BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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pm2013 - Welcome to BCO and to this thread. You will find it both comforting to know that you are not going through this alone AND a bit overwhelming at times as you likely will read things you never even considered before. However, the more information and questions you are armed with the better chance you will feel a bit more in control.
As mentioned above, there should be a page in your surgical records that has the stickers from the TE packaging. If your PS office doesn't have the info you can call medical records at the hospital. I got it pretty fast because I whined a bit
and said I just needed that ONE page. A few faxes later (had to sign a release form) and it was in my hands.Nipple-sparing MX is a wonderful thing. However, my PS explained how it can be a bit more of a challenge to choose and place the implants so that the nipples end up at the right level and pointing in the right direction. He/she can adjust the pockets on the inside, but the outside (skin and nipples) are where they are and the implants have to be positioned accordingly. I've read more than one post on BCO from women who had NSM and wanted the pockets redone and their breasts moved closer together and they ended up with nipples pointing outward at an unnatural angle. It doesn't take much to throw them off visually. I'm not trying to discourage you or saying it's not possible, just something to consider and to keep in mind when you're asking your questions and discussing sizing. When the nipples are removed they are reconstructed last and aren't necessarily placed where the originals were.
Best wishes!!!
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No need to change out your implants, unless you have a problem. I might change mine out at age 72 [my implants will be 12 years old by then] just so that I can avoid surgery in my 80s.
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Im 56 and if mine replacing in 15 years they will just come out. Not going to start messing with the whole implant process at that age.
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Thanks all for responding. Forums are new to me and I am just amazed that I can post a question and people actually respond!
I am happy to hear 450's might actually be enough to get a C or D. I will find out the size of my expander from the PS to be sure. I never thought about the position of the nipple though it makes sense. The nipples are already sort of pointing outward. I don't really want to make that worse. They're nice and level though.
Thanks again for the welcome. I should have posted sooner. I spent 4 weeks stressing over two black nipple scabs which eventually fell off and all was mainly ok. I probably could have posted the question and saved myself the extra stress.
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pm2013 - It depends on the thread. This happens to be a very active one so it doesn't take long to get a response. Sometimes there are multiple threads on BCO dealing with the same issue. If you check the last few post dates you can kind of tell if it's an active one or if it has basically been abandoned.
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pm2013, the important thing is, you're here now! And there's threads to help you every step of the way. So, please keep coming back - here and other threads.
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Smaarty--You did a fabulous job creating the "Tips, Tricks & How to Get through this Chit!" thread. Thank you so much. I had trouble finding the thread so to help others who are navigationally challenged, it can be found under the Test, Treatment & Side Effects section. In the All Topics link, click the " Help Me Get Through Treatment Topic" and then the thread "Tips, Tricks & How to Get through this Chit!"
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My PS told me at my consult (before surgery) that it does sometimes happen that the TE can be punctured during a fill. He said it rarely happens, but when it does, it's usually because the TE is somewhat 'flat' and folded over on itself. So, even though he goes through the port, it's possible that there is a fold of plastic underneath that could get punctured.
Just trying to think of a possible explanation of why there would be a hurry to make a decision about surgery by the end of the week. Is it possible it's because you were expanded somewhat and if you want surgery (implants), it has to be done before the muscle/skin "goes back to normal"? I have no idea....just grasping at straws.
He also told me (when I asked about it) that it is usually recommended that implants be replaced every 10 years or so. I keep hoping they will come up with something better that doesn't need to be replaced. If I get through this process with success, I just don't want to look back.
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mnmbeck - I think, a lot some of this, "Replace in 10-15 years" business is to cover their own hides. Because of the big hoopla in the 80's over silicone implants … the industry has set that recommendation just to cover their butts … they don't want any more lawsuits and to pay out more money. There is no comparison in the implants between then and now … the silicone isn't runny … but as with anything … they can wear out and eventually leak. We're supposed to get periodic MRI's to check for leakage … and IF they do leak…the silicone (because it isn't runny) isn't going to get far. I'm hoping mine last at least 25 years
I can get them replaced for my 65th birthday. 
I hear you on the, "I just don't want to look back." None of us do. Blessings to you. Keep us posted. Love and hugs to you.
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I plan on being in the nursing home in my 90s with beautiful breasts. I might be incontinent, but I WILL be perky!
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Made me laugh out loud!
Love! And me toooooo! 0 -
Whippetmom, love the new photo! Hmmm, looks familiar....
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I keep looking for the "like" button on here! I'm with you Deborah!
