TEs. A Beginner's Primer

Thanks ladies! My dr says it is most likely because this huge overfilled expander is messing with my muscle and ribcage and throwing everything outta whack. I'm with you aviva, I think it's also sitting near a nerve. Sometimes I can barely use my arm but when my daughter massages my back and arm it feels better...

I'll just give myself extra TLC. Doctors orders. But it sure would be nice to have all,of this over with already!!!

Robin, did you have the Latissimus flap used? I had alloderm when my expanders were placed but will have Latissimus with my exchange. I'm curious what recovery is like.

Yes but mine was directly related to doing too much too soon. Call your ps but meanwhile maybe some moist warmth (careful with heat since our nerves are all messed up - can't feel a burn) might help. I have a sock filled with rice that intros in the microwave. Hope u feel better soon

Sunandsnow please let us know what your dr says. Hope it's nothing!

I've been told no swimming at all with mine, but it may be different with your doctor.

I just did a search on the internet and it looks like scuba diving is OK if everything is healed http://www.realself.com/question/scuba-diving-tiss...

I will of couse check with my doctor though. I hope I can go with the rest of the family.

Hi Ladies! I haven't been on in several weeks so I had a lot of catching up to do with all the posts. I had my PBMX on 9/15. I didn't do well in the beginning, emotionally. You ladies were very supportive and I am so greatful.

I read the post about the pill bottle. I never really though much about it, but I couldn't open them either. Had to put them between my pelvis and a dresser and push on it and turn the cap that way. I still have a problem with them, but my biggest problem is the big ketchup dispenser at work. Pressing down on the pumper. Will that ever get better? It's not like it hurts, just feels weird.

My surgery for the permanent implants is THIS THURSDAY. I am rather excited to get this over with. I had to switch surgeons for the final surgery because my initial PS didn't do her second surgery at the hospital I was required to use, (insurance purposes). But I love my new surgeon. Wished I had found him earlier. He only makes you wait 1 month between the TEs and the permanent ones. My first surgeon makes you wait 3 months after the last fill. I had a total of 660 ccs. I was so incredibly miserable at about week 11 or so. And this started weeks after the last fill. They just made it impossible to sleep, no back sleeping or side sleeping. Hurt all the time. My new surgeon removed 75 ccs on each side, on my initial consultation with him. I'm thinking, "really, that's not going to help". But it did. I have been almost completely comfortable after that. He said I had capsular contracture. After reading up on that, I sure hope it doesn't return after my final surgery. Seems this condition is common. Has anyone had a problem with this?

www2b- I hope your surgery is a successful and you get immediate relief in your chest. I am not familar with capsule contracture. I'm going to ask about that too.

I am in so much discomfort from being overfiled that i actually called the after hours office of my ps. I was told warm or cold along with massage. I am so afraid that something is going to shoot right out of my nipple or pop out the side. I asked them to call me back to have some of the fluid taken out. I thought it was my AWS cording causing so much pain lifting my arm but I really think it is the TE. I am taking pain pills every 4 hrs and it is still not helping me.

I am 9 days post Bilateral mastectomy and here's how my TEs feel: my breasts a very full and super firm, which is how they felt when my milk came in after my two pregnancies. Only the feeling is more pronounced and there is achy and sore pain involved. It's not unbearable butit is uncomfortable. I'm hoping that over time some of the pain will dissipate.

JLF - are you really young? I had twins in my late 30's and didn't get stretch marks, but did in my teens when my breasts were growing. I thought the difference was older skin gets less stretch marks (but don't remember if that was based on research). As to what to do, call your PS. These are the doctors who as a profession fix marks. I'm sure they have some secrets. Until you get an answer, cream them up with thick moisturizer / cream. I've been using Cera-Ve CREAM.

JFL - I'm 49; btw I didn't pay attention to the fact your surgery was only 2 weeks ago.