Exchange City
Comments
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Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow Linda! Hope your PS gets it done to perfection, just like he likes it!
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Jax! Sending big cyber hugs your way, damn if that isn't frustrating for you! You have a wonderful attitude towards it all and that in itself will carry you through and all will be ok!!
Wanted to say "hi" to you all, have just logged on I haven't had the time what with all the brides yikes!! I have my 4 month follow up with my Onc next Thursday, having the blood work done in the morning, this is my first follow up, its a weird feeling.....
Saw my PS last week, looks like "fipples" will be done in July, just trying to figure out when!, I will let you know the date so you can add me to the list again!!
Love you all and think of you every day!!
Lorraine ox
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Lorraine - Fipples in the summer, I am jealous. I will probably wait until cooler weather in October or November.
Jax - You deserve the little face. We are all rooting for you my dear!
Suegmomof3 - Congratulations on getting a date, our summer list is growing!
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Jax, so glad you're home -- hope the healing goes smoothly this time for you!!
Lorraine - I am very curious to hear how your fipple construction goes .. .I have several months to decide what I'm going to do ... one part of me is tempted to go the simple tattoing route, while another part of me wants to try the skate flap..... fortunately I'm in no rush to decide right now.
Ladies - thanks for the feedback on the implant size. To be honest, I prefer to be just a full C - I have no desire to be a D. When I gain weight, it goes to my breasts (along with hips/butt) and I am about 10-15 lbs heavier than I normally am .... so if I can lose 10, then the C will look more in proportion than a D cup. I need to find out what dimensions my TEs are. I know he used Allergan 550s, but I don't know anything more than that. I guess I'll have to call to find out more info and then post it. Both the PA and PS said I am on the extremely high end for great projection already,so that makes me feel good knowing they think that. Anyway .... I'll try to get the dimensions on the TEs. THANKS so much!!!0 -
Sue I haven't read through all your post so I need to ask
is your PS willing to use either Mentor or Natrelle?
I know you mentioned the Natrelle style so I wasn't sure if that's the only one he will use
Most PS are willing to use either one
depending on what you find out about your TE you may even want to look at other styles but we can just wait and see : - )
Hope everyone is haveing a great week
I caught a comment about Jax did she need to get another new TE : (
if so 3rd time a charm has too work (((HUG)))
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SUE: Okay, so you have Allergan 550 expanders. Now, just ask your PS which Style of TE's you have. There are four or five different styles in the expander matrix and they all have different dimensions.
The numbers you provided are for Allergan Style 20 silicone implants - not expanders.
CCs Diameter PROJECTION
550 13.5 5.6
600 13.8 5.7
650 14.2 5.9Since you want to be a "C" cup, another option is to use the Allergan Style 15 - the midrange profile, which would give you more width. For instance, the numbers would be as follows:
575 cc's 14.8 width x 4.8 projection
616 cc's 15.2 width x 4.9 projection
659 cc's 15.4 width x 5.0 projection
Deborah
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--------------------------------ULTRA HIGH PROFILE BREAST IMPLANTS----------------------------------------
For future reference:
Mentor has come out with a round smooth gel ultra high profile implant - to rival the Allergan Style 45's!
In comparison:
Allergan Natrelle Style 45 - Extra Full Profile
600 cc's.........12.8 width x 6.1 projection
vs.
Mentor Ultra High Profile Silicone Gel
590 cc's.........12.5 width x 6.3 projection
Here is the catalogue....scroll down and the dimensions of this new style are on the right...
http://www.mentorimplants.se/Images/Mentor%20Product%20Offering.pdf
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Another measurement which might help when determining width of implants...let's see how this plays out...
With arms at sides, measure across chest from armpit to armpit. For example: My front chest measurement is 12 inches. Converted to centimeters, this is 30.46 cm. My implants [according to Allergan] are 13.5 cm wide x 2 = 27 cm + 2 cm distance in cleavage [the desired spacing is 2.0 - 2.5 cm] between breasts for a total of 29.0 cm. However, when I measure the width of my implants under my breast, each implant is actually 14.0 cm's - flattening effect of the chest muscle. So it is more accurately a total of
Chest measurement: 30.46
Implants + Cleavage: 30.0
If anyone else wants to try this out, this might be helpful in getting a better idea of the implant width which would fit best on your frame.
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WOW Deborah... very nice. Thank you! I will take this to PS too.
I have really, almost decided to trust my PS. I will take all the info you and Sandy have given to us though... You two are fantastic. TY! ( ps.. did you see on the Vegas board where I said I would put our room on my credit... unless you or Linda want to... let me know)
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DETERMINING HEIGHT OF IMPLANTS:
Another measurement I have found which plastic surgeons calculate is the distance between the sternal notch [the concave region under your neck] to your nipple. This is called the SN to N ratio. It is felt that a SN - N distance of >21 cm is indication for high profile implants. This is because the higher the profile, the taller the implant will sit on your chest wall. Conversely, a SN - N distance of 16 - 19 indicates a low height implant might be a better choice, and a SN-N distance of 19 - 21 cm indicates a moderate height or moderate plus implant might be a better choice. That cusp number of "19" or "21", meaning you could go either direction - one height up or one height down.
