BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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vik: I did not have any problems with my TEs either. In fact, I loved them - loved the way they looked - and I was reticent about the exchange because I was concerned that the implants would not give me this same appearance. I have the same appearance, but I had a PS who knew that I would be haunting her dreams, if they were not the right size. I had no problem with fills and the time went by so quickly.
Would you PM me and tell me where you live and which PS you intend to use? I would like to reassure you that you are headed in the right direction.0 -
mebmarj: I had a very strange area of redness which waxed and waned on my cancer side about two months after the TEs were placed. My PS was perplexed and ruled out infection. I used a topical ABX but I am not sure it helped any It finally resolved before the exchange. Another culprit for "redness" can be Alloderm, and this is a "syndrome" which is self-limiting and spontaneously resolves. It usually always occurs within the first few months of the TEs being placed. It is called "red breast syndrome" and is not widely understood and so is typically underdiagnosed.
I hope things resolve for you....0 -
No alloderm was used, so I'm stumped.
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mebmarj....me too....you can always email me photos...
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so, what the heck is Alloderm? Please enlighten me.
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Hello whippetmom, I had exchange aug. 6th I requested high profile 750 or 800. Instead he put in mod profile plus 800 and it sits very high on my chest and I cannot fill out my c cup Bali or Warchol bras. He said they will drop and look better. I don't see how . I get my breast lift done in nov. sure am glad he didn't work on my native side. In your opinion what do think ? I look stupid right now. I have 40inch rib cage . I weigh 190lb but I'm losing weight rather fast doing the raspberry pill it works along with exercise . So maybe mod profile plus will look ok later on.
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Hello whippetmom, I had exchange aug. 6th I requested high profile 750 or 800. Instead he put in mod profile plus 800 and it sits very high on my chest and I cannot fill out my c cup Bali or Warchol bras. He said they will drop and look better. I don't see how . I get my breast lift done in nov. sure am glad he didn't work on my native side. In your opinion what do think ? I look stupid right now. I have 40inch rib cage . I weigh 190lb but I'm losing weight rather fast doing the raspberry pill it works along with exercise . So maybe mod profile plus will look ok later on.
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vik: Here is a good description of Alloderm and the use of same in breast reconstruction.
http://www.lifecell.com/alloderm-regenerative-tissue-matrix/95/
Most typically, Alloderm is used as a "sling" or "hammock" in the lower pole of the breast, aiding in supporting the tissue expanders and/or breast implants. Approximately two thirds of the upper pole of the TEs/implants will be covered by the pectoralis musculature.
It is beneficial in cases where the skin is quite thin. Strattice is another acellular product which is not human cadaver based, but is from bovine tissue. Strattice is also manufactured by Life Cell.
My PS used Alloderm. I would say that Alloderm or Strattice has been used in at least if not more than 50% of the implant-based breast reconstruction cases, from what I have observed in the last four years here on bc.org.
Hope this helps.
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Sleep: I am going to PM you my email address so that you can send me a photo. You do need at least a month after the exchange, in order to really see how the implant is going to settle into the pocket which has been created. I agree with you, as I do not like the "bait and switch" of it all either, as far as implant styles are concerned. However, sometimes it is what the PS feels is best to gain symmetry with the native breast. We might not know fully until you have had your lift procedure. But I would like to see the placement of that implant...
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SeriScaffold is another support matrix. It is an Allergan product and is now in clinical trials for breast reconstruction. However, the current study phase is now closed to new patients. Since the product is manufactured from silk, comes in large sheets, and is easier to store and prepare than Alloderm it should be less expensive once it is available. It is my understanding that some patients can't get Alloderm because their insurance companies won't approve it due to the cost.
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Most concise, clear explanation of alloderm I've ever seen. Thanks for posting.
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Hi Whippetmom - my TEs are at 400ccs now and am wearing 34C bra size. If my surgeon chooses 425cc HP style 20, will I still be the same bra size?
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My pleasure, DH.
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angellunch: I need you to repost your information. TE style and volume [not what you are filled to, but the recommended volume], your height, weight and ribcage circumference.
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I may have missed it but wanted to add: alloderm is made from the skin of cadavers and, because it's human tissue, as I understand it, it eventually becomes a part of you. Tina -- does that happen with the silk too?
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Whippetmom --
Wow, interesting info on Alloderm. Great visuals too! Can you recommend a site(s) that I can go to where I might be able to see samples of these various implant styles that you ladies are talking about?0 -
Whippetmom I do not know the style of mentor TE but they are 450cc TE's if that helps. I am getting mentor HP smooth round silicone. I am 5'3", ribcage is 28" and my weight is about 115lb. Currently filled to 400 and PS is going to use 450. I am currently wearing a 32C but it is a little small in the cup. As for the band it is on the smallest hook so I really could probably wear a 30 but they are so hard to find. I have had no problems with my fills and actually really like the way I currently look and he knows that. He has assured me he will make me the same size but more natural looking. He is one of the best in the reconstruction field in the nation and I do trust him. From what you told me before you had said 400 to 450. I was going to go with 400 and then got scared and told him I wanted the 450's. Please let me know if you still agree with this.
