BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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KCmom: There is another KCMO gal on the recon forums...Estepp....you might want to contact her. She has a very good plastic surgeon, by the way. She might see your post here, but you can find her over on Exchange City.
Just off the top of my head, I would recommend implants with a volume of 600 ccs - high profile round smooth silicone - perhaps 650 ccs. The "gummy bear" implants are only available through plastic surgeons who have them in clinical trials - they are not yet FDA approved. So this size range is what you could discuss with your plastic surgeon.
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Oh yeah I forgot to mention that gummies are in trial stage -- see this is why Whippetmom is the breastwhisperer
Her brain holds multitudes -- multitudes!0 -
Lilah: Oh, if you only KNEW!!! LOL! That information is part of my long-term memory, because my short-term memory left the building a long time ago.
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LOL Deb -- well your long term memory has clearly compensated!
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Whippetmom,
Thank you for posting the link. I did need radiation following TE placement . Hopefully I will not be part of the third who has complications.
By the way, thanks again for all your help in the past. The expansions are going well, now I am at about 570 on eacg side. I told my PS, as you advised me that I would like a final implant of 550 cc, so we are now continuing the expansion.
Donna
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Trytostaypositive:
How are you looking at 570 ccs? How much more does the PS say he/she will overfill in order to use the 550 cc implants? And they MUST be high profile 550 ccs....not midrange plus or moderate plus...
How is your rads tissue holding up? You don't want to overfill rads tissue too much. I worry about skin integrity, implant coverage, etc. I do not know why expansion protocol differs so much throughout the Kaiser system. My own Kaiser Sand Canyon PS told me, "we rarely overfill anymore.."
Keep me posted!
Deborah
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Whippettmom, I wanted to ask how/why the high profile are better then moderate etc? I'm just curious...I noticed many opt for them and wondered why they are better? (I'm just a curious type lol)
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Namaste!
whippetmom: I am 5'3", 176#, rib cage 38 inches. I was a 42 C before bilateral mastectomy. My PS said he thought I would like gummy bears. My BMX was 4/29/10. Immediate first stage with TE was planned but had to be aborted because of poor circulation to the remaining skin. The BS had done a skin sparing procedure but on the cancer side there was scar tissue from a previous large excisional BX that did not have good blood supply. There was barely enough healthy skin to close. On the prophylactic side he removed all the extra skin. A couple weeks ago he said my skin was ready and he recommended bilateral Lat Dorsi flap for the best outcome but said I had a reasonable chance for a good outcome with TE/implants if my expectations were "modest". I did not want a flap. I use these muscles in canoeing, swiming and boulder scrambling when backpacking. I will be 64 this year and I need to keep as much upper body strength as possible. Yesterday he placed Allergan TE 133MX-14 600 cc. What size gummy bears would I be looking at in my future.
Thanks for your assistance.
Karla
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Whippetom:
I am 5'4",127 lbs., ribcage measures 33". I had a bilat. mx 6/16/2010 with tissue expanders and Allograft. I have Allergan style 133mv size 12cm. My PS is over filling 2xs over what the size of the final silicone implant will be. Currently I have 390mls of saline in each TE. They will put another 40mls of saline in each TE at my next visit and that supposedly will be it for the expansions,which will bring the total vol. for each breast to 430mls. I was an A/B cup size prior to the bilat. mx. I would like to be a C cup size. Before the last expansion the PS saw me and said I was about a B. With this size tissue expander is it possible to expand more than they already have? I have left the size decision mostly up to the PS telling him that whatever size he thinks will look good on my body frame will be good but that I would like to be about a C cup size. I know that it is very difficult for the PS to deal with cup sizes but I don't know how else to decribe the size I would like to be. It is very difficult to tell from the TEs if this is the size I would like to be. He stated he does not like to over expand to much because he doesn't want the patient to be in too much discomfort. I appreciate you expert advise.
Thank you very much,
Pam
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Hi
I too am a plus size, but am trying hard to lose weight. I have lost a few pounds and plan on losing more. Right now my PS wants to put me in an 800 cc implant. I was very large before surgery, and want to be much smaller. From what I'm reading, 800cc is probably fine if I stay the size I am now, but I am worried about being too big if I lose the weight. How long can we leave the TE's in? I am thinking if I could leave them in until I lose the weight that may be the best thing. Also, how do I get hold of Timtam. I think pictures would really help!
