BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Kay -- my PS did a similar thing (expanded my TEs to 850! but put in a 685). What I did was make a note (and take a picture) of how I looked when I was expanded to around 650 so I would know about how big I would be... then I told my PS: bigger is better
She luckily agreed and when I went in for exchange she knew I wanted the 685 and she was going to try her best to get it into me... but there was a chance it would be too large and I knew I might end up with something smaller. I was so happy I got the 685 in the end. If you are feeling pretty happy now with the size of the TE that is great! Means you have wiggle room As for your question about the full height giving more cleavage like the TE, that is possible. You should find out what height the TE is... and what width. It will give you some idea of what your options will be and you can browse the Allergan site for similar width implants (for example). That's what I did once I knew the model/size of my TE.0 -
i did ask my PS about height/width of implant etc,but he just said he couldn't say yet as it really depends on how much more i can be stretched.They will decide once i've reached my limit with the Te's. Makes sense i suppose,as they could say 1 thing now but have to decide on something else later.
I mentioned bringing the pockets closer together if possible and he said not to get too hung up on how things look NOW,as you very rarely get symmetry after the 1st surgery(BMx). He said anything that needed tweaking would get done during exchange.
I asked about the possible rotation problem with me being sporty and training in Tae Kwondo,and he said there is a small possibility that the implant could move,but thats why they dont have a HUGE pocket and a small implant. i then asked him that given my sport,would he still opt for anatomicals instead of round,and he said yes because of my build and the bonyness of my chest.Rounds would look like 2 balls stuck to my chest.
so i'll just have to wait and see what size my TE's end up,and then wait for my pre-op appointment to discuss the implants.Should only have to wait til Sept/Oct! lol
0 -
Kay -- it sounds like your PS knows what he's doing
It's good to have the info you get here -- it helps explain stuff (I think) when you are talking to your PS... I'm sure if you express to him your desires (how big, how much cleavage, but also desire to do sports, etc) he will do the best he can for you. There are limits to what you can have based on how much your muscle and skin is willing to be stretched as well as your basic size and shape, etc. 0 -
Mimi: You should be able to shower by this weekend, [3 days post-op is about right] and so you should be able to see your results and get some photos for me!!!
Jerusha: I like the idea of tweaking at least just a couple of millimeters into that implant beyond the 13.0 cm width of the TEs - just to make sure there is no laxity which might cause some lateral rippling. If you decided to go with smooth round silicone, I would select the Style 20, 550 ccs for you. You have to throw the whole projection dimensions created by your TEs out the window when it comes to the exchange. The reason for the increased projection in the TEs is to stretch out the portion of the pocket which has the mastectomy defect. To get as much stretch as possible so that you can have safe closure over the implant and also, in the PS' mind, to get some natural droop or "ptosis" after the exchange. I would personally be a candidate for the Style 45 650 cc implants, because my implants sit lower on the chest wall, I have some extra laxity with my skin, and I also have a longer sternal notch to nipple distance. However, I also would be carrying around an extra 100 ccs, and so that is a factor I really have to consider, if I ever want to exchange down the road. Additionally, I would be carrying around 100 ccs for the same bra size I have currently. So it really depends on whether your torso can handle the extra height and where your pockets are situated on your chest wall. Go look at my photos and note where the TEs were sitting and where my implants are now seated on my chest wall.
Kay: In looking at your photos, I think you could easily handle the full height implants. However, you sacrifice width for the fuller height. With implants - after breast reconstruction - we need width to help with cleavage and width to help fill up the bra cup. If it is all height - all upper pole fullness ABOVE the bra cup - it is not filling up the cup itself. Make sense? And you need the width in order to get the implants closer together - bringing them in medially towards the sternum.
0 -
ah that makes alot of sense Deborah.So to get my desired cleavage (or close to it) and in order to get my implants closer together,i would be best to try and ask for the moderate height?
As for which projection i am "allowed" to have.....i guess thats the bit that depends on how much more they can stretch me.It sounds like they will be reducing the implant size a fair bit compared to the TE size.I will just keep pushing for more and more fills till they say "WHOA!WE NEED TO STOP!" LOL.