You will have to use an imaginary placement of your nipple, if there was no nipple preservation. I eyeballed mine and it would be 22 cm's from SN-N. If you have the stick-on nipples, try measuring with these in place.
Other considerations according to the Plastic Surgery Reference Manual:
"However, if the SN- N measurement is >21 cm, but the upper thorax bulges due to thoracic deformities or there are prominent pectoral muscles, a moderate or moderate plus height implant might be a better choice."
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Hello my sisters,
I had my bi-lateral mast. 2/6/09 and I will have my last fill of 60cc's on 5/11/09. My exchanged date is 6/2/09. May God continue to bless you all and keep you in his everlasting loving arms. It has been by his grace and mercy that I have made it this far. I will continue to pray for my sisters in the fight!
Blessings,
Chow.
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Here is a calculator to convert inches to centimeters:
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Deborah ~ That was so helpful! Even though I already spoke with the PS and felt comfortable with what we chose. There was a part of me that didn't get why the numbers worked - now I know. I plugged in the numbers and it was similar to the implant size. I think taking into consideration pec muscle flattening is what makes the numbers perfect. I'm glad you put the cm calculator in there. My kids (10 & 13) have learned the metric system in school and one of them will say something is 5 cm, and I''ll say "what does that mean in inches!"
Mela4409 ~ Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow.
Peg
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Hi,
Well, I'm home as of midday today. Both surgeries went very well. I ended up with Mentor 800cc implants, not sure which style, I've sent the PS an email, asking which one he used. I guess the Allergan didn't work, or he would have used that. I have a fever, so we are watching that, and my stomach is really bloated, but things are starting to "move." I got a clean path report on hyster/ooph, and the PS submitted my mx scars and some other material he collect when revising the pocket, all came back clean. The onc/gyn was able to take my appendix too, so now if I decide to run off to Patagonia, I don't have to worry about my appendix!
The girls look great, very beautiful and soft, I'm very pleased. In a few months we will move my nipples. Super tired, but happy and grateful.
Oh, I have had NO menopausal symptoms. I asked the onc/gyn this morning why that would be and she feels it is because I was on Tamoxifen for about 6 months before the surgery so my body was used to running low on estrogen. I'm hoping this is true.
I hope everyone else who was up this week is doing well!
Hugs,
Karen
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Karen ~ I posted on the May thread too. So glad to hear everything went well. I had a hyster about 7 years ago and the constipation was the worst part of it. Everything will start "moving" in the right direction soon.
Peg
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Karen - I am so glad all that is behind you! Rest well my dear!!!
Destinymom and Linda - Let us know how you are doing when you get the chance.
Two more sisters up this week:
5/7 - Mela4409 - Exchange surgery
5/8 - skipprcis - Exchange surgery
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Karen, I am also glad this is behind you sister... happy healing...
Destinysmom... how are you girl?
Linda.. I know you will join in when you can... I HOPE SOON....hehe.....but in your time...
Mela4409... good luck tomorrow... check in!
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Jax, I am so HAPPY that you've made it home. You are in my prayers several times a day!!!!!!! Hang in there, it will all be ok.God definitely answers prayers!!!!!!!!
Elaine, I hope you're feeling better today too. Hugs and prayers to you too!!!
MyKidsMom - Please add me to the exhange list for early July. I'll send you the specific date as soon as I confirm it! Thanks!!!!!
Ladies, I just returned from my PS today. I had my last expansion!!!!YES. I can say confidently that God has been ssoooooo good to me in this process. I have to read over my informed consent, Blah Blah + fax it , but I will be joining you EXCHANGE ladies in 8 weeks, or early July! I topped off at 650cc in my Allergan 133MV TEs, and feel tight, but good overall. The PS picked style 15 in Allergan silicone implants. I need to do my homework and figure out how this will look on me. Luckily, I can say that the TEs although shaped like kaiser rolls, look perfectly even and the size is not bad - (maybe a litle bigger than I'd choose). If any of you are from the Pittsburgh,PA area, I can say that Dr. Michael Gimbel has been GREAT to me. I'd HIGHLY recommend him. If you did not know I had this surgery, you'd NEVER know I'm still in TEs even in just a camisole.
Have a great evening foob sisters! Georganne
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Hi ladies, I'm new to this site, so just wanted to say hi. I had a right mastectomy on March 18th My tissue expander is at 400ccs. I'm going from an A to a moderate B according to the PS, which is what I wanted. On May 27th I'll have the transfer surgery, have a 400 cc implant on the right and a 200 cc implant on the left. I was wondering how you all have done, who have had unilateral mastectomies with reconstruction, and also how the reconstructed nipple looks. It was mentioned on the previous site that Rockwellgirl had a unilateral mastectomy and could perhaps answer these questions. Thanks and God bless you all. Shelly
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Hi ladies, I need some advice....I'm a bit worried my PS is trying to make a D cup out of me and I really just want to be a C cup..maybe a full C cup.
