BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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actually "lago linkies"
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ooohhh, I like that better!
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Whippet mom,
Finally, I have enough info to start thinking about exchange, and I need your advice.
I am 5'2", 118 lbs and my ribcage measures 28 1/2". I was a large C/D before BC, looking to be a little smaller, in the range of a C, and a lot perkier.
I have Dermaspan tissue expanders (bilateral), I think the model # is LPPFH14. The recommended fill volume is 480-575 cc. I had 150 ml in the right side and 200 in the left at the time of MX. I have since had 3 fills of 30 cc each. I feel I am a bit larger right now on the left side. PS said my chest wall was uneven at the time of MX.
I still feel I have a ways to go, but wondering if you could help me to ballpark where you think I should end up. Don't want to be too big, as I really felt that my natural breasts ( after breastfeeding 2 children) was bigger than I wanted, but the middle-of-the road C's that I had before were just right.
Also, I think my PS is planning to overfill, as his nurse ( who does the fills) said I would get one more after I said 'enough'.
Appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks.0 -
pinkbutterfly: It is hard to believe your pre-BMX breast width was 14.0 centimeters. This is a pretty wide TE for a 28.5 inch ribcage. I mean, other measurements are taken into consideration, which the PS can see and I cannot, and so perhaps there are other aspects of your body habitus and build which comes into play. So I believe that the lowest volume which would work in a high profile implant, would be 600 ccs in Allergan or Mentor - which would put you at 13.8 cm, the minimum I would recommend for you with your TE width. A moderate plus profile/midrange profile could be 492 ccs Allergan or 500 ccs in Mentor, which would match the width of your TEs. I am PM'ing you also....
EDITED TO ADD: I have had gals who wanted larger breasts and you could certainly handle 600 ccs and 14.0 cm in width, but you have specified a smaller breast size and so I want to make sure you and your PS are on the same page.
Deborah
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Pink: Another option is that your PS might have access to the Allergan 410's? If so, the Allergan 410 MX, 520 grams, would come very close to matching the dimensions of your TEs.
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HELP. I am new on this board and here's the question. I am 5"6" 160 urgh. (thanks chemo). Usually 147. I have 685 cc. Chest is 33 under expander. PS says implant will be smaller. Should I get one more over fill of 70 or so so I can stay this size. Now secondly I only had right breast removed. My left is a AA. Lol. He says he will do exchange on right first then implant on left about 4 weeks later to make sure petosis is good. Has atone head of this? Thanks everyone!!
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Mahometmom: That seems like a lot of general anesthesia and destroyed neurons for seeking good ptosis. He could just insert a Mentor Spectrum expandable on the native side at the same time as the exchange and then gradually fill the Spectrum and then when symmetry is ideal, seal it off. This latter procedure is performed in the doc's office.
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Thanks Whippetmom.
I got your PM . My PS uses Mentor implants exclusively.
He is a man of excruciatingly few words, I cannot get anything out of him. Now that I have some more info from you, I will try to coax it out of him.
Thanks again.0 -
Pink: If you can get his email address, email him.
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Hi Whippetmom!
Thank you again for your help earlier. You mentioned to check in when I was expanded more. I'm currently expanded to 350ccs in both expanders. I have another fill this Friday where we are shooting for another 50cc if everything looks good. With this last fill (from 250 to 350) I noticed a little more pain but have been lucky to avoid any pain medication. Noticeably more uncomfortable though and if I stretch my hands above my head I can see the outline of two stitches pulling below my right breast where I believe the alloderm is sewn in. It doesn't hurt but I wonder how common it is to have to maybe restitch something during exchange if those two sutures were compromised. I'm not sure it has anything to do with being too big though as nothing else on that breast or the other has changed.
I like the size I am now but would like to see what it's like with another 50ccs. It's kind of hard to tell as these TEs are a bit under my arm as they expand laterally like you mentioned. I would like to know if you can please give me guidance on the size of the mentor high profile implants you recommended (400 or 425cc).
I'm wondering what size implant would I need if I like the look of the TEs filled to 400, 425 or 450? The implant would need to be a larger volume correct?
Thank you very much for all you do for me and everyone here!! What a true blessing you are.
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B:
Okay, if you like the way you look now, and you are filled to capacity, I feel you at least need 450 ccs in Mentor HPs. 425 ccs would be okay, but 450 ccs better. Your TEs have a projection of what, around 6.2? And you only will have 5.0 cm projection with the HP implants. It is really not so much overfill which determines the size, but the original recommended filled volume of the TEs. Overfill is just going to give some ptosis and ensure good implant closure.
Edited to add: Just ask your PS what she would need to do to get you to HP 450s.
