TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
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Good to hear Sunrisefish. Your kind of story give hope to those who had rads.
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Yay for the growing list of surgeons! Can't wait to see hundreds of names on there some day.
I now have an exchange date! 9/19. Almost 1-1/2 years after my original mastectomey. I can't wait. I had a long talk with the PS about how he would make the two sides look more similar. I made sure he knew that I have abandoned all hope of ever looking good naked so that he has carte blanche to do whatever he needs to so that I at least look good in clothes. He still insists he can make me look good naked too but I don't believe him. Long story short, he's going to probably use smaller shaped (not round) implants (550 instead of 650) and he's going to lift the left side as much as possible. I'm going to be having the procedure done at a local surgery center instead of at the hospital to reduce chances for infection. The breast is still red, believe it or not, but I think that's just how it's going to be from now on, end of discussion.
Because of my awful veins I'm now debating on doing high dose IV vitamin C or not prior to surgery or just waiting until after should something arise. Leaning toward the latter. Will bump up my oral Vit C, essential oils, etc. in the mean time. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and I don't think it's the train this time! LOL!
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sunrisefish, amazing that you have good sensation! Awesome!
I think it is a good light raven!
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Hoping for the best for you Raven. Don't give up. Maybe he can really fix it.
Glad to hear about getting sensation back Sunrisefish. I can feel some on my skin but honestly the whole implant thing feels weird to me. Sometimes it feels cold too. I really don't like touching them and I have to put lotion on them every day. More like room temperature rather than body temp. Maybe I'm weird but I'll get used to it I guess
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That's great Raven, I am excited for you. I second what Legomaster225 said, maybe he can fix it! We will all keep our fingers crossed for you to have a great outcome. You deserve some good things to come your way.
Sunrisefish, that is so nice you have normal sensation. I wish I did, but I only have partial feeling on the outer third, center is almost completely numb.
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You could add Dr. Andrew Salzberg in NYC.
I'm getting a nipple-sparing unilateral mastectomy with direct-to-implant over pec in exactly a week. Yesterday I met with my plastic surgeon to try to iron out the details but I was a little unsatisfied after I left. My surgeon said he'll bring many different sizes with him and decide while I'm on the table which size to use. I have to have a small implant on my non-cancerous side and then he'll try to match the mastectomy side. He thinks I'll end up a full B (currently an A or small
. I thought it would be more exact than this! I'm worried I will wake up with huge breasts. Is this how your surgeons did this or did you make a decision on implant sizing before surgery? Also he suggested the shaped, textured implants. I do like them a lot better, but worried about the new reports that they cause cancer. My surgeon said the risk is very low. 0 -
I am an A small B as well. I wanted to be th same size with my implants. I am small sip huge boobs would look weird on me. I've been this size all my life and I like it even though many asked if I was going bigger. Maybe if I was younger I would have but I'm 51, happily married and very active. I'm good being small. My PS understood what I wanted and also had three different sizes to surgery. I ended up with the larger of the three but it looks perfect. I am the same size and my bras (even though I can't wear them yet) still fit. I had a BMX though so no matching up needed. I think it's pretty normal for them to bring several to surgery
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Hello warriors! It's show & tell time. I had my exchange surgery on Aug 3. They're Natrelle Inspira cohesive (round smooth silicone). Left side is 615cc, right is 650cc. My right side was always smaller so the size differential is to even me out somewhat. The right one still looks a little smaller but I'm ok with that. My scars were pretty indented so he injected fat there to plump them out. He said he also put fat on the top poles. The scabs on top are from the fat grafting. Recovery was a piece of cake, no pain whatsoever. Can start exercising on Aug. 24, have to wait bc of the bruising from where he took the fat. I love them! They feel like young boobs LOL, not too heavy at all. my PS is using pictures of my surgeries (no face shots lol) to share with his colleagues learning the pre-pec technique. My BS told me if I think of implants as internal prostheses, my expectations will be realistic....I thought that was good advice. Won't even think about nipples or tats or whatever for a while. I'll see how I feel once the scars fade somewhat. My inclination right now is to just be done
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Holy guacamole, those look great! I'm going in for almost the exact same procedure 9/8. Now I'm getting excited!
Thanks for sharing!
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Those look good pugsmama! If mine were to approach looking ANYTHING like that I'd be thrilled. I'll wait until after my exchange to see how they come out, then I'll post the current ridiculously uneven "before" pics and the new "after" pics and we'll see how things turn out. I pray they look that good!
