One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Fortunate 1: You put such a nice spin on things! I'm glad I'm not flat and that there is something there.
Meg: It was a black bear and they can be dangerous. We live in bear country and all have a healthy respect for them. I've been to Ely--great Northern place to visit.
Speech: Can't believe you are back to work already. Take it easy!
Okiegal: You made me hungry so I guess I will go and eat.
Hi to all!
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Thanks for a nice summation, Fortunate1. You said it perfectly for me.
I rearranged my schedule this afternoon so I could go home 2 hours early. Had to cancel one person, but oh well, I come first right now.
I did not sleep well last night due to swelling and discomfort in the breasts. It's all uniform and normal swelling and probably exacerbated by movement at work.
Peaches and yogurt....I'm hungry.
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Happy belated, Fortunate1! Yes, you put such a nice spin on things as did Speech. We have a lot to be grateful for! During the first year after MX, I had the nagging worry that my upper body strength would "never be the same". In January, I finally began working out. On Wednesday, I realized that I'm probably stronger today than I was before I had surgery. I have full range of motion and my pain issues are in the past. It takes time, but we will all eventually heal and move on with our lives. Speech, here's hoping you have a restful and pleasant weekend and, of course, a good weekend to everyone else as well!
Peaches...ah, the joys of summer!
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Hi Ladies
Isn't the word "peaches" a wonderful-sounding utterance? You say it and you are immediately happy! At least that's true for me.
I was so inspired by your discussions of peaches and cooking that I made some quick & easy peach cobbler yesterday. You peel & slice 7 fresh peaches and add them to melted butter (2-3 Tbs) with 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Boil til soft. While they are cooking, cut some circles from refrigerated pie dough. Preheat oven to 425; pour the peaches in a baking dish, put the circles on top in a nice design and bake til the dough is golden...maybe 7 minutes or so. Very tasty and easy....yummy with ice cream.
I went to my PS yesterday for a post-op. She did my first "massage"--more like a steam-roll job on my implants! Have to do this 4 times a day--pushing against them at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock for 30 seconds each direction. Then I showed her this weird stringy bulge I had under my left (normal) breast. It looked like some kind of tendon bulging out and is very painful when stretched. I have Mondor's Syndrome--a temporary and rare condition (1-2%) after implantation. Here's a quote from an article abstract...this is exactly what I have. The PS tried to pop it out by pressing really hard on it...ouch!!!
Her painful treatment has reduced it by about 75%. It should disappear soon. Anyone else experience this? It was scary at first...I thought it was a tendon!! Mondor's syndrome is a clinical finding that can present in young to middle-age women 7-14 days after subfascial breast augmentation. Three cases of women who presented Mondor's syndrome after subfascial breast augmentation are reported. The cases were characterized by a tender and painful cord that originates on the middle clavicle line from the inframammary border to the umbilicus scar on the thoracoabdominal wall.
Let me close with GOOD NEWS....my PS said I can exercise now! She said to take it easy and to listen to my body. Will start with a short walk and then some light weights (2-3 lbs) at home. So excited!!!
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Yum! Speech, your peach pie sounds wonderful! I guess you must be feeling pretty good to be baking? I had something like what you are describing on both sides, one more prominent than the other. It was like there was a vertical cord from the bottom of the breast that almost seemed to be attached to a rib about an inch or two below. I wondered if it was a stitch or something. It felt tight and was somewhat painful. I showed it to my PS or was it the nurse? I don't remember. I didn't get a diagnosis and no one did anything. It was slight and eventually disappeared on it's own. I read about "Mondor's Cord" online and assume that's what it was.
Nice that you have such an attentive PS and that you are getting such specific guidance on exercise. Have a good day all!
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My BMX anniversary came and went without my thinking about it. As time goes on, my reconstructed breasts develop more defects, especially the right one. Next winter I'll decide whether to go back to my PS and discuss revision surgery. I suspect the expander procedure does give a better result, but I would choose the 1-step again. The reason I flipflop about having the revision surgery is my age. I know my family would think it very foolish of me to undergo surgery for cosmetic improvement unless I went in for a whole-body makeover!
