Radiation with TEs?

I have had the same question since my RO  suggested to unfill my TE before radiation. The idea of having TEs before radiation is that because expansion isn't possible (or is difficult) after rads, completing it before rads permits expansion that can lead to exchange to implants several months after completion of rads. RO insisted that  the presence of TEs does not interfere with rads, and it is being done more now. Of course my skin is more delicate because it has been stretched but  I am really angry for not been told about this before. According to my PS in his experience it doesn't make the difference. I will begin rads next week, so I willl find soon  the answer.

Hello Ray,

Today is my 20th radiation treatment with 10 more to go.  I also have TE and this week my skin began to show signs from the radiation (red and slight rash).  Did this happend to you as well?  If so, how long after completion of radiation did it heal?  Have you had surgery to replace TE's with implants?  If so, how long after finishing radiation.  Thank you for your reply. Patricia 

I had a TE placed and filled prior to radiation - going to my last radiation session Monday and haven't had any major problems due to the TE.  The TE feels firmer, but we overexpanded prior to starting radiation.  We'll see!  My skin held up well until about a week and a half ago.  Our original plan was to do the exchange surgery in March (about 6 weeks after the end of radiation).  

My PS believes is having the exchange surgery before rads, but it doesn't sound like that is an option here. It didn't really work it for me despite getting the exchange out of the way beforehand. My incision just popped open about 8 weeks after my last rads, so I'm back to having a TE. I've read about lots of sisters having rads with TEs and then exchanges afterwards, so I think it must be pretty common.

Bump

I had expanders in and had to have the fills completed before i started radiation, radiation made my skin tighter, and I got really burnt from the rads, it didn't happen right away but i was so bad i had a hard time putting my arm down by my side,  make sure you use whatever lotion they give you, i used emu oil, but that was not from a doc. i found about it on my own.  during radiation treatment i had no problems with my expanders,  but 4 months after i finished rads, ps put in inplants, i wish i had waited longer , i don't think my skin had enough time to recover from the rads, just my opinion, anyway the inplant had to come out, went with tram flap.my only option.  so really discuss when the exchange will be after you finish rads,  it could make a different, i wouldnt rush it.  just my opinion.  good luck

Hi, i had 28 rads with TE's in.  I used emu oil and aloe vera from the plant (not a tube) every day, at least three times a day.  I barely burned - both my OT and my RO were astonished and have become believers in emu oil.  After rads, I continued with emu oil 2-3 a day.  My skin has headed extremely well - I will be having my exchange surgery on Feb 2, which will be 7 months after finishing rads.  I have heard mixed results from people doing the exchange before six months, so I decided to wait.  If my PS had wanted me to, I would have waited longer.  But she says I should be fine.  

Bump

I had partial fills before 33 rads, then waited 2 months and slowly finished filling the TEs.  I now have to wait 6 months for the exchange because of RADs.  So far, so good.

I had bilat with TE....had fills during chemo and was done with fills a couple months before starting rads....my skin got itchy but it wasn't awful.....the risk was will recon....rads increases the "failure" rate of recon...but I've had these implants for just about 3 1/2 years.....all the best to your mom

Bump

Keep us posted, I'm 2 months behind you, have to finish taxol, then BMX

I developed some redness after treatment everyday, but normally it is gone the next day. My skin is kind of "olive" ( I am not "white-pale"), so it looks like when I walk on the beach for an hour. Done 4 out of 25.

bump

Well... 20 of 25 done. My "foob" is really tan/redish, I have two tiny blisters but it is not sore and it doen't hurt. My underarm is really dark "peeling", wounded and it's sore and hurts. I keep applying aloe vera and emu oil on my "foob", but I am afraid to apply anything under my arm, since I have mild lyphedema on my upper arm and I was told that any wound or infection could agravate it. Wait to see what the nurse says tomorrow, hopefully she will know what to do.