Question
Hi TC, Miki, and everyone. As many of you know I am preparing for a redo, which will be coming up Nov. 15th. My reason started out to be a concern about assymetry, but I am finding out that I am really REALLY wanting to go smaller and that has become even more important to me as I've recovered from the original ba 6 mos. ago. I do have salines, and my experience with them has been extremely positive...they feel totally natural, they move naturally, and I honestly can't tell where my own tissue ends and the implants begin. As I contemplate how to best proceed with the redo, I was planning to stick with salines for the new implants, but to go smaller, and think about a different style. I currently have round mods 475's filled to 525 on each side and was contemplating a switch to mod's plus. There was a lift at the time of the original ba 6 mos. ago, and that also may be adjusted in the redo process. My main question is for TC...Miki mentioned in another post that you, Tc, had switched to silicone for your redo and that the issue of side boobage was handled better because of that. My question is that I thought issues of needing side boobage reduced (as well as me wanting to go smaller with more upper fullness) would be mainly handled by a switch in implant size and style...I wasn't aware that the silicones vs salines would make that much difference re the issue of reducing side boobage. I am so anxious, as all of you have been who have had to contemplate redos, just to get it 'right' this time, and to be thrilled with my efforts and to move on into the other areas of my life. Along with getting back to my goal wt. (I have 10 pounds to go) and having the surgery taken care of, I just have this sense that I am weary of all these body image issues and that I really need to move on and concentrate more on other areas of my life. This is a very tough time for me right now, and the finances are a touchy issue, so I really really want to make good decisions here. Thanks so very much everyone, for all your guidance and support. Maajida


Answer
Hi Maajida:
I am happy to answer your questions as they pertain to me. I cannot tell you what is best for you, only you can do that.
Keep in mind that I had little pre-existing breast tissue and pretty strong pecs. I had distortion with my unders and changed to silicone overs for that reason alone. I find the silicone overs to move more naturally. Not sure how they would move if unders. The silicone does feel more natural, I cannot feel the baggy-like feel I had with the bottom edge of my salines.
For me, I would not want saline after having silicone. I prefer the feel over saline. If you have enough tissue to cover the saline, you may not notice a difference.
I would not let $1000 make your final decision. After all you've gone through and accomplished, this seems a small amount to pay for your end happiness. Put off your surgery a bit longer to save the money if you think that silicone is what you want.
Hugs,
TerriModerator, BA Boards
http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=1669&password=breasts
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." Harry S Truman


Answer
Hi Maajida:
I am happy to answer your questions as they pertain to me. I cannot tell you what is best for you, only you can do that.
Keep in mind that I had little pre-existing breast tissue and pretty strong pecs. I had distortion with my unders and changed to silicone overs for that reason alone. I find the silicone overs to move more naturally. Not sure how they would move if unders. The silicone does feel more natural, I cannot feel the baggy-like feel I had with the bottom edge of my salines.
For me, I would not want saline after having silicone. I prefer the feel over saline. If you have enough tissue to cover the saline, you may not notice a difference.
I would not let $1000 make your final decision. After all you've gone through and accomplished, this seems a small amount to pay for your end happiness. Put off your surgery a bit longer to save the money if you think that silicone is what you want. *** Thanks Terri, for your wise advice. Even knowing that the decisions are mine to make, I am still very grateful for your input and sharing of experience. In my case, I have alot of tissue to cover, and I have no baggy like feel with salines. My questions concerned specifically the issue of reducing side boobage, and going smaller.....other than the issue of what feels more natural, is there something about silicones that would give a better outcome re going smaller with less side boobage?? Or are these specific concerns more an issue of implant style and size? Thanks again, Maajida
Hugs,
Terri


