One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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i'_am_ok....good. and very often it is not serious and can be treated...keep us posted. wish u the best....ally
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hi everyone..just when u think u've had enuf...something else goes wrong!!! well thats me..besides this whole prep 4 bmx that was scheduled for next week & thankfully i found a better ps..but it got pushed to Jan 5...then i broke my finger playing w/ my son..not bad but still broke it & teh dr that was "treating" me was the 1rst ps...LOL he is a hand surgeon too...so when i went 4 my fu w/ him i asked if i could take off the splint & he didnt even look at my finger & said yes..well its not bad but i dont think it healed 100% lol
then i had/have my neck problems & then just as i start getting better my bad foot where i had 5 surgeries on starts to hurt..i wait & wait & wait & when i finally went to the Dr yesterday he couldnt even touch me..he said tendinitis & maybe even a stress fracture, but b/c of my history & all the surgies &hardware it may not show up as well..so i am in a walking boot & it squeaks..its like the velcro keeps rubbing toigether wheni walk & its annoying!!! only me!!
we didnt have much snow last nite, but i was so hoping the schools would be delayed ..they werent
b/c it rained!!! I want the snow!!!I-am-Ok..many yrs ago i had Dysplasia 2x & back then they froze ur cervix i guess & then it would melt & it was disgusting but thats what cured the dysplasia (abnormal pap smear) ...now i heard they do it laprosopy ( i cant spell) Ally may know more..but usually these things are relativley "minor" in comparison w/ what we r going thru now. Please keep us informed..i am praying it is nothing !!!
So i dont know if anyone else on this forum celebrates Chanukah...but if u do Happy Chaunukah..Fri nite is the 1rst nite!!!
wishing everyone well!!!0 -
I am Ok., Sorry your pap came back with abnormal cells. So unfair. How long before you find out the results? Waiting is the worst. I had unusual bleeding after bmx. A transvaginal sonogram showed something suspicious and I had to have a DNC. Thankfully, everything was benign. Your pet scan was good, so let's pray that the biopsy from pap is good also. Let us know.
Ally, It is still soon for you. Pain is normal at this time. My BS and PS stopped my pain med after three weeks. They wanted to stop it sooner...they told me to take extra strength Tylenol instead. Tylenol did not work for me. I spoke to my PS and she gave me one more week. I stretched it out longer by taking less. I used Tylenol at bedtime. I think you have to be careful not to take Tylenol and Percocet at the same time. How will you get to work? Good luck returning to work...good you have caring co-workers. I found so many people to be sympathic and helpful.
Going to bed now...another early day at work. Tomorrow the church is being audited.
Shoshi, Sorry for all the problems you're having. Happy Chanukah to you and your family!
Best to everyone.
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Good morning everyone,
So many posts! Ally, glad you will be getting something for your aches and pains. We are all so different and need to take what's appropriate for each of us. I'm more and more comfortable and pleased with my reconstruction as the days go by (although I'm not finished with the nipple reconstruction...I'll finish up at a later date.) I think part of getting used to the "new me" was a matter of healing and letting everything settle. The other part was/is more of an emotional and mental adjustment or acceptance that take....however long it takes (a few months?) My experience was that everything became more normal looking by week seven or eight.
I_AM_OK, glad to hear you are doing well, but sorry to hear that you have more medical concerns. I hope they are turn out to be nothing. Your hike sounds fun. A winter wonderland!
Shoshi, you've had a lot of interaction with doctors! I imagine your BMX will go smoothly. Hope your finger and foot heal quickly. Thanks for the Chanukah reminder. My neighbors across the street celebrate...Happy Chanukah!
I checked the garden yesterday morning and everything was crystalized with ice. One corner of the plastic had blown off and my little crockpot couldn't compete. I weighted the plastic back down with heavier stones and cranked up the crockpot to high....by the afternoon, between the sun and my electronic intervention, everything looked reasonalby normal again. Last night will be the real test....it got down to around 14 degrees. I can't wait until it's warm enough to go out and check.
Meg9, your church is one busy place! An audit?! Hope it's not the IRS.
