One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Ally, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I hope you have the easiest time possible and are back with us soon. Let your friends and family take care of you and heal quickly.
Shoshi, good luck with the new PS tomorrow. If he pulls out a cel phone, smack him with it. Write down everything so you won't second guess yourself when you get home. Hugs.
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Had bilateral mx with one step silicon implants with alloderm Oct 26th, 2009. Going in tomorrow for lymph node dissection. Yikes... happy to get it behind me, but not looking forward to it. Then path. Chemo and Radiation is unknown. A little worried about radiation with silicon implants, but I'm just not there yet.
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I just came from my appt with PS#2 and it looks like we're a GO for 1Step with allograft and nipple sparing. I should have a surgery date for some time in early Jan. Now we'll just have to hope and pray for clean margins and no post op complications. By the way, the very first thing he did was measure me and dictate numbers to his asst. Then he drew on both breasts with a sharpie as he was explaining the procedure to me and then directed me to a mirror so that I could clearly see what he was talking about. No pictures as yet but I did sign a photo release so I expect photos will follow. He did also take a look at my belly as a possible donor site for later fat injections to help add a more natural slope if necessary. He even took into consideration the "divot" that was left behind from my stereotactic core biopsy and will adjust his incision so that blood supply to the skin has less chance of being compromised. I feel pretty good about this guy. Oh yeah, Mentor smooth round about 225cc but he will have a selection to choose from in surgery. And I think in our our one hour meeting he must have mentioned symmetry at least half a dozen times. I'm glad he feels so strongly about achieving that as I'm having unilateral MX . I still have to decide whether to add an implant to my "good" side at the initial surgery or later. I would love to have opinions on that. If implant placement by itself is not too bad to recover from I may go ahead and do it. I like the idea of only one general anesthesia and one hospital stay. What do you ladies think?
Carole, congrats on the new great nieceOlivia. I'm sure you're already having a wonderful time spoiling her in classic style. I'm so happy for you.
Liz and Ally, I hope all is well with you and pray that your recoveries are rapid and uneventful.
Tracey, I hope your break frrom rads was helpful. Are you more comfortable now?
Shoshi, I just realized that it's late on the east coast so I'd better submit this now so that if there's anything useful to you here you can take it with you to your PS appt tomorrow. I'll say a prayer for you.
I'll check in with everyone else a little later. Bye for now.
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Hi NewBride, Your PS visit sounds perfect, thorough, clear and comfortable. I-am-OK Had an implant on the 'good' side. I think it sounds great. I have toyed with the thought myself, wishing for a bit more symmetry. My question would be wether it would make future screening on that breast more difficult. Would it be under the muscle so the breast tissue would be easier to mammogram? Anyone know?
Carole, how was your classmate road trip? And Okiegal, laundry room going well? Welcome gobuster, from another ILC.
I took DH to the airport tonight for a trip to see his daughter. He's going to have a terrific time and come home loaded with stories.
Brrrr, its cold tonight. I'm going to bed with a cat at my feet. Good night all.
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Hello ladies!
Welcome gobuster, I wish you the best tomorrow.
Ally, I will be thinking of you tomorrow, good luck with you sergury!
Liz, I hope you are doing and recovering well.
Tracy, I couldn't imagine rads is so painful, take a rest, you will be well soon.
fortunate1, it is cold here too. I don't have a cat, so my heater is on for about one week now
.NewBride, I had a small implant inserted on the "good" side at the same time when Mx was done . At first, breast looked uneven, but now they changed and look pretty symmetrical in size, position and shape (exept that flat spot at the nipple area). Two weeks ago "bad" side looked much higher than the "good" one. PS sugessted to push it down very gently and it worked. Today I had appt with her. Now "bad" side is just a little bit higher than the "good", PS said it will drop more, but even now I like how they look.
PS removed tapes from scars today. She said scars look very well. On the "bed" side it is vertical about 2.5 inches.
fortunate1, small implant is under the muscle also. For mammogram with implant technician will use specialized mammography techniques (more x-ray views are nessesary), so women with implants will receive more radiation than women who receive a normal exam. Also, ultrasound and MRI may be to evaluate breast lump and condition of implant.
I hope everyone else is doing great and wish you a happy Friday!
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thanks so much for all your well wishes.......and all the great advice.....i am going to let my friends and fanily take care of me........i hope to be on line in a few days.........take care
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Hi all!
