BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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I stopped using harsh soaps which dried my skin out terribly, and on the advice of my Dermatologist, started using Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Wash. It's hypoallergenic and very gentle. They also make a Cetaphil Antibacterial bar soap.
I'd tried the BioOil after my exchange - I really wanted it to work, but all it did was make me itch terribly. So for a while I used silicone scar strips, and now I just use regular Cetaphil Body Lotion all over.0 -
Butterfly, thanks for the great post. It's nice to hear positive stories.
I heard about Bio-Oil on this forum, bought it, and have been very happy. My physical therapist told me it was great too. My skin is ridiculously sensitive, but Bio-Oil is no problem. I got mine at Target but you can find it on-line.
I call them my foobs and have no problem with that name. They are not my breasts. Those are long gone...and good riddance. They had outlived their usefulness. Foobs are my new normal and I'm glad to have them. Different strokes, ya know.0 -
My dermatologist recommends CeraVe - lotion or cream. I was already using it before BC on my hands and it stays on through several washings.0 -
I hear ya Sandra - to me their still my boobs, replacement boobs yes, but still my boobs. You say potato I say potahto, right? Who cares what we each call 'em.....The important thing is WE'RE STILL HERE and alive to debate the terminology
. I say a big 'Yee Haw!' to all of us no matter what we call our new girls!0 -
Hi. I am new to the boards. I have been reading posts about sizing ,I had my exchange surgery to teardrop silicone 525 cc's on October 29th. I am not happy with the outcome.I am 5'1 about 160lbs. They seem very wide and small. I was a c cup before my mastectomy and now I am maybe a full b. Does it take time to settle? Will the shape change? My ps said he wants to see me in 4 months.
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I have been reading the latest posts on TEs, sizes, happy, unhappy, implants etc. My head is so spinning now. I first had my left breast 'scooped out' in 1997 [twice] after my diagnosis. So first, my boobs were totally asymmetric but I got used to this. Then in 2010 I had BMX after the cancer returned in an aggressive form. The GS opted not to do reconstruction at the time of the surgery due to the aggressiveness of the cancer. So post BMX I have a floppy right chest with extra tissue and a flat left chest [site of the cancer and recurrence]. After 3 years of prosthesis and finally remission, I consulted a new PS who just started working with my company.
I looked at his credentials and decided that I would put all of my faith in his hands. Besides the fact that he is good looking, young, fresh, and smart. I asked no questions and the information of TE and implants went from one ear through the next. I had the TEs placed on 10/28/13; I had my chest scooped out on both sides and he thought that I might not have symmetry since I waited too long for the reconstruction. He tried fat transfer a couple of times but I am not sure if this worked too well. He was also really upset with the GS who decided not to do the reconstruction at that time.
I remember we discussed sizing, he showed me and we discussed options but that stuff did not stay in my head. I was so happy that I am finally getting some boobs [or foobs] once again. I decided on size C since this is what I have been most of my adult life, coming from A/B as a young adult. I don't know how much saline is needed to fill these things up but I have had my first filling 2 weeks ago at 80 cc each. I remember asking [getting better]. There is some chest elevation and when I use prostheses, I look like a size D.
I am returning next week for another fill and you can bet I have questions after reading these posts:
1. Why do I have these fat wings on the side of my chest. Is this normal? Are they going to go away?
2. Are you going to fill both sides with the same amount since the left has been 'scooped' out too many times and will have that asymmetrical appearance?
3. Since you are a PS, will you try to cover up or work on these nasty looking scars across my breast? Please?
Sorry, very depressed about this whole thing and I feel like I am riding the cancer train once again.0 -
activern - so sorry your jouney has been so long. Maintaining open and frank discussion about your expectations with your PS is imperative.
1) Many of us have those fat wings (aka: dog ears, armpit boobs, etc) in the armpits during and after this process. My PS will be removing mine sometime after the first of the year (still considered part of the reconstruction process so is covered by insurance). My exchange was in August and he wants to let things settle for several months to see if there's any resolution over time. So far that hasn't happened so I'm looking forward to a nip-tuck in the first half of 2014. I do realize that it's really nothing more than fat/flab but with the new, well-defined girls, the old fat doesn't blend in anymore and is unsightly (at least to me) when I'm unclothed
2) He should fill each side as needed to achieve as much symmetry as possible. If more tissue has been removed from one side than the other he would logically have to fill that side fuller to achieve similar size.
3) If he's a decent and caring PS he would do this work without your needing to ask. But you should absolutely ask the question (refer to item #1 regarding open and frank discussion about your expectations)0 -
My right side is 100cc filled larger than left, because of scoopage.0 -
is it safe to start using Bio oil now? I'm 2-1/2 weeks from having the TEs placed and had my first fill yesterday. I'm a little uncomfortable but not too bad. Can I put in on the incision or just the skin above? I used the oil for a month before this surgery. Oh-you can get it at Costco for about $13, 2 bottles, a small one and a bigger one.
