BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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I'm just joining this forum. My NSBMX was 1/27/12 and am currently in the TE phase. I would like to publicly thank whippetmom for her quick response to my private message regarding sizing concerns and her great advice! My surgery was at UCSF and the PS has apparently already planned what size implants he will be using, without even consulting with me. Advice was to have a second opinion and even included a referral to another PS in my area. It never even occurred to me that I could change doctors at this stage in the game. My consultation is next Tuesday, and this time I'm bringing a friend who worked in a PS office for ten years. Thanks again, Deborah!
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Whippet mom thank you so much again for the additional information. My sister and I actually had different surgeons (one in NYC and one in Boston) because we live in two different cities. Despite that, you were spot on with your advice and I've asked my doctor for an extra 25 ccs. This would bring me to 450 like you said. Your confidence that i will be happy with the outcome makes me feel so much better going into my exchange!
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isa702: I forgot to ask your ribcage circumference, but I gather it is around 30 inches? Measuring under the TEs? I think you would need at least 400 ccs/425 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant - but you also would probably do well with a moderate plus/midrange profile implant - around 339 ccs in Allergan, for example. What is your current fill level and what is your impression regarding the appearance/size of your TEs?
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My PS keeps asking me what size I wanna be and I really dunno how to answer that. I told her first I didnt wanna be a double DD saline like my friend with the breast augmentation did and my friend told me to do like her cuz thats the best. I told my PS that I was thinkg of going a little bigger than I was naturally cuz I had always been small and wore padded bras and I thought it would be fun to be a little bigger for a change. I guess I was an A but wore a bra that made me look like a full B or a really small C. I was thinkg what would look natural on me was the size I got when I was breastfeeding my sons. Thats probably a C but the PS looks like she is making the boobs on my collar bone. I got my first fill today and I told her I dunno I see the models on TV and they look so elegant with their hardly there boobs like I had b4 surg. They put 180 cc at surg and today she put 100cc and I dunno whats her hurry!! I am not numb and she doesnt believe me. I am taking TyCo#3 that my gen phys gave me for back spasms I got when I started driving again after surg. I am still in so much pain and its been almost 9 hrs since the fill. Should I tell her I wanna go from tacos to a large orange..lol..oh no dont laugh hurts.
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diamondslayer: You will want 800 ccs in Allergan Style 20 - or in Mentor - 800 HPs. You could go up to 960 ccs with saline rounds, but honestly, I would prefer that you get the silicone implants and continue with your weight loss goals. The more weight we lose after BMX, the better the implants look on the chest wall, and the health benefits achieved are astronomical. This is the kind of incentive we can work with. Discuss this with your PS....and perhaps in the end analysis, the saline 960s would give you the end result you seek. Incidentally - these salines are just overfilled to 960 ccs - there is no specific implant with that set volume.
Deborah
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KAG: I PM'd you...
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jojococo: Welcome - and I am happy to help. Please update me after your consultation next Tuesday!
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Just passed the one-year mark since NSBMX and the six-month mark since exchange so I updated my thread on the picture forum.
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Deborah, thanks for that information. I wasn't sure if the rounds would give me the look of "mature" foobs or not. Most I've seen are still "round" looking on some women. I'm after more of a teardrop shape. Do the rounds settle that much after exchange? At my age I don't want perky lol. Right now, and I had my bmx on the 20th of Feb, my TE's feel like they are up under my chin and in my armpits. Very discouraging but I'm hoping this will change as I don't like the look of them. I do have a fat LD overhang under the arms but it looks like they are 10 times larger than before.
My ps said that I can go with the 700's and then do a LD flaps to give extra something, I don't quite remember that part. If I go with the 800's and have an overfil, does that do anything to the integrity of the implant wall? Does it put extra stress on them? I don't want any issues. Its great that you and others are so knowledgable on all this. You are a great help to a lot of who would otherwise thrown up their arms in confusion IMHO.
What do you think of the newer silicone/saline implants? I was intrigued by the 25/75's.
Again, thanks so much hun.
Pat
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Thanks Whippetmom, I debated on raising them both higher but he thinks they are fine but said he would do it if I want. I still ahve time to decide but I think I should leave well enough alone on that issue. I want to thank you for all your input. It's very kind of you to donate your time to help each and every one of us here.
