BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Hi Whippetmom~
I'm scheduled for BMX with TE's and Alloderm on 1/4/12. I'm 5'3, 180 lbs. I am very muscular and curvy and wear a size 12/14. My bra size is 34/36DD, but is overflowing (especially on the left side), and I can't wait to be smaller! My PS will shoot for approximately a C or D...but can't guarentee size.
I've noted all of the questions that I need to ask her before surgery regarding the TE's and fills etc. Is there any brand or style that you would recommend for me? My rib cage is 35".
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Deborah--
Thanks for such wise words. everything you said is so true and I share your perspective! It's hard when it's a parent. Many emotions involved, but we're dealing with it as a family. Trying times can bring a family closer together or break it -- ours has become much stronger with our dear Lord guiding us every step of the way.0 -
Tamiami: Do not focus on cup size and do not beg too strongly to be so much smaller. You will never ever, and I mean never ever be the same size you are now or fill out a bra the way you do now. You do not want a lot of redundant skin with too small implants either, as this would look and feel like rocks in a sock. You will regret going too small. So your chest wall, skin and current base width of your breasts will dictate the width and volume of the TE the PS will use. I think that you will ultimately want implants with a volume of at least 650 ccs.....
Deborah
ADDENDUM: I want to clarify when I say you will never look the way you do now....as inferring that you will have perkier breasts. You will not spill out laterally, you will not droop like you do now. But you need ample volume with implants ultimately, or you will not be proportioned properly when it comes to your chest wall.
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Amen Vik.....
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Yes, words of wisdom. No matter how dysfunctional the family is,try to be peaceful and find some way to love them. They are gone so soon. I know,my parents passed and my most of the relatives. My sister had a key to dads to go do her laundry and she got in when he was on his last breath from pneumonia,changed the will to say I was the grand-daughter and that she was the only daughter and everything should go to her. I took it to court but since they live in a very small town and know the judge,I lost. I miss the family and relatives and friends all around the Christmas tree and dinner table even if they are secretly plotting behind my back.
This Xmas ate with my fiance's son & his fiancee at the house the son just bought and they just finished painting. What an adorable couple and a wonderful Xmas.
Staynsane, My PS put me on Accolate as soon as I got back from CA in Oct and I took it all of Nov & Dec,it is helping some. The stiffness has gone from the grapefruit feeling; now its sort of like a just ripe avocado. The other side that didnt drop is like a jello consistency. I hope the next surg with the new PS (my org PS took a job out of state)is only for nips not for the scar tissue release. Have you had any complications? Have you done the drive from Paso Robles to San Jose? My but its a gorgeous route at sunset!
SNS, now that you had your exchange, are you waiting for the nip surg or will you go with the 3d tatoos? I think I have about decided on the surg nips. Has anyone glued on the self adhesive ones or used the temp tatoos? I tried both but after not having nips for a yr,I felt they looked weird to have them back! My poor little pschy has been thru so much,I am just a bit scattered brained now. I dont even know what normal looks like anymore. Do you think the PS office would let me look at my before photoes?
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Layla2525,
I don't know what Accolate is, but I will check it out after writing this. I have a meeting with my PS scheduled for Jan 7th, so I will find out what he thinks about things. I emailed him a week ago and mentioned that my fluid build up hasn't changed, but he said it is not of concern at this point because my body will likely absorb it. Overall, I think I am very lucky, because I had a areola/nipple-sparing procedure, my breasts are of similar size and position, and even my scars from my lift are not very noticeable already. Except for the fluid retention, the only thing of concern to me at this point is that my left areola is off to the left a bit. I'm still wearing sports bras, and it is noticeable in T-shirts. Not that I intend to show high beams to others, but my family has noticed. In a regular bra, I don't think anyone would notice, but I intend to ask my PS about it to see if relocating it might be an option. I don't know that I would undergo another surgery to do it, but I like to explore options. Since the original made it through the NSM procedure and there is no guarantee, my concern would be losing it in another surgery.
