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Topic: Store security alarms and TE's

Forum: Breast Reconstruction — Is it right for you? Discuss timing and various procedures and techniques.

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Posted on: Jul 7, 2012 01:06 PM

my3sunz42 wrote:

I had BMX with reconstruction on June 11th ... anyway, I went to the sporting goods store the other day and as I was leaving the alarms went off. I stopped and they checked my purchases for security tags ... nothing there ... walked out the door and off goes the alarm again ... then it dawned on me. I had just left my PS for a fill ... the little tags in my foobs had set off the store alarms. So I explained to the guy that I had metal 'in my body' ... saving him the embarrassment of explaining where & why :-) 

Anyone else have this type of experience? 

Dx 4/26/2012, IDC, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 06/11/2012 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal (Both); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)
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Jul 7, 2012 02:23 PM Mooleen wrote:

Wow, that's some sensitive alarm. I have gone through airport security with no problem.

Dx 11/1/2011, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/22 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
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Jul 7, 2012 05:24 PM my3sunz42 wrote:

I keep telling my boys I now have 'bionic' foobs ... just saying ... 

Dx 4/26/2012, IDC, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 06/11/2012 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal (Both); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)
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Aug 5, 2012 11:07 PM SyrMom wrote:

I was wondering about airport security.  I've had a double mastectomy with double reconstruction.  Anyone out there set off any alarms at the airport?  If so, how have you handled it?

Dx 9/22/2010, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, Grade 2, 2/2 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Aug 5, 2012 11:13 PM Blessings2011 wrote:

my3sunz42 - that's a great story!

No, haven't had THAT happen, but I did cause a stir when I had to have a mandatory EKG for my weight loss program, and I told the tech that I probably shouldn't. I carefully explained what TEs were, and why I had them in me. Of course, she was clueless.

When the strip was done, she grabbed it and RAN out of the room to consult with her superior.

Then she came back in and told me I had an "Atrial Abnormality" but "It's probably those things you have in you....."

Oh yes, I had numerous discussions with hospital personnel after that....Undecided

SO - while you have TEs in, NO MRIs, and NO EKGs.

Dx 9/15/2011, IDC, <1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Hormonal Therapy ArimidexSurgery 12/05/2011 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal (Left); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)Surgery 08/22/2012 Reconstruction: Breast implants (permanent) (Both)
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Aug 5, 2012 11:26 PM, edited Aug 5, 2012 11:27 PM by SpecialK

syrmom - I have flown with bi-lat TE's, bi-lat implants, and a chemo port.  No problems.  I have the medical device cards and keep them in my wallet just in case for both my implants and my port, so that I can show them to the TSA if need be.  They do seem inordinately interested in my LE sleeves and like to wand them for explosives though, lol!

Dx 9/27/2010, DCIS, Grade 3, ER+/PR+, HER2+Dx 9/27/2010, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+Surgery 11/01/2010 Mastectomy (Both); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)Surgery 12/06/2010 Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Surgery 12/21/2010 Reconstruction (Left)Surgery 01/07/2011 Reconstruction (Left)Surgery 01/21/2011 Reconstruction (Left)Chemotherapy 02/17/2011 carboplatin, TaxotereTargeted Therapy 02/17/2011 HerceptinSurgery 07/20/2011 Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Left)Hormonal Therapy 08/01/2011 FemaraSurgery 02/24/2012 Reconstruction: Breast implants (permanent) (Both)Hormonal Therapy 06/20/2012 Arimidex
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Aug 6, 2012 02:13 PM Blessings2011 wrote:

They do seem inordinately interested in my LE sleeves and like to wand them for explosives though, lol!

SpecialK - we returned from a vacation one year with the contents of DH's suitcase in complete disarray. On top of everything was a note from the TSA, saying it had been searched.

We found out later from our son (a physicist) that the little baggie of sand DH had brought back from the beach (and packed in his bag) scans exactly like some explosives.

Who knew? Undecided

(Sorry, my3sunz42 - didn't mean to hijack your thread!!!!)

