BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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My exchange is a week out and I just went bra shopping. Didn't buy anything but just wanted to get an idea of what size I will be. I was a 36 not quite A pre BMX. I usually shopped in the kids department (no kidding did that for years!) or sometimes could find the Playtex 'Thank Goodness it Fits' in nearly A. You just can't find exactly what I'd call sexy/pretty bras there!!!
Wohoo! I am currently a 34D or 36C. I hope I stay this size after my exchange. There are so many PRETTY bras in those sizes! I am THRILLED to be able to buy REAL GROWN UP BRAS! :-)
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chiluvr1228 you would be so surprised how different my foobs looked between 1 month and 2 months post exchange. I was so unhappy and then poof they got round and projected out more. It's like they were stuck or something. I am much happier now even though I need some fine tuning like lipo, some pocket tightening, and of course nipples. Try not to worry too much yet. Things may still turn around. But, if your PS is not getting you info you would like to know I suggest making an appointment to sit down and ask him questions. I used to bring these long lists of questions for my PS, he laughs now because i don't ask as much anymore, he sort of braces himself each time for my barrage of questions. I feel like I went to school to do breast reconstruction now lol.0
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Hi Whippetmom-
I already have my expanders in, although I don't know what type I have..but know they are 600cc.. I am currently filled to 500cc and going biweekly for 100cc fills..my PS said he waits between 3 to 6 months for exchange! Anyways, I am 5'4"..170 lbs and have a 34.5 inch ribcage currently..(hoping to lose a bit of weight before final exchange).. I wanted to be a large c to d..not sure if I will be able to get there..what are your thoughts?0 -
TonLee,
Wow, we have a very similar diagnosis! Anyway, I am very petite, so 300cc's actually looks pretty big on me. I'm at least a C cup. If you are petite, 400 cc's might do it. I'll definitely keep you posted. Honestly, I think I am a bit of a pain in the ass as a patient, but I don't care. As much as I like my PS, I will definitely be a pest to get what I want. It's my life and my body, you know?
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marial: It depends on the width of your TEs. This is why I need to know which style/volume you have. Let's say your TEs are 14.0 cm in width, the implant would need to be in Allergan Style 20 - at least 650 ccs and Style 15 - at least 533 ccs. However, if your TEs are 15.0 cm wide, you would need at least 750 ccs in Style 20 and at least 616 ccs in Style 15 .
You might have been given a little card with your TE info? If not, call your PS' office - the info is recorded in your chart.
Deborah
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Thank you Carrol for the encouragement. Whippetmom I will send you pictures asap.
Denise
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Whippetmom, would you please help me too? I am 5'2, 120lbs with a ribcage with of 31 3/4". My expanders are Allergan 133MV-12. They are currently filled to 350cc's. They are full on the inside, but I have little boob on the outside. On one-side, some of the problem has to do with how the skin is sticking. I've been working on that by massege and phyiscal therapy. Right now I still look pretty flat chested in clothes. Ideally, I would like to have the look of B+ or C. What are your thoughts on how much larger I should go with the expanders and what size of implants I should discuss with my surgeon? Thanks!
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Hope2011: Your TEs are overfilled now so I cannot understand why you are having this awkward shape. You probably should send me photos. You really need around 425/450 ccs in an HP style implant, or 375 ccs in a moderate PLUS/ midrange style implant. PM me for my email address.
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Hi, I am new to the forum but have been reading through some of the posts since deciding to have BMX with reconstruction. Surgery was 12-23. I just had all my drains removed and feel SO much better. PS said I could start filling the TEs, but I wanted to wait till I had full range of motion with arms to start filling. I was an A cup and plan to stay about the same size... so I don't think I will need much filling. Is there any disadvantage to waiting on the fill?
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Anne: I don't know that there is any disadvantage to delaying fills, and I doubt anyone has done a study on this issue. I think it is perfectly fine to wait a few weeks before the first actual fill after TE placement. It probably is not necessary to wait until you have full and complete range of motion though - as you sort of want to be careful about lifting your arms over your head too terribly much - since we want to keep those TEs centered on the chest wall. If TEs migrate, they typically always tend to migrate laterally, towards the armpits and superiorly - upward on the chest wall. I do not see any advantage to delaying any longer than three to four weeks though.
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I was far from full range of motion and I was getting expansions 2 weeks after BMX (I think). I ended up in PT but never felt the expansions were the problem. I managed to get 3 in before I started chemo. Where I was treated they don't want you to get expansions during chemo.
