BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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I had my last appointment before exchange surgery yesterday and am home as depressed as my chest is where the upper pole of the expanders sit. Some have referred to it as a "step-down"- you could call it depression or being concave. The remedy is fat transfer to the area so that the implant isn't just sitting there and the chest and breast flow together as they should. Mine is very obvious- I have a bony chest. It's ugly and I'm self conscience about it. I have to be very picky about the necklines of what I wear.
At the previous appointment my PS asked me to put on some weight, which I have (8 lbs so far). Surgery is scheduled for October 18th. I'll continue to try to gain weight so there's more fat to transfer. After I undressed she checked me over for areas of fat to take. At the end of our meeting she seemed pretty uncertain that she could get enough fat to correct that step-down. The only area she could find that might be suitable was the inner thigh area. (I'm sure Deborah knows the proper term for this deformity- they call it a depression in my Dr's office.) That's kind of beside the point. I'm upset that this deformity may NOT be corrected after going through several months of expanders, long travel.. the whole mess. I don't expect perfection - it would be nice, but I SO hate the way this looks. She said with the implants we should see a marked improvement. She hopes this depression will be more of a slope, but no guarantees. Such a bummer. I asked if there was anything other than fat which could be used in addition such as Alloderm. (I had Alloderm slings bilaterally at BMX). She wasn't really comfortable with anything other than my own fat. We talked about the option of totally different more complicated procedures, like a back flap. She didn't sound too keen on that, nor am I.
Any other thoughts? I really am trying to fatten up! I started eating healthy and cutting out all sugar due to the beast. Anything I could do to try to help prevent a relapse since I'm a Triple Neg. In the process of this healthy lifestyle I lost some weight.
*sigh* this whole thing is so disheartening at the moment.
As far as implants she wants to do High Profile Natrelle 45 ONLY. She's bringing in 500cc, 550 & 600 I believe. (I wasn't really "all there" since I started running fever that morning and was shaking with hard chills during the appointment.) She wants to place the largest my skin will handle.
We drive 14 hours both ways for these appointments. It's tough going into this totally deflated. I haven't even had a chance to request access to the photo site. I really wanted to be excited about this exchange.
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Sorry for the triplicate post. My computer is slow today. I'm still sick and not all here so I hope the below post makes a modicum of sense.
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I had my last appointment before exchange surgery yesterday and am home as depressed as my chest where the upper pole of the expanders sit. Some have referred to it as a "step-down"- you could call it depression or being concave. It's an obvious deformity. The remedy is fat transfer to the area so that the implant isn't just sitting there and the chest and breast flow together as they should. Granted, I have a bony chest. With these expanders filled to 490cc each it's ugly and I'm self conscience about it. I have to be very picky about the necklines of what I wear.
At the previous appointment my PS asked me to put on some weight, which I have (8 lbs so far). Surgery is scheduled for October 18th. I'll continue to try to gain weight so there's more fat to transfer. After I undressed she checked me over for areas of fat to take. At the end of our meeting she seemed uncertain that she could get enough fat to correct this problem and was quite upfront about it. The only area she could find that might be suitable was the inner thigh area. (BTW, I'm sure Deborah knows the proper term for this deformity- they call it a depression in my Dr's office. That's kind of beside the point- just trying to articulate so you know what I'm talking about.) I'm upset that this deformity may NOT be corrected after going through several months of expanders, long travel.. the whole mess. I don't expect perfection - it would be nice, but I SO hate the way this looks. She said with the implants we should see a marked improvement regardless. She hopes this depression will be more of a natural slope, but no guarantees. Such a bummer. My body has betrayed me again. I asked if there was anything other than fat which could be used in addition.. such as Alloderm. (I had Alloderm slings bilaterally at BMX). She wasn't really comfortable with anything other than my own fat. We talked about the option of totally different more complicated procedures, like a back flap. She didn't sound too keen on that, nor am I.
Whippetmom or anyone...any other thoughts? I really am trying to fatten up! I started eating healthy, cutting out all sugar, bad carbs and working out due to the beast. Anything I could do to try to help prevent a relapse since I'm a Triple Neg. In the process of this healthy lifestyle I lost some weight.
