All About Gummies

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2011
    Karla & Lilah:  I am supposed to be getting money too, but I didn't understand about going through the PS.  I thought it was imperative that you commit to the 10 years.  Also I believe the paperwork required an MRI if you have to drop out because you move or something.  Guess I should find my paperwork, tho it will be after Christmas for sure.  But Robo - I do like the gummies.  Jan
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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited December 2011

    Ug, my gummie is so firm!  I have had it since July.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited December 2011

    They are firmer than regular silicone... which some people don't like.  They don't jiggle, for example.  Mine was firmer at first and after over a year is much softer, though still no jiggle.  I am OK with that.  I have heard from women with regular silicone that they also have no jiggle (or not much)... so I think there is a factor in there about each person's individual anatomy as well as the size of the implant and the size of the pocket. 

    Robo -- definitely ask to feel them.  Also you should ask about the Mentor CPGs.  They are ALSO gummie style implants but not as firm as the Allergan 410 (which is considered the "true gummy").

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  • Lmflynn
    Lmflynn Member Posts: 373
    edited December 2011

    Just to offer another data point....I have gummies...think that they are not too firm and look great...I had pretty dense breasts b4 mastectomy ..so may make the difference.. But wouldn't want them softer, and they move...don't jiggle...but with a bra, etc...get some good cleavage and they look natural to me....still can't wait for the nipple surgery!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited December 2011

    Thanks Lmflynn -- yes mine moves as well!  Just doesn't jiggle (which is fine with me :)  And I agree that perspectives vary from woman to woman.  (I also think it depends on one's anatomy... how snug in the pocket the implant is, the thickness of the muscle under which the implant is placed, etc).

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  • Urban_Mom
    Urban_Mom Member Posts: 34
    edited December 2011

    Hello Ladies.  I currently have TEs and will go for my exchange in late February.  I asked my PS if he has gummies and he does. He spoke to me about the possibility of rotation and the fact that some women do not like the denser, form-stable 410s and prefer the squishier rounds.  Not an issue for me, really, because my native breasts were small and dense. And I would most defintely like some slope instead of the way that the TEs jut out from my chest. Surprised

    So, I am leaning toward the 410s, but I was wondering about size. Whippetmom had recommended that, based on my body size, that I talk to my PS about Allergan style 20 in 450ccs.  That seems that it would be perfect fit - what would be the equivalent in gummies? If they are wide and fill-in the upper pole, do they have to be larger in ccs to obtain the same projection that I currently have with the TEs? Is the PS more limited in the size in 410s based on the TE that was used? (I think I read something about having to mirror the width of the TEs).  Also, I had nipple-sparing - is that another limitation/ consideration? 

    Thank you all,

    Theresa

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited December 2011

    Theresa -- you can compare the stats of the style 20s with the 410s by going to the Allergan site.  The link is in the header of the Exchange City thread, I believe.

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  • jillyG
    jillyG Member Posts: 401
    edited January 2012

    Hello wonderful ladies! Happy New Year!  I am 1 year post-gummy exchange (in Canada) and I still love my gummies!  I am really happy with them, they have loosened up a little bit and I have a great slope and I feel really good about myself in clothes.  Since it's been a year and I have been procrastinating on nipples (was going back and forth between 3D and real ones), I decided to call and schedule the nips this morning.  I get them on April 30th and then tattoos down the road when they heal.  I am so used to having the smooth look, going to be weird to have the nipples I think.  I am pretty excited now that I have finally booked it. 

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited January 2012

    Wahoo JillyG!

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  • SKD
    SKD Member Posts: 140
    edited January 2012

    I had my exhange surgery over 2 months ago and I am in love with my gummies!



    My breasts were dense before (being 26 and all..) and I find them similar to what my breasts were pre- double mastectomy. I actually think I like them more than my old breasts. I used to be a small 34B and I am now a 34D and I actually have cleavage now! They look fantastic in a swimsuit too!! It looks like I am wearing a push up bra so I just wear sports bras all the time now or no bra (having no nipples yet, I can get away with it). They feel great and have softened up a bit since my surgery and PS said thry should softened a bit more.I had tissue expanders before for 6 months so anything feels softer than those "Tupperware containers".



    I do recommend gummies, they feel great and I am happy with them. I felt my friends breast (also 26) just to compare what a "real boob" felt like vs. gummy bear and they actually felt quite similar!!

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  • Azhelenmo1
    Azhelenmo1 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2012

    About the case study , I was also in the study until I had problems with the gummy implants and had to have them removed at the 5 yr mark, they then pull you from the study and NO one cares about you any more. so any issues that arise after they are removed are considered OH WELLS

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  • Lmflynn
    Lmflynn Member Posts: 373
    edited February 2012

    Hi Robo..yes in trial...exchange Aug 2011.. insurance covered everything. Happy, happy with my gummies. I will look for the website, but many surgeons in the trial... I know someone that loves the gummies and think she moved to Chitown..will try to find website....

