BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Activedern I went to a therapeutic class this week and also mentioned this site to one lady, I think this ladies are wonderful, specially understanding and caring. The class helped me relax and gave me a nice night sleep
i just wanted to share the info in case you have any center that offers it. I was in a bed and the lady worked on my energy. I never had done anything like that before. Here is a picture
Oh i am in Canada, i am fortunate this is offered at a Center for free, its called Wellspring in Brampton.
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Whippetmom.....It is incredibly kind of you to give your insight/expertise with this exchange stuff. It is indeed a foreign world to me! My PS is happy to listen, and happy to give me what I'm asking for.....but, the more questions I have, the more he says that I need to relax. Today, he said he knows I am a "nervous person," and gave me a lot of encouragement. The truth is....I'm not a nervous person. But, I do very well with a lot of information, and I seek it out. Of course, when HE see me, I AM nervous ! Today, I was literally shaking because he was going to do a fill. He helped me relax by doing only 25cc on one side only. This brings me to 360/355 cc.
I am not having any increased pain, just tightness, and I am on top of the world. I thought the next few days were going to be sabotaged by this fill today. He also scheduled the next one for 2 weeks, gave me a referral for physical therapy and something called the "STAR" program rehabilitation program. I left there feeling so much better.....if my starting point is the usual tightness, and I have 2 weeks until the next visit....I can do it. It's the first time I have felt hopeful that I could "make it" since this all started.
Anyway, I am starting to think about the "exchange surgery"....likely not until January. But, size is such a huge decision. I'd love your opinion.
I am 5'6". I weight 185. My rib cage measurement is 38". (although my bra size was always a 40C or D). But, I ALWAYS wore reducing bras.
He placed Mentor CPX3 Medium height expanders. Style 7200. 450cc 12.7x8.7x7.0cm
I had 677 and 690 grams removed from mastectomy. There is currently 360cc in the tissue expanders. He is willing to go very slowly. (Thank you, Lord!). He said we are 'probably not too far off' from where we want to end up. I asked him where we would end up, and he said again that it is up to me.
He uses silicone gel implants....I can't remember the brand. They are the kind where the gel stays together. He does not "overfill" before surgery.
I think that is all of the information. Thank you for helping everyone here, Whippetmom! You are much appreciated! THANK YOU!0 -
mnmbeck: 450 ccs sounds on the smaller end of the range for your frame. So my question is, what do you think of the size with your current fill level?0 -
Thank you for the kudos and kind words everyone....
You know I love all of you!0 -
Hi Ladies my PS 's secretary called me to give me details for my exchange, I was able to the the style of implants, she said PS ordered 3 different. NSRF540 / NSRF630 / NSRX610, my TE now have 600cc but she didnt give me the TE style details, She also said i should have drains again? that makes me sad i was hopping for no drains
Anyway i will now go try to see these implants on the links cuz i was never shown the actual implants at her office. It makes me so nervous to just trust a PS. I am old fashion i need to see what is going to be in my body. all i was told was the name Inspira silicone but at least now i got the styles #. Wish me luck. 0 -
Hi whippetmom, i just saw the style on the online site. I then call my PS and left the mgs for the secretary telling her i wish to change that style to the NSSF or NSSX, I told my PS i wanted the supper soft implants and in the online it say that the one she is ordering is a smooth shell surface RESPONSIVE full profile / or extra full profile, The one i wanted is the smooth shell surface SOFT TOUCH full profile / or extra full profile. Am I right to ask her the style i want? I am nervous cuz i want to get what i want not what she think is right in her mind, I had to fight with her to get fill to 600cc cuz in Canada they are happy if you get 300cc and under. I know you ladies understand my frustration, I just want to end up with the same zise i use to have which was a 36d and if I let her decide for me i was going to be a 36a . Whippetmom let me know your opinion is there a big difference between the R or the S. (responsive vs soft)?
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whippetmom did you see my earlier post and receive my private message? I know you are busy and have a life, was just checking to make sure
. Thanks for all you do for everyone!0 -
My current fill (360) is too small. I did ask him if the implants seem smaller than the TEs and he said no. He said they just "sit" differently....not as high. It sounds like the people here think they are smaller than the TE's. He does not overfill, but I didn't ask him if he goes 'bigger' than the TE? Again, sounds like it isn't unusual for somebody to be filled to 500cc fill and then get a 550 or 575 implant?
I am really wondering how 'full' I'll need to be to make me somewhat close to where I was. And, what size implant to choose. I was always thinking I would end up around 500, but maybe that is too small? Wouldn't really put me where I was? I have been looking at so many pictures and it is obvious to me that I will never be 'like' I was....not even sure what that was since I always wore reducing bras or heavy duty sports bras! I always felt 'large chested' and didn't want to bounce when I walked!
