Exchange City
Comments
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Survivor, depends on how thin your skin flap is. Ask ps prior to surgery. And implants look smaller than expanders usually. Also depends if you have any radiation damage. I have 700 ml implants and I was filled to 700 ml. I weight 180 ish. I am a C cup generally. No rads and healthy skin. Non smoker.
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Survivor. . .ask about ultra high profile if that is an option for the implants you are looking at. I went from HP 300 ccs to UHP 300 ccs with my March revision for CC. I definitely have more projection. Also, I may be the exception to the rule, but I was only expanded to 250 ccs and they were able to put larger implants in at EX.
Scottie
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Thanks Scottie. I have incisions from IMF all the way under my armpits to beneath my shoulder blades (about 12") to correct dog ears. The right side he stitched to tight under my arm and by shoulder blade. It pulls when I lay down and try to change positions.
Robin, ack!!! I had NO IDEA I wasn't supposed to sleep on my side. It is like a security blanket for me, I started as soon as I was able, probably 2 weeks post op! My fiance says I stop breathing when sleeping on my back.
Kingster, I wore a snug bra the 1st 4 weeks, then my ps's assistant told me I could go without. I still wear one during the day, but stopped sleeping in them as my skin was getting sensitive. I checked out the Genie website, its hard for me to imagine them being supportive but they do look comfy and the reviews did say they are supportive. They have a special right now 2 pack for $9.99
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Scottiemom:
May I ask what cup size you are now? If you don't mind estimating. My reason: I'm expanded to 260cc and you are like one of the few who is around my sizing! I feel huge. 300cc is max for me -- perhaps a tad smaller. I might look into the ultra high profile. Idk. Confused by all the choices. My PS prefers gummy bear -- about all I know so far.
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EastcoastTS . . .I am between a B and a C cup. C cup Hanes sports bras are a little loose. I have a fairly small chest and I was barely a B before kids then B to C after. I now have Mentor UHP 300 cc implants and I really like the projection, which is more than I had with the Mentor HP 300 cc implants from first EX.
I will add that my new PS talked me out of going smaller. I thought it would be easier on my pecs, ie., less pressure on them. Turns out all of the nerve pain was from CC and is mostly gone now. I am back to lifting small weights and have hopes of a much better recovery this go round.
Scottie
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Eastcoast,
I had my TE's filled to 420 and had 475 gummie bear implants put in. You have to put bigger implants than filled with gummies so they fit snug. I was a B cup and I requested to be similar to what I was. Cup size is not the same with implants but I would say I am a large B to a small C. I am very happy with them and I have the 3D nipple tattoos that are amazing! If you want a PM with pictures, just let me know and I will be happy to send them. Other than a keloid scar on the right side, it couldn't be much better of an outcome.
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Survivor117, EastcoastTS, and CarlaEM, be sure to check out Breast Implant Sizing 101. Whippetmom is very helpful with sizing questions. Be sure to read her original post and answer all the questions. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/746448
Shoregirl, you can use pillows so not to sleep on your side. If you find the snoring is too much, you can sleep propped up on a reading pillow. For both BMX and EX, I used the reading pillow for the first 6 weeks, then I used pillows under my breasts for a few weeks before side sleeping unsupported.
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Thanks Mominator. I have one of those reading pillows
I just received an email from my ps in reply to me telling him it flipped back and asking what we can do to be sure it doesn't happen again. He said avoid side sleeping for the next few weeks, wear a compression or snug sports bra (My Genies are on their way!) to hopefully hold the implants in place over the next 2-4 weeks while the pocket continues to heal. He also said "at this point in your healing, time and patience are very beneficial to your recovery. I am here for you, and I will do what it takes to help care for you fully: downsizing implants is relatively straightforward. Fat grafting is also a reasonable option for contouring of small areas, like the edge of the implant and other subtle asymmetries – plus you get a little lipo and who doesn't want that! It has been a great honor to be part of your care. I think you are a fantastic patient!" I love my PS again, lol!! I feel bad I ranted about him, chalk it up to the stress of this whole crazy DX!!
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Shorgirl - you might also check the Danskin sports bras at WalMart. I didn't care for the Genie bra and didn't feel it gave me enough compression.
