TEs. A Beginner's Primer
Comments
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JessieJake- you just described my exact experience when I try the bed. Sliding down the pillow ramp slowly and repeatedly. At least now I can get myself back up again. At first I had to get help to get back on the ramp.
After a couple of times of this I move to the recliner. Sometimes I go from recliner to bed. No great sleep happening here but you give me hope! Thank you!Molly50- I was just cleared for full range of motion today. I met with a PT last week, and plan to start working with her later this week. Maybe (hopefully) that will help also. She said she will do some myofascial release work on me as well, which could provide relief. They wanted me to start right away to try to get my ROM back before having to get my arm overhead for radiation. I'm glad to hear that helped you because I am concerned about that. I also have some numbness on that side (suspecting nerve damage), which is not helping with my success on range of motion exercises, etc.
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Meg I was lucky enough that my DH and I had a friend who loaned us a hospital bed. It was set up in front of the tv with a table beside that I could reach easily. It's in my living room but I wish it was set up in a bedroom. It is wonderful I can raise the knee section electronically and lower the back section gradually. It was really like an electric recliner. It also has side rails that I used to help me turn a little or help me get in and out of it. I padded the back and sides with pillows to keep me positioned while I slept.
I still have it ready for when I get my exchange done probably in October. I had issues with my right side for about 3 weeks and it was about 5 weeks before I could lay on my sides. I still have to use pillows. My BMX was 04/19/16. I cannot lay flat because of breathing issues so it's either on my sides or semi reclined.
I could raise my arms overhead immediately after surgery but about a week later I started having ROM problems and pain. I was told to exercise and after a couple of weeks I can get my arms over my head. I have to go slow and be careful with the right affected side.
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Seedsally- that sounds amazing. I had to travel for my surgery, I didn't get to do the first part of recovery at home, so I didn't really think a rental of a bed, etc was a good option. But now that I am back home I am wishing I had looked into it more. Congrats on your exchange being soon!
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Meg, i bought a lift chair because when I had my BMX, i had horrendous knee problems. So i knew I"d have sx for that later. It was a life savior. Because i always lifted myself out of chairs with my arms and you cant pull your body out of the chair that way after bmx. So having something that put me on mt feet was great.
I have to admit, after having one knee done, but still needing it on the other, i sometimes sleep in it so I dont have to climb up the stairs. LOL. Comes in handy when i gave a cold too.
Much love to all
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I got a fill on Friday, and I'm thinking it will be my last. I'll sit with it a while and see what I think of the size. I'm not in a hurry because my exchange isn't until 12/5. Mid Nov is when I have pre op with PS and will discuss implants. I wish is was sooner because I have so many thoughts/questions running through my mind as I think about saline vs silicone and anatomical vs round. So I'm going to pose a question here...don't know if this is the right place, but wasn't sure if there is a more appropriate thread. Yes, I got input from Whippetmom, and this is not a sizing question, so didn't want to bother her, as I know she is in high demand.
My goal is to have symmetrical breasts and not have to wear a bra. (I know some choose to wear a bra after reconstruction, and some feel it's good to support implants.) I like the natural shape of anatomicals, but I think about the fact that prior to Dx I would use a bra to create some cleavage with my smallish B's. So then I think, if I used a bra before to create the cleavage look, but don't want to have to wear a bra, are the round implants really what I'm looking for, or my best choice.
Is this logical thinking, or am I over-thinking everything?
One day I asked a nurse about anatomical vs round and she showed me the sample silicone round of the Mentor Memory Gel and how the gel kind of settles into a more natural shape, so maybe I just have to trust the PS to do what he feels is best for me. (The nurse said most of their patients go with round, so I think it's their preference.) I do like my PS and he has 20 years experience.
Maybe I should have posted this on the exchange thread, since many there have already made their decision, but if anyone here has any input on their thought process or decision about shaped vs round, I would appreciate your thoughts.
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Hi Molly50. You get to run a 5K? My PS told me I shouldn't run until after I heal from my swap in December. I'm itching to get back out there but scared to do damage. Are you able to run without discomfort? When did you start running? Thanks!