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2012

    Robo47:  I'm very happy with my 410s five months down the road.  They are harder than Silicone, but I had very dense breasts before so that isn't a problem for me.   I'm on medicare and along with the Medigap policy I also pay for, everything has been covered so far.  You are correct - they are not FDA approved except for trial "installation".   I'm in a 10  year trial, as I believe all of us are in the USA.  I can't believe there are no docs in Chicago in the trial.  Whippetmom may know more.  I think the gov't mandates that problems after reconstruction must be addressed, but that's not to say what will be paid for.  Maybe someone is further along than I am and has an insurance co. other than medicare.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    Yes insurance covered my gummy as well.  There were no issues.  I agree with Minustwo -- you're in Chicago!  Surely there is a teaching hospital there (which tends to be the primary place for trials) and even some private doctors in the trial.  I think you can go to the Allergan website and search there for doctors who are participating in the trial.  Whippetmom is also a great suggestion.

    Azhelenmo1 -- I'm not sure what your issues are but I'm sorry you're feeling abandoned and that you had complications.  Did you replace the gummies with regular silicone implants?  If you are having problems you should absolutely contact your PS. 

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  • identtwins
    identtwins Member Posts: 67
    edited February 2012

    Hi Robo47,

      I got my gummies  allergen 410  775cc  12/1 in Orlando, FL.  Any questions ask,  I had my orginial reconstructed breasts (implants) removed after 3 1/2 months.  They looked awful.  I am so happy with my gummies

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  • patriciaho
    patriciaho Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2012

    Hello ladies



    I am 2 weeks post exchange. I have 410 style MX with 410 cc. I am petite thin person. My bra band is 32. I have gummies. So far so good. Happy with the result but wondering if there is anyone with the same size as me and what size bra I will end up with because I am thinking that I am a Full B but I was expecting to be a full C. It is looking a lot smaller than I thought and I am worried that it is gonna look even smaller with time. Thanks a lot for any thoughts .

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited February 2012

    JillyG and Lilah - perhaps you could share which bras you have found to work best with your anatomicals.....

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    I like Freyas and Wacoals.  I wore Wacoals prior to BC (and never knew about Freyas till after); I think the question of which bra works is individual, Whippetmom, and has to do with lots of factors... that are as much to do with body habitus as actual type of implant.

    Patriciaho -- toward that end, two women with the same size implants (gummy or not) will wear different sizes based on height, weight, body shape, etc.  Your best bet is to go to a Nordstrom's if there is one in your area (call first and make an appointment with the person in the lingerie department who has been specially trained to fit women who have had breast reconstruction -- every Nordstrom's has at least one such specialist but not ALL the clerks in the lingerie department of any given Nordstrom is necessarily trained).

    Robo -- wahoo on finding a gummy guy in Chicago! :)

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited February 2012
    patriciaho is in Australia - so unfortunately, no Nordies....Cry
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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    Aw sorry Patriciaho.  I recommend you find a good bra shop in your area, in that case.  One that specializes in fitting and selling bras.  No doubt they too will have professionals in their employ that can help with the challenge of fitting implants.  Wacoal and Freya are both very popular makers (among our recon crowd :) and certainly both brands would be available in Australia.

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  • lisa1313
    lisa1313 Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2012

    Does anyone know if it is safe to go in my hot tub with the gummies?  I don't keep it very hot, 98 degrees?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2012

    Oh Lisa - I hope you get some responses.  I'm going to visit my son this spring and they always have end of the day/pre-dinner drinks in the hot tub.

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  • lisa1313
    lisa1313 Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2012

    My PS did not have an answer for me, I called teh company that makes them and they said "they don't sell them in the United States and that I am on a trial and they have no info for me"???

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    LOL Lisa re: what the gummy maker said.

    I should think 98 degrees is fine.  I've done hot tubs... though admittedly I try not to spend too long in really hot water due to the risk of causing lymphedema...

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2012

    Lilah:  Yup - that's the major danger. And I'll bet my son keeps their tub over 100.  How I miss soaking in HOT HOT water.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    MinusTwo -- sigh -- me too!  I did hit a hot tub at a hotel last year... it didn't seem too hot... but I didn't enjoy it that much because of worrying about lymphedema.  I think that is a far bigger issue for BC survivors than whether implants can be in hot water (especially for those who had nodes removed... but even those who did not can get trunkal LE, as I understand it).

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited February 2012

    Lilah and MinusTwo, I don't know about gummies, but the National Lymphedema Network position paper on lymphedema risk reduction says 102 degrees is the top of the acceptable range. You can find all their Position Papers here:

    http://www.lymphnet.org

    Hoping your son can accomodate your needs and you'll be able to join them in the hot tub without worry. Enjoy!
    Binney

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2012

    Thanks for the info, Binney!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2012

    Robo:  My PS usually uses 410 LX (low height-extra full projection). He believes they look more natural.  I liked some of the widths better on MX (moderate height-extra full projection) but I bowed to his expertise.  Remember you have a couple of parameters - height & projection. 

    Lilah will weigh in I'm sure.  Here’s the link she sent earlier in this thread so you can review the differences.

    http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2012

    Still having issues with copy paste so I'll try again.

    Robo:  My PS usually uses 410LX (low height-extra full projection).  He believes they look more natural.  I liked some of the width selections on 410 MX (moderate height-extra full projection) but I bowed to his expertise.  I expect it somewhat depends on your age & know chest width is a factor.  Remember you have a couple of parameters - height & projection.

    Lilah will weigh in I'm sure.  Here's the link she sent me earlier in this thread to review the differences:  

    http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf

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