There are many beautiful drives to make around California; one of my favorites is highway 1 in Big Sur (coastline). But you have to pick your time carefully, because during certain times of the year, traffic can be bad (and the road closed due to slides). Big Sur is truly a magical place and a wonderful place to spend some time. I have been through Paso Robles and all over the place south of San Jose, but Big Sur is my favorite.
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Got home about 9:30 p.m. Stopped to eat after exchange surgery this afternoon. Went perfectly. I look at the girls when I got home and they don't look too bad. Trying to imagine the infamous "drop and fluff" scenario down the road. You know, I would not have done well at all mentally had I not found this site and this thread and all of you wonderfully encouraging, brave ladies! Thank you all so much! A very special thank you to our dear Deborah! Boy were you there for me when I needed you most! You're a special blessing to me! And, speaking of blessings, Blessings you are such a sweetheart and so insightful and full of knowledge.
Layla -- you made me laugh and that's why I was sickened over the actions of your sister. Truly unbelievable, I'm so glad you had a lovely time with a cute, young couple for Christmas! I'm finding it hard to maintain loving feelings towards someone who causes the entire family such pain and misery for such an extended time and we have him involved in our family business as well -- so an even tougher situation to deal with. This surgery today has been a reprieve (sp?) for me! Things will get better with a conservatorship in next week or so. The short break away from work will do me good!
I look forward to staying informed of the progress each and every one of you have ahead and share here for the rest of us! I'll stay tuned!0 -
vik11 - Aw, thank you for your kind words... and congratulations on crossing over to The Squishy Side!!!! xoxo
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Vik I totally understand,xmas can be tough,just when I thought I would be alone,the phone rang. God never ceases to remind me that he is thinking of me even when the dark clouds of ill health threaten to fall on me.
Blessings, you are so right. The total blessing this year has been finding this website with these incredible ladies. Without them I might have lost my mind. BC is so totally scary but all of you helped me stand against this dragon called BC. We may be scorched by the fire of BC but we have survived to see 2013 and that counts for a lot! We have each been the "wind beneath the wings" of each other. Consoling each other through our difficulties and cheering each other on through the victories. How truly fortunate and lucky I feel to have been able to participate on this website.
We learned so much and gained strength from each other. Almost brings tears to my eyes to think how incredible its been through 2012 to travel this road with all of you and a great honor to be among you. thanks to each and everyone.0 -
Layla --
I share your sentiments -- every word. I've had my share of tears, but I have a wonderfully supportive hubby who has gone to every single one of my appointments and pampered me immensely. In addition I have wonderful kids, grandkids, and fantastic friends who have lavished me with food, gifts, flowers, and most importantly -- love! I have a great support network and I feel it's my God-given job to educate them on this beast! I'll be thinking about you and your progress. When are you getting married?
A QUESTION FOR ALL LADIES -- Did any of you have a bad reaction/allergy to the bandages with the clear adhesive? My skin welts up terribly even after less than 24 hours. After BC surgery in Sept., we left it on for 3 1/2 days! Those were around my drains. Gave new meaning to the term fire pits! I guess I didn't remember it was the clear adhesive this time around. Won't forget that again! Yikes!0 -
I have had 5 fills and the last two were the only ones that didn't leave me in pain. Just two days of being really uncomfortable. I'm pretty much where I want to be on the lat side, I think she said I was 390cc or something like that...amd 360 on the other side. PS has surgery when I had my next appointment so I will see him Jan 9. Nurse and I discussed that I need more fill on the left but will wait to see what else the PS may want to do. I have the Mentor tissue expander with integral Injection dome. We are going with the Mentor memory gel implants which I was excited about. We are looking at smooth round and nurse said he might possibly go with the smooth round high profile to help make the right look more like the left lat flap side. I was really excited when she said he would have a whole table if implants and sizers at surgery so he could make sure which sizes will work best. I'm looking forward to the exchange even though it is not scheduled yet, lol.