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Kent, I am just doing fast walking now working up to running when my fills finish. My PS has released me to all activities but I have to wear a snug bra.
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wildt, its kind of a hard decision. Im a large lady, but my boobs pre BMX were just barely C. After reconstruction, they are a reg C, with a bit less projection. Still fill out a C cup that has a slight padding, like a Bali. My separation is quite large about 4 fingers, but i have cleaveage with a bra. Without, it looks ok but no cleavege. I had to go with Saline rounds as they are the largest around 900cc. But i actually ended up with 750 rounds overfilled to 850, as it seems my chest wasnt wide enough for the largest rounds anyway. LOL. Thats where the PS "art" comes in. I basically toldy PS that i just didnt want to be strangled by my bra riding up when i was wereing fakes. LOL. I didnt have much expectations, so he exceeded my own hopes. LOL. Good luck with your decision.
Much love to all.
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everyone doing ok?
Some fall color for you.
Much love
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Thank you Moonflwr, that's very soothing.
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Moonflwr, I'm so sorry..for some reason I did not see your response to me from last week until now. Thank you for sharing your experience! It's a good reminder that this is part "art." I recall my PS once saying, "this is the fun part." I think he meant for both of us! LOL You can actually see that he enjoys creating something beautiful. I guess all I can do is ask my questions, and then base my decision on his recommendation. Thank you for checking in with us and your dedication to helping others through this process. It really is appreciated. The fall colors are beautiful! I had a tree that looked like that last week, but most of it is in my yard right now.
I guess I've decided I'm done with fills. I just don't want to go through the pain of another fill! I'm REALLY trying to lose another 5 pounds before my pre-op in a month, which would put me at a more comfortable long term weight, and I know that will make a difference in my look. So, I'm just hanging around, living with my lop sided rocks and waiting for my exchange.
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My exchange surgery is a week from today - the day before my 1 year anniversary of my dx. I'm looking forward to this next step, but trying to keep my expectations low so as not to be too disappointed. It's been a crazy year and I'm not sure what I would have done without BCO!
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Grandma3X I know exactly what you mean. My EX is 11/11 and I'm so ready. I too am so glad to have BCO. I have learned so much and this site has helped me cope and be better prepared than I would have ever been without it. I thank God for it and plan to keep reading and posting for as long as possible. I just hope I can help others like I have been helped
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Good luck with exchanges, ladies!
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Keeping all of you ladies in my thoughts and prayers. I'm happy to see most everyone is doing well.
Grandma3X, I'll be thinking of you for your EX on 10/26.
Seedsally, I'll be thinking of you for your EX on 11/11, which is also my 1 year anniversary of my BMX.
KentRunner, I waited 8 weeks before I ran again. You may be cleared to run sooner. However, I had a lot of pocket work done and my breasts felt very unstable for running. I didn't want to risk all that to start running before my breasts were fully healed.0 -
Thank you Mominator
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Oh good to hear more squishies coming soon! Yay for the end of the tunnel!
My 5 year anniversary is coming up. 12-9 will be my BMX and my IDC dx. My biopsy results were 5 years ago today. still to come are the mammos and all the other sx stuff. hard to believe 5 years. still seeing my oncologist every 4 months. just one of the ones with enough side effects to have to keep tabs on me longer. LOL. i feel so special. LOL
Everyone take care. Much love.
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Moonflwr, Wow...5 years. How are you feeling about upcoming anniversary and your current health? I can imagine a whole spectrum of emotions.
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Just need to vent...SO tired of hard, uncomfortable TE's. My exchange is 12/5, so I know the time will go fast with Thanksgiving in there, but I can't wait for my squishies. I have my pre op with PS in two weeks, at which point we will discuss implants, so I think I'll feel better when all that's resolved. I was exercising this week and my arms bump the sides of my hard TE boobs, which I find I don't like. I was small pre BMX, and not used to bumping into my boobs. Something to consider when talking size to PS. Anyway, just rambling. Have a good day, everyone.
