BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101
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Hello,
After bilat mastec, i will finish Chemo next month and will have expanders replaced early June. So before I meet with my PS I want to be informed and this forum is so full of the info I'm looking for! Thank you.
Whippetmom: would you please advise me and share your recommendation? Here is the info you requested:
I am 5'2", 114, small frame, wear size 2 clothing, 28" ribcage.
TE are Allergan 133FV-13. They are filled to 500.
I would like to be a C cup (was a
and want them to look most natural.
Thank you for your advice as I start done the path of replacement. Will be so happy to have expanders out. :-)0 -
MBJ...so happy to hear you are thrilled with your results!!! congrats!!!!!!!!
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MBJ-congrats on your great results! I'm so happy for you!!
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After hearing about MBJ's fat grafting to give some oomph to the areola, it sure makes me wish I could have some breast work done at the same time I have my ovaries removed. But I doubt that is going to happen. And if I asked, they might want to commit me to the psych ward.....
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Thank you ladies--I am very, very happy. Just hope it lasts! I don't know Deborah--I asked if he would put some of the excess fat in my face and I didn't care if he thought I was crazy but I am glad he put it in my boobie!!! When are you have your surgery?
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I am hoping to have the surgery the first of June....
I'm thrilled for you MBJ!
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I have been lurking for a couple of days to see if this is the right place for my questions. A brief background, I had a skin and nipple sparring bilat mx in 12/09 (sounds like a long time ago). Finished chemo at the end of April 2010. Had Hyster/oomph in June 2010 (BRCA1+). I was tired of surgery/treatments and was training for 3-Day so I took the summer off. Life gets busy (son is a senior so college apps in the fall) and I finally found the time for recon. I had my expanders surgery last Wednesday, March 16th. It went well but I slept most of the first 2 days. I too found myself annoyed but many insignificant issue but that seems to be better now that I am off the heavy meds (never had to take the hard stuff when I had my Mastectomy).
My PS put in Natrelle (style 133V) 500cc on both sides. I have no idea how much they filled me. I was a full D before mastectomy and am surprised at how much my skin "shrunk" during the past 15 months. I am still very much smaller (projection) than I was before and yet the skin looks pretty tight right now. I go in on Thursday for my post-op and fill (I assume). They said I would be filled over the next 4 weeks and then the exchange would be 3-6 months later (depending on how everything looks).
My big question right now is about the "pockets" I have on my sides (under my arms) basically where the bra would be. My BS nurse told me that I would have them after my MX as it seems gravity seems to make stuff settle there. She said the PS would take care of it. I am not a skinny person but I don't think would call me fat. Anyway, these "pockets" are larger, I assume it is swelling. I am wondering how much of my current size is swelling. There has to be some swelling with all the work they did to put in the expanders. I am going to talk to my PS on Thursday but I am having some anxiety about how I am going to look in the end.
I would also love to see some pictures. Can I get access to your pics? I would be happy to post my progress.
Lorrie
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Deborah: I am only an hour away so please, if there is anything I can do to help I would be happy to. Even if it just means bringing you food or taking you to a dr's appointment. Please don't hesitate to ask!!!
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whippetmom - I'm sorry about the ovaries ... are you doing it precautionary or is something going on? I'm sorry if I missed it ... praying for you! xo
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issymom I have my TE surgery in a week. I had a bmx in August and finished chemo in december. I am getting nervous for the surgery. My PS thinks this is less pain than the bmx but my bmx had very little pain. After that surgery i was so afraid i would feel pain i kept pushing the little button for pain medication every time i saw the light go out, I did not even wait to see if i felt pain. So you took a lot of pain medication with this surgery? It's been 5 days how are you feeling now? Are you able to get around and do things for yourself? Have you been told not to reach for things or lift things? I know i had really bad constipation after all the pain meds i took last time. Do you have anyone helping you at home? My surgery is on a tuesday and my sister is coming to stay with me until she flies back saturday. My husband will be working. I hope I will be able to take care of myself after that.0
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Whippetmom: Thank you so much for your advice. I've tried to read through the many posts to try and answer some of my own questions. Any thoughts from you and others are much appreciated on the final implants. I know that I want silicone. Do you have thoughts on the teardrop shaped implants vs. round?
