TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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The te are there to expand the skin and create the pocket the implants will go in. The te placement, or positioning as the fills go along generally isnt at all where the implants will end up. A good ps should just use the pocket space as the starting point to place and put the implant, and shape the pocket maybe with bitty stitches to create a nice looking new boob....And remember too it takes MONTHS for the new implants to drop and fluff and look anything like they will in the long run. Sooooo hard to be patient waiting for them
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still having issues with the "sunburnt" and hypersensitive on my skin. I'm in my 4 week post surgery. Any idea when this will fade? It's awful...
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NYNJGirl3, I want to say mine got noticeably better at about 5 weeks…I just noticed one day they weren't burning like they had been! I still detect it sometimes but to a much lesser degree! And not constantly by any means.
Now I'm annoyed by how numb they are- I leaned over into a cup with a straw the other day (with no clothes on, I was putting my makeup on…) and the only reason I even knew was that I saw it in the mirror!! The straw was jamming into my breast and I had absolutely no idea! Yikes I will have to stay away from flames and sharp objects. But if they look good in the end, I'm not gonna complain. Well, not too much, anyway!!
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I think today I am finally starting to get used to these dang TE's. It's the first day that I haven't felt uncomfortable most of the day. Almost 7 weeks since BMX - guess it's time. Of course I say that and get another fill on Monday, so this feeling may not last long. But, I'll take what I can get!
Hope you are all doing okay this weekend.
Linda
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Lharry-that sounds about when my TE's felt ok as well. Then every fill I got they would bother me till things stretched out again. I never got more than 50cc's in a fill. Wouldn't have wanted more volume at a time. My TE's are still bugging me, especially after my chemo treatments. Could be that they are overfilled as well and tight. Will be glad to get them out in Jan. I try not to complain as my reconstruction went very smoothly. Better than having to throw a prosthetic boob on the dresser everynight when I crawl into bed. It allowed me to wear a swimsuit this summer as well. They allow me to be able to exercise at the gym without having to worry about losing a boob. Lots to be thankful for!0
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Dee-very good points!!
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NYNJGirl3: I had the same problem and it has been a lot better the last week or so. My surgery was about 6 weeks ago-- so hopefully you will have similar relief soon!
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I have a question that I hope someone can explain. Complete BMX planned with axillary node removal on 11-13 and was planning Tissue Expanders with later implants after radiation is done. I am reading information and am wondering if mammograms are needed after TE or implants? ( I go flat or breast free, I wont need mammograms or will I?) Thanks if anyone can tell me!!!!!
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Gisg, I don't think they do mammogram after BMX. You may get MRI.
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no mammos. Was called to see by original breast surgeon who said HE is the new mammogram, and to see him yearly. Would love an mri or ultra sound tho
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No mammos after BMx. Can't do them with implants. My BS does biannual checks and MRI if needed. I chose silicone implants to have another reason for MRI every couple of years to make sure no small leaks.
Scottie
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I have a question that I hope someone can explain. Complete BMX planned with axillary node removal on 11-13 and was planning Tissue Expanders with later implants after radiation is done. I am reading information and am wondering if mammograms are needed after TE or implants? ( I go flat or breast free, I wont need mammograms or will I?) Thanks if anyone can tell me!!!!!
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Hi All!
I had my first fill today. It didn't hurt at all because my boob is numb. Now it feels very sore. I took a pain Med for that. 2 questions: My PS wants to do 50cc every week. Is 50cc a lot ? Did you ladies get fill every week?
Thank you.
Patty
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Patty, I was getting 50cc every week and I never had major pain, just mild discomfort
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If there is no rush to finish the fill then I plan on doing 50 cc too. Had my first one after a very long delay with issues a couple weeks ago. If you are going to do rads, the fills need to be done because rads makes the tissue harder and expanding wouldn't be possible at that point,
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50 cc's is about right. I'm doing that amount every 2 weeks or so, depending on my schedule. No rush to overfill as it will only cause discomfort. This way, I feel just a slight tightness.
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I was filled 120 on the table, 180 after my drain came out and my final fill was 120. I only had minor discomfort and actually feel better after the fills. I had to be finished before rads started.
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Here is my story and protocol. I had to get chemo and rads first then my double BMXsurgery. I was going to get tram flap done at the time of bmx but I lost so much weight my PS said there was not enough tissue to do tram.
