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

Just to mention the other side... I've had Allergan 410 anatomicals since 2011. My surgeon was very experienced in creating the exact space, so no problems w/rotating. No problems with rippling. They stand up & present w/no drooping. I love them.

sadly, my surgeon was the chief of plastics at a major cancer center. Maybe it was a fluke

Marie: I love my Allergan 410 anatomical implants. But I know they're not for everyone. May I suggest you click on the link below for Breast Implants 101, read the header so you'll know what specifications to list about your physique, your TEs and your implants, and post your question for Whippetmom. She is truly a guru when it comes to recommending choices.

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

I wanted the tear drop implants because that's what angelina jolie has and she says they look and feel very real and natural. My PS didn't let me pick my implants nor did I get to look at a book with her work. I thought I was going to have the choice of implants, which one I wanted, but the meeting with her was 10 minutes and I never got to look at anything or pick my implant. Did anyone else have this issue with their PS or is this normal not being able to pick the implant you want

I made my info public for you to see. My surgery is Friday so I'm not going to be able to make any decisions at this point. Everyone just tells me to trust the doctors l, they went to medical school and I didn't and they know what they're doing. I don't know...I'm nervous but my BS says she only works with the best so her patients have the best cosmetic result possible. She is very picky and only works with 3 PS.

My BS is pushing for immediate implants so long as my skin can hold the size and shape of the implant. She wants it to be a one and done surgery because of my fears and anxiety about the first surgery. No guarantees she said but if she can do immediate implants she's going to. But while we are on the subject can you tell me about tissue expanders? Do you still wake up with a breast? Do they hurt? Are they like metal clamps that hold open the place where the breast tissue used to be

Misty - disclaimer... I am not a doctor or a medical professional, and as I stated in all my emails - every body & every cancer is different. I didn't research on line much before my first surgery but I did meet with two different breast surgeons and two different plastic surgeons and a medical oncologist. I guess that's just me wanting to know everything I could ahead of time. But my main & immediate thrust when diagnosed was "get it out of me". It's a difficult time and you are in our thoughts.

Misty,

I had immediate implants. There were some conditions: 1) stay the same size or go smaller, 2) be able to have good enough skin to hold 475 cc's at once.

I hurt badly and was very tight about 3 weeks. Then I got better. I have chronic pain and didn't think I could handle expanders. One breast is great and even has full feeling. The right side, my dominant one has had 2 surgeries, and will likely have 2 more. The Alloderm stitched to my pec has ripped loose. I've had 4 surgeries this year and am too puny for one more anytime soon. It's quite uncomfortable. At the very least, you'll likely need fat grafting later

The tightness was the skin expansion from having such a large implant to start. Didn't feel like anything sitting on my chest. Much of my pain was from the mastectomy itself, but by one month the excessive tightness was gone.

In saying that, I must say that implants don't feel normal. You have a sack of silicone held to your chest with your pec muscles. My implants are very uncomfortable. The right is damaged and hurts the worst. The thin breast tissue failed to get blood supply to the entire flap and the dr. had to remove a small piece of skin under the nipple. If my dr. left it, it likely would have become necrotic and I could then lose the entire breast.

A lazier dr. doesn't meticulously check to make sure the entire flap, including nipple has a blood supply before closing. And the patient can lose everything from necrosis and infectionand then needs a Diep flap to form a breast mound.

Straight to implant has a higher risk of failure (20-25%) and almost always requires additional surgeries. From what I understand, the PS has more control of the outcome using expanders. And you aren't putting so much pressure on the flap to begin, so healing is better. I only chose it because of pain from extensive arthritis.

I interviewed 5 PS's before finding one that met my needs. Not showing me their "book of work" was an automatic fire. One shouldn't be dictating your procedure, but instead going over options. Expanders should always be a choice, as should tissue transfers. I'd get another opinion. Surgeries can be rescheduled. I changed surgeons 3 months after diagnosis when my breast surgeon lied about the success (or there lack of) of neoadjuvant treatment with Femara. I thank God every day that I ended up with a much better team

Everyone is anxious before a bi-lateral mastectomy. How is your support system? Are you receiving counseling or other help to talk through your fears? I'm not sure straight to implant is a good way to relieve anxiety and fears. It's going to take the same amount of time (2-3 years) for me to complete surgeries.

