All About Gummies

I have a Sientra implant that replaced a round gel. The round gel was softer but created more rippling and since I was matching a natural breast, definitely not natural looking in comparison. My PS said the Sientra wasn't as firm as the Allergan 410 gummies, but needed to firmer than the round gels to hold the anatomical shape. I can say that so far, the Sientra has been firm enough to hold it's shape eventhough it's softer than the 410's. Just my experience. I found a website that discusses the differences between the various anatomical implants that I think is VERY informative. It has pictoral comparisons and everything. 

http://www.cohesiveimplants.com/types/allergan410/

mamatwinz- I'm not on the pic forum...yet. Need to take pics and figure out uploading and all that. I have the Sientra Oval base 330cc. You're already beyond what I had in cc's in TE fills and I was a UMX. Not sure if I had pics up they'd be all that helpful to you. A lot depends on your body size and shape.

For me, the TE was similar to my original implant, but as the muscle relaxed and the implant softened and dropped, I feel I lost projection. The new implant has kept the projection I had post surgery and that part is more similar to the TE. The TE was put in in anticipation of my original round implant - so not one of the Sientra ones. It had an odder shape than the round implant and more upper pole fullness, like that implant. That didn't match my other side well so I was happy to lose much of that with the Sientra. 

I was professionally fitted after my last surgery and my bra size is 36C. The implant side is what I would consider a perfect medium C, and a lot of that is because of how it is shaped and projection on me. The natural side is more of a really full B, or small to mid C, depending on the bra. The lack of upper pole fullness compared to the implant sometimes doesn't work as well for certain bra brands. Oh well. I'm 5'8" and 150 (working on that ) for comparison. Right now, it's not enough of a difference to warrant surgery for me - you can't tell in clothes at all. Naked you can tell because there is a difference in "how it hangs" so to speak but it's not drastic. My PS and I decided 2 weeks ago that if I lose the 10-15 lbs I'm trying to by October, I'd definitely consider a small augmentation on the natural side to get that upper pole fullness and mostly because I'd probably be losing breast tissue with weight loss.

Mamatwinz- You really can't go by my end bra size. We are so much different in body size. I've got over 30 lbs and 6" on you. My ribcage around the bottom of my bra is 33.5". I gotta assume that you're smaller than me there. The same size implant on me will look radically different on you. I'm a medium C and had nipple sparing so that does help fill out the bra. But bigger framed people like me can wear a larger cup size and really not look huge. I think I LOOK like more of a B. I was shocked at my fitting to find I was a C. My old round gel implant was a little bigger at 339cc but didn't have the same projection- looked flatter on me. It was more of a B.

I would go to Bra Sizing 101 thread and ask whippetmom. She may not have a lot to say about the anatomical implants but still could be helpful. She knows way more than I do. But she does say not to get too hung up on cup size. Implants are different from natural tissue. I have a feeling that at your smaller size, the bigger 425cc Sientra will probably be a C in cup size but whether it looks like a full C, I couldn't say. I think it will definitely look like a bigger implant on you than mine does on me. The projection is more than a centimeter more than what I have and my implant side fills out a C cup. And the slope of the implant is definitely not make me look like I'm in a push up bra all the time. Be prepared, though. It's definitely not going to look like the old you. I'll PM you if I get a pic taken.

Hello fellow gummy girls!

I have rippling issues - anyone else?

I had some rippling right after everything healed up (2 years now) but it only got worse and now I'm finally getting up the courage to do something about it.

I've got a fat grafting surgery scheduled for May 16.  PS says he will take 500cc out of my abdomen, spin it and inject into my reconstructed breast.  He claims it will fill in my divots and help with the rippling.

Anyone else have this done?  If so, were you happy with the results?

Would love to hear how others corrected the rippling.

Thanks so much!

Marie

I've had the same procedure three times.  The first two times it didn't work.  I just had the third procedure 10 days ago and the bandages will be removed tomorrow.  I think it worked this time but I'll know more tomorrow.  She injected it in a different area this time.  I can't remember the details but I think she said she injected in the muscle or maybe it was the layer above the muscle. Can't remember.  It's day surgery and I was completely fine afterwards.

Hi All...:) Does insurance normally pay for fat grafting & revisions?

Thanks!

Marie -- I am sure they get the fat from anywhere they can!  Belly... thighs?  This would be a good question to ask your doctor. 

Do you require annual followup with gummies.  I was just told that I'm finished and no follow up is required.  I didn't realize that implants require no follow up.  Anyone else not having any type of follow up? Makes me a bit nervous. 

I've had annual follow ups the past few years (maybe a few more the first few months after they were put it).  I thought it was advised to get an MRI periodically for all implants to make sure there is no leakage?  Neither your breast surgeon NOR your PS want to see you to follow up?  My BS and my PS still see me once a year (and my exchange was in May 2010).

Up until now, I have seen my PS and my BS.  So I guess my breast surgeon will now be responsible to make sure everything is okay with them?? Seems odd but I do see her in June so I will tell her that I no longer see the PS and see if she's prepared to be responsible for the follow up.  They are in the same hospital so if she says no, perhaps she'd contact the PS and ask her how she wants the follow up handled.  I did find it odd that I was dismissed with no knowledge of what to look for, possible issues etc..  WEIRD!!

Hi all, i am new to this thread since I am now faced with this big decision - which choice for my exchange surgery on May 23? Suddenly it is all I can think about! How does one get to the picture forum?

Thanks so much for sharing all of your important advice!

Hi,

I have always been on the TNBC site, but thought the ladies here could give me some help.  I had my implants 2 yrs ago..I told him B's and came out with D's.  Finally found time in my schedule for trade out to 400 teardrop gummies.  After a week, I had the drains removed.  (Looking back) the right one had just started to swell (I thought it was turning into a real boob and was happy!)  36 hrs later I have a full fledged infection.  Changed antibiotics, had IV Vanco and another anti at the office, with another dose tomorrow.  Just your opinion on your experience...what do you think the chances are that I"ll have to have it removed?  He told me to plan on it and then changed his mind before he saw me this am.    Would love to hear back from anyone:)  Thank you!!

Ruth - it took a minute but I think I got it...Tripple Negative BC??

I haven't had any problem w/my original 410 gummies, except as you shared, mine are also bigger than I wanted.  I'd like to have them exchanged for smaller down the road.  Sorry I can't give you any help with the possible removal due to infection.

Hey Lilah!  and our two other gummie sisters!  Yes, Triple negative...just another variation of C.

I felt awful but didn't relate it to the implants since it had been over a week.  It was just like the flu without the cold.  My joints ached, chills, fever, red and swollen, just like they say.  After 3 antibiotics, yes I do feel much better (as long as the fever stays down).  He changed his mind before he saw me, so he must have had the iv option in the back of his mind but wanted to prepare me for the worst.  So I guess today will be the telling point...I think both of us are just doing the 'wait and see'.   Just remembered he took some fluid out with a big ugly needle, but it didn't hurt, HAHA, because all that skin is numb!!!!!  Maybe the lab will shed some light...  Thanks ladies for being there for me