BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Does anyone here advise trying on bras with tissue expanders still in place in order to get a general idea on what bra size you are expanded to? (I know there is not a standard size for bras, but I always buy the same bra at the same store, so the idea is to go back and try on the exact bra I wore before BC to see which cup size fits now.)
0 -
Whippetmom....sent you a PM. Thanks so much for your help.
0 -
jmemama-I wanted to wear a bra all during fills so I bought a couple along with way. The last I bought was a 32C and I ended up after exchange with a 32D so not too far off.
0 -
jmemama - my TEs were such weird shapes - one was like a diagonal loaf of French bread, and the other one was Square Bob Sponge Foob - that there was no way I could wear a regular bra during the expansion process.
What I DID wear was my Genie bras - gotta love 'em, two for $19.95 at places like Target, Kohls, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Totally supportive, yet comfy enough to sleep in at night...and they stretched to fit whatever bizarre shape the TEs took on at any given time.
I did try on a few of my old underwire bras, and the TEs were SO flat the ends of the cups were always wrinkly. Plus the underwires cut into the TEs something awful. They just weren't made for "diagonal" or "square"....
But now that I've got my new saline girls, I've had a professional fitting. I can wear a 36DD or a 38C, depending on the style and the brand.
0 -
Blessings20...Your Sponge Bob reference made me laugh: I call mine "Brick Bob Square Implants." But I think the most recent fill may have upgraded them to "Cinderblocks." That's sure what they feel like!
0 -
Ok. My turn to beg for advice!
I'm 5'6" and about 140 pounds.
Rib cage measures 33".
I just called my PS's office to ask what TE's he was planning on using for my BMX next Tuesday. The nurse said he had ordered these 4 and would determine the best fit during surgery:
Allergan 133 SX 12
Allergan 133 SX 13
Allergan 133 SV 12
Allergan 133 SV 13
I remember during my consultation when he measured my breast width he said 12. I told him I wanted to end up with a natural shape and possibly go up a cup size. (Nursed my kids and they're a little "empty" now.)
My left mastectomy will be prophylactic. The right will be modified radical.
In your opinion can I get a natural shape with this style? Can I end up with a full C or possibly even small D with these sizes? What is projection like with these styles? And how do the two different degrees of mastectomies factor into sizing, filling, etc?
Thank you SO much for your time and help!!!! This board has really been helping me come o terms and take charge of this process.0 -
Figured out some more on my own....modified radical just means lymph nodes are involved, correct? So size/fills should be somewhat similar. I was thinking of my mom's radical when I asked that part of my earlier question.
Thanks!0 -
Deborah I met with PS she did her measurements and asked where I wanted to be. I told her full C. She said she will order large enough to fill to 600-650 which would be small D on me. She said she always overfills so that the skin and muscle have enough "play " for the drop and fluff ( not her words, lol) and will sit naturally.
She said when I get to a size I like, she will not even schedule exchange until I have lived with them for a few weeks to make sure that is really what I want.0 -
Dulcigirl:
WAIT A MINUTE!!! You cannot be having a modified radical mastectomy!!! That is really pretty archaiac now! This means the entire breast is removed, including the skin, areola, nipple, and most axillary lymph nodes. Only the pectoralis major muscle is spared.
PLEASE DO NOT HAVE SURGERY UNTIL YOU CONFIRM THIS!
You want a bilateral skin sparing procedure, skin sparing on the MX side - the one with cancer - and on the prophy side. You are Stage 1. WHY ON EARTH WOULD ALL LYMPH NODES NEED TO BE REMOVED? This will GREATLY impact your outcome and your cosmetic reconstruction results if you go forth with this barbaric procedure. It is barbaric, since you have made it known that you want breast reconstruction!
Please reassure us that this is NOT a modified radical MX@
Where do you live and who is performing this surgery? Please PM me with your surgeon's name.
Deborah
0 -
Sounds good to me, CindyLooWho!
0 -
I'm going to call my BS this morning and ask for an explanation....that term was given to me in a list of what I would be having done when anesthesia registration called me yesterday. It cannot be right, because she also said "skin sparing" for both sides AND SNB on just the right side. Then depending on the biopsy results will determine if ANY nodes need to be removed. So I THINK it's ok, but I will be getting verification before my shirt comes off!!!!!
