Questions RE: Drain & TE

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hmr
hmr Member Posts: 26
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

My mother had her MX drain removed today.

1. ) The sharp, jabbing type pains seem to have stopped but she still feels pressure and tightness in the chest. Is this typical ? Is the TE causing this remaining discomfort ?

2. ) The breast area is very hard to the touch and the lump isn't round but sort of oblong ? Is this typical for the TE ? 

3. ) The PS did nothing but bandage the hole where the drain tube exited. He says that it will heal closed within 24 hours. Office girl said one week ! Please clarify.

4. ) How and where is the saline injected into the TE ? Thru a diaphragm under the skin or what ?

Thank you very much for any feedback.

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  • CAROLMARIE427
    CAROLMARIE427 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2010

    Yes, the tightness around the chest is the TE.  It is a good idea to take a muscle relaxer before each fill in the future to help with this pressure.  The TE can be very annoying, and will continue to be as it is expanded.  The TE will reach into the armpit area.  It is shaped differently from the permenant implant because it needs to expand the muscle, so yes it is hard and oblong.  Usually just a small bandage will be placed over the area where the drain tube exited.  You may notice some slight dripping from the hole for a day or two.  Eventually over the course of a few days it will subside.  The TE has a valve in it where the needle is placed for the saline injections.  The valve is magnetic and the plastic surgeon has a tool that indicates where the magnetic part is.  The needle goes through the skin on the breast directly into the valve on the TE.  There is sometimes a bit of discomfort but because of there being no nerves in that area any longer, it is usually tolerable.  Hugs to you and your mom and a speedy recovery!

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