TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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Dancing - I can't remember when the color changed on all of them, if ever, but the 2 between the alloderm and the TE's stayed in for 21 days. That is the longest my PS will let them stay in, even if they are still producing, as he doesn't want an infection. Call the PS's office, and ask if the 'red' is OK. Our nurse gave us her cell phone and we would text her with questions like that. I loved the convenience of that! The swelling at the openings should be reducing now, so those tubes might start bugging you. I found if I steri-stripped or taped them down, (loose enough not to interfere with the flow) they bugged me less, as they weren't pulling on the suture with every move I made. Yep, it was a pain, as I had to remove the strips to drain them, but so much better than having that 'pull'.
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Yes bright red blood is perfectly normal. Mine were like that the entire time, but one much more than the other. It's ok, hang in there
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It is nice to see that there is another thread other than TE Trouble! I had my TEs put in on January 21st. I am going for my first fill February 23rd. I didn't have any drains put in because the PS was apparently not expecting any drainage as this is a delayed reconstruction, Left side was great. Right side, not so much. But the PS figures that is because of the complications when I had the right MX. The scar tissue on that side is apparently going to cause some issues, though I am praying that they are minor. Right now I have a dent in my right side that I hope will be less noticeable as fills progress, but I guess only time will tell. I also have pain in my right shoulder, arm and hand. The PS put 150cc fill in initially during surgery. I am really looking forward to the first fill and hope that it will encourage me rather than cause further issues.
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Wow! I have been reading some of the past posts and the large amounts of the fills. My PS only plans to go to 400cc on me. I guess it is proportionate to the size of a woman's body - I have no idea even what size 400cc will be like. Mind you I was only a 34B before the MXs so maybe this is approximately the same. Guess I should have asked more questions.
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I only went up to about 375. I wanted to stay small. I have to say I can see a big difference after the 8 and 3 months since implants. The do go from flatter to more rounded, at least in my case. Really have to be patient.
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I was huge to begin with, so I had about 5" of skin removed on both breasts with my BMx and have 650cc TEs in. So, that is why I'm getting so much, there is room there, for me. it isn't stretching the tissue, it is moving the muscle. I have Mentor 9100TEs. Wish I knew which squishy that went with.
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Some P'S will leave drains in longer. I had some in for over 5 weeks. Every P'S is different. LOL. My drainage did change color but 2 weeks out was just starting to get to the pink stage. BTW if you still have drains in, make sure you use an alcohol pad to strip them. It just works so much easier.
Knmtwins, have you been to WhippetMom board? Implants 101? She is era good at matching people to the correct implants.
Finallyme, preop sizes have no really connection to post op sizes. Cup sizes don't translate very well. The P'S will try to give you what you ask or but there are a lot of restraints with reconstruction that enhancement procedures don't deal with. For one thing they have tissue beneath or behind the implants. We have muscle and bone. So our implants have to be all our tissue. Thus the implant fills in all the holes in our chest before pushing outward. That's why TEs look so much bigger - they have hard backs and are made to push all the fluid forward to stretch the skin and muscle. The largest size saline implant is 900 CCs . I believe the projection on that one is less than 4 inches. Most gummy implants are less. even high profile. I hope that helped some of you.
Much love
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I had 4 drains initially after my double masectomy to TEs, had to go back a second time and have more skin removed/ aux lymph node removal after pathology report came back so my drains were in for 6 weeks. The PS removed 2 of them at 4 weeks and then he said 6 weeks was his max he would leave them in. Some people swell more than others he said, maybe because I had 2 major surgeries in a 10 day period or you can also swell if you do to much he said. It is hard to find that fine line of keeping your range of motion but also not to overdo it. Good luck to you!
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Hello everyone!
I had my BMX with reconstruction and TE's on 1-28. Since the surgery I have had pretty constant pain and tightness in my chest. The area under my arms was the worse, which made sense knowing what they did with the placement of the TE's. I am happy to say that the pain in my arm pit area has gotten better this last week, but the tightness in my chest wall is the same. It is still so very uncomfortable, I feel like I have a metal vise squeezing my chest.The only way to alleviate the tightness is to take Valium or Oxycodone; which either I like taking. I feel like after 3 weeks I should be feeling better and that the tightness should be getting better. I was an A cup prior and did not have any fill after surgery. I had my first fill of 75cc on Monday. I was told that filling the TE's may alleviate that pressure, so I am hopeful that is true. I really didn't expect these little buggers to be so painful. Other than the pain everything looks good, tissue and incisions are healing nicely. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue.....I am typically not a complainer but it is starting to get to me! Thanks!!
