BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Thanks Deborah! If it weren't for your advice and encouragement, I would not have followed through and would have setteled with what I had! Thank you so much for all you do for all of us here on BCO!!! You deserve a reward!!!!
0 -
Good morning Deborah,
I saw my PS yesterday and we are all set for my exchange on the 28th of April. We decided on the Allergan 45 she will bring in the 750 and the 800 silicone she will also do some fat grafting to the left foob to fix a divot that is there on the upper pole.My PS will also do some IMF work as you had suggested also the left needs to be fixed a bit since the TE moved toward the armpit a bit. I am nervous but trying to remember she knows what she is doing.
Thank you for all your help,
Rebecca
Rebecca
0 -
well, after all the reading, asking questions, etc I decided to do the 410s, but my insurance decided not to cover them. So, I'm going to get the natrete? silicon filled 12 by 12.
I didn't want to risk having complications that the insurance will not cover due to the use of implants not approved by they.
0 -
Hood: You look so fabulous...look what you would have missed out on if you had not gone for the brass ring!!!
Rebecca: Look at that HAIR girl! And you are so young!!! Oh, I used to have long curly hair like yours! You are adorable. I like the plan your PS has for you!
Sandy: Do not lament the 410's. You will be very, happy with the Allergan Natrelle silicone implants, but I have no idea what you mean about 12 by 12. It sounds like square implants to me
. Did we discuss volume previously? I can help you further if you like. If so, read my initial thread post at the top of this page and provide the info I need...Deborah
0 -
Hi Deborah,
I went for my last fill today. We discussed the size of the implant. He said he had chosen the 475cc's and then I explained to him the link I went to and the help you gave me and your suggested size. He said we could go bigger but was kind of wishwashy about it. He asked how heavy my TE's felt right now and I said not too bad. They are more annoying and stuck in wrong places. He went ahead and gave me a full 60 cc fill which has made me extremely sore. I have always liked him a lot and trusted his decisions. I feel so confident in what you have told me. I do have to say they seem awfully big right now, but I know it's probably not a good comparison. I'm up to 540cc's in these expanders. Will there be much difference between the 475 and 500? My gut says to stick with what you suggested. Does it help to send you pictures? I just PM TimTam to see how I go about doing it. I'm sorry I'm so stressed but I just want them as perfect as possible. Thanks for any input.
Melissa
0 -
boromom: I believe I said that 475 ccs would be fine for your frame. I think 25 ccs is not going to make that much of a difference. You could have some of the saline fill extracted, if you are uncomfortable. I do not understand why he had to overfill you by 60 ccs for an implant 25 ccs greater than the 475 ccs he states he would be using. So don't push yourself to the extent of discomfort. I think that I would prefer that you just go with 475 ccs...rather than take risks with your skin integrity. How does your skin look? I have to tell you that, oddly enough, the Allergan Natrelle 475 cc implant has a little more projection than the 500 cc implant. At least according to all of the literature and the Allergan catalog - which makes it a very nice volume implant. I gave you the information previously, with the thought that you would not need another fill.
Did you PM Timtam and ask for entrance to the pictures forum?
Deborah
0 -
If you want to gain access to the pictures forum, here is Timtam's profile page. Click on "send a private message" and give her a little information about yourself in your request for access to the private forum. Please be patient...she is currently struggling with health issues and she also is in Japan...time differences....
0 -
How difficult is it to revise the pocket in an exchange surgery? My tissue expanders leave about a 2" gap..so no cleavage really. I am currently filled to about 420cc's with exchange surgery possibly coming up (after Sloan Kettering consult this week) in a few weeks.
Also, how much bigger of an implant can go in without further fills? For example, can I stay at this size and get an exchange with a mentor smooth high profile 500cc?
,
0 -
Also (sorry..lots of questions as I get closer!!).. I cannot find that bra suggested for post exchange. I know one was at Walgreen's, but the other was something like belladonna...I can't find the thread. Anyone remember?
0 -
Geewiz, suggested bras are on page 417 of Exchange City! Many of us have had pocket work done during exchange.
0 -
Thank you!!
0 -
geewhiz: The bra is Bella-Jane and Katey has the link on EC. Referable to your other question, yes, the pockets can indeed be revised at the time of exchange and the implants can be brought closer to the sternum. Your question re: sizing though requires a bit more information. You might have given this to me previously, but I need to know all about your TEs - as I mentioned at the top of this thread. Then I can help you with implant sizing.
Katey...I am so impressed you remembered that page number! LOL!
0 -
I would never have remembered, but you had once mentioned the page number and it stuck! Not much else does!! I'll add that bra to list. I am so amazed when I check in on this page how absolutely amazing you are Deborah with all the help you give to so many women. Thank you again!
0 -
Hi Deborah, I emailed you some pics-
Karyn
0 -
Karyn: Check your email!
0 -
Deborah I know you hate to estimate cup size but can you guess for me I am going for either the 750- 800cc but just curious around what size I will be. I know it is hard to say.