Any thoughts on my TE question?0 -
Hi Everyone! I have been following all of you quietly for a little while & have been feeling so supported by all of the information on this thread as well as a few others! Sorry Ive been to shy to introduce myself but a big THANK YOU to all that do! I had BC about 6 yrs ago w/lumpectomy, chemo & radiation. December 2011 was supposed to be my 5 year survival anniversary, NOT a new diagnosis- I was only 40! So....had BX in March 2012 with TE's placed & did chemo again (Stage I, IDC). I am scheduled for my replacement surgery in November & reading this thread has made me realize I should have asked more questions along the way. I am working on that but in the meantime, I thought I would throw this question out to you guys:
How long can a TE stay in place? Looking at my card, I have Natrelle Style 133V or 133MV-14(is there a difference?) and the card says 500cc, if that makes a difference. THanks for your help! : )
Oh yeah, and I think bras were discussed on this thread and my vote is for the Genie Bra while going thru expansion! LOVE it and the way the padding can be added/removed as needed!
0 -
Whippetmom,
Just talked with the nurse practitioner. I had assumed correctly, but am glad I checked. It is written up as skin sparing modified radical because my BS will be doing a SNB on the nodes that show up following the dye injection/ultrasound. They will be checked during my surgery. If they are clear then it is just a simple skin sparing with SNB. If they are positive for cancer then she will remove levels one and two (thereby making it a mod. radical and, I'm assuming, also changing my staging and follow up plan).
Make sense?0 -
Dulcigirl: EVEN if you have node involvement, you STILL want to spare the skin!
So as far as the choice of TE goes, I would prefer the 13.0 cm width TE for your frame. So either the SX or SV would be fine. I think that you ultimately want at least 500 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant.
Deborah
0 -
It will be skin sparing regardless.
Do the TE's come in different volumes as well? Or is it the size (12, 13) that determines pocket size?
You have NO IDEA how much I appreciate your help! Thank you!!!!0 -
Are silicone implants safe?
0 -
Dulcigirl:
The SV-13 is 300 ccs and the SX-13 is 400 ccs. But with the short height style tissue expander, the PS can typically use a significantly larger implant - even up to 200 ccs greater volume - because the short height TE expands exclusively in the lower pole, where projection naturally occurs. The SX is a higher projection style than the SV....just as an FYI. Either style will be just fine.
Deborah
0 -
ccb2: Your TE information is perfect. But what is your height, weight and ribcage circumference, measuring around the ribcage, under your TEs? Hold the measuring tape snug.
Additionally, tell me what you think of the size you are currently with your TEs. Do you feel you could be larger or smaller or do you want to maintain the same size? What do you hope to achieve at the end of the day? Most gals who have undergone chemo and/or rads during the TE expansion phase, have retained their TEs from six months up to a year. Here is Allergan's recommendation:
Temporary DeviceAllergan's Style 133V Series Tissue Expanders are temporary devices, and not to
be used for permanent implantation. Breast tissue expanders should be removed
once adequate tissue has developed. Tissue expansion in breast reconstruction
typically requires four to six months. The total expansion period will vary depending
on patient tolerance, tissue tolerance, and desired tissue expansion.
0 -
Whippetmom...what a blessing you are!
I am 5'6, 200lbs and I think about 35 inches around ribcage. I am basically happy with expansion as i think we got the radiated/2x cancerous side (L) to finally fill up to match the other side (R). I would just like to be a C cup but mostly, i want my breasts to match as much as possible- something they havent done in 6 years due to the first set of treatments. I know my surgeon picked out silicone naturelles but I am sketchy on the details right now. Like I said, shouldve asked more questions but he was basically telling me because of my personal history, etc, there was only one choice for me. Then I come to this forum and realize how much more there is to know! So thank you, thank you, thank you.
BTW...anyone out there not able to do nipple reconstruction because of previously radiated skin? My PS is not sure it will work for me & just wondering if anyone else had that experience...
0 -
ccb2: You have a preexisting history of radiation which may very welll dictate the size of implants which might limit your choices. I would typically suggest 600 ccs or 650 ccs in a Style 20, which is a high profile smooth round silicone implant, but I think it is likely your PS may be thinking about a midrange profile implant such as the Allergan Style 15 with a volume of 492 ccs or 533 ccs. It all depends on your skin integrity and the dimensions of the skin envelope. Your PS needs to ensure good skin coverage over the implant and so using a moderate/midrange height implant might be best. Since he told you that there is "only one choice" for you, why don't you ask him what that might be. He will tell you what style and size he has in mind. He might even be considering a saline implant....which would have entirely different numbers.
