BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
Comments
-
Katherine: I am 53 and also work-out alot. I am one week post exchange (it was Friday the 21st). The first 2-3 days I was in enough pain to take the narcotics. I drove for the first time on Tuesday cause I was off painkillers,- just a quick carpool turnaround. I rested alot all week, no drains, and my Dr. said no restrictions except lifting, pushing, pulling. He wants me to wear the bra 24/7 for only 2 weeks. I had to run a few errands yesterday and definitly felt my enegery was low. I am plannining to go to the gym on Monday and do a spin class, although I'm going to take it very easy. No weights for at least 4-6 weeks (PS said I could lift as long as I don't use my Pecs for anything, but I don't want to risk it. It's hard to avoid that area except for lower body weight lifting. Summary of my exchange:I had a little pocket work done cause the MX side was too low and an augmentation on the natural side.
Hope that helps.
0 -
JUNEBUG: Oops...I was so focused on your leaking TE I forgot about sizing. I just extracted your info from that previous post:
"5'1, 170#, 40" rib cage 133MV-15 600cc filled to 600cc. I have decided on silicone, smooth, high profile implants."
If you prefer high profile implants, you will need at least 750 ccs in Style 20 to approximate what you have now with your TEs. You can easily handle this volume....and I agree that you will be happier with high profile implants. Your PS may want to overfill the TEs a bit more, which should not be a problem, skin integrity permitting.
Deborah
0 -
I would be so, so careful about working out with upper body weights - especially in the first few months after the exchange. It is too easy to displace these implants and why run the risk? The best choice in a sports bra is one with nearly iron-clad lateral support.
0 -
Thanks, everyone, for this very useful information about what to expect from the exchange surgery. It's very helpful to hear about your experiences! I'd welcome hearing from others.
Katherine
0 -
Whippetmom - My PS is not giving me many restrictons, but I don't want to mess anything up. Anything else I should be careful of? (I love that I can't touch a snow shovel or the snow blower)
All my old sports bras are the over the head stretchy type that support by squashing them - I was thinking I should stay away from that type - do you agree?
Thanks.
0 -
Heebie-Jeebie: I just posted a couple of options on the Bras 101 thread. Look at the Moving Comfort "Grace" sports bra. The "Fiona" sports bra would be fine also. Don't put on anything that needs to go over your head - step into any no-hook bras.
0 -
Hi Deborah,
My fill took me to 475 on non-LD side and 425 on LD side. I thought this would be my last fill, but my PS wanted me to come back in two weeks and think about if I wanted anymore. I "think" I am big enough, but I still am not sure. I want to be a full "C". You previously suggested 425cc on the non-LD side. What can you tell me about how the size of the implant cc compares to the expander size cc. Do the real implants appear larger or small than TE's generally? Thanks, Missy
0 -
Missy: I still believe you will want implants - high profile implants - at least 425 ccs, and 450 ccs would be preferable. Please read the header to this thread at the top of the screen, where I discuss "cup size"....
I think your PS is taking you in the right direction - in order that she can utilize implants with a larger volume than your TEs. The implants need to be 100 ccs to 150 ccs larger [sometimes even more], in order to approximate the same dimensions as the TEs. Your TEs are 300 ccs. It does not matter that they are overfilled, we are looking at the base width and projection of the TEs at their recommended fill level.
Deborah
0 -
Deborah,
Okay, I am getting it now....sorry I was being a little slow
I didn't understand the part about the size of the TE's, until I looked up the dimensions of my particular TE and see the base width of 12, and projection of 5.2. So, my 300cc filled to 475 seems about right. If I fill it more, maybe it won't project anymore, but spread in other directions. Is that the limitation of the 300cc expander with 5.2 projection? The decision I need to make by this Thursday...do I want to fill anymore. I will have exchange in three months approximately. I would even consider going 475 with the Style 20 HP implant on the right side for a little additional projection (width 12.6, projection 5.5). I wanted to just make sure that I didn't need to go bigger in the implant cc to get to about the same size as the TE's. From reading other posts, etc. it seemed as though people were saying that implant cc size was smaller looking than TE cc size (at say the filled size of my 475 side). Sorry for all the questions...I just feel like I have to make the right decision, and I am at the end now. I am only doing this once, I hope Thanks again for your input. Missy0 -
Missy: You do need implants larger than your 300 cc TEs. The overfilling only adds to the projection and height of the TE. The width remains the same. So 425 ccs or 450 ccs is what you want. If you want 475 ccs, your PS might feel it is pushing the envelope a bit much, but may be willing to do it. So you know the ballpark you need to be in - just find out what your PS needs to do to get you there.
