BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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I unwrapped yesterday to remove the dressing - I'm bigger than I expected! I still fit into my tighter button-up shirts, but it will be interesting to see how things 'settle.' I agree about wishing I had more of a tear-drop shape. I guess my real ones were smaller than I remembered, and of course they had started to sag a little, so these new ones will take getting used to.
I've been moving around pretty well - actually pulled a regular shirt over my head this morning just to check. PS's nurse yesterday said no movement limitations as long as I feel okay, just no heavy lifting.
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Evebarry and rachelvk, How many cc's are your implants? The dear Lord knows (as well as my PS), I DO NOT want to be big!
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Whippetmom said the ID card I got indicates that one's 350 and the other is 425. Not sure why there's a difference. I guess I got used to my TEs and decided they were what I was before.
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I did get an implant card. I'll check and see. The tissue expander was smaller. I'm not sure how many cc's I finally had, but before surgery I thought the tissue expander was perfect. I came out of surgery larger. My plastic surgeon said he was trying to match the normal breast, but not so. I have no tear drop shape in the new breast. It is one large mound.
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rachel: Tampa just PM'd me to tell me that it was actually a 400 cc and 425 cc you received. I goofed! I read my implant catalogue without my glasses!
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evebarry: This is why the majority of women have a small implant placed on the native side - in order to approximate the rounder shape on the MX side. Otherwise, the PS should just use a smaller implant in an overfilled pocket - in order to get the ptosis to match the native breast.
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chawkins: I would say 575 ccs in a midrange plus profile - Allergan Style 20 - or Mentor 550 ccs or 550 ccs - moderate plus profile implants. Your PS used a 15.0 cm wide TE, and therefore you would need a 700 cc implant in a high profile style, in order to meet the width you have currently. You would still be a bit smaller than you are now, even with a 700 cc implant - because you have so much more projection with your SV style TE. It is all about dimensions - not volume. But I imagine he had in mind the midrange/moderate plus profile style implant when he used these TEs. But make absolutely certain he is not thinking of the moderate profile - without the PLUS - because that would be too flat for you. Make sure you know what he orders and intends to try to use in the OR. He may bring in a couple or several sizes....
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Whippetmom - Thanks. I was trying to decipher the #s and was wondering about that. Getting used to the idea of being larger than in the past. I guess I can live with it - my main message to him was that I wanted cleavage, and that was more important than projection. Apparently he told my Mom after surgery that "I'd be pleased." Time will tell. But I really appreciate your help. I'm not sure what conversation I would have had with him before surgery if I hadn't had a chance to look through some of the ideas here.
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I last posted on 5/28 about feeling really full and some pain. Well the next evening (Tuesday) I developed a pink-red area on my previously radiated side. It is on the inner aspect of the breast in the cleavage area. Pretty sure its not from anything physically irritaing it like clothing because it doesn't touch clothing there. Got into the PS office Friday (day 3) as it was still there no change, but a secondary area above my incision line started to get pink-red too. PS guess was infection, which he doesn't think it is, or pressure from the inside and this may be as far as we go with expansion at 460cc each side.
Ok, I understand that. I was put on Keflex 500mg three times daily for 10 days. I will finsh that this coming Tuesday morning. That will also be 2 weeks since this all started. No fevers. No chills. On Friday (day 10?) it started to look like a peeling sunburn. Notified the PS (after hours of course because who notices their boob peeling while at work right?) and he didn't seem ruffled by my development. No blister? No. No drainage? No. Extra pain? No, but I've been sore since the last fill almost 3 wks ago!
Anyone had something similar? What to expect? Here i sit just watching and waiting until further notice...
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mebmarj: Do you have Alloderm?
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rachel: Well, there you go....that would be the reason to use the moderate plus profile implant. You are going to have the cleavage you desire!
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No alloderm here. Covered by pecs and serratus muscles...
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I was a 34b with very little of my natural breast showing outside of my bra cup (ie no cleavage). My entire wardrobe is built around being small framed with small breasts. I have a bony chestwall according to the PS. I currently am filled to 300 cc and have asked to stop the fills. I feel very broad in the chest ( a lot nearly under my arms with a large space between my breasts)., but have little projection. PS says he will exchange with 300cc implants or 340cc implants-to be decided at time of surgery. I am afraid of having pancake shaped breasts with no projection or droop.
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i was jsut thinking how differnt I look now size wise. I was a 34DD and I am now a 36D but I look more like a C and I am more perky. I still have very nice cleavage. But my wardrobe does need to change. I am trying to lose weight but my gut really shows now. I am about 5 pounds more than I have ever been right now and 24 pounds more than I was at diagnosis two years ago. My goal is to lose 2 pounds a week so at goal by end of september. But I am finding I really need to rethink my clothes. A lot of the things in my closet don't fit right any more and some things I would never wear look really good. For example I now look great in anything with buttons, so blouses and shirt dresses are great. I also love wrap dresses on me now, they seem to flatter by showing some cleavage and covering my gut. Anyone have any other suggestions of what else might look good or where to shop this summer while I lose weight?
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I've been a lurker on here for a while but have to jump in. What kind of card did you get with your implants? Did you get the day of surgery, after? My exchange was last week and my follow up is tomorrow. I guess I should ask my PS for this? Is it important/necessary to have? Probably a stupid question but asking anyway... Thanks!