Answer
*** Thanks Terri, for your wise advice. Even knowing that the decisions are mine to make, I am still very grateful for your input and sharing of experience. In my case, I have alot of tissue to cover, and I have no baggy like feel with salines. My questions concerned specifically the issue of reducing side boobage, and going smaller.....other than the issue of what feels more natural, is there something about silicones that would give a better outcome re going smaller with less side boobage?? Or are these specific concerns more an issue of implant style and size? Thanks again, Maajida
I am sorry I forgot to address the issue of side boobage. I believed that with overs they required less ccs to get the same size, so I went a tiny bit smaller 25 & 35ccs (325&350). It should have made me bigger, but didn't. If anything I am a tiny bit smaller or the same. I wish I had gone with 350 & 375 as a minimum to get better cleavage. The silicone implants I have are actually 1 cm less projection and .6 and .9cm wider than my salines. However, I do not feel them brush against the sides of my arms like my salines. I went the opposite route of you in that I wanted to be wider but less projected. I think the main difference is the feel of the silicone is softer and that is why it is less noticeable combined with the fact that the silicones conform to my body better, and are not as round looking. More natural is my opinion, although I think my salines looked natural, too. These feel much better and hang nicer (the hanging may be due to overs, though).
If you want less side boobage, you will need a narrower implant. Not necessarily less cc's. This will also give you more projection and upper fullness. This can be accomplished with saline or silicone.
Have you considered the lumera textured anatomicals? Since you have a lot of tissue and want upper fullness with less side boobage, these may be a better choice for you.Moderator, BA Boards
http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=1669&password=breasts
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." Harry S Truman


Answer
*** Thanks Terri, for your wise advice. Even knowing that the decisions are mine to make, I am still very grateful for your input and sharing of experience. In my case, I have alot of tissue to cover, and I have no baggy like feel with salines. My questions concerned specifically the issue of reducing side boobage, and going smaller.....other than the issue of what feels more natural, is there something about silicones that would give a better outcome re going smaller with less side boobage?? Or are these specific concerns more an issue of implant style and size? Thanks again, Maajida
I am sorry I forgot to address the issue of side boobage. I believed that with overs they required less ccs to get the same size, so I went a tiny bit smaller 25 & 35ccs (325&350). It should have made me bigger, but didn't. If anything I am a tiny bit smaller or the same. I wish I had gone with 350 & 375 as a minimum to get better cleavage. The silicone implants I have are actually 1 cm less projection and .6 and .9cm wider than my salines. However, I do not feel them brush against the sides of my arms like my salines. I went the opposite route of you in that I wanted to be wider but less projected. I think the main difference is the feel of the silicone is softer and that is why it is less noticeable combined with the fact that the silicones conform to my body better, and are not as round looking. More natural is my opinion, although I think my salines looked natural, too. These feel much better and hang nicer (the hanging may be due to overs, though).
If you want less side boobage, you will need a narrower implant. Not necessarily less cc's. This will also give you more projection and upper fullness. This can be accomplished with saline or silicone.
Have you considered the lumera textured anatomicals? Since you have a lot of tissue and want upper fullness with less side boobage, these may be a better choice for you. ** Thanks again for this ongoing dialogue. I understand now that the silicones could affect how they hang and the softness and feel of side boobage. How would lumera tedtured anatomicals be a better choice than, say, moderate plus? Thanks for the reminder about side boobage also being a matter of width of implant as well as size. I so appreciate the time you've spent communicating with me here. Maaj


Answer
The Lumera's come in a range of widths, projections, and heights. You should be able to accomplish more upper pole fullness without going too wide AND without having too many cc's/big cup size. There are just more factors to play with to get your desired outcome. These implants are not a good option for girls like me without enough tissue to cover the textured surface that tends to ripple more than a smooth surface.
Have you talked to your PS regarding this style of implant? There are a few on the boards with anatomical implants. I know rosefidd is one and had a good amount of tissue to work with and seems to love them.
Hugs,
TerriModerator, BA Boards
http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=1669&password=breasts
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." Harry S Truman


Answer
Hi Maaj,
as you know, I have the mod plus's ( after my redo 2 months ago). They definitely made my side-boobage problem go away. The Dr. also slightly reduced my cc's by 50ccs. I have silicone and love them. They feel and look great. I also had had a lift with my first b/a and the Dr. did a little tweeking to that when I did the redo with the mod plus'.
I am happy... although, my left is fuller than my right and when I see the Dr. again at the 3 month mark, about 3 weeks from now, he said we'll address whether to go in and switch the right implant ( because I like the left better!) for a slightly larger implant. I can tell that I'm going to want to do that though since I want this perfect with what I've spent on the first and redo. I'm hoping to do the implant switch in mid November if he can get me in..... we may both be doing some recovering together! Let us know what you do.


