BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Maddy: I love UW bras. They are the only kind I wear, except when I sleep. I wear a cami with built in bra or a Freya sports bra for sleeping. You need to buy high end UW bras though. I personally feel that we should be in bras which encapsulate the breasts right after the exchange. But I would wait to get fitted when your sutures dissolve - and swelling abates - about two weeks after the exchange. Your PS may give you a bra to wear after the exchange. Ask him or ask the nurse if they dispense a bra or if you are expected to purchase your own.
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Whippetmom - I'm such a dork ...I read "UW" as a brand and I'm thinking, "Whippetmom has been holding out on us not sharing her favorite bra brand." I googled UW and then it hit me, "Under Wire."
sheesh.... Must.go.to.sleep.now. Had a good laugh over that one and had to share. Lol. 
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chawkins: Oh, NOW I know who you are!!! I remember you gals by your implants! ....Okay, so this one of the problems with textured rounds. They are like velcro and so a high riding Siltex might take quite a while to drop. You do NOT massage textured implants. The consensus is that this disrupts the adherence process, but I think it might also be like massaging sandpaper against delicate tissues, and perhaps compromising the implant integrity.
But this is where I think that the stabilizer band could be helpful. The textured implants are going to be firmer, because of that adherence to the chest wall, muscle and your skin. I think that if your PS approves of the stabilizer band, I would buy it. You could probably create a makeshift band with a sports bra - hook the band portion above the breasts and that is it. The rest of the bra is rendered useless. But gals have used that method in the past with some success. You still have my email address?0 -
Yup....dork DH. A bra maven should know better! LOL!
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Whippetmom---Had exchange surgery yesterday. According to what PS told family, all went really well. As he was marking me before surgery, I reiterated perky and symmetrical and he assured me that is what he'd shoot for. He was bringing in the Allergan 15 in 397cc and 421cc as you'd suggested. Now I'm freaking out a bit. I woke up to a Mentor 6004BC on the left MX side which is 600cc and 14cm diameter and he put in an Allergan 10 in 120cc to even out the right native side!. I told him I didn't want to be bigger! Right now I'm so tightly wrapped in an Ace bandage that if I coughed, it would knock someone's eye out so I can't tell what they might look like. I know you had mentioned that if I were a double MX you'd suggest high profile. Am I panicked for no reason? I thought 400cc seemed small but 600cc seems huge! My TE was 500cc. I didn't see my PS after my surgery and have a followup on Fri. Just don't want to spend the next two days worrying if I don't need to.
Thanks!!
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so talked with nurse..my ps has put in a lit of gummys and reg silicone....and has put in about 15-20 of the newly approved sientra anatomicals; which is one of the ones he recommended for me..said patients really like them and he likes results for patients...she said i can come in again and talk with him or he books about 30 min at pre op for discussion and markings... i told her that i recall that the sientras i held felt softer than i expected.. looove these decisions!!! (total sarcasm here)
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Hi Whippetmom, my PS said she'll have me in a bra after surgery (is that typical? I may have understood that she'll provide me with one). But I can't have just one - need to be washed/dried so I'm thinking that i need two until swelling goes down. For the UW's, there are two Nordies nearby to me (I need an excuse to go to So. Coast Plaza after surgery when I'm ready). I have a couple Genie bras (from after mx/TE's) - will those work for sleeping in?`I know this isn't Bras forum but want to have everything purchased before exchange surgery so I don't have to shop while bandaged.
Funny you remember us by our implants! (Instead of "can never forget a face" is it "can never forget a pair of implants" for you?
Dawne-Hope, you made me laugh - so needed today!
I've been confused by something I've seen frequently posted. This has probably been answered so many times, but I haven't found the answer or figured it out:
When there's a`reference to "squishies" I figure this is post-exhange surgery. Does it mean particularly saline, silicone, or when they're post "drop & fluff" or just implants in general? Same with "foobs" (fake boobs) - it appears some posters call them foobs post-mx (meaning TE's) and others mean post-exchange (implants). It gets confusing.
Thanks for having this space for info, support and laughs!
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2nd time around - Glad I could make you laugh.
Those are not technical terms and are tossed around in sometimes interchangeable ways. I'll do my best to give you my understanding and others can throw in their opinions.
"Squishies" - Is a term that refers to anything (saline, silicone implants) besides the hard-rock tissue expanders. No matter what you're exchanged with - it is definitely softer and 'squishier' than those TE's.
