BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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2nd time - I am soooooooo happy for you and wish you joy, peace and more of the wonderful feelings you are now experiencing!!!
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2nd....
....or ON your chest !
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Ladies so thrilled I found this board. I'm about two fillups out until that part is over I feel really a mess right now left TE is much higher than natural breast on right. Have to do a lot of work to try to get some look of symmetry prior to leaving the house. Reading your encouraging words here inspires and helps me to realize that soon I will feel whole again. Thank you and will be asking whippet mom for help soon once I have all my info together. Really appreciate having you share here.
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Gertrude, welcome! This is a great place to come to learn, share, vent and not feel alone. Can't image what I would have without, oh yea, I did that the first mx. Suffered a lot more from depression and feeling isolated... Come back often and check other threads too. PS give you any idea when exchange might occur?
ChiSharona and Tina, thanks so much for the kind words! I'm still adjusting to life with a feminine chest, might be a while till I don't think about it every day.0 -
2nd time around thanks. I've been lurking on the board for a few weeks and decided I must join. the information on the different forums have been invaluable. I think I'm about 6 to 8 weeks out from exchange. I'm ready. The pressure of the TE is really starting to bug me.
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Hi Gertrude - If you're interested there are also Exchange and "TE Trouble" threads.
Best wishes!
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Gertrude...if the pressure really bugs you on Monday, I suggest you call PS to remove a bit so you can feel comfortable. It can easily be made up next time. I made the mistake of overfilling, was too stubborn to have them remove any, so the following appt PS decided to delay fill for 2 weeks, so I gained nothing and pain wasn't worth it. Also, there's a bra thread through; that became like my Christmas wish list. Developed a case of bra-envy (only prosthetic bras for me for 16 years) so a new world has opened for me!
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Gertrude....happy to help when you have some information.
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Hi all, I went and had my first fill on Friday. Man, I feel huge (compared to my before size--A cup) and wait till you hear how much I have...50cc at mx time, and just 100cc on friday for ONLY a total of 150cc! I look like a full B cup. My goal was to be a full B cup, but I can't imagine that I'm already done at just 150cc!!! My PS knows that I don't want really large, and he told me this is the size that he is imagining that I wanted to be. But of course, if I want larger, that's okay, too. I have 2 weeks to decide and figure out what to do. I know its hard to ask for advice without you seeing it...I will try to get pics soon and send to whippetmom.
Is that normal for it to look so big already? And last time I wrote on this thread, Whippetmom suggested going to 270-300cc for an implant. I can't imagine doubling what I already have! But I don't want to end up too small either! Help! I'm starting to go in panic mode!!!!
These are my expander stats: Mentor CPX3 Tall Height Siltex Contour Profile Expander 250cc Style 7300.
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I too thought I looked huge at 200 cc. Funny when I look back at that. I just kept asking my sisters and close friends what do you think? They would always so go bigger so off I went to get another 50cc. Finally at 550 cc I know that was perfect. A C cup! Now I am at the overfill process. Last overfill this Friday. Not looking forward to it as I think it hurts more being overfilled........ 5 weeks until exchange!
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Hi weety, I know everyone is different but I have pics on the forum site with TE's filled to 300cc on the first pic and they were about to a B cup size. I decided to go larger and had to have those replaced to a 500cc. My PS doesn't want me to go any further than that but even at 500cc after awhile I started to think it was a little smaller than what I wanted. I'm on the photo forum under lorij44.
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Weety -- ask your PS whether you will be this size when exchanged (i.e. what size will he exchange you to?)... TE cc size is not a direct correlation to implant size. So 150 ccs in TEs might need 250 ccs of implant at exchange to be the same size (but that's just an example and I don't know the math -- I only know it's not 1 to 1)... I'm sure Whippetmom can clarify
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Hi Everyone,
I am nearing the end of my expansion process ( I might already be there depending on what I should expect from the final outcome), and I have a few questions.
1) If my TE base dimension is 14cm ,does that mean that an implant with a diameter of greater that 14cm cannot be placed? How much flexibility is there between the size of the TE and the possibilities for implants ( bigger or smaller)?
2) If one is expanded to about 600cc and looks like a 32DD/34D now, how much smaller have you found that you look after the exchange?
I wonder how much "overfill" is usually done to achieve a certain size.
You all have such valuable comments and experience. Thank You!
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seekthepeak - I was never able to figure that out, either, but my TEs had a width of 12.7 and my implants are 13.5 so there's not a 1:1 ratio. My TEs (Sientra 20799-470ACX) were expanded to 620cc and my implants (Allergan Style 45) are 700cc. In clothes, I look about the same as the TEs right now, but I'm not even a week out from exchange and there's still a lot of swelling, etc.
