Topic: TE TROUBLE

Jul 3, 2012 09:59 AM Tatina123 wrote:

DLL66 - Great news about the silcone implant.....

Layle - Your exchange date is soon. I felt immediate relief after the TEs were out.

My PS gave me a thumbs up last week on my 3-D nipple tattoos. A week before I leave for NOLA to see Vinnie, Dr. Easy on the Eyes will take a photo of my chest and graph out where the nip placements should be. Couldn't ask for a nicer PS!

I hope everyone is well..... And have a safe 4th!

T

Jul 3, 2012 10:29 AM roadwarrior28 wrote:

Binc - so sorry to hear you're going through that. I found this blog when I found out I had an infection: tickingtimebombsblog.com/

This girl also had cellulitis and describes her experiences - so may be helpful 

Jul 3, 2012 10:49 AM DLL66 wrote:

The actual TE removal is easy. I had one of mine removed in the office. However, I did not have an infection & the incision was sutured. Best wishes, Binc. Hope that infection clears!

Tatina, great news on the 3D nips! 

I am psyched to be going back to silicone. The saline did what we needed it to do, but it just doesn't match well enough to keep it as a permanent implant.

Jul 3, 2012 10:58 AM roadwarrior28 wrote:

SpecialK - did you have the TE replaced and have better experience 2nd time around? I may be heading down the same road since there's no infection, but the left side won't stop draining...

Jul 3, 2012 11:42 AM Orange73 wrote:

It has been one month since my bi lateral. Yesterday I had my right TE out drain in. Major pain. So mad because my PS was away and no one would touch me until yesterday I said I am not leaving this office until you do something. I had a huge hole and my tissue expander I could see. The other breast has a hole they are waiting to see if it  heals. REalllly upset.I am so sick of pain.I know for a fact it was due to the fills second fill 2 vials in each three days later blood on my shirt. They let it go open hole until yesterday. I kept going back in too! and they kept sending me home. So wrong. Hate my PS hes still away thank god this other doctor listened to me.

Jul 3, 2012 11:45 AM SpecialK wrote:

orange - find another doctor asap.  Seriously.

Jul 3, 2012 12:05 PM Moonflwr912 wrote:

Oops, forgot to wish bcavenger good luck.

Jul 3, 2012 12:14 PM Orange73 wrote:

slow and steady yupp.... Learned taht from women on this site. They were fast and high with me.Then I popped. I asked can a women never take a tissue expander ? The doctor said No.

Jul 3, 2012 12:19 PM SpecialK wrote:

I think it is also common to begin fills with too much volume and start too early, and also have too much saline in the surgical fill.  It seems like a lot of docs (and some patients) are in too much of a hurry to get this done and over with so they can return to "normal" - what ends up happening is that with removal of a TE or implant, the process drags on and on.  IMHO slow, but steady, is important for many patients to have a successful outcome.

Jul 3, 2012 12:24 PM roadwarrior28 wrote:

Binc, I haven't had my left TE removed - yet - but I've been on antibiotics (Keflex) for almost 2 weeks now, 4 pills a day. I also developed an abscess and have been draining for over a week. So at this point with the draining and the pain from TE, I almost WANT it out. I feel so uncomfortable in my body and just don't have motivation to do anything...

They tested my drainage and said I had no infection as of now. 

Jul 3, 2012 01:09 PM Orange73 wrote:

 I am just venting. People have it worse. Binc I have one boob now. Im wrapped no showers doc said. It is gross to look at but I have got to change guaze. I was filled when  I woke up.

Jul 3, 2012 04:01 PM momof3infla wrote:

Thinking of you, Michelle. I bet you're resting comfortably right now, smiling at your squishies!!

Now that all the fluid and scar tissue is gone on my left side, I have experienced "rippling". I had heard other ladies talk about it, like when you get out of the shower and bend over to dry your hair. Well I've got it. I hope some tissue will regenerate and my skin will tighten up. Right side still sits a bit higher than the left, but with all the problems with TE's that I had, it doesn't surprise me. They're pretty symmetrical, and you can't tell a thing when I wear a bra. I see PS on Monday, so we'll see if she's happy with them or if I may need one more tune up lol.  We will also be having the nipple discussion. Other than that, feeling great and back to jogging and spin class. It feels so awesome to get a good sweat - I know I'm strange to love that but I do.