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I am wishing I dropped in here more before I had my exchange surgery. I think I would have been more happier with the tear shaped implants as well. Currently I have the Mentor High Profile 800 cc. I am happy with my results, however the lower half of my breasts is not dropping and fluffing as I think they should. I have another follow-up appt. soon. I will raise the question again to my PS.
Carroll- I feel the same way. I had to totally redo my closet after my DMX. My stomach stood out so much after surgery that everyone thought I was pregnant. My suggestion would be to shop when things are on sale.
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Hi lauren. I hope everything's been working out. I received a card the day of my surgery. It's an info card where you can put your name, and the PS attaches stickers indicating the type of implants, and possibly more identifying info. My understanding is that once you get implants, especially silicone, the FDA requires reports and info if there are any problems, etc, so we are now numbers in their system. Definitely ask your PS about it.
One question I have - I know when I had TEs, if I had flown, I would have had to let them know at security because TEs could set off their machines. What about implants? Am I okay as long as it's just the metal detectors? Will I have problems if they make me use the full body scanners (which I deplore - fortunately, never had to use them yet)? I suspect that's another reason to keep the card with me all the time.
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I have TEs and flew recently and did not have a problem with the metal detecters. I had a letter from my PS just in case. I also went through a full body scanner and the only problem I had was under my right arm (I had a compression sleeve on the left arm) because I lost over 100 lbs several years and have a lot of skin hanging off my arms. Funny they had to pat me down under my arm to make sure I didn't have anything under there. LOL.
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Mooleen -- LOL
Edited to say: Oops! I guess it was Lauren, not Rachel... re: Implant Card -- I got my card in the post-op / recovery room before they discharged me (after my exchange). It identifies the medical device (the implant or implants) inside your body and is useful to have. Ask your PS when you see him/her next.
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LaurenM730 - Typically the medical device card is given to the patient upon discharge from the hospital. I suppose it's possible that your PS has them, however. Yes, you definitely want to get and keep those cards. They have all the manufacturer info which you might need down the road if there's a recall or when time comes to replace them. Implants are medical devices and just like pacemakers, etc. the patient must be given information about the device. If the cards have been misplaced you should be able to get a copy of your surgery notes/report from the hospital. The specifics should be logged there as well.
rachelvk - I have flown numerous times with both TEs and my implants and I haven't had any problems. Have gone through both metal detectors and body scanners at airports with pretty tight security programs.
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Rachel and Tina, thanks. I will make sure I get the card tomorrow. I'm also eager to see what size he put in. I only know they are supposedly the same cc asthe TEs. I'm afraid they're not - they appear so much smaller.
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LaurenM730 - Often the PS will take multiple sets of implants into surgery. Each implant comes with a "sizer". I don't think they know exactly what will fit and look best until they actually get in there. The TEs are made of tougher material than the implants because they're meant to be putting pressure on the muscle and skin to stretch it. An implant of the same cc volume as a TE will be much softer and forgiving so will tend to look wider and flatter under the muscle. Many women describe their implants right after exchange as looking like hamburger buns, but things should soften up and relax with time.
If you're on the picture forum you can see many "before-during-after" pix to see how much they can change. Don't lose faith yet! Good luck at your appointment tomorrow.
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Aha, Kay, I don't think I'd seen that before. So good to know. Not that I would have went for an extra fill... The last one killed me and I was in misery since the moment he put the needle in!
We shall see what the card says tomorrow. I'm going to insist on getting it - sounds like everyone has it and it's important to have...0 -
Lauren I never did get my card for my TE's. I'm sure it's in my file. I did get the card for my implants. I think the reason why I never got the card for my TE's was because I was passed out or high till the next day from 7-8 hours of surgery (BMX and nodes removed all in one surgery).0
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Whippetmom: I am adding to my post from last night so that you have a more accurate idea of my body. I am 5'10", 145 lbs., with a 30" chest measurement, which I took under my TEs. Do you think I should have the expansion continue? Or will the 300-340 cc implants be appropriate? Thanks. P.S. I never got a card for my TEs either!
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Liztish:
I do not know enought about your TEs, but based on your vital stats, anything in the 300 cc range for you will need to be moderate plus/midrange profile. So around 350 ccs would be fine. If you want to be on the small side, you will be fine in the 325 cc to 350 cc range.
Edited to add: you might want to get your TE info - mfr, style and volume- the width is essentially what I need.0 -
I never got a card for my TEs either. We're flying in July and I asked the PS for a card and he said I won't need it - I won't set anything off in the metal detectors. Hope he's right!! I'll have to ask for one though once I get exchanged in Aug.
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I just assumed that a TE is considered a medical device since it's implanted in the body. They're temporary, but we never know for sure how long they'll be in. The cards/stickers come with the TEs from the company....are they just being thrown away?
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I never got a card for my TE, though I was given the info.
Everyone SHOULD receive a card for their "permanent" implants after exchange. It's a medical device and among other things the card tells you the serial number of your implant, if I remember right, as well as the make/model (as it were).
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I didn't get my card for my TEs, either, until I asked for it after one of my fills.
Then my PS also wrote a short letter on his letterhead, explaining that I had in expanders as part of reconstruction. (I'd told him we were going on vacation.)
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