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i had BMX about a week ago with immediate reconstruction tissue expander. I am amazed that I woke up with little boobs and no bruising. Much better to look at than the lumpectomy. The PS decided to put the expander over the muscle for a couple of reasons: less painful and I think because I'm only going to a B cup. She initially told me I would see more ripple effect at the gym if she did it this way. It made me laugh as I am not a gym person and even if I was I would not be wearing skin tight anything. It is uncomfortable but not painful. I hadn't researched this subject until now so Im apprehensive of the plan to fill fast and hurt more.
I have a few questions:
Everything is measured by cc. If you want a full B cup, how many CCs would that be?
How often between fills? I did the surgery 5 hours from home so each fill trip is expensive and time consuming.
I'm considering having the fills done locally by a PS and having the final exchange done with the original surgeon. Thoughts?
I have been recommended gummy bear implants. I'm not sure about the anatomical look. I had very firm round breasts before, nothing that dangled and also no side boob. I keep seeing my friend who had them and she appears to be natural but more saggy than I want. Not trying to be perky or young but just replace what I had.
I we as always small on top and frustrated that I didn't have more..But as I aged I was glad I didn't sag.
Thank you for any and all opinions
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Hi PugsMama, looking really good. I wish I was that symmetrical. I think I will have to eventually get the other non mx side lifted, AGAIN. I did the lift before the implant exchange because of finances, and it was too soon in retrospect. It bugs me that it looks like the breasts of 2 different women, similar sisters, maybe. In a bra, it's very close, but I want to be able to look at myself naked and not always have horrible reminders.
Marymac5522, I have a 495cc Mentor Anatomic Silicone Implant, and is slghtly small as a "C Cup". Other women can tell you what they have.
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Pugsmama, they look great, and its good to hear the recovery is so much better than MX.
Marymac5522, I know one of the ladies on the boards had a PS in a different city/state do the initial TE's implant and now she's back home and has another PS who did the fills and will do exchange. Hopefully she will come along and comment but just wanted to say I think that's something that can be done. As far as sizing, I think the CCs measurement could be different size depending on the specifics of each person's body build, frame, height, etc.
Macb04, been wanting to comment about the pictures from your Ireland trip, looks beautiful. I'd love to go some day.
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Thanks Sitti.I reallly enjoyed the trip. I wish I had a chunck of change so I could buy a summer home in Kenmare near my cousin. It was really quiet, and peaceful there, although I know it can get pretty bleak in the winter time.
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Marymac- I think sizing will depend on the circumference of your rib cage below your breasts. For example I have 300 cc implants and a 29" rib cage. I wear a 32D bra, when I can find this size. This is about the same cup size as a 34C (more wisely available). Check out Whippetmom's thread on sizing. She can steer you to the right size based on your measurements.0
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Marymac and Granda3X, also bear in mind that the Whippetmom's sizing is for Subpectoral implants, which makes some difference. Also, I don't know if other Prepectoral women want to mention "Projection", ie, moderate profile, versus High Profile. I was way, way too flat with a Moderate profile. I was much happier with High Profile. Many Moderate Profile implant users seem to complain it looks like "hamburger buns" on their chest, not breasts. Food for thought.
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Hi, here is my story. My initial PS said he would place the TEs over the pecs, well he didn't. I am a landscaper by trade so you can imagine my pecs. It was horribly painful, and I switched PS immediately. I asked my new one to take the TEs out and put them on top, she said no don't worry once you get the implants you feel fine. Well, I am not, so my followup appointment she said: 'You were right, you have spectacular pecs, and if it doesn't get better I am willing to take them out on put them on top.' So, now over 3 months since the switch I have to make that decision. Anyone ever had that done, and what was your experience? I just don't think I can live with the pressure of a way too tight sports bra day and night.
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Hi Macb04,
I am so happy to read your experience. I had a lumpectomy that went sideways in 2012. A masectomy w/expanders and then implants put in 2013. They ARE hamburger-bun like! I've not heard that comparison before, but it is very accurate in my case also. Way too wide and very uncomfortable, even 4 years later. Its exhaustng. I am suppose to have surgery with Dr. Said in Seattle on 9/14 to have them removed and replaced with above the muscle implants. I am so nervous. I was so dissapointed with the first set and have had constant pain. Not sure if my expectations were too high? Has the pain completely resolved for you? Have you had any unexpected issues? Are your implants round or tear drop shaped? Do they cover the hollow spots? I have my pre-op appointment only 1 week prior to my surgery date. I really want to be as prepared for that appointment as I can be. I've heard good things about Dr. Said and noticed he was on your list. Do you personally know anyone that has used him before? I was referred there through my oncologist in Puyallup. Thank you for posting.
