wasn't taking a chance on a second time!
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Thank you so much for your kind replies!You ladies are awesome!
Carole, thanks for letting me know your cousin's story. What did she do after the implant leakage? That must be a nightmare. Hope she is doing well now.
Tracy, it is really good to know the downside of saline implant. I have both thin skin and I'm skinny. I need to remember this when I see my PS on 11/10. Hopefully you are doing better now after a break from radiation.
Shoshi, you really have done a great job in educating yourself. Surely you'll make the right decision for yourself.
Meg, I'm scared too, especially thinking of the drains and all the follow-ups. That's why I want to know more about one-step reconstruction. I'm tried of surgeries now. If I can avoid some I'd rather live with an imperfect breast. I'm naturally small anyway.
Take care everybody!
Liz
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Liz, didn't mean to scare you about the saline! My cousin Iris is doing great with her replacement saline implants. She went the TE route because she waited 2 yrs before she decided to have recon. and didn't have the kind of surgery that leaves extra skin for later recon. Both saline implants were replaced when one of them developed a leak. Iris is cup size C. Doesn't wear a bra because she says she doesn't need one thanks to no nipples. She laughingly says she can hear the liquid sloshing when she's bent over doing weeding or some such vigorous activity. As I mentioned, saline was her only option 12 yrs ago because silicone wasn't legal. Instead of nipples and aureole, Iris decided on tattooed flowers over the nipple area.
If you don't want breasts larger than a B cup and don't expect perfect, One-Step is the right procedure for you!
The drains are a nuisance and I didn't find them pleasant, but once they've done their important job and are removed, you quickly forget all about them. The first couple of visits to the dr's office are tiring, and I was a little self-conscious about looking awful, but it's all doable.
I have no dog-ear on either incision. The only exercise I was instructed to do during the first weeks was the fingers climbing the wall, and I was supposed to do this every day. I was told not to raise my arms straight up. There's concern during the first weeks about not damaging the alloderm pockets. My range of motion is about normal by now and I never did the exercises in the cancer book the BS gave me. There's a lot of reaching and movement in the normal everyday routine. Reaching to high shelves, etc.
Happy Sunday to all.
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Double, are you completely satisfied with your reconstruction after the exchange? No divots, good positioning. It would make sense that the PS could do some "tweaking" during the exchange surgery.
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Hello Everyone.
I have followed this thread from end to end as your stories appear to resemble what my possible outcome may be. God bless all of you for being so supportive as well as informative. I hope my postings will be as helpful to those who follow. Now down to business.
So far I appear to be a candidate for one step (at a time) w/ Alloderm. Note that I DID have to make a point of asking for it as the PS launched into talk of TEs at the start of our conversation. He uses Alloderm routinely in placement of TEs so the procedure is very similar. I am a good candidate because of small breasts (32A) that I want to leave small. He advocates saline to achieve "more projection" but will implant my choice of saline or silicone. I am of slender build so I'm leaning toward silicone rather than saline so I can hopefully avoid rippling associated with saline. However, I don't think I'm interested in Gummis. I should mention that I am looking at MX of my left breast for high grade DCIS in an area of about 4cm. I would appreciate any and all input on the subject that you can share.
Next, and of critical importance to me, is the possibility of nipple sparing surgery. This is of particular interest because I am looking at MX of one breast only. For some reason, I am not having much luck there. I uderstand that nipples are part of the ductal sytem that can be affected by DCIS but my digital mammo shows only a few calcs and the pathology from my core biopsy states "negative for invasive carcinoma". Even if undetected stuff showed up in the path after MX, could not the nipple be taken in a subsequent surgery in the same manner that a re-excision is done? Please help if you can. I'm just not finding much info out there regarding this.
Carole, I am especially interested in your case because you were able to keep your nipple in spite of an invasive component in your BC. How was that accomplished?
I_am_OK, like you I am also in Northern California (just outside Yosemite National Park). The surgeons you found are surgeons I would like to meet. Please respond ASAP as I am tentatively scheduled for MX in early Dec. and don't want to lose a nipple if it can be prevented. Thank you. I am also an avid hiker/backpacker. My husband and I have had awsome experiences mostly in the Ansel Adams Wilderness area. Maybe we can compare notes on that at a later date.
I think I'll go for my walk now. I've been at this computer all day and I've had about as much cancer as I can stand for right now. You know, I used to kind of wonder about all of the edits and typos that I see on this site. I finally realized why that is. It's really hard to type when you can't see the keyboard clearly through your tears.
