TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Comments
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WenchLori:
Mine are somewhat in the armpit, too, although they're so small. It might not bother someone else but I've never had boobs before. (I was AA cup pre-C) and am only filled to 270cc.:) However, I don't want the side boob anymore. It ruins the line of clothing, too. LOL Just saying!!! So I get it.
I call these Toobs. They aren't even good enough to be called Foobs. Embrace the strange, right?
Thanks, Hercules! I hate to have another surgery -- but will be glad to dump the baseballs! Glad to hear that it's easier than BMX. I mean, how could it not be??? But a little anxiety, I admit.
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Hey Hercules, about the rippling - I have it with silicone above the muscle implants. With very good posture it isn't noticeable and with the bras that I chose to wear that give a little lift. I had 2 rounds of fat grafting but I'm left with what my PS called "moderate" rippling. I have alloderm covering the entire implant as well. There is very little fat in that area so it's really no surprise to me that there is rippling. I can see and feel everything but with a bra on and under clothing, I actually quite like them. I'd like it better without rippling but there is simply no option right now to get rid of the rippling. No fat left to try again. My PS said when the future comes that I need to do something that she'd recommend a 2nd layer of alloderm to create more padding.
I kind of attribute the rippling to gravity. I think there'd be rippling no matter what. It just wouldn't be visible with good padding on top of the implants.
The way you describe it - certain positions highlight the rippling, other's don't is exactly my experience. I have told myself to compare this to the normal sag and movement of real breasts and think of this as normal.
I had the first round of fat grafting at exchange so I don't know what I'd look like without. I had thought originally no fat survived but my PS insists some did or the implants would be even more obvious. Can only imagine!
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Hi everyone, I just had my TE surgery Monday and I feel great except for one spot under my right side. Not concerned yet since it's still early in the healing process but was just wondering if anyone else had this. There is no redness, and the incision area looks fine. Its a pinching or pulling feeling. I get relief when I recline back so it's not a constant pain thank goodness. I figure it's a stitch thats still healing but it also kind of feels like cording. I have that in my left arm since my mascetomy. PT with a specialist has helped with that. Can you get cording there?
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Silly question -- and I know it's been discussed before. Do we need antibiotics before dental cleaning with expanders? I may be a bit more cautious than others because I had a post-op infection and had to take a massive (!) load of antibiotics. And I like getting my teeth cleaned 3 times a years, so yikes! Want to go. My PS poo-poos the idea completely. And my dentist says: ask your PS.
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eastcoast - I had expanders for a total of 17 months, so over the course of several teeth cleanings - never took antibiotics, but then again I never had infection issues. See if your dentist will prescribe them, and cut the PS out of the equation.
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Eastcoast, what SK said! I had 1 TE in for 2 years, I had infection issues, so I would probably go the abx route. They only give you one big dose. My Dentist gave me 4 Clindamycin to take an hour before.
Twills, I had something similar, it was a stitch and did go away after a while. If no redness, or fever, I would just wait and see as its not constant.
Hercules, i have a bit if rippling, but with saline implants. Also, Im not doing anything about it. I look fine in clothes, and had way too much trouble to try tweaking them! Thats my decision, everyone has to make choices, go with what makes you happy, my happy was no more surgeries! LOL!
Wench, TEs in the armpit are not unusual. The PS will take care of it in the exchange. I had the side boobs (cause I am a large lady) the PS removed that for me.
I feel I need to explain my absence on this board, so here is a short recap.
My kidneys have been acting up with stones over the past year. My blood sugars have gone crazy with that, and my kidney function dropped way down. My Onco told me that I needed to get that looked at immediately so he took me off my diabetic meds, blood pressure med, and antiinflamatory. My PCP put me on a baseline insulin, to help my kidney recover. Im getting an ultrasound on that. Im also getting an Axilla ultrasound for a lump under my arm. My Onco is pretty sure its scar tissue, so that's what I'm hoping for. So that's why Ive been absent so much. Hoping to get this all taken care of so I can concentrate on this board!
Much love
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Moonflower: Good to see you back but so sorry you are having so much to deal with. Hope it all goes well and you are back to normal soon!
Ladies, I have a question about massage with TEs. My back is driving me crazy and I really need a massage, but not sure how to do it with the TEs because I can't lay on my stomach. Is it possible to do a chair massage if you bring enough pillow/cushioning with you? Or even one lying down? Anyone have experience?
I'm doing well with my TEs now that they are filled--way more comfortable (or less uncomfortable-ha!). But looking forward to exchange, hopefully in late Sept/early Oct.
thanks
Jennifer
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minute, Im pretty sure you can do the chair massage just keep it almost upright as you face the table. You could try it and remind the therapist to go lightly on the height of your boobs. Otherwise, perhaps a foot massage could do wonders too!
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Just noticed! We hit 100 pages! Yay, I hope this thread is helpful and continues to be helpful for a long time!
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Thanks Moonflwr912, it getsa bit better each day. Having my first big fill Monday and I'm hoping it gets better or at least not worse. Sorry to hear about your additional health issues. All the best to you:):)
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Moonflwr:
Thanks for the advice. And sorry to hear that you're dealing with other health issues. Health is so hard to manage. I hope you figure it all out soon.
And congrats on starting a post that has hit 100 pages!!! AWESOME. It's been very helpful.
