TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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the fills shouldnt really hurt- go low and slow! The huge needle coming at you is freaky, but besides it being a bit weird as the saline goes in, the fill itself doesnt hurt. At least, that was my experience. Sometimes they found the port hole in a spot where there was no feeling so that was nice- no needle prick! If the Dr wants to put in a lot and it scares you, or it ends up painful= make him take some out and/or give less the next time. Its your body.
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Back to the drawing board for me. I had to have my implant removed because of capsular contracture and might have to get TEs put in at the end of September. *sigh*
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I'm so sorry, Toni!
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I finally got a surgery date to get my TE. Oct. 15. I will also be having a pmx on my left side and TE put in at that time. I'm pretty nervous about it but excited at the same time to get this next phase started.
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So the nerves are beginning to hit me ...I head into the hospital today for my pre op...I have messaged some girls who have already been through this on FB ...Has any one ..semi sailed through this ?
My PS says I will be done by December...
I waited 5 years for this purposely left it for for after Labour Day but now that it is looming ..I am in freak out mode
Thanks for listening
much love Cheryl
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Victoriasecret, Lots of people has sailed through this...the best advise is to go slow. No use being uncomfortable with the fills. I barely notice my TE's anymore..I would say it hasn't been awful with the TE's except I did have about 3 weeks of nerve pain but after that worked it self out I really only notice them at night. I have even been sleeping on my side. I am assuming your skin is pretty tight after 5 years so just go slooow and you will be fine. Good luck!
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ah heck Toni. Sorry! You might want to pop in on the TE Trouble board for a whole lot of people who understand!
Victoria, Remember out people go through without any glitches. They don't usually need a lot of support so they tend not to post. Hugs!
Much love to all.
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Mischief & Moonflower- Thanks for the advice I promise to post my progress good or bad... I am a girl that lives life with her glass half full ..always believing that everyone has a journey in life ..if I hear bad news ..I repeat ....NOT MY JOURNEY !!
If there are any Reiki practitioners on here remember me next Thursday prayers are always welcome
love n light Cheryl
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Toni - love love your quote !!!0 -
yesterday, i had 125 cc. put in again. i have a bit of pressure today, but not too bad. since i am past the halfway point now, i will do lower cc's. for the next fills. i go every two weeks.
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sorry i haven't posted in awhile been a busy couple of weeks..on the bright side..car is fixed (thanx to my wonderful church family who fixed even more stuff than i thought it needed and did it all for free...rebuilt engine, new radiator, new hoses and belts, fixed the a/c, new tires and even washed it inside and out)...Was feeling pretty good and was even somewhat comfortable so went grocery shopping yesterday and such (i tried not to lift too much at one time) but now today having some pain...easiest way to describe it is to say feels like something poking my sternum...is this normal or did i do something bad to myself? I'm hoping maybe the expander just shifted a bit and is resting on that area...I go for my first fill on the 17th of Sept...
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cammee616, I doubt you did anything bad to yourself. Especially if you were mindful of how much you were picking up. I had my TE's put in in May and I still have sternum pain. I can't stand for the seat belt to touch it or anything really. I get little pains here and there occasionally that I contribute to lifting or doing something that puts some strain on my pecs. Take it easy today and you will feel better soon.
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thanx Mischief...I think you're right i was kinda feeling around and I think maybe the port is sitting on that area...I really wanna get this first fill over with..I am freaking myself out with not knowing what to expect lol...
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Cammee616, Nothing to worry about ...the actual fills are quite simple. They find the port with what looks like a stud finder and works the same way then they put this ginormous needle in and start adding saline. Sounds pretty painless right??
Seriously, most likely you won't feel anything at the fill except for some tightness in the chest and my PS actually uses a smaller needle attached to the syringe by a tube and so it really isn't so scary and takes less than 5 minutes..It really isn't anything to worry about. But I am sure you have heard to go slow on the fills. My first few fills hurt the most but for most women it is the opposite as the skin gets tighter. Just go slow until you know how much you can handle. 0 -
All of my labs came back clean. No new cancer or recurrence. Just waiting to see if I need to get a TE.
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Yay Toni!
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yay Toni!! and Mischief..I've heard about the big needle which is what scares me...I hate needles..I would still scream every time they stuck me for chemo treatments (you'd think after a year you'd be used to it). But I know alot of that area still feels like it's been shot with novacaine...so hopefully it will be in that area (a girl can dream right?)...
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Just got my last 2 drains out and my first fills..PS filled me with 100cc on each side..it was not painful at all..near the end of the fill I could feel a little pressure but nothing to scream about..I did get nauseous because of the large needle but it just felt like when they inserted the needle for my port during chemo..
Be brave! You will do fine!
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Yea Toni!! That is the best kind of news.
