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Topic: Implant Exchange (oYo) ~ Anyone go/stay SMALL?? (B cup)

Forum: Breast Reconstruction — Talk with others facing decisions about whether or not to have breast reconstruction, and if so, what type and when.

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Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 02:34PM - edited Oct 6, 2011 12:01PM by SusansGarden

Posted on: Jan 11, 2011 02:34PM - edited Oct 6, 2011 12:01PM by SusansGarden

SusansGarden wrote:

I'd love to hear from those of you who have had reconstruction and decided to stay smaller (or reduce their previous size). 

I had an NSM BMX w/TE's.  I am in the process of "filling" and am really afraid of going too big!!  I was a small B (even down to an A when I'm thinner) in my B.B.C. (before breast cancer) life...and would like to end up really no more than a full B in my A.B.C. life. ;)

I enjoyed being "small" and not "having" to wear a bra.  It seems like most of the reconstruction ladies end up being D's or higher and I can't seem to find many smaller gals on here.  I think the bigger ladies look wonderful, but I'm just not a "busty" kind of gal :) ... plus it seems the bigger gals end up being required to wear a well constructed supportive bra almost 24/7.  If I stay under a C... will that kind of support still be required?? I understand I may need something for the first few months for encapsulation... just wondering if after that, I could get away with "lighter" support.... even go braless on occassion (like a shelf tank top) if I wanted?

Wondering what the "B cup reconstruction ladies" are experiencing?  If you are a full B/small C even... what were your implant size/types, ribcage measurements? Did you get measured at Nordstrom's afterwards? What did your final post exchange bra size end up being?

Thank you in advance for any info/experience you would like to share! :)

~ Susan 

Edited to add:  I have learned so much since starting this thread. Probably the biggest thing is that most of us (including me!) have a somewhat skewed idea of what bra cup sizes actually look like and are most likely wearing the wrong size bra.  I thought I was an 36/38 A/B before all this when in actuality..in a properly fitted bra..I was probably a 34C.  I found this great website that was explaining our skewed bra cup idea and showed this picture.....

 

This woman (who has not had any reconstruction) measures a 34D.  I would have never guessed that before!! I would have swore she was a B or C cup at the most.  So apparantly THIS was the size I was aiming for all along!  And I'm happy to tell you that I was successful! :)

"If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes." Dx 10/6/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 11/30/2010 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 2/1/2011 Surgery 7/10/2013 Prophylactic ovary removal
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Jan 11, 2011 04:35PM mom3band1g wrote:

me!  I was AAA/ AA before surgery and am not 100% sure of my new size but an not big now.  I had my exchange surgery 6 weeks ago.  I ended up with 325 Natrelle implants.  I won't need a bra.  Whippetmom is amazing and I would rec you pm her your info and she can help you with size.  I am 5'5 120lbs (a few lbs heavier than I normally am) and my rib cage measures 28-29".  I have pics over on timtam's site.

lumpectomy 2/10/10 bi-lat mx 3/25/10 rads completed 7/10! Dx 1/19/2010, DCIS, 6cm+, Stage 0, Grade 3, ER+/PR+
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Jan 11, 2011 04:42PM SuebeeBC wrote:

Susan not that I can help too much YET as I havent had my MX yet....but I am a small A with a small rib cage (just lost weight and probably around a 33 inch chest) now and plan to have recon/TE/implants when I am done.  My PS actually scoffed when I said C cup and strongly suggested that I go no larger than a full B because of the size of my frame.

Given that, Ill see how the TE goes and get a good feel for how comfortable I will be at different sizes.  The PS is going to let me fill until I say "yep, thats how big I want to be" and then fill a little more for the ease of the exchange.

Upon reflection, I dont think I really wanted to be all that big....just 'even'.  I really dont want people looking at me like "oh yeah, THOSE are fake!".  But I DO love the Tshirt that says "Yes, they are fake- my real ones tried to kill me!"....I might get that shirt for my first day back at my Zumba class!  LOL.  Good Luck to you!!!

Sue - Uni Mx 1/26/11 (-o-Y o ) Exchange and Augmentation completed 6/13/11. Mentor HP Smooth Round Gel 350 and 475. Nipple added 9/29/11...which failed. New nipple added 2/23/12 and holding. Dx 11/19/2010, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+
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Jan 11, 2011 05:00PM SusansGarden wrote:

Thank you both for your replies!

mom ~ I did see your pics on Tim Tam's site ~ you look absolutely beautiful!  You are quite a bit smaller framed than I am.  Yes I did get some wonderful advice from whippetmom!  She suggested 533cc's to 600cc's (different styles/projection) .. but I'm chickening out and just worry that by going that big I will be trapped in a bra 24/7, which does not appeal to me at all! :(  I'm wondering if I might be okay with the look of a smaller implant.  I really don't want the "busty" look on me.  (I also posted my pics on Tim Tam's site. :)

SuebeeBC ~ Wow... I can't believe your PS scoffed at you!  I've seen plenty of people on here go from a small A to D and beyond! It seems like that is more common than staying on the small side.  My PS too told me to fill until I felt comfortable.. go try on some clothes, etc.  But it just seems hard to tell because the TE's are shaped so different than the implants.  I also LOVE the "real ones tried to kill me" shirt! I want to buy one too! :)  I just started back with my Step class and hope to resume Zumba in the next couple of weeks when my arms are stretched out!!! :)

"If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes." Dx 10/6/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 11/30/2010 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 2/1/2011 Surgery 7/10/2013 Prophylactic ovary removal
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Jan 11, 2011 05:04PM memory wrote:

I'm done with the process, getting my second session with the tat lady this week, and I'll have to say, I'm satisfied with being "small."