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5'7", 118 lbs. I used to be a B before I nursed my 3 kids. Then went down to an AA. ribcage 30". I'd like to be a B again. The problem for me is due to a nerve problem in my back, I can't wear a bra, so they have to look natural without a bra, and not hurt my back. My PBM is scheduled for Nov 2 with immediate reconstruction, expanders, then probably silicone. My husband thinks I should go a little bigger than what I was originally because "someday your butt will get big and you'll want it to be balanced" but I'd be satisfied with what I had. Any advice?
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When you have reconstructive surgery, the bra size goes out the window becuase implants are wider then a natural breast. I was a b and went to c and this suits my body and build now which is the most important. If you give whippetmom your specs (see above) she can help you with the sizing. I think the gals are all in Las Vegas so I don't know when she will come back on here to help, but be patient! BTW: I can't believe your DH said your butt is going to get bigger--you should spank him for that! Sounds to me like he just wants bigger breasts LOL! My DH loves them!
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robynkk, I hope by now you got an answer to your questions, between working on our new home, SE to Arimidex, completing expansions... I have not been on much other then reading for support. I hope by now someone answered your questions... I believe I have TE's as a placeholder for an implant that will come some time after I have healed from radiation. Good luck to you.... I have just finished my first week of radiation. 4 weeks to go.
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Dear mom3band1g -- Your message resonated with me because I too wanted to be an A! I had a prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction in February of this year. I told my PS at every visit that I just wanted to fill my A bra...since it was empty after breastfeeding 3 babies. I had 400cc TEs that were filled to 360ccs. (not sure why since I had already told him I wanted to remain an A) At my last visit before exchange, I told my PS that these TEs at 360 were way way way to big for me and reminded him that was aiming to be an A. Well I woke up after exchange a very full C. He had used Natrelle 335cc MFs. This last Friday, I had surgery again, and my PS exchanged my 335s for 225s. I am now either a full A or smallish B - so pleased. I wish I had known to ask for a cc amount and not just a cup size. I also wish that I had looked at measurements of implants beforehand. Several of my friends who have used the same PS all have 425-450ccs and they are full Bs. Not sure why it took only 225ccs to get me to where I wanted to be. I learned through this process that a request to remain an A is quite rare! Nevertheless, with the help of wonderful Deborah and lots of analysis, I got my A/Bs. I'm glad to share measurements or pics if that would help -- haven't posted to Timtam's site yet. So grateful for you all and for everyone's input...
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Flippy: Good luck with your radiation and I hope everything turns out well for you!
Catchturn: I am so happy your were able to get what you wanted!
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Karla...Confirm for me there is a PS in NE who has access to gummy bears...anatomicals. I need to review the catalog when I get back from Vegas. I know the silicone rounds dimensions by heart, but not the Allergan 410s. I like the size of your TEs though...but confirm your PS is talking about the 410s...
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Pam...I will provide more when I return Sunday, but I will tell you it will take 425 to 450 ccs to approximate what you have with your TEs. Exchanging out to that range is reasonable and "doable". Perhaps using a mod plus profile - e.g, Allergan Style 15 in 397 ccs or 416 ccs would be nice also. I prefer the higher number for you.
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Kjbrown...More when I return, but around 400 ccs or 425 ccs is what would be appropriate for meeting your desired "cup size" and more on "cup size" phenomenon when I return.
It takes me too long to type all of this out on my phone...0 -
BTW...kjbrown, I read YOUR post while the plane was on the tarmack this afternoon and almost ejected the chewing gum out of my mouth when I got to the breast to butt size displacement theory...
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Catchturn...REALLY?? I am so happy for you! You MUST send me photos!
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Did I miss Robyn's post somehow??
MBJ...Could you explain to the new gals how to request entrance to the pic forum
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HI,
I found this forum really useful. I am a BRAC1 carrier have just undergone a double prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction. I know how helpful it has been to read about other people's experiences so I have begun a blog about being single and trying to find love post surgery in wonderful London.