*sigh* this whole thing is so disheartening at the moment. I'm SO grateful for the education here ((( Deborah ))). It helped communication tremendously. She was impressed w/ the info & knowledge on this site. We're all so lucky to have Whippetmom and some of the other savvy ladies here.
As far as implants she wants to use High Profile Natrelle 45 ONLY. She's bringing in 500cc to 600 I believe. (I wasn't really "all there" since I started running fever that morning and was shaking with hard chills during the appointment.) She wants to place the largest my skin will handle.
We drive 14 hours both ways (7 hrs ea/way) for these appointments. It's tough going into this surgery totally deflated. I haven't even had a chance to request access to the photo site. I really wanted to be excited about the exchange.
Should I get another opinion??? I had my TX plan (chemo at home & away) & surgery at MD Anderson. The same PS/ reconstructive surgeon placed the expanders and I really like her, I believe she's qualified however another PS may be moreso and this is about my good result. She admitted she's somewhat partial to saline also, which surprised me. When I asked her if she thought saline would be better for my case she said absolutely not and I should go with silicone. Everything else looks good.. symmetry, etc. - Any input SO appreciated.
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Hi Whippetmom,
I had a nipple sparing double mastectomy. How does a NSM differ from a total mastectomy in terms of implants? Does it make any difference in terms of sizing of the implants or projection of the implants. Just curious because most of the photos that I am looking at on the photo forum are women who have had total mastectomies.
Thanks again for such a great service~
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Hi Shabby - Sorry to jump in here. I just posted on your picture forum thread that I have a thread there. I had bilateral nipple-sparing surgery and tissue expanders swapped out for silicone implants. Whippetmom will likely have a better explanation, but from my own experience I know that sparing the nipples does pose a few limitations for the PS. In order for them to be positioned properly it could be difficult to create cleavage if you had none before BC, for example.
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Hi Shabby - Sorry to jump in here. I just posted on your picture forum thread that I have a thread there. I had bilateral nipple-sparing surgery and tissue expanders swapped out for silicone implants. Whippetmom will likely have a better explanation, but from my own experience I know that sparing the nipples does pose a few limitations for the PS. In order for them to be positioned properly it could be difficult to create cleavage if you had none before BC, for example.
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Adgirl5,
I am right there with you regarding the "infraclavicular hollow" (depression above my left expander). At my last meeting with my PS I asked what his plans were for that. He said the implant should help enormously and that I likely would not end up with much, if any defect. I asked about fat grafting, and he said that he doesn't perform it because it is not a guaranteed method (many of the grafted fat cells can die off apparently, and there is a concern about them looking like calcifications down the road which can lead to unnecessary biopsies).
But I have read many posts where fat grafting was an option and apparently a good one. I think that it would be done as a "fine tuning" well after the exchange surgery though, if performed. So at this point I am going to keep faith in my PS, who has not steered me wrong yet, and hope that it won't be an issue. I will bring it up again at my pre-surgery appointment just so he knows where I stand. I am scheduled for exchange on 11/19, although I am hoping for a cancellation spot in mid October.
Don't know about you, but I am ready for my expander to "drop & fluff!" This thing really doesn't cause me discomfort, but it is not enjoyable having a protrusion on your chest that a Mack truck couldn't shift. Since I'm a large-breasted Uni, trying to obtain symmetry takes effort!
I don't know how much support you're going to get about having to gain weight
because I think most posters are in the other camp! But I wish you quick recovery of your flu symptoms and a successful exchange surgery. 0 -
Adgirl5,
I am right there with you regarding the "infraclavicular hollow" (depression above my left expander). At my last meeting with my PS I asked what his plans were for that. He said the implant should help enormously and that I likely would not end up with much, if any defect. I asked about fat grafting, and he said that he doesn't perform it because it is not a guaranteed method (many of the grafted fat cells can die off apparently, and there is a concern about them looking like calcifications down the road which can lead to unnecessary biopsies).
