TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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new__me - Not everyone has lasting discomfort with TEs. I had pain in my sternum area and under my breast for a few days but it was very manageable with analgesics, and I think I took one or two Oxycodone when I could not sleep. I was sleeping on my side as soon as the drains came out, which was about a week after surgery. Already it's all a blur. I actually like my TE--it looks better in my clothes than my native breast which I have to pad because my TE is bigger. My girlfriend had a BMX with immediate TEs and had no pain until the very last fill when she had to get 100ccs because she was flying out. Her pain lasted only a day and was not that bad. Just go slow, and you'll be fine!
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I had my TEs for 8 months and there were days when I hated them. There were also days as I approached EX that I worried about the end result. I'm very happy about the result. The day dh saw me in a dress and said "Wow you have cleavage" was priceless.
I also have worked very hard at the gym and with regular hiking since my initial BMx recovery and am in the best shape I've been in in years. Exercise is now a necessary daily habit. Also takes my mind off my recovery.
My best advice is to spend as much time as possible on your favorite hobby or activity.
Scottie
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new me, no don't worry, these TE's are annoying in that they are hard and just "weird" (for lack of a more scientific term!), but they certainly don't hurt, nor do I think about them all day long. I am seeing them as a long road to a nice boob job. That may be overstating it a bit, but in the end I'm so thankful that this is an option now!! I like working toward a goal and this is part of that. And although I wouldn't WANT to live with the TE's forever, I certainly could if I had to. They aren't that big a deal and I just try to focus on the positive. It just keeps you (and those around you LOL) in a better place!
I promise you, this is all do-able. I just put my game face on and do the next thing. Sending prayers your way. You got this!!
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new me. - they are just uncomfortable but nothing that's isn't do-able! I think,of how many other woman survived this, and I know I can too. It just takes some time getting used to.
on an unrelated note, my final sterile-strip came off today in the shower. No one prepares you for the major scar underneath do they? Sigh... Just part of the process...
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NYNJGIRL - that scar...you are so right! Nobody prepares you for that! At first I said it looked like pre civil war botched surgery. As time has gone on, I look at myself and think I look like an alien. But hey, we are survivors, right? It's worth the trade off
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New me--the TE's are not made for comfort but I will say that it DOES get better. It's an odd feeling but I've somewhat gotten used to them. I did not read ahead on forums of what was to come until I was very close to that treatment. For example, I didn't read about radiation until I finished chemo. And even then it was a bit much. As someone said earlier; one step at a time. Even though that can be hard.
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they werent bad for me. Was wayyyy more freaked out before the surgery and then it turned out fine. Fills are annoying and for some a bit uncomfortable. After awhile I knew they; were in there but it was ok. Just a different stage to go thru till exchange. Dont be freaked out!! For the majority of people the TE are a nuisance but quite do able.
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Aviva and everyone - thank you for the encouragement! BMX and TEs scheduled finally. Nov 20.
Di
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Hi All. Jumping in here. Had a UMX about 4 years ago and much ado finally and investigating all of the other options, I decided on a TE to implant and had my procedure October 7. So far so good, healing well. Had some minor discomfort but nothing too bad. Took me a couple of weeks to be able to sleep on my side though. The PS wants to start fills in about 2 weeks every 2 weeks. She put 125ml in at time of surgery and wants to get up to about 600ml by the end. Fingers crossed for no issues.
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Myleftboob, I can't believe you can sleep on your side already! I had my TE's put in in early July and I can stay on my side about 3 minutes! It just feels too uncomfortable. Surely I'll be able to once I have my exchange in a couple of weeks. I'm glad you're doing so well!!
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Free123
I start off on my left side but end up switching eventually, feels good to be able to do it though. I may feel differently after fills. I sure wish I was as close as you are to exchange. Going to the Myans in Mexico end of January 2016 and I'll still won't have had it. Anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking I'll look fairly well matched to fill out clothes and maybe a halter style bathing suite. Oh well, at 53 I won't be the main attraction on the beach anyway LOL. Cover ups for sure!
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Myleftboob. . .awesome that you can sleep one your side. I still can't sleep on my side 12 weeks post EX. I have a total body pillow that allows me to curl up partway on either side while still supporting my neck and shoulders. On the vacation note, I wore a bikini with my TEs this summer and with my new girls after EX. I did wear a swim shirt or jacket though for extended sun, because my skin was overly sensation to the sun after BMx.