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Hello Whippet mom..... I had BMX in Sept. Set for exchange Jan.,17. I'm 60, 5'5, 155 lbs...working on that... Rib cage 31". I have narrow shoulders compared to my pear shape figure. Only looking for similar size before BMX ..34-B. DH isn't a foob man, thank goodness....and he thinks I am way too big with the TEs.
TEs are Allergan Natrelle Style 133 FV-12.. Volume 400cc. My PS overexpands by 10% and I am at 440 ccs. PS says she will bring in several sizes...but she's thinking high profile and 400. I would love your opinion as to what would be a good fit for me. Thanks a million!0 -
vik11 - Yes, I developed an adhesive allergy. The paper tape is better. You can find it at any drug store. I had to finally just stop using tape. When I had nip surgery done ... my skin was done with adhesives at that point I just put layers of gauze pads on top and secured it with a good bra. I know that we can't always do something like that ... but when I do have to use tape ... the paper tape is better than any I've found.
There is also a thread on BCO about adhesive allergy. I haven't looked at it in a while ... but here it is for reference:
http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=91&id=767669&page=1
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Thanks Deborah!
I know you are right about chest wall size etc. I'm glad to hear that there won't be the "boob spooge" (latetally, or over the top)! That's what I hate most about my breasts. I'm pretty sure my PS is on the same page as what you described. I will update later when I know what kind of TE's she used.
Thank you so much again for responding!
Tami
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Obxflygirl: I responded to your private message!
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WHIPPETTMOM....THANKS SO MUCH! I now have a much clearer picture of what I need for Jan. 17th. Excited and nervous, but ready to make a strike with these balling balls! I have sent you a PM......
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Vik11,
Me, too! In fact, I now have a small scar on my thigh from where they taped the catheter line during my BMX. It seems to be certain tapes and certain bandaids, but I request paper tape only now just to be safe. Ouch!!!!!0 -
Hello! Would love some guidance on the sizing of implants! Diagnosed in early October 2012 with DCIS left breast, hormone negative and grade 3. Due to family history, opted for double mastectomy which was on Decebmer 10th. I had previous breast implants and had decided with my surgeon that we would do tissue expanders in order to control the size (I wanted to control something in this process!) but instead woke up with Mentor 700 cc, high profile silicone implants that bump to the outside of my arms. Swelling has gone down and they still look very wide to me but don't have the protrusion I would like. Wasn't happy with the liberty the surgeon took but trying to look to the future for an exchange but really don't want to do this but one more time. I'm 5'5", 120 lbs. and my rib cage is around a 36", small boned. I'm thinking these may be too large as none of my bras or swimsuits even begin to fit but this is all new to me, so maybe that's normal. I would like to see what size you would suggest and would you suggest the same type of implant or go for the newer high profile implant that is a little more narrow in width but focuses on the protrusion instead. If anyone has done the one step process, please chime in! I'm feeling a little lonely as its hard to find someone who has had it done this way and wants to do a revision. Thank you!
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Happy New Year! Looking forward to watching my new boobs take form, still wearing this dreadful necessary bra from surgery. It feels like it's pinching me on the sides a bit. Is it common to have different size implants? My PS says I will need fat grafting done on my left side. (cancer side) PS will need to do some convincing for me to have another surgery
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beachloving444: Are you measuring your ribcage under the bra line - under the implants? Holding the tape snug? 36 inches sounds like a large ribcage for your height and weight. Please verify for me.
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Sandlake: The "fine tuning" after the exchange is certainly up to you. Fat graft transfer is a procedure that many of us have undertaken though, and is not a difficult procedure. It IS general anesthesia though, and so this has to be taken into consideration. I would say you have several months after the exchange to see how things settle out and perhaps it will not be important enough to you to go through another surgery. I think you would just take a "wait and see" approach. Nothing to decide on right away....
Deborah0 -
You are correct Whippetmom! I was going off of the measurements I had heard at the mastectomy clinic and just measured myself....under the rib cage is 30". Sorry! Hope this now makes better sense! Thanks again so much for you input!