0 -
If you are limited to size, I would go with the moderate height anatomicals. If you could get the same width as the moderate in a full height anatomical, I would opt for that one. But that means more volume and I don't know if you should or would be able to get to that point. Since you need to overfill so much, I don't think it sounds plausible. So yes, I would opt for width over height. A common complaint many women have after reconstruction is not being able to fill out the center portion of a bra. The extra width of the implant, with the right bra, compresses medially and this fills in the gaps and provides cleavage.
0 -
Kate33 - I too, feel like one side is bigger than the other. My left side, to me, looks larger. I have fills on Monday, so I'm going to ask about it.
0 -
Is it bizarre to show up to my last fill wearing a bra I just bought so the PS can see that I need a top off . . . not quite filled to capacity? I've always been wearing a hospital gown but I really need to wear the bra so I can show he exactly how shy I am from a full B cup. Bizarre? Or not unusual?
0 -
Deborah.The xchange went fine and i very very COMFORTABLE , PAIN FREE..and glad that i got rid of the TE's.What a big difference... Will send you pic on sunday and can tell me what you think coz they are wayyyyyyyyyyyy smaller than the TE,s. Will see when i take off the bandage.
0 -
Dawne-Hope- I'll be curious what your PS says on Monday. Doesn't it seems strange that one is smaller when they both got the exact amount in fills?
0 -
Deborah~ yes i think i will see what they say about getting the moderate height. Took another look at the Allegen pdf last night and looked at the dimensions of the MX and the MF. Depending on what width they will be able to put in (not sure what width TE is in) ,if i get the MX,id like to be able to go for the 325gram which will give me 12cm width and a 5.7cm projection.If i have the MF then the 335gram giving me a 12.5 width and 5.1 projection. I'm not even sure they can even go THAT big with the implants.I'm figuring if i can get to 450ml with my TE,from what he was saying about having to go much smaller with the implant,i'll be lucky to get an MF 295gram or an MX 290gram.
I am hoping that the 325/335gram options will be my MINIMUM! What do you think?Im pretty sure its a moderate or mid range profile TE thats in now,with a 300ml/cc capacity.I am really leaning toward the MX 325 so i hope my PS can oblige!
0 -
Deborah~ yes i think i will see what they say about getting the moderate height. Took another look at the Allegen pdf last night and looked at the dimensions of the MX and the MF. Depending on what width they will be able to put in (not sure what width TE is in) ,if i get the MX,id like to be able to go for the 325gram which will give me 12cm width and a 5.7cm projection.If i have the MF then the 335gram giving me a 12.5 width and 5.1 projection. I'm not even sure they can even go THAT big with the implants.I'm figuring if i can get to 450ml with my TE,from what he was saying about having to go much smaller with the implant,i'll be lucky to get an MF 295gram or an MX 290gram.
I am hoping that the 325/335gram options will be my MINIMUM! What do you think?Im pretty sure its a moderate or mid range profile TE thats in now,with a 300ml/cc capacity.I am really leaning toward the MX 325 so i hope my PS can oblige!
0 -
Deborah~ yes i think i will see what they say about getting the moderate height. Took another look at the Allegen pdf last night and looked at the dimensions of the MX and the MF. Depending on what width they will be able to put in (not sure what width TE is in) ,if i get the MX,id like to be able to go for the 325gram which will give me 12cm width and a 5.7cm projection.If i have the MF then the 335gram giving me a 12.5 width and 5.1 projection. I'm not even sure they can even go THAT big with the implants.I'm figuring if i can get to 450ml with my TE,from what he was saying about having to go much smaller with the implant,i'll be lucky to get an MF 295gram or an MX 290gram.
I am hoping that the 325/335gram options will be my MINIMUM! What do you think?Im pretty sure its a moderate or mid range profile TE thats in now,with a 300ml/cc capacity.I am really leaning toward the MX 325 so i hope my PS can oblige!
0 -
oops i posted the same post 3 times somehow earlier!
0 -
Deborah, I was told I can shower today, is it better to take off the surgical bra, change to something softer and wait another day before showering?
0 -
Deborah,
I told you before that nurse told me the doctor can predict cup size by the amount of ccs. When I asked the doctor he said he can't do that because every person's body etc. is different. He will do "fills" until he thinks I look good to him, and then I can add or take away depending on what I want. So, I think I have more trust in him than before - you were right - they can't predict cup size!! I asked the nurse about the TEs, she said she sent 400cc, 500cc and 600cc with him and she would check the chart for next time and let me know - I will find out and send my measurements to get your input when I get closer to being done. I am at 230 cc now and PS wants to wait 2 weeks for next fill. Thanks for your help!! And too funny about the pine needles!!
