Can't decide on implant size

GerberD

Hi hi everyone!

I've been reading a lot of these posts recently, and wow we've been through a lot!

I just had my final fill last week and suddenly feel like they are way too big. Still smaller than OG as old bras are a tiny bit loose. Before the fill, felt fine about the size even though were smaller.

I'm worried that at this volume the implants will feel huge. Wondering if I should get my expanders deflated a bit.

Has anyone done this?

Also wondering if anyone can share their experience with size of expanders versus settled implants.

Anyone happier they went smaller?

XoxoX

MinusTwo

Gerber - I am really happy that I went smaller.

That said, you can read the header and post all the requested information on the thread below and Whippetmom (the breast whisperer) will answer your questions.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

GerberD

Ok nice to hear you went smaller! My PS says it's rare!

Got recommendation from Whippetmom, she is so sweet, and am probably at her recommended size now.

I'm thinking it's the numbness making me worried about size. Just larger things to be hitting other things with 😂. Also, if the implant is bigger is there more fat redistribution resulting in a funkier look? And noticable edges.

Honestly feel more stressed out about this than I did about chemo! Maybe because it's so permanent?

Thank you for taking time to respond!

SpecialK

Just wanted to say, for many of us the implant has a significantly smaller aesthetic than the tissue expander. Expanders have a hard back and are designed to push the skin/muscle forward. Implants are soft and usually won’t project out as far from the chest as the expander does. So, while the implant of the same size you’ve been expanded to will occupy the space created it likely won’t look as large.

Krose53

I went much smaller. I was a D and now a B and I love it. I feel like it makes me look younger and thinner. They don't get in the way and being active is much easier. My clothes fit better. For me, it was absolutely the right decision. Once they settled, they looked better and I think a little bigger. Although I do still have some loose skin and fat on each side under my arm. Good luck whatever size you choose!

GerberD

Good good point SpecialK about the hard back! I have read on here that the implants and up looking a bit smaller than the expanders, but it's nice sometimes to hear why.

Krose53, I felt like I'd lost weight with the smaller sizes and liked what I saw!

I started a pros and cons list, which I haven't done in decades! Definitely helping me get things a bit clearer in my mind.

Has anyone gotten fluid taken out of there expanders for this reason? Will your skin and muscle shrink back?

Oh my reconstruction is sub pec, if that matters.

purple-flower

Hi there.

what did you decide to do? I feel a bit too large in TE and now I am worried that will be too big with implants. I really want to be on the smaller side.

PF

MinusTwo

Purple - I found most plastic surgeons seem to assume women want to be bigger. Hmmm. Is it that most are men? That aside, I pushed & fought to go a bit smaller than my PS wanted. I'm very glad I did.

There is an inactive thread here about choosing smaller. Really, not everyone wants to be bigger.

I see you've already consulted Whippetmom. Her recommendations are excellent, but I chose to go even a little smaller than that. Stick with your gut.

GerberD

Hi Purple Flow, I think I've decided to stay at my current size. I've contacted the PS office and have been reassured that they will look and feel smaller after the exchange surgery. So I'll be smaller than my originals!

I've seen three plastic surgeons and they're all women! Maybe why they're so, "it's up to you". Definitely one factor is that I did a nipple sparing mastectomy which means size is dictated by that. You can't go too small or too big otherwise it changes the nipple placement and aesthetics. So you do have to be around your original.

Even though the decision is up to me I can't help asking friends and family about them! And most people say that I do look smaller. It's been three weeks since last fill and achiness is going away so maybe I'm more happy with it?

spotlessmind

My advice? Think carefully about your weight and whether you might want to gain/lose in the future.

I'm so unhappy with my implants. The only bright side -- to me -- of having a double mastectomy and reconstruction was to have small breasts! Unfortunately, my plastic surgeon really did not listen to me. His argument was that I am overweight and curvy, and that tiny breasts would look unbalanced. What he did NOT understand is that I have not always been overweight. And the D-cups he gave me will look clownishly large, like Dolly Parton, if/when I lose weight! When you lose weight naturally, your breasts will get a little smaller, too, but implants will not.

GerberD

Yes I've thought about this too! So now happy with the fills at this point. Smaller than my original, but maybe bigger than I would want with implants. Hopefully it'll all even out!

At this point just hoping for a smooth second surgery and good recovery.

Thank you all for your help and responses. I love hearing everyone's stories and opinions, we are so diverse!