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JJ, unfortunately the pain and discomfort you are experiencing is very common. I had my bilateral in September and have been getting weekly fills since late October. I had 250cc filled at the time of my surgery. I'm now at 780ccs. Still can't sleep comfortably. After fills I've found taking a muscle relaxer helps more than pain killers.
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I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question. I hope you can help me, feeling so overwelmed.(sp). I was wondering how long breast implants lasted. I read that they can last 10 years and then they need to be changed. It doesn't seem very long. Still waiting to see the plastic surgeon, but Dr. Google has a lot of info. Just not sure how accurate he is. Thanks so much for the help.
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JJ47 I'm 11 weeks post BMx and still feel like I'm wrapped in bindings sometimes. It was at least 6 weeks before that constant feeling went away. For me, it got worse with my fills. I stopped my fills at 250 b/c they hurt too much and I was small to begin with. PS says I'll be a size B where I am now and that's good for me. One think that helps is exercising my arms and shoulders. After 6 weeks, I was able to start light exercises and I've been slowly working up since then.
Scottie
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Thank you Ilovecoasters and Scottiemom for taking the time to let me know how it has been going for you! I was starting to feel like maybe something was wrong. Yesterday I felt a little better so I did some laundry and a little vacuuming; that probably was not a smart thing to do! Feeling very tight today and was afraid I hurt something. I am learning that this whole process has me working on being more patient! Thank you again for your insight!
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Had my first fill yesterday. Some chest pain on the left side - hoping that passes. Otherwise it just feels tight and big
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4 weeks out is still new, so hang in there! The tightness might not really go away but you get used to it and it isnt really painful. Having a first fill already is kind of fast. Be sure to get a low volume at a time only, maybe 50 cc??? You are in charge of this all so dont be pushed into bigger and or faster fills. Maybe tell him you want to wait another week or 3 til you get your next one. But it is early days, so dont worry!
From what I understand they can last 10-20 years so you never know. Ask your ps (plastic surgeon) more about that. On google only stick to this site and places like mayo clinic that are official medical experienced sites and not places where people with bad experiences are just complaining...Face one step of this journey at a time!
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it sounds like a lot of you had your TEs put in at the same time as your mx. I had my TEs put in 2years after my last mx. JJ47 it is still very early for you. You have to let your body heal. The housework can wait. Vacuuming is especially hard on your body.
Thank you moonflwr912 for the info. My right side is dented because of tight scar tissue. Do you know if some of the dent will fill out when more fill is added
I am going for my first fill tomorrow. I am both excited and scared. I have noticed a huge improvement in my pain levels on the right side (the side with all the scar tissue). My left side has almost no pain.
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Hugs to all. Please remember a mastectomy is major surgery! 4 weeks out you are still recovering. Give yourself the right to heal.
Fills do push out some dents not all. It is kind of a wait and see situation. That's one reason we tell people the way you look right after exchange will morph. Patience. There is no reason to rush. You will have better results if you don't push. Take it easy don't do so much. Recover from one sx before having another. If you are in active TX please take more time. To heal Ask me how i know that one.... LOL
Remember that most people get through this without any problems. But if you have issues call your P'S office. They are there with a lot of experience! Remember to watch for fevers and redness and heat over he incisions. Again most people go through this smoothly.
Hugs and much love.
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Hoping everyone is healing beautifully. Hugs and much love
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Well I had my last fill yesterday I am now at 850cc! I slept with my surgical bra on because everything else is too tight lol. All my old bras are too small because I gained about 6 pounds during all of this - having so much pain, I've been pretty much doing nothing. This morning I woke up very tight in the armpit and arm, a little sore under the TE and pain in the back (nothing new there). But the muscle relaxers and pain,idlers are mostly doing their job and since surgery is going to be in about 4 weeks, the prize is in sight which makes it a little more bearable.
