BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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miserablex I know this is all difficult to envision the outcome but I am thinking in the end you will look a lot smaller than you were. My TEs were filled to 700cc and I received 600cc impalnts. I wanted to go as big as I could to get back to being close to the size I was which was a full 36DD. I am 5'6" 158 lbs (I was 140 trying to get back there). The implants do not project as much as the TEs. So now I wear a 36D bra but if you look at me they look more like a C. They are perkier than my old boobs and they don't bounce when I run or do zumba. My clothes fit a lot better and I can wear a lot of things I could not before. I also felt like my boobs entered the room first now it's my fat gut lol but you wont have that issue.
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miserablex - I echo what Kay and Carroll have said. I can't add to what they've said but I can encourage you. I think you're going to fine. I'm 7 inches shorter than you, 112#, 325cc implants and I wear a 30D bra because of the WIDTH, but I look like a 'B' cup in my clothes. You're not going to be huge. I literally was bumping into walls with my TE's ... and I really was shocked at how much projection I lost when I exchanged for my implants. Again ... you will NOT be huge.
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Ladies - thank you so much for the words of encouragement. You have no idea how comforting it is to hear that there is a good chance my implants won't look so large. I've spent the past week in tears worried that I was going through puberty all over again - only this time I was going to have pay for part of it.
I just wish I'd found this site sooner. It is really nice to talk to people who have been through or are going this process!
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miserablex100 - the ladies are right. Your TEs will assume ridiculous shapes and horrifying sizes. They are built with hard backs that rest on your ribcage, and press everything outward. (And, unfortunately, sideways...
)I'm 5'5" and used to weigh 204. I was a 38DDD. HUGE!!! I got 133-MV-16 TEs at the time of surgery because neither my PS or I had any idea I would be losing the huge amount of weight I did.
I consulted with Whippetmom (the TRUE Breast Implant Guru) who said to said to immediately stop my fills. She suggested an implant that would look good on my frame, and that's the exact one the PS used.
Remember, there's also lots of variation in projection...you don't have to go high profile if you prefer a smaller, less imposing look.
My exchange was in August; I can wear a 36DD or a 38C bra, and I LOVE the new size on me.
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Whippetmom (Deborah) - Hello! I'm recovering nicely from a skin-sparing BMX w/Alloderm at Georgetown...I love both my surgeon and PS. I start my fills on Thursday (Hurricane Sandy permitting) and am due for exchange in the Jan/Feb timeframe. My doctor doesn't overfill and I have the Allergen 133MX-13 - filled to 200 at surgery but with a 500cc capacity. I'm 31.5" around the ribcage (former bra size 32D) - and would LOVE your opinion on what implant I should go with if I want to be about what I was before. I'm 5'6 128 lbs.
Thank you so much for providing this service!!!
Grier
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Grier: 500 ccs, Allergan Style 20, smooth round silicone - high profile implants. You probably could go with Style 45 in 600 ccs with your TEs as well. But let's see what you think when you have reached around 450 ccs with your fills.
Deborah0 -
miserableux: 650 ccs sounds like a very nice size for you! I am 5'4 and 120 pounds and I have 550 ccs ....a 29 inch ribcage, and I look like a "C" cup. On your frame, I would have absolutely recommended at least 600 ccs. Clothes will fit the way they never did before and you will be fine. Just make sure he is talking Style 20, high profile, smooth round silicone implants. 650 ccs is entirely appropriate for your frame! Do not stress about this. Do NOT overfill though....no overfilling and if you have a lot of excess skin, I often wonder if underfilling might be of some benefit.
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miserableux....Just read everyone's comments to you. These gals are veterans here and they have given you reassurance and I agree wholeheartedly. You will be happy with the size. I agree with your PS that going any smaller would be problematic.
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miserablex: I can relate a lot to what you have been feeling. I am only 5'7'' 130lbs, but always had a large chest: 34 D/DD. After breastfeeding for 1-1/2 years late in life, my breasts drooped alot. So despite having to deal with breast cancer, I am somewhat consoled by ending up with a smaller chest. My PS did a special kind of incision keyhole and anchor cut and moved the nipple/areola complex higher. (or actually it was the BS who did the cuts and removing the breast tissue and excess skin.) The PS and BS worked together. Because I wanted everything done at once and was happy to have smaller breasts, I never had to have TE's or go through any filling process. My PS inserted the Mentor silicon cohesive gel implants on the same day as BMX. Everything healed well, except for the reconstructed nipple, which came off. I had my implants totally sub-muscular, using no Alloderm, which my PS said made my healing chances better. I now wear a large 34B or small 34C, depending on the bra. Drawbacks: I have some wrinkly excess skin under inframammary fold that must be excised, the implants are not squishy like normal breasts, have to redo one nipple. I never had radiation so my skin was not compromised and could handle it. I just wanted to let anyone reading these boards know about this possible path, which seems to be very infrequently followed, at least in the U.S. where many seem to favor going larger in breast size (understandable, "chacun à son goût"). However, if you are interested in ending up having smaller breasts A, B, or C cups and if you had a larger cup size before, received no radiation, this may be an option for you. You must find a PS who is experienced in reductions and a BS who works closely with him/her.
