TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Comments
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saw ps today. he removed one drain and left the other until next week. he said drain site looked infected and rx'd. antibiotics. no fill today. he also said take it easy on the exercise and walking okay, but no bouncing and try not to use arms/chest much. he also said to postpone my 7/16 colonoscopy until the middle or end of august, due to risk of infection, not sure why, but how he described it made sense.
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OK I know you ladies are right. I am just scared when something is pointed out to me by a professional...but in all honesty if my permanent implants look as good as the TEs I will be happy! The PT also mentioned how her friend's had "dropped" which scared the heck out of me!
It's like my husband just said...."your originals weren't symmetrical either"....
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scafy, with any implant you have to be careful with infection. The infection goes to the weakest place on your body. When you have implants they qualify! I got that lecture again when I got my knee replacement 2 weeks ago. The abx when getting teeth cleaned, colonoscopy etc. And since Dad had a bad infection in his replacement that led to bad things I listen!
Much love
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thanks moonflower, that does make sense. i'm glad i brought it up to the ps when i was there.
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Moonflower=question-you said about the implants being weakest point for infections with other procedures=do you take antibiotics prior and during colonoscopies, dental procedures, etc? Char
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Char - I am trying to avoid having another colonoscopy like the plague. (I got one of those simple take-your-own-poop-sample kit that I can mail in.) It never occurred to me to ask about prophylactic antibiotics prior to a colonoscopy.
Even though my PS said not to worry about it, my dentist is extremely germ-conscious. He prescribed me an antibiotic, of which I take two, an hour before I have a procedure or even have my teeth cleaned.
He says he's treating my breast implants just like he would any other foreign object in the body like a hip or knee replacement!
Thanks for asking that question... now I'm going to ask the Colonoscopy doc!
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My :PS said that once i have had a few saline fills, the risk won't be as bad for infection. again, not sure why. does anyone here know?
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I'm having dental work next week and in 3 weeks, then having exchange surgery 2 weeks after that. I'm getting a crown and 2 fillings replaced. My PS prescribed amoxicillin that I take the day before to the day after. I hope I don't have any issues! After my BMX, I was on Keflex. She does this with all of her surgery patients,
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juliecc - I really appreciate docs and dentists who are as OCD about germs as I am!!!
Good luck on your dental work.... and how exciting to have New Girls to look forward to in a few weeks!!!!
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hi ladies,
Weird question. I start chemo next Friday and my center has recommended I go have teeth cleaned first.
I've just remembered PS said I should have antibiotics when having teeth cleaned w TE in.
Does anyone know if I need these before or after cleaning? (Or as Julie suggests - both?)
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the to-dos!
Thanks!
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RainDew - I would discuss it with your dentist, but mine had me take antibiotics both before and after just to be safe... Good luck to you!
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Hi all, so glad to find this post too, this whole forum actually
. I had TEs with 100 cc each after BMX 4/29/14. I had drains for 14 days, and didn't do a THING for 5 weeks. We started expanding at 2 weeks once drains were out and expanded to approx 450 cc because I am going for a healthy B cup. Expansion was 80 cc weekly which was tight for a day or so and then no pain. More painful when we got up closer to 400 but again tolerable. I imagine with more volume would be much more painful. At 5 weeks started slow jog which was uncomfortable but tolerable. At 6 wks could run fine. Today, just over 8 weeks out I have no pain or tenderness whatsoever, can run, climb, bike, swim; and forget I even have TEs except when I look in the mirror. We expanded fast because we thought I wouldn't need chemo and because we were moving and insurance was going to run out. Maybe I forget about the TEs because I am now in chemo 
. Anyhow, will do swap out in October/November once chemo is long gone. Just wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone with theirs. Attitude is everything, and rest is just as important!0 -
this is for moonflower, Sandra and others out there who have had "issues" with their implants. I thought a new thread about problems, issues, etc with implants would be a good idea. I don't want to call it Implant Troubles. Any suggestions? Implants 101 is about finding the right size and I didn't find a thread for this on bco. Maybe there is one? So do you guys think?
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Smaaty, sounds like potential for an interesting thread with an easily understood positive Title.
