Sientra Implants

sherry67

Annemarie,

Ps ordered textured oval 550 high profile...I was filled to 580 than he took some out thinking it would help now 550 and it haven't helped...just feel like I have a bad tight fitted bra you can't move or take it off just tight 24/7..I'm usually have a lot of patience but I have none now it's been too long now..better be worth the pain...

blanviper

I haven't chimed in for awhile but I did end up going with the Sientra implant for my revision surgery on 12/17/12. Being small and a UMX, my original round Natrelle Mid 339cc just gave me a very odd shape especially compared to the natural side. That was replaced with a 330 cc oval based mid range Sientra implant. The jury is out on the revision, though. I may have traded one set of aesthetic issues for another but it's hard to tell so soon after surgery. Everything seems to be riding too high and projecting more. I'm not sure how much 'drop and fluff' you get with these more cohesive implants. They also seem to be giving me a tighter feeling across my chest but I had a lot of pocket work done this time around because the last implant's pocket didn't hold well. Maybe that's the cause of the extra tightness? Those will be the questions for the PS on Friday.

My husband says he feels it was a definite improvement - better shape all around and if it were to relax, drop and fluff or whatever, that would do the trick. I don't think he'd ever tell me if he thought it looked worse, though. He's a supportive kind of guy, bless him. It's really just so hard to match something unnatural with the "good side" and I think I'm at the point of not being able to be objective. I think I just need to vent - I am just so sick of all of this. Before I get the rally cry from all the DIEP girls, there are reasons why that was not the surgery for me. My big fear is that I'm never going to accept the new look. I wonder does anyone else ever feel this way? I'm trying to be positive and hope that a few months time will do the trick.

Anyone know if these implants 'drop and fluff' much?

annemarieh

Sherry, again, sorry you are in so much pain! I just can't immagine...ugh! Do have ANY idea as to when they will be in? I FINALLY made up my mind as to what I want. (I even e-mailed my PS so I wont change my mind again). I'm going with textured, 425 round base HP Sientras. I said to him, I hope they are not on back order, and he said "me too". So, I guess he has'nt used them in a while. My TES are @ 400 now with no pain. The only time that I really had any pain was the week after the BMX, when he put in 100 in each. Weird. Going to ask him to put 125 in each on tuesday when I go. That will bring me to the full 550 that they hold. Getting excited!

sherry67

Annemarie so happy for you but I guess my size is popular..550's .no idea when they will be in ...they don't know I called sientra and they said it should only take 30 days when backordered can't see why I'm waiting almost 3 months now but hopefully soon...I hate calling because I feel like a pain.

annemarieh

Sherry-You're not being a pain! I would call the PS office and tell them. And ask what the hold up is? And tell them about the pain you have having everyday! Squeeky wheel gets the oil!! Do you mind if I ask you your measurements? I want to go big, but not porn-star big. My TES are 13", and ribs are 28". I'm very petite. (I can fit into a girls size 14 jeans)

sherry67

Annemarie ,

I have call and been to the office several times ..nothing, they are very much aware of the pain I'm in and still nothing..my rib cage is the same as yours and he suppose to use 550HP..tired of calling and getting no where and sometimes they don't even return my calls..

Bishops2003

Thanks for diving into the sientra pool ladies. I know there are many of us trying to choose implants right now and this line has really helped me.

Gmaury- I am due for my sientra's in 6 weeks. I also have a 12" width and am aiming for a small b. My ps is going to try a few sizes and decide what looks best. The warning he gave me was that with greater width comes the need for greater projection. Otherwise it looks flat. He thinks anything under 300 will be risky. Just sharing this info after reading your post. I of course would live to hear about your results.

Cheers all!

sherry67

Bishops2003,

Your Ps didn't say they were on back order because I was suppose to have surgery on Oct 23 rd but come to find out they are on back order and guess what it's January still waiting...better be worth it

Bishops2003

No such delay here. I don't know why. Could he have a stash? I am sorry for your wait- after such an ordeal.

sherry67

Bishops2003,

Wish there was a stash..I'm so envious of everyone getting their exchanges and it truly saddens me to see others getting the Seintra implants and I'm still waiting..