Cammee, Hopefully, your PS uses the smaller needle attached to the syringe. It is really the huge syringe that is so intimidating. But it needs to hold a 100cc's so it has to be big. As soon as you get this first fill behind you and you will be fine with them.
Angelfaith, I can't imagine getting 100cc's at a time. I received 200cc's at surgery and then only 25cc's at my fills and those first few hurt for days!! I am a wimp..and barely had breast to begin with which might have been some the problem. Congrats an getting rid of those drains!!
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I have a pinched nerve in the middle of my upper back...have had it for probably about 20 yrs now...not sure if it's the TE or not but I've had more problems with it hurting in the past month since I got the TE than I have in the past 2 yrs...I am constantly taking pain meds (tylenol with codeine or mobic) and even then it's still not totally knocking out the pain just dulling it down...I don't know what to do..I'm hoping maybe after I start the fills it will lesson the pain from the pinched nerve (perhaps the TE is close to that area and is aggravating it?) I can't stay drugged up constantly when I have a 5 yr old to take care of
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I have never had any back problems, but all the pain from TE's has beein in my back. Interested to see what feedback you get.
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I have just had my second fill and am now up to 225cc's.
Most of the fluid is filling in at my sides and slightly around my underarms. The skin pockets near the middle of my chest is still saggy. The PA ( I haven't seen my PS for more that a minute and a half since my surgery) said that this is fine the doctor fixes this in surgery.
This doesn't sound right to me. Does anyone have any advice here or similar experiences? I'm kinda freaked out about it. I don't want to go through all of this only to be deformed...
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my TE's are filled to 350cc and feel like they are under my arms more than on my chest. Plus, there is a huge gap between them. My PS says he will bring them in at my exchange and not to worry. The TE's do fill out wide before they actually fill out. If that makes sense.
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twoam - when the pocket is created for the TEs, the pectorals and often times the anterior serratus muscles can be cut or stitched. Both of those muscles have origin points that begin around the back. That's why you can have referred pain from the TEs. If you are cleared to shower, try letting the hot water hit your back to relax the muscles. Also, a nice back massage helps!
RAM2013 - those darn TEs will just fill up any old way they want to. Don't be alarmed by wonky shapes. One day you will get to the point that you can actually SEE your projection begin! Mine were so weird they touched in the middle, and wrapped around under my armpits. All will be fixed at Exchange.
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If anyone has too much pain from the needle stick for the expansions, I'd suggest asking your PS about lidocaine or EMLA. They're local anesthetics that help with that discomfort. It doesn't affect the tightness feeling, but it does help with that poke. I used EMLA every single time--and I used it for my IVs too.
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Thank you Mischief46 and Blessings2011 that makes me feel so much better!
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hi there, I've done my 3rd fills on 9/3 for 30cc which half of the previous two, The last two fills was 60 cc fills and it was fine. The reason drop to half is because the pain from left side, my ps decides only 30cc for both sides at this time. The funny part is, I got cold chattering and fervor 102 at middle of night. I took the Advil for reduce the fever. It got back to normal temps after a while. Then it still chattering bad .... After 3 days my hb grabs me to emergence room. Well, initially the er said I got bladder infection but also prescribe the antibatic for the infection of bladder and the fills. Well, for some reason, after I got released fm ER and came home, the cold chattering starts again n fever 101. I really don't what to do...... Is any one have similar experiences the cold chatter n fever from fills? Greatly appreciated!!!!!
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so back from my second post op appt. DRAINS out !!!feel 100 % better...stitches next week . I got my first look at the construction site and not bad I know this will be a slow process to be filled but after waiting 5 years to jump on board reconstructing I am ready....well that's my update ...till next week
Cheryl
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Cherish - no personal experience. If you haven't already, encourage you to call PS office and let them know about the chills and fever since your last fill. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in.
Victoria - congratulations on drains being out! I had a lot of swelling from my BMX 3 wks ago and still have 2 drains in. The others came out about day 12 but these 2 devils are still putting out almost 50cc a day!
Like others, my TE's are definitely expanding into the side boob area! PS put in 200cc at surgery and have had 2 fills with 50cc each. I was worried about pain from the fills, but like everything on this journey it's different for everyone. My mother or sister have been driving me to the appts, so I've taken one valium (prescribed by PS) that morning and haven't had any problems with the fills so far.
S
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Just back from my PS who filled me 100cc's on each side. Feels like I have 2 footballs under my arms and on my chest. Told him about the pain I've been going through this last week and he prescribed a muscle relaxant. I started with double d's, so I had a lot of room to work with. He told me that I can only go up to 800cc fills. I'm up to 700cc now. I'm not sure I want to get to 800cc. PS is giving me a 2 week break until the next/final fill. After that I can heal and get ready for my exchange. Haven't got a date for the exchange yet.
Just trying to stay positive and keep happy thoughts!
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