Nipple Sparing Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
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More good advice: zip up in front sports bras, if your doc wants you to wear a bra. Make sure you go a size up to accommodate swelling. Small pillows for under the arms, to use as props. I took them everywhere with me for the first week. Have things handy by your bed, chap stick, tissue, magazines, etc. I put an extra TV table in front of my night stand, so I did not have to reach back. You will have a hard time reaching for anything for the first few weeks, so keep that in mind when you are doing pre-surgery planning. You will want to put things down at a level that you will not have to reach for them. You will also have to think of how you want to get around with drains. They cannot hang free. The hospital gave me a mastectomy bra that had pockets to place the drain pouches in. I have heard of people using a fanny pack, or just pinning them to their cloths with safty pins.
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Hi everyone. Just checking in, wasn't able to get internet access for a few days. Fairportlady, glad to hear your first day back at work went okay. How long were you out of work? For those who haven't had their surgeries yet, there are discussion threads for women who are having mastectomies the same month. (I was on the March Mastectomies.) It was great to connect to women who were also scheduled for the same time. I'm sure they have one for April, May and maybe more. If they don't have one for your month, start one, that's what I did and then it just happens.
I am doing okay, more or less. My exchange date is May 20th (my anniversary.) My PS waits 6 weeks after fills. I am hoping that the exchange will improve the visuals as well as the iron bra feeling. I don't like how my breasts are so far apart, also the nipples are not even, but of course the PS did tell me that he couldn't guarantee symmetry. The nipple on the left breast is too much on the left side and the one on the right side is too high up. And did I mention that the sizes are uneven? I am still very happy that I have my nipples, I can't say it enough.
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Hello to everyone. I thought I would check in and give a brief update on my nipple sparing, 1Step, direct to implant MX. I also have a few tidbits of advice for those with surgery coming up.
I am 11 weeks post-op today. I still have eschar that is healing along the incision line (along the underside of the areola) so I am still cleaning with Hibiclens and applying Silvadene creme. The nipple is beginning to show a little more projection than before. It was pretty flat. I'm still not ready to rock that "high beams" look cuz right now I'm more like a beam and half but it is coming along. It just takes lots of patience. PS is probably going to do something to my "good" nipple when I get my symmetry surgery if I still dont have a good match.
As far as the implant, I have dropped and fluffed. The foob is definitely the better built of the two right now. If we can get the other to match I'll definitely have a smokin' rack. The only revision I may have would be to add some fat injections along the top side to fill in a little. All in all I'm pretty satisfied with my reconstruction. I went from a 32A to a 34B/C. Hopefully I will have my symmetyry and revision surgeries this summer.
For those about to have surgery, I used 30c Arnica Montana pellets for about a week before surgery and about a week after. In fact, my PS gave me a pack of pre and post arnica caps to take just before and after surgery. I had no bruising whatsoever and my swelling was practically nonexistent. I recommend it highly. I was able to go almost entirely without pain meds.
For the drains I recommend a lanyard. These are commonly used to hang corporate IDs around your neck. They have a little clip at the end that works really well on the drains. I suppose you could get them at Office Max.
Fruit of the Loom and Hanes both make a hook in the front cotton sports bra that you can get at Wal-Mart for about $10 ea. They run really small. I bought mine 2 sizes larger. Those are what I wore while my MX bra was in the wash.
Well that's all for now cuz Chemo makes me tired. TTYL
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Glad to hear all the recent surgeries are going well. I meet with a PS tomorrow that does the NSM procedure as well as DIEP, and maybe GAP. Any pointers as to what I should ask about when I'm there? I'm going to re-read the thread and take some notes but I'm still need to get the the point that I'm going to have to stand there is all glory and figure out what is going to be done.
I'm hoping to get things scheduled for end of April, early May. I don't think I want it any earlier than the 27th of April. Trying to get the rest of the kids Bday's finished out this week and next and then My son's weblo camp-out is the weekend of the 24th. I think I want to get my DH past that then I can deal with me and He's on his own with the kids.
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Just re-reading. TNLady. I spit out the water I was drinking when I read how your DH embarrassed the PS. I can totally relate. My DH would do the same thing.
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Hi all. Newbride--thank you so much for mentioning the arnica!! I would never have thought of it. I hear it works great, and it certainly sounds like you had a great experience. Thanks to all for the other great suggestions on getting set up.
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Hi Everyone: I'm just waiting, and anxious for my appointment next week (15th) with PS to see how I've healed after fills, measure and schedule exchange. The TE has "acted up" this week and shifted places again.
I had someone who did cosmetic implants give me some arnica. I've been too chicken to use it though. I might talk to my PS about taking it before/after exchange and see what he thinks. The person who gave it to me is a little different, so I wasn't sure about taking it...but couldn't throw it out either. Thanks for the input!
