TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Comments
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Molly - I'm sorry this has been such a hard year (for both of us) I hear you on the too many surgeries for one year! This past one was my 5th in 12 months. You and I have had different paths but we've tracked pretty close together this past year. When I stop to really think about it - no wonder it takes so much out me (us). There's more to a surgery than just the healing and recovery. There's all the before prep (home, work, etc) and then all the after catch up. The funny thing is I had actually taken more time off than I thought my exchange would require so I could pamper myself for a change after a surgery. I guess better luck next time!
WildTulip - Yes - my bathing was an eye opener. While I have worked from home on and off all day, there is no way I could have handled actually going back in to school.
BethL - I do have a shower chair from when my mom was visiting. That helped a lot. Both my PS have been adamant about not showering with drains. As for restrictions - I've asked and asked every time. I just make my own and go from there. In that case - they are a bunch of weirdos .
I'm happy I've listened to you all! My staff has been supportive too - they told me not to come back! I'm so stubborn.
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(((Ringelle))) may we both have nice boobs when all of this is over.
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That's the goal - right Molly!
So - I know 2 weeks is nothing but I think these drains are making me insane! I even started charting them with a trend line on Excel to reassure myself that they are on a downward trend! I haven't been under 60 ml for a day yet!
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Just left my fill...now at 700. As the TE has a stated capacity of 720, I raised the subject of "when to we stop"...he said he was thinking of filling (as long as I can tolerate) up to 850/900! I asked if I would pop and he laughed. He says he is looking to an 800 exchange size...
the march continues
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trmtab - just posted on the exchange thread with that exact scenario, lol! The overfilling, not the popping!
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The board has been quiet lately. I thought I'd check in and see how everyone is doing. I am now 3 weeks post op. All seems to be healing well and I'm not in pain. I do still have my drains. They are still sucking out quite a bit of fluid (80 & 60) every day with no hint of decreasing. Does this sound unusual? This is my 3 rd time with drains and I've never experienced anything like this. So the drains are driving me crazy. I spoke with the nurse practitioner last week and she told me not to go back to work until the drains are out because of the kids and germs factor. So I've been working from home and doing as little as possible. (Just shoot me). I feel like I'm gaining pounds by the day. But - over all - things are well and I'm hoping to start my fills again soon. Hopefully before school starts in two week
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Hi Ringelle,
Sorry to hear you are still dealing with drains! That does seem like a lot of fluid, but I suppose things need to run their course. After my BMX I had drains for 7 weeks, and it would have been longer, but I was going on vacation. I hope you get them out soon!
I have had 4 fills, 3 of them with nurses. Tomorrow i go in for 5th & see Dr. It will be interesting to see what he does because each side looks different. Maybe more saline on one side and little or none on the other. This is one of those things I did not hear about ahead of time..that they do not expand evenly!
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I saw my PS yesterday. Got the last drain out. Sorry you still have yours, Ringelle. He told me that I was filled on the table with 240! Anyway he's waiting until next week to remove the sutures and wants to discuss starting fills. I told him I want to go very slow this time. I am terrified after what happened to me.
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Wild tulip - I will be interested to hear what your PS says about filling one side more than the other! I plan to ask my PS the same thing next week. I swear there's more saline in my right side compared to the left, even though they are supposed to be the same. I remember chatting with the nurse while she was filling me last time and wonder if she may have been distracted and filled one side more than the other!0
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grandma3x, I had an ld flap on my right, but not my left, so there is less saline on my right (typical of a flap). However, my right has good projection, while the left is more spread out. Last week when I made a comment to the nurse about it she said maybe next time we could put saline in lefty, but not right. Fortunately the next visit (tomorrow) is with the Dr because the nurse wanted to give me the choice but I want the Dr's input. I'll let you know what happens.
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Question for you all - how often did you see or were you in contact with your PS or someone at the clinic when your drains are in?
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hi ringelle I will jump on here if you don't mind. I was reading through here and thought I would share . I had drains for 4 of my surgeries so far and each time my Ps saw me about once a week but you called in every 3 days with your numbers so he and his assistant could be informed and when the levels were to his satisfactory he made room for you to come in that day to have them pulled.