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Dr Russell Babbitt, Fall River MA. I just had my consult and he's doing prepectoral with fat grafting
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Hi Maulwurf1, sorry, you had a bad first PS experience. It is quite common not to be listened to, hubris, maybe? They think they know better than you how you will feel about your body. You will find other women who had to switch PS's to get the care they needed. A shame, but there it is. Read my entire post at the top where I started the thread. I was miserably tight TIGHT, TIGHT with a TE under my poor, ..cut...pectoral .... Tried Fat Grafting, took out the TE. Got 2 severe infections and lost most of my grafted Fat. Went from a crater to an "A Cup" with just my grafted fat. Decided to try an implant , so even before knowing there was research out there on OVER Pectoral muscle implant reconstruction I begged and pleaded to get it done that way. Dr Bryan McIntosh, Bellevue, WA did it. He put in a TE over my Pectoral Muscle. I expanded to 600cc. He used a computer program to estimate what size would match my real R breast. He put in a 420cc Anatomic Silicone Implant, Moderate Profile. Was way, way too small and way, way too flat. Looked like a hamburger bun. A too small hamburger bun. SO... under the knife again, this time much closer to the right size with a 495cc Mentor Textured Anatomical Silicone Implant with HIGH Profile. In a bra it is a very close match. Now to your question about tightness........ I would say the insane tightness has resolved by about 90 to 95%. I have moments now where I forget about the implants. I have almost the same degree of strength that I had before being cut up. Over women have done it both ways on this thread, and will hopefully chime in.
Hi Huntlee, I don't remember who here told me to put Dr Said on the list. Maybe someone will respond, or read through the entire thread( I know that's a lot), and see if you can figure out who it was. If I figure it out I will PM you their name. As I mentioned to Maulwurf1, I have very little tightness, and no pain at all. I was pretty miserable with a TE shoved under my poor abused Pectoral. I especially hated the loss of strength, couldn't open a bag of potato chips. That is completely back to normal. I have a rowing machine (Concept 2) that I use several times per week. I also do some weight lifting at the gym. I can swim without restriction of my arms either.
Thanks Cpeachymom. I will put Dr Babbitt on the list.
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Thanks Macb04. You've given me hope!
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can anyone speak to the anatomical vs round with over-pectoral direct-to-implant?
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Hi Rokel,
I just want to let you know I just had a prepectoral PBMX with Dr Salzberg and Dr Ashikari. I am only 2+ weeks out, but want you to know how much I love these doctors! You are in wonderful hands! I wish you all the best
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Hi again Rokel,
I also found sizing vague and was concerned I'd be too large. I was a full a small b and wanted to be a full b. I wound up with 330cc smooth round implants. I chose to stay away from the textured implants due to ALCL. I didn't want to trade one worry for another. I met with a ps whose actually seen it in his practice in multiple patients with textured
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ctgirl, that's kind of odd he has seen ALCL in multiple patients with textured implants.Lets get a little perspective here. 394 cases, reported to the FDA, of the anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, out of the 5 Million Plus implants in the US as of 2010. Doesn't seem like a very large risk when you look at it that way. I will just have to take my chances.
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I agree macb. The risks are reasonable, and there are risks in everything... absolutely everything we do, eat, drink.... Don't we have enough to deal with without making ourselves crazy? An important part of healing is to move beyond fear. Just kick it to the curb and reclaim your life. Move on. I have had cancer twice, yet I embrace every day with joy. I'm not going to waste one second thinking about it or worrying about it... what will be will be. I'm going to dance I the rain, and drink champagne... me and my textured implants!
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hi all,
had over the muscleTEs 6 weeks ago. i can still feel the edges of the expanders biting into my insides ( my muscles i guess) . met with my BS today and he said i am supposed to feel fine since its over the muscle. also have the iron bra feel sometimes.but then he said maybe its because the TEs are sewn to the pectoral muscles and he hopes i feel better after exchange..my Ps also said i should feel ok bec its over the muscle. i hope i feel better once the Tes are out. any one of you here felt the same with tEs before but felt better once implants are in? any experience will be appreciated..
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I totally could feel the edge of the expander all of the time. I had my exchange 6 weeks ago, and I don't have any of that pain. If anything I have a feel of heaviness if I don't wear a bra or shelf bra cami or something like that.
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Ah, kae_md99, isn't it great when your medical professionals tell you how you "should" feel instead of listening to how you DO feel? I've had a TE on my left side for 16 months and haven't really had any pain, nor with the right side that was replaced back in March. But as 2FUN said, lots of others here have indicated that once the implants are in it's a huge improvement.
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