I hope my blog helps bring greater confidence to women seeking love post-surgery and I really encourage people to leave their own stories of romance as well!. http://diariesofalondongirl.blogspot.com or follow me on www.twitter.com/diarylondongirl
London Girl
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Namaste!
whippetmom: PS talked to me about saline, regular silicone and gummy bears and of the three thought I would be happiest with the gummy bears. He talked quite a bit about the differences between gummy bears and regular silicone so I assummed they were available here. I am back for follow up on Tuesday so I can ask specifically again. Somehow I got the impression that he could use the gummy bears for reconstruction but maybe not cosmetic. I don't know where I got this impression from, his office or the support group.
Karla
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PICTURE FORUM ACCESS: For those of you who are new, send a private message to TimTam here on BCO, she will send you a message back and tell you how to access the private picture forum. If you haven't posted much, now is the time to start familiarizing yourself with BCO--your posts will be limited per day at first, but this will also help you gain access to the picture forum faster. Good luck ladies, and I am so glad you found Whippetmom, the breast whisperer. She will get you to your heart's foob desires and she's never wrong!
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Londongirl: There are others from the UK here and we welcome you and would love to hear of your progress!
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Momcat....
Mentor and Allergan both refer to six months as the temporary period of usage for expansion purposes. However, many women have retained them for up to a year, due to requiring chemo, rads or other treatment which delayed the exchange to implants. I will go over sizing issues when I get back to my computer tomorrow.0 -
Whippetmom,
Thanks so much for responding while you are away!! I am not sure I understand what you are saying. When I see my PS in 2 weeks I will get one more fill of 40 mls. bringing me up to 430 mls. He wants to have me to be 2 fill amts over what the implant size will be. This would be 350 mls (probably about a B cup). So what you are saying is that I would need 3 more fills including my next fill, each fill has been 40 mls. This would bring the total expander volume to about 510. Is this correct? Also, how can I learn about the styles of different implants, like the the Allergan Style 15 you are talking about? Thanks so much for your time, Pam
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Pam: The links for the implants are on the Exchange City thread. You can go through their entire cataloge and see the complete sizing information plus how much projection each size has. They correspond to your expander size.
Deborah: Hope you are all having a blast in Vegas!!!
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Pam: With a 350 cc implant you might be a "B" cup - you might wear a "B" cup size bra, but you will look smaller than a "B" cup in clothing. It simply takes more implant volume for breast reconstruction - to give the appearance of volume on the chest wall. You have a 33 inch ribcage - you can handle an implant with a width of 13.0 cm. I think that at least 425 ccs - 450 ccs preferably - in the high profile Style 20 would be needed, or 371 ccs or 391 ccs in the midrange profile - Style 15 - in order to give you the appearance of having a "B" cup size mound on your frame.
Currently, here are your dimensions:
133MV - 300 ccs:
12.0 cm wide by 11.0 cm height by 5.2 cm projection
Allergan Style 20 high profile implant: - 425 ccs
12.0 cm wide by 5.2 cm projection
Your "overfilling" does not add to the width of the TE - it only adds to the projection and to the height of the TE. The purpose for overfilling is to get some additional stretch to the skin to allow for proper implant coverage with the skin envelope and to get some "natural droop" or "ptosis."
I personally think that 450 ccs in a high profile implant would be better, if high profile, simply because you get just a few more millimeters of width and it helps with mitigating any proclivity you might have towards rippling and also because you can use the width. If you PS is looking at something under 400 ccs, then I recommend the midrange profile Style 15 - 371 ccs at the minimum - which gives you sufficient width for your frame.
So discuss with your PS the numbers above and see what he feels he will need to do [vis a vis "overfilling"] to facilitate exchanging you out with those numbers in mind.
Deborah
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So I had my last fill, now at 405 cc's in 400 cc TE's. I can't handle getting anymore, this last one caused muscle spasm almost immediately and I ended up having to leave work it got so bad.
I have my exchange date set, 12/20, exchange to what I have no clue. I was given a book to look thru about silicone implants. I feel huge at this point, bigger than I was before bmx.
As a reminder 5ft 5 1/2", weight 152, ribcage 33.
Anyone with similiar stats that can offer some insight would be appreciated. I do have access to the picture sight, but have no way to post pictures. Very behind in the tech field here I have to admit.
Thanks!
I think I should change my name from Stlcardsfan (boo no post season) to STLRamsFan!
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