Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?

1…9293959798…110

Comments

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi everyone.

         Saw my surgeon today. I finish chemo Dec. 26th and will have my bilateral mastectomy about a month after that. I saw the plastic surgeon and am thinking I will go with alloderm and one step implant. Been reading the posts in here and it seems helpful.

    Rose

  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,022
    edited December 2012

    Rose:  I went with it because it meant I only had to have the one surgery.  I wanted to cut down on the possibility of any further infections.  So far so good for me.  A bit tight now but I hear it loosens up with massage and just over time.  I'm very glad I made the choice to do a one step implant.

    Susan

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,212
    edited December 2012

    Good luck, Rose!   I'm 3 years plus out from the 1-step with alloderm and I don't regret my surgery choice.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Smile Good morning and thank you for replying. I am definitely nervous about surgery.

    My breasts have been hurting since I was in my twenties. I am 51 now. My lumpectomy scar does not hurt but my scar from lymph node removal hurts constantly. I just hope that I will have relief from all that someday. I am wondering about how long it took to recover from the surgery. How painful it was.

        I am also going to be having my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in April. I have the BRCA1 mutation. So I really don't have much choice in doing these surgeries.

        I have 4 chemo treatments left. I am doing the ACT course of treatment. I was going to do radiation, but if I do the mastectomy I will not have to. I inquired about that with my oncologist. I  looked up some of the reconstruction and my PS can do this one on me. I did not want expanders. I also wanted to go smaller from a D to an A or B. I will also have a lift.

    Have a great day.

    Rose

  • OM12
    OM12 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2012

    Hi Rose - I'm now 4 mos out of surgery for direct to implant, I still feel tightness and pain, but it really is subsiding... there's the odd zingers now which apparently is nerve regeneration. The taping worked really, really well - I would definitely recommend that for anyone having this procdeure whose implants are riding high. In clothes with the right bra, hands down you cannot tell the old from the new.

    But looking back part of me wishes that I had gone with the flap procedure - I'm 40 and I find there is a noticeable difference between the way my real breast and my implant move when I run, excersise, swim, etc. In a sports bra, which I wear a lot because I find the bands on real bras irritate under my arm, by the end of the day you can see slippage or flattening of my old boob compared to the never moving new one...and I wonder if this will continue to annoy me as the real one gets saggier and the new one stays firm and high... 

    My PS is great and has said that if I still feel this way there's no time limit on changing things... so for now I'm trying to put it all out of my mind and just remembering how incredibly lucky I am. 

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi Om,

      Oh I am having both done. I will keep the tape thing in mind,I am wearing my post op cami all the time lately. Feels better than bras. I hate bras. I am feeling that nerve regeneration in my lymph node removal scar. Ouch! makes me holler sometimes. Thanks for replying.

    Rose

  • softness1
    softness1 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2012

    I am having a bilateral with immediate implant recon on 12/12/12. Next Wed. I hope it works out. I just don't think I can deal with several surgeries. My sister had pancreatic cancer and had the Whipple procedure (where they take out parts of your stomach, pancreas, intestines, bile, gallbladder etc) this Sept. I went to Ala. to help her out and I just can't imagine going through anything similar to what she went thru.

    She was cut from one side of her stomach to the other. Cutting through muscle seems way more difficult to recover from than taking tissue out of a fatty breast and the thought of the TE was mind blowing. I'm a scary cat.  If I were younger maybe I'd do the Diep flap. But after a couple of kids and age, just having perkier breast is considered a winner situation...lol Cool

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    hi Softness,

       I am hoping your surgery goes well. I know what you mean. My boyfriend had a bunch of surgery in August and it was rough. He is just now doing better.

       I have chemo today. I'm already a bit under the weather this morning. So I hope

    not to have issues later. Have a good day,

    Rose

  • softness1
    softness1 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2012

    Thanks Mareluna!!! Sorry ur not feeling well.



    But it's just a means to get to the end. The big picture is for the months and even for yrs for a few of us, we must do treatment, when u compare it to how much more life it gives us it's worth it. I'll take 1 bad yr if it will give me several good ones. Lol



    Feel better

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Thanks Softness, I am much better today. I slept my usual 3 hour nap after chemo. Then had a light supper. I sat up a bit and went to bed. I lost 4 pounds of water during the night. Good cuz I was really puffy.

         I only have 3 more chemos. My last one is December 26th. And I am starting the new year without any more. The first one landed me in the hospital for 4 days. I thought no way I can do this. But my ONC cut the dosage and i went to 3 weeks versus two. So I tolerated that. Taxol is weekly and I do ok. No real downtime.

        Well i guess I am headed to the store now. Have a great day!

    Rose

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    I am having bi-lateral prophylactic mastectomy tomorrow with the direct to implant procedure.  I chose this because I wanted as few surgeries as possible.  All the pictures I saw looked good but now Im afraid of the "lumpiness".  I am wondering about recovery time for exercise like lifting weights, golf etc.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Im really nervous about this whole experience!!!

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,212
    edited December 2012

    It has been 3 yrs. plus a few months since my 1-step bilateral.  I wish I had kept a diary, but I didn't.  Time has blurred the experience, but I do recall that the first year following dx was consumed with the whole experience.  I was on this thread every day talking to several other bc sisters going through the same ordeal.  I had healing issues with one nipple and with one incision.  I used two different creams on the incision and on the nipple.  The nipple finally healed and I had to go back into surgery to redo the incision.  It wasn't a big deal.  After that, the incision healed rapidly.  Those posts are many pages back in this discussion forum.

