One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Meg: 18 hours is only 1.5 hours flying! Only drove there once and that was enough.
Glad your hearing is a bit better and hope it continues to improve.
NewBride: I haven't seen the video yet but will have a look. What are you up to workwise lately?
Fortunate1: Congrats on your step-daughters graduation. What did she take? And also congrats for another class for next semester. Good luck with DH's surgery. Please keep us posted.
Carole: You must be getting excited! Sorry about the bursitis. You must have really been swinging that club!
Quiet day here. Have lots of gardening to do. Daughter has been home a week and asks permission to go out which we find quite funny (she's 21). No job yet.....
Need to go to the border to pick up our GPS. We went last week but it was lost ha ha.
Going to Italy for two weeks leaving May 19th. It will be our 30th wedding anniversary. We are bringing our daughter with us as this will be her graduation present.
My mother is coming for mother's day supper tomorrow. She requested roast chicken and lemon pie.
Have a great week everyone!
Okiegal: Where are you hiding?
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Oh, and I forgot one thing--so happy re your tumour marker test Carole!
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DocBabs, all of us on this thread came out of the hospital with implants. That's why the procedure is called onestep. It isn't as common as placing the TEs. My PS has stopped doing the TEs.
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DocBabs,
There are not all that many PS who do this one-step with immediate implants but more and more are learning the procedure. It requires the coordinated work of a BS and PS working together during the surgery to be done.
It is not suitable for everyone for a variety of reasons but is an outstanding choice IF you are a good candidate! I was 7 weeks post-op on Friday and as "I Love Chocolate" said, the patient goes to sleep with breasts and awakens with breasts." The outside is still the same but just has "new stuffing!" You can send me a PM if you have questions you need to ask! Good Luck!
Hugs to All, Sandy
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Carole,
Fantastic news about the bloodwork! It is always so hard to wait to see what news it will reveal. So happy it was GREAT NEWS!!!!
Sandy
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Upcreek, DH and I are both excited about taking off on our trip. Yesterday we went to Verizon, our cellphone company, and bought an internet card so we'll have internet access on the road even when an rv park doesn't offer a hookup. The house is messy with stuff sitting around to be loaded last minute.
I'm really looking forward to visiting the Canadian Rockies, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper. Everyone says it's the most beautiful scenery they've ever seen.
Space is very limited in the truck camper. I'm even looking at my big bottles of supplements and wondering if I can skip taking them for several months. I definitely will bring the calcium citrate and D3, which my gynecologist instructed me to take. But I also take fish oil caps and glucosamine w/chondroitin, a multi, magnesium. Many of us on the Arimidex thread believe that the fish oil and glucosamine help with easing joint pain SEs. I have written prescriptions for my meds to use in the event I run into problems getting refills while we're in Canada and Alaska.
I've warned Fortunate1 that DH and I will probably look "scruffy" when we arrive in San Diego next Sept. No ironed clothes on this trip. I don't even plan to blowdry my hair. Shampoo and comb. She may want to meet us in some out-of-the-way place!
My brother Gary is cooking the main dish for tomorrow's Mother's Day lunch. A big pot of chicken and dumplings. I'll make a garden salad and yeast rolls. I'm looking forward to the dumplings. We don't do the drop dumplings but the thin dumplings that are rolled out and cut. One of my sisters is providing dessert which will include a coconut cream pie.
Upcreek, your anniversary trip to Italy sounds wonderful. Had to laugh when you said your daughter is going along. I remember your saying that she expected to be included on such trips when she was a little girl.
Haven't paid much attention to the Kentucky Derby but will watch it this afternoon.
Time for me to get moving. DH is playing in a golf tournament so I have the whole day to putter around and get some jobs done.
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Fortunate1, Congrats on step-daughters graduation and on a class for next semester! I hope you're feeling better and I will remember your DH in my prayers.
NewBride, I am wearing a bra now more than I did before BMX. When my implants started to drop and continued to drop, I was a little concerned. I think wearing a bra is a good idea. Keeping you in my thoughts and hope your reconstruction finished soon!