Fortunate1, I hope the clouds for you and that you have a good sale.
Have a great day everyone.
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Hi Shoshi, Tonight DH and I will hear Messiah sung by a lovely small chorus in a beautiful cathedral. Tomorrow we will light candles in a menorah I made. Life is very very good.
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fortunate..wow u made a menorah!! That is so cool..can u upload a pix or site where i can see the pix? Enjoy tonites singing ..but when u say u wil hear Messiah sung, is this a song?
I love learning new things..can anyone here explain to me the whole concept of santa claus & reindeers & gifts. Its funny b/c in Israel families do not give gifts on Chanukah..they get some "gelt" money : gold coins...but b/c AMERICA is very Christian, the Jewish ppl started to give gifts too since it was always arnd the same time as Christmas.
So in June i had a "partial hysterecomy". They kept my ovaries. Now ppl are saying that this is why my finger broke & i am having such issues w/ my foot & neck. The bones get weak & the tendons do too. I am no medical expert all..but i thought b/c they kept my ovaries & i wouldnt get the hot flashes & go thru complete "menopause" that it wouldnt effect my bones... but maybe i misunderstood..anyone here w/ info..can i be getiing osteprosis..should i take calcium pills...any thoughts or suggestions would be g8t.
well its chilly here in MD, but no snow:( by the time it will warm up & we will get percipation, it will b rain!!
Hope everyone is enjoying..weeeknds almost hereAlly, please do tell us when u are home & how it went.
Now i have to start thinking abt nipples. my ps said he didnt know if he could spare the nipple b/c i had reduction & teh nipple was removed & many yrs ago some lumptenectomies, they cut around the aerola to get out the lump. He said something abt grafting (not sure if that would happen at the same time as the BMX & reconstruction) but i dont want "headlights all the time...so what r my options..if i do the graft does this mean i will have little bumps all the time...
have a great one all!!
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Hello. I had single-stage breast reconstruction with AlloDerm and implants two years ago. The results are terrific, and I have not had a single complication. I understand your concerns, and want to share my happiness. This procedure, while new to your area, is not as new as people might think. Many plastic surgeons throughout the country have been offering the AlloDerm/implant breast reconstruction option for over five years. Its success for over 50,000 breasts is documented. My breast reconstruction surgery, performed at Faulkner hospital in Boston, was accomplished in one procedure. My reconstructed breasts are a reasonable size for my frame (about a "B"). If you want to go bigger, you may still need to have the expander/implant process. You and your plastic surgeon will determine together what's right for you. The benefit of the single-stage reconstruction was a quick recovery, and no need for a second surgery switching an expander for the permanent implant. In less than a month I was completely recovered from my breast reconstruction surgery and back to my wonderful, active life.
For more detailed information check out www.breastreconstructionmatters.com or visit my blog at www.bcfieldsofhope.blogspot.com. The ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery) has some great information on their site as well, including validated medical articles. Good luck with your decisions making process, and all the best for a speedy recovery.
Donna Bramante InDelicato
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I am not sure about the lumpiness and the need for revision after the AlloDerm/implant procedure. Have never heard of the need to revise. Perhaps your ps has a different approach than most.
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I cannot recommend my own doctor, Dr. Salzberg of the New York Group for Plastic Surgery (www.nygplasticsurgery.com) highly enough! I am so thankful he developed the One-Stage AlloDerm Breast reconstruction method so I would need only one surgery and recuperation period and could then get on with the business of really living my life!! I cannot imagine going through the lengthy expansion process. Dr. Salzberg is uniquely gifted with superior medical competence and a great bedside manner. He is kind, compassionate and even funny!!! He answered all of my questions during my consultation appointment, surgery and after. At 8 weeks post surgery (which took place last year), I felt great and my breasts looked wonderful. I am still thrilled to this day. If anyone has any questions about this procedure, they should visit his website for more information: www.mybreastreconstruction.com
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I_Am_OK, hope all is okay with the biopsy...what a very nervous time you must be having! Sending good thoughts your way!