Deborah
0 -
Thanks Deborah for the Youtube video. I'm done with my silicone exchange with your help of course. I was wondering after see the video, is there really less of a chance to develop ripling with silicone rather than saline? As I did read a posts somewhere on this thread where a few women develop rippling with silcone.. why does that happen? and why does it take a few years to happen?
0 -
Monkey update:
This coming monday will be 3 weeks since my revision surgery - new implants (475 smooth round high profile) with alloderm look GREAT!!! I'm wearing a compression bra like its a life vest and I'm stranded in the middle of the ocean and I can't swim. I am pretty much pain free. I did end up in the hospital last weekend after I blacked out/fainted/fell down/ passed out... 2 nights, 3 days later I was told by a general practitioner on call that I was anemic, dehydrated, under nourished, low iron, calcium deficient. Oh and that I had high blood pressure. I had previously made an appointment with an internist, oncologist, hematologist, who's heavily invested in nutrition and he disagreed with everything the gp said except for dehydrated. The high blood pressure was because they were using an arm cuff on my leg, then asking me to stand up. The wrong cuff was giving a false positive. A leg cuff proved my blood pressure is fine. I'm registering anemic because of my recent surgery with drains (GP said my surgery had nothing to do with being anemic). And my other low levels were due to dilution from all the saline IV. He'll retest me in a month. I see my PS on Monday. My PS told me to take two weeks off from work and take valium as a muscle relaxer for any pain. the GP said she was only giving me valium because I'm "anxious" and that it would do nothing for the pain. He then prescribed celebrex which I refused to take. When he came back the next day to check on me, he said, "see.. your breast tissue swelling has already decreased significantly" I had to remind him that, a) I have no breast tissue and b) I didn't take the celebrex. The GP also said it was unfair of me to demand that the nurses take my blood pressure from my leg. He Poo Pooed the lymphedema risks and even said "well, there is lymphedema and then there is lymphedema, for most people its not a big problem they handle it well"
Three days later, I made it out of the hospital without slapping anyone.
As for my implants - they are still firmer than without the alloderm but I'm guessing they'll soften up. The shape looks great! I realize I might not stay this way but right now, I'm a full 34B which is exactly what I wanted. I am developing ....okay, this is going to sound bizarre..... what looks like a nipple. It's along the incision line on my right noob. It's raised. Pinkish/brown. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't appear to be a blemish.I don't have a fever. There is no redness around it. Has anyone ever had anything like this? I see my PS on monday.
0 -
Time to get a new GP Greenmonkey!
I absolutely WAS anemic after my exchange surgery.Eat iron rich foods and you should get better.
0 -
tlew - Some of us have thinner skin than others, have less body fat, swelling goes down over time, gravity does its thing over time ... all of those are reasons why some have more rippling than others.
0 -
Thanks Dawne. I wonder if we don't get greedy with the size during the expansions, will we have less complications with implants bottoming out, ripplings, skin thinning, capsular contractions, etc...
0 -
tlew - An important variable is wearing a good, supportive, well-fitting bra as well. That helps keep them up and in and where they belong too.
0 -
Thank You, Deborah! : )
0 -
Whippetmom,
Would like your opinion my PS ordered me the Sientra 550 high projection ...my TE were filled to 580..I'm only 5ft with rib measurement of 32 or a little smaller..want to be a full C.what do you think ..reply would be greatly appreciated since my surgery is on the 23rd of this month..thank you once again..0 -
That newscaster was pretty perky, kayb, I agree. Her male colleague looked horrified.
0 -
Thank you everyone for sharing and those that responded to my post.
GreenMonkey, you are wonderful! I hope you are happy with results and no more of this! Wouldn't it be hilariously miraculous if your nipple grew back
If they can grow a human ear on a mouse why the h-ll can't they grow us new nipples! or breasts for that matter! I have a teeny lil bump at the end of my suture scar, maybe it's how you were sewn back up ¿Lotsa love, happiness, health & great boobs to everyone going down this road!
0
