BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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buddawolf I was 49 at diagnosis with lots of younger (in 30's) friends. My friends were pretty good but some people just need to be educated about this disease. I mean how much did we know going into this. Most of the time they don't know what to say so they say something stupid thinking it's a positive. You might want to cut them a little slack, just educate them.
Just the other day a gal asked me "did they get it all?" I laughed and nicely explained that isn't a good thing to ask a cancer patient.Then sent her to this video: linky
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I love that video Lago. I acutally had the nurse in the hospital aske me if I had them both cut off. Her english was not very good, I was pretty out of it, Got out of surgery at 10pm and woke up at 4am scared to death so I was looking for someone to talk to. I buzzed the nruse station and when they asked what I needed all I said was I was scared. It never even accured to me at the time that she should not have spokent o me like that. weird.
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Carrol you should have told her the aliens took them away!
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Our son and DIL and two granddaughters (6 and 8 y.o.) came to visit last month....the GDs were all over Grandma, hugging me, cuddling on my lap, and at one point the little one (bored on a nursing home visit to great-grandmother) stood in front of me, then stuck her head up under my T-shirt. I was so afraid I was going to give her a concussion!!!! But they survived...
I was curious about a previous post about the size of the OBs (original boobs) vs the size of the implants....in my final path report, my breasts weighed 2,066 grams - over four and a half pounds.
Currently, I have in 620ccs in my TEs, and the implants we were considering can go up to 800 ccs.
I know ccs have to do more with volume than weight, but I told the doc I wanted to be way smaller. So I'm guessing that even with an 800 cc saline implant (the largest expansion I can get in a high-profile) I'd still be smaller than the original girls?
Hope so! We may have to downsize again if I make my goal weight before surgery. I have 35 more pounds to go.
I mean, I want a little somethin' somethin', but no way do I want stripper boobs.
And my chest size keeps getting smaller!!!! Down from 39" right after surgery, to 33"!!!!
WooHOO!
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Thank you, kayb!
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Dawn-Hope
I hear you, and I do give friends some 'slack', and often use these situations as opportunities to educate friends. However, sometimes, and especially at the early stages after diagnosis, I found it quite dificult being sensitive to others when I got 'curve ball' comments, when I was trying to get my head around my own situation. I chose not to disclose to many people as I could not manage others feelings, opinions, (and fears) that were readily 'given' to me, until I could manage myself. It's now been 2 years since Dx and now I am much better at seperating out my feelings from peoples reactions.
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Dawn-Hope - That video is GENIUS! so funny... & true. Its the 'lucky you' one that kills me!
Thanks for sharing..
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BuddaWolf - Lago is the one who posted that video.
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Also...I hear you on the curve ball comments. Cancer is a quick study on learning on how to cope with the stupid, dumb, inconsiderate, ignorant things people can and will say. I probably have said some of the same to people who were in my situation years ago. But sometimes...patience runs a little thin. One of my biggest grrr moments was when my mother was dying of BC in hospice care, I was recently diagnosed and well-intentioned people coming up and telling me of all the people they know, family, friends who have died from BC. My head says...they're just trying, struggling for something to say...but my heart is raging, "WILL YOU PLEASE JUST SHUT-UP!"
Patience is key but patience at times runs thin.
Sometimes we don't need to hear a word we just need a shoulder, a pat or a hug. There is the mention of hugs again. . Peace to you. 0 -
Oops! Thanks for pointing that out Dawne-hope.
Lagos - That video is GENIUS! so funny... & true. Its the 'lucky you' one that kills me!
Thanks for sharing..
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How ARE you is the one that gets me. I used to get that all the time. I look healthier than most of the people in my building so no one asks anymore Granted it's coming up on 2 years NED so that's OK with me. 0
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My head is spinning just reading a few pages of this. My exchange is scheduled for June 7. Last fill was before chemo, and I'm currently slightly bigger, as best as I can tell, than what I was before my bmx, which should be good because I don't want much of a change. I have to get my paperwork in to the PS by Thursday, but all that includes is a few authorization/I understand the risk forms. I am slated to get Mentor Memory Gel silicone implants. I'm calling my PS tomorrow for a question or two, but other than telling him I like where I am now and theoretically want to be a B cup, that was it (I'm 4'7 - that's always been more than ample). I'm seeing so much detail in these posts - are there specific styles I should be discussing with my PS in advance? Somewhere I read that they bring a few in before surgery to see what's best. Should I be having a conversation with him in person first? I've been very happy with him for all his past work.
Thanks in advance.
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rachelvk telling your PS that you want to be a "B cup" doesn't mean much because as you go up in band size cup size changes. For example a 34B is a smaller cup that a 36B. It's best to refer to your pictures before the BMX. Tell him you want to be the same size, smaller etc. I didn't tell my PS what implants I wanted. He based it on my body size and I trusted him. Granted whippetmom does a great job in suggesting. If you want her to make a suggestion you need to read her first post and post that information to her.
