TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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Hi everyone. I had my BMX Aug 13. In the meantime I've healed pretty uneventfully and life is mostly back to normal. At the time of my DX I was pretty unhealthy. My DX was just the kick in the head I needed. Since then I have lost 80 pounds, my BP is so much better and my A1C is well within normal ranges. I got the best Christmas gift ever! On Christmas Eve my PS sent me an email confirming that he has submitted the scheduling paperwork for my reconstruction to begin. PS really believes TE to Implants is my best option. I'm scared but really nervous too. I have no idea when my surgery will be but I'm trying to get prepared and I think it's all going to move pretty fast. What questions should I be asking? What should I be paying attention to? I feel so good right now and have gotten so much ROM back from BMX. I'm scared of the back track. I'm also scared of hating the results and not feeling comfortable in my own skin. but more than being scared I want some shape back. I miss cleavage more than anything. Not that I used to flaunt it but I hate that when I bend over with my prosthesis on and don't hold my shirt up you can see straight down my chest. Ugh. I also hate the prosthesis and hardly ever wear them. Most of the time I'm comfortable being flat but there are times I just want some shape. Anyway. I'll probably be hanging around here for a little while with you girls.
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ringelle- congrats on the weight loss! I have a few to lose too, need to get up! I had a bmx dec.4th and had te's placed then. No fills yet. I'm in richmond. Not far from you. I am certainly no expert and have found myself here looking for advice too. I tried foobs 2 days ago. Honestly I didn't feel right. I'd rather be flat too until I get my fills and exchange. I have been wearing button downs with pockets on the chest to help camouflage. I wasn't big before, 36C, but I had no idea what flat really was until postop! While flat is ok, for me personally, Im hoping this process works.
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ringelle. What she said! Congratulations.
Remember the process is different for everyone.
But in general if you have implants sometime after BMX , it's generally a bit easier. Depending on if much pocket work and excess skin removal is needed.
General questions to ask are usually what kind of implants the PS is thinking about. Anatomical have more shape. Rounds will droop a bit to look more natural in time. Saline is available in larger sizes, silicone is much better than it was. Size is dependent on your okay as some implants re wider than others. That's the PS job to lead you to the best look for your body. A good r source is WhippetMom. She's very talented and I'll help you find the right implant for your body. I believe it's called Implant 101. Follow the instructions in the 1st post. Much love.
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BethL, My TE felt much better after fills. The empty TE drove me nuts and caused muscle spasms.
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Hope everyone is finishing the year on a good note. May everything be better for you in 2016! Much love.
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Thanks for all your wonderful advice and support this year Moon. Usually I'm sad to see the year end. This year I'm sooo glad to move forward. Bring it on 2016
Happy New Year all.
Scottie
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I'm back in TE mode again due to the loss of an implant in September. PS used inamed with tabs filled to 80cc which I can find little information about. No drain this time and most comfortable and best looking tissue expander I've ever had. So far. He's working toward trying to match the CPG implant that remains on the other side. Does anyone have any experience that they can pass on about inamed with tabs sewn down?
Thanks!
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how - Inamed is a brand that has now been absorbed by Allergan, I believe - so you have a standard expander and your surgeon opted to sew down the suture tabs - tabs are common on different brands of expanders but not all surgeons elect to sew them down.
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Thanks,Special K. I will find out the particular details of style and size on Monday at post-op. I knew he was going to sew down the tabs and was concerned about potential discomfort but that hasn't happened. And after having 2 previous TE sets that were off kilter and absolutely miserable, I'm anxious to see how this one goes.
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how - I am also on TE #3, had surgery on Dec. 10th. I had necrosis after my initial surgery in '10 and after several surgical tries to save the original TE it was removed so I could proceed to chemo. I had #2 seven months later and had no issues and exchanged without incident. I had implants for a couple of years but needed bi-lat allograft replacement in '14 and had skin integrity issues in that same location as the necrosis. Again, several surgical tries to save the left implant, which was removed in May of '14. Had a couple of subsequent fat grafts to improve the skin and now have a successful TE again. Had no surgical fill, but did get the first small one a week ago - yay! Sounds like a good plan for you to have the suture tabs sewn down - have you discussed implant type with your PS, or is the plan for another CPG to try to match? I have a Mentor smooth, round high profile on the right, but it is doubtful that the left side will be able to be made as large after all of this surgery, so it will most likely have to be swapped out. I changed PS late in this game and I know she used a smaller TE than I had originally so I have pocket issues as well - it will be interesting!
Ladies new to this and reading the above - please do not be frightened by what I have written! I have had a very unusual series of events - this is not likely to happen to you!
