BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Thanks. So, I am thinking the swelling went down a lot the first couple of months and finally down to almost nothing around 3-4 months. Thats kinda what I tally with everyones response. Sound right?
0 -
@whippetmom I would like to say that you are wonderful. I have been on this site for a year and never visited this thread but I knew about it and you just from hear say. I've heard nothing but great things about you. I've just browsed thru the last few pages , it is great what you do for these women. I have been wreaking my head for months about my exchange coming I'm Nov. I had no idea that there was a identification card for your tissue expanders, I knew you would get one for the permanent implant. The last time I was at my PS office I asked one of the nurses about the dimensions of my tissue expanders and she basically brushed me off. Saying I didn't need to worry about that, I told her that I wanted to compare it to that of implants. I was told my plastic surgeon would do that , for the sake of not wanting to argue I left it alone. I see my plastic surgeon in a week and a half , I will definitely ask again along wit my notebook of other questions. I really would like to leave there knowing I picked the best implant with out worrying and just wait for the exchange. When I get more info I would like to come back and ask your thoughts on the best implant for my case. I admire what you do, I know I would like to find my way of helping women thru this ugly "cancer stuff" as well and you are an inspiration.
0 -
Hi Trina! The tissue expanders are medical devices and you should have been given those cards. Even though the expanders are only "temporarily" the card still might come in handy if you are flying, etc. If you're not comfortable pursuing this at your PS office you can also get the info by requesting your surgical records from the hospital. Each medical device package (TE, implant, pacemaker, whatever) has stickers that should be pulled and placed in the surgical notes.
My implant cards were set aside somehow and were lost. It was very hectic during my discharge and I didn't think about it until several hours after I was home. I contacted medical records the next day and just requested that one page with the stickers. A few faxes back and forth to sign release forms and I had that page within an hour.
Hang in there!
0 -
Thank you Katrina! I would be happy to help you once you have this information. Just get the mfr, style and volume of the TEs. Essentially, the width of your TEs and your vital statistics are most important....as well as your feelings about size and where you want to be at the end of the journey!
0 -
Whippletom!!!
I am having a difficult time determing what the best size of implant is for my body type. My stats are below, thank you for your help
Height 5'4
Weight 137
Ribcage 32
TE: Stye Natrelle 133FX, recommended fill 450CC
Thank you so much!!
0 -
Whippetmom, I am also struggling about the decision of what size to be after a bilateral mastectomy and looking for some guidance. I was previously a 34 DD and definitely wish to be smaller but really want to choose a size that fits my frame. I am 5'5 and weigh 137 lbs. chest measurement is 32. Expander info is: Natrelle 133MX-13-T 500cc. I am currently filled to 300cc. I am also rather short waisted which seemed to accent my large bust size. My instructions to ps were to make me a nice C cup but as you pointed out that is a little hard to figure out. Any input you could offer would be much appreciated! Thanks!!
0 -
Does anybody know the recovery time for fat grafting- how much time off work?
0 -
Amy: It depends also on what YOU hope to achieve with reconstruction. I think that implants with a width of at least 13.0 cm would be appropriate for your frame. Silicone rounds or shaped Sientras - in the 500 cc to 600 cc range would be my choice for you. If smooth silicone rounds, something high profile...if shaped, something which somewhat approximates the dimensions of your TEs.....and I imagine this would be in the 500 cc range also.
0 -
Kadyann: Hmmm...don't mention "cup size" to your doctors girls...because you will typically end up a far cry from where you want to be. I think high profile smooth round silicone implants, such as Allergan Style 20, 500 ccs or 550 ccs, would be nice on your frame. What do you think of your size currently?
0 -
I just had a fill yesterday and am currently at 410cc. I am fairly happy with this size. I think it looks better on my frame than the DD cup did. I do think I would be happy with more projection but do not want more in width. Thanks for your input!
0 -
Kadyann - I can only speak for myself but I would recommend over-filling if you want to be about the size you are now. The same level of cc in an implant will seem slightly smaller than the TE was. I was expanded to 750cc and exchanged to a 750cc high profile implant. The implants are absolutely perfect on me and I'm tickled with them. Thanks to Whippetmom and everyone else contributing their experiences here I was totally aware that my TEs needed to seem a little too big on me for the same size implant to be just right. My main concern 2nd to general size was projection, and the Allergan Style 20 HP worked well (and was what Whippetmom recommended).
0 -
WhippetMom,
Hi. Could you pm me for recommendations for UC Davis NCI Sacramento hospital/Cancer Center? For a Breast oncologist surgeon, a PS, and Pain Management doc if you have those referrals? Thanks...
I hear the wait time to get in can be lengthy...
My breast onc will refer me on Monday to UC DAVIS.
Violet0 -
Whippetmom,
Thank you for the info. I have copied it down & will be doing research on the different types of implants you mentioned and then have the discussion with my PS in a couple of weeks. I will get back to you with what he is thinking of doing, what I want them to look like and we can discuss it again then.
