BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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What does a high profile implant do? I don't even know the difference. I think I want to be a full C.
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kayb, I never really learned why the bottoming out happened. Not enough time for the Alloderm to build a strong enough pocket? I only had the TE for 7 weeks. The initial implant was too big, so maybe that contributed? The sports bra I was wearing last summer was the Nike Swift Y-back, an over-the-head style with molded cups, and it fit quite tightly at the time. Now I wear the Moving Comfort Vero, with a back closure, adjustable straps and molded cups as well. No more compression-style bras for me, for sure!
I haven't called the PS yet. Almost dreading to do so, for some odd reason....
MTA: OK, just called. Will hear back some time this afternoon.
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Roadwarrior the high profile are not as wide. Moderate profile like I have give a more "athletic" look as they say. For my body shape, size and previous breasts this was a good style for me. Whippetmom should be able to explain more.
I know I was concerned at first that I wasn't getting high profile but I'm quite happy with my results.
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roadwarrior28 - I know whippetmom will chime in here, but each company makes implants with different profiles or projections. The "footprint" or base width of your implant has to match the pocket that your PS created for the TE and, ultimately, the implants. So, the implant width is sort of pre-determined. There is then the decision to be made of how much you want the implants to project and there are different choices. I think the most important thing is to be sure to communicate with your PS along the way so he/she knows if you're hoping for a small/athletic look, a Playboy bunny look, or something in between.
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I love the Moving Comfort Maia, but I think I will try the Vero also. For me, that cup needs to come up as high as possible. I'd get a turtleneck sports bra if they made one! Val on the bras thread loves the Bendon Max Out sports bra and she does a lot of bouncing. So you just have to see what works for you.
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Yes, to what Tina said. I think I would categorize the high profiles as more of a "perky" profile and the moderate plus as more of an "athletic" profile. It is sometimes a matter of preference, but more often, a choice based on your chest wall characteristics, your implant width and volume and your plastic surgeon's inclinations and willingness to use one over another. It is best to have the style discussion now, rather than at the pre-op appointment before the exchange.
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roadwarrior28 - I don't know if my personal experience helps any, but I have the Allergan Natrelle Style 15 (like lago), but mine are 533cc. These are "moderate plus" profile. I was concerned because I have a rather prominent sternum and ribcage and no fat layer on my chest at all and I wanted as natural a look as possible. I didn't necessarily want "perky" and my mantra with my PS was "no coconut shells please" (translation - no high profile implants for me). He took 3 different styles and various volumes into surgery and he and his PA knew right away that the Style 15 would make me the happiest when they tried them out. As whippetmom said, your chest wall really does come into play. It's kind of overwhelming - hang in there!!!
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With regards to Carrol2's question...Dr Khouri would not graft over my 550's because of his concern that they would get punctured during the grafting process. Trust me, I REALLY wanted to simply graft over my existing implants instead of slicing myself open AGAIN!!
He removed the 550's, replaced them with 325's thereby creating space to graft in. The whole concept of Brava is to create a receptive space to graft. He also does not use Brava on implants for fear of rupture. I LOVE Dr Khouri...just no longer think his process works for me.
I go tomorrow for a second consult with Dr Namnoum. I called to ask questions, and he just said to swing back by to chat again and hammer out the details. No fee. I definitely appreciate that attitude!0 -
hi ladies, new to these posts. Read a lot and took a lot of notes to ask the ps tomorrow. Thanks whippetmom.......Exchange surgery is scheduled for July 12th, I am all of a sudden very nervous. I have a vacation planned on August 4th and am now thinking I will not be healed enough to go. Any thoughts on recovery would be appreciated.
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Leveled, your exchange will be WAY easier than your mx. Not sure of your vacation plans, but you will not be able to swim due to concerns of infecting incisions. Otherwise, if you are taking it relatively easy, you will be absolutely fine. I was up running around back to my normal routine literally the day after. It was basically like getting and caring for stitches...other than that, no pain or anything whatsoever!!
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Yeehah.......so happy to hear that geewhiz......my vaca is at the beach no pools just the ocean of which I don't really go in anyway......only up to my knees.....lol....thanks.