Dx 9/15/2011, IDC, <1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Hormonal Therapy ArimidexSurgery 12/05/2011 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal (Left); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)Surgery 08/22/2012 Reconstruction: Breast implants (permanent) (Both)
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Aug 6, 2012 09:07 PM MondaysChild wrote:

That alarm was caused by something else.  Otherwise, every purse or wallet with a metal tab, every belt buckle, etc would set it off.  The ports have metal, but other things (keys!) going out the door have more.  The theft alarms are not detecting metal, they are detecting a sensing code, one that is not in a tissue expander.

Dx 10/15/2010, IDC, Stage II, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Aug 6, 2012 09:20 PM, edited Aug 6, 2012 09:22 PM by Cindyl

 

Many of the security gates detect magnetic markers that are placed in/on merchandise. I belive te's have magnets... yes they do.  

" www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/M7... MAGNA-SITE® injection site and MAGNA-FINDER® external locating device
contain rare-earth, permanent magnets for an accurate injection system. "

So yeah a te could set of the theft detection system at your library or in a store.

Stay calm, have courage and watch for signs.
Dx 2/11/2012, IDC, 3cm, Grade 1, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 03/01/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Radiation Therapy 04/16/2012 ExternalHormonal Therapy 05/23/2012 Tamoxifen
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Aug 6, 2012 10:55 PM, edited Aug 6, 2012 10:57 PM by MondaysChild

Security gate store sensors are actually RF-radio frequency. That is something entirely different than the extremely weak field of magnetism in a tissue expander which uses a paired device, within a few inches, to detect.  Store scanners detect from many feet away because they are radio frequency which has a far greater range of detection. I promise you, no breast tissue expander will set off a store detector because that detector is magnetic based for anything in broad range receptivity.  If that were the case, no one with a pacemaker could enter the store.

Dx 10/15/2010, IDC, Stage II, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Aug 6, 2012 11:14 PM, edited Aug 6, 2012 11:16 PM by Cindyl

Some gates are rf.  Some are magnetic.  We have an electromagnetic system at our library. You also frequently see them in book stores...  

solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M...

 "What is Electromagnetic Technology?

Electromagnetic Technology is the most used library security worldwide, protecting billions of books and other media. Electromagnetic systems are based on proven technology and do not harm magnetic media. The magnetic strips are difficult to detect and remove, and can't be shielded by the human body or other materials.


How does 3M Electromagnetic Technology work?

A magnetic strip is affixed to a book, CD, DVD or video. During check-out, if an item has not been deactivated, the security gate at the library's exit will detect the strip and sound an alarm. When the item is returned, the electromagnetic strip is reactivated. Electromagnetic systems do not read or respond to barcodes or RFID tags. Their sole function is to detect the unauthorized removals of materials."

We have had people using pacemakers set off our gates, especially if they linger very near the gates.

Stay calm, have courage and watch for signs.
Dx 2/11/2012, IDC, 3cm, Grade 1, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 03/01/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Radiation Therapy 04/16/2012 ExternalHormonal Therapy 05/23/2012 Tamoxifen
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Aug 7, 2012 12:06 AM MondaysChild wrote:

And that is electromagnets.  Not at all the type of magnet used in port detection in a tissue expander.  There are many differnet types of magnets. An electromagnet is a coil of wire and it magnetic strength is powered by an electric current.  Hence the name.  This type of magnet will not be found in a tissue expander.  There really is no reason for someone to be concerned about security systems because they have TEs. 

Dx 10/15/2010, IDC, Stage II, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Aug 9, 2012 08:30 PM DocBabs wrote:

There is no way that store sensors react to your expanders. As for MRIs and EKGs, certain MRI machines might be compatible but most are not. However, EKGs are fine. I spent 3 days in an ICU 3 weeks post BMX with expanders and I was monitored the entire time with no problem.

DocBabs
Dx 4/28/2011, IDC, Stage Ia, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Aug 10, 2012 09:18 AM my3sunz42 wrote:

Hey there ... I returned to the same store (Sports Authority) recently and while I was nervous that I'd set off the alarms when leaving, all went well ... no alarms. So it looks like the clerk must have left something on 1 of the items I bought (perhaps a baseball cap?). It was a funny experience though ... explaining to teenage boys that there was a magnet in my body ... little did they know where :-)

Dx 4/26/2012, IDC, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 06/11/2012 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal (Both); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)Hormonal Therapy 07/12/2012 Tamoxifen

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