ONE STEP IMPLANTS ??Can't find thread on

I am in Alberta...I have Alloderm but did not need to go through an approval process or anything to get it.. It is what my PS uses for direct-to-implant, and so it was used.

That might be an Ontario health care thing? I don't know.

I don't know if it's "easy" as a rule. It is still a mastectomy, it still involves cutting and removal of tissues, severing of nerves, and it still involves putting implants under your muscle. You just get to skip TEs. But, there are risks of complications (some are higher with it than with TEs) and sometimes you do need more than one surgery so I don't like to call it "one step" for that reason.

I personally had a very smooth surgery, and a very easy recovery without any major complications or issues, and am happy with my results to date, but my experience is not the rule.

There is a lot on the internet about it if you google, but you might want to try looking up direct to implant, not just one-step as that term is often not used. It is a lot easier to find surgeons who practice it these days than it was even 4-5 years ago.

swoobs,

I had one steps with Alloderm about 3 years ago. I'm quite sure I've commented on the thread linked above but if you have any questions please ask. I had an easy recovery and look virtually identical to the way I did before bmx, which is what I wanted. Good luck to you.

Caryn

Hi Swoobs, I just had a bilateral mastectomy with expandable permanent implants  on Weds, August 27. So far so good. I already had my first small saline "fill" on Friday and second one is tomorrow. Mine were Mentor/Becker ( done by Dr Hilton Becker) and above the muscle. I can keep you informed pretty much real time. I went this route because I did not want a second (exchange) surgery later.

Hi.  I live in British Columbia and had alloderm and permanent implants 6 months ago.  Need some fat grafting on radiated side.  Send me a message if you have any questions

Linda

Swoobs, I was released less than 24 hours after waking up in recovery. Pretty crazy but I did appreciate being in my own quiet home. I've been back to see the PS 4 times now. 3 of which I have had fills to the expandable implants. I'm also now able to shower and drive since the drains were pulled on Tuesday. Still some pain but I'm doing great. 

Swoobs,

I think your "one step" and my surgeons "one stage" may be different. While I will not need exchange surgery from tissue expanders to implants, my "expandable" or "adjustable" implants are far from a one step process. I wish it were. 

My implants went in empty, no saline. I have to keep going back to have small amounts of saline injected into a port under my skin that is connected via a small tube to the implant. 

One step sounds very nice right now. I'm tired. 

Swoobs,

I've been watching for you on the October thread...was getting worried.  I'm shocked how quickly things happened for you. I don't have any answers as I'm having same surgery in two weeks. I hope someone can help you. 

Hi Swoobs, I'm from Northwestern Ontario and went to Manitoba for my one step double mastectomy.  I spent 2 nights in the hospital there......would have spent 3 but my family bailed me out and took me to the place we stayed for the next 2 weeks.  I also have Alloderm, and my gummie bear implants are under my pecs.  I feel your pain!  I remember clearly the pressure your feeling.  Hang in there, it really does get better.  Don't try to do too much too soon....trust me on that one.  I ended up with complications that were no fault of my Dr. ....I had an incision open up weeks and weeks after my surgery.  I had my DX in August 2013, and wound up back in the Winnipeg hospital in late November 2013  with an infection.  After that I really just had to change my mind set, relax at home and give my body a chance to finally heal.   When I asked my Dr. about massage, he said "no".  He wanted my pockets to heal nice and tight with out putting more pressure on them by massaging.  Once I healed more, then gentle massage helped me get over that pressure, tight feeling.   It really does get better with time.  I also did 3 months of physio before I went back to work.  I highly recommend physio!

I just loved my plastic surgeon and his team.....can't say enough good things about them!  Now that my body has quit trying to reject my implants, they have healed and they look fabulous!!  I love my gummy implants!!  They look better than my real ones did!!  I'm back horse back riding now......life it good. 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just need someone to talk too who is here in Ontario.