"Foobs" - Fake boobs. I think I referred to my TE's as 'foobs' and then my exchanged implants as 'foobs.' They both felt fake and foreign. You'll see ladies refer to both TE's and implants as 'foobs.' As I've come further out from my exchange (2 1/2 years) they are less like 'foobs' and more like 'breasts.' I don't call them foobs much anymore ... I think I've grown as accustomed to them as I'm going to get ... and they feel less foreign. So call them what you want ... but I've seen 'foobs' referred to as both TE's and implants.
Regarding bras right after the exchange ... they sent me home in one ... and I had one left over (it was the same one) from my DMX so I used them interchangeably. You can also get some zip up the front sports bras at Wal-Mart, Penney's, TJ MAXX that will serve you well for the immediate weeks after exchange.
A nearby Nordstrom?
Awesome! Make an appt with a 'surgical fitter' as a special gift to yourself a few weeks out from your exchange. It can be SO much fun with a good, knowledgeable fitter ... it could totally make your day! 
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lala 1: I also had UMX and have TE. I'm going for my exchange next week, after 6 long months with the TE I'm so ready to get that out. I'm also going with the Mentor "gummy" . On my natural side I'm getting a lift and implant to fill top portion. My PS reassured me that it wouldn't look like I have an implant just sittling under the skin. He will place it under the muscle.
Cheryl e : I read that you will be shopping for bra's in the future when you heal, but in the meantime does PS want you to wear sportsbra or anything? Cathy
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Cathyann, yes, he told me to wear a sports bra for another week and then I could get the fitted under wires, so I am going back to Nordstrom next week to actually purchase. I went yesterday just to get measured, as I was curious what size I was. There is a professional mastectomy fitter there who was incredibly nice. Also, my PS has me massaging downward and from the outside in for 3 minutes 2x a week for six weeks.
Blessings for your exchange and speedy recovery!
Cheryl
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Dawne-Hope (can I call you DH?), you are awesome! I know they're not technical terms (such as "exchange-surgery" - have been called it's Stage 2 which is confusing with Stage II cancer...). So refreshing to hear you've adjusted to normal - can hardly wait for that day! I know that threads overlap and get reminded when I do that. You had DMX too? (Will need to check out your bio - I have limited time online now - difficult situation). My BS's office said I was very rare so it's good I'm not alone.
Yup, feel lucky I have 2 Nordies pretty close (probably more, So Cal/OC area) so I have something to look forward to. I went there after 1st mx back mid-90's but found a specialty shop dealing with us post-mx ladies I like much better. They got me 2 hook-in-the-front bras right after last surgery so I might be able to use those in a couple weeks. Also got a special cami meant to hold drains (with velcro). It's ugly but it helps at night (find if I don't wear something tight-fitting at night like cami or genie bra, I get sharp pains in my arm-pit-cave area).
Don't have time to proof-read so I hope this makes sense (I keep getting interruptions while trying to think a thought thru).
Love that I don't feel alone in this process.
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2nd-time - You can absolutely call me DH! You are so NOT alone. I 'only' had DCIS but had a strong family history (BRAC1 and 2 neg), dense breasts ... I opted for DMX. It's not 'very rare' for women to opt to have a DMX. I'm finding it more and more among 'younger' women with BC. We've seen the struggle of our mothers, our grandmothers, our aunts, our sisters and we don't want to go there if we don't have to.
You're definitely not alone.
This board was such a comfort to me when I felt all alone ... then coming here and finding like-minded, kind, supportive women was a blessing beyond words. It's why some of us stick around ...
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Sweetandspecial, I pm'd you -- please if anyone else wants help, just PM me. I don't always check this thread and it's easier for me to respond that way. Thanks!
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Just so you know, all the ladies at Nordstrom are Certified Fit Specialists. I called the one here in Hurst at North East Mall and they said no appointment needed as they were all trained to handle Mastectomy Patients.
Cheryl the lady that helped me gave me a card, Elaine Robinson and she was great. They don't even bat an eye when you whip out those scarry boobs, lol.
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hwhranch, good to know they're all trained. The ladies at the bra specialty shop I used for mastectomy prosthess and bras were like that too - only compassion, no staring. Will give Nordies a try after surgery next month.
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Yes, she is who helped me also! I did not know they were all certified at Nordstrom. That is good to know. She did look at the bruising between my breasts and got kind of a look on her face an said, "Yes, let's definitely wait another week to try on bras," LOL. She just measured me and showed me some of the styles she recommends. I will go back on Tuesday.
