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BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

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Comments

  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 211

    Thanks for pointing that out. Im sure I read it awhile ago, but as you know there is SO much info with all of this I probably overlooked it. I did not have large breast and PS has to do some fixing of the scar and also said I didnt have allot of skin so I'm sure he has good reason. Sorry if I spoke wrong.....

  • 35_smiling
    35_smiling Member Posts: 21

    Good morning Ladies, I am new here and feel so overwhelmed with the information I am reading.  I 38yrs old, finished chemo and now receiving Herception for the remaining of the year until Dec.2013.  

    I had my pathology report which my margins wasn't clear and I have to have more surgery.  My doctor explained two options to me and I choose to have the mastectomy with reconstruction instead of going back in to remove more tissues.  I just want my fight with cancer over and done with.  That being said, I am also scared to what the outcome may look like too.  What size my new right breast will be, if the new breast will be as close in size as the left (I am a 34D cup, my weight is 185lbs and I am 5"4 tall and ccurrently doing the scarsdale medical diet which I am sure to losing more weight. My goal is to be around 160-170lbs. ). My breast are not perky but sag and with the reconstruction breast I am sure it will stand attention but the left breast will sag still. I am a bit confused what I am getting my self into but is sure this is the better option for me.  

    The information above is very helpful but I am still a bit slow in taking it all inFrown.  I am sure I will have more questions and I will definitely ask them once my mind is a bit more clearer.  Thank you for having this forum...I am going to read from the beginning to the end tomorrow, so I can get up to speed here. 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    35 smiling: You will have the same options as anyone in GB, I presume? Not sure about whether you have coverage for a lift for the opposite, healthy breast. Here in the U.S., we do have the option of having a lift - called a mastopexy - of the healthy breast, in order to gain better symmetry. So this is a question to pose to your PS. Let me know what he/she has to say.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    tangles...not a problem! I just could envision some newbies posting in a panic that they are not being overfilled...and wondering why....

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173

    Whippetmom, my bmx is May 8th and when I spoke with my PS I told him I wanted to be larger than I was normally. Measured me and took pics, but there was never a discussion about the size or type of TEs he would be using. Should I call him for more clarification? If so, what would you suggest I ask him?



    Thanks,

  • 2nd_time_around
    2nd_time_around Member Posts: 14,084

    Just a follow up for Deborah...

    Thank you so much for being here, giving great advice and support! While I had so much confidence in my PS (she and staff are SO awesome, couldn't ask for better), it was such a relief that I had someone so knowledgable in complete agreement! You took away so much worry from me! Sending hugs and much appreciation your way!!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Chinneymae: Call your doctor's office and ask his nurse to tell you which style and volume of tissue expander he has ordered for surgery on the 8th.  He might have ordered several styles or volume ranges....but the order should be in your medical chart.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Maddy:  Why thank you darlin'!  I was happy to help!  Glad you are happy with your results!!!

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 173

    Thanks, whippetmom, I'll do that.

  • lorij44
    lorij44 Member Posts: 27

    Hi 35_smiling.  Make sure you ask all you can and then some.  I became a member of bc org three years ago and only checked it out now and then.  Now that I'm scheduled for exhange surgery in just a couple weeks I'm freaking out and wishing I'd had all my ducks in a row already.  So I remembered this site and started frantically reading.  I'm so glad we have the support and friendship in these forums I have already settled down a bit getting good advice from other ladies who have gone through what we are all dealing with.

  • ashell
    ashell Member Posts: 31

    Hey ladies (and Whippetmom)!

    I have some questions about my upcoming exchange surgery and I was suggested to check out this thread.  Here are my stats:  5’4, about 125 pounds, 29 inches around ribcage.  I don’t know much about my tissue expander (my PS didn’t provide me with the information and I didn’t think to ask for it), but I believe it’s allergen and it is filled to 350cc.  This puts me at a 32 D bra size (I was measured at Nordstrom) and I would like to stay that size post exchange.  Would getting the same size implant as the expander make that the case?  I feel like I've heard that the implant has to be larger than the expander to have the same size since the implant is softer.  Also, what about projection?  My PS suggested a low profile to make it look more natural but I'm not so sure about that, I don't want to look flat.

    Thank you!  You ladies are all amazing. <3

     

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    ashell: You will need implants with a volume approximately 100 ccs to 150 ccs larger than your TEs, if you are happy with what you have currently, and IF your PS intends to use a smooth round silicone implant. I would still need to know the style of your TEs....and the base volume. I would not advise a "low profile" implant. You need to find out which manufacturer and which style of implant he is considering. There are many more different options now and we need to find out if a PS is focused on using a specific type of implant.