    At this point, my breasts are "lumpy" for want of a better description.  I am a candidate for revision and my PS advised revision during the first year.  But I didn't want to go through another surgery.  I should have these implants replaced with larger implants for a better cosmetic result.  But I will turn 70 in March.  I'm more interested in playing golf and living my life than improving my appearance in the nude.  Other women who have had revisions report that it's a much easier surgery than the initial 1-step. 

    If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't do the TE's but the final result of TE's may possibly be better than the 1-step.  There's a good possibility that a revision may be necessary for improving the results.

    Good luck and gentle hugs!

  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2012

    Hi titanium,

    Are you keeping your nipples? I'm sure you will be fine you will have a lot of follow up appointments and drains. You will be fine. I was scared too but I held it in until I was on the operating table and I threw up, but then I was out from anastetia. I wish you a speedy recovery from surgery and excellent results.

    Amy Lynn

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    I am keeping my nipples thatsvanity.  How long was your recovery after surgery.  Did you have the one-step or TEs? I hope you are doing well!

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Best wishes Titanium.

         I don't know anything to help you because my surgery will be in February. But I am sending you warm healing thoughts for a speedy recovery.

    Rose

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    Thank you Rose.  My prayers go out to you too. 

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Titanium,

     Was thinking about you today. I hope you are resting after your surgery today. I hope it went well.

    Rose

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    Thank you Rose.  All went well but today is most painful day.  Went in Friday came home Sat and today is Sunday. At least I am cancer free and looking forward not behind! 

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Oh Titanium that is good! I been checking to see if you replied. I am hoping that you get better each day. What are you using for pain management? I have been reading the posts in this section. Seems to be a lot of useful info.

    I am going nutts with the area my two lymph nodes were removed.Ouch. I took pain pills the other night. Took tramadol. Just need some peace from the pain. My port area is also a pain. My lumpectomy site is good.

    I have chemo on Wed. again then i will have two more. So happy that Dec. 26th is soon approaching. My friend has taken me to most of my treatments. My boyfriend had a bunch of surgury and could not. SO no he can finally. I go to chemo where my husband went for lung cancer. It was hard. My hubby passed away 4 years and 8 months ago. Sorry to ramble.

    Get well soon.

    Rose

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    Oh Rose,  it sounds as if you have had a lot of challenges in life but are still staying strong!  I use hydrocodone (as needed) and motrin for pain. Today is Monday and feeling alot better.  I had a  mastectomy with a direct to impland reconstruction so hoping surgery is behind me.  Stay strong!

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi Titanium,

       So glad to hear you are feeling much better today.That is wonderful! I will be doing the same surgery in Feb. I did okay with the lumpectomy. I did not need too much in way of pain meds. I found tylonol worked. I was surprised as tylonol never really works for me.

    Rose

  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2012

    Hi titanium,

    I had the one step with nipple sparing, no tissue expanders. My healing took about five months on my left breast. It just took along time to heal. The breast pocket I think in hindsight was too small for the implant, but everyone is different with healing when there is surgery. I really hope everything is really smooth sailing for you. Please let us all know how you are doing. I'm sure you will look great and feel great within a month or less? It just depends.

    Best wishes,

    Amy Lynn

  • Titanium
    Titanium Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    Thank you for replying Amy Lynn.  I hope you are well and healed today. I also had the one step nipple sparing mastectomy.  Im feeling OK 4 days post op but looking forward to "moving" forward! Emotionally I feel better than I thought, I just feel blessed to be alive -BREASTS dont define me. I am so sorry to hear about your sister, I lost many people in my family as well.  Unfortunaltely I am BRCA positive so I intend to do what it takes to stay alive.  God Bless!

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi ... Yes I am BRCA 1 as well. Will be doing the surgery too. I will also be having tubes and ovaries as well. My mom had ovarian cancer, I lost her in 87. SOMEHOW I KNEW ONE DAY i'D GET CANCER TOO. But I got caught early and I am doing the preventative.

    Just had chemo today. Only 2 more to goooo. Yayyyyy

    Hoping each day you heal more.

    Rose

  • thatsvanity
    thatsvanity Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2012

    Hi titanium,

    You sound great I'm happy everything went well! I am all healed now and very happy with my implants and my decision. I agree about breasts they do not define us!

    Amy Lynn

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi,

    I read all 95 pages in this thread. I found it very helpful. I made an appintment with the PS on Jan. 2nd. I now knew what questions I may have, that I did not know when I saw him. I saw him to find out about surgeries. I am picking this type. I am going from a 44d cup to an A or B. I think I'll want a B. He said he could make me a D. I said No. I want smaller.

         I am nervous about it. BuT I think everyone who is facing this would be. I had my chemo yesterday. I was up at 1:30am this morning. Hoping I have a better week than last week.

      Have a good one. Titanium I hope you are doing well.

  • softness1
    softness1 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2012

    I had my bilateral yesterday. I had the 1 step immediate recon and I'm impressed. I woke with breast. I'm bandaged and all & have pain but I woke to my lovely lady lumps. They seem a little smaller but i will take it.

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Hi softness,

       Glad you updated us. I hope that you have a painfree night. Glad your surgery went ok.

    Rose

  • softness1
    softness1 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2012

    My second night in the hospital. I'm anemic and my iron level is below 7. They r monitoring me. Oh and no more pain pump!!!! The percocets r not as good. I feel prickly pain. Pins and needles

  • mareluna
    mareluna Member Posts: 275
    edited December 2012

    Softness,

        Sorry to hear that. Hope they give you something for that. Where are the pins and needle feelings at?

    Rose

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.