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Thank you very much Whippetmom. I will just work with the PS to see what they can do. I most sincerly appreciate your time and guidance.
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Hi everyone,
I have been posting on the surgery forum, but this is my first time posting here. I am 4 weeks out from my unilateral mx with immediate TE placement, and just had my first and last fill. I really feel that I need to see some photos of final implant results, to help make a decision on what size/ style to use. I want to match my natural 36B breast as closely as possible, although I am realistic...I know it won't be perfect. I would love to not do anything to the non mx side, but I don't know how possible it is to match. Anyway, is there a way I can view the picture forum? Also, any advice from those who have gone through the process is greatly appreciated!0 -
Thank you, TinaT!
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LBarbados -- if you want advice from Whippetmom, read the header of this thread and send her the info she requests (your measurements, the make and model of your TE, etc). Also I have PM'd you with Picture Forum info.
One fill! Wow. Did he fill you a lot at UMX? And how much did he put in (in total)?
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Ok got measured today and fitted at victorias secret. I have 685cc and measured a 36d. Doc said he will get in about a 610 implant. How much will that drop my size?
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mahomemetmom: I need to know the style number of your TEs, or the style type - low, moderate, full height and the volume of the TEs. They are filled to 685 ccs, but that does not tell me the recommended fill volume.0
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Hello, I am not sure if I am posting to the right place or not. I had a double mastectomy in March with TE's placed. I was a small A to begin with and looked forward to moving up a bit to a full B. I found the size I liked and had my exchange done 2 days ago. I do not think my ps took into consideration the need for increased implant volume. Without clothing, my breasts look great. With clothing, I look like I have little to nothing. I am so frustrated as now I need padding to have any shape. Will these loosen over time? If not, what are my options? Another surgery? Does insurance pay for that? He used a natrelle 15-371. I am on tamoxifen only, no chemo or radiation. Thank you for any help you can offer!
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ksmom I had natrelle style 15-497. I'm a C cup. I used to be an A/B cup. They do "fluff" a bit. My PS says they keep changing for 6 months. I'm 7 week from my exchange and they do look much better. I actually was concerned I went to big. I have yet to wear a bra except when exercising. Still getting used to this much bigger/fuller size.0
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ksmom: I need to know the manufacturer, style and volume of your TEs. You might need to call your doctor's office for that info if you do not have it at home.
Edited to add: Most insurance plans cover "re-dos"...it all depends on how your PS submits the coding for the work to be done. You need to gauge his willingness to help you in this regard. If he balks, I would suggest going to another PS for the revision....better assurance of getting it done right. I can help you with names.
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Hello again, Here are the TE numbers. Not sure what you need, so here it goes: Natrelle Style 133V; 133MV-11. He over filled them to either 330 or 350, I don't remember exactly. Thanks.
Additional information: I am 5'10"; 136 lbs; ribcage of 30" I have a wide sternum. I appreciate the heads up on the insurance. Not sure how my ps will respond to all this. Have a follow up appointment next week.
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Deborah -
I think I have good news! Went in for a fill yesterday and discussed all of the below with Dr. You-know-who. I told him I just wanted what was safe and drama-free, and what would look natural and unassuming. I said I wanted to most issue/problem-free implant solution. I said I hoped for symmetry and wanted to avoid rippling. He suggested Allergan Style 15 or 20 - round smooth silicone. Apparently he orders a few different sizes, brings them into the O.R., sits me up while I'm knocked out and tries the different ones on for size. I am pleased that he thought of the Style 15 as you did. I am currently filled to 180 cc's and am happy with what feels like a solid A-cup. The plan is to "overfill" another 30 cc's in these TE's so he has room to work, I suppose.
Any further things I should be asking or planning? What do you think about this? Deborah - truly - thank you for being such an angel among us and for guiding us to do the right research, and sharing your expertise with us. I am grateful!