But I have read many posts where fat grafting was an option and apparently a good one. I think that it would be done as a "fine tuning" well after the exchange surgery though, if performed. So at this point I am going to keep faith in my PS, who has not steered me wrong yet, and hope that it won't be an issue. I will bring it up again at my pre-surgery appointment just so he knows where I stand. I am scheduled for exchange on 11/19, although I am hoping for a cancellation spot in mid October.
Don't know about you, but I am ready for my expander to "drop & fluff!" This thing really doesn't cause me discomfort, but it is not enjoyable having a protrusion on your chest that a Mack truck couldn't shift. Since I'm a large-breasted Uni, trying to obtain symmetry takes effort!
I don't know how much support you're going to get about having to gain weight
because I think most posters are in the other camp! But I wish you quick recovery of your flu symptoms and a successful exchange surgery. 0 -
Adgirl5,
I am right there with you regarding the "infraclavicular hollow" (depression above my left expander). At my last meeting with my PS I asked what his plans were for that. He said the implant should help enormously and that I likely would not end up with much, if any defect. I asked about fat grafting, and he said that he doesn't perform it because it is not a guaranteed method (many of the grafted fat cells can die off apparently, and there is a concern about them looking like calcifications down the road which can lead to unnecessary biopsies).
But I have read many posts where fat grafting was an option and apparently a good one. I think that it would be done as a "fine tuning" well after the exchange surgery though, if performed. So at this point I am going to keep faith in my PS, who has not steered me wrong yet, and hope that it won't be an issue. I will bring it up again at my pre-surgery appointment just so he knows where I stand. I am scheduled for exchange on 11/19, although I am hoping for a cancellation spot in mid October.
Don't know about you, but I am ready for my expander to "drop & fluff!" This thing really doesn't cause me discomfort, but it is not enjoyable having a protrusion on your chest that a Mack truck couldn't shift. Since I'm a large-breasted Uni, trying to obtain symmetry takes effort!
I don't know how much support you're going to get about having to gain weight
because I think most posters are in the other camp! But I wish you quick recovery of your flu symptoms and a successful exchange surgery. 0 -
So now that I've got the bowels working, I'm now plagued by a feeling like my arm pits are on fire. More so on the right side, which is the side that was cancer- free. My husband and I were up at 3:00 a.m. redoing original dressings as they were very taut and pulling my skin and I felt that was what may be causing the fiery feeling. Afterwards felt much better, but when the pain meds start to wear off, I still have a bit of that hot, chaffed feeling. Anyone else experience this? I know most of you on this thread are far ahead of me with this process, so looking to you and your experiences for some tips. Also how long does the tingly-itchy feelings last? This does get better, right?
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Shabby- I am going to jump in on the NSBMX question. Hope you don't mind! I had one in December '11 with TE exchange surgery in May. My PS didn't inform me about NS being more difficult sometimes. I guess that makes sense because symmetry becomes more of an issue. However, I was told that I could go as big as I wanted because the placement was under the pec and that it didn't matter I was small before. He did let me know that there can be that "shelf" others have discussed, in which the upper poles are not as full. Though I am pretty petite and bony even prior to my mastecomy, I opted not to have any fat grafting to the upper poles during the exchange surgery, but that had been an option. He also said that I can do the fat grafting outpatient in his office at any point. Honestly, I am extremely pleased with the cosmetic result and am not interested in the fat grafting for some other reasons. To me, I would never notice any imperfections. My upper pole area looks like any well-done regular "boob job" to me rather than a mastecomy. It looks MUCH more natural than the slope with the expanders. I have gotten compliments from my oncologist and Ob-Gyn, and my sister, who is a doctor, said that she would never guess that I had an mastecomy versus standard breast aug. From my understanding, the PS can create somewhat of a slope with the way they create the pocket. Maybe I got lucky, but I certainly wouldn't be concerned about opting for a NSBMX because of asymmetry/lack of cleavage being a major factor. I would just make sure the PS is well-trained in this type of surgery. The PS tend to use high profile too, if possible, because of the cleavage/upper pole issue. I could try to send you a pic of myself in a tank top if you are concerned about the slope.