I am 5' 3" and 125 pounds. Normal frame for my size. How many CCs would you think I would need to be a nice full C. I think I like the high profile although I'm not sure my radiated size will get me there. I need to keep out of the armpit area because I have lymphedema on both sides.
Also, when you guys give the dimensions of implants...are you talking centimeters?
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Meggy... I am not the one to tell you the size that is best.
I do want to tell you I am very, very sorry you have LE in both arms. That is so very unfair.
God Bless you...
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Meggy - Welcome! And yes, we are talking centimeters. It is difficult to determine how many cc's equals a specific "cup" size, because the number of cc's of any given implant will be entirely different on you versus a woman who is 5'8" tall and 150 pounds. We use ribcage dimensions to help with determining width, but I think I can help you because you are about the same size as me. [However, I have 550 cc implants and I am a "D" cup.] If your ribcage measurement is between 30 to 32 inches, you want to look at implants between 400 cc's and 475 cc's and no more than 12.8 centimeters wide.
You will want either a Mentor Smooth Round High Profile Implant or Ultra High Profile, or Allergan High Profile or Extra High Profile implant. The Ultra and the Extra would give you more projection and narrower base width. The more projection the implant, the narrower the base width.
If you can get your expander information - Mentor, Allergan or Silimed and fill capacity and style number, we can help you with specific implant sizes.
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INFORMATION ABOUT TISSUE EXPANDERS AND IMPLANTS
TISSUE EXPANDERS: FIND OUT FROM YOUR PS OR CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE CARD WHICH STATES THE TYPE OF TISSUE EXPANDERS PLACED AT THE TIME OF MASTECTOMY. NOTE THE MANUFACTURER, STYLE NUMBER [IF ALLERGAN] AND RECOMMENDED FILL VOLUME. FOR INSTANCE: IF YOU HAVE ALLERGAN, YOU MIGHT SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS: 133 MV 400 - OR PERHAPS 133 MV- 12 - and the 12 MEANS THAT THE WIDTH IS 12 CENTIMETERS. MENTOR WILL HAVE THREE STYLES - LOW HEIGHT, MODERATE HEIGHT AND FULL HEIGHT TISSUE EXPANDERS. BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THE WIDTH, SO THE VOLUME IS IMPORTANT. THEN, MEASURE YOUR RIBCAGE - THE CIRCUMFERENCE AROUND THE RIBS JUST BELOW THE BRA LINE [OR YOUR EXPANDERS]. WE NEED YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. THEN, RETURN TO THE CURRENT PAGE AND POST THIS INFORMATION AND WE WILL HELP YOU COME UP WITH THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR TISSUE EXPANDERS AND DETERMINE HOW THEY MIGHT CORRESPOND TO VARIOUS IMPLANT SIZES.
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No Deborah! It is driving me nuts! Last exchange,, she was talking to us pretty soon... I am sure she is fine.. she is tough! I wish I was not a worrier........
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whippetmom thank you so much for the info!!!!!!!!!! How big was your expander...I mean how full could it have gone..what was it's max..do you remember? Do you know if the base width differs on expanders? I'm worried about it going into my armpits.
Oh...do I measure my rib cage where a bra line would be or higher where my boobs would be?
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Meggy measure where your bra line would be and you can also measure the area Deb/whippetmom mentioned above if you want
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Shelly326 do you know the style and style of your TE (tissue expander)
if your filled to 400cc and you get a 400cc implant you may not look like you do now
if you want us to double check to see if we think your PS has a good style implant picked out we'll need some info
the style and size of your current TE
the size of your rib cage where your bra strap would be
do you like the width of your TE
On my healthy side I did a expandable implant which was very nice to make sure I matched my cancer side. After that implant was put in my PS actually took out 40cc to get me to match than when I had my nipple surgery I had the port removed which is used to add or take saline out.
there is a couple different ways to create a nipple one with a skin graft and one without. My PS only did the type without so that is what I have. She used AlloDerm to help me get better projection with my nipple
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I wish this was available when I had my 2nd exchange
I'll keep what I got but maybe in about 10 years I can get the new and impoved implant
Mentor Ultra High Profile Silicone Gel
590 cc's.........12.5 width x 6.3 projection
Here is the catalogue....scroll down and the dimensions of this new style are on the right...
http://www.mentorimplants.se/Images/Mentor%20Product%20Offering.pdf
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Meggy - Where your bra line would be - directly under your breasts.
There are at least five different sizes of expanders in the Allergan matrix and what Sandy - three or so in the Mentor matrix? They can be a variety of widths heights and projection.
My expanders were Allergan 133 MX - Moderate width, full projection - 400 cc's. I was overexpanded to 425 cc's and exchanged out to Allergan Natrelle Style 20-550 cc implants. Dimensions: 12.8 wide x 6.3 projection- something like that.
Now here is the issue with the difference between my expanders and my implants. My skin stretched considerably [as did the muscle] with the implants and so I needed a 550 cc implant to fit into the pocket created by the expanders.
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WE ARE ON PAGE 100!!!!
YOU HAVE A BUSY, BUSY THREAD JEAN!!!
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