Carole, You're the only one I know who has an ultrasound on armpits and chest after bmx. I wish more PS did that. Glad you blood work came out normal! I was seeing my OC every three months to check breast tumor marks. I cancelled my last appointment and have not rescheduled. I plan to make an appointment in July. July will be two years since my first appointment with OC. I am surprised she has me continue for so long for DCIS. May 26 will be two years since my bmx!
I'm glad you will be "connected" during your trip! I'm looking forward to hearing about your Alaskan adventures! I think I would find the room for your supplements...your body is used to them and you want to feel you best while traveling.
UpCreek, Your anniversary trip to Italy sounds exciting too! I will be married 30 years in July...we do not have any plans. DH is married to his job.
DocBabs, The "one step" is mx and reconstruction with permanent implants at the same time. Alloderm is used to make a sling to hold the implant. Many have revision surgery after the "one step" to fix little imperfections. I was a large C and was told I could only be a large B with the one step. Like NewBride said, no weekly fills or exchange surgery. Best wishes to you...we are here if you have any questions.
It is sunny and going to be in the 70's this afternoon. I'm going to take advantage of the good weather and work in the garden. I hope you are all well and have a great day!
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Hi ladies --- I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your posts. I am relatively new to this forum. I actually feel like I have been living on this since being diagnosed in March 2011. I have just had two consultants with two different PS and of course, they both have given me two different treatment options. I'm so confused! Who would have thought that deciding to have th bi-lat mx would be easier than the reconstruction decision? One PS said I would need tissue expanders, etc. The other PS I just say today said I had enough skin and since I want to go smaller (currently a D cup, wanting a C cup), he could do the one step reconstruction. I just feel overwhelmed. I like the idea of the one step process but wondering why the other PS didn't offer it? And why she would say I need tissue expanders if I have all this skin that can be worked with?
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Welcome! I'm so sorry you have reason to join our group but do want to let you know you have found a supportive group of gals here! You will get lots of good information and get most of your questions answered. Perhaps the first PS did not offer the one-step with AlloDerm as an alternative to you because he/she does not know how to perform this procedure. Not all PS's do perform this so this wouldn't be unusual.
It you have the one-step procedure, you do not get TE's for there would be no reason to get them. With the one-step with AlloDerm, you get implants at the time of MX and skip the TE stage. If you need more info, please feel free to send me a PM.
Good Luck!
Sandy
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I am wondering about this one- step procedure- my PS in virginia hasn't even offered this as an option, though he says I have enough tissue to do a tram flap (which I declined due to the muscle weakness issue) I go to see him for my pre-op consult next Monday. what kind of questions should I be asking? I'd love to skip the expanders....
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SpellGirl,
I noticed you are a new member and wanted to remind you that you are limited in the number of posts you can make in a 24 hour period - I think it is five but am not sure - for a period of time. You are not limited on the number of Private Messages you can send!
If you want information on the one-step with AlloDerm, feel free to send me a PM and I am happy to answer any questions I can. I had a BMX one -step with AlloDerm March 18, 2011 and am doing well. Your PS may not have offered this to you for it is possible you are not a good candidate for everyone is not. It is also quite possible your PS does not know how to do this procedure for many do not know how to perform it!
Hugs, Sandy
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Oki88 & Spellgirl, Welcome to our forum. We have found that there are a few PS do the "one step". I was a large C and was told the largest I could be was a large B. I think body frame, weight and available skin are some of the factors. Alloderm is used to make a sling for the implant. A small cut is made in your pec muscle and stitched to the Alloderm to make a sling for the implant.
I chose the "one step" because I did not want future appointments for fills and another surgery for the exchange. Some who have the "one step" have revision surgery to fix little imperfections. Most of us are flat at the nipple area or have little bulges of skin (called dog ears). Are you having nipple sparing? My breasts were large, I had too much skin and was not a candidate for nipple sparring. At some point I will have nipple tattoos. Good luck and feel free to ask us questions.
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I'm surprised that so many plastic surgeons are not presenting the One-Step as an option. I can only conclude that they don't have any experience with the procedure, but they should at least explain the One-Step and let the women seek more information elsewhere. Just my opinion.