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All the ladies at Nordstrom are trained fitters, yes.
But at least the couple of Nordstrom in St. Louis that I know - not all the fitters there have ADDITIONAL training to fit reconstructed breast cancer survivors. I was told to make an appointment with a 'surgical fitter.' They have additional training. That is how it is at my local Nordstrom.0 -
lala: I think your PS tried the moderate 397 or 421 implants during sx, and realized they were far too small. In a perfect scenario, at least 600 ccs would have been my recommendation with your weight, ht and rib cage. Perfect size for you.
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Cheryl e: I'm glad to know about Nordstrom's too. I think I'm going to look into that. As far as the sports bra, did you get the ones that zip in the front? I've been looking for one and they are harder to find then the regular ones.
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Cathyann, I had bought a couple of sports bras that didn't zip at Penney's to wear while I had my TEs. They were not tight, and I found that after exchange (much unlike after BMX), I could put them on over my head and also didn't need button-up shirts like I did after MX. These bras have thin removable pads that I had to keep in for work since I have my nipples and didn't want them to show through my clothes. Hope this helps!
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Just got back from the big unveiling at the PS! Not too bad. MX side is pretty flat and having no nipple looks even flatter. Lift and augment side looks pretty good although bruised and beat up. Symmetry is pretty close. PS says MX side won't droop any more but from what I'm reading from ya'll, I think it will (aka drop and fluff). Not any pain. Took Tylenol last night and haven't had any today. He has me wearing the bra I've been in since TE, got it from breast cancer store, kinda like a sports bra but with the hooks up the front and has pockets for pads. It helped me with compression when I had bad muscle spasms with the expanders. Question: he took the tightly wrapped Ace bandage off and now that I'm back home the pain under my arm on the MX side is back. It feels like its spasming again and still has that feeliing like there is a piece of cardboard stuck under my arm. My PS had assured me it would go away when the TE was removed. I do still have a bit of swelling there so I don't know if that is what's causing the pain. (It didn't hurt while in his office so I didn't ask him about it.) Did everyone's TE pain go away at exchange? Or does it linger a while? I'm most afraid it will never go away. I should stay away from the internet where I've read all about Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome! Does anyone have any suggestions on getting rid of the pain faster like massage or physical therapy (which I have been doing PT and it has helped a bit). Please tell me this isn't something I will feel for life because it really hurts!!
Thank you!
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Lala - I woke up in recovery after my exchange in tears because the pain I had with my TE's was still there. I had been assured it would go away and it was still there.
We are all different..our bodies...everything...I would not worry this soon after your exchange. Take the Tylenol, some Ibuprofen. If it doesn't go away, ask your PS for a referral to a PT/OT. I ultimately found relief with myofascial release. But again, I hope your pain goes away soon. Don't jump to any conclusions yet.0 -
It took a few weeks for me, lala1. The worst of my sternum pain went away quickly, but it's been 6 weeks now and I FINALLY am sleeping IN MY BED!! With normal pillows.
On. My. Side!!!!!!
Yahooo!!!!!!!
(I know some of you understand. How AWESOME!!!!!)
Give yourself some time to heal up from this surgery. Hang in there!!!0 -
Lilah....Bless you for continuing to be the gatekeeper....
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dulci...omg!!! hallelujah!! that is wonderful..what a great milestone...!!! yay!!!
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Dulcigirl - that's fantastic! I'm envious! Can't wait for a good night's sleep.
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Thanks, girls. I needed to hear that since I spent all day yesterday crying over the idea that this pain might be permanent. I've been seeing an OT but stopped for surgery so I'm going to try to resume that this week. I'm going to ask her or someone about being referred for myofascial release. I still haven't gotten back all my ROM from the MX and my OT thought it might be due to the expander. My PS said I could go ahead and restart my exercises but I'm trying to be careful with these 4 day old incisions. The pain is still there today...feels like someone has wrapped a rubberband around my armpit. Flexeril seems to take the edge off but since it makes me loopy, I take 1/2 about 3 times a day. My boobs are uneven and my native breast is now quite unattractive with this implant in it for symmetry. But I can live with all that as long as the MX pain goes away. That is what I pray for now. Thanks for your encouragement. It keeps me off the ledge.
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Thanks Deborah!
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Good afternoon ladies i hve not been on the boards in forever. I wanted to stop in and say hello. Hope everyone had a great Easter.
Much love to all,
rebecca0 -
Happy Easter Rebecca! So glad to see you!
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