Sientra Implants

blanviper

MiniCoopergirl- Just an FYI, you will still have more upper pole fullness with the Sientra shaped implant that you do with your natural breast. I have one natural breast and one reconstructed so I do have a real side-by-side comparison. The upper pole fullness is the most noticible thing that makes one different from the other. I am not a big busted girl so I think I still get away with the two being able to match fairly well - especially in clothes. To get an exact match, I actually have a small push up pad to put in my bra that gives me the upper pole fullness on the natural side. and that makes the cleavage virtually identical. If I was bigger, I don't think I would be as matched as I am without doing something to the natural side.

I had a round gel implant and that did have even more upper pole fullness (so not as good a match to the natural) but on me you could more readily tell the shape of that implant and it was more prone to ripples. The shape also became more obvious when using my pec muscles because of the effects of dynamic distortion than the new one does. I think the slope of the Sientra helps as well as the firmer nature of it. I didn't have Allederm with either style implant, but did have fat grafting and knew that would be the case going in. Maybe if the PS used Allederm, it would've helped the round one? I don't know.

I really wish my natural side had the look of the Sientra side but even if I had done a BMX, I don't think I would've loved the too full round look of the round gels after having seen it before revision. That's just me. I may ask my PS about a small implant for the natural side. Not sure I really want to bother because I'm sick of surgery. 3 in less than a year is probably enough.

Minicoopergirl

Thanks for the extra input girls. 

Blanviper-thank you for sharing.  I have been worrying about the lift and projection I would get from Sientra and that is why I've decided to go with the gel implants. I'm glad your happy withyour choice. I'm glad you shared about sizing- I am currently 340-360cc and don't know if I can tolerate another expansion, but I don't want my implants to look small.

As far as Alloderm,  I when the TE were less expanded they felt really soft and squishy on the bottom portion of both breasts-while the top and sides were hard like rocks (I thought I melted them when I took a hot bath;). My PS told me the reason I could feel the TE was because they were not full and I could feel them through my skin. He explained my tissue needed to be reinforced. He explained that he would build a hammock to make the breast tissue stronger. Now that they are more full they don't feel soft squishy.  I like the size of them in a bra/bathing suit, but in clothes they look small.

After many years of fighting with my small, flat breasts to keep my dresses up and fill out my tops now is the chance to give myself the"pick-me-up" I've always secretly wanted:) I'm just not sure I can endure another expansion tomorrow, but think I need to do it if I want the implant size desired. I like the size of them in a bra/bathing suit, but in clothes they look small.

Gina9195

25weeks: that is correct. UMX and augmentation. My MX side has 550cc Sientra teardrop shape and the non cancer side is 300 round Sientra. I went from a 32d to 32dd. Looks wise, they match very well. But the MX side is very firm and doesn't move. I just wonder if the cohesive gel was the best way to go.

capitaltreasure

Hi Ladies:

I hope I can add to this topic. I had my exchange surgery last week from TEs (they were tough but worth it) to Sientra Textured Shaped High Profile 550s after doing some research around all of them. This was my PS's pick for me and after my own reading & research I agreed. They feel great so far, recovery has been much quicker than the BMX last fall.

I wanted to say that the Sientra implants have been in use for more than 10 years in other countries which tend to get new technology before the US (believe it or not) and so their long-term safety record is there. They are only new in the US having beaten Allergan to approval just last March.

I hope this helps and good luck to everyone on this journey.

sherry67

Capitaltreasure,

I have the same size implants and so far everything is going good..

capitaltreasure

I'm 8 days post exchange from Mentor TEs to Sientra textured high profile shaped oval based implants and still have noticeable swelling that makes me look more full breasted than I would like. Thanks to Runnermom for the information that it will go down.   But I was a 36DDD before BMX and you can't go from that to a B. I did have lots of Alloderm (I think it's a miracle material) on my previously radiated side during the MX surgery and additional Alloderm on the right again in the exchange surgery.

No one implant is right for everyone and like 25weeks said, this can be an overwhelming process requiring so many decisions on our part that we have to trust the PS team at times and do the best we can. The Sientras have been in the market for over 10 years in Europe where technology often gets approved first, so there is a track record of safety there. I am much more comfortable than with TEs of course and just have to bear through the compression band for two more weeks and then with the drop in swelling I am optimistic that I will feel as close to normal as I have since my diagnosis last fall.

