Nipple Sparing Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
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vanderlady- I didn't know about iodine and fibro! I am definitely going to have to do some research about that. Since getting my implants my fibro pain's been off the charts so I will try anything! Just put a big order into Amazon yesterday! Darn!
BRCA1- So sorry about your mom. You have a right to vent. It's hard enough losing those we love to things out of our control but unbearable knowing something could have been done to prevent it. I lost my Grandma the same way so my heart goes out to you.
Hope you get your drains out tomorrow. It shouldn't hurt, but if it does, it's just for a second. And afterwards you are going to feel so much better not being tethered to those *^%&(^^ things!!!
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BRCA1- I am so sorry about the loss of your mom too. It sounds like you two had such a good relationship. (stupid doctors!)
I am glad you are in a better place, to take care of yourself and be here for your children.
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Crunchy -- Yes, they took iodine tincture off the shelves about a year ago because it is an ingredient that can be used to make crack. However, some stores have it behind the counter .... my CVS does .... I'll stock up on it whenever I see it. We use boric acid in a home-made mix for ear drops.... I think you are right, the last time I went looking for it, had a hard time finding it. That's probably behind the counter too!
BRCA - Thanks for the link on the chapstick.... I see they sell it at GNC which is close to me.
Speech -- Glad to hear everything is A-OK for you.
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Hi girls, my drains are out! I am so happy.
I have a question. Today is 1 week since I had my surgery. My skin and nipples looks good and healthy. Does that mean I am out of "danger zone" and I will not develop necrosis and my nipples will survive or is I still too early to celebrate?
When is the critical time over for necrosis to develop and nipple trouble pass?
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I never developed any blackness or necrosis. Mine looked healthy from surgery on. I don't know what the danger time is, but I'd say enjoy the fact that everything looks good and just go with it!
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BRCA1 I would be very confident in saying your nipples are very safe. The real danger zone is the first 72 hours, but i do know women who have lost them at 4 weeks only because their surgeons allowed this lengthy period to occur. May u continue to experience happy healing and a smooth recovery
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BRCA - Bummer.... went to my local GNC but they didn't have the chapstick. As for the danger zone, not sure. I went 3 months and developed an infection that I think was left over from time of MX so I'm gunshy ... paranoid.... about everything now. I'm getting in my pre-surgery readiness.... I'm cleaning all my towels, linens, bras... etc. just because of that damn infection.... never used to be this way. Probably doesn't make a difference but ya never know.
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Hi ladies, I have a question...has anyone here had a paravertabral block during your NSM? I spoke with the tech (?) about the procedure and since I've never had surgery/anesthesia before I get a bit concerned. How did you feel during/after? Any experiences/thoughts would be appreciated, I'm getting a little nervous, I go in Monday...time is feels like it is crawling one moment and speeding another...ugh, I'm ready, but just scared at the same time...
...thank for your input
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vanderladymaybe you can order chapstick on line? Not sure...
Sorry about your infection. Do you feel better now? What did your dr said regarding infection after 3 month? I would think everything would be healed by that time, but I guess anything is possible when it comes to major surgery.
LISAMG , cc4npg I love to think that I am mostly out of the danger zone. Thanks girls !
fire-dancer good luck to you. I didn't have paravertabral block , so can't really give you any advice. I drank 3L of water on the day before and after surgery to flash all the meds out of my body ASAP. I also didn't eat anything after 6 pm day before surgery and follow low fiber diet day before surgery to eliminate stomach problem .
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I looked for the chapstick and found it on Amazon - FYI.
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I bought some Burt's Bees beeswax chapstick that seems pretty good. Has a nice peppermint taste. Also bought Burt's Bees coconut salve (meant as foot moisturizer) that seems good for rubbing on nipples and incisions. Still looking for coconut lip balm... can't believe it doesn't exist somewhere in NYC in a health food store, though DH went to one and they didn't have it.
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Whole Foods Body has Alba organic coconut lip balm (its in chapstick form)---first ingredient is coconut oil. I went to the one in Chelsea on 7th and 24th but I am sure they all carry...
Ilene
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Thanks, Takeadeepbreath. I'll try the one near me.0
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Hey ladies- I went for a follow up with my BS and asked her if she has been doing a lot of NSM and she said the hospital made them stop?! She said not for long though and she will be doing them again. Can you believe that there so much red tape just to offer this procedure. I guess I feel lucky though because I was one of the few she got to do and she is a top notch surgeon. I told her if she wanted me to write a letter from a patient's perspective on what having that option means to a patient I'd be happy to do so. On another note she said NSM is just as safe as a traditional MX and there is no difference in the recurrence rate.
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sweetie- Did she say why the hospital made them stop? That's crazy! My BS at the Arizona Cancer Center told me the same thing- that current research shows the recurrence rate to be the same. Makes sense as just a miniscule amount of BC's originate in the nipples and there's even some debate as to that. I guess we all are lucky we were able to have this and hopefully, in the future, it will be available to anyone who meets the criteria.