Will I ever be able to sleep on my side again?? Even before the TE it hurt to lay on either side. It not the drains that hurt, it's my breast bone.
Thanks for any help.
Sue0 -
smaarty,
I could not sleep on my side during TE's but 2 weeks after exchange I was happily back in fetal position.
It's a long road, but you'll get there!0 -
love the reference to armpit boobs! Exactly what I have since the bmx. My PS said he can't cut that out or I won't be able to raise my arms. I'm hoping it will eventually blend in to the new girls once I'm all done. It's funny that I don't see them until I take a picture and see what's really there! I think the implants won't go in until March. It will depend on how fast he can fill and not cause any breakage through the incision.
Sue0 -
Smaarty - If you're healed enough to be getting fills I think you could use the BioOil but probably should check with your PS to be sure. As my TEs got fuller it got easier for me to lay on my side. Sounds strange but it's true. You'd think the bigger they got the more uncomfortable I'd be but it was just the opposite for me. After exchange I could easily lay on my side without discomfort and I can now lay flat on my tummy too for a short time (until my lower back protests). My PS didn't bat an eye about excising the armpit boobage for me. He said quick outpatient surgery with short recovery because no muscles are involved (so apparently it IS just fat!). He never mentioned arm-lifting problems and he knows I'm very active. Said if I had the surgery on Friday I'd be back to work on Monday. I'll have to ask him about that at my next appointment.0 -
thank you Sweet and Special. This will work. I tend to be more involved in decisions on my own body. I really have had enough.0 -
How long do they recommend you to wait for fat grafting after the exchange?0 -
Thanks. I'll check with him.
Sue0 -
I just found this forum....not sure if I am at the right place for this question. I had a BMX with TE placement 3 weeks ago today. My PS put in about 300 cc on each side ( actually a little more on one side than the other). I am surprised by the amount of pain and lack of mobility I have. I am still taking 1-2 narcotics and 3-4 muscle relaxers every day! I am reading that most women have been on plain Tylenol for quite awhile by now. I had my first fill yesterday. I was terrified. He only added 30 cc to one side...I think to reassure me that it wouldnt be so bad. The pain I had for the first 12 hours or so was excruciating. Does anybody know of anybody else who has been through this? I rarely hear of anybody complaining about the pain and discomfort of this part of the process. My PS has been very reassuring, but I am starting to wonder if he thinks I am crazy. I was a D cup before...and I cannot imagine these things getting so much bigger. I am a wreck. Does this get easier?
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Hi mnmbeck - welcome! I had healing issues after NS BMX, but the actual TE process was pretty easy for me so I consider myself lucky
There is a thread called TE Troubles that you might want to check out. You will find that it is not all that unusual to find the process uncomfortable. Sorry you're having a difficult time. I've read that some take meds prior to fills and for a day or so after. Hang in there!!! 0 -
mnmbeck - we're all different. I had pain with my fills. Narcotics did nothing for the pain but muscle relaxers did. If you don't have a prescription for some (like Flexeril or Valium) ask your P.S. for some. Know that you can space your fills out or ask for smaller volume when you get filled. They also can take some saline OUT if need be to lessen the pain.
Near the end of my fills, I waited four weeks instead of two for a fill and my last was only 25cc's where as most of the others had been 50. Communication with your doc is paramount...and do ask for some muscle relaxers if you don't have any.0 -
mnmbeck, three weeks is not a long time. It takes longer for your body to heal. I took pain pills for about 10 weeks following my BMX and couldn't function without them. You need to begin your post BMX stretching to regain range of motion. Did a PT meet with you at the hospital? It took me many months to regain range of motion and after my exchange to implants went to a PT weekly to help with this. Also, I had to take muscle relaxers before each fill otherwise I felt like I was hit by a truck the next day. Each of us is different and Tylenol just didn't cut it for me. Wishing you easier days ahead.0 -
mnmbeck - I spent a lot of time on the TE pain thread when I first found this site. I cannot imagine being filled to 300cc during TE placement.. I was filled to 100cc and started further expansion at two weeks post BMX. PS did 100cc fills three weeks in a row and that's when I found this thread because I was so miserable. I talked to my breast surgeon who switched me to a nerve pain med (gabapentin/neurontin) and also had my PS change to 50cc fills. I think the Neurontin is really what made the difference. I never had any pain again and not really even any serious discomfort with further fills and I became quite comfortable with my TEs.0 -
I talked to he PS office today, they said it sounds like my right te is on a nerve (pain in neck and upper back), and should resolve. If it isnt by next week Im going to ask about gabapentin. Its supposed to be able to help with hot flashes too, so Ive been thinking about talking to MO about it when I see him in Dec. But if it will help with nerve pain if its not clearing on its own, then Im going to push for it.0 -
aviva - Gabapentin good for hotflashes.......I wish!!! I was on it for several months and didn't notice any change in hot flashes. I hope if you take it you have better luck in that arena that I did0 -
mnmbeck- I had terrible pain with my TE fills. My PS said from the start that it could be more painful since I was muscular in my chest. I did 60cc fills and I took Tylenol daily. They prescribed Flexeril which helped with my muscle spasms. Once the TE's were exchanged it went away; I know that probably doesn't help now but it does get better!:)
At the moment I'm sitting in the waiting room to go in for my pre surgical testing for my nipple reconstruction. I am still experiencing muscle spasms in the cold. I just spoke with my nurse who said I should not be feeling spasms since the TE's are out. Have any of you ladies continued to get spasms in colder weather after the exchange?