There are so many options, chest shapes, form shapes, TE types, implant types and size depends upon considering so many aspects that a focussed thread may be very useful to those investigating questions to ask and understanding options. Hope it can stay on track, so set guidelines carefully as possible.
Cheers, The Mods
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RainDew- I'm a hygienist and any time we have a patient use antibiotics in conjunction with dental treatment it is premeditation 1 hour before the procedure. I don't see why TEs would call for anything different, but you should definitely check with your BS or PS first just in case!
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thanks AZ8 and stepangel.
Makes sense! Will put in a call to PS office Monday morning.
Happy 4th!
Rain
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just to be different, I checked with my PS and dentist and they both said I didn't need anything prior to a deep root cleaning. Everybody is different.
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LOL! As usual, everyone is different! But most P'S will treat TES and Breast implants as other implants..for me I have 3 strikes maybe 4 if my port counts! Two breast implants, a pacemaker, now a knee implant and of course my port. Yeah, they want me to take precautions.
Smarty, there is a TE trouble thread for issues with TEs. But for troubles after permanent implants, you are correct there isn't one as the Mods said. Specialk had a problem after her permanent implant revision so we all know it can happen. Maybe "Living with Implants"?
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thanks Moom, I like that.
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My exchange surgery is coming up, and I would love to see a "Living with Implants" thread!
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My PS/BS do not prescribe antibiotics for dental cleanings or other more invasive work, either for TEs or implants.
janet - do you have a specific question regarding implants?
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Nothing specific (yet!). I'm sure I will have questions after the exchange surgery though.
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You can click on All Topics, then click on Breast Reconstruction under the Tests, Treatments and Side Effects category, there are a lot of specific threads. You can scroll through and see if there is anything of interest. Because there are so many types of recon involving implants (direct-to-implant, TE to implant, flap plus implant, etc.), and differing kinds of implants (silicone, saline, anatomical, differing profiles/textures of round, etc.), it is hard to give any general info.
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Any suggestions for flying with TEs in? I will have to cancel my fill tues and need to fly (5-6 hours) to be with my daughter who is having some problems. I do not think I will be able to get to my PS for this card everyone talks about for the TEs. Also suggestions on handling bags? I need to carry a very heavy textbook too! Thanks.
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I too will be flying soon with TEs. My PS gave me a letter to put in my pocket when I go through security since the TEs have a small bit of metal in them, BUT he said he has never had a patient set off the metal detector nor has he had a patient have to show the letter. It is just a precaution, so it is very unlikely to be an issue for you. And by the way, the letter just explains what a TE is and asks that the screener be "sensitive" if they have to pat you down.
As far as baggage goes: use rolling bags and rolling carry-ons, and ask for help. Most people (other passengers) are good about helping you by lifting a bag off the turnstile or in/out of overhead bins.
Safe travels!
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beth, ditto what Janet said!. Just call your doc for a letter or card. You probably won't need it but if not no prob but if you do need it it's easier to have it along. Good luck and I hope your DD is going to be ok. Safe travels.
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bethq - if your PS does not have the card, just ask for them to fax you a letter with the serial numbers on it. That info should be in your file in their office. I have flown with both TE, prosthetics, and implants, and I still have a chemo port in my chest. They have patted my shoulders only and never stopped me beyond that. I was nervous the first time with TE in, carried my card for them and my port card in my back pocket since my bags were already on the conveyer belt, but have never been asked. I have flown through many different airports and this has remained consistent.
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I had to fly when I had the TE in. I set off the machine and they wanded me. When I told them what it was they were very nice. I never thought of getting a note from my doctor - it probably would have made things a bit easier, but it wasn't really an issue anyway.
I eventually chose to have a DIEP rather than an implant.
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I have another question. Has anyone else here noticed more drainage after they exercise? Should I just stop exercising until the drain is out? Or is it good to get as much fluid out as possible?
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Scary- it is my understanding that increased activity equals increased fluids in the drains. My occupational therapist said exercise is great but not using your arms. Walking but not power walking with arms pumping is ideal. And gentle... Don't overdo! Check with your doc, but that's what I was told.
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