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robinblessed54 . . .did you get your Tattoos at PS or from Vinnie. Just curious. I finally have an appointment for mine with PS next Friday. I can't afford the trip to Vinnie right now and insurance is covering.
Scottie
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Mominator, my new PS, Whippetmom and myself are all on the same page about size and type. My only decision/issue is whether to switch to prepectoral placement as my PS wants. I am very much on the fence about that. We'll get it figured out, though!
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Scottie, I originally had the tattoos done by PA in office. They ended up looking like the Target sign at the mall within 6 months. I had them redone at a tattoo parlor 45 minutes from my house! By Corey Miller of LAInk fame. OMG! They are amazing! They look so real even looking down on them it looks like they protrude! Medical grade ink is not permanent. These are mine forever! I paid $600
Robin
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Mominator and Shoregirl, thank you! I had an apointment with my PS yertrday and I'm healing nicely. Today I have some mild pain in incisions area (inframammary on both sides).
Shoregirl. . .glad your implant flipped back! Sounds like your PS needs to do more pocket work, it's great he understands you again and will fix everythng for you.
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shoregirl.....I love your PS too! What a beautiful sentiment, beautifully expressed.
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Thank you MinusTwo, I will check those out!
Golden, glad you are healing well!! No side sleeping!
Hercules, yes, it was very sweet of my ps to send that email. He is a great guy!!
Robin, too funny your comment about Target sign! Someone told me Vinnie doesn't repair other people's work, not sure if it's true. I had thought of getting tats in ps office, and if they were not good, save up for Vinnie. I am really wanting to try nipple reconstruction, but my ps doesn't do it, and strongly advises me against it. There is a ps that takes my insurance and does them, so I may consult with him. I want to talk with women who had surgery over a year ago, see how they hold up long term. I may have to get some pasties to hold me over as it's going to be a long road since I may be downsizing.
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Carla: wow, switch to prepectoral placement? What are the pros/cons in your case? Will this help you with greater volume or definition?
Goldene: glad you're healing.
Shoregirl: I love your PS too. Glad your implant flipped back. I hope it stays in place. You may want to do a search on nipple recon, or start a new thread. I've seen complaints that nipple recon doesn't last. Of course, we'll tend to see more of the complaints than the praises.
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Mominator,
Yes, the surgeon proposed that we switch to prepectoral using a Natrelle SCX implant to make my whole chest more "front and center" and to improve projection. She recommends fat grafting in the upper pole to create a natural slope. The biggest "pro" would be no more animation when I use my pecs. Animation doesn't really bother me, however.
For me the cons, would be trying to cover up the implant edges using fat grafting. I don't have a whole lot of fat to spare and what if I resorb it? Ugh! I have good upper pole coverage and cleavage with my pecs now and ripples are only on the sides, which ideally will be greatly improved with the different implant alone. I also worry about my poor middle-aged thin skin stretching and sagging with the weight of a nearly 700 cc implant. I am going for a perky look.
Anyway, we scheduled the revision for August with a pre-op in July. I will need a LOT of convincing that switching to prepectoral will be superior. Any input is greatly appreciated.
C
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Carla, I would rethink that one, especially if you are comfortable with it now. Maybe try an anatomical sub pectoral.
Robin
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Carla - I agree about the skin. It gets thinner every year. If for no other reason, I would not put the implants on top of the pecs.
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Thanks Robin and MinusTwo. My gut has been telling me the same since I left the PS's office in April. Robin, I already have Natrelle 410's and have found them not suited to my body.
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Carla: Did you go to Breast Implant Sizing 101 yet? Read the entire header and post the information required, along with your questions. Whippetmom is a wealth of knowledge and had helped many of us. BTW - I do have Allergan 410s and am very happy with them, but we're all different.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...
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Yes, I did that last fall when I began searching for a new PS. Whippetmom recommended the type of implant I'm set to get in August.
The 410's are too wide for my ribcage and I have a lot of sideboob. Righty has rotated 30 degrees and Lefty's pocket is too small so it has never settled properly and looks constricted in the upper pole. There is notable asymmetry with Righty being a good 1.5 inches lower than Lefty. Those problems make me more than ready to get rid of the 410's.
