BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Don't even go there! First I lost 20 pounds during chemo and now it's all coming back right around my belly. Bleh!
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Kate33-I like the free lipo idea. I mean all those follow-ups where they just look at you and say our ok, we should get something for forking out those co-pays. I lost 10 pounds after surgery from laying around and being tired then I starting walking again and guess what 10 pounds right back on! Exercise actually makes me starving all the time, go figure!
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whippetmom - I had my exchange surgery yesterday and guess what? My PS discovered a bigger pocket than he anticipated. I was only filled to 310cc's but he was able to put in 325ccs.
And that size is what you originally thought would be good for me! You're amazing. Allergan, style 20, high profile, 325cc's. I have yet to look at the new girls but just wanted you to know that you were spot-on. Thank you!!
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Dawne-Hope: Very nice! Of course the pockets were sufficient! I look forward to hearing about the unveiling. Keep us posted and share your photos on the pic forum if you feel up to it....
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Kate- if you figure that one out PLEASE pass it on sister!
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OK, this won't burn calories but it's supposed to be great for your abs according to Dr. Oz. While you're on your computer feverishly posting on BCO try to suck your stomach in as if you're trying to get your belly button to touch your spine. Hold it as long as you can. Repeat until you cry uncle.
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Kate: Ok, I am doing it right now, ouch!
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I do that when im at work usually! lol it does work some.
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Hi Ladies--I have a question: to anyone who's finished reconstruction, and to anyone who knows someone, is in a support group etc....Is it true you feel better once the expanders come out and the implant goes in? I am officially miserable and I'm counting the days--it's a month from tuesday--till the exchange. But last night, I had a moment of panic--what if I don't feel much better?
I know there's more info on exchange city, but I haven't gone there yet.
And yes, I'd like to graft 10lbs of fat and stick it elsewhere after welve weeks of Taxol/Herceptin. When all this started, the ps said I was too thin for diep flap--now I think he could make me quite a knocker out of all this blubber
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oh shoot .... I hate reading about the weight gain w/Taxol
Whaa..... I don't wanna!0 -
Ginger--Let me tell you what I wish I'd done. Slow down! when I was eating. I had a voracious appetite, and I was stuffing myself. 2. Not eat all the goodies--dessert-wise--that people brought. 3. Followed my surgeon's advice and walked half-an-hour a day--they say, paradoxically, that exercise is good for fatigue. Good luck--I hope you benefit from someone else's regrets...
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Finally took a peek today at my new foobs. And they look good! I was surprised that they look so natural. They're not too big at all ... if anything they're a little small. But they look great!
I tried to PM tTimtam but I can't PM anyone. I'd love to post some pics .. but cannot. I'll keep trying.
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Joansf
Yes, you will feel much better after the exchange. Someone wrote they were so miserable with the expanders that they felt like cutting them out themselves. I felt they way at times myself. Taking deep breaths was so uncomfortable.
My exchange surgery was May 18. As I was being taken from the OR to recovery, I took a deep breath and noticed how much easier it was to breathe. The difference is that noticeable and that quick.
Feeling panicky is normal before surgery. You will be amazed at the difference between how you feel and look after the expanders are gone and the implants in place.
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Dawne-Hope - This is why I said 325 ccs. I knew it was pushing it for your PS...so I am glad he could at least get you to 325 ccs.
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Dawne-Hope -- yay!!! So glad you're feeling good about the new girls!
Joansf -- I woke up in recovery after exchange operation and I was ELATED because I knew instantly that the constant pain I had been in (not just hard to breath but back pain that travelled down my arm) was GONE. I hope you get the same relief.
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Hi Whippetmom,
I need your advice. I had my exchange on Wednesday July 21, and am really unhappy with the results. I see the PS this Friday. I have Mentor 450cc Smooth Moderate High Profile. Prior to the surgery I had asked to be a full B/Small C, but I am lucky if I am an A. There seems to be more implant laterally, and there is a 3 1/2 inch space between the two (no possibility of cleavage here). I am petite and have about 15 pounds to lose so I don't know if that will make a difference. Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? Will they change appreciably. Is there any suggestion you could make as to what to tell him I want when I see him on Friday. Also will insurance cover the revision?
Thank you so much for your advice and sharing your expertise.
Nancy
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Nancy: Insurance will cover the revision/exchange. I do not believe I helped you with sizing issues before the exchange, did I? I need the info re: your TEs - style and volume and how much you were expanded and/or overfilled. Height, weight, ribcage circumference also. You can PM me info if you wish. Also, you can email me photos privately so we can see what is going on. I'll PM you.
