One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Well I just got the approval that my revision surgery is a go for this Thursday. He is going to adjust the pockets and possibly inject some fat to fit the hollowness/divet that is happening. Now I am scared. Of course this should be allot easier than the double mastectomy with reconstruction.
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I just did the one step with bilateral mx almsot 4 weeks ago. So far I am really happy with how things are healing. I have to have rads, so my PS left some extra skin on my left breast (the one not being radiated) just in case we need to use some of that if the rads shrinks the skin too much on the right side. I am hoping for the best, but so far I am really glad I did the one step. She didn't even have to cut my muscle. SHe just used the Allomax (same as Alloderm) on the outer edges to help keep the implants from wanting to migrate under my arms. I'm off all pain meds and start driving again today. Hopefully the rads will go well. My radiation dr. said the skin looks really good (not too tight or shiney), and she seems to think it will tolerate the rads well.
Good luck to everyone else! I am so glad I happened to hear this procedure was even possible because I probably would have ended up having to do a TUG procedure after rads if I hadn't done this.
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Ladies, thanks for the kind words. I am trying to "move on" now. When someone asks, How are you? I tell them, I am doing great (and I am). But only you sisters can know what lurks in the back of your mind. I don't want to dwell on all that.
As my dear dad, a retired surgeon told me, Cancer is a multifocal disease. People with cancer have one choice: to seek out the best possible treatment available.
BRCA1 I hope all this works out well for you--all the best. I am sorry you are living with this waiting, wondering and worrying. Be good to yourself.
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BRCA1, Why can you not have expanders? Or a better question, why can you only have Alloderm?
Meg, excellent, well worded post about your journey! I tried to take pictures for the forum the other day. Not only were my pictures lousy, I started getting irritated about little "defects" with my reconstruction. Day to day, I'm happy with my results, but when I start examining things too closely, I start thinking that I'm not so happy.....better off not examining!
Fortunate1, you are such a poetic writer. Thanks for the kind words.
Excellent news, Tashrox! From everything I've heard, the revision surgery is a piece of cake. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Deenah, I'm glad you are doing so well. It's great for life to be getting back to normal. Sounds like after radiation, you will have a "touch up" surgery planned? Sounds like you have a good surgeon.
Speech, Your dad is 100% correct. You are an inspiration!
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okiegal based on my life experience I know that I can go thru a lot of things if I am mentally ready for it. It took me 5 years to be mentally ready to do hysterectomy, so I am going to do it and I am not scared now. I was only mentally ready for one step with AlloDerm surgery 5 years ago, but it was not available in Canada. I can not bring myself emotionally or on any other level to go thru expanders for 6 months, second surgery , by weekly visits to hospital for the refills . I just can not do it to my , for now ( as far as I know), cancer free breasts. I think I am too scared of the long process . I am not brave enough. I read how much woman struggle with expanders and I am freaking out. I am prepared to have AlloDerm. I know I will stay strong and have positive attitude, but not for the expanders....does that makes any sense?
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Thasrox, Good luck! It's perfectly normal to be scared, but try to focus on how happy you will be after your revisions! Keep us posted!
Deenah, Happy to hear you're pleased with your outcome and healing well! Are your implants behind your muscle? I'm amazed how the one step is performed differently. Best of luck with the radiation. I hope you heal well...keep us posted!
Speech, I'm really glad you're doing so well. The physical healing is one thing...the psychological healing is something only we can understand. I believe I have gotten through this as well as I have because of the sisterhood here. It's reassuring to know you are not alone in what you're feeling.
BACA1, I only had reconstruction because of the "one step." This was my first surgery. Before I visited the PS a friend of mine told me of her experience with expanders. There was no way I was going to have fills for months and then an additional surgery for permanent implants about a year later! I was sure I was not going to have reconstruction until the PS explained the one step. I was still concerned about complications, but I'm glad I did it.
Okiegal, I totally understand" better off not examining!" I see myself after my shower and that's it! I'm wondering how much more these foobs are going to drop! I'll have to take a picture and see how it comes out. Speech drank three glasses of wine to post her picture....I don't drink...any suggestions!
I hope you all have a great day! It is a beautiful fall day today.
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Meg - Yes, behind the muscle. They definitely feel tight and a bit sore. Sort of like I did a major check workout with weights! I'll keep you all posted with the outcome after rads. I'm hoping for the best!
Good luck to everyone else.
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On the 27th, I am having a MX on the right breast, with immediate AlloD. reconstruction, and augmentation on the left side.
The PS told me I'd have to wait 4 weeks before I could even take walks that made my heart rate go up. He said there will be "pockets" that will fill with blood (bad) if my heart rate accelerates...have you heard this?
I dread starting chemo with 4 weeks of no exercise.