Greenmonkey I am so sorry that you are having all these issues. My PS put alloderm in at my BMX and I have had no issues with it. I cannot even tell where it is. I had to ask him to show me where he sewed it in. I know whippetmon can give you all kinds of names and I would trust what she tells you. If you are up to traveling the group that I use in San Antonio, Texas are one of the top Breast Reconstruction practices in the nation. They are PRMA http://prma-enhance.com/ This is their website and they have lot's of good information on it. The PS that I am using is Dr. Peter Ledoux he is one of the founders. The office staff is very helpful and will help you with travel arrangements etc. Good luck with getting this fixed. Do Not give up, there is a PS out there that can help you.
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SherryC: Yes, 450 ccs.
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vik: At the top of the Exchange City thread you will find some links to Mentor and Allergan implants.
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Ok, I need to growl a minute. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
I had picked Dr Namnoum in ATL to finish my recon. I have had quite a bit of grafting with Dr Khouri, and just am worn out and dont feel like travelling clear back down to Florida for what seems to be several more surgeries. I had wanted to complete both of the next 2 stages by year end, since I am at a 3 year mark almost, and am QUITE ready to have this surgery mess behind me.
My husband has scheduled vacation time, my mom is on standby to take care of kids, etc. So, Namnoums office calls yesterday and says, "Sorry, with all the new government coverage and insurance changes, we have redefined our charges and now your out of pocket expense will be $5000 per surgery". Ummm, what?!! I know its out of network for me, and I anticipated meeting my 4k deductible, but they want to balance bill whatever isnt paid at "their" coverage amount. My insurance pays 65% out of network with 4k max out of pocket. But, with what Namnoum now charges to even the playing field, I will owe 5k for each surgery for his expected fees. I had her double check, and she reconfirmed this afternoon exactly what she told me yesterday. Not exactly reconstruction friendly in Namnoums office. So depressing, they seemed like such great folks.
To top it off, about 10 minutes after I got off the phone with his office manager Cindy, I got slammed into by a kid not paying any attention. My car is a mess. Noone is hurt, thank goodness.
I just want my boobs back : (0 -
Whippetmom thanks so much.
geewhiz hate that you are just finding this out. My PS office makes a point to tell you they do not balance bill. It is on their website and also in the information that they give to you. I did not even realize that some PS offices do balance billing. Hope you can get some resolution to all this.
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Lilah - Yes, the SeriScaffold (silk) is eventually resorbed by the body as new collagen is formed to replace it. If the clinical trial goes well and it goes into general release it hopefully will be available to more women as a sling/support for implants. It will be an "off the shelf" product, doesn't require soaking, and comes in larger sheets than Alloderm. I have read that it might have other plastic surgery applications in the future as in injectable product to be used as a filler (facial applications, etc).0
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[[[[[[[geewhiz]]]]]]]
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oh double hug geewhiz... but a gentle one.... damn 2012 has been a tough one. I'm stopping short of kicking the cat, but I am stomping my feet.
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okay...
first THANK YOU everyone for being supportive and providing information that I desperately need. Special thanks to WhippetMom (your wings are going to be sooooo, oh, so, fluffy!)
now...
because I am processing and because I am a monkey at heart, I have to vent a bit about a doctor recommended website.
Perhaps I'm being to sensitive (this is so my nature) but I fail to see why this particular doctor must post "bush" in his before and after shots. Why can't he use paper panties at the very least!!! I have to admit. I know someone who used this doctor and she raved about him but she admitted to having a crush and fantasizing about him and 2 years later that fantasy lingers so I'm thinking... she either has an over active imagination, is miserable in her marriage or... oh, I don't know where I'm going with this but I found it odd that he showed the bush.
here is the link to his photo's ... tell me if you think he showed too much..
http://www.davidgreenspunmd.com/photos
now... for those of you who read my blog you know, I have NO filter - I show and tell all - but let me tell you now.... I draw the line at the pubic bone. I am not showing my bush! not here, not on my blog, not on a doctors blog...
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Greenmonkey--OMG I can't believe that. My PS would never take a picture naked like that. paper panties is a must if you are needing to show that area.
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oh thanks for the validation SherryC, I was worrying that I was a prude. And I noticed that some of the ladies shaved. did they shave for the photo? did he ask them to shave? is shaving the norm? am I the only breast cancer patient who doesn't shave? should I start shaving... my mind is rolling out of control...
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Thank you everyone : ) I really appreciate the uplift.
Greenmonkey, yes...those photos seem to be in poor taste. I think I would feel better if I could put one of these guys in a paper thong today, have him turn at all different angles, with a man nurse standing watching, then draw all over him with rainbow sharpies...the way they do us for surgery prep. It should be a required experience of all ps' in training.
The silk alloderm type product sounds interesting. I definitely will look into it! it is funny how strongly some surgeons feel about alloderm. My first surgeon used it extensively. My second yanked it all out, now the one I was going to finish with wants to put it back in.0