I am so happy to have found this site. I only wish I had found it before my BMX as it was a scary time with so many questions. But now, I know where I can go to get first-hand advice, suggestions and be able to just vent if I have to as everyone here has gone thru it. Thank you to all PINK SISTERS!!!!!
0 -
Sparky - I sometimes have the same thought (wishing I had found this site PRIOR to BMX) but then I think if I had found the tissue expander pain thread before BMX I may have been too scared to go that route. So, I actually think I found it at just the right time - when I was going nuts from TE pain and really, really needed that particular support group. It all worked out great because after that I found the exchange city and breast implant sizing 101 threads too.
Glad you found us
but so sorry you needed to 
.0 -
whippetmom - Thanks you so much, I was at 580 and happy however my skin was looking thin on the left side so my ps deflated ea. side down about 80 cc's on left and 60 on right. I am on an antibiotic and can continue fills in about two weeks. I was wondering the size of my TE's are 450 recommended fill, is it common to fill over the TE size?
0 -
myers421 - it's very common practice to overfill the TEs. Mine were 600cc and I was overfilled to 750 and exchanged to 750cc implants. Good luck to you with your antibiotic run and I certainly wish you success with future fills to your satisfaction
0 -
Same with me too, Myers. I had 650cc TEs and they were filled to 780 and I had 800cc implants put in.
0 -
Hi Whippetmom,
I had my exchange on 6/26. Missed my August appt with my PS due to a laparotomy, but need help going into my follow up appt in two weeks. I am soooo unhappy with how my implants look. I have the Natrelle 410 MF580. One side is high, round, the other low and floppy. They seem so very wide...and the rippling is awful.
I sent you a PM. I've posted pics on the picture forum. I'm not sure if these can be salvaged, or if I should go with a different style/size. I'm 5'5.5", 125#, long torso, rib cage is 29".
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.0 -
Well ladies I am now overfilled to 600ccs in my allergan 133-FX 550 ccs as of last thursday. My PS wanted me to come in for one more overfill of 50ccs and I said no because of my job the TEs are so uncomfortable/painful. As I do a lot of heavy lifting/stretching/twisting.
So now Im waiting for a phone call from his scheduler with a date for exchange.
Well today I found out that Im only working monday and saturday next week and Im debating scheduling that one more fill for Tues, so I have a few days to recoup.
I do have my pictures on the picture forum under "NS BMX allergan 550 133fx TE 5'4" 135lbs"
Ladies, whats your advice, Should I get another fill?
0 -
momof5kids....just private messaged you!
0 -
QUESTIONS REGARDING "OVERFILLING" TES.....I HAVE HAD A LOT OF THEM LATELY....
PLEASE READ SECTION 1 IN THE HEADER ABOVE.....0 -
three weeks out from implant exchange. I have noticed on under a small area on the breast at about 9 o'clock the implant is protruding out a bit. It is about the size of a quarter - almost like an outpouching in an area. does anyone know what this is?
0 -
Hi Whippetmom,
First let me thank you again for donating your time and skills to all of us. It is such a great way to pay it forward. I hope I find something as important to do when it's my turn to pay it foward when I am done with this mess called breast cancer.
I asked you a month or so ago about my implant sizing. I am 5'3. around 130 pounds, and when I measured today 34 inch ribcage, which surprised me. I have Allergan 400 cc expander that are now expanded to 480cc. I thought that would be enough for a full B gummy bear (allergan) implant. My PS and you both said a 475 cc implant would be best.
I went to see him today for my last fill, and now he wants to to fill to 550cc and get a 525cc gummy because it would give me better height and width, and he doesn't want me to be disappointed in the size. I really don't want to be too big. I liked my smaller breast. I ran around in a cami with a shelve bra most of the time (I live in a hot climate) and I was very happy. Do you think he is bringing me over the top? I thnk the problem with the gummies is they are where they are, and they are not moving, so you need to be happy with size and shape because you can't reshape them with a bra.
0 -
BTW ladies, by PS was amazed at how great the skin over my expanders is looking. At one time he was afraid it might be too thin. He asekd me what I was doing. Bio oil massage twice a day. He said it was quite impressive. Also, a protein shake every morning (if you want my recipe just ask), and I gained a few pounds, but I needed to. Anyway, Costco has the bio oil if you are interested in trying it. If you don't like it they take it back. It has helped my skin expand easier. He watched the expansion today, and he was happy how elastic the skin seemed.
I use it on everything now at bedtime, heels, elbows, lips, under eyes, and of course expanders. It also lightened my scars a lot.
0 -
Viktoria....could be an area of thin skin with implant reveal. Take a photo and email to your PS....just to make sure.
0 -
goldie: You are talking about "gummy bear" implants, which means Allergan 410s - anatomical implants. Previously, when we discussed using 475 cc implants, we were referring to Allergan Style 20, a smooth silicone round implant. With the 410, the anatomical needs to be the same width as the TE. If you get too far off the dimensions of the TEs, there is a greater risk of that anatomical rotating in the pocket. But that said, 525 ccs in a 410 is not a huge implant. It is a firm, rigid implant though. Why not just go to 500 ccs or 550 ccs in a smooth silicone round, Style 20?