Valerie
0 -
i have put my 3 lymphedema videos which i took yesterday,on the "Lymphedema After Surgery" section. Apologies for the wobbly camera work! I think my daughter must have been trying to swat a fly! LOL
0 -
Kay: I also hope your PS can take you to the 300 cc range. I think either the MX or MF would be fine for you - but probably the MX over the MF, for your frame and torso. Just make your desires known about being in the "300 Club"....that is about all you can do, short of taking your PS hostage and risking jail time.
Valerie: There you go. Cup size, schmup size.
Waldo: Shower today. Be gentle. Are you supposed to put the surgical bra back on? If your PS instructs the surgical bra be worn until he sees you for the post-op, it has more compression than a soft bra at this point so it is advisable to keep wearing it.
Mimi: A lot of what you are seeing is compression by the pectorals, which is why they also look so small right now. What size implants - style, etc., did he use?
0 -
mantra: Well, not bizarre, but youur TEs are not shaped like implants which are pliable and can mould and fill a bra cup and your PS might likely use that premise. But with that said, your implants need to be larger than your expanders in order to get sufficient volume. I think that you can SHOW your PS this, stating, "if I cannot fill a "B" cup with my expanders, how can I hope to fill one with my implants?" See what he says. Do you want to go over your numbers again with me before you go through the exchange surgery?0
-
Deborah: If the implants need to be larger than the expanders, then why does my PS think we need to expand larger then the implant size? I am at 355 cc's which will put me around 425-450 cc at my next fill on tuesday. He did say to bring in a bra, which I will, to my appointment. I bought the Warners soft cup 36C. I was thinking this could be the last fill until my exchange.
Kay: Since I don't have a choice in the matter, I am hoping mine doesn't look like two balls stuck on my chest! It does sound as if you are in good hands. BTW: My one post also became three by accident on bc.org!!??
mimi: Congratulations on your exhange.
0 -
MBJ: Implants larger than the base, recommended fill of the TEs. Overfill does not count. So your TEs are less than 500 cc TEs, right? Your PS does not think in these terms though. Overfill is just getting some extra "oomph" with the skin stretch.
0 -
Deborah: Yes, my TE's are 400 cc's which he plans to overexpand. So if we expand to 450 is this considered overexpanded or do they expand even further? He also does a small expansion in pre-op.
Mayr
0 -
Yes, this is considered overexpanded. They CAN be expanded further, but do they NEED to be expanded further? That is the million dollar question. If your skin has stretched sufficiently, you should be fine with a 500 cc implant after being overfilled to 450 ccs.
0 -
Deborah: Can I go with the Allergan 45's? That would be 650 cc's but the width is slightly wider (13.2) compared to 13 and projects a bit more (6.2) compared to 5.6. Or would I be better with style 20 High Profile 20-550's which are 13.5 x 5.6? I also looked at the Mentor High Profile 350-5004 BC which is 13.2 x 5.3.
Thank you!
Mary
0 -
Your PS is not going to go for the 45's in 650 ccs. I can almost guarantee it. Once again though, your height and weight? Do you have a long torso? Let me go over your numbers again...
0 -
Height 6' weight 156-158. Pretty balanced but I am 2" longer all over not just in the torso. I also have the bony chest thing so we don't want the step off and of course matching my other breast with an implant. I figured I would get the ball on the chest look with the 45's but a girl can wish, right?
0 -
The style 20's go to 550 and the Mentor to 500 cc's. My ribcage is 32".
0 -
That is right - you are a unilateral. No, I would not go with the Style 45.
I think I have told you previously - 500 ccs, right? The problem is, you do not want the implant to be too round and tight in that pocket, because, as a unilateral, you need that extra stretch to get more natural droop. So your PS is going to use the implant which gives you symmetry with the newly augmented natural breast. It is entirely different than an approach for a bilateral.
0 -
That's what I was afraid of. Only the Mentor has 500 cc's. My PS was originally going to go for 350-375 cc's but I wasn't buying it. At least he knows I want to go larger. Thanks again for your help. I really wanted to do the 410's but I am not able to go to that dr.
0 -
MBJ: Hmmm? Mentor also comes in 550 ccs....the HP style? Is that the style you are thinking about? It comes in 550 ccs in the moderate plus profile also...
0