Scottie
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Myleftboob, You should look pretty good by Jan after a few fills! My PS has filled my TE's to @ 2/3 of where I'll be with implants, because she doesn't want to stretch my skin too much. But I think I look "okay" and could live with them at this point if I had to- but thankful I don't have to! After a few fills mine have rounded pretty nicely and I think you'll be great in a halter style suit or whatever you prefer! I did purchase some inserts that I refer to as "chicken cutlets" because, well they look and feel a lot like boneless, skinless chicken breasts! They have helped to give me a little boost and think they would work in a swimsuit if you needed them. And, yes, that's probably a good perspective on the beach!! I just think most of us like to look our "personal best" ha and that is challenging right now LOL!!
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Free123
Thanks for the chicken cutlet tip. Quite frankly I was never the main attraction on the beach LOL. I was hitting the gym pretty good before surgery and am looking forward to getting back. I'll concentrate on core, butt and legs for now anyway. Just lost 10 pounds via Weight Watchers, working on the next 10. Ideally would like to be down 40 in total but I enjoy life too much to worry about skinny. Not good anyway for ladies of a certain age to be too thin in the face IMHO
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Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again
Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1
Link to the mainboard donation page
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Totally agree, Myleftboob! You sound like you have things under control!!
Too much pressure being the main attraction anyway ha. Enjoy every minute!
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keep using pillows of all sizes to help move to side sleeping. I found that using one tucked between the TE helped while I was on my side. The 'top' one seemed to move towards the'bottom' one, so the pillow helped keep that from happening, and was much more comfortable. It will happen tho! Give it time
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ok does everyone find that after exchange surg much fuller and tighter as it gets to the end of day? How long does this last? Just 2 weeks past ex surg so know I am way early to know final result.
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Bobkat. . .I do feel tighter and fuller at days end. I still have some swelling 12 weeks post EX. My pects are very tight so reaching for things at work or just being on the computer all day aggravates them. I am slowly getting ROM back through PT and the gym.
Myleftboob . . .I have become a gym rat with dh since I was able to get on a treadmill post BMx. I live for my exercise now. Our gym is close by and it's getting too dark and cold to walk around my lake when I get home so we're at the gym almost every day.
Scottie
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thanks for quick reply Scottie. Always good to hear another feeling same. Thanks. Have good night
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Scottiemom. Do you do any arm exercises at all?
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What does low pole mean?
My TE's are "low pole plus full height profile". Any idea what this means?
Also, on another board I mentioned this and thought I would here too just to see if others feel the same way...
I have TE's that have been filled to 350 and 400 cc's. When I have clothes on, I still appear (in my opinion) to be fairly flat chested. BUT, if I pull my shirt tight from the back, then my chest looks larger, and almost where they were. It is weird - I do not like the way my chest looks in standard shirts, but if I wear a shirt that fits snug, I feel like it looks better.
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lharry - I believe it is a tissue expander that has maximal expansion in the lower part of the breast area, as opposed to the upper pole, which needs less expansion. You may read on this site about those with TE and feel like they have foobs up to their neck - the low pole expander seeks to avoid that.
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I have upper pole expanders. It feel like my boobs start under my chin. They are 400cc filled to 450. So they are very round and firm. Look like cantaloupes. They are so not like my natural mom breasts the breast fed 2 beautiful daughters until they were well over a year old. They are quite high. I have been assured that when I have my exchange surgery they will be different. January can't come fast enough.0 -
Thank you for the explanation. Deeratz, are you still being filled between now and January?fingers crossed for you after your exchange!
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Myleftboob. . .I do several arm exercises.I use therabands, light weights and pulleys. Most exercises were given to me by my PT.
Scottie
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Lharry-I am done with my fills. They are very firm and hard. I wouldn't want them filled any fuller. Looking forward to my softer implants. Also they are cold. It is weird when I shiver, because they don't shiver like the rest of my body does. With the peck muscles being overtop of the expanders it is just a weird feeling. Winter in central Canada will be interesting.
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Dee-yes, so weird when you get a chill! I feel the same thing.
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Maxdog-it is hard to describe that feeling. It is weird.
A tip-when I would get a fill(they were always 50cc), I would have back pain. It was always in my right shoulder blade. I think this was due to everything being pulled forward thus causing my back pain. One thing I found really helped was rolling up a big beach towel, then place it along your spine when you are sitting up. It seemed to help stretch things out and alleviate the back pain. Laying on a foam roller(looks like a big fat pool noodle) also helped me lots. Massage was also excellent.
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i am so happy for all the experience you are all sharing! And the TE under the chin is so true. I used to bump into doorways all the time the things stuck out so far. Mine do look good in alot clothe's but I have a flat spot on my right side. If I lean ack. But I'm leaving them alone. Worked too hard to mess them up now. LOL
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