We went to the Farmer's Market in Detroit Lakes this morning and bought fresh veggies, eggs, bread, and jam. Tonight we're having snap beans, green and yellow mixed, with new potatoes. We had slices of tomato that really tastes like tomato on our sandwiches at lunch. Sweet corn is available everywhere now.
We're enjoying Minnesota with all its many lakes. Everywhere you drive, there's another lake.
Two years ago when Dh and I visited one of his cousins in Seattle, she served a fresh peach pie. It was delicious and my first taste of such a pie. She also served a delectable salad with king salmon that she had bought at that wonderful market in Seattle.
Not much news. It has warmed up into the 80's today here in MN so we turned on the A/C in the rv.
Hi to everyone.
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Me again. I wanted to pass along this recipe for Tamale Pie in a slow cooker. My sister made this and raved about how good it is.
Ground meat browned in a skillet, finely diced onion, kernal corn, tomatoes, Mexican taco seasoning. Mix these ingredients and place in bottom of slow cooker that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Pour corn bread batter on top of meat mixture. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of batter. Cook for 3 hrs on high or 6 hrs on low.
I plan to try this and maybe vary it a little. For example, you could put jalapeno peppers in the cornbread, use fresh corn cut off the cob and also fresh tomatoes. My sister made her own corn bread batter but you could use the boxed mix if you like sweet cornbread.
I made a delicious jicama salad to go with dinner last night. Peeled jicama cut into matchsticks, slices of red bell pepper, fresh cilantro. A dressing of lime juice, honey, olive oil and vinegar. You mix up the salad at least 30 minutes ahead of time so the jicama can absorb the flavors. Yummy.
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I have never heard of a jicama befoe. I am going to google it right now!
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Hello Everyone,
Okiegal, I bought the ingredients for the peach pie and will be making it tonight. DH has a big grin! He's been waiting!
Carole, Thanks for the recipe...something new to try this week! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
I am glad I chose the "one step." My natural breasts were not perfect and I never expected my reconstructed breasts to be perfect either. I have no plan for reconstructed nipples and I'm still undecided about tattoos. I remember getting fitted for my wedding dress 29 years ago...measurements were 34-24-34 and a size 8. Those days are long gone and I am happy being me! Revision surgery won't change the fact that my natural breasts are gone. When I look at me (which is rare these days) I happy I have something. I look the same in clothes. My wish for all of us is to never have any future complications with the foobs...leakage, CC, etc or a reoccurrence of cancer.
Speech, I still have tightness in my muscle on my left side (from my shoulder to the incision.) I was told to massage the muscle and stretch. This helps but does not cure. My right side is fine...feels natural.
I hope BigApple is healing well.
I saw my OC yesterday and my white blood count stayed the same, which is good. She still wants to see me in two months.
The weather can't get any better today. No humidity and a cool breeze! Have a great weekend!
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Meg, good news that you're holding your own with the white blood count.
DH and I bicycled clockwise around the lake this morning with a side trip to a pretty location where formerly there were small locks joining two lakes. 16 miles total. I bought the best bicycle pants I could find (translated--most padding) but my derriere had had plenty enough contact with the bike seat by the time we returned to the rv park.
Hope everyone is having a good Sunday.
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Wow, you all are making me hungry! Carole, your jicama salad sounds delicious. I haven't been able to find jicama lately, I'll have to start looking again. Haven't had it in years. Ah, Tamale Pie, it's one of my ongoing experiments! Your idea to use fresh ingredients might be my next attempt.
Meg9, you have achieved a wonderful perspective about your reconstruction and physical appearance in general. While I was never a 34,24, 34, my figure used to be a lot nicer. It's always a balance trying to appreciate what you have and taking appropriate care of it/ hanging on to everything you can as long as you can!