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NOTE:
Please excuse the delays in responding to posts here on the forum and also via private messaging. I am working on a couple of major projects right now and through the holidays, so it might take a bit longer to get back to you. Thankfully, I have "angels in the wings" - gals who are veterans and long time members here on bc.org - and they can help answer questions....
Deborah0 -
Deborah: Thank you very very much! Hope your projects go well!
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Hi Whippetmom, I have Allegran TEs just had them placed. They're 310, 300cc, although now they hardly have anything in them. surgery was just last tues. I am long waisted, and fairly small waist though bit of a tummy..muffin top, and kinda big hips 38 inches. I weigh 138 lbs. I am 5'6" height, wore a 34 or 36 C or D. which was pretty well proportioned for me. I am 44 and would prefer if they weren't quite so heavy and so thinking i might like to go more with a C size. What suggestions do you have on implants for me? Seems many are happy w/ the mentor HP smooth rounds. Would the 450 work for my size? How much would they need to fill the TEs? Thanks a bunch for any suggestions you might have.
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Deborah, Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. My PS said he is not going to overfill; 650ccs was the "magic" number. That I would be very happy with my new breasts. He is very kind and has a great reputation for his work and his bedside manor and has always been willling to spend time explaining everything - but somehow it's so much more believable coming from you and all of these other wonderful women.
Thank you all for the kindness and support!
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Hi Sister Boobie Babes!
Sorry to barge in and out. It dawned on me I never followed-up on my exchange surgery. Yes, I went through it as planned. This will be the abridged version since I lost a very detailed post just now.. hate it when that happens!
The new girls are simply BEAUTIFUL!... exceeding my expectations and then some!!! With 3 sizes of Allergan Natrelle Style 45 silicone brought into surgery, I came away with 550 ccs (middle size) and a gorgeous bust-line. Yesssssssssss! For any of you not knowing my story, I was totally freaked about my step-off defect/depression/drink holder..
.. call it what you want during expansion. It was an unattractive (to put it mildly) concave area that separates the breast from flowing into the chest area. Mine was extremely deep on lefty and not too hot on righty either.I'm elated! Not only is my bust-line corrected.. it looks FAB.. the best I've ever had. She did a brilliant job on the whole shebang. My Ta Tas have given me a new spring in my step.. (I know..how corny is that!) It'll be 2 weeks since surgery in a few days.
My PS was so right about style 45 being right for me. She was pretty insistent they'd work best for my anatomy. I know they're an older model with less saline casing but at this point who cares. I'm hypercritical with a discerning eye and can't find anything I don't like about them. I was afraid with a high profile it might look like all the other unnatural boob jobs floating around. NO WAY!
So now that I keep repeating myself, you might get the picture my biggest relief and greatest delight is the upper pole bust-line...NOW PERFECTO!! ( I had visions of never being able to wear a swim suit again and limited in necklines) Spacing- not too far apart, not too close... PERFECTO. Very nice projection.. Great shape. She did an amazing job... much prettier than my augmentation for cosmetic reasons from my youth. If it weren't for the horizontal scar and lack of nips they'd pass for the real deal ( but MUCH better-ha!). Speaking of scars.. mine is healing nicely. Praise God.
I'll be back in a while to catch up on everyone. Deborah, you helped BUNCHES in this process. Thank you!!! Thanks ALL for indulging me in redundant ramble. Want to visit Exchange City at some point soon, too.
God Bless each of you. xxx
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Just read my surgical report and she placed Allergan 133 FX expanders.
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adgirl5 - I love your description of your breast line - cup holder completely cracked me up!! My sister has been calling the dent on my right side my "change purse" because it's so deep.
Glad to hear you are so happy with your new girls. These stories have given me hope (and lots of fortitude) that everything is going to be ok in the end.0 -
Fearless- I hear ya about the large breasts. I was at least a 36dd, and had severe ptosis. I'm now 5 wks out from my NSBMX and haven't had any fills other than the 60 cc's at the time of surgery. I'm 5'7 165 lbs, and 34" rib cage. I have no intention of being anywhere near my old size. The boob fairy showed up during the breast feeding yrs. and they never went away. Im trying to lose another 20 lbs. as well. PS wants me to focus on healing at this point. I think we've chatted about this before, our surgeries had some similarities, nipple sparing, and a lift at the same time, no alloderm, and keyhole technique for relocating the nipple/areola. I was told that this approach keeps the nipple from migrating. Did you have any issues in that area? You're absolutely right in that it takes the right surgical duo. My BS works with several PS's but will only do nipple sparing on larger breasted women with this one particular PS. im hoping for the best. Still have some deep scabbing on my right nipple. I may be needing tattooing, or something else to deal with the scarring. Over all Im kinda enjoying this time to contemplate the right size for me. The cancer is out, and I feel no need to rush into reconstruction full speed ahead.
