BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Thanks I will call for this info tomorrow, I was not given any card post TS. Im a nurse and part of all discharge instructions involves giving all implant data to patients. Cant believe this was overlooked , and I did not even realize it till i read these posts. 5' 8" 158 lbs
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It seems to happen much more with the tissue expanders than it does with the implants. You will get GREAT help here, though. My PS is always surprised at how much I know. Ha!! He knows about the message board now. Last time I mentioned something about pictures and he said, "YOU GUYS HAVE PICTURES????!!!!!" Lol.
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Jeepster- I never got my cards for the TE's either, most of the time they don't even think about giving them out. You can always go and request your medical records from the facility you had your TE's placed. That information will be in there, that's where i got mine to give Whippetmom my information. Good luck.
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Yes, if the card can't be found and if the PS office doesn't have the info then the stickers pulled off the packaging should be in the hospital surgical notes and readily available from medical records. I was given my TE card, but my implant card got lost in the shuffle. I got the info quickly by asking for just that one page from my records. It took about 30 minutes to fax the release forms back and forth to sign, then they faxed me that one page that had the stickers. Perhaps I caught the right person on the right day, but I was surprised how quickly I got the info.
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Hi, have you any experience with anyone that had a breast lift prior to getting BC? My BL was 11 years ago. BMX was 5/30. He did skin sparing and I won't have nipples when I'm done. I'm having the TEs put in on 9/23. I'm 5'6, 195, 38" around ribs. My pre-op is 9/17. I know my PS wants to do jelly implants whenever i get there, and that's all I know. What should I ask? We haven't talk about type or style of TEs. With the scar tissue i have from the BL, I think we're guessing on how big I'll end up. They removed 2 lbs per breast (probably DD) and I don't want to be that large. I'd be happy with something like a small C. Thanks for any help. I can send pics if needed. I have decided that if there's any problems with either procedure, I'm only doing this once. I can live with being flat chested.
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Ok retrieved the information for wippetmom : 5'8". 158 BMI 24, rib cage 32. My tissue expanders are mentor siltex contour prophile. CPX3. Style 7200, medium height, 450 capacity with 350 in.
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My PS has excellent credentials and high ratings from "everyone". I try to convince myself that I will be happy in the end, but really, I am super depressed because he will not talk to me (just says "trust me"). I am almost afraid to say anything because I am made to feel so dumb or or bothersome for asking a question. So could you give me a suggestion as to what kind of implant I should ask for (assuming no contraindications - which I would have to trust him to honestly tell me about!)
I am 5'2", 120 pounds, 29 inch ribcage, a short torso (I think). I have Alllergan 133MV-11 expanders, 250 cc, currently expanded to 330cc. I had planned for 2 more expansions (60 and 60), to allow for overfill, but today he said he did not want to overfill ( am I wrong or is 330 not already over the limits of the expander?) so I will probably get one more fill for a total of 390cc. With that, I want to be as big as possible. I have repeatedly told him that but I never believed he was listening (or he thought my definition of big was just a little more than my previous A cup.) I know you don't like cup sizes, but could 390 take me to a full C? And the most important question, what kind of implant would make me look as big as possible (but still natural). I am 60 years old, but don't want an old lady droop. BTW, this is both foobs.0 -
Your PS may be good but sounds very frustrating. Do as much research as you can on implants and insist on him answering your questions. You are paying for his services. Some plastic surgeous can be a bit arrogant and dismissive. They have a legal obligation to inform you, so don't feel like you are being bothersome. You have these breasts for a life time, and you will never see him again when your done. It is a personal decision for such a major body part, you should absolutely be involved with all aspects.
My PS only uses Allergan round and teardrop, so I had no choice of other brands. I chose the natural teardrop (I didnt like the look from the start). I workshoped my own implant issues. I eventually had a revision to Mentor CPG teardrop Gummy (an experienced PS ahould be able to use any implant). It was a narrower implant with a bit more projection. So, it looks a bit more like a rounded implant, but with the natural slope. I was also interested in the Sientra teardrop, slightly narrower again, softer and with more projection. (Sometimes wish I chose that one for the softness)
I recommend you google Sientra, Mentor, and Allergan catalogues, print them off, and get familiar with the volumes they offer.