Hope you and your husband enjoyed the pie!
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carole...your recipes sound yummy. I use my crock pot often so dinner is made when I get home from work. I am going to make your tamale pie--my whole family will love it!
I love jicama. Sometimes I peel it and slice it thin, then dip it in yogurt flavored with Ranch dressing mix. I pretend I am eating potato chips and dip!! haha
Here's another side dish for the tamale pie--black bean & corn salsa: 1 can black beans, 1 can corn, 3 green onions sliced thin, 1/2 red bell pepper diced, 1/2 tsp each: garlic powder & cumin, add these to your taste: celantro, lime juice, red wine vinegar to taste. You can add chopped avacado &/or jicama. Mix and let blend 30 minutes.
My reconstructed breast looks okay (not same shape as real one) but it feels very odd. I guess it's the alloderm and the lack of breast tissue over the implant. I hope it all settles down soon. Still having incredible swelling at night.
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My one step on the none rads side looks amazing, it is a 410 gummie, it looks natural and very pretty. The other side looked weird after the one step and my then PS said after the surgery (for the first time) that sometimes the results with one step are a Little Funky (his words) The nipples of both breasts stand up, they were a little flat and strang looking right after the surgery, but they look normal now. Speech I can tell you that it is too soon to tell that it is too soon for you to know what your end result will be, it takes a while for your body to adjust. Even with my DIEP, (especially the stomach part) there have been changes, the breast looks great, and every day more swelling goes away on my stomach, I think the body really has a hard time with tissue being removed, more so than with just the reconstruction.
Give it some time, I know its hard too wait to get back to normal.
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I had a problem with cording, once right after my post op flight (3 weeks out) from my arm pit down to the wrist and then about 7 months out after another flight this one was along my trunk. Both resolved with PT and following the streching and massage excercises. I have flown since then, but now I hydrate like crazy and stretch a lot during the flight. The lymph system slows at high altitudes and that can aggrevate the mondors/cording
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BigApple, your surgery results sound wonderful. You deserve a successful outcome after all you've been through. As for flying, I'm afraid to take the risk. I've been following a thread about LE after SNB and realize I'm not as "safe" from LE as I thought.
Speech, the salsa recipe sounds delicious. I plan to jot it down. Interestingly, we buy a bottled black bean and corn salsa, but I'm sure it isn't as good as the homemade.
I had my hair colored and cut today here in Detroit Lakes, MN, and, thank goodness, am quite pleased. I could tell some horror stories from previous summers.
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Thank you Carole!!!
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Thanks for the encouraging words, BigApple. You've been through so much....I hope you are happy with the outcome now and continue to experience healing.
I did not have any nodes removed on either side and the Mondors occured on my "normal" side. It's almost gone now. I think the doc's pressing on the vessel has helped.
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Okiegal, The peach pie was a big hit. I heard a lot of yum, yum sounds coming out of the kitchen. I think DH had peach pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner! lol
Carole, Congratulations on reaching your one year mark! I remember waiting to hear how you were after your bmx...and then praying your nipple and scar would heal...
Wow! Sixteen miles on your bike! I don't think I could find a pair of pants with enough padding for that!...Maybe I'll unbury my bike from the garage! I never heard of Jicama either... I'll have to try it.
Big Apple, What good news...You're happy with your results! You have been through so much. I hope your stomach is not painful. Are you still pleased with your new PS and his office?
Speech, Right after my bmx my breasts were round and positioned correctly. I was surprised at how well they looked. As the swelling went down the breasts changed considerably. Give yourself time to heal. Maybe you're doing too much too soon.
Hello to everyone else...I hope everyone is doing OK.