Any others with opinions about relieving anxiety by going straight to implant

Leslie...where did you get that stat about straight to implant having such a high failure rate? Also don't agree with almost always need additional surgeries statement. IMO its about the expertise of the PS. I had my straight to implant reconstruction done at a major NYC university hospital and my PS was very experienced in this type of surgery. I had absolutely no problems and no additional surgeries. I was able to avoid the TEs, the fills and the second surgery. Not saying its for everyone. Just saying if thats the reconstruction you want, then find a surgeon who is experienced and comfortable doing this type of reconstruction. Good luck to all.

my plastic surgeon is doing me the same way it's been a year 4 surgeries in 2 mo Iits been 3 mo since my last fill to 700 cc I wanted round high profile she said no she is doing the gummy.bearteardrop implants I'm afraid of them rotating when I asked how many. Cc she was going to be using she wouldn't tell me she told me she thought I was doubting her judgement no I said I just thought I had s right to know before I had my surgery I'm very upset she said I don't know why you are even in my office wasting my time we discussed this two weeks ago I said yes I told u round n u ordered teardrop so I made a 3 hr trip to talk to you again as I have no information my surgery was scheled for April 12 but I got a UTI so they canceled my surgery I think this is s sign for me to see another surgeon I'm so confused

yes cotton candy. Please get a second opinion. This doctor doesn't sound as if she is taking he time to hear your concerns. You will be living with her decision forever so please be sure you see someone else who can give you the time you need to feel comfortable going forward. What she said it you is outrageous about you wasting her time. It's a new body part why would you take this lightly? I have rounds and like them they're med. profile so very natural in the slope. I am thin so didn't want high profile so I avoided the pop off the chest look. My sister has gummy bear tear drops and she likes hers too so both work . Take your time on this" best wishe

thank you to minus 2 girl I'm just tired of these expanders for 3 n half mo ow I have a UTI so they cancelled my surgery last week now went to doc yesterday I m on antibotics for 10 more days because I have two fingers infected I'm just so up set because she won't give me any information on brand or size she's using besides the fact every picture I've showed her from first visit is round implants but yet she said no we are using teardropefand she felt like I didn't trust her and she would give me a referral after I've been with her for a yr I don't know anything about teardrop except they can rotate I'm 5ft 1 125 I just don't think I can go thru another surgery I felt they did rotate she just said they won't after 4 surgeries in two mo I'm drained physically and emotional my nerves are shotbevause i don't know what to do she said the round would cause a drop off I said i love the way my breast look in ya expanders she's just go to mad told me she didn't knows what I was doing I never he office wasting wasti g times we discussed this two weeks. Ago i just left crying i sent her a nice card saying I i was sorry I felt I made he her feel like ididnt trust her I did just wanted some answers been 2 weeks no reply from her

to minus two Thank you so much for your help I just found this site you have.been so kind and helpful you r so right I felt like she was not treating me right but wasn't for sure I am going to get a second opinion I have two fingers that are infected now so I know they won't let me do the surgery now so that's very good just one question do u have clevage with the teardrop she said n no if I get round I'll have a drop off haven'ts seen anyone with bilateral masectomy with either one of the implants round r teardrop thank you with all my heart my surgeon had no pict

CottonCandy - I have great cleveage. But so do some people I know who have "rounds". Even if you don't have the TE model info, do go ahead & post your story on Breast Implant Size 101 thread. You can post weight & height & chest measurement. You can cut & paste and just add what specs you didn't list here. Whippetmom is a marvel at determining what would suit our different frames. She also keeps a list of plastic surgeons all over the country so maybe can give you a name for a second opinion.