BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Welome bcs! Did PS office give you a card for your TEs? That will have all the info on there.
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Thank you for your response. I did get a card...seems to be generic. IT says Do not get a MRI permanent magnet and so forth. It list Specialty Surgical Products in Victor, MT. I checked their site and couldn't get a hit with the numbers I had. Do I need to try the nurse again?
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justmims: Actually, if you are referring to Allergan Style 15 implants, you would be able to squeak by with 371 ccs in order to be at 12.9 cm - within one millimeter of your desired 13.0 cm width. But I would go with 397 ccs, if you really have a 35 inch ribcage. That circumference does seems wide for your height and weight. Are you measuring nice and snug UNDER the TEs?
Please listen though: HE CANNOT USE 330 CCS, BECAUSE THIS WOULD MEAN HE WOULD BE USING MODERATE PROFILE IMPLANTS. THEY WOULD BE AS FLAT AS PANCAKES ON YOUR CHEST WALL. I DO NOT KNOW ANY PS USING THIS STYLE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION PATIENTS, UNLESS THEY DESIRE TO BE VERY FLAT CHESTED.
So my recommendation is to entirely nix the idea of 330 ccs! Stick with the moderate PLUS profile implants!
Deborah
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bcs22: Here is the information on your TEs....I also added it to the header....
http://www.ssp-inc.com/Products/Breast_Expanders
It looks like you probably have the mid height TEs, which have a width of 12.0 cm and variable projection up to 6.0 cm. I would recommend Allergan or Mentor high profile smooth silicone rounds with a volume of around 450 ccs or 475 ccs. It would give you a bit more width as well, which should help when he moves the implants more medially.
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Thank you! Communication with the plastics doc is strained so your feedback is beyond helpful.
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I saw my ps today for my 6 week follow up from my fat grafting and we discussed my next surgery for implants. She measured me and said I was 11cm and when she looked it up that meant 300cc's high profile or super high profile. She said that would give me a pretty good size. Well how good?!? lol I asked her if it would give me a C cup and she said it should. I want at least a full C preferable a D. I know that sounds weird, but I was a 34DD before my bilateral mx. So with this little bit of information, can anyone tell me a better idea of the size I would be afterwards?
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2miracles - if you read the header on this thread and give Whippetmom the info she asks for, she'll be more then willing and able to help you.
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Merlcat,sorry you are not feeling so well. Everyone needs a recliner and an electric throw blanket to curl up and rest. You should get cards that tells you about the implants. I got orange ones. Is that correct, everyone? anyone?
If anyone near my city, that I knew, got BC I would buy them a recliner and electric blanket and bottle of their favorite wine. Thats gotten me through so much,especially the tortuous TE.
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Hi I haven't posted in awhile, but I currently have 300cc's TE's and I have scheduled exchange surgery in April, 2013. My question is since I had lat dorsi, there is a significant difference in the size of each of my breasts. The lat side is more natural looking and the non cancer side looks square and smaller. My PS said that she would use two different implants to fix this problem, I wanted to know if anyone else had this issue and was it resolved at the exchange surgery?
I think I am happy with the size of the LD side, I wondered if they can but 50 cc in the other side to even it out, should I leave it in my PS's capable hands?
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Layla - I agree....the recliner was my best friend, especially after BMX. We splurged a little and got one with electric controls on the side within easy reach and I felt like a spoiled brat
I didn't spend as much time there after my exchange, but I sure am glad we had it! The cozy blanket is a definite must! Sadly, I've pretty much given up wine and I only have on special occasions now 
Yes, there are medical device cards that come with both the TEs and implants that are supposed to be given to the patient. Mine were "misplaced" after TEs, but I was able to get copies of the info from hospital Medical Records department as the stickers were in my surgical notes. I was given the implant cards when I was discharged after exchange surgery.
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Laura: Honestly, I do not think you would "feel" a leak....most women find out about leaks via MRI....not because they noticed anything unusual. My friend had her silicone implants for 20 years and went to her PS because she wanted to talk about getting her areolae re-tattooed and he ordered an MRI. He said she had a little leak and probably had it for ten years or so.....
I just know from the Radiated Breast and Fat Graft Transfer thread that many women felt a change in feeling and consistency of the irradiated breast after fat graft transfer. Of course, and then what I have read in clinical studies....But wait until next year when you are 5 years out.....hang in there.....I am praying for you girl!0 -
Thanks Jamie....
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Nicole: I think that perhaps a bit more fill on the prophy MX side might be a good idea. You need to expand that side enough to take a larger implant. But your skin flap on that side might be sufficient already. But discuss this with your PS and ask him all of these very important and logical questions....
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Roadwarrior: Yes, you need AT LEAST 450 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant and then I believe you will reach your desired goal. I cannot look up that Mentor TE style right now, but I see it is 12.0 cm in width. But tell me.....do you feel good about the size currently with your TEs?
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Hope I answered all of the outstanding questions. Thanks to the veterans here for helping!
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Whippet mom - I just got another 50cc today so now I'm at 350cc. I'm good with the size so far but not enjoying the rock-on-my-chest look. I'm hoping the implant will look more natural and have smoother transitions. Right now it's like balls attached to the chest wall
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whippetmom- Thank you for being here for us! I told you I would keep you informed so far I have lost 7lbs. Excited about that still have quiet a bit to lose, but not all in one year as I have told you in our email. Thank you again for your honest response.
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roadwarrior: So you have the full height TEs. I think that you want to talk to your PS about using between 450 ccs and 500 ccs in a HP implant. You can handle anything in that range.....
