BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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Thank you Whippetmom! I am not sure about the TE type but will ask the PS on the next visit. It is great to have some knowledge to discuss with him instead of just leaving it all up to him. I would much rather be round with good width than large! I am a runner and I was afraid "big" would cause issues with that as well on my frame.
Will keep you updated. Thank you so much for all you do. I have send a few PM's trying to get access the the photo forums. There isnt a whole lot out there on my specific procedure except the before and 2 year after pictures online. I would be happy to post photos of my journey to help the next person coming through this!
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Hi, I had a right mastectomy. I am 5 8' 140 pds rib cage is 32" I would like to be a full C cup with good protection. I have Alloderm 12×8 cm filled to 550 ml what would you recommend? Thank you for your help.
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Live2Laugh2Love: I need to know more about your TE. The style and volume. Mentor or Allergan. Is it 550 ccs, or is the TE OVERFILLED to 550 ccs? Essentially, I need to know the WIDTH of your TE. Also, are you going to augment the native breast in order to gain symmetry? For unilaterals, much more goes into determining size, because the key and focus and goal is symmetry with the native breast.
Deborah0 -
Vik,we never did set a date for the wedding or announcing the engagement since all this bc stuff happened. I might just put it off for a few yrs. I now want to move to Utah and retire. However,unless I can sell the house for enough to pay off the bank,its unlikely.
monse, I had the high profile in Mentor 600cc. I am 5'4" and weighed about 140 when it all started but have now been struggling to take off this 159 I have gotten into. The Femara has not helped with the weight gain. Mine were going fine til end of Oct. Now have complications with the new implants.
Seeing the new PS end of this mth for eval. My favorite regular PS took another job outta state. Good luck with your exchange. Hope it eventually turns out to be something you like. Dont worry about the first wk,cause a lot of us looked like pancakes before the muscle relaxed.0 -
Dawne-Hope & Dulcgirl -- thanks ladies for the paper tape info. Good to know for future reference.
Layla -- Hope all works out the way you want it to. I'll be thinking of you.
It's been just over a week since my exchange. I don't have the "flattish" look that others have complained about. They actually look pretty darn good. My PS said if I like them now, I'll really like them later. No pain or bandages, just the steri-strips still hanging on. Only wearing the front closure sports bra during the day. I feel really fortunate that these past couple of months have been a breeze. Again, I couldn't have gotten through the first couple of weeks after bc surgery in Sept. without Whippetmom! Thanks so much, once again, Deborah!0 -
I am in the process of trying to make some decisions about the sizing of implants. My BMX was June 2012 and I underwent rads after that (neoadjuvent chemo). I am about 4 months post-rads and finally got the nod from my PS to go with implants instead of DIEP. I just can't agree to that long of surgery and being out of work for at least 3 months...I had to take 2.5 months off for surgery and rads as we don't have rads locally and I had to stay in Seattle for that. I am looking to have my exchange in April.
Before BMX, I was a 36DD. I am 5'3" and 135, rib cage is 32" I would like to end up around a full B, small C. Currently I have Siltex 450mL expanders 12.7X10.8X7.0 that are expanded to 500mL. My "mound" measures 22cm. I'm not really happy with the projection, I don't think it's 7.0. I stood at a 90 degree angle to the mirror and tried to measure and it looked more like 5.2 projection. My right side is the cancer side and is riding a little high and tight after radiation. I do have a little extra skin flap that's not stretched with the expanders. My PS had me filled to 525mL prior to rads and then I was totally deflated for rads and refilled post rads. The expanders were definately under my armpits when filled prior to rads, but not quite so much with the second fill. I think I could get away with a little narrower implant. I'm sure I have very little to no breast tissue because my BS was very thorough since the cancer was somewhat close to my chest wall. I may not ever get the projection I would like. I think the Natrelle 45 might be a good choice. I'm leaning towards silicone for the softness factor, but not sure about smooth vs textured. I am at a higher risk for CC due to rads. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
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Hello I have TE's on each side. When I came home from hospital my right side had a big wrinkle. I chalked it up to not having much fill in it. As I have been getting fills the wrinkle is not as deep, but still there. I went for my 4th fill yesterday and asked my PS why my right side seemed bigger and different than my left. He told me that the expander is sideways. I have the TE which is suppose to widen lower pole, I believe they also have tabs. My left side the scope is on bottom where it should be. My left is diagonal. Where the TE is the scoop would be between 1:00-7:00 position. He did not seem to worry at all about it. I am a little concerned! I hate the wrinkle, he said that will come out at exchange. Do you think I need to be worried about my TE positioning on getting a good implant position? I only have one fill left.