I'm behind in keeping up with my lists--just went back to work this week after taking most of last week to recover from the lingering,even deepening, radiation pain. Turned the corner on Sunday and have been healing beautifully ever since. No more pain medicine or cracking skin...even that awful purple color is faded now to a dull pink. Did have to see the rad onco yesterday about a mysterious raised, red rash all down my right torso and arm...he said that's what it was: a mystery. Gave me a steroid prescription and it finally is fading this evening, not itching me like crazy.
The alloderm and implant don't look so smooth now...kinda lumpy or puckered now and then. I say now and then because the shape changes somewhat day to day with the swelling that must still be resolving itself from the radiation. I just reassure myself by saying my PS will likely be able to smooth anything out when we do the nipple...I hope! I'm just telling myself not to form any real opinions or fears yet about the final cosmetic outcome. Still have a ways to go to recover 100% from the radiation...must give myself time.
Hello to all! Off now to daughter's choir concert.
:- )Tracy
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hello everyone.....first day back at work went amazingly well. i felt very good, of course i am still taking pain meds. i wore my regular shirts, no bra, not necessary at this point, applying bacitracin to the bottom part of areola where incision is then followed with a bandaid, and because my foobs are up there and don't jiggle, bandaid on nipples i felt comfortable w/out a bra. co-workers said they look perky..lol okiegal i'll be trying the soma tonight. it seems the worst feeling i have now is the tightness at the top of the foobs, which i guess is the pectoral muscle and i never had foobs over there. they were much lower. tracyanne i'm glad you're feeling better, and you're on your way, i'm sure the ps can fix the the puckering, or it may work it's way out. shoshi....we can't take you anywhere...lol..hope you're finger is better. i'll ask bf about the partial hysterectomy, estrogen dilemma....happy chanukah....glad we're all well, and can celebrate christmas and chanukah........ally
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welcome bcfieldsoh and kwild64.......i've heard of dr saltzberg....several people recommended him. glad you ladies are doing well and happy with your results. i had my surgery 3 wks ago. other ladies on this site had this surgery several months to one yr ago. 2 of our ladies will be having their surgery in january.....any input is great....ally
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Hi All,
Sorry I haven't been active on here lately. I have been so busy at work and my home computer crashed again. I get on my daughter's computer when she falls asleep.
I had my areolar/nipple surgery today. It all seemed to go very well. I have no pain yet but the "things" on my nipple look like little bundt cakes. They look so funny. Thanks goodness it is cold outside and I can hide them with sweatshirts. The incisions on the groin area are about 2 inches long on each side. I was kind of surprised at that but there is no pain.
It sounds like everyone is doing well recovering. Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season and getting ready for Christmas. Going through this in 2009 brings a whole new meaning to Christmas. I'm not going to worry about the small stuff and just enjoy time with my family and friends.
God Bless,
Julie
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Hello Everyone,
Ally, I'm happy for you that you had a good day at work. What a trooper!...3 weeks, still in pain and back to work! A testament again to how strong we are, but you should be careful not to over do it.
Julie, Welcome back! I was thinking about you. You went from hyperbaric treatments to nipple reconstruction! Bunt cakes! I'm glad I decided on 3D nipple tattoos! It's great to hear that you are doing well. I'll say a prayer everything heals well this time.
Tracy, My breasts are not bumpy, but at the ends of my scars there are little bulges of skin...stretched skin from my swollen days. They are called "dog ears". Many go back for a second surgery ...tweaking to fix all the imperfections. My PS said to leave it alone. She is always concerned with infection. NP said that you could have drains again...No thanks! I am not happy with it, but I am not will to go through another surgery and possible complications. When I'm ready, I will have 3D nipple tattoos and hope that my implants last a long, long time.
Okiegal, The discovery channel should do a documentary on your winter garden invention! Very impressive! How are your nipples healing...did they even out?
Fortunate1, Sounds beautiful! Life is very, very good. We have a lot to be thankful for.
I am OK - I hope you are OK.
Shoshi - Maybe you need a bone density test. Until then...be careful!