Deborah
0 -
Haven't posted for a long while as I have been feeling conflicted (and really bummed) over the results of my exchange surgery. Saw the PS at 6 wks, and he said I need a revision, as one side still has muscle response, jumping, and when I lean forward have lots of ripples. PS said he wanted to replace my 375, high profiles with the next size up, redo the pockets, and do a lift, and attempt again the neurectomy on the right side. They are bigger on top, and the lower pole is miniscule, plus, they are drooping, and don't resemble breasts except from certain angles, like straight on, at least to me. I haven't felt good about this, and wasn't sure what to do. Saw my dermatologist today, who sees everyone on the red carpet, etc. He told me that larger implants would cause more capsulization, and more surgeries, that a larger size was the wrong way to go. He also said that a larger size was too big for my petite frame, and could push in my ribs. He referred me to a PS he doesn't know, but who did a revision on a patient of his who had a similar problem as I do. Saw this PS's name on another BC board as highly recommended. So I'll see this other PS Thursday. He is a breast reconstruction revision specailist, so maybe it's going to be a good move, if I choose him for that. It's hard to know how much we can reasonably expect, huh? Feeling so confused and a bit dejected, but sllightly hopeful....
0 -
Orchidgal: So sorry to hear you had dissappointing results, but please know that it can be fixed, no matter what the problem. I am glad you are going to another PS for a second opinion. If you would like a third opinion andan artist of a PS, mine is Dr. Schooler at USC Norris Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles. He does beautiful work. Hang in there. Gentle hugs.
0 -
MBJ, thanks for the words of encouragement (& hugs!.) I'll take note of your PS and keep it if I need it. Will keep you posted on what the 2nd opinion PS has to recommend.
0 -
Whippetmom ... I need your help! I have been doing so much reading and research on so many things! Anyhow, thanks for being here for all of us ... your assistance is invaluable. Here is my situation .. BMX Nov 30 ... no implants but TEs as tumor was too large for skin sparing surg ... Height 5'3" - Rib Cage 32" - 10 or 11 cm under each breast - my hips are 34" - TEs CPX-3 medium high contour profile expander - 50cc was placed in each side during surgery. Dec 16 - 50cc added to each; Jan 20 - 100cc added L and 75 cc added R (all that it would take, the cancerous side). I was not happy with these huge new breasts of mine ... Jan 27 had 25cc removed from L and both are at 175cc. Looked at lots of gummy bears in the office, and decided on a low profile at about 150cc or 175 cc for implants ... dont really know what to do here???? PS wants to make me about 400cc or so ... my original were only 150cc ... I just want something there, nothing bigger than what I had ... Please advise .... If you need more info, just let me know. Thanking you in advance .... PM me if you need to.
0 -
Orchidgal -- so sorry you've had a disappointing result but I agree with MBJ... a new PS is a great idea and revisions CAN happen (dreams can come true?
Hang in there.0 -
Orchidgal - I'm sorry to hear you're unhappy with your outcome too. The neurectomy was very intriguing to me and I was hoping you'd get good results. Good luck with your 2nd opinion - I think you're on the right track, even though it's a pain in the patootie to have to shop around.
0 -
heebie jeebie - My PS said to be really careful for 6 weeks, no heavy lifting etc. Even after that he doesn't want me to ever to push ups, bench press, or flies - kind of hard since I go to the gym alot. He thinks it is not good to build up the pec muscle - all other exercises are fine. He has found that building up the pec muscle can cause the implants to move outwards - my choice he said, but that has been his experience. I am so pleased with mine that I don't want to do anything to risk them moving. He also has me taking Vit. E every day - thinks it keeps them soft - it's been almost four months and it still feels weird to do some exercises when the pec muscle moves - he says it won't hurt anything and might always feel weird. Just my two cents.
0 -
Melissa! I had wondered what happened to you....I am so glad you came back to share what you are going through. I am so sorry. I do not agree with the dermatologist's view of larger implants causing more problems - certainly 25 to 50 ccs would be fine - and I cannot see that rib compression would be something to be concerned about. I mean, I have seen this done hundreds of times - read about it in various medical treatises. But that aside, I definitely agree that a second consultation is in order. I am very perplexed about the shape of your implants - with your descriptions of loss of volume in the lower pole. However, this is someone characteristic of low profile implants which do not expand in the pectoral region. It would not be uncommon for implants to be high-riding for a period of time. However, I think that this period of time would be more like three to six weeks and I know you are much further out than that. Do you want to PM me the name of the recommended PS? You could also send me photos privately, if you do not want to post them on the pic forum.