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Adgirl - Wish I had some advice for you. I feel like so many of our decisions are "gut instincts" throughout this and wish there were more absolutes. I can tell you that I met with 3 plastic surgeons before going with one that I was comfortable with, so perhaps getting another opinion might give you some peace of mind. I do know that all 3 PS that I met with recommended silicon implants to me. One simply said, "It's more natural looking." The other two explained more in depth to me that I would see the borders of the implant more with the saline and that they are better when there is surrounding breast tissue to mask them. They said that I would be more likely to need fat grafting to see them and indicated that some thinner women are actually bothered by the seams. I am not sure if this was merely a salespitch to go with what they thought would get them better "after" pictures, but I would be curious as to why your doctor prefers the saline in your case.
Layla- Did your PS recommend massages? Did you have Alloderm? Mine had told me not to do them.
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I hear this is the board for sizing questions.
Going in for exchange in a few weeks. Had my last fill 3 weeks ago and now wondering if I should do 1 more fill.
I would really like to be a full "C" cup but understand it is difficult for the PS to predict size. My PS says that bras run so differently that one brand's C cup is different than another brand but isn't there some way to correlate the volume they inject into us with a final size?
Would like to hear from other women who have had their exchanges--Did you end up about the same size as you looked with the TE's or smaller? My PS doesn't overfill and not sure if that has any bearing on final size. I want to be satisfied with the end results after dealing with these TE's for months.
I have had NS BMX and am 5'7" and 138 lbs. I am currently filled to 450 on left and less on right (cancer side with previous lumpectomy scar)
I would appreciate your advice!
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Hikergal - From what I understand, Whippetmom is the expert. My 2 cents - My PS told me he typically overfilled but when I went back and forth on sizing, he said he didn't need to overfill. I also had a NSBMX, and my PS told me that a good rule of thumb was that with the final implants AND a bra, you look the size you do without a bra with the TEs because of how the TEs protrude. He told the same as yours did about the bra size being irrelevant to him because it varied so much with the type of bra and manufacturers. He told me not to get hung up on the bra size and instead look at myself in my favorite clothes and bathing suits, etc. I basically told him I wanted to look the exact size I did with the TEs and left it to his discretion. I don't know if this is standard, but he told me that he goes into surgery with multiple size implants and then tries them out on one side while comparing them to the other side that still has the TE in place. He said that unlike with standard breast augmentation patients, he can order multiple sizes for mastectomy patients. Apparently, at the hospital where my surgery is performed, they have sizing ones that they use first before breaking open the patient's permanent one. That way, they can visualize the sizing before committing to it. Not sure if this is standard protocol everywhere, but 2 of the PS that I met with indicated they do it this way. For what it is worth, I am 5'4" and around 118 lbs. He brought 475, 500, and 550 (I think at 500 they go up in 50 - not sure) in with him and I ended up with 500s. I think I was filled to 475. I have not yet been professionally fitted since the TE surgery, but I pretty much overflow my 32B bras and not quite fill the 34C I was wearing with the TEs.
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CJRT--
Your PS's rule of thumb regarding size of TEs and implants with a bra is intetesting. When I see my PS week after next for my first fill, I will ask him for his take on that.0 -
Adgirl:
Take a look at this Allergan video comparing the Style 20 and Style 45. I think it may well be the best implant for your frame. I do think that step-off defects are going to be a problem for thin-framed, bony chested women until someone comes up with an expansion device, and/or implant and/or filler product which addresses this issue. I do think that low height or short height TEs are best at ameliorating or even eliminating the potential for this defect, but only some plastic surgeons seem to consistently use this style on all patients. But that said, here is the Allergan video which might be pretty educational for many of you trying to understand the TE to implant exchange process, and the planning which SHOULD go into exchange.
http://cta-av.com/eacademy/mediaplayer/reconstruction/extrahighprofile/mobile/index.html0 -
Hikergal: Read #3 in the header to this thread. I need more information about your tissue expanders.
Deborah0 -
CJRT- It seems pretty standard for PSs to order more than one set of implants. Each set of implants comes with sizers supplied by the manufacturer so the PS can try them out before opening the sterile package of the implants he/she ultimately decides to use.