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Hi Deborah~ I called my PS about the te size/catalog # and am waiting for a call back from the nurse. Will let you know! thx
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OK-- it is an Allergan 400cc 133MV-13. Right now, I'm at 445cc. The TE's stretch around my ribcage but are only ~ 1in apart in the center.
Just to remind you, I'm petite (5'0", 110lbs) but have a wide ribcage (31 1/2cm). PS's 1st recc was 400cc smooth, round, high profile. Now, he's saying 350cc because "I'm smaller than he thought" and my skin is really, really stretched. However, he says that it is up to me and he'll try for 400cc if I want him to.
I must say, I'm really hating this 445cc. It looks ridiculous. My 1st impression was to be small but (was a 34 A before Mx) but I like having cleavage. So, what do you think? Will 350 be OK or should I push for bigger? I don't want to look like I've had a boob job but I don't want to be out of proportion either... help!
edited to add that I have a short torso...
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Michele:
Your TEs have the following dimensions: 13.0 cm wide by 5.6 cm in projection. I think I would recommend the following:
Either 371 ccs [12.9 cm wide by 4.1 cm projection] or 397 ccs [13.1 cm wide by 4.2 cm projection]- Allergan Natrelle, Style 15, moderate plus profile implant [it is called something else on the website, but it is a MPP for all intents and purposes.] Not the Mentor MPP, but the Allergan. If you indeed have a 31.5 inch ribcage, AND, because your TEs are 13.0 cm wide, it would be preferable to stay as close as possible to the 13.0 cm width - because why go through pocket revisions to narrow the pocket if it is not necessary to do so. I am having a difficult time understanding though how you only have 1 inch gap in the cleavage and the TEs are wrapping around your ribs, as you stated, with a 31.5 inch ribcage. If you go with a 350 cc high profile implant, the width is only 11.4 cm....so you can see how this will differ significantly in width as compared to the TEs. If there are no pocket revisions and you go with a narrower profile implant, you are more likely to get rippling laterally. Additionally, if the pocket is wider than the implant, the implant is going to tend to migrate laterally, towards the armpits and you would have a pretty significant gap between the implants in the cleavage area. The 400 cc high profile implant has the following dimensions: 11.9 cm wide by 5.0 cm projection = which is, as you can see, quite a bit smaller than the dimensions of your TEs currently. You would need pocket revisions. You also are overfilled and this adds more height and projection to the implant and this might be what you find looks sort of "ridiculous", as you say.
You can send me photos Michele...just so that we can nail this down, because your ribcage issue is perplexing to me. PM me if you want to do so.
Deborah
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just took pics. will send you a PM. thanks!
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From inspecting myself in the mirror (LOL!), I think that my ribcage is very round. Kind of like a great dane. LOL!
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Michele: That is pretty funny. But you paint an interesting picture. My dog has a ribcage like a Great Dane and I certainly would not want to try to fit him for a bra....
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Deborah- LOL!!! Now there's a picture!
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I don't even want to think about bras yet! Now, that will be an adventure!Deborah~ Thanks so much for your help yesterday. I'm making my list of questions for my PS now.
Regarding "pocket revisions"- does anyone have a BTDT? Does it prolong recovery from the exchange surgery? How 'bout drains? My PS told me that he doesn't use drains at exchange but would a "pocket revision" make me need a drain?
xxoo
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No, pocket revisions does not imply drains...ask the question on Exchange City Michele...quite a few there....
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michelle: I have that same large,round ribcage, my under bra measurement is 32" and ! also have the same expander. My breast feels as if if's going under my ribcage, but I think that's because even though my breast always had that width, it never had any projection to speak of! BTW: My left breast does look a little bit like a "Porn Star" breast, but I am sure after exchange it will look a bit more normal. Whatever normal is, as I do live close to Hollywood where Porn Star is more the norm then not LOL!!0
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Deborah: Good thing I am just waking up and not just falling asleep because I am sure I would be dreaming about Great Dane's in bras! LOL!!0
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Deborah - so I had appointment with PS today to discuss exchange. Just to refresh your memory I am filled to 400ccs and you suggested 425 or 450 implants, style 20. He is planning on putting in 450ccs implants and I asked the style # and he said 20 - that he thinks that works best for masectomy patients - gives more projection. I told him he is good - because that is what you suggested. So I am glad he was on the same page. So I must thank you and tell you that you are great at what you do!! I told PS before about this site and he thinks it is great!! So thank you and keep up the good work.
He did say my skin was still stretched really tight since the last fill - so wants to see me in 3 weeks. I wasn't planning on exchange until middle of Sept. anyway so I think it will be fine.
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Valerie: Excellent. I think that will be a good size for you and also probably the maximum you can go if your skin is pretty tight. So glad everyone is on the same page!
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