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Meg I am still thrilled with them, the stomach pain was nothing compared to the BMX pain. I actually just presented a seminar today for a cancer support group at the new PS's office, on being your own health care advocate etc., It was a great experience
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One month ago I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using Alloderm, also with nipple and skin-sparing techniques. I'm thrilled with the results! I don't think I'll need follow-up surgeries. I highly recommend this to anyone who's a good candidate. I had to search out these doctors, and so went to Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) for my surgery (I'm Canadian). Some cording in the arm with lymph nodes removed, starting at week 2, but this is improving with massage.
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Hi Caroline-H, I was thinking about the "one-step" last night after seeing myself in the mirror. While not perfect, I am pleased overall with my results and am glad I chose the one-step. I still don't understand why it isn't more popular. It's worth looking for the doctors that offer it. You're one month post op, how are you doing?
Everyone's recipes sound so good!
Carole, glad your hair turned out well. It's always a challenge to find a good "beautician", especially when you are miles away! Meg9, glad your hubby enjoyed the pie. It's supposed to be 106 today and I'm having hot flashes. Guess I'll be hotter than hot! Thank God for air conditioning!
Hi to all and hope everyone has a good day.
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Meg: Glad I'm not the only one that never heard of that "j" vegetable. I don't know if we get those up here!
Carole: I'm so glad you are enjoying your trip. Can we plan on meeting next summer? This one was pretty crazy with family and re-unions.
Speech: I am going to try your peach cobbler recipe.
Okiegal: Is it not as popular because of the cost?
Caroline-H: Welcome and glad you are doing well.
We had a great long weekend: pre-wedding reception for my niece, dinner with family and friends, roller-blading, off-roading with 4 x 4 and bikes--lots of fun
Hi to all!
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Caroline-H, welcome to our one-step group. Glad you're happy with your results. My positioning of the implants was somewhat asymetrical early on in the recovery stage. Left breast looked good, right breast too rounded on the top and slightly higher. My PS began to suggest revision surgery once my incisions were healed.
Upcreek, you're having a great summer. Good for you!
Hi to everyone else.
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Hi Ladies, Thanks for the welcomes! I feel really lucky that I connected up with surgeons in Vancouver who could offer me both the nipple and skin sparing, as well as the Alloderm procedure. He had to lobby to get the Alloderm covered by our medical system, which it now recently is for him to offer. General cancer practitioners in Victoria don't seem to have heard about Alloderm, and I seem to be maybe the only Victoria client with both of these procedures done; I'm educating the staff here! I'm sure it's just a matter of time and lobbying for it to be available in more major Canadian cities. Makes sense for patient well-being, and less overall cost with less OR time, doctor's office visits, time off work etc. Time will tell I guess.
Next step for me is to decide on adjuvent therapies. I'm thinking of going for the Oncotype DX test and hope that chemo won't be highly recommended. Either way they're also recommending Tamoxifen.
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I had a PBM one step procedure on 4/29/10. My right breast is higher than my left. My PS sent me for a sonogram and he said it is the pocket. He said to give it 6 months and if it does not fix itself he will fix it. I also am not happy with my size/projection of my implants. Has anyone had there implants exchanged because of that and did insurance pay for it? He will already be in doing the revision so I figured he could do it at the same time. Thanks for any input. I have been worrying that insurance won't cover.
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Hello everyone, Caroline-H, tashrox welcome to the group!
tashrox, remember you new breasts will change. I had uniliteral Mx, at first recons side was higher, then my PS told me to push recons one down very gently to better match to my own. It helped, but it was still a little bit higher. So, PS gave me Veronique breast wrap
http://designveronique.com/cgi-bin/ic/dv2/5103.html
I used it at night only for recons breast to push it down, it worked well. I think insurance will pay for revision for sure, but definitely give your new breasts at least 6 months to settle.
Caroline-H, Bigapple09, so good to hear you are happy with results.
Meg,you blood count stayed the same, such a good news!
I just came back from Mexico, it was fabulous and absolutely great one week vacation. I bought new swim suit, and also used old one I bought last year. Hopefully no one has noticed that something was wrong with me, and I felt I am back to normal.
Stay calm everyone and have a nice day!