My surgeon is also putting in a port (left side) that day....will that interefere with augmentation which happens next?
I am only have a SN biopsy. I am not allowing them to take the axilla. If the SNB is positive, I will get radiation on the axillary nodes. But because of lymphedema, I'm keeping as many nodes as possible.
Has anyone taken Rads after a one step?
I will have to read back through this post, but it's so long!!
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Hi TonLee
I am sorry you are going through all of this--you are in a good place for support and information. I had the exact surgery in June--uni on the right and augmentation on the left. I did not need rads or chemo, so I cannot offer any info on that part.
When I was first diagnosed, I was told that I would most likely have to have radiation after lumpectomy. The PS I saw told me that reconstruction with implants was not an option with radiation. But I have heard of women who have had the alloderm sling with implants and radiation. The risk is capsular contraction. I would advise getting lots of information on this.
Check out the rads forum, there may be some women there who have implants/alloderm and rads.
My PS advised no exercise, also for the first 4-6 weeks. She said it causes swelling and could bring on seroma (clear fluid buildup) and I am sure bleeding could be a rish. It was tough, but once that time period was over I got back to exercising slowly. Actually, I was doing some walking about 2 weeks after surgery because I had to go to a conference--I ended up walking about a mile a day there. My breasts swelled a great deal during that time. It was very uncomfortable and I was very scared (I was out of state) so as soon as I got home, I laid low and that helped.
In regard to exercise, there is a short article in the Oct issue of Fittness magazine (p168) on a BC survivor who is also a mountaineer. She exercised daily (even if it was just 6 laps in the pool) through chemo and rads...she is now a cancer exercise specialist and she helps people stay active during their treatment. So you may have to hold off for a little while, but not forever.
I hope you find all the answers you are looking for! Being well informed gives you peace about your decisions and beyond.
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Thanks Speech I appreciate the time you took to respond.
My surgeon also told me (when he broke the news) I couldn't have implants and radiation. But then when I met with the PS, he said, "Meh, the chances its in your lymphs is small...we'll risk it." Then he told me it was no big deal to swap out an implant and we'd deal with whatever the radiation did.
What I am going to tell him before Surgery on the 27th is....if it's in my sentinels, I will need radiation, so if it will damage them, or ME, don't do it..
SO I guess I'll see.....
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BRCA1, thanks for the explanation, I thought maybe there were limits to the study you are part of. Like Meg said, fear is a normal part of all of this, but I did surprise myself by how "strong" I was emotionally. Not that it wasn't emotional, but just that I thought I handled all of it pretty well (with lots of help from family, friends, the lovely women on this site and the occassional Valium!) It's one of those hills you climb in life. Eventually, you get up and over it and move on! Everyone has to chose the path that is best for themselves, as much as possible.
TonLee, there was one of us "one steppers" named TracyAnne, she had a unilateral with immediate reconstruction, had radiation and eventually cosmetic surgery to the other side, plus nipple reconstruction. I don't think she is posting anymore, but if you search under her name, you can more easily read her posts on this thread. I've heard that replacing an implant isn't a big deal, but on the other hand, most surgeons would prefer to place an expander, do radiation and then place and implant. I guess it will be one of those "wait and see" situations? I'm wishing you and implant and NO radiation!
Meg, I saw a news story the other night about a young woman who had shot a black bear during our very limited bear hunting season. They showed pictures of her with her "kill". I thought of you and was horrified! I guess it's a necessary thing and was sanctioned, but it disturbed me a little, none the less. Last night, they had a story about a man who killed (legally) a 13'1" Alligator in Arkansas. It was a monster, 640lbs. I didn't know they had Alligators in Arkansas! This one didn't disturb....!
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Back from Boston/Cape Cod. Great trip, loved the area but glad to be home to my wide open spaces.
Carole: Thanks for the kind words about us. It was our pleasure to meet you and your DH. I'm sure you will be glad to get home--wrinkles and all. We were able to spend the day with our daughter on her 21st bd! She picked Red Lobster for dinner. She is a sweetie. The new job will be possibly more stressful. Who am I kidding--it is managing abour 20 people so it will but since my little journey through this breast disease I don't care as much or don't let things bother me as much. I'll give it a go. It will mean days and weekends off--a change from shift work after all these years.
Still no sign of Ally. Does anyone know if she is okay?
Fortunate1: I'm so glad all is well. I was thinking of you.
Okiegal: You are brave to try and take pictures. I admire all who have done that.
I had an appointment with my PS prior to our trip. She is happy with things.
Hi to all. We are going to my husband's home town for our Thanksgiving this weekend.
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Brac 1, To clarify, I had a NSM and the nipple/areola was left intact and not removed like you stated.That may be how your doctor performs it. If you want it left intact look for a surgeon who can do that for you.