Continued hope and better health to all. I'll check in with you a little later. Bye for now.
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Carole- Missed the story about your cousin's saline implants problem? If she can hear sloshing, that's probably something she should discuss with her PS. It probably means she has some air in the implant/s. It's like when you fill a waterbed and let air get in. Then it will slosh. Air in an saline filled implant can lead to the growth of bacteria.0
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NewBride, during the nipple-saving MX, tissue is taken from behind the nipple and sent to pathology. If the report comes back later that cancer cells were present in the tissue, then the nipple is removed. It seems that you are a perfect candidate for 1-step since you wish to come out of surgery with small breasts. Good luck and please check by in to let us know how things go.
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i have read on other forums (boards) that the "real" implants r smaller or appear smaller then what size they r. has anyone found this to be true? What kind of bra do u wear ladies taht have had the implant? my friend who had the TE then implant does NOT ever wear a bra anymore & she is NOt doing the nipple b/c she can wear small shirts & no bra!!! LOL
Newbride: i am surprised that u r a canindate for the 1 step w/ just having a unilateral mx. in my readings & what my ps said when i 1rst met him that the 1 step is used for bilateral only...so good luck to u!!! I am hopeing for the 1 step...but also w/ my readings ...b/c of the surgeries & scars i have had i may not be able to do the 1 step. I am gonna ask him that in the OR if he sees the 1 step will not work for whatever reason will he have the TE ready..i dont want to wake up to find myself w/ nothing.....
what have u ladies asked ur surgeons b4 the surgeries..any pointers? i c my PS Fri & writng questions~!
hugs to all
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Carole,
Thanks so much for more information about Iris. Nice to know she is doing well. I'll discuss one-step with my PS and probably push for it if he agrees I'm a good candidate. I'm naturally 36A and I just want the implant match my other breast. Less surgeries and less down time are very important for me because I'm the only driver in my household.
Thank you for comforting me on the drains too! I'm really scared of those little monsters although I haven't had any experience at all. It's good to be reminded they are just temporary.
Good night,
Liz
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Shoshi, Thanks for your good wishes. I don't know why one step would be confined to bilateral MX only. Nobody has suggested that I would need that so far. What HAS been suggested is that I add a small implant to the remaining breast in order to get a better match to the recon breast, perhaps in terms of firmness. I'm not quite sure. I guess that will be one of my next questions for my PS.
Carole, thank you for the details of your nipple sparing procedure. I'm going to ask my BS to consider the same for me. I know it might mean another surgery but from what I've seen so far, most of us end up needing some sort of revision. If there's a possibility of saving a nipple it's a chance I'm willing to take. I hope she agrees with me. I'll keep you posted.
Well, it's off to bed for me right now and off to the oncologist in the morning. That was another thing that I had to ask for. One thing I'm finding out is that Drs. don't always automatically offer up everything that is available as far as the best of care. You really do need to ask (and sometimes insist). I'll let you all know how the onco consult went. Wish me luck.
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Hello Everyone!
liz000, NewBride, Double-or-Nothing welcome!
Shoshi,
fortunate1, Tracy and I had uniliteral Mx and one-step recon with AlIoderm. As I understood the most important thing to be a good canditate for one-step is that you most likely don't need rads after the surgery.
NewBride, I am not sure that my surgeons are doing nipple spare surgery. I have not discussed this option with them. First of all, I wanted to remove as much tissue as possible, and second, even after lumpectomy my nipples didn't look exactly the same, the one on the lumpectomy side was not so perky and had different color than the healty one. Good luck with you appt tomorrow! Don't cry, be positive and you'll win this battle !
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Wow! Our little forum has been busy!
It was a lovely here, in the 80's, as promised. Ran out of time to buy oysters, but maybe next weekend. I'll need to find an oyster knife first. They're in short supply in OK!
I would say that the "Alloderm One-step" is a great option. The fact that you can go into MX surgery and come out with "boobs" is a huge positive in what can otherewise be a difficult journey. Although I have my little complaints about the nipple reconstruction, tingling sensations and difficulties buying bras, overall, I'm very happy with the shape and feel. Frequently, I can say that I feel like I didn't really have a MX or even breast cancer. I suppose I don't feel like I really suffered as much as some women (no rads, no chemo). With the "one-step", you come out more or less finished. For most women, after surgery, it's a matter of healing and then any cosmetic revisions you choose. I feel like I healed rather slowly compared to some on these boards, but I was definately up and about in a few days and driving in the third week. The drains are annoying, but not painful and totally manageable. After the first several times of emptying, I felt empowered to do it myself. Just remember, you are helping your body do it's job! Be sure to buy some blousey or large tops that will hide them for when you need to go to the doctor or go out, etc. And if they leave the tubing really long, someone at the PS's office can shorten them if you want.
