TEs. A Beginner's Primer

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited August 2014

    twoam,

    Isn't it funny (and nice!) that we can admit things here that we wouldn't anywhere else?

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    So true!!  I think all of us are a touch scared heading into the exchange. Yes, we believe the harder surgery was the bmx but this outcome is "permanent."  Of course, the one thing I have come to realize is that revisions can be done so I am trying to just focus on the positives. 

    Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...we deserve it!!

    Ally

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  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2014

    The exchange sure makes me nervous!! I know the first time I heard the word revision I was like " what, I might not be one and done?!?" 😳 

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited August 2014

    Mischief46, I know it's hard, but try not to focus on a possible revision in the future. Just concentrate on having a successful exchange surgery. For me and many others it was way easier than the mastectomy.

    When is your exchange surgery?

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  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2014

    Janette2014, I still have a (long) month, Sept. 10th.  I don't mind the TE's during the day, I just find them hard to sleep with. My BMX wasn't to bad but glad to hear the exchange is usually better.

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    Earlier we were talking about how far apart out TEs are.  Mine are about 2 inches, 3 fingers apart. She plans to put them closer together during Friday's exchange.  How far apart are they supposed to be???  When she said that, I said, "Ok but I don't think they are supposed to be touching."  But I don't know!  An inch apart, maybe?  

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2014

    Good question Julie.  Mine are about 3 fingers apart as well.  PS mentioned that she will bring them closer together but I failed to ask how close.  :-(  I don't think they should be touching.  That's what push up bras are for!


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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    Juliecc-  Great question....I have no idea how far apart they should be. Guess I only thought about how much space was between them.  I read your post and thought if my PS asked me that question, I would have no idea how to answer.  Ugh!!!

    Ally

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    I know!  I guess my PS knows and I should leave it up to her!

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Mischief - I am right about the same time as you! Sept 8th. I was on for August 18th, but decided to have oneeeeee more fill. I am going smaller then I was pre-cancer, but I wanted to give myself that little bit extra. My implant will only be like .2 bigger, but it made me feel better lol. So now our wait begins!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2014

    iwanna - after exchange it is unlikely that your PS will advise a push-up bra, I found that the implants just sat where they were and even though much softer than the TE not particularly moveable, and not like normal breast tissue that you can kind of squish into a bra cup.  My PS does not even like his patients to wear an underwire bra - just a supportive soft bra. 

    For all who wonder about how far apart the implants will sit - you definitely don't want the TE to touch, or the implants, as it gives a uniboob appearance.  Remember that you no longer have any structure inside the breast to help provide shape.  How far apart the implants sit will depend on your individual physical characteristics and won't be the same for everyone.

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Its interesting how different PS's are on the whole bra thing. Mine does not want me to wear one now, or after exchange for quiet some time, but said that eventually, If I wanted to, it would be fine.

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  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2014

    twoam,  my last fill was two weeks ago...AND now we wait. ☺️  I really hope my PS gets the implants a little closer at the very least out from under my arms.

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Mischief - Agreed. That is the most painful part for me. I really have no idea what I am talking about (just winging it here) but from previous posts, and pictures, it seems the space between the TE's is pretty normal. I think we feel it so much under our arms, because the TE's are so hard, unforgiving and have so much forward projection. I hope anyway. Trying to think positive here lol.

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited August 2014

    Two am yep. That's the TES under the arm. After the exchange most of us do not feel that. It was a relief to me. So was not hitting g the doorways - my TES were out so far of me I misjudged the distance :)

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  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2014

    I am totally winging it!!!  Thankfully I  haven't experienced any of this before...but these forums sure have helped make it tolerable.  

    I feel like I have bruised the inside of my arms from hitting them against my TEs.  They are so hard!

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Moonflwr - When I first joined this forum, I had seen a post where you mentioned running into a door frame. I thought you where kidding. I have since learned that you where not lol. My TE's are not even that big, and I cant seem to stop running into things lol.

