one stage breast reconstruction with implants

Am wondering whether any one out there has had a one stage breast
reconstruction (ie. expander/implant) and had no problems with them. I dont
know anyone who has had this procedure and am concerned as my surgeon has
offered this to me (public health system). He did mention in the same
breath (last week) that he had to REMOVE an implant as it had leaked shortly
after the operation and it was PAINFUL. Most of the ladies I have spoken to
and seen have not had this done- ie a two stage operation (first expander
and a few months later an implant) with little pain and down time. Because
it is a procedure through the 'system' I feel a little uneasy now 'asking'
him if i could have a two stage operation instead. The operation is offered
to me on September 28th and I have to give them an answer tomorrow!! Any
thoughts!! I could go private which is alot of money and I would have to
wait (no insurance - 12 months wait). Its more of an issue with funds. I
know I should be 'lucky' that I have reached 17 months NED.
Mary E.

On Aug 5, 12:45 am, "Mary E." <ha...@home.com> wrote:
> Am wondering whether any one out there has had a one stage breast
> reconstruction (ie. expander/implant) and had no problems with them. I dont
> know anyone who has had this procedure and am concerned as my surgeon has
> offered this to me (public health system). He did mention in the same
> breath (last week) that he had to REMOVE an implant as it had leaked shortly
> after the operation and it was PAINFUL. Most of the ladies I have spoken to
> and seen have not had this done- ie a two stage operation (first expander
> and a few months later an implant) with little pain and down time. Because
> it is a procedure through the 'system' I feel a little uneasy now 'asking'
> him if i could have a two stage operation instead. The operation is offered
> to me on September 28th and I have to give them an answer tomorrow!! Any
> thoughts!! I could go private which is alot of money and I would have to
> wait (no insurance - 12 months wait). Its more of an issue with funds. I
> know I should be 'lucky' that I have reached 17 months NED.
> Mary E.

Hi Mary,

I sometimes read in this group because my mother was a victim of
breast cancer.
I'm not the kind of person who press my ideas on others, but I would
like for you to look at the following web site if you so choose,
before making your decision:
http://www.freewebs.com/buymybreasts/index.htm

The site showcases the stories of women who have had breast implants
and their experiences.

My mother was one of those women...Charlene. She chose a silicone
implant in the early 80's after recovering from a radical mastectomy.
Her implant did not last even ten years. In 1989 she was rushed to
the hospital with a high temp and severe vaginal bleeding. Her
implant had ruptured, the silicone had traveled throughout her torso,
and much of it landed in her pelvis and caused deterioration of her
uterus. She had to have explant, silicone removal, and hysterectomy.

In 2002 my mother died of Leukemia. I often wonder if silicone
poisoning was the cause.

Every person has a right to choose their health care options, but I
hope that in choosing you make an informed decision.

Much luck to you,

Betty Wirsen

Hello Mary E.,

I had reconstruction surgery with an expander that was gradually filled with
a saline solution through a port. The port was then removed and the implant
sealed. This was 23 years ago and so far, I've had no problem. At the time
I first consulted about reconstruction, one stage surgery wasn't available.
A few months later, when I had finished chemo and was on summer break and
ready to have the surgery, the "Becker" expander had been devised, so that
is what my plastic surgeon used. There was a second surgery (a year later)
to make a nipple, but it had nothing to do with the implantation of the
prosthesis. I've been satisfied with the result, although it isn't just
perfect. I've gained weight since, and those implants don't grow just
because the rest of the body has! ;-) I wish you luck with your decision.
You've probably already made it by now. Let us know how you are doing!

Barb

<dragonsgirl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1186324174.835976.18050@b79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
> My mother ....chose a silicone
> implant in the early 80's after recovering from a radical mastectomy.
> Her implant did not last even ten years. In 1989 she was rushed to
> the hospital with a high temp and severe vaginal bleeding. Her
> implant had ruptured, the silicone had traveled throughout her torso,
> and much of it landed in her pelvis and caused deterioration of her
> uterus. She had to have explant, silicone removal, and hysterectomy.
>
> In 2002 my mother died of Leukemia. I often wonder if silicone
> poisoning was the cause.
------------------
Actually, a link has been found between a chemo drug commonly used to treat
breast cancer, and an increased risk of leukemia, years after the original
treatment.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19048185/

The famous author and critic Susan Sontag died of leukemia last year at 71.
She had survived breast cancer in her 40s. When I read this story I
wondered whether she'd been treated with Adriamycin a/k/a Doxorubicin.

I was treated with it, and the story worried me. Do you know what chemo
drugs your mother took?

Eva

"Mary E." <happy@home.com> wrote in message
news:Refti.16092$4A1.7680@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Am wondering whether any one out there has had a one stage breast
> reconstruction (ie. expander/implant) and had no problems with them. I
> dont know anyone who has had this procedure and am concerned as my surgeon
> has offered this to me (public health system). He did mention in the same
> breath (last week) that he had to REMOVE an implant as it had leaked
> shortly after the operation and it was PAINFUL. Most of the ladies I have
> spoken to and seen have not had this done- ie a two stage operation (first
> expander and a few months later an implant) with little pain and down
> time. Because it is a procedure through the 'system' I feel a little
> uneasy now 'asking' him if i could have a two stage operation instead.
> The operation is offered to me on September 28th and I have to give them
> an answer tomorrow!! Any thoughts!! I could go private which is alot of
> money and I would have to wait (no insurance - 12 months wait). Its more
> of an issue with funds. I know I should be 'lucky' that I have reached 17
> months NED.
> Mary E.

If I am understanding you right you are taking about a one stage breast
implant opposed to an expander then a new implant switched at a later time ?
It is becoming more and more popular here,, the surgeon uses an alloderm ( a
mesh type material) to hold the implant in. They are do this more and more
an will soon out place the two step system. I have not heard of any problems
with the implant leaking. I understand that you have to give an answer
tomorrow, but couldn't you say yes and change you mind? Alex

On Aug 5, 4:19 pm, "Eva" <EvaDStruction...@NOTverizon.net> wrote:
> <dragonsg...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1186324174.835976.18050@b79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > My mother ....chose a silicone
> > implant in the early 80's after recovering from a radical mastectomy.
> > Her implant did not last even ten years. In 1989 she was rushed to
> > the hospital with a high temp and severe vaginal bleeding. Her
> > implant had ruptured, the silicone had traveled throughout her torso,
> > and much of it landed in her pelvis and caused deterioration of her
> > uterus. She had to have explant, silicone removal, and hysterectomy.
>
> > In 2002 my mother died of Leukemia. I often wonder if silicone
> > poisoning was the cause.
>
> ------------------
> Actually, a link has been found between a chemo drug commonly used to treat
> breast cancer, and an increased risk of leukemia, years after the original
> treatment.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19048185/
>
> The famous author and critic Susan Sontag died of leukemia last year at 71.
> She had survived breast cancer in her 40s. When I read this story I
> wondered whether she'd been treated with Adriamycin a/k/a Doxorubicin.
>
> I was treated with it, and the story worried me. Do you know what chemo
> drugs your mother took?
>
> Eva

I don't know that she took chemo when she had breast cancer.
So far as I remember she had radiation therapy.
I remember us taking her to the treatments when I was a young girl.
She took chemo when she was diagnosed with Leukemia...Venchristine.
(think that's how it's spelled.)
That's the only time I know of that she had it.

Betty

I was able to leave my expander in and so far all is fine....
Pami