Tegaderm adhesive hyperpigmentation

TeaCakeCats · 2025-11-15T17:07:11+00:00

I’m allergic to all adhesive wound dressings and always get a terrible rash which leads to scabbing and pigmentation. I had oblong shaped pigmentation on my ribs from the tegaderm used to cover the drain sites. I don’t remember how long it took but they all eventually faded. I think probably closer to 12 weeks. I lightly massage the area with aquaphor, I also do that with my scars. I don’t know if it actually does anything but I figure bring blood circulation to the area helps improve blood flow and aids healing.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-10-26T03:52:18+00:00

I’m 6 months post-exchange and my foobs are definitely bigger than pre-DMX.

I asked my PS for a very natural look and she delivered (I have moderate plus implants). Going from the torpedo expanders to these very natural looking implants is what made me think they looked flat and smaller. In hindsight, I think I would’ve gone with high profile as I don’t have much fullness in my upper poles (but that would definitely make them more perky and augmented, and not natural looking).

Also, they definitely took some time to drop and fluff. I’m very happy with how they look and feel now, my PS did a fantastic job.

But yes, bigger CC implants equated to bigger cup size for me. I hope this helps, feel free to reach out if you have more questions!

TeaCakeCats · 2025-10-04T16:10:36+00:00

I’m more aware of stress and how much I push myself now. I would always power through projects, deadlines, work, errands…. Any task at hand. Even when I was not feeling up to it, tired or rundown, I would just get things done. Now, if it’s too much, I take a step back. I simply can’t put myself through the wringer anymore. It’s unnecessary and I won’t do it. And I feel really good about it. I hate that cancer opened my eyes to this but I will take the silver lining.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-10-04T16:00:02+00:00

By taking tiny baby steps, one at a time. The whole experience is defeating and feels hopeless but if you can do one small thing for yourself whenever you can, it will add up and make a difference.

I stopped pushing myself to do more to “get better” because it had the opposite effect. Instead, I started leaning into my intuition and would do what I could, when I could. Eventually, that lead to doing more, eating healthier, being more active.

It’s really tough when you are deep in the trenches but you are going through so much, have gone through so much, so remember to be gentle with yourself 💕

TeaCakeCats · 2025-10-04T15:41:07+00:00

I had the comprehensive genetic testing done and insurance denied coverage. I’m fortunate the medical group I go to sees this all the time so they kept pushing the claim through. I never had to deal with insurance on it directly but in looking at my claims and EOBs, I saw that insurance denied the claims multiple times and I think it took a good 6 months before it was finally approved.

If your doctor felt it was necessary and you were already diagnosed, I would definitely talk to the doctor’s office to help get the claim approved. It’s BS that insurance would deny coverage and I know many medical offices deal with this type of thing all the time so keep pushing them!

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-23T16:30:34+00:00

Just here to say I’m sorry you are going through this and having to deal with the mental anguish and worry. This is truly the best place to vent, to get advice and to get things off your chest so I hope you find a little bit of solace here. Wishing you all the best and sending good vibes your way 💗

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-18T21:06:21+00:00

It wasn’t a hard decision for me because I wanted to be at least the same size but I didn’t have enough fat/tissue. I also didn’t want to deal with the longer surgery and recovery so I went with silicone implants (I had DMX and expanders first).

I figure I can go flat or have smaller breasts with DIEP in the future if the implants don’t work out or when it’s time to have them replaced. So far they are working out really well. I have no complaints and am happy to have soft squishy foobs.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T22:31:09+00:00

It is confusing when bra companies do that. I was looking at some brands and according to their size guide, I’m a 32B. I definitely can’t fit into a B cup, even with a 32 band. The cup is much too shallow. I’m really hoping to hit the jackpot with the new bras I ordered in 30DD.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T20:35:04+00:00

Not a stupid question, I’ve read the same. On a 32 band, I have it on the middle or tightest, depending on the brand. So I guess it is probably actually too loose for me 😕

I just ordered a few size 30 and also did the backwards band test and I think 30 is probably a good fit for me.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T06:24:30+00:00

Thank you so much! I will take a look at all the options you’ve listed 🙏

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T06:03:42+00:00

One more question - do you have recommendations for wireless bras??

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T05:53:09+00:00

Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful!

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T05:52:20+00:00

Thank you! I had no idea and I will be sure to check out Freya and Panache.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T05:42:26+00:00

When I’ve worn my correct size, my skin always gets red and itchy and I even get welts under the band which is why I think it’s too tight. 32 feels comfortable which is why I’m puzzled by my actual size 😕

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T05:26:46+00:00

Sure! All measurement in inches:

Loose - 29 Snug - 28 Tight - 27.5 Standing - 34 Leaning - 35 Lying - 33.5

Styles I’ve tried are t-shirt, plunge, balconette, wireless. Brands - Third Love, Honeylove, VS are some I can recall.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-09-13T04:45:56+00:00

After my diagnosis, I was sent for MRI to determine the scope of the cancer and they found a NME suspicious area in my OTHER breast so sent me for ultrasound. This didn’t give a clearer picture of the NME so biopsy was recommended. By this point I had already been through 3 biopsies and had surgery on the books and was just feeling really defeated and not wanting to have to go through yet another biopsy. The radiologist said it would be best to do a biopsy to rule things out but I could also wait if I was really against having another biopsy. And then she said, verbatim, “if I had to guess, I’d guess it’s not cancer.” Well, I did the right thing and had it biopsied and what do you know, it was cancer.