In my case the PS did not offer TEs as an option. I knew about TEs already and was glad to learn that I didn't have to go through the pain of fills. It was a great relief to know I could enter the hospital with small breasts and leave the hospital the next day with breasts the same size or a little larger.
I was offered the option of DIEP because my BS works with the NOLA surgeons who specialize in DIEP reconstruction. But I didn't like the idea of an abdominal incision. I wanted to recover from BMX and Recon as quickly as possible and get back to everyday life. Breasts are just part of my body that make me look and feel "normal."
Good luck to Oki88 and Spellgirl in getting the information you need to help you make your decisions about reconstruction. Ask as many questions as you like.
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Thank you all so much. I love this website...yesterday I felt so overwhelmed that I thought I was going to come out of my skin with anxiety. Reading your posts has really helped tremendously.
I did call to talk to the first PS about the one-step. She told me she does not like to perform them because she feels she gets better results cosmetically doing the TEs..maybe that's what Meg9 was referring to regarding having a revision surgery if needed. And she also believes there is a lot less complications. I'm going back to see her for another appointment. Between the 2 PSs I really liked the first one. She seemed more detailed, experienced and comforting during my consultation. The other PS was nice but I didn't feel that connection or sincerity. I don't know if I'm making sense. And when I asked questions regarding the size of implants, he told me it would be one of the higher volume ones and that he'd bring a couple with him to surgery to see what works best. I don't know if I'm that comfortable with not knowing what I'm going to look like when I come out of surgery. Maybe that sounds ridiculous but I just thought he should have spend more time explaining the sizes, etc.
When I first had to start making all these decisions I really wanted the one-step but I got told by the BS and Oncologist that the TEs were the only way the PSs do things. So I had came to terms with the TEs then this PS tells me he can do the one-step. It just really thru me for a loop. So now I'm just doing the research on the pros and cons of both one-step and TE's.
Can you ladies tell me if you had to have revision surgeries? Do all of you have the flat spot on the front of the nipple? Does the flat spot fix itself after the chest muscle has relaxed or is that part of the way it is forever? Is it really noticeable? Was your recovery time the same as a person with bi-lat & TEs?
Sorry for all the questions, it's just so much to think about. But I THANK YOU so very much! I'm still struggling that I'm even going thru this...it was my first mammo, no family history...and well here I am.
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Oki,
I had NS/BMX on March 18. I am recovering well. I had the one-step with Alloderm and immediate implants. The reason the PS cannot tell you for certain exactly what size your implants would be with this surgery is because prior to surgery, the PS can only make a very good guess.
The reason is that the skin envelope must be filled with the implant so you have a lesser chance of losing skin. A good PS can get very close in their "guess" but is always prepared with one size larger and one size smaller just in case this is what is actually needed.
My PS guessed correctly and I had exactly what he had thought I would have but it is not always this way. Recovery with this procedure is almost always a shorter time for there is one less surgery to recover from than with TE's. You don't have to have TE's removed if you don't have them.
One thing to remember is that even with TE's. there is still the chance one will need revision surgery! I don't know if I will require revision surgery or not at this point in time. One breast is absolutely perfect! The other one is not quite perfect but is making improvements each week.
Bottom line, I think it is different with almost everyone. The important thing is to find a PS you like and trust and to have what you think is the best surgery for YOU! What is best for me is not what is best for everyone else!
Good Luck!
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Ditto for Sandy's post. Everybody is different. No guarantees.
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Hi all,
It's been a while since I posted, but I've been keeping up! I had a very busy April & May with work, a wedding shower, my neices' wedding, gardening, 2 college graduations and last Sunday, my sister and I hosted a family Mothers' Day Brunch!
I had my yearly followup with my BS yesterday. She again stated that I looked very good as she examined my implants and that she was very happy with the outcome. On May 29, it will be 2 years since my BMX and immediate reconstruction. I have to say that I am very happy with my results, eventhough I still haven't finished up with the tattooing part of the nipple reconstruction.
