TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Comments
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BrighterDays - Hi and welcome! You have every right to feel confused. We all were at one time. It's not like someone hands you a list on a piece of paper and says 'this is what you'll experience along the way'. None of us had any point of reference for all of this and that's what makes this forum so great - whatever you want to know - whether it seems silly or not - someone here will have an answer or suggestion for you.
Remember that the PS works for you. Not the other way around. If something is really hurting, inflamed, or you develop a rash - don't be afraid to call him / her. You're not bothering them - it's part of their job. I found that in the TE phase, if I did too much (reached too far or generally overexerted myself in some way) I paid for it the next day. Your body is healing inside too, and many times the TEs are stitched internally. You very well could have pulled a stitch or two loose with your attempt to catch the mirror. OR the TE could have moved just enough that it's now sitting on a nerve. That happens as well. (And by the way, was the mirror rescue successful?)
It's always best to have it checked out by your PS as the TEs are an experience that NO ONE wants to repeat. I hope that helps you a little.... And please let us know what they have to say.0 -
Ditto to what AZ said. I had several episodes (with a TE and also after my exchange) where I moved the wrong way, picked up something too heavy, or reached for something and BAM, instant pain! I've torn internal sutures more than once.
One time I got myself in a battle with a sports bra in a dressing room. I absolutely couldn't get it off. I was twisted up with one arm bent and trapped by my head. No one was around to help and the store was closing. I couldn't go out and look for someone...I was topless. Finally, frustrated, teary-eyed, and overwhelmed, I had to bite the bullet, ignore the pain, and get it OFF. It came off but I tore sutures and set back my healing several weeks after that escapade. I had bruising and a lot of pain to remind me of my limitations.
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BrighterDays- Glad you contacted your PS's office. Let us know what happens Monday. I know some people had pain when the TE was resting on a nerve and as it was filled it moved, and the pain lessened. One of our members damaged hers in a car accident so it is always good to try and figure out if anything is going on. Good luck!!
Ally
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Dearest AZ, Sandra, and Ally,
Thank you so much for your responses! That you took the time to encourage me means so much! For the record, the darned mirror is fine but we are no longer on speaking terms!
I am wondering about what pulling the sutures out means for the future. How will the PS know if I have truly popped them? If I have, does that mean no more saline until they can be repaired?
Thank you, Ms. Sandra, for putting the fear of all things sports bra into my 'new nightmare' folio!
I have no pain today, and my family (trying to be encouraging) tells me, "That's great! Perhaps whatever you hurt is healing!" All the while, I'm smiling, nodding and imagining my chest wall healing while the dermal matrix is in there flopping around loose.
I will certainly post what the PS tells me on Monday. My husband is going with me so that if I get a stern talking to, I will have a hand to hold!
Thank you again!
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BrighterDays - That's what we're all here for - to help each other. I doubt seriously that you've done anything that's irreparable.
Especially since you feel so much better today. If the pain was constant and unrelenting, that would be a different story. You just need to take it easy (even when you feel good) and let everything heal as well as it can. Trust us, there's not much that can't be rectified when you have your exchange surgery! And as to the mirror... get used to ignoring it. It will not be your friend for quite some time to come, but eventually, you'll learn to forgive one another and you'll smile when you see it. 
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Hey, Moon - How are YOU doing? How's that new knee treating you?
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been waddling around with my walker going to therapy 3x a week. Why do they always smile???? LOL here me and my jazzy walker. LOL Otherwise they say I am doing well.
Brighter days, as they all said almost anything can be taken care of during the exchange. So don't panic. Your PS will let you know what might have happened. But do be a bit careful with yourself. I know we all want to go back to normal right away but we all do the best we can.
Much love.
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SNAZZY walker, Moon - very chic! It's good to see you smiling! I know you're working very hard at the PT, so just keep it up - it will all be worth it in the end.
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Hi Girls-I posted a thread but think I will find my answers right here . I am scheduled in Sept. to start my process 2 part surgery.I am 5 years out so my skin has had time to heal and my onc thought it looked great for TEs...At first I was told no way too many rads from 2 PS. I was not searching for someone to say yes it just took 3 years to finally get a surgery date ...got tired of waiting for doc 1 was happy with doc 2 but doc 3 came from a friend of mine who got me in quick and so I made the decision . He said implants right off ...
So any advice or tips please send them my way !!!
Cheryl
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Hi VS! I hear that fat grafting before trying TES or implants with rad skin works well. But i don't know personally. But after 3 years it may go even better than you think. The best advice I can give is go slow. Small fills and wait between. After all this time that may be hard to do but the most successful ones are small fills with no rush. I wish you the perfect TE to implant experience!
Much love
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MOON!!!
Is that Washi tape on your walker? VERY creative!
And I love the gadget carrier.... you are prepared for anything!
