Did you get implants bigger in cc's than your expanders?

danee - at what point in the process did you discuss being larger with your plastic surgeon? Do you want to be bigger than you were naturally, or bigger than you are currently expanded to? Is your current expanded size similar to the amount of breast tissue that was removed? I ask these question because for many of us, the exchange to implants actually leaves us looking smaller visually even if we have the same size implant as we were expanded to, and in many cases even if a larger implant is placed. Has your surgeon talked to you about how he/she feels this implant size will look as compared to the way you look now expanded to 350? And yes, it is very common for your plastic surgeon to bring a range of sizes into the OR to determine which looks best. The look after exchange can also depend on your anatomy, where the implants sit, and a number of other factors. The reason for this visual loss of projection, and potential smaller look, is that expanders have a hard back and are designed to push the muscle and skin, or skin only if pre-pectoral, forward with each addition of saline. When you exchange to implants they are softer and don't tend to provide as much forward projection. It is important to also note the difference between implant sizes - 15ccs of silicone is roughly equivalent to a tablespoon. A tablespoon spread throughout the entire implant is almost undetectable, so while it sounds as if the implant is larger it often does not change the look to the degree one would think.

danee - I would say that if you want to be visually at least the size you are expanded to, you may want to encourage your surgeon to go with the largest implant that will fit in the created pocket. There are some ways the surgeon can manipulate the pocket to help push the implants forward, often laterally from the side so they sit on the front of the chest rather than falling to the side. You may have seen some complain on this site about having implants that sit too wide and feel like they are too much under the arm - the lateral manipulation of the pocket helps that not happen. Your thin frame and height I would think will be a benefit in having a good result. I went larger initially than my natural size, but I went too big for my petite frame. I am a bit short-waisted and the larger size was too much. I had skin issues with healing due to poor blood supply and necrosis and this provided an opportunity to eventually go smaller, and I dropped 200ccs in size. That sounds like a lot, but I can still wear the same bras from when I was larger because of the type of implant used. I did change to Inspira implants that are roughly the same size as my removed breast tissue, which provide more forward projection than smooth rounds, and this is likely the reason the old bras still fit. My surgeon definitely worked the pocket laterally, I have no more side boob, and I look slimmer because the implant is now more centered on the front, like natural breasts in a good supportive bra. Have you had any conversation with whippetmom on the Breast Implant Sizing 101 thread? She is super knowledgeable, and can provide a more specific recommendation. Here is a link to that thread - read the header and provide the info and she can respond.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/746448?page=508#post_5551331

I was filled to a 350 and received 421 cc implants no problem. I look like I‘ve always looked, except I don’t need a bra, ever. I don’t even own one. I have a wide rib cage so I’d say I’m about a B cup, which is fine by me.

e99,

Implants “give” in a way that is similar to real beasts! They are firmer than most people’s real tissue but still fairly squishy and moveable. I never had TE’s so can’t compare but implants are not rock solid materials that can’t be moved.

e32:

My implants (Inspira SSM) are quite squishy and I can move them up and in a bit so depending on bra they do have more or less cleavage. This is even with them being sub-pectoral. They are in their pocket but they can move around in that pocket and be shaped more depending on bra, etc.

I did have the recalled Allergan gummies for several years and they were not squishy and moveable like these ones though. They were fixed in place (as part of design) and as anatomical and firm did not squish like the rounds as their shape was their shape. I never disliked the gummies but I find I definitely now that I have them prefer the rounds for feel and overall comfort. Funnily enough originally had smooth rounds, switched to anatomicals, and essentially ended up back where I started!

I never had TEs but understand they are much harder than implants - they have a firm back in order for fluid to expand out and forward instead of settle against chest wall. So they aren’t a great example of what the implants will be like