Nipple Sparing Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
Comments
-
Sorry - it's called Back N Belly Pillow
0 -
Naoko2013- Hmmm, maybe slip some muscle relaxant in the dog chow? Just kidding!!! So glad you got your drains out. Isn't that the best feeling in the world? I think you should sleep much better just doing that. Hope the muscle relaxant worked for you and you got some good zzzzzzzzz's!
0 -
Naoko: I was anxious to get off pain meds as quickly as possible. My onco actually "scolded me" and said no one ever got addicted to Darvocet and said I need to take that while I am recovering. If I didn't I'd have a hard time with moving around and getting back to "normal" again.
Kate: Glad you are doing well!
0 -
Naoko- I want to make sure that you know I never meant to imply that if you are in pain you should still go off pain meds. No one should ever have to be in pain throughout this. I just thought that a pain med that was not quite so strong as Dilaudid would still manage your pain but not make you feel so "drugged". I found, for me, the less pain meds I had in my system the better I felt emotionally. Sometimes, it takes a few times to find something that works just right for you and your doctor should understand that. I hope you are doing better today, but if not, please don't hesitate to contact your doctor's office.
0 -
Ok, I am trying not to freak out.....but it is not working! I had my exchange on 6/29. Yesterday I was stretching for something and felt some pain in my left breast. Today the pain is worse and I am feeling a hard lump on the upper left hand side of my breast. My PS used Allorderm and I have stitches all around the diameter of each breast. The lump is below one of the stitches and is about the size of a marble. The stitch itself looks normal, not swollen, and the skin over the lump isn't red or anything. The pain is not bad, but is constant, and is worse when I press on the lump.Does anyone have any experience with anything similar after exchange, with Alloderm, etc. I sent an e-mail to my BS and my PS. My next appointment with my PS is not until the 21st as she is out of the country right now. My BS is over 2 hours away from my house. So, should I be freaking out? Would a recurrence show up that quickly? I had my NSM in early March.0
-
WhiteDove did some research for me within minutes and found some threads that described something called seroma. A woman had it and said it was a gathering of fluid that she had between her implant and muscle. She said it puts painful pressure on the stitches that are anchoring the Alloderm. It sounds like if it's that they just have to drain it. Also,she found a link that Deborah (whippetmom) had a thread about Alloderm with a link that said seromas happen about 7% of the time with Alloderm. So I am feeling much better after reading all that. Will still call the surgeon in the morning but I am not as freaked out now. Thanks WhiteDove for all the info and PM's. You're awesome!!!
0 -
Hello, my mom had her nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction Juene 28. She is going to have another surgery this Saturday because she has diabetes with the Dr. Says is causing small veins which can't reach all the skin he left (she has big breasts) and slows down healing. The surgery this Saturday is to remove the infecteD or dead skin. Has anyone else had problems with their mastectomy like this? What should her skin look like? Right now it is a bruised dark red in some spots, black dry, a slimy yellow and normal in other spots? She was only on antibiotics for a week and had her drains in for about two weeks. The Doctor started having us change her bandages daily a week after thE surgery but it didn't help. Does reconstruction just not take in some people especially diabetics? Any insight would be appreciated.
0 -
marichai- sorry to hear about your mother's situation. I have not heard of personal accounts of this, but according to the research, diabetes is considered a contraindication for SSM.
0 -
Kate33- Keep us posted on how your doing. I'm glad you got information on what was going so you didn't panic. Thank God for this website and the sisters here!
Whitedove-what a great post! I totally agree and we had similar stories. If I didn't research on my own I would have never known about NSM as none of the Dr's I saw initially told me about it. I learned a lot about the NSM on here and then pursued the issue. Wouldn't you know, I was a candidate! If I didn't do my research I would have never had the opportunity to even find that out.
0 -
YAY - I had my last fill yesterday - now at 400ccs - at exchange he will put in 450cc implants - surgery probably the end of September - can't wait.