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diamondslayer I am not one of the larger gals but I can tell you that I used to call my TEs stripper boobs. They sit high on just about everyone. After my exchange they were not that high anymore (thank goodness)0
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yeah one of my TEs was really high and I liked it, the only problem was the other one was too low . . . In the end my PS had to raise one and lower the other to get them even.
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My TE's were like bricks on my chest and quite high - I told everyone I had amazing collar bone cleavage because I truly did. My TE's were expanded to 960 cc's before exchange. Diamondslayer - I am a "bodacious" gal, working on losing weight...had implants put in a month ago, 800 cc silicone round. I know I could go larger in saline but I really like how these feel and I think I'll like them even better with more weight loss. Easy to say, hard to do!
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Been checking this forum a few times and find it very interesting..
Wippetmom I need your help please.
Had unilateral mastectomy Nov 22/11.. Tissue expander put in and filled to 540cc.. I told PS I thought it was big enough.. Wondering if I made the right decision... I am 5'7 180lbs.. Planning on loosing 20 lbs as soon as I get the go ahead from MO.. My ribcage measures 37" Used a 38D bra prior to BC, Now I use sports bras as I find it much more comfortable with my expander..Tissue expander is 133sv---375cc it also days 133sv-14 on card.. My PS will do a lift on my "good" boob when I have exchange surgery..
Also where do I find the picture forum??
Thank you
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diamondslayer: I think you are referring to the Becker implants - part of Mentor's lineup. They are not new though - and actually have been discontinued, but some are probably still floating around, still in use by a few plastic surgeons. Apparently they had a high failure rate, in addition to also being quite expensive. In any event, they were replaced by the Spectrum expandable when the silicone moratorium was lifted in 2006.
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Ossa: You know, it is hard to say without seeing your photos. I usually always have to have unis send me photos by email or post them on the pictures forum. Contact Lilah or nowheregirl re: entrance to the pictures forum.
Your specific style of TE is good to the extent that it typically enables the PS to exchange you out to an implant with a volume considerably greater than the volume of the TE. And so an implant with a volume of around 600 ccs or 650 ccs is not impossible. However, because we are trying to achieve symmetry with a native breast which probably has some higher degree of ptosis [a kind word for "droop"] overfill of the TE is necessary and perhaps use of a smaller implant than we could use if you were a bilateral. You need to get some additional stretch to the skin so that there will be some ptosis after the exchange. So it might be that you could use a bit more fill to that TE. With unilaterals, symmetry is the chief focus. PM me if you want to send me photos...
Deborah
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I enjoying reading this thread, just chiming in on the weight loss. I have lost 15lbs since my exchange surgery in July (not easy), the weight loss, although modest has made my implants look that much better. For those of you trying to loose weight, remember slow and steady is the best way to go.
For those of you further out from exchange, I don't have much ptosis, both of my implants are fairly high "youthful" per my PS. Can I expect them to stay this way?
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christine: Yes, they can remain "youthful", but you need to wear some type of support and also wear a bra which encapsulates the implants and keeps them nice and tidy in their pockets. Go visit Val's Bras 101 thread for recommendations.
Oh....and congratulations on the weight loss, and thank you for letting other women know that the implants will typically always look better with weight loss - providing a pretty huge incentive for making the effort.
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MTnester: Congratulations on having your final exchange done in February.
Being also bodacious, I had a question for you. What kind and size of TE did you have previous to your final exchange? I have 133SX-14 which the recommended fill is 500cc. However I am filled past 600cc on the right side and I just had the left TE inserted for the second time last week because of a previous infection.
The side that is filled does not look large enough, but the PS said that he was either going to double or triple the projection of that side when it was filled to 590cc. I wonder how he is going to be able to accomplish that since the expander is already overfilled?
I appreciate any insight and wisdom regarding this matter.
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mkw1: This style of TE will allow your PS to exchange you out to an implant with considerably more volume - and so you could end up with an implant with a volume of 800 ccs, if necessary. Ask your PS what style and volume he intends to use at the time of the exchange.