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This thread is awesome!
I too am having a hard time under standing where I will end up! I have a nipple/ skin sparing prophalyctic BMX on December 13th. At the time of surgery he placed TE's and filled them to 200 cc's. (300cc capacity).
I was small to begin with (big A cup or small
. I am 5'5, 127lbs, about 31" rib cage. I had my first fill and we only did 30cc's each side. My skin has peeled and scabbed and still healing so we are going slow. He said I would only need one or two more fills at most.After breastfeeding 3 kids I would like them to be a little larger and fuller. But nothing crazy! I would love any advice! Thanks!!!
EDITED TO ADD- They also used the Alloderm.
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Oh and the newer implants are not available yet through the hospital. The way the PS described to me is that because of insurance covering my procedures he has to go through the hospital. The hospital does not yet carry those implants.
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Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for reconstruction surgery on January 17th. After reading this forum, I realize I don't know everything I should! I had a double mastectomy in April of last year. I had breast implant surgery 10 years ago, so my breast cancer surgeon left my implants in place, to keep the pocket under my chest muscle stretched instead of expanders. I met with a plastic surgeon that I liked a few weeks ago. She suggested Naturelle silicone implants in place of the saline I have now, and a total size of about 600-650cc's.
I currently have Mentor Saline Implants with 275 cc in the left and 325 cc in the right. I am 5'11" tall/ 180 lbs (working on getting back to my normal 155 weight) my rib cage is 35".We discussed adding Alloderm below the implant and fat grafting on top, but we didn't discuss the shape/ model of Naturelle. Any suggestions of what I should be asking or suggesting? I would like to ultimately be about a small to full C size as before mastectomy. Most of my fellow breast cancer survivor friends, in a local cancer support group all complain of their implants sitting unnaturally high and too small. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Jayme look at the header to this thread... there is a bit more info that you should include (I think all that's missing is your rib cage circumference just under your IMF)... so that Whippetmom can use your stats to suggest a size/style. You can PM her all the info you posted above plus the addl measurement as well.
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Thank you Whippetmom, you always take the anxiety away! I am 8 days out of surgery and doing very good. I am pleased with my new me. You are right I am going to relax, and wait to see what happens.
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I've been following this thread and gaining more knowledge and comfort as I read. Personally, I had a left breast mastectomy September 2011. I am now in the process of delayed reconstruction. I never had any chemo, radiation nor am I taking tamoxifen. I was an A cup and was hoping to go to a C cup. I'm 5' tall, weigh 125lbs, my ribcage measurement is 28.5". My TEs [tissue expanders] -are Allergan SN 17990041. the recommended fill volume of the TEs - is 250 cc. Currently, I'm filled to 350cc. The nurse practitioner has been doing the fills and her opinion is to overfill to 500 which seems like so much to me. She also said that if I find that I'm happy at any point just say so and they'll do one more fill to encourage droop which would help match my right breast. Please help. I need someone else's opinion. Thank you so much!
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tiffnewc: I do not know what mfr or style of TE you have - and that would be helpful. But I can say that your skin integrity is foremost in my mind - above and beyond size. With your complications, I would not advise trying to go too large. My recommendation is that we go with an implant style which has sufficient width to give you the cleavage and roundness you need to fill out a bra, and allow good and safe skin closure. So a moderate plus/midrange profile style implant is your best option at this point. My way of thinking is that if your PS could use 371 ccs or 397 ccs in Allergan Style 15, this would be a nice nice for your frame and give you much more than you had pre-PBMX. Additionally, somewhere down the road, should you want to go larger, the pocket will be nicely expanded and you could go with a 500 cc implant - with a width of 13.0 cm. I feel that a 400 cc HP implant will not give you sufficient width, which is why I think you could get more "bang for your buck" with the midrange/moderate plus profile style. So discuss this with your PS.....let me know if you need anything further.
Deborah0 -
And the other gals....I have responded to via private messaging.
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