Oki88, are you, by chance a resident of Oklahoma? PM me if you are in Tulsa or having your surgery here! TE's are the most popular reconstruction method in Tulsa, however, I was very fortunate to have a PS that preferred doing the "one step". For patients who qualify, he feels like it is easier overall. Before surgery, he took measurements and we discussed what size I wanted. I had always had problems being a small "B" and asked him to make me a "full B". He told me that he would bring several sizes to see which would fit best under the pectoral muscle. In the end, his measurements were just right. My implants are considered "high profile" silicone which is the style used for reconstruction.
Sandy, you sound like you are doing well after your surgery. We're glad to have you here and happy that you are on the mend! I also say, "Ditto" to your post!
Best to you all!
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Hello everyone, welcome to the newcomers. You have found a great place to ask questions.
I'm working away with a mind slightly fuzzy with concern. I know everything will go well. It is after all considered easy stuff by cardiac surgeons. So DH and I will take off tomorrow morning, for a day of final tests and DH's surgery on Friday. I'll have lots of company and lots of magazines, which I think will be the extent of my powers of concentration. DH will be fascinated by the proceedings, and then out or dopey.
You all are, as always, a great source of comfort. I'll be back soon. Bon Voyage Carole. See you in September.
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Fortunate, you and your DH will be in my thoughts on Friday. I will muster my strongest healing vibes.
Okiegal, good to hear from you. Glad you're busy and happy with your reconstruction as the 2 yr. anniversary approaches.
Hello to everyone.
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Fortunate1: Will be thinking of you and your DH tomorrow....
Carole: Hope you have a wonderful trip. We leave next Thursday for Italy. It should be fun.
Hi to all!
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DH and I attended my niece's graduation from the EMT Basic night school she attended. She has passed all the written tests but must still take the state registry exam before she is certified. The ceremony was very nice.
Today I'm having lunch with a couple of golfing friends. Tonight dinner out with another couple. Tomorrow dinner out with a younger couple who are neighbors. Last night dinner out after the graduation with my mom, my sister (mother of graduate) and her DH. My DH, too, of course. All this eating out is not good for weight control. WW says "make wise choices." I just joined Loseit.com at the recommendation of some of the women on Wednesday Weigh-in. The web site looks a lot like the WW site but is free. I cancelled my WW subscription.
Okiegal and Meg, how are you doing with weight control?
It's hot and muggy out. I'm off to walk 3 mi., perspire, and shore up will power!!!
Have a wonderful Friday.
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Hi everyone!!! I haven't disappeared... Lol, I follow closely what everyone writes abt via e-mail. I finally decided to jump in again. It's nice to c new ppl on here too!! For those who don't know me I had a BMX Jan2010. It was partially preventative & b/c I had b/c cells. Aw. I had the one step & have had at least 2 surgeries since then to fix the "imperfections" & in Aug going for g-d willing my last one. I must say I wonder if I did the TE's wld I of have better results?? My left foob is not as bad as it was off to the side, but NOT good either!! Still have a wide path between both foobs & have had what my ps calls "Fat injections". Taking fat cells from my belly & insetting them in between my fobs. Gotta say not loving it & still NOT good. I'm gonna make an appt w/ him soon & talk abt this. I also have a "bump" (not sure what to call it) on the rt side. We had an MRI done & it's an "allorderm pocket", but b/c after my BMX I developed cellulitis infection on the rt foob, he didn't wanna touch it!! Scaredy cat!! Lol. But when I c him what I'm gonna suggest & I've read abt this on here somewhere, that maybe give me the next size implant up & move em closer. I've heard that "helps" in situations like mine where there is skin rubbing against bone ...
Aw, new bride gr8!2 c u & gr8 that all is good! I have been hearing more abt the cold caps on new stories!!!
Plez forgive me, I know someone's DH is having surgery.. I remember reading it a while ago... I am sorry 2 hear this & pray all is ok & he has a quick recovery !!
Glad to hear everyone else is good!!
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Hello all,
I'm writing from a convenient internet connection at the hospital. Quite a luxurious place. DH is doing very well. He's still sleeping a lot but you wouldn't know that he had heart surgery yesterday. There is a couch for me to sleep on so I'm spending a lot of time here.
Thank you all for your good wishes.