Kate - I had a seroma when I had gallbladder surgery 25 years ago - when they removed the stitches the pressure caused the fluid to squirt over to the wall!! It healed fine though and if they drain it I think you will feel better - hope all goes well.
0 -
I got an exchange surgery date- Aug 23- I can't wait!! Oh I want sooo much to be DONE- but won't hold my breath till I'm all done healing I guess- sorry you're still having troubles Kate33, this isn't going so smoothly is it?? I'm sure this will clear up soon though, it sounds like it's proably just a minor thing. Hang in there!
0 -
Hi everyone- I heard from my BS today. She said she does not think it is a seroma based on where it is located. She thinks it may just be a large inflammation from one of the stitches. (For those on the pic forum if you've seen my stitches you know- those are some crazy ass stitches.) Anyway, it's anti-inflammatory meds for now, and she's going to check back with me on Monday so we'll see. She didn't seem alarmed so I'm going to try to not be as well. My PS will look at it on the 21st when I have my stitches out.
WhiteDove- Thanks for finding all the threads for me and for the great post on here, too.
One thing I will never understand is women who practically attack us for having NSM's as though we have chosen vanity over survival. I would never tell someone that the type of MX they chose was wrong or dangerous even if I did believe it. What I, and WhiteDove, have attempted to do is educate women, who have not yet made their decision, that NSM is just another option they may want to investigate. Like Sweetie, I was never told about this option from my first BS. I have been contacted by a few women who were upset that they were never told about this and now have lost their nipples when they may have been very good candidates. It's just so wrong!
0 -
Kate33-so glad your better. I'm sure you feel better about things knowing it's nothing serious. Keeping you in my thoughts always! I agree about the NSM. My Dr. thinks he will be doing many more of these in the future. The word spreads fast. I agree it is not about vanity! Gosh no! BC is the hardest thing for any woman to have to face and having all the options available to you depending on your DX empowers you. To me NSM is about being empowered at time when you feel powerless!
0 -
sweetie- So true- all of it!!!
0 -
Hi Ladies, Whitedove, thanks for reposting on this site. Kate I had a similiar hardness which was below the suture line which I thought to be connective tissue. I would massage it daily to soften it up. There still is burning when I stretch and after using weights.
Sweetie, I remember how difficult time you had with your previous surgeon and it being so close to your surgery date.
Gagirl, hope you are feeling better soon.
0 -
PB22- Thanks for the reassurances. It does feel like a burning. My BS doesn't seem too concerned, don't know why every little thing takes me to the "dark place"!
0 -
jessamine- Congrats on having an exchange date!!! It's so nice to have something to circle on the calendar isn't it? Your yippee squishees will be here SOON!!!!!
0 -
Just curious- is anyone going to the Ta-Ta sisterhood reunion in Las Vegas this year? Am kicking around the idea of going. I believe it is Oct 1-4th.
0 -
Oh, I found a forum that fits what I was asking. I'm such a dodo its called "Skin / Capillaries look dead to surgeon" Thank you WhitDove for your reply. My mom had the same questioning and pressure from family, friends and even from her GS (indirectly) about doing NSM. Its been hard but I really hope things work out for my mom she doesn't need anything else at all stressful with her bc. Thank you.0
-
Saw a great quote today: "Breast Cancer- The initiation sucks, and the hazing's a bitch, but this sisterhood is for life!"
0 -
Kate - I thought about going to the reunion in Las Vegas (I could drive and be there in 6 hours), but I think my exchange surgery is going to be the middle or end of September so I guess not this year. I think it would be way fun though - especially if some from this site were going - would love to meet everyone!!
0 -
Sweetie - my PS said the same: doing more NSMs and it is in demand.
0 -
Jessamine, congrats on your Xchg date. Kate, that quote says it all!
0 -
Valerie- I understand. I wouldn't want to go so close after exchange, either. We should definitely go next year! It sounds like so much fun!
0 -
Hi ladies-I posted a couple of pics on the pic forum under "bilateral nipple sparing-pending gummy's for anyone who wants to see another NSM sister, also looking for comments on my size and if I should stop expanding.