Most PS bring in at least 3 sizes. It's not an exact science so they need to "try things on." Again if you want to make a suggestion to your PS don't wait till the last minute. They do need to order the implants before surgery.
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I am 4 days out from a rt NSMX with immediate implant with acellular dermis matrix (like Alloderm). I, too, let the PS use her judgement about sizing. I told her silicon and I just wanted symmetry with native breast which I know can be a challenge with a unimx. I was A+ cup. She said she tried a couple sizes in the OR and decided on a 425cc. Whippetmom suggested a 475cc and possibly a smaller implant on left side for symmetry, so she was very close. The card I got says it is a Mentor smooth round moderate plus profile gel. I must say that I was pretty pleased to peak under my gown after surgery and see a breast that looks remarkably like me! (Albeit, bruised and swollen). We shall see as it settles in but so far so good.
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I was in my late 40s when diagnosed as well. Too soon! Tested negative for the BRCA genes. People who say "at least you got a boob job" are trying to be nice, I think, albeit only exhibiting their ignorance. My own Gyn, when I was early in the process and it was thought a lumpectomy and radiation would be sufficient for my treatment, said to me: "you should just cut them both off and get a tummy tuck" (meaning, I assume, that I should have a TRAM -- which anyone knows after one consult with a PS is NOT a tummy tuck). My own GYN! I fired her. And ended up with a uni MX and a lift/reduction (far less invasive). So even doctors can be ignorant.
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Lilah- I was dx at age 55 and I still think that is "too soon". I agree that people are just trying to be nice, sometimes making a bad joke, or trying to get you to look at the light side. It is hard to know what to say to people. God knows, I've said some stupid things from time to time I wish I could have stuffed back into my mouth. When my usually very compassionate GS smiled and said at least I could get a tummy tuck with the MX, I ignored it besides commenting that I didn't think I needed one. Geez. Brain fart. But I forgave him, this time.
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Had my last fill today. I am at 720 cc. My exchange surgery is scheduled for August 23. Whoo hoo, one step closer in this process.
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Dobie - I'm sure if I had otherwise particularly liked my GYN I'd have forgiven her... but the combo of me saying, just prior to her inappropriate comment, "I'm just so glad I don't have to have an MX" --- plus the fact that I never liked her much... made her comment the kiss of death for her and me.
I did choose the MX ultimately but did not need someone like her advising me. I have a much better GYN now.
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Lilah- Exactly. If I didnt know my physician better or it was first contact, I definitely would have fired his ass for such a comment.
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Talk about poor bed side manners. You never know what you might have deal with in this thing called life. We are all in this thing called life trying to make it.
When I was first Dx I had a very good girl friend say to me you know breast cancer is very aggressive. Why would you say such things to a person who is already scared, emotional, and just recently Dx??? Later on that year when her mother was Dx thyroid cancer she said I never thought it would hit so close to home.
My thoughts were so you and your family are untouchable?? What makes yawl better than the millions of other families battling this beast. We are still friends but I don't conversate with her very much. My time is now focused on my little ones and myself. Mind you she is like 300 pounds what if said most fat people die of heart attacks you know. Let me stop ranting. I love her and I know she just didn't know what to say.
HUGS to Everyone!!
Sorry for my ramble.
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Fighter-34 - I really was shocked at all the people who came up and told me about all the people they know that have died of BC right after I was diagnosed! Like that is supposed to encourage us, comfort us in some way? Crazy!
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I got my fist haircut today since chemo ended 17 months ago. I was surpried that the hairdresser had expereince cutting other women's hiar after chemo and had lots to say abut recovering my hiar
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Carrol -- 1 in 8 women with breast cancer. True not all of those women have to have chemo... but yeah: that's a lot of women. My hairdresser not only has experience cutting hair for women who've had chemo, she had it herself -- and is a five year survivor of breast cancer (with gorgeous long black hair down her back, I might add
Fighter -- sorry your friend was so thoughtless. Yes it is amazing what people say without realizing how they sound.
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Found out yesterday that my NEW TE is leaking (revision surgery 4/24). I had the option of doing an exchange to implant but it would have left me at an A. I gave it some serious consideration but opted to to hold out for a solid, full B. So, surgery today.
My PS does not make you wait long between final fills and exchange. So I see the light at the end of the tunel.
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GreenMonkey.. Crappy to have a leaking TE Wish you luck with your surgery today..
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Geez, GreenMonkey, you sure have had more than your share of setbacks. Best wishes for an uncomplicated surgery and recovery.
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GreenMonkey - Sorry you have to go through an extra surgery.....rats! Hang in there...0
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Lilah I know yur right this deisease is everywhere, I know that, but somehow it always amazes me. I suppose it's a tribute to how many women are surviving as well.0
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I posted some new pics. If anyone can check them out and let me know if anyone has heard of the botox injection my PS is thinking about doing?
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Could someone please PM me the pic forum link? I do not have it on my iPad....
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