whippetmom wrote:
Sara: Gummy bears are anatomicals, which refers to their shape - anatomically reproducing the shape of the natural breast. Allergan is the manufacturer and "410" is the style number of the gummy bear implants.Round vs. anatomically shaped implants:Sara: Your tissue expanders have the following dimensions: 12.0 cm width by 11.0 cm height by 5.2 cm projection. The gummy bear implant needs to come as close as possible to "mirroring" those dimensions. If not, because it is teardrop shaped, it can rotate in the pocket or become displaced and malform the pocket. The Allergan 410 MF [moderate height, full projection] in 295 grams, is: 12.0 cm wide by 11.1 cm height by 4.8 cm projection. You can see all of the tissue expander sizes and dimensions and implant sizes and dimensions here:http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdfYour TEs have a volume of 300 ccs. Even though you only have 150 ccs at present, the TEs still have the footprint of a 300 cc volume TEs. It is like a deflated football, with all of its sharp edges. Although deflated, the football width does not change. The shape is essentially predetermined - it just needs to be filled to capacity. As long as your skin is healthy, you will be able to fill to 300 ccs. Grams to cubic centimeters is loosely similar. Let's say you were getting smooth silicone rounds - I would recommend Allergan Style 15 - 304 ccs, based on the dimensions of that implant. Deborah
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ksmom: Your TEs were pretty darn small for your frame. They had a volume of 250 ccs and a width of only 11.0 centimeters. So, based on your 15-371's, in comparison to the 250s, you should be fine. Your implants are 120 ccs greater than your TEs. I do not take the overfill into consideration. You will experience some settling of the implants and I think you will see some welcome changes over the next two weeks. It is my impression that your small pre-BMX size and perhaps your pre-BMX breast width, predicted the size of TEs your PS would be able to use. Additionally, your description of your sternum tells me that you needed a wider implant, and a lower profile style implant would be used in this case. So give it at least three months. If you are still unhappy with the size, you can request an increase in size. It is much easier to go larger than it is to go smaller. On another note: Most breast recon women look much smaller in clothing - but many of us - perhaps even the majority of us - wear bras and it is the right bra which can make you look fabulous in clothing. So visit the Bras 101 thread and learn all about finding the right bra. In two or three weeks, you will want to make an appointment with a fitter at Nordstroms and a whole new world of opportunities will open up for you!
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Sounds good Sara. I like the way he thinks! Once you get your final fill, come back and let me know how you are feeling about the size and then we can refine the numbers again if necessary! 0
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I hope you are right because all I do right now is cry when I look in the mirror. It makes no sense to me how I could go from having a full look with expanders and feeling great about myself to having an incredibly flat chest with a need to buy clothes that are SMALLER. I get it that I was small, but isn't that why women have boob jobs?
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ksmom: Don't cry! Do you want to send me photos so that I can see what is going on? I'll PM you my information.
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That would be great. Honestly, right now I don't even want to go out in public as is. Today I am going to a much needed women's retreat and to compensate I am wearing another wireless bra with padding over my sports bra positioning it so it supports my reconstruction and doesn't drag it down. I then am wearing a cami over the top of all three to hold it all in. I feel like I have gone thru so much and now am back to where I started. I am so discouraged. It will be towards the end of the week before I can get back with you. We have some other family things coming down the pike this week. Thank you.
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Hi,
First, it's so nice of you to do this for all of us - thank you!
My stats: I'm 5'8", 148 lbs, 30-31" ribcage measurement. I did a NSS UMX and am planning to go bigger and augment the other side to match. My natural breasts were a B, maybe small C cup and right now I'm filled to 400ccs - it's bigger than my natural side but not quite as big as I'd like (he got the 400 ccs in during surgery, I haven't even done any fills yet)
I think I'd like to be maybe a D or DD - not really huge but big enough that I feel nice and curvy and like I got something fun out of this whole experience! I also have a sort of "minimum" I'm going to have to meet which is the smallest implant size for the natural breast, don't know what that will be yet.
What is the max size my expander can go to? Do you think I should do high profile or something else? And a sort of weird question - do you think he will be able to make my breasts a little bit MORE droopy than they are right now? I've got almost no sag (even on the natural side) and I feel like they will look more natural if they hang down a little bit. I've been reading this site for months but haven't posted until now so I don't have access to the picture forum but I could email you a photo if you'd like. Thanks!!!
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FieryRed: Extracting from the header above....
IMPLANT SIZING INFORMATION:
If you are interested in discussing implant sizes, make sure you compile and provide us with the following information:
....Also, if you have TEs [tissue expanders] - we need to know about them. The style - Mentor or Allergan most likely - and whether they are short height, moderate height, full height if Mentor and style number if Allergan. We also need the recommended fill volume of the TEs - the number of cc's. (NOTE: If you have PMT Corporation tissue expanders or any other unlisted manufacturer, please see if your PS will provide you with the dimensions of such devices.]0
Sara: Your tissue expanders have the following dimensions: 12.0 cm width by 11.0 cm height by 5.2 cm projection. The gummy bear implant needs to come as close as possible to "mirroring" those dimensions. If not, because it is teardrop shaped, it can rotate in the pocket or become displaced and malform the pocket. The Allergan 410 MF [moderate height, full projection] in 295 grams, is: 12.0 cm wide by 11.1 cm height by 4.8 cm projection. You can see all of the tissue expander sizes and dimensions and implant sizes and dimensions here: