BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Blessings...all I can say is Eeeuuuw!
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ROTFLMAO with that mental picture! At least when I'm 70 or 80 or 90, in the old folks home, my breasts won't be resting on my knees (or on the floor)!
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BlueWillow: Sorry I didn't let you know that my incisions for BMX were horizontal also. At exchange the PS used the same incisions. At just over 2 years out, you can barely see any incision scars at all.
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Mine are vertical- but I had just had lx so he continued the vertical scars from that. They are 3/4 up my breasts. 3/4 of the breast, I should say (long). Plus the ones underneath- which he just used in the exchange, they were reopened for that. The verticals left alone. Everything is healing well and I just started using scar away to see what happens.
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Whippetmom: thanks for your advice. I think my PS only uses Mentor so I'll push for the 450hp.
To Everyone: I love everyone's sense of humor. It's awesome to see such lightness with so many serious things happening. You're reminding me to lighten up!
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pm2013 - you'll fine we're a pretty good mix of humor, sensitivity, empathy, stupid hilarity, occasional bitchiness but over all just a really great bunch of sister survivors
and we're glad to have you join us (not pleased that you had to end up here but glad that you found us).0 -
pm2013 - Laughing beats crying every time!
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So, just to provide a real-life example to this rather comical string of posts, my mother was in her early 50's when she was first diagnosed with BC and opted for a BMX with implants. Fast forward 20 years and she decided it was time to replace her original implants at the ripe age of 72. She thought she wanted more "age appropriate" implants, so her PS put in moderate profiles. She now wishes she'd gone with high profile because they seem to flat to her. I don't think you ever get tired of perky breasts, regardless of your age!
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Raelan: Great story! I know I am going to feel the same way as your mother!
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pm2013 - My annual New Year's resolution - "Lighten Up!"
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pm2013: It helps to have the camaraderie and support of others who have gone before you in this journey.
We are all here to uplift and support one another....0 -
I'll be one that wants to keep my perky boobs into old age. I have a couple of older than me survivor sisters that don't feel that way. One is in her early sixties (SMX), not very happy with her exchange results but in the next breath says 'oh, who cares anyway, I'm 64 years old - what does it matter any more'!!! Another one at least late 70s or possibly 80 had a BMX without reconstruction and didn't do reconstruction because she was 'too old' to worry about that.
Now my mom, on the other hand, was 75 when I started this journey and said that she would absolutely want to have reconstruction at her age. I guess I'm like her that way. I'll still want to feel pretty, and shapely, and womanly and sexy when I'm 75 and having breasts will be part of that for me.
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Hi! I am very new to this forum and I am so impressed with the wealth of knowledge!! I am having a prophylatic double mastectomy in March and I am very confused about sizing. I am a 34 d now and want to be about a 34 b (I am a runner, very active and want to be much smaller for certain)!!! My rib cage is 32 inches I am 5 41/2 and weigh about 130/135. At our first meeting my plastic didn't seem to hear that I wanted to be smaller and initially said he would put in expanders and after discussing I found out he wanted to eventually put in implants about 400/450 cc. I know this is too big!! He said we would discuss more but I am confused what to ask for or whether or not to go by what he says. He said there are a lot of options that come in all sizes but after reading these threads I know putting the right expander in is key! Are there limitations to what size expanders can be put in b/c of rib cage size??? Any help would be great! Thanks!!
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clynne - Welcome! I'm sorry you have to be here but we're glad you found us! Whippetmom is our resident implant sizing angel and can also help you determine the best expander too. Most of us don't end up here until after our mastectomies and so the TEs are already in place, so you're a step ahead of the game. Whippetmom will chime in as soon as she's able but you may want to PM her with your stats also.
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yes get with Whippetmom about possible te sizing...my ps told me when fills were starting that when I got to the point where I liked it in clothes that would be good- then he overfills by 100cc as common procedure. Be very very firm with your ps about how YOU want to be, not what he might be necessarily saying right now. W/mom will have good info for you if you pm her your stats and tell her where you want to end up.
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Hello all, I could not figure out how to post a new title to my old thread, it is on page 2 of the reconstruction gallery with photos of my TE's under Mimi 68..I need some serious reassurance..
I had pretty much used Val61 as a goal in my mind for size when I exchanged. You look great Val!
She has 425cc style 45 which is comparable to 425 Mentor HP. I had my final fill (I am now 425 cc) and visit with my PS Tuesday and he says to get the projection I have now (which is the max I want) he envisions using a 550-600 cc implant!! I was clothes shopping this weeknd and if I am any bigger my fitted shirt size would have to increase just to accomodate the larger breasts. Right now they look full, projected and proportioned. That seems enormous given that I am 5'6" weigh 128# and ribcage is 31". I really want to love these reconstructed breasts but I had a 34 b before, was simply looking to get a nice C after. What would you do? I know thta I have to teust him but I really will be unhappy if I wake up too big! Whippetmom suggested 425-450 HP Mentor (which he only uses)
Would you simply tell him "nothing bigger than 450?" . I understand that everyones chst cabity is different depth but it really seems that this is just alot of implant for aomeone who wants an athletic, proportioned full looking breast. Thanks gals, I appreciate the help and feedback from all of you wonderful women on this site, I am however very nervous about this and unsure how to lroceed.
mimi
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Mimi - Others will chime in too but try to remember that if you exchange from 425cc TEs that are filled to 425cc (not over-filled) to a 425cc implant, the implant will seem noticeably smaller than the TE. You typically need at least 100cc larger implant to approximate the appearance of the TE because the implant is a more relaxed fit than the TE. The TE has a rigid back so the expansion all goes to the front (muscles and skin) and not into your ribcage (ouch!). The implant is soft all over, including the back, and will relax and mold itself into your ribcage where the TE simply sat on top of the ribcage. Since it will relax and kind of 'sink' into your ribcage you really do need the extra cc in the implant to approximate the size/projection of the TE.
