All About Gummies

Lilah you are so right - these implants are wider and require larger cups.  I measured at 34 DD!!

I was shocked but when I tried on my new bras they fit me like a glove and I don't even notice that I'm wearing an underwire bra!

Yey, Marie!! I agree with, Lilah... I think you look awesome! (Andddd Miss Lilah does too) = )

I still have my tissue expanders which are anatomical shaped as I was planning on the teardrop shape then found out here all about the dislikes with the gummies. When I first went to my ps he gave me only two implants to feel the difference between silicone & saline & I chose silicone. Ps said the anatomical shape final implant would be the same softness as the round one I felt. Now after reading on bco I'm having second thoughts. What bothers me is not being able to move & squish them for what works best for what I'm wearing. I was used to push up padded bras for most of my tops & dresses, but definitely think teardrop shape is sexier in a bikini & naked. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Erica

It's really your own personal choice, Tara.  I think you should discuss these questions with your PS.  Is the anatomical gummy he is planning to use the Allergan 410?  I am pretty sure these are the only anatomical shaped silicone implants but I could be wrong.  How firm the implant feels is really as much about your anatomy as the implant itself.  I felt the difference between the regular silicone and the gummy and it is not a big difference, as Erica attests.  Also, some doctors use alloderm slings to situate the implants and when they DO that changes how the implant feels as well.  There are a lot of factors that affect how it feels or moves... even regular silicone rounds can be somewhat immoveable, depending on how they are placed.  That's why your best bet is a good conversation with your PS in which you express your wishes about what is important to you. 

Tara -- I hear you! 

Wow ladies.  I've just finished all 30 pages in 3 nights.  All the information and thoughts are appreciated.  Thanks to everyone for sharing with those of us coming down the pipe.

I had BMX in February.  I have always planned on the Allergan 410s and am scheduled for exchange in September.  My worry is exactly what tnbcRuth is talking about.  I want small.  I'm 10-15 lbs overweight right now due to indulgence & lack of discipline after diagnosis & surgery and several months of missed trips to the gym.  I find exercizing with expanders a problem. 

My PS does not give answers willingly.  Does anyone know if my chances of getting my desired smaller size will increase if I go on a crash diet & loose the extra weight before exchange?

MinusTwo: Be very vocal about what you want to your PS. I carried on and on. I kept repeating the same thing, "I do NOT want to look like a stripper. Don't give me stripper boobs!". I realize this sounds ridiculous, but I know it stuck in his head. Every single appt, I said the same thing. As I was being wheeled into my exchange surgery, I said it again! I made him verify then the sizes he was bringing in. They'll bring in a few with them, so ask them what they plan on bringing in. Definitley PM whippetmom with your measurements, and how you want to look. She's great.

MinusTwo: I had sort of the same thing with my PS in the beginning. I wasn't crying, butttt I'm a control freak. And I wasn't ready to put how I'm going to look on the outside in his hands without TONS of questions. Every single appt, I came armed with a list (and I mean LIST) of questions. I think he finally got used to me and me being annoying and pushy.... and just giggled and answered all my insane questions. I didn't care what he thought, I just wanted to know what to expect and have all my brains questions answered. He loves me now, thank God! Haha. I always thank him for putting up with me. Are you on the pic forum? PM whippetmom for that and she can get you into it. It helps to look at pics (you can look me up on there) just to get a feel. I also printed out pics and brought them to my PS. It'll work out, just be vocal. You are your best advocate!

Hi, howard! I would PM Whippetmom. She's fabulous with measurements. Let her know your exact TE's you have in, and what you want to look like. I have the FX410-495 on my MX side. I'm 5'9", 148 lbs, and have a 30" ribcage. I like my size. I wear a DD or D, but I LOOK like a big B or small C.

Mantra

Your info was very helpful to me. I am getting gummies in June and I'm currently filled to 400 and the ps recommended 350FF. After looking up the info on gummies I found that there was no 350FF so I called the ps and asked questions and they told me that he brings in sizes above and below that number. That made sense until I noticed that the sizes were either a 375FF or a 290FF. So now I'm going to call the ps again today to see if I should be filled more to make sure he can fit the 375 in and not use the 290. But, to get to my question for you...I don't understand how you look like a C but need a DD bra? I see that mentioned a lot on these boards. I am also your height but weigh 125 and wore a 36B before. Do the non-gummy girls also have the same bra sizing issue? Thanks for your help!

Thanks Lilah!

Makes sense now. 

Expander size only determines the probable width your PS thinks is right for your body size, Howard, since many PS's overfill TEs (especially for gummies because they are just a little less flexible than regular silicone when it comes to squishing them into a hole -- the cavity made by your TE).  So for example I had a TE that was, I think 15 cms wide and had a "capacity" of 600 ccs but, in fact, I was filled to 850 ccs and my final implant is 685 cc's.

If you are curious, you can go to the Allergan website and look at info about all their products including a list of 410 gummies by size (450ccs, 550 ccs, etc) and style (MF, FF, FX, etc).  I was just throwing out the CCs for an example.  There is a PDF of the Allergan catalogue and you can look at the chart that lists sizes by width.  So, for example, if the width of your TE is 14 cm... you can see what 410s have that width and then, within that, what sizes are available (in terms of CCs and height).  I did that when I was in TEs and it helped me to communicate with my PS what I wanted.

Hi guys--

Loving my 410 that I had implanted in Feb, 2011. I am preparing for the next phase of recon and there is a slight split between the PS who implanted the study 410, and my hometown PS who is handling the remaining recon procedures.  

The study PS normally just tattoos a nipple, leaves nothing or does a graft from the other nipple to the implant side (though I think in my case the reduction at the time of the exchange in the right side may not have left enough nipple).

My hometown PS isn't completely satisfied with the outcome of just a tattooed, 3d nipple, so he is going to take the existing skin and fold it into a triangle shape (phase 1 nipple recon) and in 3 months tatoo an aereola and remaining nipple.  There is obviously increased risk of infection regardless, b/c my skin was radiated--but right now the skin looks to be in great shape. 

What have the women on this thread had for nipple recon with a 410? Anyone had the 2-phase nipple recon I just described and did it go well? Thanks! 

Gemini -- for you the issue is more to do with radiated skin than with the gummy.  I haven't had a nipple yet (just took a break from doctors and didn't care to rush into it)... but plan to do either a CV flap as Mantra describes OR a skin graft (from my thigh).  My preference is the flap because it is less invasive. 

But for you the issue is the radiated skin.  So far so good with the implant and SO glad you are happy with it and that you are not having issues from the radiated skin!  I would suggest you send a PM to someone here on BCO named Estepp... you can tell her I suggested you contact her.  Laura (Estepp) had radiation, implant reconstruction with regular silicone, and 3-D nipples... because of concerns about infection.  Any time you cut into radiated skin you risk complications that non-radiated skin does not risk (though even cutting non-radiated skin is always a risk).  You might also get the opinion of Whippetmom as well... who has done a lot of research about implants and reconstruction.

For what it's worth, that 2-phase nipple construction (which is usually some form of CV flap followed by a tattoo) is the most common one for women with implants (of any kind).

LOL Mantra on hiding your earlobes in your bra!  I have never heard of that!  As for the shrinkage... I understand most nipples constructed like yours do significantly shrink over time...

Great advice and insight as always. Lilah, I'll try to reach Estepp.  My PS is very confident w/the flap method (is doing it in the OR) and isn't as satisfied with "just" the 3D tattoo. But I know there's a risk. Sigh.  Thanks again!