BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Tessa - I am impressed as well. I couldn't even carry on a coherent conversation for 5 days post BMX. I spent four nights in the hosiptal because they couldn't get my pain meds right. Lortab made me so drowsy, I could barely function. Wasn't until the third day that a smart nurse pursued changing my pain meds to Percoset and that did the trick and got me sprung. You are doing much better than I did based on the fact that you are on this board so soon after surgery! You also look very good at this early stage. I too had 350/360 instilled at time of BMX and felt that it was too much but didn't know any better to ask PS to remove some saline--that is an option if the discomfort is too much for you right now. Bolster shaped pillows, about 12" long and a little larger in diameter than a pool fun noodle, were given to me in the hospital and I still sleep with them to this day! Please take it slow and do not push yourself. Hope you get some relief from the duct tape sensation soon.
0 -
Sweet & Dulcigirl and others--we need to compile a list of helpful tips and title it, "Things We Wish We Would Have Known Pre-BMX." Suggestions for the list could be, but are not limited to, (just off the top of my head):
- TE size determines implant size--make sure you understand this and are on the same page with your PS;
- How to get out of bed;
- Taking pain medication does not make you weak--everyone reacts differently to different pain medications--if you are still in pain on medication, you need to have the medication adjusted/changed;
- Pillows to buy;
- How to wipe yourself after toileting;
- Best clothing choices;
- Bras that fit TE's;
- Sleeping positions/locations;
- Physical therapy works wonders.
I just wish I would have found this site prior to my BMX!
0 -
I know when you have a smaller breast size before mastectomy and you want a larger size for reconstruction, they overfill you which is what my ps said and others have mentioned. By overfilling to a 600 ml and getting a 550 ml implant at exchange (Allergan 20), this shouldn't be a problem, right? I mean that there should be enough space under the chest muscle for him to put that size and still get a natural look? Also, do the Allergan 20 silicone implants look natural and not like half grape fruits? I'm very active and looking forward to being more active and want something comfortable and as natural as I can get. The TE are difficult now because they don't have any movement when I take a dance class and I feel it's obvious so I'm layering shirts. I don't want to do that forever. Thanks.
0 -
Tessa, I too came out of pbmx with TE's filled to 360cc. Once the drains x4 were removed my pain improved greatly. Did not wear a bra at all. PS did not require and this helped with the incisional pain. I didn't have my first fill until a week after the last drain came out. Did 60cc at each of the next 2 fills. Felt like a tight shirt for 1 day. Then did 120cc at next 2 fills. Same tight shirt feeling. I was filled to 780cc. Had 800cc TE's. Exchanged 1/3/14 to style45 800cc. Seeing PS tomorrow, looks good.
Prayers and hugs to all.
0 -
Barn-Owl...Did you mean to post something else? Can I help you with anything?
0 -
pinklotus: Well, perhaps you would be happier on the smaller side of the spectrum then, and so 500 ccs should be just fine. You want to maintain 13.0 cm in width, which is what you will have with your TEs. A more athletic appearing result could be achieved with a moderate PLUS profile style implant, and you would need 400 ccs in Mentor and 397 ccs in Allergan.
0 -
Tessa....you look great! Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. Once you get the dreaded drains removed, you will begin to feel more human again.....
0 -
Tessa, I came out of my BMX with 400cc on each side and 4 drains. I had 100cc put in every other week until I had 780cc. Three months later I had my exchange to Allergen 45, 800cc implants. I'm doing great and only need a nip and tuck before I have tittoos done. Elsiecow is right, once those drains are out it will make a world of difference. Everyone is different. I hope all goes well for you.
0 -
Oh, I don't run or do high impact. I do yoga and don't formally take dance. I just wanted to take a dance class to get back into working out. I did some strength training in a body sculpt class a couple of times a week before surgery but not now due to expanding and not strengthening my chest muscles. I was just curious if I could have a 550 Allergan 20 with a 600ml overfill and get a natural look. You mention the moderate plus. Would the pocket the ps has created work for me work fine with those? Since I'm filled to 600, would those at 400cc work or am I really too overfilled at this point? Would the moderate plus Mentor and Allergan give me a full c cup? I appreciate all your advice. There are so many implants and I want to make the right decision since this process is so long and I don't want to go through any additional surgeries. Thank you.
0 -
pinklotus - Your TEs and overfill are sufficient to enable your PS to use a high profile smooth round silicone implant with a volume of 500 ccs. The smaller the implant, the more natural ptosis [droop] you will have as an end result. A moderate plus profile implant would be fine with your current expansion. I think that I would prefer high profile implants for you and 500 ccs is going to be preferable to 550 ccs, if you want a bit more ptosis. Projection is always a challenge with breast reconstruction, and so this is why the high profile style is the most common style used at the time of exchange.
Edited to state that if you want to email me photos, please PM me and I will provide you with my email address....
0 -
krisnanbrandy: I have similar stats as you and went for the 800cc silicone implants. Mine unfortunately look flat to me. I think I have had pocket issues, so I would not at all worry about that with you..I do fill in a D cup fine but i feel like I have no projection..its weird..
0 -
Dulci - Girl, you and I need to meet sometime! Seems like we think an awful lot alike most of the time!
0 -
Sweet, I agree...I think we need to make a MI get together once the ice melts!
Mariel, do you know which implants you have? There are different 800's and some have more width/some have more projection.