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Thanks, ladies. I will start in a couple of weeks. Then I will be back for advice on sizing.
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Whippetmom,
I read through 53 pages of this thread but then gave up as I haven't seen anyone as short and plumb as me. I was hoping you could help me with the final implants I should choose. Here is the information you've requested.
Height: 5'2" Weight: 139 Ribcage: 32.5 TE: Allergen 133Fv-13 SN 17008254 500cc
I think some background info on me and where I'd like to be may help. I talked to my favorite nurse at my PS office and told her I wanted "wow" boobs as I'm pretty average now. I told her I did not want "fat" boobs and that the look of the moderate plus on some women gave them what I refer to as fat boobs. She agreed that they are wide at the base (MP's) and that the HP's may be right for me. I haven't gotten back to pre-pregnancy weight as I have had a rough year. Pre-pregnancy (11 months ago) I was 124. I realize I'm 15 pounds away but since my son's birth 11 months ago, I've become a single mother with a full time job whose mom was dx with metasitized bc to the bone, spleen and now brain. We buried our favorite grandfather the day after Thanksgiving, and I had a PBMX on 12/12/11. So, 15 lbs is a lot, but it's doable. I figure the stress eating with the holiday's is now over and now that I'm back at the gym 5 days a week running at least 1.5 miles a day I should be able to hit 125 sometime between now and whenever...
Here's my deal. I've had saggy ugly boobs since I was in high school. No joke. I've hated them always so doing the PBMX was not a problem. I did have the NSM. The PS and I talked and I realize that I may have another scare from a lift, which is fine since my real boobs never went commando anyways what's with another set of scars. But I want "WOW" boobs in a bathing suit or tank top. I'm 37, I'd kill to finally, once to have a set of perky wow's. Instead of saggy ugh-whatevers.
Ok, there's the background. What I would like to know. Is am I being unrealistic with wanting HP's with at least 500ccs? I realize the PS may need to do a pocket revision as the HP's aren't as wide as the 13cm width the TE is, but heck if she's doing a lift, couldn't she also do a pocket revision? Or, am I just asking for trouble?
Thanks,
Kori - apparently I forgot 2 things. My name and how much I have in now. I'm filled to 380cc on both sides. Thanks again.
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Kori, I am 5'3" and 140lbs (I have baby weight left and my kids are 13 and 15). I am working on loosing weight, I gained with chemo
. Anyhow, I have 600cc high profile implants and I think they look very good, I am 47 and I love my new youthful look. I was filled to 525, don't remember now the specs on my TEs. Good luck. 0 -
Whippetmom - I still have 2 rounds of chemo to go, but would like to get a start on giving you my information so I can have something to look forward to.
I am 5'2", 125lbs. and ribcage is 31 1/2. My TE's are Allergan style 133V MV14-T moderate, recommened fill 500cc. I had my final fill 12/28 and am filled to 480cc. I was a barely B before and while I know you don't predict cup size, I would like to fill out a nice full C. My PS always did my fills, but when I called to get the specifics of my TE's, I got his PA and asked her what cc she thought they would be using and she said 500 to 540cc, I think I threw her off when I asked about cc's truthfully. So I haven't spoken directly to my PS about this yet. He did say at the final fill that he didn't want to fill any more, not because my skin wasn't handling it, but he said the TE's were getting too close together at the center. I did have a Lat D flap and wasn't sure if that added any volume before the TE's. He does know I want to go bigger So, filled to 480, I wondered what type of implant and how many cc's I could go. It also seems the majority of my fills have gone to my upper pole.
Thanks so much - Gracie
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How many cc's before taking out the drain?
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evebarry: That may vary by patient. I had 50cc at surgery. Got my drains out at 10 days and got 50 more cc at about 3 weeks. My PS wanted my incisions well closed before putting pressure on them.
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Just home from my exchange surgery done around noon. Took my pain pill & chilling in the recliner. I feel remarkably well so far.( could be all the meds) moving arms very well. Got my implant card & was natrelle20 600cc. He used the smaller on of all the implants he took in. Not sure why yet didn't get to ask him. They are softer!!!! Yippee!!! Whippetmom has suggested bigger & we had discussed that pre-op, I hope I'm not disappointed. Going to rest now. Thanks to all for your support
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Tenaj do give them at least 6 weeks before you judge. The need to drop and fluff and do change a lot in the first 2-3 months0
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I am so happy I got my drain out today! I don't have the drop or fluff yet due to that I still have the TE's. Did a lot of you have to do pt before implants...or afterwards. I am seeing a pt and she said my muscles are shorten, tighten due to a lot of scar tissue pulling on one another...and my situation is a little more complex than most. I may need more pt before implant?