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I wanted to post a new development in my healing process. I have recently begun to feel searing pain in my mX breast when I perform massage, but only from pulling the breast to the midline--hence the stretching of the skin lateral to my breast is causing pain.
My assumption was this is caused by scar tissue. Tonight I did the massage in front of the mirror and I could see a line rising up under my skin along the same line where the drainage tube was placed. My PS placed the drain tube in a looping fashion along the side of my breast to under my arm, so that the exit hole scar was hidden. Needless to say this was a long way for the tube to travel and now there is a cord in the same area. I am going to be massaging several times a day with Traumeel and hopefully this will work itself out. It hurts like the dickens, worse than any pain I had with all the surgeries I had this summer.
Anyone else have scar tissue where the drain tube traveled?
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Hi Speech,
Yes, I had a scar tissue problem that caused my drain tube scar area on one side to indent, kind of like a belly button. The other side healed perfectly. My PS called it an "adhesion" and removed it/repaired it when he did my nipple reconstruction. I didn't have any real pain with mine, but then again, I had it fixed at about 4 months after my initial BLMX. I'm sorry you are in such pain, does it hurt only when you massage or at other times too? I stopped massaging a long time ago.
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Thanks Okie, I'm having the uni, augmentation to the other side, and the port placed, all the same time as the mastectomy....I'll look for Tracy's posts. Thanks!!
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Hi Okie
It only hurts alot when I massage (push the breast away from the armpit) and occasionally it feels mildly sore, but nothing that interferes with movement. But I massaged the scarred area last night and am going to keep working at it. Hopefully it will go away, if not, I will see what I can do about it.
Thanks...
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Hello Everyone,
Speech, Sorry you are in pain. I had a deep dimple where the drains were...there is no trace of them now. The area around the drain was sore when touched, but not painful. Maybe you should call your PS and see what he/she says.
UpCreek, Good luck with your new position! I think Ally is OK. We have had many ladies here and after a while they "move on." We have not heard from IAmOK, tinkerbell, BigApple, etc. for a while. All were doing well, so I think they're OK.
TonLee, I wish you the best.
Okiegal, I recently saw a picture in of a teenage girl who hunted a large bear with a bow. Unfortunately, hunting is necessary in some areas to control population. It is sad when a bear enters a neighborhood looking for food in the garbage or from bird feeders and is shot. Some of the research bears in MN are beginning to den. The researchers will be installing a web cam again! I can't wait!
I hope everyone has a good weekend!
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Meg,
I was a DD and he did save my nipples, he put in 636cc's (or 600 something I can't remember exactly right now) and I look like a large A, if there is such a thing. I guess all PS's are different, I know this one specializes in NSing, just hoping they make it and I can get a revision to be larger! I looked and did NOT like what I saw
Robyn
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Hi Ladies...I just found this wonderful forum and would love to join in. First of all, I admire all your courage and wonderful attitudes.
I had a uni MX on my left side and a augementation on the right side just this past Thursday, October 7, 2010. I am hope with these horrible drains and I was wondering if anyone experienced a burning sensation? The pain is not as bas as the burning. How long did it take to feel back to yourself again?
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PS: Also, where do I go to see pictures that are posted?
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Amadori, Welcome back! I had my drains for about two weeks. I did have some burning around the drain area. I had a piece of medicated gauze around the drain area and the moisture from the medication helped. Keep a chart of the amount of fluid draining and bring it with you when you see your PS. When I had my first follow up visit I was hoping the drains would be removed. When they were not, the NP said "would you rather have all that fluid in you!" Drains are a necessary...hopefully they will be out soon!
Take it easy and give yourself time to heal. I watched movies and slept. I also took little walks around my yard. If you're constipated from pain medication...ducolax worked for me. Also, I slept with three pillows against my headboard and a pillow under each arm.
Sending you ((hugs))) and healing wishes! For the picture site, PM Timtam.
Robyn, I am a large B and ok with it. I do miss my larger breasts, but they were getting saggy! Even my B implants are getting a little saggy! I do wish I had nipple sparring. That is the true "one step!" How are your nipples healing? Send healing wishes and (((Hugs))) to you too!
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Meg9:
Thanks for replying. I still am having trouble getting to the pictures.
Were you able to shower or wash your hair during those 2 weeks you had your drains?
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Amadori, I did not take a shower with my drains. I used a wash cloth and a hand held shower in the tub. I kept my breasts dry. I washed my hair in the kitchen sink with the help of my brother who is a hair stylist. Keep things low so you don't have to reach for them and have someone open your medicine bottles. Don't lift anything over 5lb for a while. I did not massage until my PS said it was ok...about 8 weeks. Rest and give yourself time to heal. I hope you have a comfortable night.
To see pictures you need to private message Timtam. I have not been there yet.
