BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

Duh! (Read #6.) SORRY!

Thanks for the assistance!

Kma - If you'll read the header thoroughly and post your statistics, Whippetmom will be able to address your questions. From what I've seen, most women to not go direct to implant. They have TE's first. Although I believe there are threads that discuss direct so you can search. TE's are not fun, but the results is the thing, right? And Whippetmom is our guru.

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to ask but I'm wondering how long the gummy implants last?

My PS has retired and I have not followed up with the new one.

I've had my gummy in for 7 years. I think it looks and feels ok still but I'm not sure what to look for in case it fails.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

Marie

Marie - I had BC reconstruction with Allergan anatomical "gummy" implants in 2011. At the time, they were still experimental. Now they are mainstream. The 'use by date' is 10 years, but I have been told that I may not need replacement for considerably more years.

J Ontario - do you also have silicone implants? Are they under the pectoral muscle? I too have one side that is higher & tighter due to rads. My PS volunteered at my last appointment that he could fix that. I'm not sure I want more surgery.

Hello whippetmom! I am currently going through the expansion process, nearing the end (I think). I am 5ft, 125lbs, ribcage measurement is 30 inches. I used to wear a size 34B bra usually, and my measurement around the bust used to be 36in. I would like to be (or look like) a C after exchange. I have Allergan 133MV-13 400cc (width 13cm, height 12cm, 5.6cm projection) Natrelle TE's in now, and am expanded to 480cc at this time, under the muscle. I had my BMX in Nov 2016. I'd love to know what type of implant you suggest, and how much more expansion you think I'd need to do. My PS said she could go up to 600cc in these TE's. Thank you so much in advance!

Thank you very much, Whippetmom.

I had another fill and now I'm expanded on 290 cc. Love how 290 cc in expander look on me.

So expanders ptoject more and make breast mound look larger then same volume silicone implants (breast mound look larger with expander filled to let's say 290 cc, then with 290 cc silicone umplant)..I was woundering is there any rule/ratio on how much more cc's of silicone an silicone implant needs to contain compering to amount of saline in TE to get same size (projection) after exchange? 50 cc more? 100 cc?

Thank you so much...and sorry if my posts are confusing...I just want to get this right and want to be shure I understand everything before I make dessidions.

Hello Whippetmom,

• I edited this post after seeing my ps on 2/21/17. Apparantly, they discovered a very slight risk of Lymphoma with the textured anatomicals they had planned for my exchange, and have moved away from using those in their practice as a result. The new plan is to use a smooth, round cohesive gel most likely 475cc, not sure of the brand, I think it was Allergan. I had my BMX 1/27/17. I am 5'7 1/2" and 146 lb, with medium bone structure. I was a full 36D to 36DD pre surgury. In 1993 I had a breast reduction and lift "Mommy Makeover" after nursing 3 babies left me deflated on upper poles. Unfortunately, I had a 50 lb weight gain due to taking Lyrica for nerve pain and my breasts which had been reduced to a perky B cup "grew back" to double Ds, I have lost the weight, but my boobs remained, and I decided I am happy with the fuller breasts. My ribcage measures 32.5 under my TEs. The TE info below is copied and pasted from an email my ps sent me. I am currently filled to 350 ccs. Plan to overfill my Mentor CPX -4 -450 cc expanders to 500cc. They are shooting for exchange surgery sometime in April.

As I am reading other women's posts and your recommendations though, I am concerned what he is proposing will be too small? I had a lot of projection with my natural breasts and I think it looked good on me. I have very broad shoulders, I am often asked if I am a swimmer because of the broad shoulders. It is my understanding that the expanders have more than the projection than the implants. If I am not satisfied with the size these expanders get me to, will they have to remove them and put in larger ones? Also, I am noticing stretch marks developing on the lower poles. I did get bad stretch marks with my pregnancies (I have very dry skin). I showed the PA and asked if we should slow down to give my skin more time to gradulally stretch. She said it is totally my call, but that is typically where they will see stretch marks on reconstruction patients and slowing down may or may not make a difference. I appreciate your recommendation and hope to discuss with ps in the next few weeks.

Right total mastectomy: 514 G

Left total Mastectomy: 527G

Mentor CPX-4- 450cc Expanders Moderate profile

Right TE:(200cc intra op 1/27/17) + 50cc 2/7/17 + 50cc 2/14/17 + 50cc 2/21/17 = 350cc TOTAL

Left TE: (150cc intra op 1/27/17) + 50cc 2/7/17 + 100cc 2/14/17 + 50cc 2/21/17 = 350cc TOTAL

Edited to add my TEs are pre pectoral, above the muscle if that makes a difference!

Thanks, Whippetmom. Now I am concerned. PA told me they will over fill to 500cc and then put in a 475cc, said they have to put a smaller implant in than the expander was. But looking at the charts you provided, I don't even see a 475, so I wonder if Allergan makes one, and if the dimensions are different than the Mentor? Was the Mentor chart you provided for the ultra high profile? I still wonder if I need bigger expanders to get to the size I was pre-surgery.

Peace - it's about matching the implant style to your body type, weight, measurements, etc. After mastectomy we have no breasts tissue left, so projection is an issue, unlike with augmentation. And do consider that the TEs may have more projection than the actual implants. Whippetmom knows her stuff.