My DH is taking the day off tomorrow. We will try to get some Christmas shopping and decorating done. The church is being audited and today a letter came that said the state is coming to do an audit in January! Good thing our files are in order! December 16th is my birthday. We are planning to go to the city and see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and St. Patrick's Catheral.
Stay well everybody and have a good weekend!
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Shoshi, Happy Chanukah. I find as I grow older I need to supplement more for my bones and joints. I may be a new bride but I will have my 50th birthday before I have my 1st anniversary. Anyway, I take calcium citrate with magnesium for my bones and glucosamine & chondroitin + MSM for my joints. Both are available at Vitamin Shoppe and not terribly expensive. I think I'd be looking at a hip replacement pretty soon without this stuff. Maybe something to try. It took about 2 weeks for me to notice a difference.
I_am _OK, I also had a recent abnormal PAP. My biopsy came back showing some mildly abnormal cells. My GYN is taking a wait and see attitude. Apparently cervical abnormalities can resolve by themselves. I am hoping that once my immune system does'nt have to fight breast cancer perhaps it will be able to tackle my cervical abnormalities. If not, my GYN will perform a LEEP procedure. In any event, it appears to be a much simpler thing to remedy than BC. I'm actually not too worried. Don't you worry either. You will be fine.
Ally, you are an amazing woman. I can't believe how quickly you are taking your life back. I've heard what we go through compared to speed bumps but you've hardly slowed down a bit. It's nice to see how soon you can start moving on. I can't wait to be there with you. Thanks so much for the pre-surgery tips. Little things like filling your scripts beforehand can make a huge difference. And there probably won't be a buttons down the front shirt available for miles around me because all of my family and friends are buying them for me for Christmas.
Meg, your suggestions are also wonderful. In fact, I should just print page 28 of this discussion and include the whole thing in the BC notebook that I take to all of my appts. etc. Also congratulations on the well deserved recognition from your church.
DH is a great cook and will be taking some days off for me.
Well, I've got presents to wrap so I'd better get to it. I hope everyone is continuing to do well
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Welcome back JulieL, how exciting....you made it to nipple reconstruction! Be forewarned that when you take off the little "bundt cakes" and bandages, everything will look very surgical again. Stitches, etc. It was kind of a shock to me after having been healed for quite a while. On the other hand it was worth it and truly reassuring to having something "there" again. I assume your surgeon did a flap nipple with an aeorela graft? Could you give us some more info? Fortunate1 is in the investigative stage and I am unhappy with my outcome. Although my nipple reconstruction ("bowtie" skin flap) is healed, they are crooked and flattening out. I'm happier everyday with the softness, but not the placement. I will wait to address this next year. Was your procedure done in an operating room with anesthesia?
Tracy, good to hear from you too. I'm so relieved that you are doing better. Things really do change and heal over time. I'm sure some of your "lumpiness" will disappear and for everything else there is always revision, but it is so difficult to wait for things to heal!
Ally, back to work! Good timing....only two days and then the weekend to rest up. Sounds like you have supportive co-workers.
NewBride, do you have your shopping finished? I haven't even started!
Meg9, our birthdays are only 2 days apart....I'm on the 14th....we'll make it a December birthdays party, okay? The crockpot is on high....I'll have to report back in a few days to see if my little intervention has saved the winter garden.
Fortunate1, Handel's "Messiah"? I'm sure it was great.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
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Wow, what a lot to read this morning! Welcome Donna and kwilks64. We're a good cheering section for the one step procedure, though evidently with problems that you two escaped. I am very glad to have gone to a PS who recommended it.
Tracy, You're doing better! It is so good to hear. I think you're right. I bet the lumpiness will get steadily better as your reconstruction heals from all that radiation.
Julie, welcome back. I watch for your posts because I'm a Julie too. New nipples, how exciting.
Handel's "Messiah" was beautiful, with a small orchestra and chorus, to sound like it might have in Handel's day. The Alto part was sung by a countertenor (very high tenor singing in the alto range) that gave a otherworldly shading to his part. It was so crowded we had to walk a long way. Parking was awful, the chilly walk in the cold was actually very nice.