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SpecialK, I echo your warning to others as I have also had an unusual series of events. I lost the first TEs to a surgical infection post BMX even with IV ABX. Then the 2nd PS would not continue to fill TEs #2 beyond 200cc. My 3rd PS continued fills and exchanged to implants last May with all new pockets and I had beautiful Mentor 323 CPGs 390cc. I was elated with the result. Unfortunately, I developed recurrent cellulitis with 3 rounds of IV ABX starting at 10 weeks post exchange and had the right implant removed in late September. The PS is hoping to get back to where we were to match lefty but we will have to go through the process to see where I land. Yes, this will be interesting to see how all of this progresses!
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I am so glad to hear that the TEs are/may be less irritating when they are filled. I had my BMX on December 9, 2015 and my PS did not fill at all. On follow up he wanted to wait another 10-14 days. I have my appointment tentatively scheduled for January 7. They don't hurt, per se, but they are just super annoying. I shouldn't complain because I had no complications and have healed well from the surgery, but ugh. Since I'm having radiation in a few months I won't have the exchange until the fall for sure, so I was hoping I wouldn't be stuck with them being uncomfortable that whole time.
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Hi there,
I had a lumpectomy and rads in 2013 after Stage 1 cancer. I recently found out I have the BRCA1 gene and my surgeon and PS have recommended a bmx with tissue expanders placed and then implants.
Has anyone here had tissue expanders a year or so after radiation?
Thanks,
Sss
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I hope 2016 is a much happier, healthier, and pain-free year for everyone!
When I posted last I was in so much pain with these TE's and I really wasn't doing very well since my surgery on 11/17. Now, 7 weeks out I feel so much better and I thought it was important to state that as well. I was able to get sleep, which I desperately needed and finally able to manage the pain I was experiencing. I have not had a fill yet though and it is still in the air whether or not I will get one at my next dr. appointment. My skin which appeared to be black it was so bruised has improved so much - there is now just a small area to be concerned with compared to the large area before. If I figure it out, I will post the before/now pictures. I am now comfortable sleeping in my bed; not the way I would necessarily like but propped up with two body pillows, a soma pillow and a bedrest, I am able to rest comfortably, support my arms, and if I turn too far, the pillows help greatly. I can walk without feeling like there is an earthquake inside my body, lol. I can't say how thankful I am to you ladies for posting. When there is no one to talk to that I feel would understand, I come to these boards and read.
Moonflwr and Special K - thanks for all of the encouragement you give to everyone. It was hard to imagine back when I first posted that I would feel like I do today - which isn't 100% - but so much better. I'm not crying anymore.
Maggs - I remember our ride was similar, how are you doing?
Elocin
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Hello lovely ladies,
I just got back from my PS and I have a date for my exchange: January 18, 2016. That happens to be MLK, Jr. day, so hubby and the children all the day off. No worries about getting someone to/from school.
I'm looking forward to getting rid of these TE's and moving forward.
I understand that they have a job to do, but the TE's feel stiff and awkward and alien to me. My muscles sometimes spasm and my armpit has a pectoral muscle in it.
Please tell me: do the implants sooner or later feel normal to you? That is, do they feel like they are part of you now?
Thanks,
Mominator
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Mominator-I have to tell you....as soon as I got out of surgery I was in love with my implants. They felt so real, so natural, so much a part of me. It is such a big change from the TE's. Good luck!
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Best wishes mominator. Most of the time I don't feel my foobs which is a huge change from the TEs. If they do start to bother me I just do stretching exercises that I learned from PT. I highly recommend PT after EX if you haven't already gone. I have most of my ROM back now.
Scottie
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mominator... your exchange is scheduled!!! Whoowhoo
I am still going for fills and this week might be the final. My right side had the necrosis so i lost volume when he revised it and he has been working to get them somewhat the same volume. I will probably finish out with 450 each. He puts 100cc every 2 weeks in each sometimes a bit more in my wimpy right one. Thhat one is looking so much better!. I am so excited for your exchange!! Whatvkind of implants? Saline, silicone or 'gummi'? PS and i will discuss exchange when i see him thursday. Because it was all prophylactic there are no treatments to consider. Original plan was early March. i don't mind the TEs anymore. I am pain free and quite comfortable so if he wants to wait it is fine with me. First grandchild due in 7 weeks so i am trying to schedule somewhat around that.
I am dealing with painful cording in my right arm from the SNB. Left side had SNB but it is fine. I have PT twice a week for it. It is so annoying.
Happy New Year to all!
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I have a question.... If I'm having a hard time deciding whether I want reconstruction or not, is there a downside to waiting? If they make me nice and flat, and then later I change my mind, have I interfered with reconstruction outcome?
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blueheron - you would lose the advantage of a skin sparing (skin has to be stretched less), but your pectoral muscle would be unchanged by not electing immediate placement of expanders. There is no reason you couldn't have expander(s) placed at a later surgery for reconstruction, as long as there are no issues with you specifically. By delaying reconstruction you benefit from healing from the mastectomy only and not having the added discomfort and pressure from having the expander(s) placed. Will you require radiation - this can complicate subsequent reconstruction? Have you had a plastic surgery consult? It would be a good idea to do so as a PS can look at you as an individual patient and explain any reasons whether immediate or delayed recon may present any issues. Good luck!