This site has been a blessing and many of you have gotten me through so many facets of the journey - I hope I can give some back.  Force yourself to keep your thoughts positive and know that others care.

capitaltreasure

HI Sherry67 - good to hear. I think that is the largest they make right now. They're in high demand and backordered in some parts of the country so we were lucky to get them. Take care.

sherry67

Capitaltreasure,

Funny you mention that because mine were on backordered since oct when I suppose to have my surgery...I had exchange feb 15th...

bcs22

Thank you to everyone who posted their experience. I would love to hear more about anyone's satisfaction with them post surgery. Do they feel too heavy or firm?

blanviper

bcs22- Post surgery, the Sientra was definitely firm. Almost 3 months out, it has softened quite a bit. I sure some is the implant and some of that was swelling going down. Extra fluid in tissue can add firmness. The implant itself is not heavy, but mine is 330cc, so not very big. I notice it less in terms of heaviness and just being there than I did my pre-revision round gel implant of a similar volume 339cc.  Both types of implants were obviously different than my natural breast is in situations like lying on my back. They don't flatten out like natural breast would but the Sientra is definitely perkier, due to the firmer nature. That shape seems to work better with my body- fits better and more natural look. It has caused me fewer problems with visable distortion and rippling than the round gel because of the firmess. I think that's your big trade-off- soft feel, touch and more natural movement in the round gels. In my case, I get less rippling and a way more natural look with the sientra. Others here have had rippling with them though. I don't know if size of the implants make a difference with some of the potential issues.

bcs22

Thank you blanviper. I have been reading your other post as well. They are particularly helpful since you have had both types of implants that I am considering. Would you mind telling me if our body types are similar? I am 5'2" 125 29 in ribcage. I had a SNS BMX my TE's are 12 in and way too far apart. I am pretty active and have young kids so I was concerned that the Sientra might require more pocket work. Again thanks.

blanviper

bcs22- I'm bigger than you, (still in ok weight range, barely!) but 5'8" and 148lbs. Measurement just under bra band is 33". My TE was Naturelle 133MV-12, also 12 cm wide. The smooth round Naturelle implant was 12.5 cm wide. The Sientra implant is 13 cm at it's widest, but 11.2 cm tall. The difference in the two surgeries in terms of pocket work was negligible, to me anyway. The restrictions were almost the same- except for the fact the surgeon has me wearing a good, supportive bra 24/7 for a longer period with the Sientra because of the pocket work. He wanted to keep things more stable for better healing due to the extra work.

JennL

Hi bcs22, I have the sientra implants and so far am very happy.  I had my surgery Dec. 14 2012 then had to have revision Feb. 22nd on left side (cancer side) because the pocket stretched and it looked like it had bottomed out.  PS stitched pocket to the ribs with permanent stitches and so far so good.  I don't find that they are hard and the shape is good.  I had implants before cancer and my husband says these look more natural.  I got 450 CCs and I am 5'5" 125 lbs.  My band size on my bra is 32, I never measured my ribcage so I don't know what it is I'm assuming its what bra size is or close to it at least.  I believe the impants are 13 width and 14 height and I feel they fit me well.  Good luck!!

Jenn

sherry67

I have the Oval shaped HP Seintras 550 and I'm wearing a 34C bra and that is the size I wanted to be..so far so good..

mamatwinz

hey guys..i met with my ps today and he recommended either allergan 45 at 500cc or 550cc..or the sientra 425cc (i think that was the largest size in high profile).. I am worried about firmness of sientra and size as big difference from allergan smooth round to sientra.. i am 5'2" or 5'3" depending on the day ) and weigh about 118 now; which is heavier for me..i am trying to get back to 110-114.. or just firm back up.  ps stated he would bring both to surgery..but wanted to see if one is better than the other.. i currently have TEs filled to 500cc and like the projection and that is what I told ps was important..well that and not having TEs into my armpits..   i like that people say sientra are natural looking..but how to know if firmness makes them less natural..?? soo tired of big decisions..any advice??? 

blanviper

mamatwinz- I've had both and all I can say is the Sientra is firmer than the round gels. The look is more natural but the firmness is not. It doesn't move like natural tissue. The gel was better in that department but, frankly, still not natural. That's the big trade-off. To be perfectly honest, neither feels truly natural because it's just not real tissue. Both styles have an unnatural perkiness/firmness. It took me awhile to accept that no matter what I picked, it wasn't really going to FEEL like me. When I had the round gel, that was one of the things that guided my decision to switch - since neither were going to feel natural, I decided to pick the one that looked most natural on me. The upper pole fullness on the round gels and the rippling on me added to the unnatural-ness. MY PS did the same thing yours is going to do. He brought in a couple different styles and sizes and 'tried them on.' It was hard to see right after surgery whether I did the right thing in switching, but 3 months out I can say I did. This whole process takes so damn long and all the decisions are so hard to make.

blanviper

sherry 67- Glad to hear after your long wait, that things sound like they are going really well for you. That's awesome!

mamatwinz

blanviper..so you have the sientra anatomicals now?  what size/shape?  also did your implant width match your TE width?  the options my ps gave me does not match width..implant options are slightly smaller width than my TEs.. ofcourse wippetmom recommended style 20 allergan and he did not even mention..so that is making me more anxious as well..