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wildtulip - make sure to mention to your PS that you don't like the lateral aspect of your TEs - he/she may need to tighten the pocket laterally so that your implants are less on the side, more on the front. The pocket that has been created through expansion has a lateral aspect if you are bumping the side of the TE with your inner arm/bicep and the implant will fill that space as well unless the pocket is tightened a bit. I feel ya on being impatient about exchange - it never feels like it comes soon enough! Just stay busy and it will be here before you know it!
moon - congrats on 5 years, yay!!! I am a year ahead of you time-wise, behind you on being done with surgery, lol! I have the last (hopefully!) one scheduled for 11/9, fat graft, chemo port removal (couldn't remove it in May at exchange due to abnormal PET scan, which turned out to be a number of things, none of them cancer, thank goodness), left nipple-ectomy. I can see the light at the end of what has been an exceedingly long-ass tunnel! I am glad your MO is watching you closely, you are special!
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Thank you, SpecialK. It's easy to show the PS what I like/don't like, but it helps to have the appropriate terminology. Between work, kids and planning to host Thanksgiving, I won't have a problem staying busy! I just can't wait to feel more comfortable.
Thank you for your input!!
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Oh my god. I just had TEs installed on last Thursday and I feel like I have been beaten all over with a hammer. Like, all of my joints not just my chest. This sucks!!!!! Sorry, just needed to vent. Im trying to put on a happy face for my family.
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Hey Littleblue, give it some time. As I remember, I was pretty sore for about a week after my TEs were installed, and my energy level was pretty iffy for a couple of weeks after that. I'm rooting for you - hope it sorts itself out. Venting on this site is safe - your family will want to see you optimistic, and improving every day. Unfortunately, recovery is not so smooth for some (most?) of us.
My implants were uncomfortable after every fill, and they still aren't perfectly comfortable. My recon surgeon suggests that "we swap out" with a softer implant, but I'm in no hurry for more surgery. Maybe in the spring, at the earliest! He says there is no hurry, so unless they get more uncomfortable than they are now, I'll be leaving them where they are, for now. Anaesthesia really takes it out of me.
Avmom
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Hi Avmom- thanks for responding. Yeesh. This isnt much fun, is it? Its unfortunate that yours are uncomfortable- they were one step implants, if I remember correctly? I sure wish they offered those down here! Well, yours look great at least, and I know I just have to be patient. My biggest fear at this point is infection, followed closely by symmastia, followed by some lurking horror I havent even considered. How long did your implants heal in place befor you got your first fill?
Cheers- J
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littleblue - hang in there - it gets better, and def use the "better living through chemistry" mantra when you need it. Particularly muscle relaxers - they can make all the difference.
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I'm seeing my plastic surgeon on Nov. 7th for my 1st consultation. I have been flat for 2 yrs. as of Sept 2014. Finally decided to get my boobies back. I had never planned on reconstruction and was really against it. But I have changed my mind. If there are any horseback riders out there, what can I expect for restrictions and for how long? I really don't want to miss another riding season. Missed the last one due to a back injury, and then a broken ankle. I'm hoping to get my T.E.'s as close to the beginning of the year as possible. But if it makes me miss this yrs riding season, I might just wait till next fall. I really don't want to wait, as I'm anxious to get started.
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I finally saw my PS again today. I had my "overfills" today. Now I wait for his assistant to call me to schedule surgery.
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Yeah, Molly, you're heading into the home stretch. Have you been on the Exchange City thread yet?
Best wishes, Madelyn
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Littleblue, How is your comfort now, a couple weeks out?
Cwayman, How was the consult on Monday? Do you have a plan? I'm not a rider, but did do delayed reconstruction myself.
Molly, Best wishes on a surgery time frame that you desire.
Madelyn, Always so kind of you to stop in and cheer others on in the process!
I have my pre-op with PS on Monday afternoon, at which time we will talk about/finalize implants. (I can't wait!!!) The following week I have pre-ops with my PCP and cardiologist and then EX on 12/5. My TE's are so hard...counting down!!!
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Mominator, I do follow the exchange thread. I have not posted much. I am waiting for a date. I am not in a hurry. I don't mind the TE's at all. My PS thinks I am crazy lol.
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