NewBride, I think you are probably a good candidate for the "one step". Silicone was also my choice. I think having an additional implant to the "good side" would be for cosmetic purposes, to achieve the same size and shape as the new breast. Ask your doctor whether or not he/she will use a high profile or moderate profile implant for the new side. I have high profile, but my breasts are still flat across the front compared to a normal breast.
Tracy, hope you are feeling better. Can your doctor give you Lortab? I know it's a narcotic, but it really works! Ibuprofen is really hard on your stomach...as you know!
Hope everyone had a nice weekend!
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Good morning, all. Here in Louisiana our attention is focused on Hurricane Ida. The forecasts have her making landfall east of us, possibly Mobile, AL. The western side of a hurricane or tropical storm is the preferred side, less rain and wind. Interesting fact--dh's mother's name is Ida! She is deceased.
Today I was supposed to be a volunteer worker at a fundraiser golf tournament. It has been cancelled. So I have the whole day to get some work done around the house. I have been on the go every day, so it feels good to know I don't even have to start up my car today! The rack in the laundry room is crowded with clothes that need some contact with an iron, plus more clothes headed for the washing machine. My desk is piled up with statements and a few bills. There's lots to keep me busy.
Good luck to everyone with medical apptments and decisions looming. Healing vibes to those in treatment. Hope we all have a good day.
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Good morning everyone. I'm back after a busy weekend. The in-law's 80th birthday celebrations went well. Carole, do you know a dish called Chicken Financier? It is supposed to be southern and we love it. That's what we served Saturday night.
So many new people, such a busy thread to come back to! Liz and NewBride, you can indeed have a unilateral with the one-step. Depending on your breast shape, you might need a lift on the remaining breast to make a closer match. NewBride, especially if your DCIS is far from the nipple you may have a chance of saving it. Of course there is the additional "if" of whether your surgeon will consent to it, not all will. My one-step made a good match that I'm not completely happy with (just being a perfectionist), B cup, easy recovery, also had a bit of dead tissue removed. I think our main cosmetic complaint is the same as for the TE surgery, the flattened shape in the front.
We have found each other and these boards where we can talk our way through this whole process, and are good listeners for each others concerns. I have to remind myself that there are likely a whole lot of women that are satisfied from the start, and have no revisions.
Another firing today, hoping for a better one. Tracy, take it easy, I'm concerned. Have a beautiful day all, with no hurricane damage please, Carole. I'll be back later.
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this is from brestreconstruction.org abt 1 step:
have no available flap optionsdo not desire a flap operation have sufficient breast skin and do not have compromised tissue after the mastectomy sitehave no history of previous radiation to the breast or chest wallare having prophylactic mastectomieswant bilateral reconstructionare of a reasonable size and body weightagree to have an operation on the opposite breast to help improve symmetryYou are not an ideal candidate for expander implant post mastectomy reconstruction if you have:compromised tissue at the mastectomy site (numerous surgeries or infection)been previously radiated (refer to effects of radiation)advanced diseaseautoimmune disease (may be a contraindication for gel-filled implants)a Body Mass Index greater than 300 -
Fortunate1, I'm not familiar with Chicken Financier. Tell us about it. I bought another cookbook for my collection in Ocean Springs, MS, at the Art Fair. The proceeds were for the MS symphony, a good cause. It's really a delightful cookbook to read with lots of historical background on the little coastal towns.
I'm tired from catching up on ironing and laundry. Enough work for one day.
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Well Hi Carole, You caught me on my lunch break, hungry, eating a fish taco, and very willing to talk about food.
I looked it up. It's from Brennan's in New Orleans, Chicken Financiere. It is a braise of chicken, chicken livers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, port, chicken stock and green olives. Very rich. It's the chicken livers, port and green olives that make it what it is. We serve it with rice, and usually asparagus and a big green salad to cut the richness of the meal.
DH and I began wooing each other with the symphony, fried chicken livers and sherry. Seems like a long time ago.
Lunch is over, the kiln calls. Hugs to all.
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