blanviper

I'm a UMX so I have one Sientra oval based 330cc mid projection implant which replaced a Naturelle 339cc mid projection round. The smooth round Naturelle implant was 12.5 cm wide. The Sientra implant is 13 cm at it's widest, but 11.2 cm tall. My TE was Naturelle 133MV-12, 12 cm wide. The PS worked on the pocket during the revision surgery to accomodate a different size/shape and shore up the IMF, which didn't hold up well with the original exchange surgery. I don't know enough to advise you on whether the TE width and implant width sizes must correlate exactly.

mamatwinz

thanks..yes these decisions suck..i either have to go a size smaller to 420 cc sientra anatomical or 500cc (give or take) allergan 45...my TEs are 500cc now width is 13..i saw and squeezed both today..and likethat sientra is softer than allergan gummys...i too like the softness of silucone rounds, but nervous re rippling and moving out of pocket..grrrr..decisions....

mamatwinz

ok so how did u guys have 550s?  what base?  thought tbey only went up to 420?  

MondaysChild

The oval base, moderate projection goes up to 700cc.  The oval base, high projection goes up to 550cc.

The catalogue for Sientra breast implants is here:

http://www.sientra.com/Content/pdfs/Product_Catalog_Breast_Implants_and_Tissue_Expanders.pdf

The section on the shaped implants begins on page 9.

mamatwinz

thank you!.. i was looking at it a little bit ago!  I think the oval may be too wide for me..i believe that is what my ps said..why i needed the round base..that only goes to 425cc tho...  I just wonder if that will be ok?  i.e. what "size" it will be on me.. i may just let my ps do his thing??  at least that is what I say and then I think about it again minutes later..ha!

jennL do you have the oval base?  what do you think of the projection?

mamatwinz

runnermom..what size bra are you wearing now? how do you feel about how they look/feel?

Anonymous

Sorry, mamatwinz!  I just saw this now!  I went and got measured a couple of weeks ago, and to my surprise, I am a 34D!  I love the way they look in clothes, bra, and bathing suit top.  They look ok without all that, too, just not "normal," but who knows what normal is anymore anyway?!  I cried for the first week because of all the swelling and discoloration from the bruising, but after a little bit everything started to settle down and look SO much better.  Hope that helps! xo

mamatwinz

runnermom, my ps put in sientras 425..i havent looked yet since it was just this morning, but wull when i ahower tomorrow.  i dont have too much swelling, and think i look like a c/small c in semi loose button down shirt from today..plus i plan on toning up slimming a little more...i wanted full c, but ps said my skin was too tight/thin and did not look right... thanks for reply..i figured u were running around!  

mamatwinz

didnt look right with style 45s...did u get reg bra, or padded, underwire??  i was 34/32 bandwidth pre mx and a small b cup..did u go to nordstroms for fitting?

Anonymous

No, I actually went to Victoria's Secret to be fitted.  I was also 34/32 bandwidth before, and about a C cup.  I was actually surprised with the 34D sizing because it doesn't look that big--not that that's BIG, but you know what I mean.  

The bras I chose are demi style (to show off my pretty new cleavage, heehee), lightly padded, and underwire.  My PS said she didn't have any guidelines as to what type of bra I chose, underwire or not.  I did have to try on a few styles to get the fit just right, but I knew as soon as I tried this one on.  It even has lace!  Woowee!  

I really had fun picking out new bras and a new bathing suit!  For the first time EVER, I didn't have to get a halter top to hold UP my girls, and I got a bandeau-style top!  LOVE it!

mamatwinz

runnermom,,u have me excited for bra n bathing suittime..i used old waterbras consistently..my left could do an A bra., but smooshed!  i think demi is very pretty..i wull have to check it out!    i was surprised with my post op soft cami with elastic band at bottom soft cotton cups n adjustable velcro straps..very comfy!  i do have upper pole swelling on right today and very sore!  ps moved righty an inch or so out of my pit as TEs were in there and i asked him if he could mive it in, which brought foobs closer; which is also what iasked for.  one may be a tad lower than the other, but may also be some swelling being surgery was yesterday..also righty is a luttle more out of armpit than lefty, but barely.  i do notice upper foob at armpit a little fatty..not sure if swellung ir just part of upper foob fat or the corset..did u have this?  may also be because i am out if shape since mast in dec..never quite got back on track..overall think they look great and was very happily surprised that 425cc looks soo great in me and so natural..

mamatwinz

my phine screwed up..did u put pics on forum?  also with all worrying re implant surgery, i lost 3-4 pounds, and am at 116..well yesterday hospital had me at 117..with my boots on..:))  altho body comp right now is way more fat than muscle than usual,,so   that number wull change, but more importantly i will feel better..n look better!  i remember u said u were able to run fairly soon after, right?  i will be patient as i know i need to be carefull re pocket work/atitching..no more surgeries please!  thanks so much for replying..u r making me feel good!!