Thinking of Ally1423...and sending gentle cyber hugs and more well wishes today. Look forward to hearing from you when you are feeling up to it.
LIz, hope you are doing well!
NewBride, your PS sounds great! I have been happy with mine....but now I want yours!
TracyAnne, I hope your time off is helping. Pain with every breath.....ouch! ouch! ouch!
The laundry room is coming along. DIY is such a struggle sometimes! The plumber will hook up the faucet on Monday. I will inaugerate it by cleaning up some paint brushes!
I'm busy today, not much time to participate. I'm going to try to talk to someone at Allergan about the "tingling" issue I've had. I won't get my hopes up that anyone will have a clue, but my internist wanted me to check it out. I'll update.
Hope we all have a great weekend!
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Hi Everyone,
Ally and Liz, I hope you're doing well. Sending well wishes and prayers your way.
New Bride, The have the best PS! You are in great hands. That's more information then you can hope for in a PS visit!
Okiegal, Good luck talking with a rep from Allergen...and your DYI project!
Fortunate1, I glad you found good help for your dad. I know that has to be a great relief.
Carole, Good luck taking care of your niece's baby this weekend. Maybe she will sleep the whole time!
Welcome Gobuster, I wish you a good path report....no rad and no chemo. Let us know how you're doing.
I hope everyone else has a good weekend!
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my internet is down @ home..it appears a truck might of ripped the line & took it w/ them..cable company is coming tomorrow, so hopefully i'll be on line. Right now i have 5 min to post @ library b/c they r abt to close. :-)
Had my appt w/ my NEW PS!! He rocks!!! he really knows his stuff & no camera phone either!! very professional. for now we r thinking abt heading for the 1 step, buthe wants time to really look over my records & my pix he took & my reduction reports. We may decide that it is better to do the TE...my surgery date has changed b/c the only time they can coordinate their schedules is Jan 5!! i have another follow up appt with him b4 the surgery on Dec 24.
Thanks everyone!! Have a greatw eeeknd
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Hi Shoshi, glad you like your new PS.
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Hi Shoshi, glad you like your new PS.
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Hi all,
All the best to Ally and Liz, hopefully recovering with ease. I'd bring you chicken soup and the softest comforter possible if I could. Also flowers placed where you can see them. And then I'd head over to do the same for Tracy.
Shoshi, congratulations, you have a PS, and a surgery date. Hope you get the 1-step you want, but even more that you get a gorgeous reconstruction of any kind. Things are really happenning around here.
I'll be going over to check on Dad tomorrow after class. The weekday caregiver isn't sure the new weekend one is going to work out. Dad never complains so I'll check her out myself. Please please let her be wonderful, and a great cook.
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http://mammograms.questionpro.com/
please go to this site & take this survery..we have to let our voices be heard. This survery was from:
MyBreastCancerNetwork.com
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Fortunate 1, thanks for the flowers!
Yes, best wishes to Ally and Liz. My own surgery seems like just yesterday, and I send an emotional get-well hug to each of you. Those of us who have been through it know how much courage it takes to go to the hospital that morning, and how much strength it takes to face the realities of recovery. I hope that you are surrounded by love and help and patience as you go forward.
Pain medicine, rest, and skin soaks are helping me feel better. The fourth hour of the four-hour pain medicine stretch is difficult because the skin itself now has some raised bumps on it that sting very badly with a pain that just can't quite stay controlled by the medication--I hope they don't become actual blisters.
The best medicine? Having my 20-year-old daughter home from college for her winter break. Karen arrived Friday from the Savannah College of Art and Design and doesn't go back til Jan. 4. My 24-year-old son Eric will arrive home Dec. 14 and return to Hampshire College on Jan. 26...two nice, long visits. My 14-year-old Meg is enjoying the feeling of not being an only child anymore :- )
Surrounding myself with other comforts too: a fire in the fireplace, a scented candle burning, soft warm pajamas for my body and fuzzy slippers for my feet...bought my annual holiday jigsaw puzzle and will start that today...I find it so relaxing and such a treat to sit around a puzzle at any hour of the day or night and enjoy long conversations with family and friends about nothing and everything, or even just keep my husband company while I puzzle and he watches his umpteenth Civil War documentary or other history channel special.
