amazing services and great compassion! Charlotte, NC

Beth, for my first reconstruction (prior to a second round of new cancer in RT breast), I did use the saline since they didn't have the first generation of the Allergan "gummy bears" On my next go 'round, I had the Allergan solid silicone put it in, and they were too small so we swapped them for the 580's. The last couple of years they have moved, gotten hard, and painful. This time we wil be going with Sientra, which is a much newer type. My appointment went well and now we're waiting on a go ahead from my GP (I have multiple chronic conditions), and for the insurance to be okayed. Do not anticipate any problems in either area. NOT looking forward to anesthesia again, but that's just because I had such a medication muddle from other conditions and bad interactions. My surgeries (other than removal of large intestine) were pretty easy and had good recovery. I do want to get this over with as my the end of the day I feel like boulders hanging from skin, and it's miserable trying to sleep. Dr. C absolutely agreed about the capscular contraction -- SO .... I am going to try to post a "NOW" photo so people can see the marked difference, and when we're finished again, post a NEW photo :) Great site by the way.

Glad you're aware of what medication you can tolerate with anesthesia. I'm hoping this revision will relieve you of the discomfort you're experiencing with the hardening of your current breasts. I have read great things about Sientra implants. Glad RealSelf is helpful to you. Thanks for paying it forward by sharing your story!

ScubaCat -- Dr. Capizzi is one of the many outstanding doctors I'm blessed to have found since I have multiple chronic illnesses. When my insurance turned down my Alloderm, I did an appeal which he asked for a copy of to help other patients get it approved at BC/BS of NC. I was happy to do that. Been blessed to know him on a more personal level, as well. But that's true of all my "ologists" and my wonderful GP. Will update after I talk with him tomorrow. Kinda nervous about it all. Maybe it's just my imagination?

I can understand the nervousness. I have breast reconstruction too (am only a couple of months out) and while I am very, very pleased, there is a couple things I think may require revision in a few months. I worry about further surgeries, about revisions making things worse, about keeping my expectations reasonable! It was great that you were able to help others get Alloderm! It can be so important in reconstruction (I have Alloderm at IMF to help support implant and create shape) and it is a shame when women are denied it.

ScubaCat -- I had my first reconstruction after my initial cancer in 2002. Then I got a new occurrence in the RT side, and did the mastectomy; went through all the reconstruction, and they just weren't what I thought. Dr. Capizzi was great about swapping them out, and I've been happy with them until this bout of contracture and pain. I also have the Alloderm on both sides. My understanding is that somehow your body changes it to have your DNA and cells. TMI. Revisions are NOT bad -- since I've had 2 already, for different reasons. Sometimes I wish that I didn't scare so profoundly, but then again, hardly any one sees them! Just as an FYI, some local tattoo parlors (AND CHECK THEM OUT THOROUGHLY) do the nipple coloring, and do a much better job than the anesthetician at the plastic surgeons. Like all tattooing, they do fade. Don't know where you are at on that one. We have a great place here in town, and the owner's mom is a BC survivor, so he's very cool about doing these. Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. And I'll get Jim to take some BEFORE photos so you can see my afters and appreciate it! Blessings on your day.

AnnieG522, I actually had nipple sparing, but when I was unsure as to whether or not I was going to keep them I had looked at a couple tattoo artists (Vinnie Meyers, and a place out on Vancouver Island, mostly) and was willing to travel to do it. If I bothered, in my case my natural nipples were/are so darn pale anyway! Your body integrates with the Alloderm in a few months or so. Kind of neat, and definitely has been a benefit to breast reconstruction. It was Alloderm that allowed me to do a direct-to-implant procedure and avoid tissue expanders. Yeah, I know revisions are VERY common after reconstruction, so certainly it is not something I was unaware of before, I just am hoping for as few interventions as possible. I have been very fortunate to have a very good recovery, I know women who have had so many complications and revisions.