So he gave me TE with my already radiated skin and stretched me over a year with maybe A few cc at a time every few months. It worked great and no pain but just a feeling off tightness.
Then I got my exchange.Most PS won't do this AFTER rads but mine did because he practises at a university hospital and sometimes they are more willing to try. At the time only tram flap, Latimus transfer to the breast or implants were the only choice and I wanted to keep my LATs for outdoor manual labour. So he tried the TE and implant on me after rads. This is not common practice and I doubt your PS will even consider it.But you could try as I am living proof it can be done. That was over ten years ago
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hugz4u, thank you for sharing! My PS is willing to try but I have to wait a minimum of 6 months post rads. He said he will try for 6 months and then if I have problems he will do a free tram.
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Patty,
My PS filled 60 cc's at the time of BMX, then 60 for fills. One time I thought, this isn't so bad, I can do a little more--so went for 90cc's. Definitely felt tight even when taking a breath. But discomfort gone the next day. So the next time I wanted 90 again. For some reason THAT time was torture! I felt like I couldn't MOVE --it was very painful. (Pain gone the next day, but that was my last 90 fill!!) Do you have muscle relaxants? I was told to take them along with the pain meds each fill. --Lorie
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Thank you for all your input. Everyone is a little different but it seems like 50cc is pretty standard.
Lorie- I think 90cc would put me over the edge! I did get Valium. I can only take it at bed though. It knocks me out!
Hugs4- congrats. That is amazing you were able to get TE in a rad breast over 10 years ago!!
Molly- so you are done with expansion and are doing RX? Exchange will be down the road I bet.
Arista and Lindy- I am not doing RX. My PS seems to think 50cc weekly is what I should do. I am going to ask for just 30cc if I go weekly!! No hurry. I would rather be comfortable.
Happy Halloween!
Patty
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Patty, Yes I'm doing radiation now. My PS wants to do tram flap. I am hoping my skin will hold up and he let's me try implants. It will be at least 6 months after rads.
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Molly- I hope you do well with Rads and you can get an implant. I don't blame you for not wanting Tram. I refused RX on right side that's why I had MX and chemo. After MX my path was clear of anything invasive. Was some itty bitty DCIS by nipple though. My TE and fills are annoying but not as bad as chemo for sure.
Happy Halloween!
Patty
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Molly, some PS are having luck after rads with fat grafts before implants. it's slower but seems to have a better outcome. Good luck.
You might also want to take a look at the TE Trouble board. There are a lot of people who had rads there to help.
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Thank you, Moonflwr ! I will check out the other thread.
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Hi Moonflwr , i was just reading through the threads and noticed we are 'neighbors'!
I am having a PBMX wth TEs on Nov 20 at Aurora Grafton..
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Hi newme! Im sorry you have to have sx, but we are here for you. Who's your surgeon or PS? I have had numerous sx at Grafton. It's a good hospital. You can check out the WI board too!
Much love
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Dr Cayo is my surgeon. Dr Doermann is my PS. You are right - Grafton is a great facility. My 92 yr old father had his mastectomy there two years ago, my sister had her BMX there this past summer and gets her chemo there and i had my hysterectomy there as well. It is starting to feel bit too familiar! But come Feb my daughter will deliver my first grandchild there so it is a happy place too! My other sister had her BMX and chemo at SMO mequon.
Take care my friend from the 'Land of Oz'
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Does everyone get more uncomfortable the fuller your TE's get? I find the I am sore all the time at the bottom of my TE/foob. My PS said I have stitches down there (on the inside) and that is why it is sore. I feel like I have to sit straight up, or lean back all the time. If I slouch, it is more uncomfortable. I'm thinking about telling my PS that I don't want anymore fills, when I see him on Monday. Otherwise, I would probably get one or two more before I stop.
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lharry, maybe just skip a filling appointment. You can control the fillings for time and amount. Doctors seem to have a set pattern that may not work for everyone. Also, I felt like I had a broken rib after my TES were in. It was due to the Alloderm that supports the implants on the bottom of the breast. Perhaps you are feeling that too .
Newme, Dr. Doermann was my surgeon as well. I love the nurses and office people there. Next time you go tell them Monica says HI! LOL I have had at least 7 sx there and 3 at SMO. You can add one at the Port Road Medical Center too. LOL.
Much love to all.
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