Sientra Implants

BethFL

Yes thank you Gina that does help.  I just saw my PS last week when he said he would use an implant, up until that point we had been discussing a DIEP flap but I chickened out and decided I'd rather have an implant.  I don't know when I'll see him again before the surgery, so I guess I need to call and ask some questions.

Thank you for your reply. 

C-squared

Beth~ schedule an appointment with him to review your implant options.  He should also have "samples" he can show you so you can feel the textured vs. non and see the round vs. teardrop shape.  He (or the hospital) may not have a contract with all suppliers (Mentor, Allergan & Sientra are the big ones) but the PS should still be talking with you about what he is planning to use..., the pros and cons of different options, etc.  Take a tape or digital voice recorder with you.  I found it to be a great help with all of my medical appointments!  Keep us posted! 

Still_Snarky

just back from my second post-op appointment with my PS (who was part of the FDA trial for the 410s and has been using the Sientras since their FDA approval). i asked as many questions as i could remember! the general gist of what he said is as follows:

• the sientras are the *only* FDA approved cohesive gel implant that comes in a natural or teardrop shape currently. my PS is very confident in the studies he has read on them. he said he's been hearing from the Allergan/Mentor reps that the other cohesives are going to be approved any day now...for the past several years!
• his patients (both reconstrution and cosmetic) overall have expressed that the sientras are more comfortable than the 410s.
• the sientras are softer than the 410s but it remains to be seen if they will be as 'cohesive' as the 410s. he's thinking it will be 10+ years until that data is clear (ruptures, rippling, etc)
• a drawback to the sientras is that they are available in *significantly* fewer sizes than the other brands, specifically in the teardrop shape. (if i had wanted more projection with my small frame he would have had to use round implants, creating a less natural look). 
• compared to the 410s, these implants have less of a 'ski slope' look on top and somewhat smoother edges. sometimes there is a gap (between implant and skin) up top due to this that he has seen much less of with the sientras.

MondaysChild

Beth, what part of Florida are you in? If you find the Sientras, please let us know.

SpecialK

Just to clarify a post from the earlier page - both Allergan and Mentor make cohesive gel implants.  They just don't currently supply anatomical or teardrop shaped implants in cohesive gel, but they do have anatomical/teardrop in saline.

Still_Snarky

yes, sorry for not clarifying that in my post above!

SpecialK

No problem!  I knew what you meant, but was afraid someone new might come along and be confused!

Still_Snarky

side note: i was told by the lady at Nordstroms (who was fitting me for a good wireless bra until my incisions are healed entirely) today that i have the nicest reconstructed breasts she's seen in 15 years. *curtsy* to the sientras. 

fmaury

Hi Celeste!



I am scheduled for exchange surgery next week and am also getting the Sientra implants. How has your experience been so far? Do they feel natural to you? I want small B cup breasts so I hope I am making the right decision.



All the best

Caroline

Still_Snarky

Caroline, I'm happy with things so far. They look really nice and the swelling is starting to come down. Recovery has been harder than I expected but that relates to all the pocket repair I needed, not these implants. I think these feel about as real as can be expected, only three weeks out and with some pretty well defined pec muscles still a clamped down! If you pm me your email address I'll add you to my blog and you can follow my progress!

fmaury

Hi Celeste,



Thanks so much for giving me access to your blog. Your pictures are very impressive and really comfort me in my decision to go with the Sientra implants. Too bad my scatterbrained PS forgot that I wanted those and we now only have a week to get them before my scheduled surgery. I was really mad at her and she could tell so she called the Sientra rep and will show me more options tomorrow. It may be more complicated than I thought because I am aiming for smaller breasts and I never realized that if you are born with a certain breast size you still have to fill the breast cavity so that a smaller breast means a (much) flatter breast. The Sientra round base does not even come in a low projection. Maybe the oval base will work....i knew I should have done more research! Thanks so much for your help!

Still_Snarky

Caroline, 

 To my knowledge going smaller shouldn't be an issue. The 'pocket' that your implant will live in can be tightened up and obviously excess skin can be removed too. That said, I don't know how broad your chest is and to a degree there are limitations based on your given proportions. According to my PS this is where Sientra falls a bit short, in that there aren't as many sides...

 Keep asking questions on my blog! 

blanviper

Hi Celeste-

Thanks for relating your experience with the Sientras. I am going for revision surgery and my PS is suggesting them as a possible solution for me. I've had little luck researching them - there's not a lot out there yet about them no reconstruction pics online that I can find. All I've been able to see is augmentation pics and frankly, that's a whole different ball game. I'd love to be able to make an informed decision.

Still_Snarky

just added four week photos to the blog!

fmaury

Celeste, I just went to your blog. What a complete success! Your breasts look so real! I think it's funny how you seem concerned about differences between the two: I used to complain about my real breasts being of a different size!


So thanks to your blog (especially the chart showing the model and size your PS chose) and to helpful advice from Whippetmom, i was able to make a decision for my echange surgery next week. It helped that my PS got her act together and called the Sientra rep for some samples. I am getting the shaped oval based kind either 290 or 300cc. That size fits my 12" width and the moderate projection I want. I am not looking forward to another surgery but I am just about ready to tear those expanders out myself so it's time!