V
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Maresa - you deserve to be listened to and have all your questions and concerns addressed, regardless of what it sounds like is your PS's apparent God complex. He should attempt to meet your expectations for final results, within reason, or he should explain in realistic and understandable terms why it's impossible or inadvisable to do. He should explain to your satisfaction why he disagrees with your wishes. And yes, if you have 250cc tissue expanders you are currently over-expanded by 80cc. Perhaps he meant he didn't want to overfill any more than that? Regardless, it's quite common to over-expand by 100-150cc. I myself was overfilled by 150cc (600cc TEs filled to 750) and exchanged to 750cc implants.
Whippetmom will undoubtedly chime in with recommendations based on your height, weight, etc (if I remember right I think she's on vacation this week?). I personally think you should get another opinion. A PS who would even consider allowing you to feel dumb or bothersome wouldn't get a recommendation from me. Whippetmom may even be able to recommend another PS in or near your area.
I'm quite frustated tonight with a communication issue in my life right now (totally unrelated to BC), so some of that has come through in my tirade above. Bottom line is if you don't feel your PS is taking you serious you need to find someone who does. Ooooh, I'm so frustrated on your behalf right now you cannot even imagine how much!
hmmmm.......Can you tell how empowered this site has helped me to feel??? lol
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Smaarty: I still feel that you will ultimately need at least 600 to 650 ccs - minimally - and in a moderate plus or midrange profile. So TEs with a recommended volume of at least 500 ccs would be key and 600 ccs would work nicely as well. You would definitely be on the smaller side - but it sounds as though you do not mind being smaller.
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Jeepster: I would recommend anywhere from 500 ccs to 600 ccs, depending on how you feel once you reach your recommended 450 cc fill level. I think you need at least 13.0 cm in width with your implants - and 14.0 cm would be nice also. Depends very much though on where your PS intends to go with product selection. Refresh my memory if he is thinking of silicone rounds, teardrop Sientra implants or Allergan 410 anatomicals....
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Maresa: If we are talking about smooth silicone rounds, I would recommend at least 375 ccs to 400 ccs - Allergan Style 20. With your TEs and your overfill - yes you are overfilled - I do not think that 400 ccs is unreasonable. My implants are 150 ccs greater than were my TEs....I am 63 years old - and age does have its benefits, as our skin is more lax as we grow older. So have the "size" discussion with your PS before the exchange surgery.
Edited to state: We have every reason and every right to expect a plastic surgeon to inform us of what type of foreign device, size or style or shape, he intends to insert in our bodies. The most important reason is that we do not want to have repeat surgeries and revisions, trying to fix a "size" issue which could have been addressed PRIOR to the exchange. So please ask him to tell you what volume, style and manufacturer of implant he intends to ORDER for the surgery and there better be at least two options - at least two different sizes. I think there should be more than two, quite frankly. You CAN get a second opinion, after you have this discussion and if you do not feel that you two are on the same path towards the end result.0 -
Maresa: If you could get your PS to commit to implants with a volume of 400 ccs....I would be happy and so would you....But tell me, how do you feel about your current size?
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Whippetmom, I am new to this site but am glad that I found it. I have already found many helpfull things out from the ladies here. I have a pre-exchange surgery appt 09/24 for surgery in October 2013. I have Mentor 7200 CPX3 medium height TE's now, 550cc filled to 600cc's, 13.5 cm wide, 11.7 cm ht, 7.4 projection. Here are the rest of info you need; 5'7", 180 lbs, 37 rib circumference. I am looking to see if PS will be going with the size you are recommending and if he is not, why. I also have many more questions for him since reading everyones posts.
Thank you!!!
