BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
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Greencowgirl, I too was not happy with my recon. I also found some friends and family didn't quite get it. They would say, "stop worrying about what you look like you got rid of cancer", "your old breast didn't look fantastic, so don't worry".
Our health is paramount, but a huge part of recovery is emotional and psychological. My breast surgeon says that 70% of recovering from breast surgery is emotional. A real indication of how significant the emotional side is. If our body's look and feel as good as they can,significant emotional benefits follow. We are entitled to get the best look possible to what we like, because they are forever.
I think many plastic surgeons don't put time and effort into making sure their patients have the right expectations, and explaining in detail what the end result will be. (I know mine didn't). I had a change of implant, and am much happier, but I had to workshop my own problem alone. I didn't want to involve friends and family as you feel vain, fussy and self absorbed. I found as time went on, I felt stronger and more confident in myself wanting a revision, and that if I don't like it, it is justified. Poor form for the surgeon to make new longer scars, my doc went through the same scars.
Stay strong and get the changes you want.0 -
Greencowgirl and alcb, maybe you can change the implant size.... I was not happy with my first set of implants. I had hoped to get bigger because I had always been so small. Had no idea that the implants would look flat and small after the TE. I had capsular cont so since I had to have surgery anyhow for that,the new PS changed the implants to a bigger size. I like the new size, but now one side has upper pole and other doesn't. PS says while doing the surgical nipples, she suggested fat grafting. She was thkg to take some fat from tummy and put it in area that doesn't have upper pole. I looked at some old photos of myself and found my real ones were like that. They were flat so it was not that obvious. However, I am terrified of the fat grafting. It looks like surgeon just hazardly vacumns out some fat and then injects it to another area. Are there a lot of risks? Bleeding risks? Risk of causing the cancer to come back? Disappointment later with the fat being absorbed and the nipples collapsing? anyone gone thru all that only to be disappointed in later yrs?0 -
Hi- I'm a newbie! When I first came on, I perused the board seeking out information on how to deal with a difficult PS and less than desirable results. I found Whippetmom. Amazing lady! She told me many women share my journey and not to give up. I was never one to seek out support in anything in life and I've had some pretty bad 'bumps' or more like 'boulders' in the road. But, I've always felt I could handle it on my own. Until now, and it makes me feel so weak. So, Instead of just perusing, I sat down and starting to read each post, and OMG- you guys do get it! Virgilia- everything you said in your last post is me. My family and friends love me, but don't understand and basically hoping that I can 'get over it and move on'. Like I always have. But, this one is going to take awhile, I feel stuck.
I'm going to get back to reading all your post. I'm hoping to get some insight on your experiences with your PS, I feel dealing with him took the biggest toll on me emotionally- even more so than hearing I had cancer. Two of the three surgeries he performed I got a last minute change of plans, minutes before surgery, the last one was a huge change, my healthy breast aug/lift bottomed out, currently my mastectomy breast has also bottomed out. Everything he told me 'not to worry about' I got, and everything he promised I'd get, I didn't. When I went in to voice my concerns, he told me I was a psychological wreck- I honestly believe he put me there.0 -
Virgila and Layla-- thanks for making me feel so validated in my feelings about exchange and what I want to look like after all of this is done. I don't think I can put myself through another surgery this soon and will be talking about fat grafting at next appt. I hope I can safely get an improved appearance I can live with for a while. If I had a bigger reason for a revision such as contracture I will be changing to something different. I whole heartedly agree if you feel good about yourself all the rest will follow. I cant even begin to put this behind me as the emotional/physical pain continues.
Layla, I think the cancer risks are low as you are not using breast fat. The harvested fat is to be carefully handled to improve its ability to live. I think they told ne about 50-60 % lives. I did not notice the grafting done on my thighs very much, it was minimal as far as pain, the BMX/TE's were another story. You do wear a compression garment for several weeks afterward. My PA told me they use a much smaller candula? for transfer vs if they were doing regular lipo(lipo they melt and destroy the fat as its removed) However I now have extensive fat necrosis due to this procedure(right/radiated side only) I have many questions myself about doing this procedure again.0 -
Hi Whippetmom - was hoping to have your recommendation on implants.