I've been going to the chiropractor for the back pain which hasn't helped much. My surgeon wrote for me to go to physical therapy and knows someone who specializes in this sort of thing so I am hoping that will help. In the meantime I will take it easy and have to admit I'm pretty excited that a surgery date is a phone call away
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Alexa 850cc's - dag... what size TEs did you have? I had a reduction with my BMx, so only have 650 TEs Getting a fill at 1pm, so I'm going to take my muscle relaxers and Aleve first. Last time I had back pain for a few days...
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Alexa P, are you able to get full adjustments from Chiro? PS told me not to get adjusted laying on my stomach so my Chiro adjustments since BMX are mostly sitting up with just the activator. Helps some but not enough. I have L4/L5 issues. I've been back to the gym to try to strengthen in general.
Scottie
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Friends,
I finish chemo on 3/16 and to get me ready for radiation my plastic surgeon has been asked to drain my TE on my non Cancer side to 250ccs. The Cancer side will remain at 900. Please tell me if you've had to do this and how you managed. I'm so anxious about looking like a freak with just one humongous boob. My plastic surgeon doesn't think I will want to wear a prosthetic. I'm just so confused!
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I didn't get my first fill on Monday because ps didn't want to put any more pressure on right incision yet. It was disappointing but I know it's for the best. Ps wants me to moisturize and massage the scar tissue to try to soften it up to help the dent fill out. Besides doing this myself, I saw a massage therapist yesterday who has some experience with scar tissue. She says she has known some people to use manuka honey to minimize scaring. What products have you ladies used? I was also wondering if I am going to have to worry about stretch marks?
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I've been using pure argon oil. My scar is completely smooth and has lightened significantly. Have not noticed any stretch marks.
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thank you iloverollarcoasters. I will look into the argon oil. The scar on my right side is a mess from being reopened a few times.
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I haven't used it yet, but both my BS and PS recommend BioCorneum
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Knmtwins I am a uni. My TE is 600cc overfilled to 850cc.
I am scheduled to have my exchange to a saline implant on 3/18/15...
Saline because of the size - we are trying to match the other side. It will be at least 900cc he thinks. He also has to revise his pocket work...
I don't have the specific implant the surgeon has in mind YET, but I will get it from him...
I had no pain with any fills until I hit 800cc then a lot of pain. He took 50cc off for a couple of weeks and then put 100cc back in on Tuesday and now I feel pretty good. It's weird!
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Scottiemom1 yes I have been able to have full adjustments. It's a little weird because I only have the TE on the right side, but it's worked out ok.
My chiropractor has a great table that lifts up so all you have to do is step in it, then it goes down, so you don't have to lie on it and fiddle around. If I get uncomfortable she raises it a little until I can get situated. Both my PS and chiro said the implant is very sturdy and would not be harmed by this...
My PT has me doing exercises to stretch the arm and gain some strength. It's been a loooong road and I'm looking forward to my exchange in March... I'd like to get on with my life and do normal things again!
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I had my DMX 3 weeks ago and Dr put in about 150 cc's in each TE at the time of surgery. I have not had any fills yet, but I'm noticing some stretch marks already. Is this common? Before surgery I had asked by PS about stretch marks and he told me stretch marks only happen when you gain and then lose weight. He said I wouldn't have stretch marks because my skin was going to only stretch, not retract. I was suspicious of this since with both my pregnancies I had stretch marks develop before I gave birth. Is there any way to prevent or smooth out the stretch marks? Do any of the lotions that claim they do that actually work?
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rainbow - implants do not have to be changed out at 10 years, that is when they are no longer under warranty from the manufacturer. Up to the 10 year point if you have a rupture, or a damaged implant, the manufacturer pays to replace it, after 10 years your insurance would cover it. Many people confuse that with having to have them replaced at 10 years, but that is not the case.
For those with stretch marks, I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter and had no issues. I used it during pregnancy and had no stretch marks then either. For scars many recommend silicone like ScarAway or Kelocoat. ScarAway is reusable strips that help flatten and reduce scars, Kelocoat is a gel. Here is a link:
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