Also, he referred me to a PT who specializes in breast cancer surgery patients. I was able to get in today and she is AMAZIING! She spent over 1 1/2 hours with me. She spends time going in to the O.R. to watch these surgeries so she can better understand why patients are having certain kinds of pain. She also specializes in lymphadema (which I hope I never need her for). I don't feel any different right now, but she did some myfascial release and we did a few exercises. She knows about and loves this discussion board, and agrees that we need more teaching/information. She is wonderful about answering questions and even suggested I email her when I think of them. I am SO glad to have found her!! Yay! If anybody is on the west side of Minneapolis, looking for a PT, I would highly recommend her!
Thanks again for all of your support!0 -
Jtapp: Just responded via private message! Sorry for the mix-up....0 -
mnmbeck: Honestly, you need close to what you had removed to approximate what you had prior to BMX. I believe you need at least 650 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant. Your 12.7 cm wide TE is too narrow for your frame. Your doctor's comment about "not being too far from where you want to end up" is not going to make you a happy camper at the time of the exchange. You need to talk to him about being in the 650 cc range with implants, at the very least, [I think more like 700 ccs] and if he balks, you need a second opinion. You do not want to go through the exchange to be disappointed and then have to go through it all over again. It take more volume to create a mound on the chest wall after MX than you realize. All we are dealing with is skin and implant. I think that probably a Allergan Style 45 in 650 ccs would be best for you....an ultra full projection style implant. And that would be the minimum volume suggested. Please discuss all of this with your PS BEFORE the exchange surgery. Let's try to get this as right as possible the first time!
Deborah
PM me if you want to email me photos....0 -
hi
I think my original post must have got lost. So I am reporting it
Thanks
Nov 12, 2013 07:32am, edited Nov 12, 2013 07:33am by RoseBuds
Hi I am new to the TE group. I started delayed reconstruction on November 8 when I had TE's places. I originally had my BMX in March 2011 and thought I would be happy flat. Sadly I was not flat just concaved and big dogears. So I ended up not feeling happy about myself and that was having bad effects on all aspects of my life.
On Friday I had Allergan 133FV-15 750cc placed. My PS has already put 50cc in them and we will start fills in three weeks if my woulds are healed enough. I am a plus sized lady 20-22 dress size, hight is 5,5" and I weigh 215 lbs my measurement around my chest is 42" I would be interested to hear what options I would have for implants, as I am 51 years old I don't want to end up with boobs that look like they belong to a person in there 20 - 30. I have put photos on the picture forum if anyone wants to see.
Kathy0 -
Enerva: We do not have access to the Inspira implants here in the U.S. So I am honestly unfamiliar with the versions offered in that line. Wish we had them here....
The style though [e.g., a "full" vs "extra full" projection style,] will depend on the style of your TEs. I would, however want to see you with a volume of 600 plus ccs with your implants. Yes, very common to have implants larger than the TEs.0 -
RoseBuds: I am so sorry for missing your first post! I went back and found it. Do not worry about the implants looking "inappropriate" for your age. I am more concerned about them looking "appropriate" for your frame and chest wall. I think you need Allergan Style 20, 750 ccs, which matches the width of your TEs. We can modify this once you start fills and reach around 400 ccs to 500 ccs fill. If you are feeling they are too large, we can look at Allergan Style 15 with a volume of around 616 ccs or 659 ccs. We will know better in a couple of months how you feel about the size. Keep me posted in this regard.
Deborah0 -
Have I missed anyone?0 -
Wheppetmom I love you
Thank you so much i will let you know on Dec 12, what happens at the PS office. I sent you the link by PM hope yoi can open it. Thanks again for helping us all. 0 -
My daughter sent this to me......she thinks she's so funny. It is kinda cute though.
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Here is the link I sent Whepptmom in case any body in Canada need it.
http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/ca_natrelle_silicone_dfu_en.pdf0 -
wheppetmom, thank you for your fast response, I had my first fill today, 50cc each side. My PS is going to do 50cc each week until we are happy with the size, he said he wants to go slightly larger than I need as he like the sin to be a bit looser in ladies over 50.. I am going to take some new photos tonight and will post them on the photo forum.
Kathy0 -
Thank you Enerva! I posted the catalogue link in the header to this thread!0 -
Jan....that cartoon is PRICELESS! I am going to steal that photo!!!
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Whippetmom: I was wondering if you could suggest an implant style and size and answer a few questions. I've just had the surgery and looks like my TE's are Natrelle Style 133V series also says Allergan. It says 400cc on the cards and I just read someone has 550 cc and isn't yet a 36C, does this mean I would be able to get to a 36C, which is what I was prior to surgery. 100cc was put in at surgery date. I'm 5'5", 145 lbs and my ribcage is 33". What style of implant would you recommend, I would like to have nice cleavage and a bit of a teardrop shape, if that makes sense. I don't know what other info you need but thanks for the advice and your opinion.