My specifics: 42 years old, 1/26/2011 preventative (no further treatments necessary) bilateral nipple and skin sparing mastectomy, 400 cc Allergen 133MX TEs placed at time of mastectomy and filled to 325ccs per side, 2/28/2011 first and only post op fill to 400 ccs, I'm 5'3", 120 lbs. (up 5 pounds from my preferred pre-surgery weight), generally wear size 6 clothing, measure 27" directly beneath the TEs.
Thanks so much for any feedback.
Kelly
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Carroll: best of luck to you next week!
Kelly
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Whippetmom - HI! I am back from exchange (yesterday) and you were right on the money!!! My PS used Mentor 450's high profile...So far in the surgical bra they look really nice. I am happy with the size, the PS told my husband that he thought the exchange looked like an A+ on me, grade-wise, that is!!!
- I guess if he thinks that he did his job to his best abilities, then I should be pretty happy, too! MyPS wasn't crazy for going 400 cc's, thinking I might wind up with unnecessary divots. Thanks again for all the input, I felt much more confident about the sizing with your support!
Recovery is a bit more painful than I imagined, he did a bit more pocketwork on one side to bring the implants in nicely. I am taking it easy and will see him again next week!
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Carrol2 - I really did not have much pain with my BMX except for the drains. I think part of it was they gave me some really powerful drugs post-op. I was very high for the first 2 days so all I took was hydrocodone at night and then prescription strength motrin during the day. I am lucky and have gained a fair amount of my feeling (still have it after TE surgery - YAY!)
As for TE surgery, it was pretty easy and I felt OK going home (within 30 minutes of end of surgery). I went to bed as it was the most comfortable place (propped up with many pillows). I basically stayed in bed for a day and half. I was so tired but had trouble sleeping. The pain wasn't horrible but I definately felt it. It is most uncomfortable standing up after laying down (lots of pressure). Today is day 6 and I am doing pretty well except for sleeping at night. I so want to be able to sleep on my side. I am not a back sleeper so I am waking up all the time trying to get comfortable. I was told I have to sleep on my back for 2 weeks.
It is great that your sister will be with you for 5 days. Those are the worst days. I drove yesterday and it was OK. I was lucky and my PS was able to put the TE above the muscle as I had extra tissue. I think that really helped my recovery.
Good luck. It is like childbirth, even after a few days it is hard to remember the pain.
Lorrie
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Firedancer: Congratulations on your exchange!!! We are so lucky to have Whippetmom to help us on this journey. I had alot of pocket work done, too, so no sudden reaching or picking up even a water pitcher for a couple of weeks until you heal up some. Gentle hugs!
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MBJ - thanks for that reminder...I did reach for something a little too fast and I flashed back to the BMX, ouch! ...back to thinking before I reach or lift! I am determined to baby my new "babies" for a while, I refuse to do anything to interefere with the healing and settling they need to do - here's to hoping that it helps!
It sounds like your fat grafting was a success!!! good for you - I love hearing the exciting news when things go well!!!
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firedancer-congrats on your exchange! 450 sounds perfect. That is the size I have right now. Get lots of rest. It's definately good to to baby your new babies right now.
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Well, Whippetmom... I didn't end up going with the exact implant you suggested. You said 500 ccs HP or 397 - 421 ccs MPP for Allergan. I ended up with one gummy at 495 grams, high profile, and my native side I wrote down, but my Mom has the notebook. I know it was mid profile somewhere in to 260 cc range? I really forget exactly. I can't really get in there to peek just yet, but I'm so pumped to take these bandages off. Do you or anyone else recomment a certain bra afterwards? In two days, I'm allowed to take my daisy duke corset (that's what I call it!) and the bandages and he told me to wear a sports bra that is comfortable and supportive, but does bother my incisions. My incisions are under my boobs, so I was sure what would be good for me. I did order the Hanes Bandini cause it seems a bit longer than regular sports bras, so hopefully it won't bug me. Thanks for all of everyone's help!!0
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I had my follow up visit yesterday and everything is looking great he said, and then he stuck me with 25 more cc's. LOL! I was so surprised to wake up with 300 after surgery so I thought I may get a week off. He said to begin massaging 3 times a day for 15 minutes and get ready to get filled up FAST due to my pending rads. I am still hydrocodoned and valliumed up, but moving about. I am so happy to have a shape, I am having a hard time loading my photos this time on the other site and having issues with this site reviewing all of thread instead of only new posts. It sucks! When will it be fixed?