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clynne: 400 ccs to 450 ccs would not be too large at all. I would say that if you have anything less than this range, you will be very unhappy with the size. Your PS is right about the sizing. I think you probably need a moderate plus profile style implant....in Allergan, this would be a Style 15.
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NOTE: Mimi has 133 MV 275 cc TEs overfilled to 425 ccs.
So Mimi....Val has 425 ccs in Style 20, not Style 45.....and her Style 20 is indeed similar to a Mentor HP with the same volume. However, Val's ribcage is 28 inches and yours is 31, so 425 ccs will appear smaller on you than that size appears on her frame. You have a more athletic torso and so I think that you can use 450 ccs, minimally, and 475 ccs would be very nice also. Certainly, 500 ccs would be the max volume for you. So yes, you can issue this "edict" of sorts to your PS.
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Thanks Whippetmom, yes, I stand corrected that's right about Val's style of implant and clearly she is more petite/narrow than me. I know that you have seen my photos, I just have many friends who have "too large" breast size be it their own or reconstruction/augmentation. I know chest depth does factor in some, I think I will say no bigger than 500 and I will have to be happy with the result because it protects me from the "stripper boob" look which I fear. A million thanks..
Has anyone out there given such a limit on size of implant to thwir PS only to regret it?
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Sweetandspecial, thank you for your feedback. So my TE's are medium height 275 cc overfilled to 425cc, they are narrown 10.7 cm I think, compared to the 12.5-13.0 cm size of the future implants. I get confused on the reasoning that each PS uses inn filling and exchanging. Some do same size imp,ants as TE's some use 100-150 cc larger and some use smaller implants than TE's. I am a very experienced RN, not at all a stranger to medical terminology etc. but this is Greek to me!
I can't say enough how much I appreciate reassurance and help with all of this...many, many thanks..
Mimi
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Ladies - Remember talking cup size to your PS generally isn't helpful. What you think is a "B" "C" "D" cup may be interpreted differently by your PS. In other words, what you think is a "C" cup, your PS might interpret as a "D" cup and vice versa. The best way to convey size to your PS is to talk in terms of the size of your natural breasts. For example, "I want to be smaller than I was before" or "I want to be bigger than I was before" or "I'd like to be the same size as I was before." Use your natural breast size as a launching pad in your discussion with your PS. I've seen a lot of ladies come through here who were upset with what they got because they talked cup size with their PS and it just doesn't translate well.
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mimi68 - I responded to your question over on the pic forum. Whippetmom answered it here … so just ignore what I wrote over there.
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DH is right.
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I think I am late to look at the picture forum, I just asked for access, although I don't even know where the picture forum is. My exchange is this Friday! I told my PS that I trust him and whatever he decides is ok with me... No i doubt a little!
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Thanks Dawne-Hope!! I will head over and read...many thanks..
mimi
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Welcome Headeast! Did you contact Lilah for entrance to the pictures forum? She should be getting back to you soon.....
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Hi Headeast,
I admire your ability to trust your PS! Good luck Friday, I think pictures are so helpful. A "too small", "too big" and "just right" should keep him on track..thats my plan!
Can't wait to see your new girls
Mimi
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Hello all. Have not been on this forum for awhile. Just thought I would pop on and tell my story. I had my exchange June25th. Silicone 550. I followed that by Radiation. Both my PS and RO said it was no problem. Of course I had to sign papers saying this could damage the implant. Fast forward 6 months and I have capsule contraction. My first thought when I came out of surgery was hey they don't match?? One sits higher then the other. I asked the PS if he sits his patients up while in surgery, he does not. Hmm Maybe he should have. One side was round and one looked pancake like. The pancake like one sat lower & had MAJOR rippleing. Another thing I was surprised about was the size. Those TE looked HUGE with 550 in them , but the implants looked SO MUCH smaller. Girls if in doubt maybe go larger as I don't think the real thing looks as big as the TE. After having the run around with my PS I decided on a second opinion. The new PS was AMAZING. He walked right in the room and said who on earth did radiation over your implant? Then shook his head. Said he NEVER does that for this exact reason. He said my skin was stretched too far for the size of implant that was put in this is why it looks pancake like & sits lower. The rad side hardened up. He said the rippleiing is because I didn't have enough skin left after the MX and the impants show through it. Yes my Old Dr put alloderm in there but still didn't help. Solution: Change out the silicone with high cohesive "gummy style" implants so there will be no rippleing. Do a Lat flap surgery on the Rad side to improve chances of capsule contraction. Oh and yes he sits ALL his patiends up to see if they are sitting even and look good. SO if in doubt ladies get a second opinion. Wish I would have done that LONG ago!!!!! Wish me luck I go under the knife again Feb 26th........
Mary
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Yes, Whippetmom, Headeast talked to me
I'm on it.0