Now for some Christmas shopping via internet. Hope y'all have a wonderful day :- )
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hi ladies.....i'm back home...got home yesterday. everything went very well. sentinel node bipsies were negative....one step alloderm is amazing...no scars or sutures..had nipple sparing b/l. all surgery was done through micro small incision around areola...just alot of pain, even with percocet....my doctors were amazing....family and friends have been incredibly wonderful...all your good wishes helped too......thanks
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Good morning Tracy, What a lovely post. I am glad you are making yourself comfortable with your family around you. It sounds strange to hear that you have skin pain on your breast. OW, I hope it resolves itself quickly! It seems so long since I had any sensation there at all. I'll keep my fingers crossed for no blisters. I think you're really on the home stretch now, three more?
More healing thoughts to Liz and Ally, and the feel good power of chocolate in your favorite form.
Another quiet weekend on our thread. The best to all of you dear women.
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Ally! Welcome back. Our posts almost overlapped. Your doctors sound amazing and very up to date. I hope the pain goes away quickly. Rest well.
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thanks fortunate 1.....i'll be doing alot of resting...tracyanne....it sure takes alot of courage to go to the hospital and do this....i almost cant believe it's real...and i did this...even though friends and family are great...only you guys really know what it's like....ttyl
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Tracy, glad you're pampering yourself and enjoying the company of your son and daughters and dh. I love working jigsaw puzzles. Here's hoping that your pain will soon be so minor that you won't need pain med.
Ally, your surgeon must be a magician! No sutures or scars! That's wonderful. I hope your pain soon goes away and you recover quickly.
Dh and I spent much of today preparing to depart tomorrow morning on a road trip to Illinois. We'll have Thanksgiving dinner with dh's sister in Decatur, IL, and then drive to the Chicago area to visit more of his relatives, including a new great nephew. Our plan is to return home the Tues. after Thanksgiving. I may be checking in since we're taking the laptop and my SIL has wireless internet throughout her house.
Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday.
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Ally, it sounds like you're doing well. And no sutures. Thats fantastic. If you feel up to sharing, I would be very interested in a description of the incision used as I am facing a similar surgery in a few weeks. From what I was shown my incision will follow the edge of half the areola and then extend about an inch out toward my armpit from there. I am expecting some scarring though. What you had sounds alot less traumatic and probably better as far as maintaining blood supply to the remaining skin. I'll bet your recovery comes about even faster than I_am_OK's. Did you end up with silicone or saline implants?
Tracyanne, I'm glad that everything around you is comfy even though you breasts are not. Sensation is kind of a mixed blessing right now, huh? But rads will end soon and then you can get back to feeling good stuff again.
Okiegal, you may want my PS but I want YOUR laundry room. DH and I were just getting ready to start remodeling our humble abode but it looks like I'm stuck with what I've got for awhile 'til this is over. But hey, harvest gold is hip again. Right?
Fortunate1, I'm told that my breasts will be examined in the future by MRI in order to check for leaks in the silicone implants and also to screen for cancer. How are the caregivers? Eldercare is a concern for me too as my in-laws are in their 90's. And like your dad they never complain so it's kind of up to us to make sure people are good to them.
Shoshi, I'm glad you found a PS that you like. It sounds like our surgeries will happen at about the same time. I'll find out more later this week.
Well, time for tea and then a walk. I'll check back in later. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.
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Carole, Have a wonderful trip. Full of relatives and new babies. Are you going to drive in to look around in Chicago? I love road trips. Well, actually I'm pretty grumpy trying to get all my work and planning done beforehand. But then, when we start out, I'm very happy. DH loves to travel too, a good match.
NewBride, I met the new caregiver. She's small and somewhat frail looking, pretty up there in age, making me wonder if she could help Dad if he fell. We may have to keep looking. On the other hand, the house smelled great, a nice dinner seemed to be in progress. A good meal is one of the important pleasures left to Dad. We'll see.
I was told several different things about incisions, from just cutting around and removing the nipple (BS), or a breast lift type incision(PS). I don't know what happened, but I ended up with a 3" incision across the center, and some heavy duty black puckered sutures. Surprising, but it all turned out smooth as I healed. Make sure your Breast surgeon and plastic surgeon talk to each other.
Think of me tomorrow, sisters. I will be going in for my one year mammo and an ultrasound to check out an enlarged lymph node. I'm worrying in that "hope they don't find anything and have been so thorough that I know I'm OK" sort of way.