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maxdog/Tricia: thanks, that is so encouraging! Right now, I am constantly aware of the TEs.
scottiemom: sounds good. I will be sure to ask for PT if I don't have full ROM
new_me/Diane: look at us over here together! PS filled the TEs each at 420 during surgery. As the swelling and bruising went down and the breasts healed, I was able to see what my new breasts would look like. I was pleased with the reconstruction and told PS that the volume was enough for me, although I would like more projection in the front, and not so much in the width. He did one fill at 60 because he says to overfill for best pocket work. My implants will be Allergen 410 series silicone form stable ("gummi") anatomical implants. They will probably be MX high projection or full projection.
BlueHeron: advantages to immediate reconstruction include skin-sparing, and possible nipple-sparing. Here's some info on nipple-sparing http://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/surgery/blog/faqs-about-nipple-sparing-mastectomy-what-women-need-to-know . There may be treatment benefits to delayed reconstruction depending on what your treatment plan is. I don't much in this area. Ask both your MO and a PS for their recommendations.
Another consideration is psychological: some women prefer to see themselves with breasts. They feel that cancer has taken a lot from them, and they don't want to give cancer that victory. Other women worry that the reconstruction process might delay or interfere with their treatment. It is not a black and white decision. There are sites devoted to the subject: http://breastfree.org .
Here's a great video that was posted in the January 2016 Surgeries: http://www.mybreastchoiceshow.com/blog/2015/3/15/top-5-weird-reasons-i-love-my-mastectomy . It probably won't help you decide either way, but I love her attitude!
Mominator
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I am so glad to hear implants are more comfortable than these darn te's. I had these placed dec. 4th. I previously had radiation to the left side 10 years ago and a year and half ago had a mastopexy to even things up. We'll now a bmx, and because of previous surgeries, little skin. I am so tight over these empty expanders. Just had sutures taken out yesterday, 5 weeks after surgery.
So question, I know expansion is going to be complicated for me. Have any of you done anything to your skin that might help? Lotions, ointments, etc? I won't get 1st fill for 2 more weeks and it will take a very long time to finish. Skin is so tight nurse could hardly get sutures out. Something must help, right?
Thanks!!! These things are awful! I think I read it gets easier after fills, is that right? I sure hope so.
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I had my first fill today--100 cc each side. It wasn't exactly comfortable but it does feel less awkward and weird now. I will have two or three more fills; I already forgot. I am just shooting for my original size, which was annoyingly in between (C cups too big, B a little too small). So how much that will be, I don't know
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Mominator congrats on getting a date! Be sure to check out "Exchange City" boards too.
Elon so glad things got better for you. Everyone always hopes for the easiest exchanges for all of us. So glad when things work out. Sometimes it's not as easy and hats he we are here. I've made some great friendships here on BCO. I hope everyone makes friends during his incredibly hard ime
Much love to all.
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Moonflwr/Monica: thanks, I have been over to Exchange City, lots of good advice there as well as here.
Paxton: sounds like you have a plan already! My PS had filled the TEs each at 420 during surgery. PS was surprised when I said that I had enough volume, even before he got to put in any more fill. I think he thought I wanted to be much bigger.
BethL: I hope the skin expansion goes well for you. It's worth a call to the PS office to ask if there are any lotions, ointments to help, and they should have something for you.
I just realized that I'm 10 days before surgery. I'm going to check that PS wants me to discontinue the supplements with Vitamin D and E again and make sure I don't have to do any more Pre-Admission Testing. Last surgery was just 11/11/16. The rules might be looser considering this is same-day procedure in their surgery center, not major surgery at the hospital with a 2-night stay.
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I was talking with my optician today and I had to update my chart about my surgeries this past year. Then she tells me 12 years ago her mother had one breast removed for breast cancer and got a tissue expander. Right, so how's your mother doing now? Does she like the implant? No, because her mother never went back to swap out the expander for an implant. She still has an expander in her breast 12 years later!!
I can't wait to get these expanders out after about 10 weeks, and she's had an expander for 12 years.
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Haha! that is a great story!
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mominator, that's hilarious! Butminee was in for 2 years and my PS said he had one lady that chose to keep it for a it more than 3 years . So that lady wins big time. But it must work for her or she would have had them exchanged or or taken out a long time ago. Proof that people are really different!
PS, my stupid phone capitalizes weirdly without my input. So if the caps don't make sense it just means I was too lazy to edit it. I just edited this post for that reason. LOL
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12 years??!! My DH loves the look of the TE. I would be happy to avoid more surgeries but my PS says no, lol.
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mominator. . LOL
I had my TEs for almost 8 months, i.e, 5 months too long. 12 years. . .yikes!Scottie
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