Happy 4th to all:)

Jul 3, 2012 04:23 PM lisa96 wrote:

It truly sickens me with all these horror stories.  I feel as though we are nothing but lab rats.  I don't know how some of you deal with TE troubles on top of chemo and other treatments.  I am happy that I refused all treatments.  I was in the hospital for five days with a TE infection.  The antibiotics stopped it, but I was very allergic to the oral antibiotics I was taking when I got home.  I was in horrible pain and could barely walk, and developed a burning red rash over my entire body.  FYI if you take antibiotics, be sure to take probiotics because of the horrible things that happen to our bodies.  Some docs don't tell us about that.  Good luck to all who have to deal with whatever problems may arise.  This is not by any means a walk in the park.  My dad lost his leg in an accident many years ago, and I have to say with all sincerity that I would rather have lost my leg than all the crap I've dealt with reconstruction.  At least the physical therapists know how to teach a person how to adjust to a prosthetic leg.  As with us pretty much having to figure out which bra to wear after surgery, the amputees aren't shoved out the door and told to measure themselves for an artificial limb then go shopping for one. 

Jul 3, 2012 10:05 PM Rennasus wrote:

Happy 4th, everyone! I tried to post here last night but it kept getting lost before I was able to finish writing. After the 3rd try I just gave up. Trying again tonight! Here goes:

Bogie: So sorry you had failed TE's on both sides. It is frustrating and I totally understand your being over it! Give it some time, you may feel differently with some distance between surgeries. Maybe someone will pipe in with their DIEP or Tram experience.

Chick: Yay that you were able to waterski! That had to feel good!!

Lisa96: Recon is for certain a far more complex process than I think anyone ever realizes going in. I do think part of it is that we are dealing with cancer and so must focus our brains on that and on top of that, make major recon decisions that are time and energy intensive. Doctors don't tell us everything that could go wrong for a variety of reasons. My PS actually talked about TE rejection and necrosis and delayed healing before I ever had a BMX. I never thought I would end up with all of those things! I forged ahead blindly. Thank God we have BCO for support! This whole recon thing is not for the faint of heart. And in saying that I hope I don't scare any newbies. Many, many women sail through this process and move on with their lives in the time it takes some of us to still heal from TE surgery! I don't know what the answer is, but trusting your PS is key. My advice to anyone reading this: Listen to your gut. If it is telling you to get a 2nd opinion, do it. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings. This is your body and you have to live with the result your PS leaves you with.

mcmking: Sorry you are in our club. I did not have an infection, but a few others here have and were able to keep their TE. It depends on so many things. If your PS feels it needs to come out, it probably does. Again, listen to your gut. Keep us posted!

Layla2525: I added your Aug 2nd implant surgery to the list above.

Dunesleeper: Glad you are so pleased with your PS! Thanks for sharing a funny moment!

Tatina: A date to see Vinnie? How exciting! Let me know when it is, I'll add it above. ;-)

Binc: So sorry to hear that you, too, are in our club. I had to have my right TE taken out due to delayed healing, but felt so much better once it was out! I had a drain, but it was not in very long and despite my inability to heal my incision WITH the TE, I healed up just fine without it! Like SpecialK, I could drive after 3 weeks no problem. I think you will feel so much better with it out of there! 

Roadwarrior: See comment to Binc above!

Orange73: Hang in there! I know it's a pain but I'm glad they took the TE out. Continue to be your own advocate. Rest up, you will be out of bed and running around again in no time!

Momof3inFla: Glad you are back to sweating and living your life. Yay! You give me hope.

BCAvenger: Hope today went well! Please check in when you are able. We are thinking of you!

Jul 3, 2012 11:00 PM Bogie wrote:

Orange insurance will pay for second opinons. When I had enough surgeries and complications over and over enough is enough. Go to Nola or Mayo. I went to Univ. of Chicago and he opened my eyes. I'm taking a break but it's tough with two flat ruptured TE inside me and rock hard led ball of capsular contracture scar tissue inside like an alien taking over. I'm not sure what road I will take next...giving myself some time off.

You are the best and bravest women I know, stand proud!

Hugs xxx