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It's odd how PS's work differently. I had my last fill last week and my PS told me to schedule the exchange with the secretary in 6 weeks. I don't have any further appt with the PS until the actual surgery. BCincolorado, how has your TE acted up? Is it a dramatic shift? I feel a shift sometimes but am not certain. What is the arnica for?A question about posting. On the signature line when we have stuff like diagnosis, grade, etc, I notice some women put things like oncotype or nipple sparing mastectomy, etc but I couldn't figure out how to plug in different assorted bits of info. Any suggestions?0
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gulp, Arnica is a naturopathic remedy used to prevent/treat swelling and bruising. It was recommended to me by another woman on this site who had good results. I decided that it can't hurt me and it might help. It worked great. I also use the gel on the area where my IV is placed for chemo. Taxotere can be hard on veins and arnica gel even helps with that. You can find arnica at Vitamin Shoppe and I think it is even available at CVS and other drug stores. Bonus: it's inexpensive. I think I spent $15 max on the pellets and the gel together.0
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Hi Everyone:
Gulp: to add to the signature line you would go to edit profile , not edit dx, under profile scroll down to signature line and you can add to it.
JoanSF, I went immediate into implants with no expanders. The pain for me was pretty significant as the muscle is stretched all at once, requiring pain meds. Could not pull grapes from the stems or cut through anything with a knife, could not reach across sink for pump soap, found the bar soap easier etc. so have all your food prep done ahead of time. You won't lift your arms to pull anything over your head, even getting out of bed will be difficult. Not to scare you but so that you are prepared.
Fairport: having my exchange for larger implants May 24. To fill in the wide gap between the breasts and the divot. Going from 375cc to 550cc. I am dreading going throught the incisional pain again especially that I have been faithful with the scar creams, only to make fresh scars in the same incision. The PS seemed surprised I was still complaining of pain. I think its the burning of the skin pulling or rubbing on bone or perhaps its connective tissue pulling. I will be curious if it goes away with the exhange out. I suspect he'll be able to see if there is scar tissue causing pulling. Its mostly behind the areola and work outs seems to bother it. I did attempt some push ups which shows how brave I'm getting the farther away from the surgery!
New Bride: thanks for the tip on the Arnica, I'll have to inquire about it.
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Gulp and PB: hey you are surgery sisters: May 20 and 24. !!! So psyched for you both! I have kinda a gap too PB: waiting for the drop and fluff to happen before deciding if its a problem, doing the massage stuff the PS has me doing too. Gulp: its been a while: my bmx 1/11 and just back to work now, altho I did go back just to do phone triage a couple of weeks ago: but physically wasnt really able to go back to my regular stuff till now. Im really not a wimp: had total hyst 10 years ago and did great, childbirth with no drugs, but what can I say: this really kicked my butt!!!
New Bride: was so happy to hear from you: what good suggestions for everyone! I hope that smokin rack is happening for you when this is done: Im sure it will be....my thoughts are with you honey: All this is hard enough without chemo on top of it.
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I posted this on exchange city too: thought you all could use a laugh
ps they are real anesthesiologists...0 -
gulp: My TE is "acting up" by shifting upwards again where I just want to shove it down all the time! I had gotten away from wanting to do the "Pledge of Allegience" all the time, but now I just want to make that thing get down there where it belongs again! I don't know is some muscles have moved to make it do this again or if my work-outs on a Gazelle and all the upper body movement there moved something strange. It's definitely not still swollen, just shifted. You can see where it sits in there.
If anyone hasn't watched that video fairport posted it is a big laugh! Laughter is medicine!
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They sound great!
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Well, I would have gone with the arnica, but I just finished with hospital pre-registration, and I mentioned it to them, and they said to mention it to the surgeon. I talked to the breast surgeon (not the PS), he said he didn't want me to take it in advance, or as they say, 'have it on board.' Oh well. I think the PS will let me take it after, but I don't think it works that well after the fact.
Also, you all probably know this, but no Vitamin E in advance of surgery--a new one on me, but I haven't really been much on supplements until I had chemo, and now that it's over, I will probably cut way back.
Happy weekend to all...
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joan, I take a lot of supplements and they had me stop all of them about two weeks before surgery.
fairport, I love the video, especially when the guys pop up behind the sheet, funny stuff. You gave me the idea to post another youtube video.
bcincolorodo, Some ladies on the Exchange city thread have tried the Chic shaper to hold the TE's in place. Maybe you could try that to see if it would help hold them in place.
NewBride, Nice to hear from you!
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This is a great video in honor of breast cancer awareness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw
It's called the Pink Glove Dance!
