Alloderm Problem

lxcarr
lxcarr Member Posts: 17
edited September 2017 in Pain

Hi Everyone; Yesterday I was filled with tears and frustration that my new life with this chronic unpredictable pain. I get so angry at the doctor (plastic surgeon) that denied anything that went wrong as he placed the extenders with Alloderm into my chest 1 year ago tomorrow. From the minute I awoke I knew right off the bat that something went very wrong on my left Breast. I had infiltrative ductal carcinoma removed and was closed up with these breast extenders knowing there was positive margins which I didn't know until months later. I kept telling my doctor my left side hurts so bad and we continued onward with chemo and 36 rounds of radiation. 9 months later the extenders were removed and the left side was rejecting the extender. They were both removed. The one on left capsulated and yet my plastic surgeon left the Alloderm in even though I was inflamed. My chest on left is so tight I don't have good motion and frozen shoulder. I went to physical therapy and was hurting so badly that I just broke down in tears. The two therapist listened to me and I showed them the left side as I raised my arm. One of the therapists is doctor and asked if she could physically touch the area and agreed that the area in my chest even with physical therapy will not loosen up as this damn Alloderm is sewn into the pec muscle. My plastic surgeon believes non of it and my Nuerologist doctor told me that we will address the Alloderm once complete with diagnosing me. I had a nerve study done with needles and EMG. Conclusion Carpel Tunnel in both hands. So frustrating as my nerves in my chest keep kicking my rear and this Alloderm. Who am I going to convince that this tightness is the alloderm ? The nerve pain I don't know why and neither does the doctor as insurance denied me a MRI (brachial plexus). So I have to wait for pier review and hope for an approval. I cannot find any info on Alloderm being sewn in too tight and inflammation as every doctor will tell you that Alloderm is sterile derived from cadavers. So it couldn't be that. I'm sure after 36 rounds of radiation the Alloderm and flesh is complete toast! Scar tissue that's hard and the plastic surgeon still in denial. All he agreed on is I have Polynueropathy! I know that these doctors have a trust among them and need desperate to seek an opinion from a plastic surgeon outside the circle of the current Health cancer Center. Has anyone in this group had issues where plastic surgeon refuses to do anything? The reason it is used is to hold the new implant and I'm told I am not a candidate for any reconstruction. So why did this doctor leave this crap in.

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Comments

  • Mariangel43
    Mariangel43 Member Posts: 136
    edited August 2016

    I checked the date of your post before answering. Fortunately, my PS is very sensitive to my needs and my suggestions. If you find a surgeon, please tell him to remove the alloderm. Maybe the type of implant that you need is a skiin graft obtained from the tummy, the back, the butt or the thigh. Just check. Wishing you luck and blessings.

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  • exercise_guru
    exercise_guru Member Posts: 716
    edited August 2016

    I am sorry I did not see this sooner. I also was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and I am not sure if it is from my expanders to tight or the arimidex. I don't know if you have insurance and have hit your max for the year then I think you should travel if need be and find a new plastic surgeon. I have found that PS take the money and if all goes well take the credit. If things go badly they want no blame and don't want to fix it either.

    you need a new plastic surgeon

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  • peyton3
    peyton3 Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2016

    I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I truly believe we know our bodies better than anyone and if the doctors would just listen to us we would all be better off. I see that you are from Florida. Have you checked out the Moffet Breast Cancer Center in Tampa FLorida? I have been told that they are the best. Hope you get some answers soon.

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  • lxcarr
    lxcarr Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2018

    I still don't have answers except that my polynueropathy pain is unspecified. The chest showed no nerve damage. My chest still so tight and arm motion restricted. I have no extenders and when the extenders were removed the left the Alloderm in even though I can never have implants. The pain hadn't changed and my left boob swells. I know this as it looks like an orange with the holes in it. In the last report from plastic surgeon which he never mentioned to me that my Seroma is not bothering me and too soon to go in and do surgery. What? How come I'm reading this in the visit summary and was never told I have a Seroma. It's such crap. I moved my up to 9/28/16. I'm no better and still having to take pain meds. If my plastic surgeon tells me he can't help me I will let him know that he never mentioned I have fluid in my breast and will hopefully find a doctor willing to remove the Alloderm ! I'm at my wits end.

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  • Rara55
    Rara55 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2016

    Is Alloderm removable? I thought once it is placed it becomes a part of you, never to be undone. If this is true that it can be removed, I would love to have it taken out of me as well.

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  • peyton3
    peyton3 Member Posts: 43
    edited October 2016

    Just checking in to see how you are doing. Have not seen anymore posts from you. Have you found a new PS?

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  • lxcarr
    lxcarr Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2018

    I just had scar revision surgery and Seroma and nueropathy removal. My originalnpladtic surgeon dumped me shortly after removing my expanders on 3-1-16. I asked him if the alloderm was removed and he said yes handing me an operative report. I continued with chronic pain and found a doctor or he found me and said I need to help you. I had my surgery on 8/31/17 and my new plastic surgeon couldn't believe his eyes. The alloderm was never removed ! My doctor in both sides removed the 8cm wide x 3 Cm high x 3 mm thick ! My new surgeon told me the alloderm was not sewed in and all shriveled like a piece of paper. My pectoral muscles after expanders were removed , the previous plastic surgeon did not sew them back in place. I can't believe these facts hidden from me and old plastic surgeon lied about everything. The masectomy surgeon who I continued to see for my Seroma aspiration told me he was unable to do surgery! I know why now. Covering up lies! I'm so dissapointed and in pain still after having a 3 hour plus surgery by an honest doctor who was disgusted at what he saw.

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