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PNWBCHgirl - thanks for your input! I haven't actually seen or communicated with my PS since my follow up 5 days post op. 10 Days post op I wasn't feeling well and I went in and saw one of the other PS. A week ago I emailed my log to the front desk and the PA called me and told me if I still had drains at the end of this week to make an appointment for next week (I have an appointment Monday). I'm just feeling a little "alone" right about now. I'd feel better if I knew someone was keeping tabs on me. I feel silly feeling this way. I sometimes wonder if I never went back would anyone follow up with me - would anyone in oh a month say "Hey - did she ever get her drains pulled out?" I'm not in a very positive emotional place since this last surgery and all the what ifs don't help. I feel like these expanders are ticking time bombs so to speak. Up until a certain point, I feel like something can go wrong with them at any time and it makes me a little hyper sensitive.
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I had drains for three weeks post MX this June. I was instructed to call every morning. Each morning I was also asked for a simple update on "how's it going" -- sometimes the nurse sometimes the front office manager...whoever picked up the phone.
Had surgery on Friday and I saw the DR in his office Tuesday and Friday the following week, on Saturday on week 2 (he was out of town that week), and on Tuesday and Friday on week 3...at that point the final drain was pulled.
If you aren't feeling comfortable with the level of contact...I don't blame you!
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grandma3x, I ended up doing the same amount in each TE today. Like I mentioned before, I had an LD flap on one side, so that side has less saline. I was concerned about the shape of the non flap side, but the nurse said that the TE has turned (she could tell by the shape and where port is located). I would definitely express your concerns next time you go in to the PS office.
Ringelle, with both my BMX and TE placement I did not check in about the drain tubes. Rather, I had set times when I would go in to the office. With the BMX I had a post op appointment, and then was told to come back a couple weeks later, etc. It was similar, but short time frame with my TE's. I was also always told to call with any questions. Don't hesitate to call and talk to a nurse if you have questions or concerns!
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Ringelle, with my first TE my PS saw me 5 days post op and then weekly until my output was under 30 per day. It was in 3 weeks. This time my BS saw me because PS was out of town. She wanted to wait 2 weeks post op but I went in at 4 days post op due to all the tape over my skin. I don't tolerate tape and already had a sore. My output was high and my PS is particularly careful about drains. Then I had the hematoma rupture and was incredibly grateful for the drain which filled with dark red blood. I ended up with a second drain from the second surgery for one week and my other drain came out this week after 3 weeks.
If you aren't happy, please contact the PS office and ask for guidance.
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Ringelle with everything you have been through , and the lack of communication I can see why you would feel this way. Frustrating when they know your circumstance and you are trying to get answers for your own well being and health.
I hope you get some answers Monday not only on the drains but also how long the fills will take this time and what they are planning to do to get yo the best possible outcome for an exchange this time. Hopefully your numbers will go low and they can get your drains out so you won't have to stress over when to go back to work.
My PS ( and all are different) wanted output under 30 for 3 consecutive days.
To me the worst part of these surgeries are the drains , they are the necessary evil a pain to deal with but I see the need for them. You feel freed when they come out.
Again I hope you get some answers and get some peace of mind at your next Dr visit. I know you will let us know.
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Ringelle with everything you have been through , and the lack of communication I can see why you would feel this way. Frustrating when they know your circumstance and you are trying to get answers for your own well being and health.
I hope you get some answers Monday not only on the drains but also how long the fills will take this time and what they are planning to do to get yo the best possible outcome for an exchange this time. Hopefully your numbers will go low and they can get your drains out so you won't have to stress over when to go back to work.
My PS ( and all are different) wanted output under 30 for 3 consecutive days.
To me the worst part of these surgeries are the drains , they are the necessary evil a pain to deal with but I see the need for them. You feel freed when they come out.
Again I hope you get some answers and get some peace of mind at your next Dr visit. I know you will let us know.
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hI all,
In reading your posts regarding BS ando PS contact I'm feeling pretty neglected.
I had my bmx with te on Aug 8th. I'm now 10 days post op and there has not been one check in call from anyone. I did go see my primary care Dr a couple of days ago, mostly re meds adjustments and refills. My surgeons are a few hours away, I live in a rural area...I just think they would check in...
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I did end up calling the clinic yesterday for peace of mind. They are not concerned. I've got my appointment Monday. They said they will fill me then but they are not committing to taking the drains out. My guess is going to be no - unless something changes.