Rebecca
0 -
Rebecca: I am PM'ing you because I have some additional thoughts...
0 -
Deborah I pm'd you back.
Rebecca
0 -
I have bumped up the "Implants Smaller Than Expanders" thread for any of those interested. It is in the Breast Reconstruction forum...
0 -
Hi ladies-
Dr Lloyd Gayle did my surgery and I am very unhappy both from a cosmetic standpoint and I am in constant pain from implants. I am sharing this because I think sharing our experiences helps us make informed decisions. He does arms, legs, hands and feet and everything else...yea and breasts..From my experience, I would now ONLY go to a doctor who only does breast reconstruction...A PS just cannot be an expert in all of these things and breast reconstruction in particular is very rapidly changing! If he or she is good, breasts should keep them busy enough.
0 -
Jessica...Have you made any decisions about where to go from here with revisions? I am going to PM you....
0 -
Ok Deborah I am a bit concerned I tried on several wireless bras and I have never bought one before I know why. I hate them! Well I tried a 40C BALI and it fit loosley in the band and the cup and I could not find a B cup so I gave up I actually was shopping for my 11 year old son and he was not into waiting for mom to try anything on. So the question is am I gonna end up exactly what I was? I was wearing a 38B or 40 B de3pending on the make but always underwire.
OMG I am gonna be crazy by next week.
Rebecca
0 -
Rebecca:
This is why I felt you might want to ask your PS about 800-960 cc fill saline implants. I just want you to be happy and for most women who come to me, size really seems more important than whether the implant is saline or silicone. I do know that you must have 800 ccs at the very least with silicone. I just want you to hash all of this over with your PS well before your exchange surgery.
Deborah
0 -
Ok this is my concern now. I have surgery on Wednesday. My PS is not in on Friday and I am nervous I wont get in to see her before she nneds to order the implant she actually uses.
By the way they are going to biopsy my liver druing my exchange surgery. Have you ever heard them do that at the same time before?
Rebecca
0 -
No, I have not heard of them doing that, but if you needed a liver biopsy, what a good time to do so. Why do you need a liver biopsy? Are your liver enzymes elevated?
CALL your PS or email her your thoughts.
I have another thought...perhaps a simple solution and this would be for your PS to also order the 800 cc Allergan Natrelle Style 45 silicone implant. It is an extra full projection implant. It might be an option for you. So Style 20 800 ccs and Style 45 800 ccs.
Rebecca....there is no mandatory edict that you must have the exchange next Wednesday. If you are not ready, you are not ready. I postponed my exchange one month because I was indecisive about the style and sizing. So please know you have this ability to postpone.
Deborah
0 -
I am a bit confused she is using the Style 45 800ccs. So should I have her get the stlye 20? I havea spot on my liver that was seen in my last PET SCAN also my enzymes were elevated.
I guess you are right I am not set in concreate that it have to get it done on Wednesada. That does help my stress I am in contrl of this.
Rebecca
0 -
Rebecca: We had overnight house guests yesterday and so I had to shut off my computer before your response. As you can see, I awoke at 3 a.m., sitting bolt upright in bed, REMEMBERING that you are already getting the Style 45's! Oh my gosh....I was answering to many private messages last night, I just lost it! Sorry for the confusion!! No, forget the Style 20...I was thinking of someone else when I wrote that. I think I am on implant overload right now.
Yes, there is no rush to complete this journey and if you need time to explore all options to get it right, then this is what you need to do. Let me go over all of your numbers again later this morning. I'm going back to bed now!
Deborah
0 -
Had the right mastectomy on April 14th.
I was thrilled when the PS said I had enough skin to permit immediate reconstruction with a gel implant, bypassing a tissue expander. One less surgery.
I did not ask for anything bigger than I was as I wanted to be close to the size of my remaining L breast. A nice B +. I expected the implant side to at least be close to that size.
The ace wrap came off on Tuesday. My implant side is nearly flat. I was so surprised that I had no response, nor asked any questions. I see no improvement as of this morning.
Is this it? The PS said *it is cute and perky*.
I see nothing cute, or perky. I see a fried egg after the yolk breaks.
Will see the BS later today, hopefully she will have some encouraging words.
0 -
ferretmom: Is this IT? No, it most assuredly is NOT it! And "cute and perky?" I am sure that is not what you wanted to hear. I need to know all about your TE - Mentor or Allergan, style and volume and you are going to need to email me photos. Well, one photo will probably do. I'll PM you.
Deborah
0 -
Deborah -- ferretmom did not have a TE (reread what she wrote).
Ferretmom... not sure if drop and fluff applies when there has been no TE... but everyone who gets an implant exchange (after TE) reports that it takes some time for the implant to assume it's final shape and that it does tend to drop a little and fluff... you might have just fluff (and no drop) since there is no pocket (if I understand right what a non-TE implant procedure is like). And fluff takes a while (sometimes a few months but certainly would not be evident right away... especially if you were wrapped with a tight bandage until yesterday). Did your PS use the one-step with alloderm?
0