Though for me, it's big: I was an A all my life, close to a AA when I was thinner. PS encouraged me to go for full B cups, said they would suit my body. Turns out he was right. It's been a big adjustment for me (no pun intended), sometimes I actually miss being AA. But I probably have the best body of my life (ironic, it took cancer to do that, huh) and even though I'd take my cancer-free body back in a heartbeat (if it would STAY cancer free) I'm happy.

 I go bra-less around the house, but if I'm going out somewhere I put on a bra. Which is how it was before: even though I was small the nipples would show through. If I'm wearing a thick sweatshirt or sweater I don't bother with a bra. I don't think I would enjoy being a D. It's been tough to get used to having weight on my chest. My step-daughter, who is a DD, told me by no means go higher than a B. "You're active," she said, "You don't want to be lugging those breasts around." If she could afford breast reduction surgery (her insurance won't authorize it) she'd have it done. She rides horses, drives a tractor, farms, and says her big breasts are a pain.

Lots of ladies love their Ds, but that's our two-cents from our corner. I think you should keep in mind that it's your body: if you're more comfortable with Bs, then go with Bs. I should also add, I so rarely wore bras that I'm still having a hard time finding decent ones. I'm going to have to break down and get fitted; your plan to go to Nordstrom's is a good one.

AND, if I go too long braless I get sore. So you shouldn't plan on being bra-less 24/7. I can sleep without a bra, though.

Breast Cancer is like being a guest in the Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Dx 10/28/2009, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIA, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Jan 11, 2011 05:14PM SusansGarden wrote:

Thank you so much memory! You answered a lot of my questions!  And no, I don't plan on or want to go braless 24/7 ... I would just like to not HAVE to sleep in one or be required to have major support ALL the time. :)

So do you think you ended up a "B", Memory?  What size implants did you end up getting? What size is your ribcage? :) 

"If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes." Dx 10/6/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 11/30/2010 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 2/1/2011 Surgery 7/10/2013 Prophylactic ovary removal
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Jan 11, 2011 05:22PM Anniemomofthree wrote:

Oh, so glad I found you ladies!  I am 5'10" and thin.  My PS keeps saying that I can carry bigger ones.  I like to be small and trim.  So, I am in a quandary.  I was 430cc each, when they did my path.  He wants to put at lease 400 -550 in me.  They would be nice and high, and enormous!!!  I really want to be a B, like i was before (actually I was an A/B) due to the sagging/nursing of babes.

I may just trust the PS and the nurse...because of my height, they think this is right!

Annie 

Dx 11/9/2010, IDC, Left, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+,
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Jan 11, 2011 05:24PM lago wrote:

I was a A-small B. I've had 4 fills before chemo and have 1 more chemo to go. My PS knows I want to stay the same size. He thinks I need a few more fills which will have to wait till after chemo.

I made sure I went to a PS who could actually show me pictures of small breast reconstruction. My upper torso is so small/thin that they had to use a juvenile port on me.1st PS I went to didn't seem to have pictures of any women below a large C.

From what I have heard & seen it seems most women don't have to wear a bra for reconstructed implants if they didn't go too big. The only reason why you might have to is because if you have nipple reconstruction they are always "alert." Some women opt for 3D tattoos instead of the nipple reconstruction. Granted you probably will have to wear something for a while after surgery.

DONE!! goo.gl/IoaN6U • Tattoos 2.7.2012 • Nipples 10.6.2011 • Exchange 6.24.2011 • Chemo 1.18. 2011 • BMX 8.31.2010 Dx 7/13/2010, IDC, 5cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 0/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Jan 11, 2011 05:37PM SusansGarden wrote:

Thanks Annie and Lago!

I'm glad people are responding... I sometimes worry I am the one and only member of the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee". ;)

Lago ~ I'm going to ask my PS today (have a fill today) about the "bra" question.  If there is some sort of "threshold" of cc size for me of when he would be concerned about wearing major support all the time.. then that could definitely be a deciding factor for me! :) 

"If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes." Dx 10/6/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Surgery 11/30/2010 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement Hormonal Therapy 2/1/2011 Surgery 7/10/2013 Prophylactic ovary removal
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Jan 11, 2011 06:31PM sassa wrote:

I was freak of nature big before my bilateral mastectomies. No way would I go back to that size or even C or D cups (been there, done that, have the bad back and shoulders to show for it and a ton of tops bought just to fit around my bust line, not the rest of me).

 I am nice full B cups.  I go bra-less 24/7 and will never willingly wear a bra again.

Dx 11/6/2006, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 3, 0/9 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+
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Jan 11, 2011 07:39PM xtine wrote:

I had a uni mx and am a D cup in my remaining boob. I always thought my breasts were a little too big, and resented not being able to wear button-down shirts without gaping, or having a hard time finding swimsuits. Personally, I think B cups are about perfect. I am currently trying for a C cup, with a small reduction/lift to the left. I still have the expander, and have finished expansion to just before it would be the same size as my previous... my PS said when many people say they want a reduction they actually just want a lift... I am sure I actually want a reduction. A little terrified that he will take too much off and I'll regret it, and a little bit wondering if I should have gone for my magical B!

DCIS 10cm with 3mm IDC found in final pathology. Uni mx with gummy implant, Tamoxifen. Dx 10/8/2010, IDC, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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