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Hello I have TE's on each side. When I came home from hospital my right side had a big wrinkle. I chalked it up to not having much fill in it. As I have been getting fills the wrinkle is not as deep, but still there. I went for my 4th fill yesterday and asked my PS why my right side seemed bigger and different than my left. He told me that the expander is sideways. I have the TE which is suppose to widen lower pole, I believe they also have tabs. My left side the scope is on bottom where it should be. My left is diagonal. Where the TE is the scoop would be between 1:00-7:00 position. He did not seem to worry at all about it. I am a little concerned! I hate the wrinkle, he said that will come out at exchange. Do you think I need to be worried about my TE positioning on getting a good implant position? I only have one fill left.
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Coffee4me-I too have have a lot of wrinkling on my left side, and as my fills go along, they seem to be lessening. PS said he can fix it at exchange. My right TE fel a little to the right, I some how popped a stich or 2, but I am SO excited they way it looks! (not so much for the left). Good luck!
Annemarie
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Sandlake-What syle Sientra did you get? Round or tear drop? These are what my PS uses. Good luck with your drop and fluff stage!!
Annemarie
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Layla thanks for responding. I'll keep that in mind, didn't know about the pancake effect. Now I won't be surprised when it happens.
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MMTOMH:
You would need, minimally, 550 ccs in Style 45, in order to stay within close proximity to the width of your TEs. They would be narrower, but with a 32 inch ribcage, I would not want to go too narrow. Another concern with Style 45 and a history of rads, is that the extra full projection style might make skin closure over the implant a bit tenuous. With aggressive skin flap dissection, as you describe, we have this to take into consideration as well. I think you would be better with around 450 ccs/475 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant.
Deborah0 -
coffee4me: If you are not getting an optimum result with expansion due to tissue expander rotation, it should be corrected. The purpose of the suture tabs is to avoid rotation of the TE. Do you want to send me a photo? Do you feel that the skin envelope is being sufficiently expanded in the lower pole? The goal of tissue expansion is to PROPERLY expand the tissue envelope so as to insure successful placement of the future implant. I just want you to be assured that the faulty TE has still enabled the lower pole to expand as much as the other side. The lower pole is my chief concern....
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whippetmom - I know we don't usually talk in cup size, but do you think the Mentor MemoryGel 350-4504BC 450mL 12.8cm with 5.1 projection would give me approximately size B? My skin is in beautiful shape and I've no porblems with healing. My rads "tan" is almost completely faded and I think I have good elasticity. I'm only 33, and pretty active, so I'm bouncing back well. Thanks for your help!
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That's a HP with cohesive gel...are they all cohesive gel these days or is there still a gummy bear?
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MMTOMH: If your PS uses Mentor, you will be getting the "Memory Gel" implants. In a perfect world, I would recommend for you at least 475 ccs/500 ccs. You will probably have the appearance of a B cup....
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Thank you!
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It's been quite some time once I read this thread....I'm getting close to my exchange date 1/23/13 and getting excited/nervous. I feel very fortunate to have been able to tolerate 100cc fills and only needed 3 of them to get up to 490 ccs. I see my plastic surgeon on Thursday to finalize all of the decisions about my zoob( zombie boob- have alloderm- now ready for the zombie apocalypse ha ha) and the lift/slight reduction of my remaining breast. She was wonderful to be extremely cautious of adhesives, tapes etc at my mx. When I had a BA in 09 ( darn it, should have waited) I developed horrible horrible blisters- THAT, by far, was the worst. I feel so blessed for breezing though my mx and PRAY the next surgery will be as kind on me.
Thanks for listening to me ramble.0 -
Hey all... I have an appt with a PS tomorrow for a reconstruction consult. I will be having a skin sparing dbl mx in feb. I have not chosen a PS just yet. Hoping I could get somequick advise on queations to ask. I have a few myself and
The initial post was helpful but I just want to be as prepared as possible.... Thanks0 -
Hi , my name is Lisa and I have not been on this thread before I wished i guess I had . I was a small A I like to say Neg A before my mastectomy .. now I have implants and seriously hate them . My ps said I am now a full B . I see round flattend ugly lumps .. I have Mentor moderate profile gell 400 cc .. I go to PS tomorrow because I think I want them out or something done , I cant shave under my arms . I have itching burning stabbing and I feel tight . I am 5 months post exchange . I am also noticing denting .. anyway I know its short notice but any suggestions ?