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Fortunate..please let us know what happens 2morrow. I am praying all is ok w/ u!! Hopefully also the new caregiver will work out!! Glad ur dad is getting a good meal!!!
New Bride do u have an exact date yet? Now i have to start & really think abt the nipple sparing (which i will also talk to my bs abt) & nipple graft. my ps said he could do that the day of the implant. save me that surgery l8r on...any thoughts anyone?
Ally, please do share..since my surgery is in a little over a month anything u can share (pain, sutures, how long u were in the hospital) anything would b g8t!!
Hope everyone had a g8t wkend!! it's good 2 b online again...
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new bride and shoshi....i find it hard to look at my boobs now...the ps told me they made a small incision on the areolas...there is a steri strip on the areolas and no other bandages except for those horrible drains....the ps told me the boobs take time to get their shape.....it's all very trumatic to me but i've rationalized that i've had my breasts for 53 yrs and now i'll have these other ones.....it's the only way i can get through this, for the nipple sparing they test the inside of the nipple during surgery, i dont know how they get the results and are able to leave it.the ps i used was ron israeli, he has alot of experience with this procedure. he has a pretty interesting web site that explains different reconstruction procedures. shoshi i had my procedure friday at 8am and was in surgery for 6 hrs. i went home the next day...pain is definetely an issue with me in the hospital i had a pain pump that delivered fentanyl. i also got morphine and torodol and i still had pain.....i have a very low tolerance for pain....when i see the ps on tues. i am going to ask him for some other pain meds. did any of you ladies experience alot of pain and if you did was there a medication that you thought was helpful......i'll probably be on line quite a bit....i'll definetely be home for several weeks
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fortunate 1....i will be thinking of you tomorrow....i hope it all goes well.....as far as caregivers for your father...i work for a home health care agency and i'm the nurse that supervises home health aides.. does dad have a history of falls? sometimes male home health aides work out great for male patients.
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ALLEY!! i am the biggest baby when it comes to pain & this is my biggest concern. I did ask abt the on Q pump & my PS said YES!! I have heard that helps a lot. tell me abt the drains..gosh do i hate those!! My PS said id have 2 on each side
when i had a reduction, they hurt so bad. how many drains do u have? has the pain decresed at all? i cant believe u went home the next day..ur brave!! i told my ps that if i am in a lot of pain, i will want to stay at the hospital for 2 days!! are u walking arnd? is it hard to type? i know he surgery is a long surgery. u did have the nipple sparing? my ps said he may b able to do that, but n/c i had the reduction, the nipple have already been moved, so he may not b able to....what pain med are u given for home? i am so sorry that this has been so tramactic for u. For me, except for the pain part, i am NOT nervous abt the surgery ...i have wanted these boobs removed for yrs now..i am so tired of going thru all that stuff..i feel like a pin cushion..LOL
do u know how long u will be home for or how long u will have the drains in for?
when u woke up from surgery were u in pain?
wishing u all the best hugs!! & a very quick recovery!!!
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okiegal....what kind of tingling are you experiencing?
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Ally, Sorry you are feeling so much pain. I was given morphine at the hospital and it made me nauseous. My BS wanted to stop my pain med after one week. My PS gave me a prescription of Percocet for one more week. After that I took Tylenol. I was still feeling pain, but it was manageable.
I felt a pressure across my chest...like wearing a very tight bra. I also had a burning pain across the top of my chest...like sunburn. I sat in a recliner during the day and the pain meds made me sleep. After a couple of days family and friends came for short visits. I took walks in my yard. It felt good to walk a little and get fresh air.
The drains were upsetting to me too. My DH emptied them for me for quite awhile. When I visited my PS, the NP said, "would you rather have that stuff inside you?" I never complained about them again. I slept on my back in a sitting up position with three pillows against my headboard and one pillow under each arm.
I did not look at myself for a long time....more then a week...I never looked at the drains.
I had my drains for two weeks. The drains hurt while she pulled them out, but it was quick and OK. I felt soo much better when the drains came out. It was a turning point for me.
I did not have any strength in my arms and hands for a while. I could not lift anything or open a bottle.
I am 53 years old also. I was a large C. When I was told I had cancer I was more concerned about what was going to happen next...radiation..chemo? I was afraid of that. Losing my breasts was a necessary evil that was out of my control. The big plus of the one step is that you wake up with breasts. In the surgical bra you look fine.