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Mom2aej, How did your appointment go? I'm glad I made you laugh! My DH always goes in with me, and he always is trying to think of something funny to say. It can be embarrassing, but it lightens the mood. I hope your appointment went well.0
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TN thanks!! loved it.....
Good weekend to everyone.
bcincolorado: I had one TE that rotated: the port used to be at the top at 12 o clock and by the time of the exchange it was at 6 o clock and closer to the nipple! felt weeeeeird....
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The appointment went well. I think I had read somewhere on these boards that you go in with the fantasy of what you are going in for and come out with the reality. He gave me lots of info, (much I had already read here) and said nipple sparing can be done but he does that at the discretion of the BS. He explained that the BS is the "captain" and orchestrates everything. He can do the nipple sparing but he said that could limit or change the way he would do the reconstruction. Something about not being able to microscopically graft if I did the NSM but he said that would all be better to determine after he had a chance to talk with the BS. He said I don't necessarily have enough to go a bit bigger on top. I just don't want to end up smaller. I would like to do the DIEP as I like that fact that its my own tissues and would not require the upkeep that implants would over time. If I go the implant route than I don't know about the tummy. My tummy is mishapped and stretched out so much from a triplet pg that with out help there is no way that I will fix itself. I also have to wait for the BRCA results to come back in. If the ovaries have to come out he wants to have that done first so his handiwork doesn't get ruined. I should have the results of that test hopefully by the end of next week.
This week has just been insane. Kids have been off. Weather has been gorgeous so they have been out a lot and wanting to go to the lake. I've been trying to get their parties planned. One was last night and went fine. I have another 4-5 kids coming over tonight and my sons will be next weekend. I have been on overload and told the grandparents that they can plan the kids "family" party as I haven't had a time to deal with it. So of course they planed a barbecue at my house. My fridge decided to die on me so everything is packed into coolers in ice or if it can be frozen in the downstairs chest freezer. (Which is also on its way out). Kids have book reports due and need to work on them, I need to go through their cloths and see what fits them, it was a struggle with them what to wear this week. At least I'm not the one who is going to have to deal with shopping with them this year. I'll pass that on to DH and grandparents.
I'm so glad they are back in school on Monday. And of course my job picked back up. I just want to get my results from all my tests so I can get this scheduled and finally figure out how to plan the next few months. Until I get that date I feel stuck in limbo.
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TNLady and Fairport: Thanks for the input! My appoitnment is on Thursday so I guess I'll what the PS says when he sees it.
Mom: waiting is the hardest part!
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mom, You really have your hands full, it sounds like you need a date night with your DH! It would do you good to get out, have some fun, and get your mind off of BC for a night. Has your PS worked with your BS before?0
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LOL. No I need a girls night and let him deal with the kids. 2 parties down. Family party tomorrow and then I have a week to deal with my son's. At least my fridge seems to be working again after we defrosted it. Now if the kids can learn to close the door completely maybe it won't happen again. I did manage to get most of the laundry done while the girls were playing but now its time to crash for the night.
Yes my BS and PS work together all the time. My BS was at Columbia in NYC before she moved across the river and she brought her "specialists" with her. I just want the BRCA results in so I can move forward.
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Mom, We have to take time for ourselves sometimes. My children are older, but still demanding of my time. I took a day this past week and went out with one of my good friends from elementary school. We went out for lunch, had a pedicure, and did some shopping. It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
I'm glad your fridge started working again, we had the same problem years past with ours.
Hopefully, you will get your results very soon so you can get things finalized.
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Well family party over. Kids in bed and go back to school tomorrow. I think I've made a decision on the team I want to use so that phone call will be made after the kids get on the bus. Going to take a deep breath and move forward in the process.
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Mom, anxious to hear how your phone call went.
I hope everyone is having a great week!
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Made the call. I'm scheduled for May 24th. I need to work the details out with the PS about the specifics and the BS wants an MRI done. I should have BRCA results back by the end of this week. If I need the ovaries out they have time to have that done before they do the BMX. Nipple sparing is still to be decided. I want to do what will give me the best results. Thanks for asking. I just have my son's party left to deal with and the birthdays are done and I can try to get back to my slightly less crazy life.
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Mom, I'm glad you have your appointment scheduled. I am very happy with my results from the nipple sparing. Did your insurance pay for the BRCA test? I have not had that done, but I was going to talk to my GYN about having it done when I go in May.0
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Yes insurance is paying for the test. I'm not sure which result I would be happy with. +, would explain alot but than my girls would have to worry about if they were carriers. - than it just means my family's history is unexplained and I'm no closer to answers than I am now.
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Mom, I know where you are coming from, I have a daughter too. My mother also had breast cancer, so now I'm worried about my daughter too. I hope it comes back negative, some things we just can't explain why they happen, they just do. BC sucks! Good luck with the next party!0