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Not fixed soon enough if you ask me KCMom (the thread thing on BCO) -- I hate it!
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EricaV: Congratulations on your exchange! Can't wait to see your pictures. Yay for you--I hope you are very happy with the results! Gentle hugs.
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Deborah: It seems the area that they did the fat grafting (in my step off area) it is very lumpy now. My PS said to just rub it into the muscle and it should flatten out. You are the only other person that I recall that has had this procedure. Did you experience this? Thanks, Mary
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CONGRATS FIREDANCE AND ERICAV!!! Isn't it great?! I am babying my new babies as well..more so than after the BMX in fact. Maybe it is because this is perceived by me as apositive thing...back then I was shell shocked and scared out of my mind. I thought the quicker I got up and did stuff the further I could get away from BC....oh man, hard to believe it was only four months ago...
Whippetmom- you are so sweet and helpful to us all.. I have missed *seeing* ya on here the past few days.I am sorry you are having any health problems at all:(
I landed up with the Mentor Smooth 550HP in both and am loving them more every day. I get to drive today!!!! I go back for my one week check up this afternoon. I will post one week out pics on the forum tonight.
You all ROCK
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Congrats Erica and Firedance! You too Annette! Wahooo!
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annettek - I can relate to your reaction after BMX...I just figured I'd get up and try to get back to "normal" as much as possible in that uncomfortable, annoying and ever-changing, temporary state! I just wanted to fly as fast as I could thru that time...3 1/2 months, crazy, it feels like such a blur of time!...My PS also told me that after a month of TE's to "go ahead", there's no real damage I could do to the TE's at that point....buuuut, when it comes time for the implants - settle down and go easy. He said no matter how "good" I feel post-exchange (which I am still waiting for the 'feel good' part ;-) no major arm action/pushing/pulling...this is our time to get these babies locked into position! (hopefully!!!)
I am so glad to hear you are loving your implants more & more! It's so encouraging to hear - so far I like mine, just judging on symmetry and roundabout size...they still have that pancake-effect, though, does anyone know if there an average time frame till that kinda goes away? I'm excited to see these high profiles do their thing!
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Had my pre op appointment with my PS tuesday I get my TEs. I started with my list of questions for him. He showed me the expander. He is going to use 550 cc moderate profile and he usually starts by filing it to 50 or 100 in surgery. I will need anywhere from 4 ot 6 fills 2 weeks apart starting 2-4 weeks after surgery. He will be using alloderm. One night in the hospital. They will be taking my port out in this surgery. I am 5"6" 140 lbs 32 inch rib cage aiming for a C cup. I am going to have a compression garment and now he says 70% chance of drains. he has had started doing the drains more now. They will be in for a week. There is no lifting over 5 lbs the 1st week and no lifting over 10 lbs the second week. And no lifting arms above head for 2 weeks. so looks like this wont all be done until xmas when we added it up but it's hard to say now. It's gonna be a long summer.0
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Hi all
I had my pre-op today with my PS. My exchange is April 14th. She is planning on putting in a 550 natrelle round silicone high profile on my right side. Then she will lift my left side and put in a saline round under the muscle . She isn't sure of the size because she will make it match the right side. Presently my right breast was expanded to 600. I'm 5'8 and weigh 155. Does this sound right?
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Claire -- I've been thinking about you!!! How exciting that the day is coming. I think you will be glad to do the augment on the natural side... it seems to me that unis who do that have the best results symmetry-wise.
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Thanks Annette and Lilah!!! Megan... I totally feel like mine look like pancakes right now (as far as i can see... which isn't all that far cause of these stupid bandages.
Does that pancake look go away??
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Issymom: You are describing "dog ears" and that fat pad which some get and some do not - but is a lovely gift from the mastectomy defect, isn't it? Yes, it is taken care of at the time of the exchange, and tell your PS you will be haunting him in his dreams if he does not clean that up for you! I am PM'ing you info about the pictures forum...
Deborah
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