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annemarieh~ I have Natrelle not Sientra. I have style 45-550 left side, 45-500 right side. They have a narrow base width and are high/full profile. Tomorrow will be two weeks from exchange and doing good. I am nervous about lifting too much weight, decided to take it easy a little while longer. Not sure what to expect during the drop and fluff stage..but will enjoy it
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lisamarie68
I can certainly understand your concern and disappointment. Knowing that you were a small size to begin with it seems like the PS using a 400 cc moderate implant may have chosen something too big for you and what you want for an end result.
I would definitely approach the subject with the PS, and tell him your feelings. You certainly deserve the results you want for your body and mind. And if you are uncomfortable and they appear too large for your frame than a would think a revision may be what you need. Best of luck
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Amy: Somehow I missed your post on the 7th! So how did the consult go today? Read #3 in the thread header - height, weight, ribcage, yadda, yadda, so that I can help you further.
Deborah
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Lisamarie: Complete, totally wrong implants for you! But this is "fixable". Do not despair! We can work on this. I will help you come up with a solution and I would certainly recommend that you see another PS. I have names for NY plastic surgeons. I need your height, weight, ribcage circumference and if you can recall or have data re: your prior TEs, I would like that info as well. Also, please verify that the Mentor implants are "moderate" profile vs. "moderate plus" profile. You might have been given a little card at the hospital - which would identify the implants accurately. Hang in there.....we will figure it all out for you...
Deborah
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WHIPPETMOM! Thank you, thank you!! I am now going into my exchange surgery on the 17th, comfortable and confident as to the outcome. Ladies, she is an Exchange City Angel. We are lucky to have her on this post. I'm only one in many she has helped so willingly navigate implant city. Another satisfied customer for sure:)
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Whippetmom, I do not know my meausrements .. I am under a cancer ins from the state of NY .. I like the PS . I am scheduled for surgery Feb 12 we are taking these out putting in smaller ones and he is also injecting Botox into the pec muscle , he says that should stop the spasms. (or pain) I never knew the TE's brand or size after fills .. My card reads as follows Mentor smooth round moderate profile gel 400cc .. in both ...I am 5 foot and a whole 95 lbs .. I guess I will need a tape measure to give you sizing . I was a 32 A sometimes I bought B cup the push up bras .. because I had no boobs . I have a blog .. if you google hopeserenitystrength it should come up , there it shows my breast before surgery and after mastectomy TE's andd now . It kinda stinks to go through all of this not understanding any of it . Thank you
Lisa Marie
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Lisamarie: You were expanded far too much, in my opinion. Your implants placement needs to be corrected. The implants are too laterally placed, which means that they were overdissected too much laterally most likely. To narrow the pockets, lateral capsulorrhaphys need to be performed. You need narrower implants....but narrowing the pockets does not always "hold" and you need to be very careful and protective and no arm raising or lifting or any movement which might strain the internal lateral sutures. Mentor has discontinued their "moderate profile" style implant because it is so flat and wide - so your PS must have had some in his office to use. I don't think you can order them any longer from Mentor. I will find the dimensions and get back to you with some alternative sizes...
ADDENDUM: The Mentor "moderate" implant is 14.5 cm in width, which is far too wide for your chest wall. Your PS could perhaps revise the pockets to under 13.0 cm in width and use a 350 cc moderate PLUS profile implant....Mentor.....
Deborah
Deborah0 -
Whippetmom... My consultations went well I went to two different PS and have made my choice I go back tuesday the 15th for an addition appt with the one I chose I will get more details on the size TEs he plans to use and get back to you asap.
I can however get my measurments back to you today! Thanks0 -
great work/thread whippetmom - will certainly be looking at this thread in 8 months.
fabulous
thx
xx
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Whippetmom, I did not know my implants were discontinued . they are round and flat and wide . I looked them up online under the mentor site and it still shows them available for order under my implant id number . how wierd . he also said i did not have restricions . as my job is very demanding , I do nursing and take care of a 195 lb man in a coma for 12 hour shifts . I was wondering if I damaged myself from pushing pulling ect .. he said no , but he did say my pain was from the fact that I am so active in my work . I also have pain in my left shoulder when I lift my arm too high . he said that had nothing to do with the implants as he didnt go near my shoulder and ita prob rotor cuff due to getting old .. I am very confused now . He also offerd to do a surgery he said where he takes muscle form my back and makes boobs no implants .. but it is a 3 week recovery time and I cannot afford to be out of work . I almost lost everything back in April when I recoverd from the mastectomy and te placement , that surgery was 8 1/2 hours .. anyway I am going to do the best I can to get you my sizing . thank you for help .. The only thing is my PS is unlike any dr I have ever met he has so much compassion , he always gives me hugs and he has the best bedside manner ..ho hum
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