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Chrisrenee: WAY TO GO GIRL! WAHOO!!! I am so proud of you! You have accomplished so much already! You WILL achieve your goals!
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Hi Whippetmom~ I'm about 6 weeks away from exchange, and looking for input. I'm 5'3" and 180 lbs. (usually around 160). My ribcage is 35". I have Mentor Siltex Low Height TE's, 7100 Contour Profile 650cc's. They are 15.7 wide, 11.2 high, and 7.9 projection. PS sized me before expansion with 640 Moderate Classic sizers, and indicated they were a good size but could use more projection. She also used 6x16 Alloderm on the undersides of each breast for support. I am filled to 450cc's, and PS doesn't feel I need to be filled further since I have plenty of extra tissue and my muscles have given no resistance to 120cc fills...she feels it will be no problem to insert a larger implant at exchange. She will also be doing quite a bit of pocket work at exchange. I'd appreciate some direction, what are your recommendations?
Tami
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Hi All,
I am in the process of scheduling my exchange surgery - had my last fill about a week and a half ago. I was a D when this all started and would like to be a C when it's all said and done. I'm 5'9", 170 lbs and have a 34" ribcage. I've got Allergan 500cc expanders in and am currently filled to 525 on one breast and 550 on the other. For whatever reason, my breasts seemed to fill unevenly and to me, the 525 fill still looks bigger than the 550. I think I'm a C....I've tried on one of my old C bras and it seems to suggest I'm a C, but I find this whole sizing thing impossibly difficult. Most of my fill seems to be above my nipple and off to the sides under my armpits. I've got a wide gap between my breasts on my sternum that's got basically nothing. Am wondering how that's going to fill? The PS told me that during the exchange surgery, he'll free up all that skin/tissue before he puts in the implant. I can only cross my fingers and hope at this point. I just want to make sure I'm stopping at the right point and not short of a C cup. I've got two friends who've already gone through this and one was only filled to 350 and is a C and the other was filled to 425 and is a C and now I'm at 550. I know it all depends on rib cage size and weight. If any of you could weigh in and help me out, I'd be forever grateful.
Thanks so much.
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EK25.... ... I'm no expert but WHIPPETMOM is. I PM'd her with photos of my tissue expanders after final fill and she guided me to the right implants. I'm so glad I did!
Be sure to tell your PS about the space between TE's and your concerns. I told my PS at my post op and addressed everything again with her morning of exchange while she was marking me up. She said that was an easy fix...
. They will bring several size implant sizes into surgery . My PS actually sits you up during surgery to get a good look at everything. Glad I wasn't awake for that.
I'm not much help but I understand the worry. Good luck and let us know how you do.
Has anyone heard from Annemarieh yet??0 -
I really hope Annemarie is okay. I'm worried about her.
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Hi ek25! I am 5'6'' 135# 32" ribcage. I got my exchange in October 650 moderate profile plus. I was professionally fitted for a bra 34DD!!!!
However, it was because of the width of these implants. They are wide and flat with little projection. I use a little prosthesis for shape and projection. PS wants to change me to 750 high profile. I have terribly cold feet about this. I don't want to be too big but I do have broad shoulders! So maybe it because of my wide chest that he insists on such a wide implant. PS says my bra size will not change. I certainly don't look like a DD, maybe a B+ or C-. Hope my story helps you some. Trying to decide these things is impossible!
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Hi whippetmom. Quick recap 5'2" 125pd 29in ribcage 12in TE midht variable projection currently filled 400cc. Would like more projection but size is in the right neighborhood. You recommended 450-475 smooth round high profile. Plastic guy is talking about ultra high profile with stitching on the side to narrow the pocket and bring implants closer together, currently about 4 fingers apart. He has also just started using anatomical textured implants made in Brazil. Don't think they are gummies. He is impressed with the results. Any thoughts? What experience have others had with the anatomical. Does stitching have long term consequences on range of motion or comfort. Also, could someone talk to me about "side boob" in case I'm stuck with it. Thanks again. Your gift of time and knowledge is much appreciated.
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Thanks to all who weighed in on my questions. Thanks also to whippetmom. This is really all so terribly confusing. I feel like I've completely turned into a pervert - looking at women's tits constantly to try to decide what cup size they are. Having come from a D cup, I really am enjoying having the smaller, firmer breasts. I don't want to go too big, but also don't want to be too small. I had understood before that PS's overfill you by about 25% to make room for the implant. I'm now getting the sense that that's not true. What I'm hearing people say is that the expanders take up more room than the implants, so you have to go a bit bigger with the implant to achieve the same projection as with the expanders. Does that sound right? Whippetmom recommended either going with 600cc or 650 implants. If I'm only filled to 550, will there be room for 600 or 650 implants? Taking out the bulky expanders must make some room plus they'll be freeing up a bunch of scar tissue, so that must make room as well, no?
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Tami: Absolutely not! The classic moderates are like wide flat frisbees. Heaven forbid. You would hate them. ONLY Mentor MOderate PLUS profile and that plus had better be there, in 700 ccs or Mentor high profile 800 ccs. It is not volume we are looking at - we are looking at the dimensions of the TEs as compared to those of the implants. Your TEs are sufficient for EITHER style. I shudder to think of anyone using that pancake of a mod classic. Make sure you get your PS in agreement re which style to use.
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I will give a little TE to implant demonstration tomorrow for the newbies.
bcs, I will answer your post tomorrow as well. On my phone now and typing is too laborious and I am a wordy gal...0 -
Would someone please update me on Annemarieh?
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Whippetmom, no one has heard from her. I'm worried.
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