Wishing you and your knee a quick and complete recovery...
xoxoxo
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Blessings. I'm not sure of the tape name I just had pink zebra print duct tape laying around. LOL you know me. If I have to use it it might as well be "bedazzled" LOL the carrier is straight off of my director chair I use for camping. Of course i fid the duct tape hearts. I thought the side holder thingy might work and it does great! Holds my e reader, wallet, keys, kleenex e's and of course, since sx I've had the big D, so it also holds an extra diaper! LOL. I don't need to carry anything. LOL
Much love to all
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Moon, you're a sweetheart to offer so much great advice to everyone. I just wanted to say that. Your pic is so cute. you're a trooper. now for my problem, my extra boob is hurting, you know the one under the arm that comes from the fat left over from the mastectomy. my next appt. isn't until next tuesday, that's nine days from now. i am going to ask if there might be a seroma or something there that they can drain some fluid out of with a needle at the appt.. after the TE surgery, they said they may be able to use some of that skin to stretch over the final implant, but not sure yet. meanwhile, will massaging the bump/extra boob help?
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MF -thanks so much I see my PS in august so will make sure I ask about the fills ...Do you think that traveling will be realistic ?
Cheryl
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Very quickly I'd like to update my status of last week. I thought I had popped some sutures during a rescue attempt involving a mirror. I saw my PS today and told him of my painful adventure. Do you know what he did? He grabbed that TE with both hands like a big ole sammich and squeezed it! I don't know how strong he is and of course I have no sensation, but it looked like he was giving it his all! Oh. My. Gosh! He then told me that it looked good and I hadn't popped anything as far as I could tell! So, all that worry for nothing - but you know, before I was diagnosed, I thought I was invinceable! So - there you have it, although I will still be avoiding that kamikaze mirror for the foreseeable future!
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brighterdays! LOL! ! P'S are really weird sometimes! LOL glad it's ok.
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BrighterDays - That's awesome! And it reminds me of a video that Blessings2011 found comparing saline implants to silicone when they're run over by a PS in a BMW! (You just can't make this stuff up...)
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Bumping up my plea, ouch, my extra boob under arm hurts. appt. not until next week, when i'm going to ask him if he can drain some fluid with needle. can i massage it in the meantime?
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scary. Call the office describe what you are feeling. Ask if massage is ok. Then you don't have to worry. Much love..
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thank you. sorry to be such a baby. it feels okay right now. i guess it's just when i am in certain positions.
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Go ahead and call anyway you'll be surprised to see how much better you feel! Much love.
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hello my sisters, I just have done the BMX and TE placement yesterday. The PS put the little "on-Q" on me which release the small amount of anesthesia periodically to help the pain. She also prescribes the Norco (pain relief drug) thus it helps a lots with those drugs. One thing I can't figure out is why I have 3 drains. I was very very anxious before the surgery cuz I heard it will be so much pains and discomfortable during the recovery. Hopefully the pain level will keep like this! Blessing and big hugs for all!!
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BrighterDays - I wonder what they call that procedure in Medical School?
Ladies - don't let the video that AZ posted scare you!
Cherish - so glad you are able to post so soon after your BMX! From what I have read, the On-Q pumps are awesome. Be glad you have three drains. (I've heard of ladies having four...) While they seem to be a nuisance at first, you really, REALLY want them to suck off that excess fluid in there. And as for removal, while some felt theirs, I didn't feel a thing. Now just rest and relax and recuperate!
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cherish - And always remember the BCO mantra - "just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" You have lots of internal healing to do, so take it very easy the first couple of weeks and let your body rest - (it's been through a lot). Like Blessings said, even though they're very annoying, drains are a necessary evil. And besides, they won't be there forever...
Blessings - Whaddya mean don't be scared? LOL! You're the one who found that video!
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such a blessing for someone listen n keep me in the thoughts, feels💖💖💖!
Thanks so much fir reminding me to take it slow. Let me repeat that to myself, just because you can, doesn't mean you should!!!!
I was coughing bad when I delinking water, it is p~a~I~n~f~u~l............
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Hi ladies- I'm 4 weeks post op as of Thursday. I had my first fill two weeks ago of 75cc and it went good. A bit tight and I few spasms the first 24 hours. I contined to feel tight the rest of the week but it wasn't painful just discomfort. I got my second fill on Wednesday and the NP put another 75cc in. She said she was thinking 50cc but if my skin could handle more she would put more. Plus, I had told her that the first fill I did fine with 75cc. Well this time I've been in more pain than discomfort these last few days. Has anyone experienced pain in your upper back and upper arms closer to the arm pits after a fill. I'm still sore but was able to sleep better last night. I go in for another fill on this coming Wednesday and I'm considering having her put a little less. Thoughts??
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ojoyjoy, if you have pain go slow. It's not a race. Everybody is different. I had 100 cc fills right up to my last. Had no pain till the 2nd to last filling and so my next was smaller. You do what works for you. I started with 300 cc in my TE. I have 850 permanent implants now. But i am a large lady and mine are now just a C. Pretty much what I was before. But low and slow is the way if you have pain. If you still have pain from the last filling, then you know you can skip a week too. Much love.
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Ojoyjoy - I had variable experiences throughout fills. Sometimes 50cc's really bothered me and others I was ok with more. I definitely did better with the fills when my husband could drive me and I could take Valium before, but I usually had to drive myself. My suggestion would be to try a smaller fill next time and see if it makes a difference. In general, i became more uncomfortable as the process wore on. The good news for me was that my exchange brought almost immediate relief. I hope you get more comfortable soon!
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Morning ladies-I have a question. In few weeks I will go under the knife again and have a TE installed on the left side, lost the implant due to infection in April. The question is-what are the pros and cons of having TE with tabs stitched in place? Have never had TEs due to direct to implants at BMX. Thanks Char
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