More to share but I have to run. I'm saying that a lot lately. .... whoosh.... blowing kisses on my way out........
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Hi Guys,
Sorry to hear that you aren't happy with your outcome okiegal. I was in surgery for 3 hours, under anesthesia and in a hospital operating room. The worst part for me is coming out of surgery. I was so tired before the surgery because I woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. My PS had to wake me up to do the markings. He evened out my nipples and drew them on before going in. He had to erase one of them and redo it because he wasn't happy with it. I just wanted him to hurry because I was standing there in front of him naked but then I thought to myself I can handle this for a better outcome. He did do the flap nipple with the areolar graft. I was surprised to see that the bundt cakes were actually sutured to my skin around the nipple. For the first time in a long time I have sensation on the nipple. He said I may get some sensation back with this surgery, we just have to wait and see. I was in his office and another woman had this procedure done. She was a month out so he asked her if it was ok if I looked at hers. She was so proud of them and they looked awesome. If mine look half that good I will be happy. PS said mine should heal better because the hyperbaric treatments are still having an effect on my body. The only thing I noticed on hers were that where they were sutured around the areola it was a little red but expected only a month out. Now that I look at the graft site the incisions are 3 inches and this morning they are really bruised. And they are more painful than yesterday but I'll live. I actually feel better being upright. Fortunate1, glad to hear you enjoyed "Messiah" and keeping so busy. Thanks for the welcome back.
Julie
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Oh, by the way Okiegal. The PS used alloderm in the nipple so that it would still project even after completely healing. Did you have that done as well? Just curious because I want to be ready when they do flatten out even though he used a piece of alloderm on each.
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JulieL, my PS only did a simple skin flap. Nothing fancy. Hopefully, the Alloderm will help yours heal properly. It sounds like you have a very good PS and that you were well prepared. I was surprised by an infection, pain, itching and my (overly) emotional reaction to it all. I found out a few weeks later that I was anemic, began taking iron supplements and now feel remarkably better and normal again. Eventhough I marked where I wanted the nipples to be, because of the procedure used and where my original incisions were, the final nipples are about 1/2 inch out of "level". With the "bowtie" flap, the final incision incorporates the original mastectomy incision, resulting in the least amount of scars. I understand why my PS created them the way he did, but I wish he had really worked at getting them level, even if that had meant I would have a new scar. It's pretty disappointing to see something other than you were expecting. I wish I had been better informed or something. Plus, now I'll have to have an additional corrective surgery, if I want things to be even. I'm assuming there is a way to correct this. I'm happy with the projection and that the nipples are softening up. I like wearing comfortable bras and don't want to have to worry about covering up all of the time. All in all, it's nice to have nipples, I just wish my next step was tattoos! Thanks for describing your experience. I'm glad you are off to a good start and doing well!
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Hello everyone!
Quick update.
I had appt with Gyn today.Last week he told me and today repeated it again that my cervix looked very bad and weird last Friday. But biopsy came back and showed only some inflammation, so he decided to look again, and guess what. Today cervix looked much much better. There is no treatment needed now, then I'll have PAP test in May
.Thank you all for support, you are the best!
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I am OK, What great news! I'm sooo happy for you!
Okiegal, Did you have any revisions done when you had the nipple surgery? bmx was my first surgery and then the DNC in October. I am such a chicken...I don't think I could ever have elective surgery. Just the thought of stitches, redness, infection....not me! I'll just have to keep what I have.
Ally, I'm still trying to figure out how your PS got your implants in with such a small scar! What type of implant do you have? I hope your feeling OK...no more pain.
Fortunate1 Good luck with your sale...I'm hoping for blue skies!
Stay well ....Have a good weekend everybody!
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Hi Ladies,
Seems I have a lot to catch up here...I've been busy with my daughter's Christmas Pageant practice these days.
I_am_OK, so good to know the good news from your Gyn visit today! Yay! My oncologist sent me to the Gyn yesterday. Luckily everything came back normal. I'm still waiting for my Pap but am not too concerned about it.