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Carla, mine are mentor memory gels smooth rounds under muscle. The foobs look weird when I flex, but I've gotten used to that. I think it offers more protection to the implant. Helps keep the implants in place since I have strong pecs.
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Had my exchange 3 weeks ago two Mentor 800cc ultra high profile. At first I thought they appeared slightly squarish but now after three weeks are rounding out nicely and I have enough projection and I have great cleavage which makes me very happy. I had 40 D's or double D's depending previous to BMX. I am the only person who thinks that I look small comparativeIy. I think I look like I have small C and everyone else thanks I look like I have D's I don't know if it's just that my brain cannot see something different than what I was or what LOL how long did your plastic surgeons ask you to wait for your tattoos?
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OG56, you need to wait at least 5-6 months after your final surgery. You want to make sure they have time to settle and your incisions are healed.
Robin
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Shoregirl, it's been over a month since I had nip recon and so far I like the results. I feel like they aren't just mounds anymore. They look very real. So no regrets from me yet! And I had radiation, so I was worried it wouldn't take on the radiated side. My cousin had hers done (nip recon with tattoos by Vinnie) several years ago and she says hers look great.
My PS also recommended against them--maybe because she doesn't do them! I had to get another PS who was known for his work.
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Thanks Leslie. I am thinking that's why my PS advised against them as well. I'm glad you are happy with your recon!
My implant that had flipped and flipped back is doing much better since I'm keeping a bra on and not laying on my left side at night. I guess I just wasn't giving it a stable environment to form scar tissue and hold it in place.
I am now 10 weeks Post Exchange and the implants are finally getting more comfortable. There is a lot of Rippling when I lean over since they are pre-pec. I am hoping fat grafting will take care of that even if not I hope it at least cushions the edges more so that it is more comfortable against my skin.
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I had nipple and areola reconstruction 2 months ago and I am very happy with my results. My inner thighs where the areola skin grafts came from was a difficult recovery. The thigh incisions were very uncomfortable for weeks. I'm not sure I would do that part again. The nipples have flattened out some but I still have nice projections. If I wear a thin shirt you can see them but if I wear a thin bralette they are totally covered. My ps originally was apprehensive to do the nipple and areola reconstruction, I think mainly he just didn't have many women who want the surgery. I just had my 2 month follow up with pictures and he said he was going to us my pictures to start a local website women can go to to see great before and after pictures. I'm so proud of my foobs!!
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Scottiemom11 - I have 300cc smooth round implants (29.5" chest). I wear a 32D when I can find that size or 34C and am very happy with the size. I wore 34B before surgery.0
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Hi Carla,
Let me start by saying pre-pec is so easy. Goodness, I hardly pay attention to them anymore and do basically everything as usual now that I'm getting close to 9 months out. However, mine are only 290cc and I have the anatomical which I think works for me.
I believe most, if not all, PS will use an ADM (I think that's what it's referred to) such as alloderm to create a sling to hold the implant so it's not just your skin. Having the anatomical I had to patiently let everything heal in place and I was fortunate to not have issues with that.
Fat grafting does help with hiding edges but mine is so-so as I'm unusually thin through my rib cage. I can tell the edges are there but my PS assures me that if some of my grafted fat hadn't stayed the edges would be much more obvious. A fair amount of fat is needed to help with padding for these, I guess. I have also have rippling but I'm ok with it as I can hide it well in a bra. A little side boobage from the implant width (I was told she even tucked it some to help, but I don't think implants were necessarily made for my body shape!). Overall I don't feel it's too bad. I do select swim suit tops that cover this area (but don't we do all do this to some degree with various body parts we don't love?).
Anyway, I wouldn't rule out pre-pec as an option, but I'd certainly ask a lot of questions. I recall my PS saying that often she "knows" the right choice for a patient. Meaning if sub-pec or pre-pec would be the correct choice. At the time I was only asking about myself so I can't say what she might have suggested for someone with a larger implant size (I think you said maybe 700cc?). In my case she was 50/50 with pros\cons for both options.
Good luck making your decision and hope that helps some!
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