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weety: Although you have 150 ccs fill in your TEs, this is only FILL! Your TE capacity is 250 ccs. You have the FOOTPRINT and width for your 250 cc TE. It is like a deflated football. If you look at a deflated football, you still have the width of the football in evidence. Once you start filling, you gain height and projection. At 150 ccs fill, you are close to 75% of your recommended fill level. So yes, you are close to where you need to be. I feel that as long as your skin integrity is good and you are handling expansion without problem, why not fully inflate the football? I stand with my previous recommendation regarding implants - one of them being a HP and the other a MPP.
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seekthepeak
1. Yes, in many instances, an implant with a width exceeding that of the TE can and will be used. Often the PS feels at the time of surgery that the narrower TE is the best one or the easiest to use and then, at the end of expansion, may determine that the pocket can easily handle a wider implant.
2. You do not necessarily NEED to be smaller than you appear now with your 600 cc TE. It typically takes an implant with a volume approximately 100 ccs greater to approximate what you have with the TE. I had 400 cc TEs and my implants are 550 ccs and I ended up with results slightly larger than what I had with my TEs. It also depends on what your skin can handle and what the PS is willing to do to give you the same appearance with your TEs, if that is what you desire.
Read #1 above in the thread header regarding "overfilling" of the TEs.
Deborah
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Incidentally, when I say I had 400 cc TEs, I am referring to the recommended volume of the TEs. I am not EVER referring to the overfill volume. My TEs were "overfilled" [not intentionally - just because my PS liked doing it in 50 cc increments and that is where we ended up], but I only refer back to the BASE volume of the TE, because that identifies the specific TE used - the model number - the style number, etc.
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Was due to have surgery this Friday--My surgeon wanted to take out my current prophy implant, and replace it with a smaller one since my lat flap was limiting the size implant he could place. I saw another doc for a 2nd opinion because I didn't understand why we had to go smaller. The 2nd opinion doc didn't say anything about going smaller and said he could stay the same size I am now. I went back to my PS and voiced my concerns...called the office a few times and asked them to order a couple extra sizes in case my PS was able to use them during the surgery (he had told me he wasn't opposed to ordering various sizes). I suppose I was too vocal because he cancelled my surgerya and said he didn't think it wasn't appropriate at this time. He wants to wait and re-visit with me in July.
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Thank you, MNSusan and Whippetmom for the info! I appreciate it. It is so hard to really get a sense of what the final result will be. I wonder how much wiggle room there is to go smaller than TE for the final implant, if desired.
Best!
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Finally getting back. I have Mentor smooth round 450cc. High profile on the non-lat flap side, low profile on the lat side. Still the lat side is bigger and projects more. The non- lat side is blunt by comparison despite being high profile. Overall husband and I agree that they are too big for me. I'm 5'4" , not overweight, with fairly broad shoulders- sort of an athletic build.
So any hope of going down even a little in implant size? Thanks!!!0 -
shredbetty: This has happened to other gals before you. I would let the other PS perform the exchange surgery.
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paige: I think you should send me photos. You would need to email them to me privately. If you want to do so, please PM me and I will provide you with my email address.
In order to downsize, you need to maintain close to the width you currently have with your 450 cc HP....if it indeed is an HP. You could go to around 350 ccs, but this would need to be a moderate plus profile, which has even less projection, and so I am not sure of the benefit of such a trade off. You likely have a situation where you could best benefit by the use of a Mentor Spectrum expandable saline implant on the prophy side. It allows the PS to modify the amount of fill - up or down - and there is more projection with this implant - but it is easier to increase volume in very small increments and thereby obtain better symmetry. Once you are happy with the size and appearance, the fill port is closed off and the implant is permanent. You could then go with a smaller volume implant on the flap side. I do not know what you mean by a "low profile" implant on that side though. Is it a "moderate height" or "moderate plus height"?
So these are options to consider.