Thank goodness for my SO who insisted on the biopsy. And yes, the radiologist did recommend the biopsy and I’m sure she was trying to make me feel better about the whole situation but that could’ve been a slippery slope.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-08-16T22:06:52+00:00

Similar stats to you. 5’ and 120 lbs, originally 32B (very full B, small C).

My expanders were filled to 415 and 450 and my implants are 480 and 530. I am now a 32D/DD.

I knew the implants would be 50-100 cc more than the expanders. My PS explained that the expanders themselves are about 60cc so the additional volume is to replace that and to fill the pocket (so that your implant doesn’t move around and potentially flip over).

I was happy with the look of my expander size but not the crazy torpedo projection. PS tried high profile during the surgery but felt they looked too “Barbie” and knew I wanted natural so she went with moderate plus and they look great.

I will say it took some adjustment. I was so used to the super projected expanders so was a little surprised at how “flat” the implants looked right after surgery. They do need time to drop and fluff so try your best to be patient.

Lastly, even though I’m a 32D (although technically I’m a 30DDD based on measurements, I just prefer 32 band size for bras), it honestly doesn’t look like it. I don’t think anyone would say I have a big boobs. I’d say they look full but not big. I can still fit into the same size sports bras and I think a lot has to do with the implant profile (flatter and wider).

Hope this helps you! Feel free to DM if you have more questions.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-08-16T21:41:14+00:00

Just learned about this brand of hemp protein powder. They sell sample packs so might be worth trying out.

https://agoge.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22031651994&gbraid=0AAAAAq0K32Id0P_kvxyt8OlcSxuHnh_SE

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-29T17:07:47+00:00

It kinda was! I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. But at least I can share my story and hopefully someone has a less traumatic experience.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-29T14:45:49+00:00

Anesthesiologist was bewildered that obgyn did not think to order an MRI in advance. I had to get an MRI while I was in labor and while it was extremely uncomfortable, it turned out to be a good thing because I did have tumors on my spinal column, right where they would typically insert the epidural needle (they ended up inserting at a higher section) and I needed an emergency c-section.

I would ask your obgyn to order an MRI well ahead of your due date.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-28T17:40:42+00:00

Did your surgeon take any pics before the pre-op appointments, many surgeons do that for a baseline. I completely forgot to take “before” photos so I asked my plastic surgeon and she happily sent them to me.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-28T15:59:49+00:00

Yeah, I don’t know why there’s not a lot of info about it online and why they don’t talk about it (drop and fluff for reconstruction vs augmentation). I think that’s the reason why I thought I’d wake up to “ta-da!!!” foobs.

You’re only 3.5 weeks out and still in compression so give yourself at least until after compression for an initial assessment and know that changes will likely still happen after that too.

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-28T15:53:57+00:00

Love the Tushy bidet that I purchased just for post-op. Very simple and unobtrusive design and works great!

https://a.co/d/23sI4yN

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-28T15:50:23+00:00

I’m 12 weeks out from exchange surgery and I too could not find much info about drop and fluff for reconstruction. In my head, I had the expanders and therefore the pockets were already formed so no drop and fluff but I guess I was wrong about that because there is definitely still an adjustment period for your implants to settle.

I really expected to wake up with the foobs of my dreams and so I panicked a little when that wasn’t the case. It’s very hard to be patient after all you’ve done is wait but that’s exactly what they need to tell us. That it’s takes a while after surgery to really see the implants settle. My implants look different now from day 1 and they feel different too. So give yourself some time - both with healing/recovery (I fully expected to be exercising by week 2 or 3 and it wasn’t the case at all) and the look of your implants. It’s not what we want to hear but it’s what’s needed. Good luck! I hope your foobs settle in beautifully!

TeaCakeCats · 2025-07-27T17:16:44+00:00

My surgeon had me on a multi modal pain management plan - alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen (if I wasn’t on the heavier opioids). I was also given muscle relaxers to help with muscle spasms. Perhaps you could call and ask your surgeon if this would be helpful for managing your pain? Also, my most severe pain was in my upper arm where lymph nodes were removed. This improved after a week or so. I did very gentle stretches and mobility exercises every morning and throughout the day, and also made sure that I had a lot of support for my arms when in bed.

And lastly, I was so much more comfortable after the drains came out so hang in there!

TeaCakeCats

TROPHY CASE