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Hi Wippetmom,
I'm another newbie to this forum. I have an appointment with my PS next week to discuss anymore questions and set a surgery date. I am hoping to be a size B which is what I am wearing now with the tissue expanders.
I have Allergan NATRELLE Tissue Expanders 133V. Recommended fill 400cc. I am 5'5 and 130 lbs. My ribcage Measurement is 32". I am filled to 420 and am not getting any more fills. My PS has told me that he is planning on using round silicone implants that are a size bigger then what my Expanders are at. He also has said he will use the high profile. I'm not sure why on the high profile. I told him I don't want to look like a line backer because right now I feel like the TEs are so close to under my arms.
Hopefully I have given you all the info you need. I appreciate any feedback you have for me especially regarding the high profile implants.
Thanks, Sunny
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Wippetmom, you're amazing! To answer your question, my PS prefers silicone rounds, Natrelle. Question,once I reach 450 can they put 600 in without another fill?
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Thank you Deborah!! I had my exchange on 9/3 and had the 500cc implants. You are amazing; right on the money:)
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Hi whippetmom-
15.4 4.4 600 10512-600MP Sientra
Yesterday I had my exchange surgery and I should be a full c when done. Do you think they will fluff?
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Whippetmom: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You did it again!!! My exchange was on 8/28. I went for my post-op today and he gave me my implant info. He put in the Allergan Natrelle style 45-800cc soft round high profile silicone implant. The ones you recommended!! I am very, very pleased. Now I just have to wait for the drop and fluff and settling to take place and I can have my "tittoos" done. You are amazing, Whippetmom!
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What is the fluff and drop? I asked my PS if my implants would drop and he said no.
Thanks Karoline0 -
Karoline.
My first implant on my cancerous side dropped.
In fact, I had to massage it in order for it to drop. fast foward to today and I am post
implant the other side just 6 hours and My implant looks almost the same height as my previous implant that needed 3 months to drop. So, I too would like to know if some peoples don't drop and others do....???
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Radiation can keep a side from dropping.
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I didn't have radiation in either side
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Karoline my PS said that my implants are high up and will eventually drop some and fluff out and settle. He said it takes approx. 3-6 months for that to take place. It may have a lot to do with whether it's behind or in front of pec muscle, where the placement of the implants are, whether you had rads or not, etc. I'm not sure.
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sparky: I think you need at least 650 ccs in a HP smooth round silicone implant, if silicone rounds is the way your PS is heading. Personally, I think you could use 100 ccs more as well. But tell me: What do you think of the size you are currently? Too small, just right?
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Sunny: The implants should not be under your armpits after the exchange. TEs often migrate laterally and it is common for them to do so. They will be brought more medial during the exchange. I think that HP smooth round silicone implants with a volume of 500 ccs or 550 ccs will be just right for your frame.
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Jeepster: Well, I think 550 ccs should be quite doable, and 600 ccs, if your PS feels that your skin is sufficiently expanded and he feels he can get good implant coverage. The longer you wait - two months at least - after your last fill - the better, in my book.
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What Chinneymae said about "dropping and fluffing"....ditto and ditto.
Yes, it takes time....sometimes as long as she stated. I do not like to use the term, because it is not a medical term and nearly every plastic surgeon, when asked, will completely deny knowing anything about the term "drop and fluff". They settle into place. They are foreign bodies when inserted, and it takes time for them to be welcomed home. It can take days, weeks, a few months. It can differ and that said, anatomicals, e.g., Allergan 410s - really do not change much. They might soften up a bit, but because of their cohesiveness, they pretty much are what they are....so I am referring to silicone rounds and perhaps teardrop Sientras, when I refer to settling.0 -
Karoline and Chinneymae.....So glad to be of service!!
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Thanks to all for updating me on the " drop and fluff". I did ask my PS how long it would take for my implants to drop and he said that they wouldn't. I bought my wedding gown 3 weeks before being diagnosed and have been putting off my first fitting. My PS said not to worry about it. Any thoughts on how long I should wait?
Thanks and hugs to all:)0