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BRCA1 Congrats on no drains!! that's the best feeling...I don't remember when my nipples started to turn black...probably during the second to third week. It was just a scab, so no worries. I remember going to the doctor about 10 days postop and I had this little spot on my incision that looked yellow (like pus) and I was worried about it. It was before the nipple turned black. She looked at it and said it was normal, it was not pus or infection, just a discoloration. It was gone the next day.
What's all this about chapstick? I was unable to find the original question....are you talking about putting on your lips or your scar? (If you are talking about lips....I use Aveeno because I am allergic to most lipbalms--I get a rash).
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Kate33-she didn't tell me why, but my husband thought that the hospital may worry about liability on a new procedure. A lot of these practices are part of the hospital so they are somewhat beholden to what the hospital says they can or can't do. I asked my PS to order 3 sizes of implants for my exchange and he commented that, they don't like when he does that, but he did it for me anyway. Funny he ended up using the first one he tried. My friend has a PS in the same practice and he would only order one size for her exchange (which she had yesterday) Gee, I hope it was the perfect size! My Dr is all for NSM and she wants to keep doing them as well as my PS who commented that "nothing looks better".
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speech529 all the fuss about chopstick is my fault
I love the coconut one, it is so good , so I give it a little advertisement. I hate when my lips are dry and this chopstick is just amazing moisturiser. And no, don't put it on your scar , just on the lips )))0 -
speech- If you're wondering about what to put on your scar, though, whitedove started a great thread called "Skin S.O.S.- Scar Remedies" where everyone posts what scar treatments are working for them.
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Regarding the best implant size, most PS's will utilize breast sizers during the exchange and/or implant surgery to determine the best fit/look. They cannot use actual implants since they cost several $$$$ . Sizers are "disposable implants", so to speak, that get expanded in the O.R. for the PS to determine what implant size is best. Of course, we all hope the best size fit is readily available too..LOL.
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fire dancer -- Why would you need a paravertebral block for an MX.... you will have general anesthesia. The postop pain really isn't that bad.
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Hello ladies. I have had the ok from my surgeon as a candidate for this surgery. I am so excited ( weird eh?). I am currently having chemo for my 2nd bout in 2 years....seriously had enough and never want to do this again. The info here is fantastic. Thanks!
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vanderlady: my BS says that a paravertabral block reduces the amount of narcotics after, keeps you more comfortable. It lasts for 12-20 hours or something. I could opt to not have it, but I am planning on going for it, I am not a fan of taking narcotics as they make me feel ill. I hope it's the right choice, I'm heading to the hospital in the morning, so surreal, but ready!
mumorange, awesome you can go for NSM!
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Yea! Mumorange, bet you are ready for this. Sorry you had to do chemo twice, yikes!
Ok, I love the coconut oil in my coffee. I also love to use it for dry skin, don't know about the weight loss part because when ever I smell it I want some coconut pie!
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Hey, BRCA!!! That's funny...here I was thinking everyone was rolling the chapstick on their scars! LOL. I will chalk that up to lack of hormones in my brain. I used to use Carmex, which was my alltime fave until I started developing this horrid red ring around my lips. I would put more and more on and it just got worse. I switched to chapstick and then Burts Bee's but all left me with an allergic reaction. Now I have to use Aveeno, which is very expensive compared to Chapstick. It's so dry here in AZ.
Mumorange Very sorry you have had two rounds of chemo and I hope this surgery is the key to being done with all this for you. This is a great thread for info and support!
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Speech -- I too have reactions to different chapsticks. It happened about 15 years ago exactly one month after I had radioactive iodine treatment. I had to stop using the chapstick I had used for years. Burt's Bees is pretty much the only thing I can tolerate now. Hardly ever wear lipstick because of the same.
Good luck fire dancer..... we will be thinking of you! Pam
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fire-dancer, I had 9 hours of whatever they give you in general anesthesia and afterwards, in addition to some narcotics, they gave valium a couple of times a day which was VERY helpful for reducing muscle stress and clenching and spasming (ouch!). Not a narcotic so no issues with constipation. Actually that was the one thing I ws totally worried about and it never happened. (Which is the story of my life, of course. I never in a million years dreamed I'd have BC.) I was able to kick all narcotics within a day or so of the surgery.0
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fire dance, good luck and let us know how are you xoxo0
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I found a coconut-oil-based lip balm made by a company called Softlips. They have a website, and you can order them. I think shipping is free. They seem to have packages of 5 for $10 - not too bad, esp if there is no shipping (have to check this). Whoever said that coconut lip balm is the bomb was right. I bought this stuff today and my lips seem all soft and healed.
In other news, my last two drains came out today! I am walking on clouds of happiness.
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mumorange- If you have to have a MX I do think having a NSM is at least a little less traumatic (definitely less disfiguring). So happy for you (though is happy the right word- hey so happy you get to have a MX. BC is definitely a bizarro world, isn't it?)
fire-dancer- Hope all went well today and you are resting pain free. We are all there with you in spirit and sending you lots of healing thoughts and gentle ((((hugs))))).
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