BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

angellunch

Hi Deborah,

I just got filled to 400cc (133sx-13-t) . I'm happy because a couple of weeks ago,he didn't want to go any bigger than 325cc. I suggested to him the size that you recommended (style 20-500cc). He said that he was going to use style 20 but says that 500 may not fit me. He may use 450-475cc. Do you think that'll still be ok? He also had me try on a 34C cup bra and it fits great. I'll have my exchange in 3 months. Yayyyyyy

whippetmom

Brenda: You need to provide me with all of the information in #3 of the thread header above. Need the style of your 600 cc TEs. I do think you will end up in the 650 cc to 700 cc range, but 600 ccs would be something your PS might be considering, due to your skin integrity. You need to take fills very slowly.

Edited to add: Actually, 700 ccs will likely not be a problem - just reread your post and see that you were ample-breasted prior to BMX. But do everything you can to protect your skin - go on a skin integrity enhancing diet! Keep me posted on how the fills are going for you.

whippetmom

mariwyl: I think you are going to want to be at least 600 ccs in a HP smooth round silicone implant - or around 550 ccs in a moderate plus profile implant. You gals worry too much about cup size. Reconstructed breasts are entirely different. You could be a DDD cup with reconstructed breasts and look like a C cup. But you will likely be in the "B" category....and probably wish you were larger after the exchange.

whippetmom

annievan: What is your ribcage circumference? Measure under your bra around the ribcage. I think it might be around 30 inches? I think that for you, around 425 ccs in a high profile smooth round silicone implant would be nice. This is not far at all from the 375 cc estimate by the PS. This would indeed be Style 20 in Allergan. The implants need to be sufficiently wide for your ribcage. But let me know about those measurements.

whippetmom

annievan: Many of us felt the way Thursday did when we awoke from surgery......I have great empathy for those who mourn the loss of their native breasts....but I never had a moment's regret....



You WILL get through this....

whippetmom

Thursday: If you want to be essentially the same size you were previously, I would say at least 700 ccs, which is entirely within reach with your 600 cc TEs. What style are our 600s?

chawkins

Hey Whippetmom... I am having a hard time right now.  PS got me to 500cc's last week and I am still hurting.  I am the one with the Natrelle style 133SV-15 450cc. TE.  I am 5' 6" and weigh 140#.  I really want the athletic look,  runway look Just plain small!!!  I feel so wide now.  TE all up under my arm and uncomfortable.  Can he make them less wide at exchange? Why do you think he made them so wide?  I am 32" around ribcage.  I would like to be a B or small C.  I wear an 8 or 10 dress size. I am considering a tummy tuck to get rid of love handles.  You suggested 575ccs in a midgrange plus profile.  My friends have already commented "wow you are big!  I thought you wanted to be small"  Sorry I am just so filled with anxiety right now, along with being uncomfortable.  I want to make this right.  Sorry to be such a baby.  I really really appreciate the time you so freely offer to us and thank you so much.  I just do not want to be big again.  Thanks so much and God bless you offering your much needed help here!

rachelvk

Thursday - Thanks for sharing your story.

Up until I had the brca test, I could have opted for a lumpectomy. When I came back positive, it pretty much ruled that out (though I still could have gone for it). Now, when I met with my BS after my dx and she mentioned the 'm' word, it almost blindsided me. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I guess the fear of having cancer had stopped me from thinking about the next steps. Yet by the time the brca test came back and I realized an mx was the better option, it really wasn't much of a leap to realize, well, if one is going for the sake of my health, I can deal with losing both - and reconstruction wise, it made it much simpler.

Annievan - A few weeks ago someone posted a 'eulogy' to her breasts as she approached her surgery date. I found it moving, humorous and real. If you can find it, I suggest you read it. And we're here for you when you need the support. 

mammalou

Hi Whippetmom,  just wanted to update you on my exchange, which was 1 week ago. 

History:  I'm 5'3", rib cage 32-33 inch, weight 138 lbs.
I have an Alergan Style 133 MV - 500cc TE. They managed to get my radiated breast filled to 650 cc but could go no further.  I had extra skin taken during the MX due to cancer so I think it was difficult to get me expanded.  I was a DD and had a lift/reduction to right breast.