Andrea623

Hi everyone! I only recently became aware of the Sientra implants, so please bear with me. What is the benefit of using them over Mentor or Allergan? I'm not due for an exchange for half a year, thanks to rads, but I'd like to get an idea of what I want. Thanks!

annemarieh

Andrea~ I just posted to you over at exchange city thread!

Annemarie

Andrea623

Thanks! I'm jumping over there!

annemarieh

Andrea~hey girl! Had my fill today. Lefty is now caught up to righty, which is at 500. Going for 1 more next tues for another 100. (they hold 550). I think PS gave me the blow off...lol! He WAS very busy. Not a big deal. So no new info on the Sientras. I'm concerned though. Everyone here who has "crossed over", is saying how their implants are smaller than the TE's. If this is the case, i'm not going to be happy. My right side, to me, does not look any bigger than it did yesterday before the 100 I got today. In his defense, I did pop the stitches on the tabs on the right TE, so it's falling to the right. I hope it all works out. I will share any info that I get!

Andrea623

Hey Annemarie, yay for only one more fill! Are they feeling pretty tight now? At 500, I'm sure they're probably larger than you think they look.



I could only stand to be filled to 310 on lefty and 340 on righty (cancer side). While the projection is fine, they're wide like hamburger buns. I'm worried too that I'll be too small after exchange, but I was spasming and in so much pain after my last fills, I couldn't go larger. I had to get my fills done in 3 weeks, cause they needed to be done before I could start rads.



My PS said he's only used the smooth round implants, which kind of disappoints me, as I'd like to hear how the results are with the textured ones. Guess I'll have to rely on your experience! I cant help but feel that he'd rather just stick with what he always uses.



When do you think you'll have the exchange? I apologize if you mentioned it earlier, but I'm on my phone and it's a pain in the butt to read through all the posts on it.

annemarieh

Andrea! Lol! I just posted on the exchange thread. Having a few issues. I'm in some pain only on the left, due to how high the pocket is! It's up and over my shoulder. Damn it hurts! Other than that, no real pain. I really never had too much pain, except for the very first fill. Going to call him tomorrow for pain meds. Good thing the recliner handle is on the right! On another note, I hope no one takes the Feb 1st date. If so, I will have to take the next fri in Feb. ( I checked with the awsome sched girl). So, that means DH will have squishiees for his bday on the 21st!! Will let you know if we decide on another brand.

Annemarie

sherry67

Annemarieh,

Did you get told the sientra implants were on back order?

MNSusan

Sherry, I see my PS on Friday and she uses a lot of Sientra TEs and implants. (In fact, she's told me I'll most likely get them in May.) I'll ask her if they're on back order and let you know what she says.



I have Sientra dual chamber TEs right now.

sherry67

MNSusan,

Thanks because I have been waiting since. Oct 2012 due to backordered..

annemarieh

Sherry, no, he never said a word. (sorry)....I dont believe they would be, concidering I use a very popular Hosp in Manhattan. (they would'nt keep the stars waiting) LOL!!

blanviper

Andrea: I can tell you that there was a pretty big difference between having a smooth, round implant and the Sientra one I have now in terms of shape. I was trying to match my natural side and I'm not big to begin with. Sounds like we had the same amount of fill in the TE. My TE was kind of bun looking as well. The smooth round one, Natrelle Mid 339cc, that I had originally was also very hamburger bun-y and seemed to have no visual relativity to my natural breast. The 330 cc oval based mid range Sientra my PS relaced that with does have a more natural shape to it then the smooth round implant. My husband said that I looked immediately more symmetrical after surgery.

The differences:

There is still more upper pole fullness in the Sientra than a natural breast but less than the round, despite the sloping shape. It also seems to have more projection.

It is also definitely firmer than the smooth round one was, so not as squishy or natural a feel to it. That is something that you have to decide whether it's important to you. I do 'feel' it more than the last implant 4 weeks out from surgery, but I had a lot more pocket work done inside. The PS said Friday he thinks that will continue to lessen over time. It's a stiffer implant, though, so I don't know whether it will wind up being as comfortable as the smooth one was.

There is a lot less rippling and dynamic distortion with the Sientra, especially when I flex my pec muscle. This was a nice thing -I work out a lot and you could see the rippling and distortion in my lower neckline exercise tops with the smooth round. Definitely made me a bit self-concious in a boot camp class full of people. I did have micro fat grafting with both implants to help with that issue but my PS said I needed a lot less with the Sientra because of the shape of the implant.

