AlloDerm

Fingersntoes

Has anyone out there with reconstruction after mastectomy that had Alloderm used at the time of reconstruction?  I've heard the good and the bad.  The good coming from fairly new plastic surgeons who have been trained with it.  I've also heard bad coming from PS's who have been practiceing for 20 plus years.  The more "seasoned" dr's believe that the use of Alloderm with implants increases the risk of infection.

Is there anyone out there who's had Alloderm that could and wouldn't mind sharing? 

mom3band1g

I have alloderm in with my TE's right now.  I have had no issues with it at all.  I also had rads with it in place and did just fine.  I go for my exchange surgery the end of Nov.  I don't like to think about where it came from......but that's just me!

Beesie

I haven't had AlloDerm but you'll find lots of women in the Reconstruction Forum on this board who've had it and who can share their experiences. 

barbara510

I just had a bmx on 9/20/10. I did the single step with implants and alloderm with nipple sparing. I did not get an infection and my recovery is going well. I was on antibiotics right after the surgery as a precaution suggested by my PS. I am happy with everything so far. The single step is great, I think they look good and am so happy I don't have to go back for another surgery. I think alloderm is being used more and more in reconstruction. Just make sure you find a surgeon who knows what he is doing, which is sounds like you have. Good luck! 

Paula1231

I am blessed to have one of the best PS in NM.  He did alloderm with TE on my left side.  He created a pocket or sling to hold the bottom of the foob.  The top of the expander foob is in a pocket of chest muscle.  The alloderm has since become fluffy and now it has turned into a nice intramammary fold.  It is not prone to infection and my PS said my own tissue and veins and capillaries would grow into the alloderm to become my own.  So far I have a nice look with the expander alone, so I am really looking forward to getting the exchange surgery.  He also mentioned since it is my skin, I won't have an issue with the color not matching like sometimes happens when they harvest skin and muscle from other areas like the Latflap or TranFlap.

speech529

No infection here.  The alloderm is acellular material that should be sterile.  My PS had changed gloves several times during the surgery (at the start, to handle the alloderm and to handle EACH implant).  So she ended up wearing 4 different pairs of gloves. 

I had a NSM, the one-step with alloderm and it was a unilateral.  My PS matched me perfectly.  I healed beautifully.  If you want to see pics go to TimTam's site and check out my post at speech529.   You have to PM TimTam to get permission to access the site.

If your PS is "poo-pooing" the procedure, perhaps he/she does not have the skill to do it.  Get a 2nd opinion from someone who is doing this on a regular basis.  The Alloderm gives extra support to the implant.

Good luck.

julie75

Fingersntoes:  Alloderm was used in my reconstruction, and I haven't had any issues with it.  As Paula1231 indicated above, it is not prone to infection.  About 2 weeks after my BMX with immediate construction, the incision on my right breast opened up.  Thankfully, my PS is 15 minutes away, and he was able to disinfect and close the incision quickly.  If any bacteria had gotten directly on the TE, he would have removed it, and my recovery would have been delayed.  I was lucky - the Alloderm was covering the TE, and I didn't get any infection. 

Julie 

jejw

Has any one had the experience of having radiation after placement of tissue expanders.  I am curious to know if the procedure was successful in terms of being able to replace the expanders for implants.  My PS talked about taking the saline out of the TE before radiation, which doesn't make sence to me. 

jejw

mom3band1g

I had rads with TE's in place.  I was fully expanded and had no issues.  I am scheduled for my exchange 11-29.   I had to wait about 5 months after  I completed rads to do my exchange.  HTH.