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Two new one step reconstructioneers! And I was wondering if there were any more of us out there.
Caroline H, it sounds like you had the full benefit of the relative ease of this procedure. I have no idea why it isn't done more often. I think medical practices change slowly. The Oncotype test is great, I'd recommend it highly. You may still end up with hard decisions, but it really really helps.
Tashrox, I_am_OK has excellent advice. Urge that implant down and give it time. I think practically everyone is disappointed with the lack of projection. We're a flatter shape, lacking the point at the tip no matter what procedure is used. Maybe the exception is the women with the gummie bear anatomical implant like Bigapple has. But they're not widely available. Check your insurance and ask your PS, you may find that you are entitled to revisions until you are satisfied. But most of the time I think that time is what it takes.
A big and yummy weekend is coming up for me. A birthday dinner for my sweet stepdaughter, visiting for the weekend. I am teaching her the beloved arts of pie baking and jam making. And a potters potluck, always the best in the yummy department. I will take the last peach cobbler from our peach tree. My recipe is an easy one. Peeled sliced peaches piled deep in a casserole, plus maybe a 1/4 cup of sugar. I put it in the oven at 375 and after a while raise the heat. The goal is to reach 400+ and bubbly peaches. While this is going on, make your favorite biscuit recipe, and cut out the biscuits. I put the biscuits on top of the peaches and bake at the high temperature until the biscuits are nice and brown. There will probably be leftover biscuits to bake as usual. Done. This gives me crisp and flaky on the top and dumpling tender next to the peaches. I'll let you know what the potters have to say, this will be the first time I've brought it for them.
Ah, the sun is finally out... time to hang out the laundry. I can't believe how old fashioned I am sometimes. I read somewhere about "partying like it's 1899". Ha. Have a good day friends.
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Hi Tashox, and welcome to you too. I really remember those days of worry and wondering what the end result will be. Like everyone else, I'll reassure you that it takes time for everything to reach it's final shape. I_AM_OK's advice sounds reasonable and worth a try. Ask your doctor? Yearofthehat, who began this thread, wasn't happy with her results either. If I remember correctly, she felt her final results were too small (she had gone from a D? to a
. She had revision surgery and new implants and, I assume, is happy with the results. I don't know if her insurance paid for all of it, but I'm sure they are legally obligated to pay for some revision surgeries. Caroline-H, you are wonderful! Playing it forward for other women by educating others. I am grateful that somewhere, someone did the same for me!
Fortunate1, yummm. Your peach pie sounds delicious! I'm sure it will be a hit. I enjoyed a banana/yogurt (with a little bit of sugar free vanilla syrup) smoothie this morning using yogurt from my second batch of homemade yogurt. It turned out much better than the first batch (not too tart) and now I'm addicted to banana smoothies!
IAMOK, such a nice feeling to be "back to normal"! It seems like it's never gonna happen and then....it does!
The weather cooled down a bit, from 105 to about 95 degrees. It's a nice respite for a few days.
Hope everyone has a nice day and stays cool!
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Good morning everyone. Thank you all very much for the warm welcome and the great information. It is nice to have a forum to come to and be able to talk with people who have been through this surgery. For me I did not have cancer just BRCA2 positive and just about every woman on my mother's side including my mother all had breast cancer. I made a joke to my breast surgeon and told him I was surprised they had not blown up looking at my family history. Of course he did not laugh but I thought it was funny. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
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What lovely timing ladies! I was just about to ask if anyone had been recommended to wear a bra to help position their implants. I'm starting to notice that my left breast is travelling down and outward, and I'm thinking of wearing something especially at night while I lie on my back. Thanks I_am_OK for the site re Veronique Breast Wrap. Besides these fancy possibilities, has anyone been recommended to wear "normal" bras, and if so, what type (underwire, non-wire, tight, loose...)? 2 weeks ago my PC simply said I don't need to wear a bra, but he was probably talking generally, not re position keeping.
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