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MinuteAtATime I have been getting massage with TE's. My therapist uses pillows to prop me on my side, she can get into my back that way. I don't find the chairs work well with the TE's.
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Thanks Meg! That's good to hear. I will ask my massage therapist if we can do it that way. I think that's how they do maternity massage, so it makes sense.
Jennifer
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if you are interested,
Well, things have been pretty weird for me this last month.
I've needed an ultrasound for my kidney, one for under my arm, and a PET Scan among other things.
So, Bad News is/Good News is
(BN)Oncologist finds kindney acting up sends me to my Primary care pulls me off my diabetes meds, my blood pressure meds, and my anti inflamatory
(GN) found it before major damage is done
(BN)Ultra sound because of above, and my kidney still hurts
(GN)ultrasound showed nothing wrong
(BN) ultrasound of underarm shows weird node
PET Scan ordered
(GN) PET shows no metateses.
(BN) PET scan shows KIDNEY STONES?
(GN) Kidney stones are why my kidney hurts. LOL
(BN)I started on insulin shots. 1x a night
(GN) my numbers came down a bit
(BN) Numbers not down enough, so Insulin at mealtimes too
(GN) I'm now taking 6 less pills a day.
Life is fun! LOL
Ill try to be on more often, now that things are slowing down.
Much love!
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Moonflwr, we will take stones!!
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gosh moonflower, you have been dealing with a bit! Are they doing anything for the stones? Hang in there!
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No. Unless the stones start moving down the tubes. Its just wait and hope the fall apart ir just set there.
Heres a pic hopefully to make you smile. Taken with my Samsung 7. Didn't notice it til I got home to look my pictures Over. Yes, its just the way it bloomed.
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First time I have chimed in here. I have my BMX July 19th with TE right away. I am have noticed that the left ( cancer side) seems to sit higher? Does that make sense? The right one looks almost natural where the left seems to sit way high on my chest. Anyone else have this problem? I see my PS tomorrow to start the "over Expansion" before rads. The PS said there is a stitch that holds the TE and it will dissolve. Anyone else told that?
I will say they are very uncomfortable. They almost hurt when I bend over.
Hope everyone is having a good day!
Shel
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Hi Shel,
Sorry for the delay in replying. I think lots of folks must be on vacation so things are a little slow around here.
Yes, I have exactly the same thing-my left TE sits much higher than my right. It seems the sutures didn't keep the left one in place. Not to worry-they can fix that in the exchange surgery. Just ask your PS about it.
And yes they are uncomfortable. Although they felt better to me once I got a few fills in.
Hope you are doing well and they are getting a bit less uncomfortable soon.
Jennifer
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Hi Shel,
Sorry for the delay in replying. I think lots of folks must be on vacation so things are a little slow around here.
Yes, I have exactly the same thing-my left TE sits much higher than my right. It seems the sutures didn't keep the left one in place. Not to worry-they can fix that in the exchange surgery. Just ask your PS about it.
And yes they are uncomfortable. Although they felt better to me once I got a few fills in.
Hope you are doing well and they are getting a bit less uncomfortable soon.
Jennifer
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Hi jennifer,
Thanks for the reply, I will say that these TE are very uncomfortable. The right one still sits way high on chest. My PS was not to worried about it. Said it feels fine. I will ask again this week when the do they last fill. Are you filled to where you want to be?
Shel
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Shelaba, TEs are something else! When they are filled to the max, they are awful. But, they are only temporary. Squishies feel so much better.
Much love to all.
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Chiming in here to say: immediate relief with Exchange surgery. I'm 12 days out and experiencing some discomfort (pocket work) but better than TEs from minute ONE.
So try to make it through. There is hope down the road!
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Finally after a year of TE's heading into my exchange surgery in a few weeks. I am making my packing list (I am traveling for my surgery.) I used the list from the mastectomy page for my surgery last time and have it all sitting in a bag for this one. Anything unique to the exchange that I should be thinking about that is different that I should bring along? I am totally confused on bras and what to take, my surgeon has just said "sports bras" but will take a lot of options and then still probably be grateful for Amazon Prime.
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I am 7 weeks post mastectomy and TE placement and I hate the TE's. I feel like I am in constant pain and just can't wait for them to be done. I sent my PS a message today saying I can't do anymore fill- whatever the size- I'm good with it. I think I have to wait a couple months before the exchange surgery but I'm hoping with no more fills the pain will start to subside.
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sorry u r hurting candyapple. I don have any words of wisdome, except we are here for you!
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Candyapple17, I don't know if you have pre pectoral TEs or sub pectoral TEs but if they are sub pectoral you may find the link below helpful. It was started by a member who had sub pectoral TEs but changed to pre pectoral and was helped immensely. There are others who are doing the same thing. I started out with them because that's what my PS suggested. You may already have prepectoral TEs but in case you don't here's the link. I'm sorry you are having so much pain.
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Candyapple17 if you are done with the expansion the worst part is over. They won't get exactly comfortable, but will get better.
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Candyapple, I hope you found some help.
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HI All, Anyone else here decided on Saline implants and already have them (Moonflower I know you do :-) ). My PS suggests that saline implants will be hard/firm like the TEs! Anyone here with saline implants - are they much more comfy than TEs? I can't wait to get rid of this iron bra feeling and hoping I won't have it with saline implants.
Candyapple--hope your PS is being helpful and you are feeling a bit more comfortable.
Thanks!
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