Hikergal - The TEs typically have more projection than the implants because they are made from a harder material which is necessary to stretch the muscle and skin. The implants should match the TEs in base diameter, but they drape differently and are softer so they usually look smaller/flatter than the TEs because they won't push out in front as much.
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Hi again Whippetmom & Ladies,
You suggested 20 style allergen 500 -550 cc for my 5 2" 130 lb frame. I am wondering about the projection and the difference between the 20 style and 45 style. What is the criteria for each. My fear is looking too small in clothing as I was a D cup before surgery.
Thank you!
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Hi again Whippetmom & Ladies,
You suggested 20 style allergen 500 -550 cc for my 5 2" 130 lb frame. I am wondering about the projection and the difference between the 20 style and 45 style. What is the criteria for each. My fear is looking too small in clothing as I was a D cup before surgery.
Thank you!
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Hi Deborah~ I am just two weeks out of surgery, BMX w/TE's. This is all so new to me...I am trying to figure out what the new normal feeling will be. Right now I'm feeling the heaviness and I think muscle spasms? Not sure, and I am so afraid to stop my pain meds! I still take Norco every 7 hrs. My first fill is tomorrow, I have the Allergan 500cc Natrelle style 133, filled to 180cc during surgery. My rib cage is 14", I'm 5'4" 127lbs, was 36D would prefer being smaller.
To all of you brave women any information/advice is greatly appreciated
Cyndi
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Good luck, Sandlake! It will get better. I stopped taking pain pills about 10 days in, but my best friend who had her surgery 3 months after mine needed hers for about a month. When you are ready, you can try to taper down and take Tylenol. The PS gave me Valium as a muscle relaxer for my fills, but I didn't need to take it. For me, the initial fills were not bad (but I didn't start til about 3 weeks post-surgery), but I got some progressive tightness as they got fuller. A nurse told me that it is sort of like working out - when they stretch the pec with the expansion, you typically don't feel soreness for a day or two but might feel some spasms sooner. I continued to feel heaviness for a while after my mastectomy but the muscle spasms decreased for me at about 2-3 weeks. Even when the discomfort was gone, I felt quite aware of my expanders for a couple months and sometimes got concerned that I would never feel comfortable. By the time I had my exchange surgery (5 months after the BMX), I was rarely aware of the expanders. However, once I got the permanent implants, I realized how much more comfortable they are and how I still must have been compensating for having the harder expanders.
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staynsane - love your name
Thanks for your response. My PS never pushed fat grafting but said if the deformity wasn't corrected with implants in surgery she could use my fat to fill in the area. Your PS' take is the first time I've heard this and is making me very antsy about fat grafting in general. I thought fat absorbed and can basically be lost after a while- yet I didn't broach that with her. I did however ask her to use more fat than necessary thinking that might help. She said, believe me.. you're getting every last bit of fat I can find. Now I'm blinded by "REVISIONS, REVISIONS" flashing like gigantic warning lights. As we all hope, I was so hoping to get this right the first time. It would be wonderful if this wasn't even a problem and the implants themselves corrected this problem sans any fat transfer. My problem is pronounced on left side and barely noticeable on the left. CJRT- She, my PS didn't push saline on me whatsoever throughout several meetings. When I went through the reasons for my choice in the beginning she agreed and at no time tried to negate or sway me towards saline AT ALL. It was in total candor and only near the end of our last meeting Friday that she mentioned she's slightly partial to saline in some cases due to better projection. When I asked if I should consider changing she said absolutely not! We should stay with silicone. She agrees with all the advantages of silicone vs. saline, including a more natural feel, rippling, etc. which we'd discussed in the past. (hence my surprise) I always get 2nd and 3rd.. even 4th opinions for everything medical. I don't know why I've made this an exception, except I do love her gentle sweet nature while still being blunt.. and willingness to please. Everyone speaks so highly of her skills. She has a busy practice.. but let's face it, it's a teaching hospital. After reading Sane's post about her doctor's reasoning and the pitfalls of FG and factoring in what others have said, I'm wondering if this is only an exercise in futility and disappointment.