Last week we flew to a graduation in Indiana. We always watch the changing landscape from our window. We were amazed at river after river backed up and flooded. And then the Mississippi!! Vast damage. Carole, I hope there are no tributaries endangering you.
Love and hugs to all you remarkable women. And back to DH's room for me.
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Fortunate, I'm very happy your DH survived the surgery and is doing well.
Tinkerbell, good to hear from you. If I were younger, I would go back for revision surgery/ies, too, but I have decided to "let well enough alone." I go braless most of the time at home, but never out in public. My nipples aren't the same level and the right breast has a dent at the top. Before bc, I always wore a bra in public so that is not a change.
Wishing everyone a happy Sunday.
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Fortunate1, answered prayers! I'm so happy to hear that your DH is doing well. I know it's been stressful for you so, I hope that you are doing better as he improves. Here's to a smooth recovery.
Tinkerbell, so nice to hear from you. I've often wondered how you were doing. Thanks for the update!
Carole, I had lost a few pounds and then gained part of that weight back. I'm starting back on WW today. That's the most important part...starting back! Hopefully, I'll "stay on the WW wagon" this summer and lose, at least, 10 pounds. I'll check out "Lose it", but continue with the WW program. I've been "doing Weight Watchers" for so many years, it's very easy for me...ahhh, except when I don't stay on. Hmm. Oh well, must keep trying. I don't like the alternative! Have a good day all!
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Hi everyone,
DH had the rest of his tubes out today, so he will be coming home tomorrow - YAY! He is a good, analytical patient. I think he's kind of enjoying watching the process of his healing body. I have been sleeping on the couch in his hospital room, so I will be very happy to be at home too. I have been ducking out to do a bit of work each day. A close friend is coming to stay with us. She's wonderful company and will be able to "husband-sit" when I teach, work or ..... wonderful wonderful ..... celebrate Dad's 91st birthday!
Spellgirl, I've been inattentive. Have you found anyone who does the one-step procedure? I turned down the flap options for the same reasons - muscle strength. I had no idea that the Diep was done as much as it is. I might have gone for that. I do have had a little bit of muscle weirdness with the implant that I didn't expect. The implant is under the muscle. When I use the muscle it visibly flexes - creepy. But it is still strong and fully functional.
Okie88, Ask away. We've had a bit of everything here. I think the recovery is much faster with the one-step. Yes, I do have a flat spot and it hasn't gone away. It bothers me mostly because I'm a unilateral and have no flat spot on the other side. It is not visible in a bra.
Back soon, I hope. Hi Tink, Hi Sandy. Bon voyage, Carole and Upcreek. Hi Okiegal, I haven't dared to weigh myself lately. Too much hospital food.
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Fortunate 1: Thanks for the update and so happy he is doing well.
Hi to all. Busy packing. Be back in 2 weeks.
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Fortunate1, such good news! I'm happy to hear you have good friends to help you keep all of your pots boiling (or spinning and firing!
) Happy Birthday to your father!Went for a followup to my internist and recieved a prescription for blood pressure medication. I expected as much, but am not happy about it. I'm feeling much more motivated to eat healthy, exercise and lose weight!
Happy trails UpCreek and Carol, hope everyone is having a good week.
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Checking in from Eden, SD, pop. 97. We travelled through MS, AR, MO and IA with no mishaps and arrived here late yesterday afternoon. Along the way, we saw some very pretty scenery and some ho-hum views out of the windows of the Ford truck, too. It's good to rest for a day and visit with friends. Tomorrow we'll be moving on to ND. DH wants to be in Banff for Memorial Day holiday. So tomorrow begins the portion of the trip when we'll be seeing new territory.
Happy birthday to Fortunate's father! Good luck, Okiegal, in getting back on the WW wagon.
Hi to everyone.
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I thought you all might be amused by this. DH had the most trouble with .... the drain. His was much bigger than ours, and caused the most discomfort. And his incision for the minimally invasive surgery? Well it looks much like a mastectomy scar. We're twins. He is doing very well, lots of naps. He was able to attend Dad's birthday party. He and Dad wore out at about the same time.
Carole, love the idea of Eden, SD. So tiny.
Hugs to all.
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