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AUTO-IMMUNE HEPATITIS AND BREAST IMPLANTS

I was just diagnosed with AIH and am in the process of having breast reconstruction, having had expanders (which stretch the skin) put in and one of them leaked (saline) and had to be replaced.  I am scheduled in two weeks for the exchange to put in the permanent implants silicon shell and saline filled.  I don't know whether to go ahead with this with my new dx.  My condition is mild and may not even need treatment yet.  In fact, they may be rethinking (the lab is getting a second opinion) the dx.  I am so confused.  Do you know of any cases like this and what I should do.  I could do autograft reconstruction instead, if it not too late, which I am also inquiring about with my plastic surgeon.  Thanks.
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Avatar universal
Sorry I didn't answer you earlier, but I don't come to the forums on a daily basis anymore!

The Answer is: "implants" simply cause the flaps would not work for me! (We Tried) "Radiation Damage"

You probably won't find this way down here anyways, but didn't want you to think I bailed on you!

I just want to wish you the best in whatever you decide, & remind you that sometimes a higher power makes decisions for us!

Sometimes we have accept the hand of cards that we are dealt, & just make the best of it with what we have!

I probably won't be back in here till after my coin-toss... Hopefully to report the results (Good, Bad, or Indifferent, I promised to let everyone know!)

Other than that up-coming scheduled test.. I don't really have anything HCV related to post about!

So You Hang In There, I know all this "Not Knowing" is tuff... but it'll all come together for you soon!

Take Care!
Bon-Appetite Ya'll
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Avatar universal
there is a gastroenterologist in that section Of Med Help, I believe there is a small fee for the questions to him.  The hepatitis forum is patient to patient only.
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Avatar universal
Which reconstruction procedure did you have, the implants or the flaps? I thought there was a doctor who monitored this forum and I was hoping for his comments.  I do frequent the cancer sociey's forum and that's been great from that standpoint.  I am in Phoenix, so can't use those docs and I do hope that when I finally get to talk to my PS (he's been away this week)he will make me feel better about things.  Thanks.  H.
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Avatar universal
**Chev=
Ah Haaa... the name derived from my New Luv of Food.... you might remember I lost half my body weight on TX.... went from 167 down to 86 lbs ( & That was with wearing ankle weights) Ha.... I was cheating cause I feared they'd stop tx if I kept loosing weight.. well I am up to a whopping 122 now.. I'd be happy anywhere between 135 & 142... I ate soo much Junk Food & Zappables on TX, that I never want to see that kind of food again... I even thru out all my spices (Figured they were old since I didn't cook for a year anyways) Sooo, NOW Everything I eat is fresh... Only Cook With Fresh Herbs.... I actually look forward to going to the market everyday... (Gives me a reason to get out & about) & looking forward to putting in the garden that I missed out on last year!

**Ivette, & Honey= What No More Fun? .... Well Pooh, Pooh!!!...... (Guess The Ol Icons Are STILL Definately OUT) Ha!

I have to tell ya, having been homebound for a year... the laughter & chaos in these Forums, are about the only thing that kept me going.... I was SEVERELY Depressed my entire TX. Getting off those anti-depressants seemed to help more than while I was on those suckers!  I did my last cocktail all together, took the last shot, last Riba, Last Zoloft, Last Ambien, Last Xanex, & Last Cigarette... ALL AT ONCE... & never picked up any of them again (Except I did cheat & have a puff or two of a couple of ciggys prior to Dec 18th)

Okay Ivette... I Won't cancel my next appointment (Maybe) LoL.... (Yea Right)
My greatest fear is relapse of the dreaded HCV ... & I Just honestly don't know if I even wanna know! I mean it might be good... but I swear I don't know "IF" I can take on anymore BAD news.... Tell Ya what... I'll toss a coin on the 11th in the morning... if it lands on heads I'll go... If it lands on tales.... No Way!

** Rev=
My Heart is with you today, good luck with your biopsy, I pray all those weeks of TX at least improved the quality of your liver... Hang In There!

Vicki
:)
P.S..... BTW= Okay Ya'll ..... so I didn't give up the caffeine..... & Ya'll know how I am about my toys (I should work for consumer reports... Don't buy a Steam Shark..Ha) Anyways.... If ya want the best cup of coffee that you have ever tasted... you gotta go out & invest 149.00 bucks on that new "cuisinart thermal grind & brew" Well worth the money! Set the timer.... & it automatically grinds the beans, immediately brews, then goes into this thermal carafe that keeps it hot all day... the last cup is as good as the first as it doesn't sit there getting heated all day cooking down till it gets bitter!
Okay... gotta go before I wind up getting thrown out of this place.... ( For My Infamous Long Post) Ha
Take Care, Luv Ya'll,  & Ivette I'll let you know about that coin toss!
Vicki :)
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Avatar universal
As Chev mentioned you would really need to discuss your procedure with a qualified expert, (Infact.. may I suggest SEVERAL) before making such a drastic decision!