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geewhiz I went on vacation 4 weeks after my exchange and I was fine. My husband drove us from Kansas City to New York to see family and I was running all over NYC on the subways, lots of walking. I was fine.0
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Saw my PS today and boy did he try hard to make me feel stupid for my questions! But I showed him, hah!!
Turns out it's when the muscles get soft and pliable and swell a bit from all the heat and movement of running, I can feel the implant moving around under them, and that's what I experience as the sloshiness. And the cut and dry of it is, if I weren't so keenly aware of all these subtle goings-on in my body, I wouldn't be troubled by them. So sue me for being in tune with my body... But is it really that hard for a woman who's had this procedure to get a list of what the "new normal" in sensations is going to be? And especially a runner?? Sheesh....
Sorry for the vent. I figured this crowd might be tolerant of it more than most. Thanks.
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I saw a PS today also...but I swear I feel sick to my stomach over it all. Frankly feel tears welling up as I type this, ugh. He definitely covered all the bases, even dragging out the possibility of needing a lat flap worst case scenario. Bottom line? I NEVER should have removed my 550's. They should have been grafted over. Namnoum says it's done all the time, in a carefully controlled procedure with great results.
So Dr Namnoum brought out the Sientra Cohesive gels, the Mentor and the Allergan. He thinks the Sientra and the Allergan are super similar. The content he says is "proprietary", but one of the chief Sientra Muckity Mucks used to be at Allergan. Tomatoe, tomato he says. He likes the Sientra more for augmentations...not so much for reconstruction. But he quickly added that it is SO new, that as its used more, his opinion might change. The Allergan and the Sientra looked and felt virtually identical...there is a stripe with a dot on the Sientra, but if I was to close my eyes there would not be much difference "feel" wise.
He feels the Allergans, textured 410 fits my "bed". He really scrutinizes and measures everything.... calls it a "major geometry exercise" to make the right choice for each body. He is looking at torso length, width across my back, the "beds" left from the mx on my chest; the cleavage on the sternum, sternum angles. He will start with tissue expanders, then just see how my body responds.
My appointment was at 1:15. I started getting dressed at 3pm. The office is packed like
sardines, but I was not rushed whatsoever . I thought Whippetmom would appreciate all of this!0 -
The worst part about any PS offfice visit is having your pictures taken.... boobie mug shots... face forward, turn to the right, turn to the left... I'm always afraid they'll wind up on Facebook...
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geewhiz - What a letdown to get so far with your "redo" only to have to switch gears and start over again. But, it sounds like you're in great hands. Best wishes!
Happy 4th everyone!
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Geewhiz -- I understand. I think the tears are for the "starting over" part of things. But I agree with Tina, this new PS sounds great.
Orangemat -- yeah I hate those photos too... but they don't take pictures of your face, so you need not worry. No one would know it's you. When I have to have pictures done at the PS's office, they even make me remove jewelry so that there is no identifying mark at all.
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I agree orangemat, it is humiliating. 5 years ago I had a tummy tuck and a breast lift and had to stand there in all my glory in front of a 3 way mirror while he snapped pictures. LOL
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geewhiz: I am extremely interested in all of what he had to say to you and what you experienced. Please do not cry or weep or waste one moment more in regret over what happened in the past. It is done. This just adds unnecessary stress to the process and you don't need stress in your life any longer. Just move forward and go through the TEs again (I thought he might tell you this) and it will be over before you know it. I am so very impressed with everything you have said about Dr. Namnoum. Please keep us updated on what transpires next. You will be fine....just relax as much as you can through the process. You have been here before. You know the drill. Hugs...and praying for you as well...
Deborah0 -
Geewhiz I'm actually excited for you. Finally someone who is going to make you look great!0
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Thanks Whippetmom and Lago. It was nice to log in and get a smile. Today I think I picked myself up and dusted myself off. Momentary pity party yesterday. Tired of surgery, scars, treatments. Blech.
I am happy to have found another caring doctor, and this time...close to home. I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other : )0 -
Hi, I had a BMX on 16May and immediate reconstruction with one-step total sub-muscular placement with Mentor CPG 332 Gel Breast IMplant Cohesive III, Tall Height, Moderate Plus Profle, 270 cc. I am now six weeks post-op and feeling really good. I have 100% mobility restored and was given the okay by PS at 5 weeks to start jogging again. I am now allowed to wear any kind of bra that I want, undewires okay, but PS says it should be somewhat supportive to prevent natural sag from regular aging. I have been fitted for bras now and take a 34C.
