BMX Reconstruction WITHOUT Alloderm

5Littles

I just turned 40 and was DX with DCIS and IDC on June 25. It was caught very early, thankfully. I'm scheduled to have a BMX with reconstruction on July 25. I met with one PS and he was all for the Alloderm. Since he was the first PS I met with, I just assumed the Alloderm was a normal part of reconstruction. I got a second opinion from a highly recommended BS, who I loved and have decided to go with. She referred me to the PS she usually works with and gave him a high recommendation. This new PS does not just automatically use Alloderm unless he feels its absolutely necessary. He feels that it is overused and that PS have been doing reconstruction successfully for years without it. He also says that it tends to create more probIems than it's worth. I did some research and found some PS that swear by it and some that don't. I'm just curious if others have NOT had Alloderm and what was their experience. Thank you!

MamaBearMo

My PS is of the same opinion as your second opinion. In fact, I had a similar experience (first opinion said yes to using it, second didn't). He told me we won't be using it unless we have problems. Since I had radiation to my tissue expander, it is always a possibility, but I think he will be avoiding it if he can (for the reasons you mentioned).

trailrose

My PS didn't believe in Alloderm so my reconstruction was done without it. The tissue expanders were in me for a little over 3 months then on May 1st he put in moderate plus silicone mentor gels. The lower portions of my newly reconstructed breasts look great as does the cleavage but I have rippling on my right side which is common with thin skin and they look saggy from the top portion of my chest. I went to seek a second opinion and the new PS believes in Alloderm. On September 3rd I go see him again to talk/see about high profile and slightly bigger implants for a revision surgery. He may or may not use Alloderm.