I am 5'6", 147 pounds. My rib cage circum. is 31". I have Natrelle (Allergan) 133 MX te's. Their fill capacity is 500cc. Currently, I am expanded to 540ccs on the right, and 600cc's on the left. I was a 36C, and happy with that size. I hope after exchange I have projection as much or more than I do now.
I wanted to get one more fill, but the PA said my skin looked a little thin. I have since used Bio-Oil and am hoping it has helped.
Your advice would be so appreciated. Thanks!!0 -
BoatinGirl: If we are talking about smooth silicone rounds, I would say either Allergan Style 20, 600 ccs to 650 ccs, or Allergan Style 45, which is the extra full projection style - with a volume of 600 ccs minimally or 650 ccs. But if your skin indeed is on the thin side, the Style 45 might required too much skin coverage over the implant, but your MX style TE has a projection of over 7.0 cm, so it is well equipped to handle a Style 45.0 -
Thank you so much Whippetmom! I have an appt next week with my PS to discuss. Will follow up with what he says. Have a great day!0 -
I am 4 weeks post up and have noted I have rippling in the breast. It appears like an outpouching with dents that come and go. It is worse when I wear a support bra- notices when I take it off. Ripples can appear just about anywhere I the breast except the upper pole .
My prev. reconst. on the other breast has barely any ripples except when I lift my arm on that side up there is some around the upper pole near the axillary- yet barely noticeable.
Does massaging help?
Will this go away when the implant settles?0 -
Whippetmom, I sent a PM to you and hope you can help. Thanks Hummingb1rd.
Viktoria1, I too have had a ton of frustration with ripples and deep ridges. I've had a total of 7 surgeries & now have a deep ridge. Through my experience & looking back on all the pictures I've taken, is to give it some time. Things do change as things settle. The ridge I have now actually was worse 4 months after surgery & is less now. Some of the ripples I originally had are not visible anymore. Having some ripples is normal, especially if your skin is thin. So, wait awhile & see how they look & then decide if they bother you or not. Best wishes.0 -
Hummingb1rd: Responded via PM.0 -
thanks Hummingb1r!0 -
Greencowgirl, thx for explaining it all, I wanna have it done but scared. Is fat necrosis where it dies? Then what happens to the body? Is there lots of bruising. PS was gonna take fat from tummy. Can they do that if I had a C section 20 yrs ago?0 -
Hi lexislove , don't ever leave the decision to your PS, I do know how hard all this is been for you and me and others but it is you whom will live with the end result so please take sometime and chose the size and shape which will make you feel close to your normal self. All the best and good luck I am also very tired of all this process but I am more tired of the doctors who make decisions and then we have to live with the consequences ;(
Thanks0 -
Hi all. I am 5 1/2 weeks post op and had my follow up appt with my PS today. I was so happy to get home and take off the post op bras that I was wearing 24/7. I noticed that when I got up from a sitting or lying position I get a sharp pain under my right breast right at the crease. It's random but when it comes it is sharp. Has anyone experienced this? I am not sure if I should be concerned.
Thanks Karoline0 -
i did/still do on occasion.
Ask your PS about it as it may not be the same, but my PS told me my pain was right where the implants were sutured to the chest wall. (I have it on both sides.) If that is the case it usually goes away with healing. I found it more comfortable to wear a supportive bra 24/7.0 -
Hi fitnessfreak I read your post and I tell you I feel the same way, everybody that knows me think I am so strong and I will be just fine and at times I feel as if I am stuck ;( I honestly cant help to wonder why????? why are we all going through this? Anyway feel free to contact me any time. I am not very happy with PS but I think you must fight and fight and make sure your ps knows you know what you want and he /she has no right to make you feel its your fault you are a psychological wreck .
