Nipple Sparing Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction

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  • KellyMaryland
    KellyMaryland Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2011

    What's an IMF Susan? (can only think of international monetary fund) i go next week for my NS BMX and my PS said he's using alloderm, and a pretty sizable amount of it.  over the years i've gone from C cup to D cup to B cup many times (pregnancies and nursing) and have super sag going- it was my impression that this is why he wanted to use the alloderm....but not sure.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    International monetary fund! :) I like that.. and wish I had a good one of those too! lol!

    IMF is the "inframammary fold".  

    From a doc on the internet:  Alloderm allows for very precise definition of the inframammary fold.  This is the skin crease where the bottom portion of the breast meets the chest wall.  When reconstruction a breast, this is one of the most important landmarks. 

    There is a good explanation as to why there is an advantage to using it in breast reconstruction at this link -->  http://www.realself.com/question/boca-raton-alloderm

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    My PS used Alloderm when she placed the TE's and, again, at my exchange to implants.  She used it to create a shelf at the IMF to support the TE's and eventually the implants.  At exchange she used more on the sides to keep the implants from gravitating out and some to help cover my thin skin.

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2011

    Interesting info about Alloderm... thank you!

    Well, I had my last post-op appointment with my surgeon this morning (I'm 5 weeks 1 day out) and don't have to go back (he wants me to come back for annual mammogram of the other breast). The last of the scab had fallen off so my nipple looks great, but even better, I got the all-clear to try for a baby! (My fertility specialist wants a letter from him saying it's no danger to my health, so we have that one final hoop to jump through before baby-making.)

    *sigh* Other than reconstruction (which may or may not be put on hold depending on how fast we get pregnant!), this chapter of my life is OVERRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Woot Woot!! It's a good feeling, isn't it!!  Now go make a baby! :)

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2011

    Teehee, will do!! (or at least will have fun trying!!!)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    awesome news!!!!!!!!!!! 

    ...now go get busy!!! ;-)

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2011

    DH is snoring on the sofa... ha ha... if I were anywhere remotely near ovulation time I'd go wake him up!! heeheehee

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011
    Crunchy- You can always "practice"!  Wink
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  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Member Posts: 846
    edited January 2011

    Good luck with having a baby - that's great news!!

    Forget to mention when I went to the PS last I mentioned that my nipples seem to show signs of feeling etc.  He said sometimes the feeling and response can return - it can take 2 to 3 years - just interesting I thought - he said I would be one of the "lucky" ones if it happened. 

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  • KellyMaryland
    KellyMaryland Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2011

    Hey everyone. My PS said I did not have to wear anything (no bra of any kind) after surgery- just bacitracin and gauze covering the nipples and incisions.  He said to only wear a bra if it's more comfortable for me.  It seems that most are required to have compression of some sort. Is that the case or am I getting it wrong?

    -Kelly

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Kelly, I wore the surgical bra for a week, just to pretty much hold the gauze in place, but after that, just a bit of tape, adaptic mesh ( I'm allergic to bacitracin so I think this stuff had a vaseline-type stuff on it to keep the nipples moist) & topped lightly with gauze and a bit of tape.  I never wore a compression.  I guess it just depends on your PS.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Kelly- I had gauze and that was covered with a large ace bandage that I took off when showering.  It helped to keep the drains from moving around as I slept.  Once the drains were removed, though, and I had my first fills done I didn't wear anything until my exchange surgery.  The TE's will make your breasts rock hard so there really isn't any support needed.

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  • takeadeepbreath
    takeadeepbreath Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2011

    Kelly-I had no bra or bandage of any kind right after surgery. I didn't even have gauze (my incision was only in fold, not around nipples). Just wore soft  button down pajamas first few days then switched over to soft tank tops/tees/sweatshirts. My PS was a no-bra guy like your's seems to be and all healed well.

    Ilene 

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2011

    I also had nothing after surgery either.  I think it is a PS preference. 

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  • KellyMaryland
    KellyMaryland Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2011

    Wish me well, please. Surgery is Wednesday morning. Still feel like I didn't arrange enough, get enough done, etc. Will have to just let it go and concentrate on healing, I suppose.  Thanks to you all for your support! -Kelly

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Kelly - you are in my thoughts and I am wishing you well...be good to yourself right now, let go of what you haven't finished and know it will all be ok. 

    ...and also...know you are so close to the "other side" of all this...very soon it will be about the healing and moving forward from this time...

    ...be well and keep us posted when you feel up to it!!! xoxo

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2011
    Good luck, Kelly - you'll be fine!! I had that same sense of not arranging enough, not getting nearly enough done before my surgery. There were some things I felt a sense of doom that I hadn't done... as though if I didn't get it done before the surgery, it would never get done. Once you're on the "healing side," you'll realize you were stressed out for nothing... like Megan said, it will all be okay... promise!!
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  • KellyMaryland
    KellyMaryland Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2011

    Thanks so much! Very surreal at this point.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Like the other ladies have said, it will all be past you before you know it and you will be okay! :)

    I remember vividly being where you are less than 2 months ago.  I am back to work (have been since beginning of Jan) and actually feeling pretty darn good (which I attribute to all the "anti-cancer" healthy eating, exercise and supplements).  

    Wishing you a speedy, smooth recovery. :)

    ~ Susan 

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2011

    Kelly you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  I remember well right before my mx I went on a "nesting" spree like I did when I was pregnant and felt the need to clean everything including closets!  I know I drove my husband up the wall.  I hope all goes well and may you have great pain meds!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Kelly- Hope all went well for you this morning and that you are soon back home.  Remember to stay ahead of your pain meds and the worst will be over soon.  We're all here for you- whatever you need!  Sending you gentle (((hugs))).

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  • HeroicSong
    HeroicSong Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2011

    Hi Kelly,

    Thinking of you and wishing you an easy and speedy recovery!    You did it!:).

    Best,

    Jenn

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  • hurleygirly
    hurleygirly Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2011

    Hey ladies...it has been sometime since I last came on here and just wanted to say hi. Just got through all the posts and am trying to keep up!

    Kelly, I hope everything goes smoothly for you. The worst part is over. Sending good thoughts!

    CrunchyPoodleMama, I am in the same boat as you but I actually do have some good news to report (although is is very recent and I don't want to jinx myself)...I am a little over 6 weeks prego right now! Something good can happen after this crappy diagnosis!

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2011
    hurleygirley:  Congrats! Smile
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    hurleygirly- Now you'll have a new kind of YIppee Squishee!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!  I am so happy for you and your DH!!!

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  • hurleygirly
    hurleygirly Member Posts: 157
    edited January 2011

    Ha funny Kate! You know what's funny though is that these boobs are not even going to be affected by pregnancy. They are just going to remain the same! Weird huh?

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2011

    Well I never even really "got them" until I was pregnant....many, many, many moons ago.

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2011

    hurleygirly - OMG, THAT'S AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huge congrats!!!!!!

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  • MonikaV
    MonikaV Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2011

    Hurleygirl This is awesome news! So happy for you.

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