Answer
Hi Maaj,
as you know, I have the mod plus's ( after my redo 2 months ago). They definitely made my side-boobage problem go away. The Dr. also slightly reduced my cc's by 50ccs. I have silicone and love them. They feel and look great. I also had had a lift with my first b/a and the Dr. did a little tweeking to that when I did the redo with the mod plus'.
I am happy... although, my left is fuller than my right and when I see the Dr. again at the 3 month mark, about 3 weeks from now, he said we'll address whether to go in and switch the right implant ( because I like the left better!) for a slightly larger implant. I can tell that I'm going to want to do that though since I want this perfect with what I've spent on the first and redo. I'm hoping to do the implant switch in mid November if he can get me in..... we may both be doing some recovering together! Let us know what you do. Hi again, TC and Hi seegeeme, thanks you guys for continuing to help me explore my options. No, Tc, haven't asked yet about the Lumera....I would be worried about rippling, but I'll ask if PS thinks I have enough tissue. Seegeeme, thanks for your input too....was also going to be ahttp://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=1669&password=breasts
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." Harry S Truman


Answer
Maajida - I was laying in bed last night and doing my massage. It came to me that with my silicones, they feel less "there" than the salines. Even though I know I look large in clothing, I swear they feel they are half the size. Maybe that is why I don't feel side boobage. The silicones give so much more than my salines did. It could be that was because the salines were under my muscle, but I still think some of it is the silicone.
Even though I FEEL smaller, I can't imagine 500ccs (14.1) on me. That is what it would take to match my BWD with mod plus. I am betting I would be a 32F/G?
Keep in mind Mentor moderate plus is like Inamed moderates. I am not sure which mfr you are going to use. Know how much your existing implant projects before selecting a new implant.
I am not certain of your BWD, so I am listing my options:
Mentor mod saline 350cc 13.3 x 3.0 (old implants too narrow)
Mentor mod saline 425cc 14.2 x 4.1
Mentor mod+ saline 550cc 14.0 x 5.3
Mentor mod silicone 350cc 14.2 x 3.1 (current implants)
Mentor mod+ silicone 500cc 14.1 x 4.3 ** TC, thanks so much for continuing to stay in touch with me about all this. My bwd is wide at 16" and the other measurement, forget what it's called, is 33". My concern certainly would be to fill out and look proportionate without the side boobage issues and i just so want to be smaller....i have really come to understand what a priority that is for me. re the Mod Plus's or any implant style for that matter, it is confusing to figure out how to get the size I want going smaller, and yet have it wide enough to be proportionate so i don't look like there are round balls on my chest, and yet not so wide that there is side boobage. Yikes, i am starting to panic and get confused. Glad I have a little time to try to sort it all out. Love again, Maajida


Answer
If you want to be smaller, I would suggest a moderate profile in a lower projection. But you want upper fullness? Going moderate plus is going to make you a larger cup size possibly if you are still matching your BWD. More CCs with mod plus to match your BWD than with moderate. More CCs usually equal larger cup size.
I really notice with my silicones that I DO NOT have the roundness I had with salines. The silicones conform to my own anatomy better in some way. I feel and look smaller with my silicones even though I know I am not by the way my old bras fit.
Your ribcage is 33 and your BWD is 16. What are your current implants? Mfr, style, and cc, please.
Note how the mod+ have more ccs than the same width moderates. The additonal ccs are in the projection.
If your priority is to be smaller overall, I'd go with moderate profiles, not moderate plus. Normally you go up to a moderate plus or high profile because the moderates will not get you as large as you'd like, normally in ladies with a small ribcage.
Based upon a BWD of 16, these are the implants that fit you (I did not list Lumeras):
Mentor Mod saline 350-1685 525cc 15.0 x 4.2
Mentor Mod+ saline 350-2650 650cc 14.8x. 5.6
Mentor Mod+ saline 350-2700 700cc 15.2 x 5.8
Mentor Mod silicone 350-7450BC 450cc 14.9 x 3.4
Mentor Mod silicone 350-7500BC 500cc 15.2 x 3.6
Mentor Mod+ silicone 350-6001BC 600cc 15.0 x 4.6
Mentor Mod+ silicone 350-5501BC 550cc 14.6 x 4.5Moderator, BA Boards
http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=1669&password=breasts
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." Harry S Truman