Thanks.0 -
I don't have muscle spasms in the cold that I've noticed. What I've noticed is that my breast skin (the part with no feeling) feels cool to the touch since exchange to implants. With the TEs my breasts were always nice and warm to the touch. Weird.0 -
tina1234: Well, it might be that 525 ccs is on the smaller side for you, but the fact that they are "too wide" tells me that either they are extremely low profile implants or they are displaced laterally [towards your armpits]. Can you find out exactly what style implants were used?0 -
Thank you veterans for all of the assistance and good answers for the newbies!0 -
mnmbeck: Sorry to meet you under these circumstances, but welcome! This is a great board and I have learned so much from reading the posts.
I did have lots of discomfort and muscle spasms after the TE were placed and the PS eventually gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxer, Flexeril, about 2 weeks post-op (what took him so long???). I took the Flexeril during the day initially, but it made me drowsy so I ended up taking it only at night. I am not really sure it helped that much because about the same time I started the Flexeril, I started doing stretching exercises I found on WebMD. I was also taking Percocet for pain but I think I weaned myself off of that and onto Tylenol at about 3 weeks post BMX. About 10 weeks after BMX, the PS recommended physical therapy (what took him so long ???) and that REALLY helped immensely. I wish I had known about PT at the start but I didn't find this board until after my BMX. I also had ALND (axillary lymph node dissection) on the right side side so I am sure that was the source of at least half of my pain. I think I took Extra Strength Tylenol every 4 hours for about 3 months post BMX.--I bought the 400 count size bottle of CVS brand!
I still get chest muscle spasms when I am cold or chilled and it is uncomfortable but not very painful. I like to swim and when I get into the pool if the water is chilly, the chest muscle spasms start but once I warm up, they go away. With winter around the corner, the outdoor cold has been causing me to get chilled and then the chest muscle spasms start again. I give myself a "hug" and the spasms subside fairly quickly. Now, if I can just get my doc to write me a script for "move to warmer climate," I would be on board with that!
Don't be afraid to tell the PS that you want to stop fills for a while. There is no rush. Although I was filled to 350/360cc's as soon as the TE's were placed, I felt that was too much for me because of the pain I was in. I think it wasn't until 4 weeks post BMX that I got my first fill and it was only 50cc's. My PS said he started me out at 350 & 360 cc's during the BMX because "I had the skin for it." Well, doc, I may have had the boob skin for it but I certainly didn't have stretchy pectoralis muscles for it and now realize that I should have asked him to take some of that intial fill out to help alleviate the discomfort! I have read that the PS wants to fill you up as much as possible when the TE's are placed because scar tissue will form which will restrict the stretching of the pec muscles so they are trying to get ahead of that by the aggresive initial fill--makes sense but it was painful nonetheless.
Start doing some streching exercises and talk to the PS about getting you some PT sooner than later! You will feel better soon.0 -
thanks all! My Dr. Prescribed Flexeril for the spasms today.0 -
I have been very overwhelmed by all this. My experiences, your comments and really really wonder if we are prepared for this. This is all part of our journey with breast cancer and even though our experiences vary I still believe that these surgeons are not giving us what we need. Look at us!! I look at other surgeries e.g. Orthopedic replacements. These patients are prepared more or less for the outcomes. Most of us are not. These surgeries are different, we are treated differently, this is all part of our journey but we should not have to go through this. I feel like I am having PTSD! What do you guys think?0 -
I agree. I called my ps this week saying I have some nerve pain in my neck I thought from te pressing on it- and they just launched into a whole thing about it probably being that, thats common, it should resolve etc.
How about a nice sheet of paper or info before everything saying what the process is and what might happen? Shouldnt have to mine for info or find questions to ask. All my questions were answered great- how about info tho?0
