Direct to implant sizing issue

Hopeful07

hi there, my first post here. Diagnosed with DCIS, extensive enough in my right breast that mastectomy is recommended now after further testing with mri and ultrasounds although I had a difficult time deciding initially whether to go for lumpectomy or mastectomy. In my early forties, breastfed three kids and lost significant amount of volume (used to wear 30e bra).

My bs thought I would be a great candidate for direct to implant which I was thrilled about and consulted with a ps who pretty much said the same. The ps couldn't believe I used to have much bigger breasts though he could clearly see that I became "deflated" and told me that I could restore the volume lost but we didn't really discuss the details of sizing.

I saw another ps for a second opinion and he talked at length about the tissue expanders instead of going straight to direct to implant and so I brought up the topic and he did agree that I was a good candidate but that it would not be possible to go that much larger.

He thought I currently looked like a b cup and said he could go to a full c cup with direct to implant as opposed to tissue expanders where I could see the volume as time goes on. I would love to look fuller and a cup size larger but I am wondering if it would be more advantageous to go down the more traditional route of te even though I would love to just skip the te as a lot of people seem to find them very uncomfortable. What do you recommend when you aren't sure of sizing? I knew I lost a lot of volume but was kind of surprised to hear I looked only a b cup. I'm petite (5'1 and 97 lbs so I think people have a hard time picturing me with larger breasts). I don't feel I have to go back to my pre pregnancy size but I am wondering now if I would regret not going larger to a d cup. Any insight would be much appreciated.

dtad

Hi there. I was a 36DD before my BMX. I decided to go with direct to implant even though I was told I could not be bigger than a C cup. I wanted to avoid the TEs at all costs due to other health issues. I just could not have a second surgery! The process has been very easy without complications but I won't lie when I tell you its been an adjustment getting used to my smaller size. Its getting better as time goes by but I still miss my breasts and probably always will.... Good luck

Hopeful07

Thank you for your response. I plan to consult a ps but wonder if sizing can be altered at a later time...

wiseseeker

Hey - contracts on your decision to go direct to implant! I was told by a plastic surgeon that my older skin (age 60) is too thin on my breast to adequately do a directly to implant procedure after my mastectomy, even though I have a LOT of skin (yeah, it's saggy, okay). But he didn't even touch my breast, just looked at it. I wonder if maybe he is not that experienced, or is that true about older folks? No rads, no drugs - just mastectomy. Thanks for any insight!