Take care and good luck0 -
Thanks Dulcigirl. I will check with my PS tomorrow. I'm beginning to think I will never feel the same again.0 -
lexislove - I second Enerva's comments. You must do your research and be part of the decision. I know of a couple women locally who had reconstruction with the same PS as me. They did not involve themselves in the process, assuming the PS would know what was best for them. They are not happy with their final results. I don't remember your exact circumstances without paging back through these posts, but if you haven't already, please PM Whippetmom with the information listed in item 3 of the header above. She is an angel in disguise. Many of us have gone with the implants recommended by her and come away very happy with our results. If I had gone with my PS's recommendation I would be 150cc smaller and very unhappy. Best of luck to you - keep up posted!0 -
karoline,
No, we'll never feel "the same" again, but we CAN feel good again. It just takes some of us a bit longer to get there. I'm having a revision in about a week to smaller implants in hopes that the lighter weight will help. But my PS did say sometimes if the pain is only on one side he can go in and snip the sutures once the IMF is established just in case the problem was that the stitch caught a nerve, etc. just right. But since my pain is on both sides he said, "Even I am not good enough to catch the exact same spot on both sides." So he suspected the weight of the implants. My pain is not as bad as it was initially and we really hoped it would go away on its own. But I've given it 8 months and I'm ready to give this a try. Never ever thought I would somewhat willingly go into another surgery. But I'm very hopeful that this will work and I can move on...Best wishes to you!
The other thing I would strongly suggest is to try some physical therapy once your PS clears you for it. Many women here have had that make a tremendous difference in their recovery!!! Hopefully they will comment soon!0 -
Karoline,
Like you, I have a harder time when I stand up after sitting or lying down for awhile. I'm exactly 8 weeks out from BMX with immediate reconstruction (implants) and 6 weeks out from a revision surgery on one side to remove the implant and replace with a TE. The area below both the bottom incisions on both sides are still sore and feel bruised. I've asked about it and heard it's perfectly normal during the early stages of recovery. The bottom flap was pulled up tight. The muscles and nerves are trying to heal. On the side that had the second surgery, if I press lightly on the bottom rib in one spot, the entire pectoral muscle will jump. It's so strange to see. I've had plenty of "zingers" and muscle spasms, but all were short lived and went away. They come on quickly though and can take your breath away for a second. I don't get them anymore. Hang in there. It will go away soon.0 -
Dulcigirl- thank you. I am going to ask about PT. Good luck with your surgery next.
Sandra- thank you. I am happy to hear your revision went well and you are feeling better; and that the 'zingers' went away.
Thank you ladies for reminding me that this is normal and will pass.0 -
Karoline,
Please keep posting and letting us know how your recovery is going. It will help you "vent" plus will help someone else who is just starting this journey. I can't tell you how many times I've read something that happened to someone else and days or weeks later it will all come back to me when there is a new sensation or problem. "Ah ha, I read about this." Knowing that others have gotten through it is so comforting.0 -
Hi Tina and Whippetmom. Thanks much. I'm scheduled for the bilateral in about 2 weeks. I do see my PS one more time before the big day. Here's what he has told me so far. He plans to use the allergen 800cc. He said that I have a high breast line and will use it for the lift. I am getting the expanders prior to the permanent implants after about 3 months. He is putting them behind the muscle and uses some kind of cadavers skin to assist in supporting the implants. I am getting a skin sparing mx with no nipple sparing...just removing the tissue. Does this make sense? Do I need more info from him for you to help me tell him what I want. Are there implants available more than the 800cc? Since the bottom of my new breast will be at my current line and what is now under my armpit will be in front, will 800cc look perky and a size D or DD? I feel so stupid in all this. Thank you for your help. Don't know what I'd without my online friends.0 -
CJKLOSE - please don't feel stupid......none of us was born knowing all this stuff. The breast cancer journey opened up a whole new world for all of us. This site is a Godsend as far as I'm concerned. Hang in there and don't hesitate to ask any question at all - you've got a whole new family here to help you down the path.0 -
Happy BRA day to all of you!! I am so glad that I am on the reconstruction journey!
Karen0 -
CKLOSE: Yes, 800 ccs is the largest volume implant in silicone. You can get up to 960 ccs with saline. I cannot predict cup size. What size TE and what style of TE does your PS propose using?0 -
hi...I will have to call his office to find out what style and size of TE he has planned. I really appreciate all the help and kindness I am getting here. I wouldn't know what to ask.0 -
Hi all, i went to the BRA event tonight here in Toronto and i am so glad i did
lots of information, Also saw my PS there and i was able to talk to other PS who gave me hope regarding the scars under my arms lol I was told before there is not much they can do about it, but this guy say its bull s lol he said to ask my PS about cortisone injection so Friday i will ask lol 0 -
Thought you all might find this interesting. Pay attention to the beginning of the video. You will notice they have an anatomical expander.0