0 -
Momo5kids Im feeling your dissapointment about the natrelle 410 implant. i just had that on sept 24 and it was not my choice at all. This P.S was new to me, due to my origional PS being ain a terrible accident and not able to perform surgery until next year. They are flat at the top of the chest then seem to just drop down and the only fullness is in my armpit. No cleavage,fullness,shape at all. I did not get a card on the size used and when i questioned my PS about it, he wanted to discuss it at my follow up appt which is not until 2 weeks. I had nipple sparring bmx and was enraged to find he had cut around both nipples. moved one up and one down. They are distorted and point toward the ground. i cant look at myself without crying and boiling over with anger. I had prior radiation on right breast with extra skin removed which he used alloderm to improve the appearance, other than that i hate these foobs.
0 -
GreenCowgirl,
Mine did change from the initial surgery (over 3 months ago), so yours may as well. There is a lot of swelling post-op, and your muscles tend to be "tight" over the implants. As the months go on they loosen up and you may have more fullness.
Mine are somewhat full...the projection is ok, but the they are terribly uneven, and after talking to Whippetsmom (who is awesome!) they are way to wide. Like you, I feel like the foobs are more in my side areas/armpits. They are very uneven, one is concave in the center, off to the left, and hanging lower by the day. The other one is high up, round, with a ridge/step at the top.
I have to say, having had a SNS BMX as well (lost one nipple though, but still have the areola
) I would be HOT if my doctor cut around and moved my nipples without having discussed this with me first. Most people, and doctors, will probably say give it a few months to settle in. Not saying it will change anything, but in case it does.It is very frustrating, to go through all this, only to have PS who really don't seem to care that much about the end result. I don't remember my PS doing any measurements...and looking back at my path, the breast tissue they removed was 13cm max...she inserted 15cm expanders! Also, one of my natural breasts was larger (hence lower) than the other. And, still is. Every time she sees something she says "we can fix that later". "WE", I'm like "we who"? I mean, I have a degree in art, and am pretty handy with a power tool, but come on, "we" are not fixing a thing...it is HER. To date she has not fixed any issues that were created by the expanders, she just shoved the implants in, and that was it. She even had the nerve to tell me that she did not know if she could make me another nipple, that my skin was too thin...she told me to go to Vinnie. Nothing wrong with Vinnie, but I had a SNS BMX, I would like some semblance of nipple on my areola. I almost get the feeling that since she has received her big paychecks (from the BMX and exchange) that she really can't be bothered. I will see her in October, and see what she has to say about these, but I am not sure I want her to touch me again.
Sorry for the rant, I know how you feel and it makes me angry. I don't regret my mastectomy, I regret chosing the PS I did. I am going for a second opinon (thank you for the recommendation Whippetmom). I may even switch to a flap procedure. sigh.....
0 -
Ha !well i wish i had swelling to add fullness! If there is any swelling and is subsides i will hate thes flat wide pancakes even more. I dont know why a ps would choose the anatomical natrelle 410 for a BMX reconstruction! He would not tell me what he was using, he had to fit the width so that would limit his choices. It would be okay if you were having an augmentation and had some of your own breast fat at the top of chest, since i have none it looks flat and smooth like a mans chest, no curve,shape,cleavage what so ever. This is not something that i think time can change witht he implant. Seems like most ladies have a nice high profile then wait for them to drop and settle, that makes way more sense for a reconstructed breast. I am pissed beyond belief about the nipples having circles cut around them, not to mention he lowered the best one and now its pointing down south. I feel as you do, after your big surgery is over they are done with you. I also have some fat necrosis from first surgery(BMX) and Dr Jacobsen(current Ps) said it would not be unheard of for me to take that up with the origional surgeron. So trying to pawn me off back to first PS(Dr Saint-Cyr who is fantastic but had a terrible car/bike accident and wont be in surgery for a long time) Not sure about options to get ride of fat lumps, this surgeon said they would have to be cut out, but he could not get to them during my exchange, even though he had me cut wide open. The idea your ps cant make a nipple sounds absurd! Me too, i dont regret the mx, however cancer chose that for me, but i do regret being rushed into surgery with a Doc that just met me and spent about 20 min before a major surgery the next day. I left not having my questions answered, that was a huge red flag. The long pain of the TE's forced into making a bad choice. Fell free to rant, i need to to, its hard for others to truly understand how bad it feels to have your body cut apart and end up with a result that brings you to tears everytime you look down or in a mirror.
0 -
Mom and Green - my heart hurts to hear of your disappointment and anger with your results and problems with your respective PSs. My PS is kind of a strange personality but he's always listened to my concerns and respected my questions and opinions and actually bragged to the O.R. nurses at exchange that I had picked out my own implants (with Whippetmom's recommendation, of course). To hear of your size, placement and projection problems, not to mention the whole nipple rearrangement with no notice, makes me emotional on your behalf.
Do get 2nd opinions, both of you. The journey may be a bit longer with more surgery but oh my goodness you deserve and are entitled to have these things fixed more to your satisfaction. Keep us posted.
0