0 -
Hi Sweetie, I viewed your pics and they are gorgeous! I wouldn't worry about the pink nip for now. Your scars are healing nicely and could barely see them on the side. I understand the space you mentioned. That is what I had before changing to a larger implant. If you leave it as is and have an implant, right now the stiff expander is keeping you in place, and lie flat on your back your going to see an even bigger space, especially in a swim suit. I would mention that to the PS to make sure this is corrected during the exchange. He might adjust the pocket closer together or give you a wider diameter implant. I would not be afraid to go larger if your undecided on the next size up because you tight chest muscle is going to flatten it a bit. Your PS should make sure you don't see where the implant begins ie flat chest then implant mound. I think you look big for a 300cc but it could be the expander throwing us off. and not having had expanders myself and not totally understanding their placement, I am wondering if the 300cc looks like alot on you because the volume is not displaced into a "wider" area filling in the gap.-meaning if you took that 300cc and went over an inch you would lose some of the volume from the projection being its fluid. With that being my understanding, I would go larger than the 300cc maybe a 375-400 depending on your diameter needed. There is not going to be a whole lot of difference in projection so make sure your happy with the projection.
0 -
Sweetie, I think you are looking great! I can relate in that I am fully filled with 315 and I look big enough! I would just reiterate to your ps that you would like them closer. I know a lot does depend on your pec muscles but they can tweak the pockets at the time of exchange and get it closer. I would look up your specific expanders, check out the specs on them such as width and projection and then check out the Allergen site and check out that specs on the 410. I don't know too much about them in terms of sizing. Honestly though, you are looking good and your ps knows what he/she is doing so I would ask her to bring a few sizes for your exchange and let her make the final call.
0 -
I am so amazed by the wonderful advice and information shared between all of you!! I just wanted to add, that I asked my BS and PS about NSM. My BS said that my PS would really have to make the choice if it was viable or not, because of where they would ene up after surgery. I would not want them pointed the wrong way. Would have never thought about it, but my husband was wondering about it. He's an engineer and thinks of odd things at times. My PS was more than willing to accomodate my request and says that in the end, I should look like I just had an augmentation. I did not particularly have an opinion about NSM, but was thrilled about having fewer procedures to go through. I am post-op 18 days now, off pain meds and started driving last week. My first fill is Tuesday and was just wondering, how uncomfortable is that??
Thank you ladies for being so imformative and supportive at such a difficult time.
0 -
Naoko2013- My first few fills were not uncomfortable at all because I was still so numb. After that it was a little uncomfortable. The thing that worked for me was the bigger I got the smaller fills I got and I had my PS prescribe a muscle relaxant that I took the day before until a few days after each fill and that helped a lot. Everyone is different, though. Some have a lot of pain with each fill and some none at all. Just remember that it is up to you, not your doctor, how many cc's you want to go with on each fill. As they are doing the fill there is a point where you will start to feel the fullness. I would recommend not going farther than that because the uncomfortableness, or pain, does not kick in for a few hours later. Some women who've had too much added have actually gone back to their PS's office hours later and asked for some of it to be removed. If you're worried just go slow. We all want to get done quickly but if you're uncomfortable the whole time it's just not worth it. Good luck on Tuesday!
0 -
Hi everyone! I've been away then mad busy with kids returning to my empty nest that isnt so empty now.
Kate 33: hope all goes well for you. I developed a lump upper outer part of my right breast after exchange about the size of a marble, went in several times to have it drained, it finally resolved then I got one on my left side! Had that drained several times and now hopefully Im done. My PS said similar things develop after other surgery (like tummy tuck) I think it was somewhat related to increased activity and lifting. Good luck!
Im going to Vegas! Jean (mykidsmom from exchange city) and I were good friends in highschool and havent seen eachother since: we are going to be room mates! I would so love to meet you wonderful ladies.....if anyone decides to go let me know!!!
0