What I am very self conscious about is that now I notice that on the upper part you can see a buckling or the edge of the implant. I feel if I wear anything low-cut everyone will be able to see that I have obvious implants.
What is this called and is there anything I can do about it? My PS says it may relax by itself, give it time, and that it wasn't noticeable earlier because I may have been still a bit swollen which hid this effect.
I am also seeing a wrinkle and excess skin under the left breast fold. The PS says after a year he will consider how to take care of this in an outpatient office visit with local anesthesia.
I hate to be so nitpicky and critical of my new breasts, when I should just be grateful I am alive and cancer-free. (Venting!)
(Affirming!) I am remembering more and more to just ENJOY and observe with joy and without negative judgement.
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Fearless -- that noticeable edge at the top is called a step off. I'm sure Whippetmom will comment, but one way to solve the problem is through fat grafting (applied carefully to the area). Whippetmom did this and, as I understand it, you often need to do it more than once for it to really take. Not all doctors do fat grafting so you want to be sure to speak with one who is an expert in doing it (also some, like my PS, won't do it because sometimes the fat can form bumps or lumps that feel like cancer and are not... which can be confusing -- anyway that's what my doctors said). With that said (about the cons), it's my understanding that a lot of the women here on BCO have had this procedure done with no problems.
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Fearless -- I'm curious...I will have my exchange in september and my PS will use CPG 322 or 323 around 300 ccs. I'm surprised that the 270 ccs fitted you in a 34c. I'm 5'6'' @ 120 and 29'' ribcage...Are your measurements similar to mine ??? My english is not perfect...I'm from Quebec...I hope you'll understand me !!!
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Just had my exchange surgery yesterday to the uni-MX side, and also a breast lift to the native side.
Whippetmom had suggested placement of a 600-700 cc implant, high round profile with the expander size 133LV-14, however my experienced PS ended up putting in a 450 cc Mentor implant. I don't know why there is so much difference in the cc's.
At this point (and I know it is early) , I wish he would have gone with a larger implant and added a small implant to the native side. I really tried to make him understand my wishes but I feel he made the decisions based on his knowledge and preference. So what does this mean, do I have to settle with this, or can revisions be made, or is it then considered cosmetic? I really think you are much more limited when you have a uni-MX
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Janice I am a uni and I had a lift and a small implant on my non cancer side. I did not want the implant but the PS explained that the lifted side would not have upper pole fullness and they would not look symmetric.
About getting a revision to go bigger I do not see why you would not be able to get it. I just got a revision to a smaller implant in my case I lost weight and they became uneven. I had pocket work done which was a bit painful for couple weeks. In any case going bigger is always better than going smaller so give it time and see how you feel then.
We have the same implant size 450cc which feels plenty big in my frame because I am 5'-2", weigh 100 lbs. and my ribcage is 28". I have posted pictures of my revision in the picture forum.
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Thanks for responding islandmom
I think the difference is that your body is a much smaller size than mine. I am 55 yrs old, 5'7' , 160 lbs and was wearing a 38 D bra. So now I don't feel like there is enough there.
I don't think I am being overly fussy about it, I just kept saying that I want to stay the same size and not go smaller, but I am afraid it will be with this size implant.
I guess I will have to give it some time, if he does'nt feel the same way I do that maybe we will have to part ways and go to someone else.
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Janice, it sounds as though your PS used a moderate plus profile implant instead of a high profile implant. Can you confirm? Additionally, did you get a mastopexy/lift on the native side?
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When I see the PS on Monday I should be able to find out. But he knew my thoughts on it originally , so I don't know why but he pretty much went what he thought was best, from his vast number year's practice.
I wasn't fearful of the surgery itself, but the outcome of the surgery. Does that make any sense?
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janiceg415 - Not fearful of the surgery, but fearful of the outcome - I think most of us felt exactly the same way before exchange. You sound quite frustrated with your PS. He might have had reasons for doing the surgery "his" way rather than helping you achieve your goal. If that is the case the very least you deserve is an explanation of why going smaller was medically or surgically necessary. If it was simply a matter of your PS believing that his aesthetic eye takes precedence over the patient's wishes that is pretty egotistical...0