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When I asked my PS about replacement he said only if there was a problem. I'm thinking that in 10-20 years they will have designed some fabulous, lightweight, natural-looking, warm, comfy implants that'll be good for the rest of my life. The only things that tick me off about a future swap is rescarring, anesthesia, and more bills!!
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when they DO replace implants at the suggested time frame....do they have to cut through the recon. nipple area? or do they go in the IMF?
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25-30 years from now I may be in memory care (Alz) and won't even know what implants are!
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Ladies if you do end up having to replace your implants at some point, it's not the same as having them done in the first place! It's a much simpler process... like exchange... as far as I understand it. (I.e.you don't have to start over with TEs if you are just exchanging one set for another).
With that said, I agree with Dawnehope, it is likely a "cover your ass" kind of thing.
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how big of an incision is made and location to remove the TEs? the silicone?
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Whippetmom - thanks for the good laugh. I'm further down the aging road by several years so I'll keep a place saved for you.
I was fortunate to get in a research study with the Allergan 410s and had them placed in 2011 prior to general FDA approval. The study lasts 10 years. Also my PS said they last about 10 years. But i'm agreeing w/several of you. They last until they wear out, if that happens before I do.
Bluewillow - all we can do is go with the impressions of Dawn-Hope and Lilah since I'm fairly sure anatomical silicone implants haven't been around 10 years. But it makes sense it would be an easy exchange if you go apples to apples. There are members who have had problems and had implants removed, but that would not be the same situation.
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I remember reading somewhere that since both the shell and the contents of silicone implants are silicone that there could possibly be some transfer of the internal silicone through the shell over a long period of time. The estimate given was no more than a teaspoon over 30 years. Not worth worrying about in my book. I'll be 82 in 30 years and probably flashing all the folks at the retirement home!
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Whippetmom: I asked my PS about my expanders. They are Mentor CPX4 Siltex Medium Height with a recommended fill of 350.Right now they are filled to 350cc and possibly maxed out for my skin (I might be able to get more but it would be "pushing it for my skin"). As I mentioned I have a 30" ribcage at 5'9" and 132lbs. Is it possible to get a full C or small D with a 400cc Mentor HP or 450cc Mentor HP? Or, which implant do you recommend? Also how would it look in comparison to what I see now?
Thanks again for your advice!
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whippetmom, 2nd_time_around, sweetandspecial - I'll be right there with you in the retirement home! Maybe we could start a chorus line! LOL!
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Woo-hoo! I'm in!!!
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My PS explained the whole "replace at 10 years" this way....most implants have a 10 year warranty so lots of women prefer to replace them before they go out of warranty so if a problem occurs, they aren't on the hook for the bill. He said it's like buying a warranty for your tv...you play the odds that it won't break. And he says it's very unlikely that you would have a problem. He also said though that even if you do after the 10 years, most insurance will cover it anyway so you shouldn't have to pay to replace. It's just not guaranteed. He said if you keep up with MRIs and they show no problem, he wouldn't replace them unless I just wanted something different down the road.
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I'm in too!
Thanks Lala!
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pm2013: I would opt for Mentor HPs - 425 ccs or 450 ccs and preferably the latter. You also could be a good candidate for the extra full projection style implants - but Allergan Style 45 - 500 ccs. The Style 45s match the dimensions of your TEs. But I just feel that Style 20 would be better, because you could use a tad bit more width on the chest wall than is provided by the Style 45. I think that the Style 20s would look more natural.
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TO ALL WHO ANSWERED: thank you ladies....im sorry about having so many questions...its just that because i dont have a current DX i want to make sure i take as much as possible into consideration before i make a final decison about the PBMX... again thank you for the input:)
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Bluewillowskys--My incision for the exchange was made along the same incision as my BMX. My BMX incision was horizontal across each entire breast, however, for the exchange, the plastic surgeon made a shorter incision and did not cut the entire length of the scar that was left after the BMX. I am so glad that you found this site prior to your PBMX. I did not discover it until after my BMX but have learned so much from reading posts on this site and am thankful to everyone here who has been so helpful.
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bluewillowskys, please don't apology for asking questions, you are gaining the knowledge to empower yourself to make the best decisions for YOU. With all the info and experience you are getting you will be able to help others in the future too. Hang in there, BC is like a roller coaster ride: many ups and downs and curves you may or may not not see coming, but you manage to get thru it.
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whippetmom - don't be too quick to swap out your implants in your 70s. When you turn 80, you may want to go bigger. There's a lot of hot guys in the nursing home, just sayin'....
2nd_time_around - Hmmmmmm.... yeah, whippetmom's avatar pic DOES look familiar!!! Good eye!!!
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