Rayna0 -
raynaj,
It helps Whippetmom if you can give her the number after your TE style. Should be something like "12, or 13, or ___etc."
Welcome to the sizing thread!0 -
oh thank you, Delcigirl,
Whippetmom, sorry the whole # is 133MV-13
Rayna0 -
Rayna:
Since you are in Canada, there are some newer implant styles which we do not have here in the U.S. So I do not know if your PS is thinking of using the Inspira implants or if he/she uses the anatomical implants. You need to find out before we start speculating. But you need implants with a width of at least 13.0 cm, and so something in the 500 cc range, preferably 550 ccs minimally. Please read #4 in the header to this thread.
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Whippetmom: Thank you, I have an appointment with PS on the 4th so I will ask her about the two Implants you mentioned.0 -
whippetmom- I'm curious is there some form of formula you use to calculate the size we all need? I have always said you are the best.
Happy thanksgiving ladies!0 -
OK....I am getting a little nervous! Whippetmom...you said my TE is too narrow for my frame. Does this affect the final outcome? Which implants I may get? You mentioned Allergan implants. He gave me some literature about Mentor implants. I don't know if that means they are the only ones he uses....or maybe that is what he had in mind when we placed the TE's.... Are there biig differences between the different companies that make implants? For example....is there a big difference between a 500cc smooth round profile from Mentor vs. Allergan vs. any other implant company?
Sounds like I will have lots of questions for him again!! The last time I went in (Monday), I was such a wreck about fills, ...as in "visibly trembling." I had a million questions and fired them off a hundred miles an hour! I am afraid he is starting to think I am a nut! I know I shouldn't care about that, but I do. It is possible that he said "we're almost there" to make me feel better! Not sure how I am going to survive so many fills. I am praying that it gets better. I left there with only 25cc added on one side. Three nights later and I am in pain again. I feel like it is stabbing me in the rib, plus the extreme tightness that changes my mobility......and heaven forbid I should laugh or sneeze!!!!! He says that I run the show as far as fills are concerned. But, if I only do that little, it will take months to get where I need to be before an exchange can happen. And, that is my only hope of ever being comfortable again, as far as I can tell! *sigh* Thank you so much, Whippetmom...and everyone here...for your wonderful advice and encouragement. God Bless you all....and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!0 -
mnmbeck:
You can exchange out to an implant wider than your TEs. So this is not a concern. The issue is getting you from your TEs into an implant with sufficient volume for your frame.
Allergan or Mentor....does not matter. A 500 cc HP smooth round will be essentially the same between the two companies.
The fills process takes time. There is no rush. Many of us DID and WILL have our TEs for "months"....and then wait at least six weeks to two months AFTER the last fill before the exchange to implants. You can wait two weeks between fills....three weeks between fills. You need to take it slowly if you are still in discomfort.0 -
mnmbeck - I second Whippetmom's thoughts about not rushing the expansion process. Going too fast will likely make you more uncomfortable because you're not giving your skin and muscle adequate time to adjust before forcing them to stretch again. I started the expansion process with a lot of pain. Some was residual from the BMX but I am convinced that much of it was because we were expanding too quickly (100cc at surgery, then 100cc a week for three weeks in a row starting 2 weeks after surgery). I was miserable. Then I found this site - Hallelujah! I requested that we do smaller fills and slowed things down some, plus had a switch in pain meds. After that all I felt was a little tightness after fills, never any more pain, and they got more comfortable the fuller they got. I finished expansion in mid-April (surgery was 11-5-12) and exchanged to silicone on 8-7-13 (my 52nd birthday!). The first 400cc of expansion took four weeks, the remaining 350 took the next four months! I just didn't rush it. There were times when my PS was on vacation, or we had to reschedule for whatever reason. Then when I decided to over-expand we waited until after a tropical vacation I had planned. All in all, this worked very well for me.
Some ladies have pain and discomfort the entire time the TEs are in, some have early pain that resolves (like me) and some really have no discomfort at all (they're probably not on this site). Work with your PS to find what's right for you. It's not a race but it can be tempting when you're hurting to want to hurry to the finish line. Hang in there.
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mmbeck adding to this fill input, i had fill 360 cc at the time of the MX then every 2 weeks PS added 60cc for two months to get to 600cc I couldn't take it slow due to been schedule for Rad, and they did not want to wait. It was ok due to me having my skin and N, but i cant imagine doing the fills that fast if i didn't have the room for it. I was lucky i was a 36d before so my skin was ok to accommodate the fills, my pain was mostly from the Mx and the sentinel nodes, So yes try to take it slow if your body needs it, the less pain the better.
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