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I had to do PT after BMX/TE surgery, after 4th chemo for LE, after nipple recon because of a car accident prior then surgery (combined issue). I seemed to be able to do it on my own after the exchange though. I really hope I don't have to do PT for a long time (and I love my Physical Terrorist). Remember I had 10 nodes on one side, 4 on the other, mild LE on the 10 side and initially cording on the 4 side. Hopefully when you are ready your PS will give you stretches to do and you won't need PT.
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Hi whippetmom
I got the details of my expanders.. The are Allergan 600cc anatomical expanders, model 133MV-15.. The width is 15cm height is 14cm and projection is 6.3cm..does this help? Do you need my details again?0 -
kori: I saw what Christine wrote in response to your post and I think that exactly what she has would be perfect on your frame. 500 cc HPs would be fine - they are 13.0 cm in width - but I think they would be too small for what you hope to achieve. 600 ccs would be the size for you - HP smooth round silicone. Let's wait until you are filled to 500 ccs and you will be able to tell me how you like that size. From that point we can refine it further. Another option would be Allergan Style 45 - 650ccs. They are extra full projection style implants. I think your specific style of TEs could get you there, but let's see how things look when you are at 500 ccs.
Deborah
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marial: 750 ccs high profile smooth round silicone implants. I think it is entirely possible to get you there, if your skin integrity is good. Let's see how you feel once you are filled to 600 ccs.
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Thanks so much Whippetmom! I appreciate it!
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Whippetmom,
Thanks so much! I go in next Tuesday for another fill which will get me to 500. I am glad to hear I should go higher than 500 cc.
However, my te feels like its shifted towards my armpit. Will this cause problems? The nurse said not to worry. Do you agree? I0 -
Whippetmom,
I got my post-op report -the expanders are Natrelle, McGhan 133MX - 12 400cc. I am currently filled to 360cc. My ribcage is 29.5 and I currently weigh 112lbs and am 5'1" tall. My PS said she would be bringing in implants that were slightly smaller than I currently have. However, I like the size that I currently am, especially my left breast. These are different numbers than I originally gave you - I apologize for the misinformation. What is your recommendation?
Edited to add: She also said that she would bring in a variety of sizes, all close to what I currently have, but that I would likely feel smaller after surgery because the implants are soft as compared to the hard TE's.
Thank you so much!
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Hi all, I have not posted here for a while. I have now had my TE placed.
Deborah you mentioned not lifting my arm to avoid the TE migrating. Are there any other instructions?? My PS team have said I should go with what my body tells me and otherwise no real instructions. Also my skin seems fine with first inflation of 100mls but the skin is very shiny, no pain though. Are there any signs to watch for to suggest delaying the next inflation? My next one is due next Tuesday
Many thanks
Annice0 -
Whippetmom seems to be a wealth of info on this subject,some of my friends with cosmec implants told me they got saline and one has hers for 12 yrs no problems at all but now wants to replace. She says dr told her they overfill those to stop rippling plus true what the other ladies are saying on here but I am thinkg to get gel. Have plenty of time. Only problem waiting for surg date & getting cigarette smoke smell off recliner we were lucky enough to get from friends moving..its great has massager and drink holders and cubbies for pills but it smells like the house is on fire..I put Downy wrinkle on it, I put baking soda on it,coffee powders on it,sprayed with vinegar,turned on ceiling fan,sprayed lightly with citrus cologne..Wow nicotine is tough! Cant wait til surg is over and I can officially join the implant club!! You gals are so cool!!(& pretty darn intelligent with all this info....my only contribution is recommend Dr Christine Horner's book called Waking the Warrior Goddess...excellent info on bc prevention I hope I can do most of it and prevent any more cancrs & told my sons gfriends to adopt it tho I am sure they ignored me as the 21 forever crowd will do at times. Good luck on ur exchanges...hope u look great!0 -
Layla there are professional products that help take cigarette smoke out of stuff. Call a professional. It won't remove it entirely but in time the smell does go away. We dealt with that when my MIL & AIL passed. She and her sister were contently smoking and never opened the windows. I stopping going inside 5 years before they died… it was that bad.0