I think the implant is looking better than it did on my last post. If I had had a BMX instead of UMX, I know the match would be better and I'd be a lot happier with my results visually because both sides would've been easier to get that match.

Sherry, and Anne Marie: I had my surgery 12/17 and the doctor had a few sizes of Sientras to try in the OR and didn't say anything about backorders or problems getting them. He had been trying from my 9/26/12 appointment until the beginning of November of last year getting them - they were working out getting approval with hospital purchasing while waiting for the implants to become available during that time. I went to an NYC hospital as well, and I don't think they are having any issues getting the implants now.

sherry67

Blanviper,

Lucky you..I have been waiting since they canceled me on October 23 because they are on back order..I call for status update and no one answers ..getting really frustrated can't take the pain of the expanders any longer and I really don't think they get it

SpecialK

andrea - it is thought that textured implants result in more rippling under the skin.

sherry - is it possible for your PS to get Sientra implants from another PS if they are backordered from the supplier?

blanviper

Sherry-

That is a complete bummer. I hope it happens soon for you. I do remember how uncomfortable the TE was, especially after the last fill. I really think there is no excuse for not answering, either. I'm not sure what I would have done about that. Start raising holy hell, maybe? I was lucky enough not to have that experience with my PS. I hope this resolves soon for you so that you are back to regular life and activities before spring rolls around.

sherry67

Funny thing I called sientra and they was told it should not take more than 30days for back orders and it's been 3 months...I finished tx in oct and rad in dec..when I went for an appt in sept was told to suck it up when I told him of the pain the only reason I stay with him is because he is good voted one of the best where I live did get a second opinion and he wanted to over fill me and wait another 4 to 6. Months heck no...

blanviper

Special K- I can only relate my own experience having had both smooth and textured implants. I have FAR less rippling with the Sientra textured cohesive than the smooth round Natrelle. Before surgery, my PS said that was one of the positives of choosing to go with the Sientra and he's been right so far.

SpecialK

blanviper - I am glad you have less, but maybe it is due to the Sientra implants?  The other brands of silicone implants are thought to have more rippling in the textured form.

Andrea623

Thank you blanviper and SpecialK. I have half a year to decide which ones to use, and I appreciate all the information you've given me. My PS was leaning towards a Mentor high profile implant. He's only used smooth, round ones, and said the downside to a shaped or teardrop style is it could possibly rotate. He said he doesn't use them in his practice. I know Sientra also makes a round base style. I just want to look and feel as normal as possible again. These wide hard hamburger buns on my chest aren't the most comfortable, and make me feel so self conscious.



If the Sientras are a lot heavier or firmer than the Mentors, I may not want to go that route. I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread and the exchange one, so I cam keep as informed as possible.



Thank you again for your advice. You all are great!

annemarieh

Thanks blanviper for the info!

blanviper

Special K- My PS said it was a positive about any of the really cohesive implants, like Sientra and that it had to do with the firmer nature of the implant. According to him, the Sientra is softer than the others that are in clinical trials. They all happen to be textured. I can't say what would be the case for a textured implant that's less cohesive.

My PS showed me the difference in both implants, smooth round and oval based Sientra, by holding them in his hand on their edges as they would be in my body. The smooth round sagged more and produced more ripples and he said a similar thing happens in the body. The muscle can't hold it completely flat all the time. Since we don't have anything except muscle in front of the implant, the rippling is most noticible when you use your pecs or lean forward.

For me the difference was dramatic. I work out a lot and play beach volleyball so I'm in clothing or bathing suits and doing activities where the rippling was really noticible to others, not just me. The shape of the round implant was also noticibly different from my natural side. If I had done both sides, I definitely would've weighed the softness vs less rippling issue differently. Given how I use my body and what is visible to other people, the firmer, better matched shape and less rippling won out. Do I wish it was softer? Yeah. Since I've only had it for 4 weeks, that may improve when the swelling stiffness goes away. Who knows? If it changes I'm sure some of that will be the implant, and some will be how I scar and what my capsule does. I don't think any of this is 100% guaranteed to work out exactly how we think.