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Hi Amadori, glad you are resting at home. How are you doing today? Any better? I didn't have any burning sensations from my drain tubes. Mostly just a pinching feeling occassionally from the stitch that held them in place. I would definately ask you PS about it. I also had an itchy reaction to the "prep" solution that was used before surgery. It made me really itchy for days and then my skin peeled for weeks. I was allowed to take a bath after 48 hours, I think. Guess it depends on what sort of dressings your surgeon used? Perhaps you could "bathe" in a little bit of water in the bath tub?
I also slept with an assortment of pillows and had a wide elastic band, kind of like a belt, that I pinned my drains to and I also pinned them to my bra. Hopefully, you can get rid of yours in a few more days. Meg's advice is excellent. Take care of youself, don't overdo it and rest! Hugs to you, you are on the mend! Hope you feel better soon!
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Welcome, Amadori Glad you are on the other side...I would say the swelling was there, gradually subsiding, for about a month or so. I cannot remember now! so I suppose that's a good thing. I had drains for about 11 days...depends on each person, breast size, level of activity, etc. I felt back to normal after about two months. I still need to get plenty of sleep at night (8 hours at least) to feel well rested, but I am exercising almost daily, too.
I wanted to update on the pain that I experienced last week. The searing pain started more than a week ago. On 10/8 I posted and decided to give myself a good massage. I massaged in front of a mirror and could see a raised cord under my skin that was probably the route the drainage tube took. I massaged with Traumeel, a homeopathic antiinflammatory product manufactured in Germany by HEEL. I have used it for muscle and joint aches for years. I gave the area a good massage--lots of stretching and the next day the problem was gone and has not returned. It was painful to massage, but it is now gone.
Hope everyone is well!
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Thanks Ladies:
I saw the PS today and the drains will come out on Thursday. This is the worst part. They think the burning sensation is from the incision area under my breast fold. I am worried about the cosmetic results but he told me to be patient. It is flatter than the other side.
I am trying to take your advice and rest and heal...lots of sleep and lots of rest.
I did wash my hair in the sink and have been doing sponge baths. I cant wait for a good shower.
Andrea
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Speech, Good to hear the pain is gone! I'll have to remember Traumeel lotion. Is it prescription?
Amadori, Your breasts will change as the swelling goes down and they settle. You will feel better when the drains come out...it was a turning point for me. My PS pulled my drains out and it was over so fast...not as bad as I thought it would be. Take care and rest!
It is cold in NY this morning...45 degrees! I finally completed my photo movie. It came out pretty good with captions and video effects. It's from our summer vacation at the NJ shore. The song I chose was, "Under the board walk" by the Drifters. lol I burned a DVD and showed it to DH on our TV. He said it looked professional. Maybe I found a new business! I hope you all have a great day!
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Amadori, I would say that in about one more day, you'll be feeling much better! For the record, having the tubes removed is no big deal. I remember bracing myself for something painful and then I noticed the medical assistant holding the tube she had just removed. Your PS is right, everything will change as it heals. Patience is such a difficult thing, but it's the only answer.
Speech, glad to hear that your massage helped. I read something the other day that mentioned that cording can be a risk factor for LE. I don't know if you had real cording like that, but it never hurts to be informed. Some women get cording that stretches through their armpit and into their arm and is visible at the elbow! I hear that it is painful, but is treated with massage. I hope you don't ever have this and that it doesn't come back.
Meg, great idea for a new business! Maybe I'll do that too!
I took a nice bike ride yesterday and today my legs are tired. Guess I'll do something less strenuous today. Have a good one!
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Hi. just a quick post before I run off to physical therapy (LE). Good news first. As well as a normal mammogram, I am now the vastly relieved owner of a clean MRI. Interesting how much stress I was carrying over the results. I actually cried in the BS office when she told me.
Now I'll address my LE situation. First of all, everything that I am doing is just to be on the safe side. Because of the nature of my work etc. it is hard for me to avoid activities that might put me at higher risk. Heavy lifting, for instance.
So far the only thing I have noticed is a little swelling in my index and middle fingers on my MX side. That was enough to send me to a LANA certified therapist for a baseline evaluation. So far everything seems fine but I have learned how to do manual lymph drainage, I have a glove that I can wear to bed and I will be fitted today for a sleeve that I will wear when I am working. I will also wear it if I have to fly and when I'm backpacking. It may be overkill on my part but I would rather be prepared for what turns out to be nothing than be unprepared for what turns out to be something.
I wholeheartedly support okiegal in her vigilance regardfing LE. My BS says that we are all at risk simply by having had MX. She knows of a few cases where LE showed up even when the only node taken was the sentinel node. And in my case, no nodes were taken from my armpit at all. So anyway, better safe than sorry.
Well, that's got to be it for now or I'll be late. I'll try to check in after I get back from town.
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