Blanviper, you can go to the Sientra website and just call their customer service for information about their products, participating hospitals, etc. I decided I wanted the teardrop shaped cohesive implants because that's what they use in France (I am French) and they have certain advantages over the other kinds. My best friend has one under her flap reconstruction and the shape matches her healthy breast almost perfectly. There is a video about cohesive implants that I can share with you if you want to know a bit about the science and research around these implants. I'll be happy to send pictures after my surgery though my PS has never used them before so for all I know it'll be a total disaster i'll let you know next week!



All the best,

Caroline

blanviper

Thanks Caroline, I've been to Sientra's website, downloaded their product info but there's no recon pics. I'm also sticking with the PS I've already got. My insurance is unbelievably limited and difficult to deal with. My PS is really good, I like him and he has been approved. I'm not switching to another hospital or doc and going through more delays dealing with my insurance. My guy was talking to the Sientra rep last week.

Celeste, I'd love it if you'd PM me your blog address. It would great to hear your experience, and see both results and a success story.

blanviper

Celeste, thanks for blog access. I'd say you have a success story and your reconstruction looks really good. Definitely not as round looking or hamburger bun-y as some of the silicon round reconstructions I've seen. Some people have good luck with them and look great. I just don't think I'll ever be one of them. It looks like the Sientras are a real option. Thanks again! 

Still_Snarky

caroline, have you had your surgery yet? 

SimplyAudrey

NSBMX 10 days ago....and my PS is going with Sientras per my request.  When he showed them to me it was like light came from them and the choir sang!  (LOL)

I have a very thin upper body frame with minimal tissue to work with.  Even finding a TE appropriate for my frame was challenging.  The Sientra profiles are a really good choice for my body structure.  Will let you all know how it goes. 

fmaury

Yes, Celeste! I had surgery yesterday. Thank you for asking! I was slightly apprehensive because it was my PS' first time using Sientra implants. She told my husband she ended up opening and trying 3 different sizes. Normally companies provide "sizers" to figure out what size implants would look best. But Sientra does not have them yet, so they told my PS to use real implants for sizing. That was generous because they cost several hundred dollars each. She also didn't put in any drains. Today I am feeling really good: not much pain and I slep about 18 hours since coming home!



I can't wait to see the result but at least the discomfort of the expanders is gone!

JennL

Hi Ladies, I am having my reconstruction Nov. 2nd using the Sientra implants and had a question.  I didn't get expanders because I had implants before BC so my PS was able to leave them in when I had my mastectomy.  My original implants were not under the muscle so I have never had the muscle cut before, now they will be going partially under the muscle and wanted to know how the pain is from that.  I have a pretty high tolerance for pain but am worried about arm movement, etc.  Thanks:)

Still_Snarky

JennL, the pain was very manageable and range of motion much less compromised than with the BMX. I had lots of pocket and muscle work with reconstruction and I'd say it's more soreness than pain for sure. Arm movement completely back to normal at 5 weeks out and would be sooner but most PS want you to restrict it anyway during healing!

JennL

Thank you Still_Snarky, I feel better knowing that:)  I didn't find my BMX to bad so this is good news!!  How are the Sientras doing, are you still happy?

Still_Snarky

i am still happy. things are changing, however slowly, for the better. i'll be updating the blog tomorrow with 5 week pictures!

Still_Snarky

hope your recovery is going swimmingly caroline! 

fmaury

I'm doing great Celeste, thank you! I saw my PS today who took off the strips, told me to wear a sportsbra with no underwire and said to come back in 3 weeks. We both love the way these implant look: the slope is perfect and it is exactly the size I wanted. I had this strange feeling walking out from the PS and I realized that for the first time since my BMX I felt as if I had breasts again! I joined the picture forum and will post some pictures soon but if you want I'll send you some too if you are not a member. Mind you, I look much smaller than you because I was aiming for something like a 34b and that's what I got

Other than that I had bone crushing fatigue for about 4 days after the surgery but am feeling much better now. Hope you are foing well too!

Caroline

fmaury

Hi Celeste,



I checked out your blog and saw your new pictures. These implants are really fabulous, no demarkation whatsoever. Your surgeon did a great job! I unfortunately have large scars where my nipples used to be because my BMX was not prophylactic. I have to wait another 6 months for nipple reconstruction (sigh). I wonder if I should try the tape you mention to help the scars fade. Was it recommended by your PS?



Caroline

annemarieh

Hello everyone! I'm trying so hard to figure out what implants to pick!! ugh! My PS said I can pick what ever brand I want. I origanally wanted Sientra, then I wanted the 410 LX, or MX, because of the extra projection....I'm so indecisive right now!! I honestly want the tear drop shape, cohesive gel. I want a large size. I did consult with Whippetmom, but I dont the rounds she suggeted. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone!

Annemarie

sherry67

Annemarie,

My PS only wants to use the Seintra due more natural look but the size he suggested are still on back order since Oct when I was suppose to have my surgery..just tired of waiting ..I have been done with tx for a year now and these expanders always hurt 24/7...just can't take the pain anymore...

annemarieh

Sherry, sorry to hear that you are in pain!! I'm still in the fill process, they hold 550 cc's, and i'm at 400 now. I guess I better make up my mind soon if I want the Seintra. I have a fill appt on tues, going to ask if he can give the last 150 since I really dont have any pain. TE'S just feel like rocks glued on my chest! Do mind if I ask you what style you ordered?