Deborah0 -
Hi Deborah,
Thank you so much for your postings which helped me through this journey and thank you for the scripture on Jeremiah. I had the BMX in April of this year w/TE. I wanted to ask your advice on sizing. I am 5'1", 107-109 Lbs - lost some weight due to my new diet. My ribcage and waistline measures 27", hips 35". I have a V-shaped upper body since my shoulder is broader. I am slender and alittle on the bony side on my chest since I have not been able to do my usual weight lifting/toning. I am a petite 2. My PS recommended either a silicon tear-drop shaped implant (260cc max) to get a more natural look but having read that shaped implant may shift, I prefer the smooth HP cohesive gel implant and would like to get to a C Cup from an A. I have proposed a 300-350cc HP but he offered only 300cc HP and is planning to expand me to 320cc to achieve adequate skin recruitment and he suggested fat grafting (but I have no fat). I hope you can give me some suggestion on sizing and whether to use Mentor HP or Allegan Natrelle 20. My PS prefers smaller natural looking sizes and is a much younger PS but I prefer the rounded fuller look. I am now expanded to 260cc and will have to make a decision in the next week or so. I have heard so much about you and would greatly appreciate your advice on this one. Thank you.
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Thank you whippetmom!
I've decided to have the 2nd opinion PS do my surgery.
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whippetmom,weety & steadfast:
Hi! i just had my exchange surgery yesterday @ 12:30 Calif.-time...;)
Reminder: I am tiny-boned/very petite frame...weight 102-103, 5'2". I had TE's Style 133LV-12 width/200 fill capacity. My PS filled me to 330cc's (my L breast skin was really thin), I wanted to get filled to 400ish but due to thin skin AND the PS not wanting any more fills to go to my side-boob/widen too much there, she was adamant about stopping at 330cc's. My L side was always bigger/had more projection in the TE's.
Implants: Ultimately, we decided on the Sientra smooth round Gummie-type implants (NOT the shaped/teardrop round base) I could've had the Sientra teardrop/anatomical round base, which would've given me a bit more projection, BUT it would've meant a lot more cutting/harder/longer recovery AND PS felt they wouldn't give me as much cleavage and upper pole. SO, she felt the Sientra smooth rounds were the perfect happy-medium for ME, between Allergan 20's & Sientra Teardrops...
My PS REALLY likes the Sientras smooth rounds cuz they are firmer gel/hold their shape, mold to your body & still produce a tear-drop-y shape even though they aren't anatomicals...
.Final Implant Results: Left side: 375 / Right side: 405...AND, I can see how they look! Just took gauze pads/tape off (she didn't put a huge bandage on me at all/just gauze & paper tape), and I LOVE THEM!!!! YAY! I have AMAZING natural-looking Upper Pole Slope...NO weird drop-off & not too flat of upper pole.
They ARE soft enough to move them around & hike up in a bra in the future! Weeeeeeeeeeeee! Now, I would've LIKED to be a bit Bigger, but I'm happy--they are prob. a solid B. My Mum/Beau think they ROCK! and fit my frame perfectly.
whippetmom: My only ? is: I'm sure I'm a bit swollen (but doesn't seem like much at all), but WHEN the swelling goes down, might I have less upperpole, show more of a drop-off than now ultimately? I'm so bony there normally...AND, will my Foobs be a bit "smaller" in general once the normal swelling goes down? THANKS for any answers & ALL of your help through this process for ME...
I am TEARY because I'm soooo PLEASED with my Results! Any Petite Women out there who have ?'s about the Sientras, feel FREE to ask me ?'s...I'll send pics by PM (haven't tried to upload to pic forum yet). I realize there are NOT very many women on this site who have tried the Sientra non-teardrops yet...
. Hope my info./share can encourage/help some of you...0 -
shredbetty: I think this is a great idea. It is not worth the risk of having to to go through a revision if you are unhappy. Just make it clear to the new PS that it is very important you maintain the same volume you have currently.
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Steadfast: I am glad to help, but I need to know the style and volume of your TEs. Are they Mentor or Allergan and if Mentor, there are three styles and if Allergan, there are six. Essentially what I am looking for is the WIDTH of your TEs. So you might have a little card with this information? If not, call your doctor's office because this information would be recorded in the chart.
Deborah0 -
violet: Great size for your frame! You are going to be just fine - and they will look more natural as they settle. You may lose some upper pole fullness, but this generally translates to more projection in the lower pole. REMINDER: Projection naturally occurs in the lower pole, not the upper pole.
Deborah0 -
whippetmom, I just sent you pictures!
Thanks so much for all your time & patience with all of us!
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Violet - so glad to read that you are happy with your outcome so far. Bet you're breathing a gigantic sigh of relief just to have that surgery behind you. I've gone through an exchange (2011)and a revision/exchange (recent). Both times I have thought I didn't have much swelling, but things did change. Everyone is different, but you might have more swelling than you realize. I hope you do decide to post on the picture forum as I'm sure there are women out there who would be interested to see what the round Sientras look like. Take good care of yourself!
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