Blueorange - for the most part I've learned that the only communication we get is when we initiate!
Anyway - you know you've had surgical drains too long when you start using overnight maxi pads to line your bra band for comfort!
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(((Ringelle))) I hope you are feeling a little better today. I had drains from about 10-12 days after BMX and 7-8 days after exchange. I seemed like forever both times, but my drains were putting out over 30ml and were not pulled until they were under 30 for at least 48 hours.
I hope you get some reassurances and TLC at Monday's visit. Just keep calling the office as often as needed. I knew all the nurses' names by week 2 after BMX. I just kept calling with questions. I think sometimes it's so routine for the doctors and staff that they forget it's brand new for us.
More (((HUGS))) Sweetie, love Madelyn
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Ringelle, I agree with what Mominator said...some of this stuff becomes so routine that they don't think to mention things, or it's not a big deal to them. They forget it's our bodies and it is a big deal. Perfect example with question....
One of my TE's has turned during the fill process and sits on me the long way, instead of across my chest. Has anyone else has this happen? I commented to a nurse at the 3rd or 4th fill that my non flap side had less projection, but thought righty projected more because of flap and the nurse commented that with more saline it would project more. This week the nurse said that the left TE has actually turned, so now as it is more full it sits high on my chest. Neither the PS or nurse seemed concerned and the PS just said to only look at the right in terms of what I want for size. I ended up calling yesterday with a couple of Q's and the nurse told me that at this point the TE will not turn back as it should be and my exchange will not be until Dec.
I'm uncomfortable and don't like the way it looks!! 0 -
Hi,
I am feeling really over the TEs. All day, every day 24/7 I am in pain. I don't have any infection, everything looks good. Not even 2 weeks post op, but I hear the TEs can cause pain like this until exchanged. I'm guessing they are the cause of the pain...
I'm taking my meds, painkillers, etc. Miserable. 😑😐
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I guess every PS is different. Mine absolutely won't do fills with drains in. He's extremely cautious about risk of infection. I must be really unusual. I don't find the TE's to be too painful after the fills start. Empty they cause muscle spasms. I hope you both feel better soon.
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Blueorange - I hope it gets easier for you. I heard that the discomfort goes away as you get more fills. I have had my left TE since January and righty since May and hardly notice them anymore. My exchange is scheduled for October. I'd keep them longer except the left one sits high and wide while the right one is low and has more projection. My next appointment with the PS is this week and I will try to get more information about the surgery, what size and style implant she has in mind and how she is going to fix the enevenness. I also have gotten very little information and I find myself worrying about these things.0
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I sure hope the pain becomes less intense with more fills and drain removal.
Thank you for the responses!
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I was still draining 80 ml from both sides this morning. PS decided to pull my drains and fill me with 120 cc each side. I'm finally free! I'm already bigger than I was with my last TEs. These new ones are huge comparatively! Last ones were 450's - found out today these are 650's!!! Hoping since I'm only 30 cc bigger than before, this expansion won't be too uncomfortable.
After my first TE placement, I got a lot of relief once we started filling. I was really only uncomfortable the night of a fill and the next morning. Ibuprofen was usually enough to take the edge off. Sometimes at night I would take a pain pill or muscle relaxer to help me sleep. Mornings were the worst. Once I could actually talk myself into sitting upright, I was okay but that initial movement after being immobile all night was challenging. I didn't start having issues with pain again until after my final fill. We had to back out 60 cc on each side because I just couldn't take the pain. Hindsight, I probably had already developed the adhesions that complicated my exchange. Praying to move past that this time. A lot of women on here will tell you that if you are in a lot of pain after fills, talk to your surgeon. I highly recommend that. You can either go slower or take some out. You shouldn't have to just tolerate pain.
On a side note: I really need to adjust my expectations with this new PS. The last one I saw at every visit and he did everything himself. I didn't even have face time with my surgeon again today. He leaves everything to the residents and staff. I'm okay with that. I like them but it's just not what I'm used to.
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Congrats on getting the drains out, Ringelle!
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Hoorayfor no drains, Ringelle!!
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Ringelle so glad to hear the drains are out. 😊 I always felt so much better once they were gone. Did they give you a time frame of how long they will fill and then rest before next surgery this time?
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