Ally, you are amazing! I can't imagine you are back to work after just three weeks! I'm still at home even though I'm off all my medication for weeks. It seems the tightness is getting slightly better for me. I saw my PS today and he was pretty happy with his "work", not too different from my natural breast sizewise.
Meg, I'm worse than you are. I feel I"m so fed up with surgeries that I'm not sure if I want a nipple any more. Maybe that'll change in a couple of months but now, another surgery? Guess I still have plenty of time for this one. Thanks Okiegal and Julie for the discussion about nipple reconstruction.
Fortunate, so nice you enjoyed "Messiah"! I want to see/listen to it live for years but so far I only put a CD in my stereo every year.
Shoshi and New bride, it seems both of you are well prepared.
Tracy, good to know you are feeling better now.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Liz
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good morning ladies...glad to hear everybody is feeling well. as far as going back to work...i took a tip from one of the ladies on this site..i don't remember who......but, she said she went back to work on a thursday so she worked for 2 days then had the weekend to rest, instead of going back on a monday and doing a full week....that was such a great tip. and the good thing about going back to work is that once you're working ...you're focusing on something else, but unlike liz, i am still taking pain meds every 4 hrs...i absolutely cannot make it any other way, i don't know why i am still having pain, but fortunately with the meds i can get back to my life, however i'm amazed that liz you're doing so well without pain. i called ps yesterday and spoke to the nurse there she said the pain is normal....meg, liz i know what you mean about further surgeries, etc...i had a dentist apt scheduled for 12/16 that i just cancelled....i feel like not going through anything for a very long time. i really don't know how the ps got the implant, alloderm in with such a small incision. the ps i used has a web site that discusses all aspects of reconstruction. his name is ron israeli when you go to his bio...u can click on the breast reconstruction web site. okiegal i have an apt with him on tues....i'm going to ask him about nipple reconstruction correction...maybe i can get some useful information for you. shoshi i asked bf about the hysterectomy/problems w/neck and broken finger...he told me that your broken finger/neck problems is not related to the hysterectomy...but i think the ladies on this site had the right idea, maybe u should have a bone density test. i had one at age 50 which is standard...maybe you need to have one sooner.i_am_ok.....so glad everything worked out with your pap....what a relief. meg....maybe the dog ear correction surgery is not that bad...who know's...u might want to fix it at a later date...i remember someone mentioning that year of the hat had some revison surgery....what did she have done? did she mention that it wasn't too bad and did it go well?...i can't really tell if i need that yet, because according to most of the ladies here the foobs go through some changes....i can only look at them very briefly ....i don't know why....anyway have a wonderful weekend everyone.......ally
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I_AM_OK, wonderful news! It's nice to have some good news in a year such as this one. What a relief!
I didn't mean to scare anyone about having the nipple surgery. I think I am not the norm. Most women are very happy and so am I....with about 50%! I think I should have waited, but I was trying to squeeze everything in for insurance purposes this year. Meg9, I did have revision of my little "dog ears" and slight buldges. That part was no big deal, although it did extend my incision line and will leave a scar, I'm pleased to have had it done. It's a very small revision. I only had one side that became infected, but my PS caught it fast and I took extra antibiotics. It was uncomfortable and crazy itchy. Liz000, I think you have the right idea....wait until you really want it. There are a lot of positives about not having nipple reconstruction done. I really weighed it all and wanted to do it, but now realize I could have easily and happily lived without. Hindsight really is 50/50!
Ally, I took pain meds for about 7 weeks and that was with muscle relaxers. I think some of us are just wired differently. I had nothing in my past history to suggest such a difference. Also, my mother didn't have an On-Q pump (25 years ago) and was up and about fairly quickly. I think she went back to work at about 4 weeks. She also did some radiation. She was concerned about my taking pain meds for so long, but it was unwarrented. I didn't become addicted. Anyway, you still have a lot of healing to do. If you are still in pain in 8-12 weeks, that might need investigating, for now, it's a matter of time.
Year went up a size. I don't remember if she had nipples done.
Have a great weekend!