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Adgirl5: Such great news! It is always wonderful to hear a gal gushing about her results!
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CindyLooWho: Allergan 133 FX - what? There should be a number, like a 12, or 13 or 14....etc.
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miserableux....It will be a very good size for your frame. I agree....
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Adgirl5, so glad you are happy and doing well! It is a long road to get where you are now. Thank you for sharing.
I just had my last fill this week, right side 500cc, left side 540cc. Now I wait 3 months and will enjoy the holidays
My exchange will be the first part of Feb. I also forgot to ask PS what the recovery time is. I am back to work as a Hair Stylist and find it very hard to shampoo and round brush my clients!! Hopefully it will get better.Thank you all for sharing, it really helps so much!!
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Sandlake I asked ps about exchange and she said if she does on a Thursday most women are back working Monday or Tuesday.
It's far away for me but was wondering if it would require lots of vacation days.0 -
Hello, I was directed here from Blessings 2011, she thought you could help me out with some questions. I want to be a Full D when I am done with the final step of implants. I told my PS that before surgery. Here are my measurements. Height 5'2 weight 140 lbs, under TE's around my ribs is almost 34. My expanders are #354-7112 (350ml)I would appreciate any insight you could give me on my end result of reaching a Full D. Thanks so much...
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Hi Deborah, i think you might have missed my post before. Here it is..
Hi Whippetmom, I have Allegran TEs just had them placed. They're 310, 300cc, although now they hardly have anything in them. surgery was just last tues. I am long waisted, and fairly small waist though bit of a tummy..muffin top, and kinda big hips 38-40 inches. I weigh 138 lbs. I am 5'6" height, wore a 34 or 36 C or D. which was pretty well proportioned for me. I am 44 and would prefer if they weren't quite so heavy and so thinking i might like to go more with a C size. What suggestions do you have on implants for me? Seems many are happy w/ the mentor HP smooth rounds. Would the 450 work for my size? How much would they need to fill the TEs? Thanks a bunch for any suggestions you might have
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coffee4me: You will need AT LEAST 450 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant to meet the width of your TEs. I am using Mentor as an example, since your PS uses Mentor TEs. But I think you want to discuss sizes with your PS further, because the style of TE your PS used does have the distinct advantage of allowing the PS to use a significantly larger implant at the time of exchange. I would personally feel that at least 500 ccs would be necessary - and 550 ccs optimum. Again, in a high profile smooth, round silicone implant. Your pre-BMX size would have very much to factor in here also, since if you were ample breasted previously, your skin flaps might be sufficient to get you where you want to be. Another important question, since you are in NY, is: Who is your PS? You can PM me with this information.
Deborah
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lightandwind: So sorry I missed your previous post!
I need additional information though....see #3 in the header to this thread!
I need to know the style of your TEs. There are a lot of styles with a volume of 300 ccs. What is your ribcage circumference? Measure around the ribcage, under the TEs. If you do not have a cloth tape measure, use string or ribbon and measure around, cut it off and then measure the length with a regular tape measure. Bra size does not help, because most women wear the wrong bra size, so it is an inaccurate measurement tool. But offhand, I think that 450 ccs in a Mentor HP smooth round might be fine, as long as your ribcage is under 31 inches. I certainly would not want to go any smaller though.
You can PM me the info AND post it here and I will be sure to see it!
Deborah
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Thanks girls for the responces. They were helpful.:)
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adgirl5,so glad it worked out for you. My PS said its unlikely that recon patients will ever have saggy ones so its nice that we all have the 21 forever boobs. I am in FL and with our warm weather still wearing tanks when not at office and showing off my new cleavage a little bit. The only way I had it before was to wear extra push pads in the pushup underwire,very uncomfortable to try to get the real ones pushed up and in enough to look like anything,now I dont even try! Just don the sports bra for support per my drs orders and comfy. Glad you are enjoying the new ones too. Miss the old ones but gotta make the best of the situation.
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Layla, Mindi --
I'm so happy for both of you, and even more so because I am scheduled for my exchange end of December (getting in just under the old insurance wire). I went thru a very anxiety-ridden week last week with my last fill trying to visualize my end results and still don't know what to expect, but listening to you two, I am getting kind of exited! My PS's nurse (who gave me a couple of my fills and I just love her) went thru this in 2010 and used my BC surgeon amd her boss, my PS, and has reassured me as well. She is so sweet as she shows her own results so you can get an idea of what to expect -- to some degree as everyone will look different. But, it's such a blessing to come to this discussion and hear such wonderful outcomes. Layla, I will never forget that pizza story
you told right after your exchange! And the Target signs! I know it probably wasn't
funny for you at the time, but I did have to laugh at the way you told it! Here's
to 21 boobs forever! As Mindy put it, Sister Boobie Babes!0 -
hi ladies
i am wondering if anyone here has had their implants placed OVER the pec muscles? I have heard of a few PS doing this. I am in extreme pain with the TE's at the moment (3 wks post op) and seriously considering having them removed
thanks
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