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BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

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Comments

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    Brett my PS had me wait 6 weeks. I will end up waiting an additional 4 weeks (10 total) because I got shingles otherwise it would have only been 6 weeks.
  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Whippetmom thank thank you for your reply....yes I am planning on staying at my current weight since this was my normal weight before chemo, I put on a few pounds after chemo with a combination of my sweet tooth ( love chocolate) and not exercising for a while in between my surgeries, but I was lucky enough not to gain a lot nevertheless when I lost the few pounds I lost a lot of volume, it was a shock. I had previously discussed an implant with my ps but he kept telling me with the implants they will be bigger and with my small frame and I was already a C it would look odd and I sure did not want an augmentation but now he is saying that we can do an implant because I lost volume. So do you thi k they will look more symmetrical ?

    Patricia

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Brett:  You can discuss with your PS the two styles I mentioned.   Your PS is the only one who can determine if you need to continue with fills, in order to exchange you out to the volumes I mentioned.  If you had been a "C" cup prior to BMX, I would say you probably have plenty of skin and enough fill to exchange out right now.  But because you were quite small prior to BMX - your PS is the judge regarding your skin integrity and how much more he needs to expand in order to use implants of the volume aforementioned.

    Frankly, I think that two to three months after the final fill seems to be the average and probably ideal for timing the exchange procedure.  Again, it all depends on the individual and how the skin has responded to expansion.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Patricia - yes - they will look more symmetrical if your PS uses a small implant on the native side.  He can always use a Mentor Spectrum expandable implant on the native side, which will enable him to be even more precise than he could with a standard silicone round.  The Spectrum is a saline implant, but a number of gals have had this implant on their native side and the results are great.

    You can read about the Spectrum...

    http://www.mentorwwllc.com/breastsurgery/augmentation/cs_ba_prod_adjust.htm

  • BrettW
    BrettW Member Posts: 12

    Thanks, Deborah.

    Spoke with nurse this am. They said they will likely use moderate plus implants on me. Will plan to do one more small fill to get me to get me from 345cc to about 360cc. This way they can use the 375cc implant as you suggested.Will meet with the PS to get his take and OK on this, but i think it will work. Thank you so much...I feel so much better knowing that I have something of a plan going forward!  Yeah!!!

    Brett

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    I forgot to add that my PS did 3 fills plus what ever he did at surgery prior to chemo so there was time there too.

  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Hi lago: How are you, I see that your exchange surgery is in a few days. Are you doing a Uni or Bi.....If it is one side are you having a Mastopexy on the other side or an implant? Sorry i am asking all these questions, I like my PS but I still did not get the final results I would like, I am grateful I am alive but initially right after the exchange I was disappointed but luckily the shape changed and it looks fine now but my problem is that I lost 8 pounds and I am petite 5'2" and I had 2 lifts previously and after I dropped a few pounds my healthy side lost a lot of volume :( and now I have to see what my options are, any information you can give me can be helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Patricia

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Pat I better not get a uni since I had a BMX and 2 TE's in place Tongue out I am petite too although 5'6" my height is all in my legs. I have a short body and small frame. When I gain or lose weight it's all below the belly button so implants won't be an issue for me. Seriously before surgery I could still fit into my prom bra. (Yes I still had it). I graduated in 1979!

    For some women losing or gaining weight can be an issue with implants. I think you really need to discuss this with your PS. I'm not sure what would be involved. I'm sure the issue would be how much difference between the two and if you think you will maintain the weight loss.

    Let us know what happens. Whippetmom may know more.

  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    lago- Thanks for your reply, oh definitely don't get a uni :)

    Whippetmom was very helpful, I still have to discuss the implant on healthy side with my PS, I am at my normal weight now, I am 40 and was pretty much the same in high school too :) only firmer hehehehe.....Hopefully I will make my decision soon, I will be travelling overseas next month for 3 weeks and i will deal with this upon my return . Good luck with your surgery and I am sure the outcome will be great.

    Patricia

  • SuebeeBC
    SuebeeBC Member Posts: 545

    Psai - I was a uni and just had my exchange.  I wanted an augmentation on the natural side.  After listening to recomendations from my PS and whippetmom, I decided to ask my PS if I could sample the implants on my natural side.  I wore a sportsbra and brought my hubby and we tried on a couple different ones until I was happy.  THEN he estimated what the MX side would get....but didnt make the final decision until surgery....So first he augmented my left to 350 which is what I asked for and then swapped out a couple on the right to get the best match....I got a 475 in the MX side.

    My results are fantastic....symmetrical....beautifully even.  He did a wonderful job.

    But I wanted to share how I came to my size.

    Good Luck!  And by the way, I grew up in Dedham.

  • goldenmom
    goldenmom Member Posts: 43

    SuebeeBC - Thanks. I'll be facing the same situation in the coming months and appreciate the suggestion for achieving symmetry.