Deborah- Thanks SO much for the link.. I'll go take a look. When I first discovered this thread I read every single post. Now if only I could remember what I read.. ha!.. But, my point is you've helped many many women. Your patience, your giving heart & knowledge is truly amazing, beautiful lady.
I sincerely appreciate your responses. I'd be lying if I said I'm not freaked at the moment.
Good grief.. I'm not even that thin at the moment... and gaining to a quite normal weight for my height. At this point I'm at 121 and climbing. I hate being made to feel like a freak for not having enough normal fat. Plus, as I said, after reading some of your responses I have MAJOR concerns about the procedure itself. I can still communicate with them- although wish it had been face-to-face rather than sitting there feeling like hammered %*i*. Due to heavy work deadlines I'm stuck in my office, unable to traipse about the country seeking opinions - I should have thought about that earlier. Maybe I should postpone the exchange surgery and MAKE time. I'm betting it would take a while to get in to consult some of the top plastic surgeons.
*sigh* What to do, what to do... I think I'm having a panic attack.
Vik - I believe your post surgery pains and the itchiness are very normal. The area that hurt the most for me too was high up, under my arms.. though I think that was due to the drains and the rubbing of that binding compression bra they send you home in. Yes, that area was so sore. BTW, I had 2 lymph nodes removed. I'll go back and read your posts and add any other thoughts that come to mind. Take care- I know it's more than a little unpleasant now, though you'll be healed before you know it!
Thanks again for your responses, ladies. If you think of anything else, please let me know. (forgive my long drone & redundancy. I'll now finish my tangent without dragging you guys in).
Wishing ALL the very best! Mindy
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staynsane - love your name
Thanks for your response. My PS never pushed fat grafting but said if the defect wasn't corrected with implants in surgery she could use my fat to fill in the area. After this last physical I felt like a freak for not having enough fat. Your PS' take is the first time I've heard this and is making me very antsy about fat grafting in general. I thought fat absorbed and can basically be lost after a while- yet I didn't broach that with her either. I did however ask her to use more fat than necessary thinking that might help. She said, believe me.. you're getting every last bit of fat I can find. Now I'm blinded by "REVISIONS, REVISIONS" flashing like gigantic warning lights. As we all hope, I was so hoping to get this right the first time. It would be wonderful if this wasn't even a problem and the implants themselves corrected this problem sans any fat transfer. The defect is pronounced on left side (non-cancerous) and barely noticeable, almost nil on the right. CJRT- She, my PS, didn't push saline on me whatsoever- not once throughout our several meetings. When I went through the reasons for my choice in the beginning she agreed and at no time tried to negate or sway me towards saline AT ALL. It was in total candor and only near the end of our last meeting Friday that she mentioned she's slightly partial to saline in some cases due to better projection. When I asked if I should consider changing she said absolutely not! We should stay with silicone. She agrees with all the advantages of silicone vs. saline, including a more natural feel, rippling, etc. which we'd discussed in the past. (hence my surprise) I always get 2nd and 3rd.. even 4th opinions for everything medical. I don't know why I've made this an exception, except I do love her gentle sweet nature while still being blunt.. and willingness to please. Everyone speaks so highly of her skills. She has a busy practice.. but let's face it, it's a teaching hospital. After reading Sane's post about her doctor's reasoning and the pitfalls of FG and factoring in what others have said, I'm wondering if this is only an exercise in futility and disappointment.
Deborah- Thanks SO much for the link.. I'll go take a look. When I first discovered this thread I read every single post. Now if only I could remember what I read.. ha!.. But, my point is you've helped many many women. Your patience, your giving heart & knowledge is truly amazing, beautiful lady.
I sincerely appreciate your responses. I'd be lying if I said I'm not freaked at the moment.
Good grief.. I'm not even that thin right now.. and gaining to a quite normal weight for my height. At this point I'm at 121 and climbing. My timing couldn't be worse as far as losing weight when I did. Plus, as I said, after reading some of your responses I have MAJOR concerns about the procedure itself. I can still communicate with Plastics- although wish it had been face-to-face w my doc rather than sitting there feeling like hammered %*i*. Due to heavy work deadlines I'm stuck in my office, unable to traipse about the country seeking opinions - I should have thought about that earlier. Maybe I should postpone the exchange surgery and MAKE time. I'm betting it would take a while to get in to consult some of the top plastic surgeons.