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Ok, I am leaving the one step club and will be part of the three step club. They are taking out my implants and putting in expanders and doing some small fills to loosen everything up again and them put in different implants.
The rads side just keeps getting tighter and tighter, so hopefully this will work.
Wendy
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Hi everyone....okiegal : can u tell me more abt ur nipple surgery what u got? What is a bowtie flap?
I-am-ok I am so glad u r OK!!! Thx goodness!!!
Liz & Ally u 2 r my role models..i pray i do as well as u do!!!
Fortunate i am so glad u enjoyed the Messiah..can u tell memore abt it..was this a play that was singing or a chorus & this was the song or grp..plez excuse my ignorance..lol
OK now on to the BIG question: WENDY: i read ur post on EC & then saw it here..may i ask why u have 2 have surgery again & why the TE?
Ladies may i ask what size implants u have? when i talked to the ps he didnt metion a size in # just probably High Profile. I should measure under my ribcage..but i am a 38c bra & its tight under my breasts now >..yuck!! i'm not abt to go buy any bras...i want to go down to a B cup...a med to small B..any ideas....he also said that w/ Alloderm u have more drainage...have u found this 2 b true?
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!
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I am having surgery again for many reasons, the big reasons are that I always feel like I'm wearing the world'tightest bra, all of the time. I actually need to check before I go to bed to make sure I took off my bra. The tightness in my chest is unbearable. My one step may have been different from the norm. My doc made pockets like you would in an augmentation and put in 410 gummies and only used AlloDerm on the rads side. The non-rads side looks very natural. The rads side looks like it belongs on Barbie. The rad side is getting tighter and tighter, my shoulder muscles are always pulling forward and I have to stretch them constantly.I have a lot of muscle pain in my chest. Now, I am not a baby or someone with a low pain threshold, and I have done PT and it has been over six months since the surgery, so it is time to try something else.
My results are probably not average and was probably complicated by my rads.
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Hi, everyone. I've been reading your posts and keeping up but haven't been chiming in lately because someone else has already answered questions and expressed the same sympathy I feel for those of you in the healing phase.
Bigapple, I can completely understand going back to surgery and trying to get things right. I see that your BMX/Recon was March 9 (one day after my birthday). That's long enough for the pecs to loosen up. I think the rads probably did cause complications. Your remark about checking to see if you're wearing a bra before you go to bed really hit a chord with me. The first few weeks after my BMX/Recon, I would complain about "that miserable surgical bra" which felt like I was wearing the equivalent of a chastity belt on my chest. Eventually I realized the bra was a soft, stretchy little garment and the tightness was inside me. At 4 mos. out from surgery, the pecs have relaxed quite a bit but there's still a "taut" feeling that isn't uncomfortable. Bigapple, please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting along.
Okiegal, my "spared" nipples look very natural by now but the left nipple is slightly higher than the right because of the placement of the implants. The right implant has never dropped to match the left, which really looks natural with a slight droop. I'm in conflict with myself as to whether I will go back to surgery for revisions. My scars look very good. I've been rubbing on a little Mederma. Then there's the thought: what if these revisions lead to more revisions? The rest of my body isn't perfect by a long shot. Why not just get on with life and not let it bother me that my implants aren't perfectly placed.
I've been gently pressing the rounded top of the right implant since reading on here that someone's PS recommended doing that.
We're having rain, rain and more rain during this El Nino winter. No golf this Dec. But I find plenty to do to keep me busy. Tomorrow afternoon Dh and I and another couple are attending a Christmas concert at a church that has a wonderful choir. Plus there is usually musical accompaniment by members of an orchestra and some soloists, too.
Hope your sale is profitable, Fortunate. No doubt in my mind that I would buy something! I especially enjoy my collection of pottery angels this time of year.
Wishing everyone a restful evening and a good day tomorrow.
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Carol...4months & ur still uncomfortable...is this "normal"? have u tried PT? What is "Spared" nipples....
Bigapple my prayers & good wishes go out to u..after going thru the 1 step w/ drains & all to go back & now do the TE wow!!!! please do keep us posted!!!
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