Anyway, the PS tried the Inamed (Allegan) style 15 on me and it was too wide, so he ended up putting in the style 20 with 550 cc.  They are smaller than I expected, but I have to say that he did a really good job matching them.  My only comfort is that I don't think I really had a choice since they just couldn't expand me anymore.  He ended up doing an inframammary fold incision due to my telangiectasias and radiation damage.  It has been a bit of an adjustment now losing my other breast (it feels almost like another MX since it is so much smaller).  Anyway, my friends and the NP tell me that it all looks better because I have a small frame.  This is another emotional adjustment, but I feeling better about it everyday.  Thanks for your help.

whippetmom

angellunch: Well, 475 ccs would be the very lowest I would go.  Otherwise, how will he address the width discrepancy?  I just feel that results look much better when the implants are as wide as the TEs, because otherwise, they want to shift laterally and trust me, they WILL shift laterally.  In some cases, a much too-wide TE was used and the pockets need to be narrowed considerably, which is always a tricky endeavor in and of itself. But in your case, the width is fine.  I just think a snug fit is a good thing.  But I am happy he took you to 400 ccs!  He is a keeper, that guy!

whippetmom

mammalou:

I think that this is a very good size and profile for your frame.  You WILL grow accustomed to your new profile.  They are not really small, in light of the fact that your implants are just about my standard recommendation for someone with a BMX with your vital statistics.  I have Style 20. 550 ccs.  I think that you will be happy also on the day you can get to a Nordstroms for a fitting into a Freya or Chantelle or Natori bra.  That might be a bit down the road, since you have an IMF incision.  But four months from now.....and in the interim, you can try out the wireless bras recommended on Bras 101....

Congratulations for reaching this milestone in your journey!

Deborah

whippetmom

chawkins:

I would like to PM you to chat about this....check your inbox....

whippetmom

chawkins:

I would like to PM you to chat about this....check your inbox....

mammalou

Thank you whippet mom.. I'll check out bras 101. Does it really take 4 months to get an underwire? Wow. I just want to speed up everything.

whippetmom

Well, I personally do not think you need to wait that long - two months would be fine - but your PS will more than likely balk at the idea.  Most docs do not realize that we are not referring to underwires purchased at budget department stores, but high end, finely constructed underwire bras from Europe.  So perhaps the best thing to do is get fitted in a month and buy a bra and then take it in to show him how it fits.  If it fits properly, I doubt he could/would object.  I have a beautiful red Chantelle wireless bra, and this is my favorite Chantelle bra, but in wireless. 

lago

I have that same bra but with wires in blue. This is the bra that the Nordtrom in Chicago uses to fit people. They say it's the most accurate for sizing.

MondaysChild

I have that bra in the wired style in four colors. It is one of my favorite and best fitting styles.

loulou24

Hi girls ! I have a question. Can I have x-ray with expanders in ? My family doctor what that for lower measurement members and scoliosis...Since BMX I took pictures of boobs and noticed that I do not have the two shoulders at the same height...!?!?!?

TinaT

loulou24 - Expanders should not be an issue for a plain X-Ray.  I would mention it, of course, because they're likely to be puzzled by the injection ports and that should be passed along to the radiologist reading the films.  There might possibly be an issue with an MRI if the ports have any metal, just mention to the scheduler/screener if an MRI is necessary.

Not quite sure what you mean by "lower measurement members and scoliosis"?????

Best wishes! 

loulou24

TinaT : Thank you for your respond ! I'm from Quebec and my english is not perfect so maybe I'm not using the right terms !!! Sorry....

loulou24

Maybe it's leg length discrepancies...

whippetmom

Loulou: If you have scoliosis, you can have a discrepancy in shoulder height and also in chest projection on one side versus the other.  In many cases, implant volume and even projection should be adjusted accordingly.  I echo what Tina states about plain films/x-rays being okay.  The radiologist should be made aware though...

loulou24

I don't know if I have scoliosis...I only noticed the discrepency in my shoulder height also my waist is uneven and I have one hip unusually high...I'm a little bit afraid for the exchange...My x-rays are july 4th so I will be able to tell it to the PS...My exchange is scheduled in september...

whippetmom

You can always email me photos loulou.  PM me if you want my email address.  Someone would need to take the photos for you. 

loulou24

Whippetmom :      Thanks !

loulou24

whippetmom : Thanks !

mebmarj

Whippetmom- I sent you a PM.  Thanks!

traceyb

I will be having my exchange surgery in Aug. I am currently happy with my size and trust my PS to figure out the right size. Now I am having to decide silicone or saline. I know she prefers silicone. Are the risks of the silicone leaking very great? What are the side effects of leaking silicone? I am leaning towards silicone hoping they feel a bit more natural. I am very athletic though and don't want to have it burst in my chest! thanks for your advice

Estel

traceyb - I was so scared/paranoid to get the silicone ... I found threads on BCO and read them, asked questions (search 'silicone or saline' to find them on bco) and after a lengthy conversation with my P.S. and others on this board (not on this thread) the grade of the silicone is so much better than it was 20 years ago ... it isn't something to worry about.  If you follow the protocol and get the recommended MRI's (after 3 years and then every year thereafter) it isn't something to worry about.  Know, though, that no implant is a lifetime device and they will have to be replaced eventually (saline or silicone).  The average is ten years (although I've read about ladies having them much longer).

whippetmom

mebmarj: I do not see a PM from you....???