New Gummy Bear Tear Drop Silicone Impants - anyone have them?

My PS predicted I would need drains after exchange, but it turned out I didn't.  I found it interesting having drains hanging from me, like I was bionic or something.  I'll confess something kooky - I really enjoyed it when they were removed, it felt so good getting them pulled out!  Like really scratching an itch or having a really good sneeze.  LOL! 

Trina - Have you checked out the "Breast Implant Sizing 101" thread?  It's a great thread for helping to know what questions to ask your PS about upcoming implant surgery.  There is loads of info at the top of the thread.  If you specifically ask Whippetmom (creator of the thread and implant guru) a question she will need certain info about your tissue expanders, etc.  Again, all in the header of the thread.  You'll find a real cross-section of women there with different types of implants.

I just got gummy bears a week ago.  I had reconstruction with saline implants 13 years ago, and recently developed a slow leak.  After being used to saline, I am thrilled with my gummies.  

I had lots of rippling before, and they sat way too high on my chest.  

I hope that as gummies settle, I will see much more natural slope than the saline "mound" offered.  

I also went bigger this time.  I had 460 cc, and now I have gone to 595 cc.  I am 5'4" and 128 pounds.  At one week out, they look pretty big!  I understand that they will change over a period of months. 

I don't understand what people mean by the gummies being cool to the touch.  I don't think mine feel any different. 

Yes, they are quite firm, but my saline ones were too, so I am used to it. 

I hope to post pictures soon. 

I definitely recommend them. 

kbella - You're not alone.  I'm a bit baffled by it all myself.  From reading on these boards it seems fat grafting is so commonplace yet that hasn't been my personal experience.  My PS and BS are both very experienced and respected surgeons.  When I inquired about fat grafting to deal with ripples my PS told me he uses it frequently to deal with divots, etc, but he won't use fat grafting for ripples (so, only against it for certain uses).  My BS told me that she always votes "no" if her patients ask her opinion about fat grafting because she ends up chasing more lumps around from the fat necrosis that often results.  I've already had multiple MRIs and ultrasounds since reconstruction due to several lumps that had to be monitored so she voted a definite NO for fat grafting in my case.  When I discussed fat grafting with the radiologist during one of my many imaging sessions she said that imaging techniques have improved and radiologists are now more familiar with fat grafting, especially at centers dedicated to breast imaging, so they are "getting better" at distinguishing fat necrosis from breast tumors.

My take from all of this (in my own case) was that fat grafting might result in more lumps that would require imaging and follow ups.  The possible upside would be that since imaging techniques have improved every lump wouldn't necessarily have to be biopsied.  But......I might be always looking forward to that next ultrasound or MRI to follow up on something.  Again, this is my own story.  Seems like there are many, many women out there who have had successful and uneventful fat grafting. 

Mamatwinz I also am having new implants with fat grafting  done on Friday. How do you like it? How sore was the donor site? Why wouldn't insurance cover it?

Kat

Do any of you who are slender and who have had fat grafting to soften edges, etc. have photos on the picture forum?

mamatwinz, I'm really surprised to hear that bcbs considers it investigational.  I don't have bcbs and luckily I've had no pushback from my insurer on anything thus far.  Sorry you had so much pain!  That's good to know.  My PS downplayed the recovery but emphasized the necrosis issue, which raised my concern.  I circled back to my BS who said that she used to have the same reservations but has had many patients who've had the procedure and so far not one has shown up with fat necrosis (at least secondary to grafting), so she gave me the green light.  She thinks my PS is pretty conservative with it too so maybe smaller amounts mitigate some of that risk.  Continuing the crowd-sourcing, I polled some other surgeon friends of mine and they were evenly split on the issue.  So for now I think I'm going to hold off and see how my tissues settle after a bit more time (and give myself a little mental break), though at the moment I certainly have enough fat to donate, thanks to my decidedly non-grueling post-Mx exercise regimen.  ;-)

TinaT my ripples are part and parcel of my volume deficiency so not sure he would use it simply for rippling. That said, my docs are highly regarded fellowship-trained surgeons from top programs, and I'm being treated at a teaching institution, so it's funny how much the opinions can differ, even within the same practice group (I got 3 different opinions on what to do with my intial LCIS Dx).  Kinda makes these decisions all the more difficult. 

Can someone tell me how to post/view photos? 

Ive had a massage just a few weeks after my BMX while I had my TES in, she just had me put a rolled up towel under my stomach to remove pressure on breast area

I've been dreaming of the day I can get a massage too.  I asked at my salon and they said they can position you to take the pressure off or use a special table (as they would in a pregnancy massage), so maybe it would be ok.  Brings back memories of that auto shop biopsy table - looks like you're getting a massage, but you're not getting any massage!  ;-)

Mamatwinz, the horror!!! They hit a gusher on my last one. Blood everywhere. I got vagal and fainted. LOL!  Tragedy + time = comedy.  Sometimes even without the time:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/476/what-doesnt-kill-you?act=1

Meg, I wonder if it's because the gummy bears are not that soft?

Hi All,

I too love my massages and didn't want to give up lying on my tummy after breast reconstruction surgery.  I have had a Mentor gummy bear for about 4 months now and they it is so much better than the old round silicone one I had originally.  I am a UMX so matching the natural breast was a real challenge, but I am finally there!  The Mentors are a little softer than the Allergen and my breast feels fairly soft and is not cool to the touch.

Anyway, I searched and searched the internet for breast pillows that could be used for massage.  I finally came across a You Tube video that shows how you can make your own!  I watched the video, went to a foam and fabric store and purchased foam to make my own.  The lady at the store was so nice that she even cut the holes for me.  Basically, you buy a 3" (I'm a "C" cup now) block of foam, cut two round holes and a area for your chin and you're done!  Go onto You Tube and search for "Create your own breast support pillow" and the video will show up.  You can also purchase one from Descansa it is called the Descansa Breast Support Pillow and you can either buy it online from them or through Amazon.  

It really works!  I had PT last week for my weakened back muscles from not being able to use my upper body ever since he TE's were put in place in April and had to lay on my stomach with 2 regular pillows under my abdomen and it hurt!  But, my massage therapist can keep me on my tummy for 30 minutes or more using my home made pillow and I feel great!  I did modify mine a bit so that it sloped downward from the chest toward the table - just used my electric knife  So, if you choose to make one, experiment with it and with different densities of foam till you find one that is "just right".  I now have 2 and will take one with me to my next PT session!

I'd paste links to the pages, but I don't think they allow that on this site.  Send me a message if you can't find the info or video.

Connie

My PS chose the natrelle anatomical 410 FF and i am not happy with how they look, very flat at top of chest then straight down.  seems all the size is on the bottom in my armpits.  I have no curve,no cleavage,no femine feel at all.  Ive also heard these are so firm a bra is not going to improve the look under clothes.  Prior to this i had such lovely large breasts, these are a let down for sure.

Green cowgirl,
My PS chose the sientra textured shaped round base for me and I am not liking them at all! They are softer then my te's but still much harder then I would like and the largest they made in that style was a 425 which barely gave me a b cup with a aaa's cleavage and the worst part is they don't move at all! If I put a push bra on they don't go up or together they stay right where they are so don't look bigger just lower and saggy when I put clothes on I'm super upset with them but I don't think my insurance will pay for me to change them and I don't have the money to do it myself.

sweetbean,

I have Sientra smooth rounds...and I'm prob. a B cup/ wear C bras and I have cleavage...are yours too far apart?

V