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited August 2014

    Mine are tiny and I make sure I turn sideways to get through narrow spaces and always put my hands up in a defensive position if I am too close to someone or something! My husband keeps saying , "quit hitting me with those things!"

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Tell him to get the hell our of the way ;)

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  • twoam
    twoam Member Posts: 158
    edited August 2014

    Oops, I deleted by mistake. I meant to say, tell him to get the hell out of the way!

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited August 2014

    He likes it! Me too except I can't feel it!

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  • lekker
    lekker Member Posts: 594
    edited August 2014

    I'm not sure how I ended up on this thread tonight but I was drawn in to the last two pages.  I'm almost 18 months out from exchange and I wanted to encourage all of you who are going through fills and nearing your own exchange surgeries.  I hated my "bricks" and got significant relief almost immediately after getting my implants. I had to laugh at the comments about hitting doorways and husbands with the TEs. My older daughter was just tall enough that when she would run up to hug me, her head would literally bounce off my chest!  I also wanted to second HopeEllen's recommendation for the target cami.  I wear one as a layering piece or pajama top.  They're very comfy and the molded cups really smooth everything out (I had NSM). I wish I had them to help camouflage my rectangular TEs!  Hang in there everyone!  I wish you all easy fills, speedy recoveries from exchange and great results!

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited August 2014

    The reason my TEs were so close together is that I got HUGE sized TEs at BMX. I was about 60 pounds overweight, and had no plans to lose any weight. Then my MO convinced me otherwise.

    Imagine TEs that touched in the middle, and wrapped all the way around under my armpits. That's exactly what they did when I lost 60 pounds. 

    Neither my PS nor I had any idea that would be happening, but yes, during Exchange, he made it all come out right, with lots of pocket work and just the right sized implants. 

    As far as how much width there is between the cleavage area, I think that's such an individual thing. With saline implants, they're about a finger width apart when I'm standing up without a bra on, and maybe two fingers apart when I'm flat on my back.

    But they don't migrate under my armpits and that's all I was worried about.

    The salines are very soft, and I find I can adjust them easily to be encapsulated by an underwire bra, without any impingement on the implant. In other words, I can hoist them around until they fit into the cup perfectly.

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  • Elizabethaw
    Elizabethaw Member Posts: 199
    edited August 2014

    Hey lekker, my youngest's head runs into my hard TEs all the time!  She's really sick of them, and I don't want to give her a concussion!  After my largest fill (never again!), I was so sore that when she snuggled up against me for a bedtime story, she bumped the edge of the TE and I reflexively whacked her!  Bad mommy! 

    I haven't hit a door frame yet, but I definitely run into cabinet doors and such.

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  • lekker
    lekker Member Posts: 594
    edited August 2014

    Elizabethaw - my daughter was sooooo happy after exchange. She loved the "squishiness" after the bricks. So did I!  I know it's a long road but I wish you all the best!  

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    I can't wait to get the rocks off my chest.  Two more days!

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  • Mischief46
    Mischief46 Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2014

    Juliecc, I was thinking of you this morning..jealous might be a better word. ;-)  but I was thinking that you and Ally2345 only had a few more days of trying to sleep with these things!! I'm finding it very difficult to get a full nights sleep.  Here is to hoping you love your results!! 

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2014

    I'm also jelly of Juliecc and Ally2345 upcoming exchanges.  Although I'm not too far behind them, it seems the closer I get to the exhcnage date the more uncomfortable and annoyed I am every single day and night!!!  Squishies here we come!


     

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    Yes!  It's weird to be excited about a surgery!  I can't wait until Friday and it's over.  I've been sleeping terribly lately and waking up every hour.  I stopped my tamoxifen for surgery a week ago.  Maybe it's that or maybe I'm just anxious. I still have lots to do at work tomorrow, laundry and some cleaning.  I'm also looking forward to my 11 days off work.  :-D

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited August 2014

    Julie why did you have to stop your Tamoxifen for surgery? 

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