*sigh* What to do, what to do... I think I'm having a panic attack.
Vik - I believe your post surgery pains and the itchiness are very normal. The area that hurt the most for me too was high up, under my arms.. though I think that was due to the drains and the rubbing of that binding compression bra they send you home in. Yes, that area was so sore. BTW, I had 2 lymph nodes removed. I'll go back and read your posts and add any other thoughts that come to mind. Take care- I know it's more than a little unpleasant now, though you'll be healed before you know it!
Thanks again for your responses, ladies. If you think of anything else, please let me know. (forgive my long drone & redundancy. I'll now finish my tangent without dragging you guys into it)
Wishing ALL the very best! Mindy
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Adgirl - I'm glad that you were able to make the decision independently and that your PS respected your thoughts. I must've misread some of what you wrote. I guess the positive side of things is that a PS is telling you that you don't have enough fat. How rare is that for a PS not to find a flaw?!
(That is what I told myself when my PS said it to me.) I actually did a lot of research on fat grafting thinking I would need it. I had my sister (a doctor but not PS) asking friends and doing research for me. If you want any additional literature on possible risks, I can send you some articles. Obviously I decided not to do it, but my decision was more because I didn't see the cosmetic need and not because of the risks involved. From my understanding, one of the most concerning risks is the imaging needed for calcifications, but I knew I would need MRI's for monitoring anyway and wouldn't be getting mammograms in the future. I opted for a NS BMX, which obviously has risks. I hate the decisions we have to make throughout this because it always leaves me second-guessing myself. Anyway, I did see positive before and after pictures from my PS with the fat grafting. There were a few that showed pictures at 3 different times - before, shortly after, and after a longer period after the fat grafting. Like Kay said, although some of the fat appeared to have been reabsorbed between the 2 post-pictures of a couple women (because the 2nd picture in the timeline looked slightly better than the 3rd), I still saw noticeable improvement from the "pre-fat grafting" picture and the "final reveal." I hope that you find peace with your decision.0 -
CJRT~ Thank you for letting me know about your experience and your friend! It makes me feel better, I know I can do this.
kayb~ I do have a card..the complete # is: 133MX-13-T. Each step I've made this past year has been an adjustment, I will work through this one and be fine too
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Thanks so much CJRT.. for both the offer and the comment on "our perfection" which made me laugh. I'd love to have your FG research if it doesn't create too much work for you. I'll PM my email- and if you get around to it great. If not, no prob.
Deborah - I'm a little confused. Style 45 is or isn't a good choice over style 20 for me? I understand exactly what you're saying about style 20 addressing the defect and sometimes rectifying it altogether over 45 high profiles. I wonder why my doc didn't feel 20 was suitable for me at all. When I brought it up she was pretty adamant about not using and said I wouldn't like the look- all based on my anatomy... as I can't imagine she recommends high profile for all patients. However, these last few meetings she seemed all about projection and not wanting to lose it.
Perhaps this last pre-surgical consult she was painting 'a worse case scenario' so we can all be blissfully happy, happy, happy when I get a great result. Okay..I know... purely wishful thinking with no factual basis whatsoever. RATS.
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Thanks, Adgirl.
Replied to your PM on here with the links. If for some reason you didn't get it, let me know, and I will e-mail.0 -
kayb- You and me both! It seems this defect occurs enough that by now there would be other solutions.
I had to smile at your discussion with your doc. when searching for fat. When mine was examining me I think her frustration was mounting. Taking a look at my stomach she said, "I'm not touching" But!.. finally those hefty hunks of flesh & fat in my inner thighs saved the day!!!
I was sure she could take something from my fat butt, too- it's totally out of shape. If I don't change docs I plan to waddle into surgery, barely fitting through the doorways. 
Wishing you luck!
xxx
Mindy
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Whippetmom- Very strange. My computer has all the bells & whistles, yet the link you sent won't open. I get the message "this video format not supported." Maybe hubby can figure it out later.
As always, thanks for your effort to help.
xxx
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