I am blessed that I did not need radiation or chemo...no med. I feel for those who have to go through that. I am blessed that I did not have any complications...no infections...I healed well.
My breasts are not evenly shaped...they bulge to the outside...I have a 6" scar across the center of my breast and no nipples, but in a bra I look normal. I don't look good in clothes like I did before; and I don't have those soft breasts anymore, but I have something. I am still not used to these breasts. I am aware of them most of the time. They ache me every day. Not enough to take medication, just enough to be an annoyance. I hope this passes, but if not, I will get used to it.
Your doctors should be able to give you something for the pain. Okiegal had a muscle relaxer. I did not, but I think that would have helped. You have a lot of good news...no scars! You have nipples! Node biopsies were negative! You are going to be OK.
Fortunate1, good luck to you tomorrow. I hope to hear good news.
Tracey, Hang in there. Enjoy this time with your children being home. I have a 23 year old son. He went to college in PA and graduated 2008. He was ready to move when I was dx, but stayed home to be with me. He did move in Sept 1 ½ hours away to be closer to his work. He comes home most weekends to see his girlfriend.
I'm sorry your in pain...I hope you feel better.
Carole, On the road again! I hope you have a good trip and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Ladies, Carole is my inspiration!
I have a busy day tomorrow/today. I wish you all a happy Monday!
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Ally, I had morphine twice while I was in the hospital (two nights), and muscle relaxants. I hurt, but my pain was not a problem. I was given a prescription for oxycodone, took half of one once. I was the fortunate one in this too. I am so sorry that you are in such pain. Can you call your doctor tomorrow instead of waiting until Tuesday? Your doctor would want to help, I'm sure. It takes a while to look at the new boobs. The drains are universally hated, but they'll keep you out of trouble and will be gone soon. Be very patient with yourself.
The caregiver is not going to work out. Ally, you're right, it would be good to get another male caregiver. Dad is frail and doesn't weigh very much at all, so thin. A fall is what got him into his current state. A spinal injury, we're lucky he survived.
Good night everyone.
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A quick check in here...the plumber is coming this AM to hook up the sink.
Alley1234, I am so glad to hear you are home and on the mend! Your surgeons sound great. I ended up with no nipples and horizontal scars, but hey. I have breasts! Can't complain....but of course, I do....mostly about the "pins and needles" I've been having. They are sort of like little stings, randomly everywhere. Certainly bearable, but annoying. They have lessened, but seem to be aggrevated by stress (working out, fatigue, etc.). I called Allergan, the manufacturer of my implants and found out nothing I didn't already know. They said that pain, at my stage, is usually caused by capsular contracture, surgical technique or an oversized implant. None of which I have problems with....as far as I know. Your pain is very much related to the trauma of surgery and to muscle that is being stretched by the implants. I took muscle relaxers for about 12 weeks and Oxycodone (Lortab, Percocet) for about 7 weeks. Together they kept me very comfortable. Definately get something from your PS and take it very easy. Your body will let you know what you can do. I'm sure you'll be very happy with your results...when you get a chance to see everything. Just remember, the hardest part is over!
Shoshi, so glad to hear you have a new PS. What a relief.
Fortunate1, I'll be thinking of you this AM. Let us know how it goes!
Carole....bon voyage!
Hi to everyone else!
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shoshi and new bride...i'm happy to help out with any info that you would like. i got on this site about 2 wks prior to my surgery....all the support and info that i got from carole,okiegal, meg tracyanne, fortunate1 was soooo helpful. i wish i would have found this site sooner...but, even though i knew i was having surgery for a couple of months...i blocked it out and didnt think about it until the last 2 wks....okeigal i plan on asking my ps tomorrow about muscle relaxers, fortunate 1 does dad live alone..fall risk people are so difficult, ...they just seem to loose their balance and fall, even when they are using their walkers. Meg 9..i think you're right and that once the drains are out, i'll feel much better. unlike you when i was diagnosed my biggest fear wasn't the cancer but it was loosing my breasts......and they were not that great...a small, droopy B...but i was used to them, but now i feel more like you and i'm grateful that i can get rid of the cancer with surgery and avoid chemo, rad and meds...i think....so far......shoshi, new bride....i'm the biggest baby there is, i have no tolerance for pain...but i'm doing ok.....so i know you will too
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