0 -
I have the Mentor High Profile 800cc
0 -
Well, that's not it, then.
I sure am fascinated by the differences in how implants work on us as individuals. it must be a very difficult job predicting each patient's outcome.
0 -
Thank GOD for Whippetmom or we'd all be screwed!
0 -
I agree
0 -
Amen!!
0 -
Hi everyone, I've been reading this forum for a few weeks but this is my first post. Please excuse me if I don't have the lingo down correctly or have all the right information. I had my bmx mid November and am just waiting until I can do the exchange. I wish I had found this forum sooner but I'm so glad I finally did.
I was hoping Whippetmom or someone could help me with sizing. I have mentor profiles 350cc sized expanders. I believe they are model 8200 (though the receptionist may have said 6200), not sure it makes too big of a difference as they are both medium height. I am 5'6", 140 lbs and measure 32" for my ribcage circumference. I was an A cup before the surgery but wouldn't mind being a bit bigger. I want to look natural and not too big because I do like to work out at the gym. But like everyone, I don't want to make a mistake with the wrong size. I've asked my PS a few times on what I will end up with and he just says it will be natural and proportionate for my body. I have just been trusting him to make a good decision, but it would be nice to get an idea of what the experts here think.
Thanks in advance! 0 -
Thank GOD for Whippetmom or we'd all be screwed! Hahahaha! What an understatement!
NWGirl - Welcome. You've come to the right place.
0 -
I agree!
Don't want to think where we'd all be without her!0 -
whippetmom,
Just wondering if you had chance to look at my pics on the picture forum yet to answer my question from a couple pages back? Thanks!
0 -
nwgirl: Your TEs have a width of 11.7 cm and a projection of 6.6 cm. I think you need implants wider than your TEs and I personally feel that you need at least 450 ccs volume with a smooth round high profile silicone implant. Another option would be Sientra high profile smooth rounds 465 ccs. But you would also be a candidate for a moderate plus profile style implant - around 400 ccs. The moderate plus implants have a wider base, so you can use a smaller implant to get the width you need. Your TEs should be able to get you to implants with a volume 100 ccs greater than your TEs, and it may take overfill to do it, skin integrity permitting. But it is time to have a conversation with your PS regarding sizing. Don't wake up from the exchange surgery disappointed because you did not have this discussion.
0 -
Dive-Cat: I just looked at your photos. Yes, I think that the plan is good. I think that a Mentor Moderate 450 cc TE is another option, as well as the 550 cc TE. It all is based on the natural base width of your native breasts.
0 -
DebDylan: Yes, I believe that augmenting the native breast would definitely give you a better chance at symmetry, than just adding an implant to the DIEP side. Some gals have had their PS use the Mentor Spectrum expandable implant on the native breast, to augment gradually and thereby control the volume in minimal increments. Once symmetry is achieved, the fill port is closed off and no further surgery is needed. It is something to discuss with your PS.
0 -
Oh, you girls!!! [There used to be a blushing emoticon]
0 -
What was the length of recovery for the exchange to permanent implants? Curious am I.
0 -
Thanks girls! I'll be so glad when the back tubes come out so I don't have to carry these 5 lb kettle balls everywhere, not to mention the 4 drains. I get REALLY dizzy when I get up to walk around.
Did that happen with you ladies too? I can't stand laying in bed any longer. My back hurts at the tube sites. Did you all have those?
Whippetmom, there was a woman over in the pic forum that was having the same size TE's and amount of cc's put in b4 exchange as me AND SHE WANTS TO BE SMALL AT OUTCOME. Dear, I'm so worried now. She's a lot smaller than me at 125lbs and a 29' ribcage compared to my 145lbs and I think 36' ribcage. If what I'm getting will be small on her wouldn't they be MICROSCOPIC on me after exchange ??? Not to mention I'm so worried about the hamburger effect.
The hospital is already calling me about paying the bill when it should be covered by insurance! I thought of Whimpy on Popeye
" I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." LOL
0 -
Thank you Whippetmom for your feedback! It is interesting that you think I need wider TEs as I feel like these are so wide already and they extend farther out into my arm pit than I would like. Will they will drop and project more once they have more fill in them? The R side currently at 270cc and the L side at 190cc. He stopped filling on the L as my BMX incision wasn't healing properly and had a hole that went through to the Aloderm & TE. I needed to go in for more surgery to get that closed up, luckily there was no infection. The PS said my skin is very thin and he ended up cutting the Aloderm where the hole was and actually sewing it to the skin for extra support. He checked it at 2 weeks and it looks good and now he is having me wait 3 more weeks to see if we can start the fills again. I admit I am disappointed as my DS and I have a trip scheduled to Hawaii in March. I was hoping to be mostly done with the process but I know it is more important to do what's best for my body. Initially when I talked with the PS about implants, we talked about teardrop or maybe gummy bears as he said they can have a more natural look. I did tell him I didn't want to go too big so maybe that is why he went with a smaller TE? Also, I am smaller on top and carry more of my weight in my hips and thighs. Would that make a difference? I wish I knew more information before my surgery but as others have said, there's usually not a lot of time and you are more concerned with getting the cancer out.
0 -
Chineymae, you came out of surgery with 400 CC'S! Crap on a cracker girl, how did you breathe???
I was only at 300cc's and it hurt at every breath. Good gracious!
0