  • ChiSharona
    ChiSharona Member Posts: 37

    Hi ladies!

    I am making myself crazy thinking and worrying about my upcoming exchange surgery on 5/13/13.  Still trying to figure out which implant to choose - I am leaning toward the Allergan style 45's, but just found out that the Mentor ultra high profile silicone has slightly better projection.  I will likely just leave the decision up to my PS, since she knows what I am hoping for and is the expert.  I am in a 12cm expander and implant selection seems to be a bit more limited when compared to larger BWD's.

    I am wondering how others have made their implant selection decision?  I have my pre-op appontment tomorrow and am very excited, but still undecided on my choice.

    whippetmom - or anyone else that might know, are the Mentor UHP's even an option for me, since I do not have Mentor expanders?  Is there a hard and fast rule on sticking with the same product line or is this more of an individual PS decision?

    Thank you - wishing everyone a great day!

    Sharon



  • 2nd_time_around
    2nd_time_around Member Posts: 14,084

    Sharon... I'm not an expert on sizing, though there are many here who can offer great advice. PS's have their own preference for implants: mine doesn't have brand allegiance, she uses Allergan TE's and Mentor implants, so I would suggest you ask your PS about their choices. Mine also said she uses anatomicals only for certain situations and didn't think I would benefit, same goes for textured vs smooth. So much to learn about! Whippetmom or others will also give you some advice. Feel free to ask questions, will help you make your decision.

    Edit to add: on second thought, I think my PS said she usually prefers not to use textured implants.
  • stepmic
    stepmic Member Posts: 67

    Hi,

    I have been checking out this forum on and off for just under a year. I had a UMX last June 8th and am beginning my journey with a tissue expander on May 23rd, I am so excited! (having reconstruction at same time as MX is not an option where I live). When I had my consults with my PS back in October he never said what size/kind of expander he is putting in. I called and got the info just to check it out here. Sure hope he is on the right track.

    I am 5'4", weight 172 lb with ribcage measurement of 36.5 inches. He is putting in a Natrelle Allergan 133MX-16. Does that sound like it would be a good fit for me? I am a F cup now but want to be a full C when all done. I will have a reduction of my right breast to match my new one when I have my second surgery in the fall.

    Thanks Whippetmom. You are truly amazing to offer such great advice to women!

    Karen

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Sharon: It is up to the PS - she might not have a contract with Mentor. No problem using Allergan TEs and Mentor implants though.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    2ndtimearound's plastic surgeon takes the very best approach to implant choice, in my opinion. She choses the implant - round or anatomical or shaped - based on the patient and her specific chest wall characteristics, build, tissue coverage, many factors. It is foolish to think that implants are a one-size-fits-all prospect. Some plastic surgeons insist ALWAYS on using anatomicals, which I think is rather boring.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Karen: Are you in Canada? I think that the TE your PS intends to use is fine. I probably would venture to say that 15.0 cm would be sufficient for width, if you were a bilateral, but he SHOULD be selecting a TE which matches the base width of your native breast. So presuming he has done so, the 16.0 cm wide TE would be fine. He will then expand and ultimately chose an implant which will match your newly reduced and possibly lifted native breast. There would be a varied range of sizes he might consider....difficult for me to say though, since SYMMETRY is the key....



  • ChiSharona
    ChiSharona Member Posts: 37

    Thanks 2nd time around & whippetmom for your quick replies - once again, I have a bunch of questions for my PS when I go see her for my pre-op tomorrow, especially in regards to using Mentor implants.  She was leaning away from anatomicals and toward the style 45's during my last visit, so they might be another good option.  I do not think I mentioned this previously, but my PS used alloderm when placing my expanders (not sure if that come into play when deciding on implants).

    whippetmom - Any recommendations on a style and size of the Mentor UHP's for me?  My ribcage is 31" and my expanders are Allergan 133-MX-12's, 400cc overfilled to 540cc.  Does anyone ever regret their size for having gone too big with their implants?  I do not think I have seen a single post to that effect, not yet anyway.

    This seems to be all that I can think about now that my surgery is only week away...so scared and nervous, but excited too!

    Sharon

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335

    HELP! The pic forum won't let me validate my new username/password...the link won't go through to the page...I PM'd & e-mailed nowheregirl my answers and followed instructions...??? Am I waiting to be approved?

    I NEED to get in ASAP, as I JUST GOT my pre-op appoint. today for TOMORROW!!!!!

    Thanks! Anyone?!