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mkw: I had PMT expanders, 14 cm wide by 18 cm high with 13 cm projection. Their total capacity was 1200 cc - I was expanded to 960 and got 800 cc round moderate plus profile implants at exchange. I thought I was getting high profile implants...it was a total judgment call by my PS to switch me without saying anyting after surgery...NOT happy with him. I look "OK" in these implants, as long as I have my bra on...but they don't project like I'd like and they are a little wide for me, in my unprofessional opinion.,
Trust Whippetmom, her advice is invaluable and spot-on.If you'd like to PM me I would be happy to share more particulars (my height, weight, etc etc).
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Had my left drain pulled today, the right was done on Tues. Nice feeling with no drains! I have a small seroma on the right but the ps nurse said it will be absorbed by my body, they don't want to poke a needle in with my TE. Get my first fills on Thursday next week. I got the op report from the ps today. Apparently my TE's are 700cc. I want 850cc or larger implants (Mentor anatomical) with the largest projection so I can be close to my former DD size. Or maybe the Spectrum expandibles. I think I will have to have a discussion with the ps on Thurs.Sounds like you MTnester may have to talk with yours too. Also in the op report, apparently I also have acellular dermal matrix bil recons 8X16cm each side. This was news to me! I suppose he didn't know until he saw what the bs had taken. He did say something prior to surgery about folding some skin or tissue somewhere in the breast. I thought he was also going to do LD flaps but the nurse said he would have done those at the bmx reconstruction surgery when he put in the TE's.
I see the MO on Monday. Got my onco score from the bs today... it's 23
So I will probably have to have chemo after all. Won't know for sure till Monday. I don't do well with nausea and vomiting, but we do what we have to. My oldest daughter who is in CO is making me some chemo caps to wear just in case. If I ever get back to work, 2 of my coworkers said they would wear them too when they work with me in order to support me. Isn't that sweet? Ya, this weightloss thing is hard and I'm trying to be good. 9 pounds since my box on Feb 20. Slow and steady. Although I did get a box of GS Thin Mints the other day, they're gone
I'm looking forward to the day that this is all over and I can continue on with my life. I was just beginning to like being a jeweler. Can't have my nip piercings any more so thought I'd make them into a piece of jewelry. Going to make an abstract pair of breasts with holes so I can wear them on that. We'll see how it turns out. lolDeborah, you and all the other women in this forum are really great! I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all the help and the shoulders to cry on if needed. HUGS
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diamindslayer hillick is sooo right. Also be sure to eat, that can keep the queezies away too.
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Diamond, I understand what you are saying. When I get my fills,it seems as if they are growing breasts on collar bone and under my arm, I dont get it but hope the implants will ride a little lower like Lago said. I have researched the internet sites for breast recon and augments and determined that I was a small B and would like to go to a full C so now I have an answer for the PS. I got some falsies that show how I would to go but the fills are very painful & dunno if I will make it.
Carol2,yes and also ginger that comes thinly sliced with the sushi is good. My favorite when nauseas is flat coke with soda crackers. I now see from what Whippettmom has posted that this is no joke and if I dont give my PS some factual input,I will have nobody to blame but myself if I dont like my implants so I plan to talk seriously with her next fill (maybe that will take my mind off the pain) Appreciate your hard work and wonderful research Whippetmom. I am sure we could all do a round of applause here.
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So far so good. Had the TEs put in 3 weeks ago. The drains were untethered yesterday. Yippee!!! I'm told I don't have to wear a bra, was started with 100cc in surgery. Will go back in two weeks for my first fill.
I really appreciate the insight and suggestions here. Thanks!0 -
Holy Samoly!!!!
I've lost a few pounds, but have not started the Optifast plan yet.
But this afternoon, I made an amazing discovery.....I do NOT have a 39" chest!!!!!
I have a 34" chest!!!!
Where the heck did it go? Arent' you supposed to measure all the way around, at the IMF or thereabouts?
And yes, I am DEFINITELY done with fills!
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Blessings: That will make a significant difference in terms of sizing. Let me go see your photos again....
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whippetmom: Thank you again for your help. I have seen the work that my PS has done on others and I am quite impressed. However, this other ladies are quite thin. I will ask him what kind and size of implant is he planning to place in me.
Another question: If he places a larger implant in me, will my breasts end up looking round or in the shape of a tear drop?
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MTnester: I sent you a pm request.
What kind of expanders are PMT expanders? Are those custom expanders?
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MTnester: I sent you a pm request.
What kind of expanders are PMT expanders? Are those custom expanders?
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