I am so sorry you are going through this....
Deborah
0 -
Jainey: I am gathering that you want to be on the smaller side and I feel that gummies in the 400 cc range might be a bit large for you. They just size out so much differently than smooth silicone rounds, which is why it is important for the PS to expand the pocket specifically for the anatomical implant - style and volume - he intends to use. I believe you would be happier with anatomicals in the 300 gram range. And referable to profile, I just think the low profile might be too flat in the upper pole for you. Upper pole fullness - just even the semblance of a swell - is something which difficult to achieve after mastectomy. So I think a moderate height might look more natural - give you a natural slope to the mound. In order to refine the numbers a little better, I would need to know the actual volume - Mentor's recommended volume for the CPX-3 - or at least know the width of the TEs...[you say 10 or 11 under each breast and I am not sure how you obtained these numbers?]
Deborah
0 -
Thank you for this thread ... I feel much more informed and ready to have important conversations with my PS!
0 -
Fuzzy...You are welcome!
0 -
Deborah, My PS measured me in the office and he said 10 or 11 cm as he measured under ... the implant is a Mentor that he wants to use .. not sure of the number .. but it fit into my bra (I have sports bras that have five hooks in the front (32 a or b depending on the maker). The expanders are in ... my boobs used to fit in my hand .. now with these only half fit in???? He said the exchange will be the same size but will sit differently as they are softer. I hate when I move my arm forward and it rubs on the expander ... will this happen when I get the exchange??? I have a couple of months ... so I want to try to get this right. Thanks girl .. I need help .. lol
0 -
Whippetmom ... PS (post script lol) Is 300gm the same as 300cc?
0 -
Jainey: Your PS must be using Mentor CPG's, which we rarely see here in the states - but are used pretty widely in Canada. Grams vs. cubic centimeters - well, one is mass and one is volume. So it is difficult to compare the two. If you were getting silicone rounds, I would peg you for around 425 ccs. I personally think that Mentor has some better style and size options than Allergan, but I am not as familiar with sizes off the top of my head, so tomorrow I will take a look at the CPG chart and perhaps it is that your PS is on the mark in the 400 gm range. Let me get back to you tomorrow.
Deborah
0 -
vmudrow: thanks for your input. I surely don't want to risk messing up my implants. It is hard to know what to do with conflicting information. Just thinking about my augmented side; it is just like a regular "boob job" (but a very small one), and I think people who get those don't have any restrictions after enough time has passed.
0 -
I am going to correct here, for the record, that Mentor CPG implants are calculated in cubic centimeters, not grams, as are Allergan 410s.
0 -
Hi Deborah,
I met with my PS yesterday, and I decided not to expand anymore. I am at 475 on right and 425 on left (lat side). I go back in 6 weeks for another consultation where she will firm up which implants to order, then another month or so until exchange surgery. She is preliminarily considering the Style 20 475cc on my right side and either the Style 40 421cc or Style 15. I hope I did the right thing by not getting another fill yesterday. I hope I get to my old size of a "C" with these size implants. Thanks for your input.
Missy
0 -
Missy: Okay, but why a different style on the left side? I don't like the sound of that for a bilateral. Just use high profile on both sides - a 425 cc on the left and a 475 cc on the right. I am afraid that one style will make one implant much wider than the other and the other style will give less projection than the other. I have honestly never heard of this done for a bilateral - unless there is some ribcage anomaly or other structural reason for this. For instance, in a case where there is a significant degree of scoliosis and one side of the ribcage protrudes more than the other, I can see where using a different style implant would be very useful. Maybe you need to email me photos.
Deborah
0 -
Missy: Okay, disregard the above. I just went through your older posts and see you have a LD flap on the right. So there you go. Just as long as the width is close enough bilaterally, that plan sounds fine. I cannot help you with sizing on the LD side, because I do not know how much volume you have with the flap.
Deborah
0 -
Hi Deborah,
My PS tells me that 50cc is about what she feels makes up the lat difference. It seems to me like the flap protrudes out a little too much, and she said she can adjust that a little in exchange surgery. I'm wondering then if it would be better to do high profiles on both sides, just different sizes. Appearance wise I don't know how much flatter the Midrange/Moderate ones look. I will take some pictures when I can and post them.
Missy
0