There is Sooooo much to take into consideration, I am assuming this was a bilateral procedure???? Much will also depend on your anatomy!

The tram has alot of pro's & cons:
& may effect your future activity level, depending on where it will come from, you may get a free tummy tuck out of the deal, but that could effect your ability to do sit-ups in the future, & recovery time is at least 6 weeks....  

They can get the flap from the shoulder area.... or even around the side on the back but the scaring is greatly another factor to consider.... Also if you have had radiation, then it depends on How Much Radiation you have had & how much damage that has done!

I wound up driving down to Boca for my procedure as I did not want any of the options as per nipple reconstruction offered by the Atlanta area Dr's.!

Supposedly we have one of the best cancer facilities right here in Gainesville, However, I didn't want a tattooed nipple.... I didn't want a rubber one, nor did I want a rebuild from using parts of my Ahummm.... IF Ya know what I mean! The butterfly procedure takes time, but actually looks the most natural, & the beauty of it is that most of the scaring is hidden behind it! It's called a Peg Procedure... ( Which was actually a funny name to me considering I was on Pegasys for darn near a year) I thought... hummm... that word Peg is gonna Haunt me for life...

Anyway... Several Docs now perform this procedure... Here is a link that explains more about it..... Read thru the Techniques, Choices, & Provider Pages! There might be one near you!

http://www.peg-procedure.com/

BTW= The pic of the Doc up top is Dr. Becker .. That's MY Doc! I think he's kind of cute... LoL

Also, There used to be a BREAST Cancer Forum over here that I visited quite regularly, but they had to close due to funding awhile back... haven't checked to see if they reopened or not.... a good person to inquire about this would be Cindy.... she & Phill run these forums, & Cindy is a breast cancer survivor herself... (5 years now I Think)

Anyway, I am sure she could give you some good Guidance & Suggestions!

As far as having Autoimmune HCV, Hummm, I personally do not see how that would effect anything... but there again.... my HCV was in remission when I had my procedure done... so I can't really say how that will affect things... guess it will depend on your blood levels & what-not!

Wish I could be of more help...

Good Luck with whatever you decide, & I'll keep you in my prayers!

Vicki :)
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Avatar universal
yup, the forum has really slowed down quite a bit, and there are no more funnies allowed.
not too many places to go for a heart felt, healing chuckle.
I am fortunate that I don't need this emotional lift as much as I did during Tx.  The healing jokes helped me tremendously when I was down many a day.
HEy!, but we can still IM each other!  My puter useage has slowed down quite a bit but I will make time for friends.
take care sweetie and go for that PCR! I'll have mine on Valentine's day, do it by then and we can celebrate when it comes back good news!
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Avatar universal
Hey Vick...haha Glad to see you!  Like the name!  Yep,,,you are a survivor in everyway and I'm so glad you are back and see you helping others.  I think sometimes the doors are shut and locked here after 8 haha  Seems like it really has slowed down past couple of months.  Its great to see you posting and hope you are feeling good these days!
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Avatar universal
Thank you.  It is nice to know I'm not alone.  I still don't know whether to change the plans from implants to TRAM flaps or the like instead.
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Avatar universal
WoW......
Didn't expect all the personal feed-back...
Glad I Could be of some help!

This just goes to show that much of many months prior was due to personal conflicts (As Always Suspected)

I'LL ALWAYS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO HCV & BREAST CANCER!!!! (I AM a Survivor & Proud of it)

Ya'll Take Care... & Luv Ya (As Always)

Thank-You For The Inquiries, Hope I was able to provide some Help, Hope, & Answers!!!

Well gotta go to bed... Good - Night All....
Vicki
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Avatar universal
Just wanted to wish you luck on that biopsy tomorrow... My Heart & Prayers are with You & Your Family!
:)
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Avatar universal
Hello,
I don't generally post much, but when I read your words, my heart poured out to you!

I am sooo Sorry to hear of your story, I have recently been going thru much of the same type of situation, "But Not Exactly" I have/had full blown Hep C ... Combo Genotype 1 A & B, treatment was "OPTIONAL" however I decided to treat HCV & put the OPTIONAL towards my cancer (Big Mistake)... ANYWAYS, I had the same thing happen, I have had expander problems, leaks... U NAME IT.... & am due to finish off my reconstruction next month!

Was Due to have my 3 month post HCV PCR today... but chickened out... ( Funny, Now My Cancer Takes Precedence) I Have a wonderful Doc In Florida that I can refer you to, & he specializes in the new "Butterfly" approach to the nipple reconstruction... I am amazed with this procedure... anyways... if you want more info... Just ask anyone how to get in touch with befuddled... I can always be found.... Hang in there Sweetie... it's NOT the end of the world as we tend to think... Life DOES get Sweeter every day!.... I PROMISE IT DOES!

I would have NEVER believed that several months ago... in NOVEMBER I had a complete breakdown over this... Hang In There!
Vicki
:)
P.S. To The Rest Of Ya'll... Give it a rest OKAY... tired of the BooLaaH!
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