Answer
If you want to be smaller, I would suggest a moderate profile in a lower projection. But you want upper fullness? Going moderate plus is going to make you a larger cup size possibly if you are still matching your BWD. More CCs with mod plus to match your BWD than with moderate. More CCs usually equal larger cup size.
I really notice with my silicones that I DO NOT have the roundness I had with salines. The silicones conform to my own anatomy better in some way. I feel and look smaller with my silicones even though I know I am not by the way my old bras fit.
Your ribcage is 33 and your BWD is 16. What are your current implants? Mfr, style, and cc, please.
Note how the mod+ have more ccs than the same width moderates. The additonal ccs are in the projection.
If your priority is to be smaller overall, I'd go with moderate profiles, not moderate plus. Normally you go up to a moderate plus or high profile because the moderates will not get you as large as you'd like, normally in ladies with a small ribcage.
Based upon a BWD of 16, these are the implants that fit you (I did not list Lumeras):
Mentor Mod saline 350-1685 525cc 15.0 x 4.2
Mentor Mod+ saline 350-2650 650cc 14.8x. 5.6
Mentor Mod+ saline 350-2700 700cc 15.2 x 5.8
Mentor Mod silicone 350-7450BC 450cc 14.9 x 3.4
Mentor Mod silicone 350-7500BC 500cc 15.2 x 3.6
Mentor Mod+ silicone 350-6001BC 600cc 15.0 x 4.6
Mentor Mod+ silicone 350-5501BC 550cc 14.6 x 4.5 *** Oh TC, I am so relieved to have someone with your patience with me, helping me to try to understand and sort it all out. I was so disoriented that I even forgot that the 33" was for my ribcage measurement. Whew! I really appreciate all your info. Right now I have Mentor round moderates 475's filled to 525 on each side. I definitely do NOT want more projection...I want less projection, way less side boobage, more upper fullness, and to go SMALLER overall. Currently i am probably a full D, when I want to be a modest C cup. Pre augmentation surgery I was wearing 36C but did not totally fill out the cups. Hope this info will help you and again I cannot tell you how very grateful I am for your help in sorting through all this info. I am very concerned about not having to get too many cc's just for the sake of matching my bwd. How do I get around that and still look proportionate???????? Eeeeek! Trying not to panic, Maajida


Answer
Hi Maajida,
Sorry to hear you're redoing. I just thought I'd add my .02...it will be difficult to get less projection but MORE upper pole fullness, as they usually go hand in hand. High profiles are going to give great upper fullness (I have plenty) but they will project more, plus it will take a large implant to fit your BWD at 16cm. You may have to compromise and decide what you can and absolutely CAN'T live with, i.e. side boobs, too much projection, etc.
If you want smaller, a moderate implant will allow you to downsize in cc's, but you won't have the upper fullness/projection of a mod+ or HP. If you want less side boobs and more upper fullness, a mod+ or HP will be good for that, but both of those styles means an increase in cc's, and therefore, an increase in size. I agree 100% with TC that silicone is a good choice for you. Having had both, I definitely feel they conform to your body more, and give less of a "round" look. I hesitated over the extra $1100 for a bit too, but in the end it's not a lot to pay for total satisfaction. Good luck, hun BA 9/6/05
Inamed mod salines 330 f/t 360cc's 34B pre-op to 34C post
Redo 3/7/06
Inamed HP silicones style 20, 500cc's, now 34D


Answer
Hi Maajida,
Sorry to hear you're redoing. I just thought I'd add my .02...it will be difficult to get less projection but MORE upper pole fullness, as they usually go hand in hand. High profiles are going to give great upper fullness (I have plenty) but they will project more, plus it will take a large implant to fit your BWD at 16cm. You may have to compromise and decide what you can and absolutely CAN'T live with, i.e. side boobs, too much projection, etc.
If you want smaller, a moderate implant will allow you to downsize in cc's, but you won't have the upper fullness/projection of a mod+ or HP. If you want less side boobs and more upper fullness, a mod+ or HP will be good for that, but both of those styles means an increase in cc's, and therefore, an increase in size. I agree 100% with TC that silicone is a good choice for you. Having had both, I definitely feel they conform to your body more, and give less of a "round" look. I hesitated over the extra $1100 for a bit too, but in the end it's not a lot to pay for total satisfaction. Good luck, hun *** Horsecrazygirl, so good to hear from you. So appreciate your wise input. and .02 and your explanations were easy to understand, which my muddled brain really appreciates. Anymore trips out my way in the near future??? Love, maaj