  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Hi Sue - Thank you for your post, it was helpful. In your case it was easy because you wanted to go bigger frm the getgo, I did not have this choice because one they were big (C cup) had volume and density so my PS said a lift would be best, actually the flap would have been best in my case because I had radiation but I don't have fat to spare for a C cup :)

    I have 457 cc in MX side style 15 I think it is mid range profile...I just can't wait to go back to my PS to discuss this eventhough I am not too crazy to go back under the knife but if it is going to make me happier I will do it.I aam going on vacation first and I will deal with this after.

    Do you still have family in MA?

    Take care

    P.

  • SuebeeBC
    SuebeeBC Member Posts: 545

    Good for you...take a nice long break from thinking about it!!!  And Sorry I guess I just read the question and not the history. 

    And yes, BIG family scattered all over.  We are here in OH because of DHs work but I would rather be living in MA!!!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    OK do we need to start talking in Boston? I'm another transplant. Grew up in Randolph. Parents currently live in S Yarmouth (and MGH Tongue out)
  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Sure lago why not, maybe we should all stay in touch and maybe if you are in Beantown one day we can meet up??? :)

    I actually did not grow up here, I am from Lebanon originally but have been living here for a while and in between spent 5 years in Houston TX....

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    I do plan to visit my parents in August but right now playing by air. Wow talk about culture shock. Houston/Boston/Lebanon!

  • Psal70
    Psal70 Member Posts: 22

    Hehehe, it was a culture shock when I was younger and lived here but now I have the best of both cultures.And by the way that Doctor Khouri that everyone talks about is also Lebanese :)

    I am glad I found this thread.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Brett:  Just want to remind you that you will be a little smaller than your TEs....just so you know.  I am being conservative in my approach with you, because you did say you felt the TEs looked so huge at this point. 

    Edited to add:  I agree with the use of moderate plus profile implants, especially if the implants are going to be in that volume range.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Recent news reports that the FDA still deems silicone implants to be safe....

    http://www.latimes.com/health/sc-dc-0623-breats-implants-20110622,0,5009435.story

    This does not negate the need, however, for regular monitoring - to ascertain that all is well with these devices.

  • BrettW
    BrettW Member Posts: 12

    Deborah,

    I think I don't really want to end up smaller than the TE I have now. Each fill makes me feel big, but after a few days, I get used to it. Boob greed, I guess.  If I want to stay around this size what would you recommend?

    Brett

  • Rennasus
    Rennasus Member Posts: 642

    Thanks for posting that article, whippetmom! I just heard that report on the radio this afternoon.

    Up to 20% of augmented implant patients and up to 50% of reconstruction patients will need their implants replaced in 8-10 years. That's important info!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Brett: 425 ccs in a high profile smooth, round silicone implant.  If you like the projection you have now, you will be happier with a high profile style implant.  If your PS needs to use an implant with a volume less than 400 ccs, it would need to be a moderate plus profile style. Sometimes we need to compromise, because the skin integrity and implant coverage issues prevail here. 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    Rennasus:  Yes,  and I have had mine for two years, which means I will be exchanging out my implants for larger versions when I am 68 years old.  Surprised
  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    LOL -- larger Whippetmom?!

  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 2,780
    hottest 68 year old around, whippetmom!  Kiss
  • vanderlady
    vanderlady Member Posts: 122

    Deborah - it has been a very long time since i posted. But i want to thank you so very much for helping me with my situation. You told me what no other surgeon told me. You are the best. I found a local PS who took the time to guestimate the sizes. Had my revision in dec and i have to tell you, they Are fabulous AND no pain and minimal ripples. Yes, Santa brought me whAt i wanted --- they look like yours! :) Pam V

  • ShannonR
    ShannonR Member Posts: 89

    Sounds to me like that article is saying that foobs are like tires ?  

    Does insurance still cover the replacement ?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Shannon I believe it does. Also most of the implant companies guarantee their product for 10 years. They will give you a replacement(s) if they should fail in less then 10 years. Some of them let you purchase extra insurance to help with the cost of surgery fees too. Your PS should be telling you about this.

    Check the manufacturer's site. The info usually can be found there.

  • BrettW
    BrettW Member Posts: 12

    Deborah,

    Thanks so much for all your help... Can you tell me what the difference would be of the actual "finished product" between a moderate plus profile and a high profile (assuming the PS says either would be ok)?  Is it a difference of sitting "higher" or "lower"? Or look more or less "full"? Or is it a difference of  "wider" or "narrower"?

    Do you end up smaller than TE with both types after the exchange? Even if they use a larger size implant (fill to 360 and exchange to a 375, say).

    My nurse said that they "typically" use high profile for breast augumentation and moderate plus for breast reconstruction. 

    Brett

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Brett:  The MAJORITY of us here - and we have ALL had breast reconstruction - have high profile smooth round silicone implants. 

    Moderate plus profile implants have less projection and so they tend to appear lower than the HPs...

    You can look at the DIMENSIONS of the two styles here....

    http://www.mentorwwllc.com/global-us/Breast.aspx

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