  • skhill
    skhill Member Posts: 3

    Hello, I am new to posting on this site, however, I've been reading other's posts since 2008 when I was first diagnosed -- triple negative.  I had a unilateral mast. and my ps chose Allergan style 10 for the implant.  It was horrible.  Flat and wide like a pancake.  A year later I had it exchanged after complaining it was just too wide and flat.  My ps chose style 15 mod. plus-616 cc's for the exchange.  I've always thought this implant was much too big for me but decided to stick with it.  I do like the upper pole fullness. They just seem so wide.  I look like I am all foob.  This past Christmas I was diagnosed with bc in the other breast.  This time positive for all three instead of negative. The good news it was DCIS and I didn't have to have chemo like before.  I had a mast. in January w/TE style 15.  I expressed to my ps that I would like to go somewhat smaller than 616 cc's since I am going through this again.  I explained that I would like something similar, on a smaller scale.  He went on to fill the TE to 530 and said I could go smaller.  I am now two weeks away from my exchange.  I have had several conversations with my ps.  He suggested bringing three sizes to surgery.  616 which will match the other or 575 and 533 all style 15 round smooth.  Again, I expressed that I would like them a little smaller--mainly less wide.  I am 5'4 and 127 lbs.  My bwd is 12.5.  PS said he thought 533 would be best.  I am concerned that my pockets are now too big and the implant will be too small for them.  I asked him if going with a smaller implant I would lose the upper pole fullness and he said if I did, he would do fat graphs.  I can't decide if i should leave well enough alone and stay with the 616 or trust he'll make them right.  Any thoughts from anyone on the sizes?  What I might expect if I go with the 533. PS didn't act like I had an option on another style implant.  I thought about splitting the difference and opting for the 575.  Not sure about that either.  Thanks for any feedback anyone has. 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Sharon:  535 ccs - Mentor ultra full projection....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    violet....Maybe Lilah is around to help you.....you could PM her...

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    skhill:  Have you discussed with him WHAT he intends to do to narrow the pockets?  This absolutely must be done and it is not an easy accomplishment. If he throws 533s in those pockets [which indeed are too wide for your frame] it will be like putting two small rocks in a big sock. It would be ridiculous to do this without significant pocket revision.  What is the style and volume of your TE which you have presently?

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335

    I finally got into pic forum--thanks! Nowheregirl has QUITE the job helping us crazy pic forum newbies trying to figure things outWink--rotfl!

    And NOW, I'm overwhelmed w/ so many pic threads--I don't know HOW to find others w/ stats like me...petite ladies...

    Maybe I should just focus on my ?'s for the PS for tomorrow...and ask her about the implants whippetmom suggested...;)

    I just did NOT expect to have ONE DAY'S notice for my pre-op exchange appointment!!! Surprised CRAZY!

  • tinat
    tinat Member Posts: 2,235

    violet - Good communication is the key.  Be sure you are very clear about your hopes for projection, general size (larger or smaller than your current size with TEs), ptosis/droop (some women like it, some don't), etc.  As you've probably read, most PSs order a number of styles and/or sizes to have in surgery.  The implants have sizers that the surgeon uses to try out.  They typically sit you up to see how they look when you're upright.  If you're overwhelmed with sizes and styles right now just be sure she knows what your expectations are.

    Good luck tomorrow! 

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335

    Thanks, Tina...;) I'm driving myself insane right now!

  • 2nd_time_around
    2nd_time_around Member Posts: 14,084

    Violet... If it helps, I gave PS copy of my desired results/priorities at pre-op appt. Even after much thinking I had a couple clarifications just before surgery. So, knowing I might not be totally coherent when PS came to mark me up for surgery, I had a revised copy which I high-lighted and handed to her at that time. Don't stress!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    violet...on the pic forum, look at Val61's photos. She has the 425 cc HPs I recommended for you. She is taller than you, but ribcage and her very thin....the woman has not an ounce of fat....frame...you can get a very good idea of how you might look. I honestly cannot recall any others to send you too...it has been so long since I have been there and it is just that I KNOW Val....I remember her stats...

  • violet_1
    violet_1 Member Posts: 335

    2ndtime:

    I laughed out loud when I read your post because my PS loses her MIND when I whip out ANY piece of paper w/ ?'s on it. It totally stresses her out...ROTFL!!!! She's NOT very patient AT ALL & thinks I ask & overthink everything...not the greatest personality...not too thrilled that I research the crap outta stuff...sigh.

    BUT, I, of course, will have a list...maybe on HUGE Lavender lined notebook paper, just to freak her out! Cool ...so thank you for your suggestion...Smile

    ...Um, did I mention I LOVE-LOVE to write notes with COLORED MARKERS & highlight things like a maniac? {GRIN}

    I Shall Report Back to Y'all Tomorrow some time after 5:00 p.m. my time...Cool Should be interesting...OY!

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