*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
The 34GG thread
« on: December 22, 2009, 09:01:17 AM »
34GG, please continue to share your info here in this thread!  We're all looking forward to it.  :)

*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 09:10:17 AM »
Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I do have double lumen Becker implants. They are 800cc implants that were intended to be overfilled to around 1100-1200cc. Here is the link...http://www.mentorcorp.com/pdfs-global/breast/EN/adcards/BeckerFamily.pdf. The 2000cc silicone implants I have are from Eurosilicone and high profile, cohesive gel. The main reason I did not go ahead with the surgery to swap them out was the considerable cost and risk. To date I have spent well over $40K on my surgeries.  And as I have mentioned, I had a very bad experience with my first implant surgery (horrible placement issues) that only Dr. Sinclair could resolve (he was not my original surgeon). I have had back problems and major **83** issues ever since going above 1500cc. Not everyone has these issues, but for me 1750cc is large enough. I do not want to risk the possibility of infection, the inherent risks of surgery, or the small chance that the new implants won't look as good as the Beckers. Not to mention making my back and **83** issues worse. Because my Beckers are double lumen, the outside shell is silicone, so the look and feel is soft and smooth. I was warned several times about the valve issues with the Beckers, but have had no problems myself. The downside is I have spent a significant amount of money on the silicone implants and they are not going to be used. I hope this info helps. I am happy to answer any questions I can.

Yes, I can now better understand your concerns for not wanting to mess with what you have now.  It sounds like the biggest concern is causing a possible regression to how things were before Dr Sinclair fixed you up.  I'm really happy to hear he got you sorted (and then some!).

I'd be curious to know more about your back and **83** issues.  I'm guessing you've already addressed this, but I'll ask anyway:  What weight training regimen are you using to build up strength in the appropriate muscles?

And likely related:  What bra make and model do you typically wear?

I would like to gently invite you to post pics of yourself.  Feel free to edit as you see fit to ensure your anonymity.  And no need for topless pics; I'm mainly interested in the overall effect, and that can be communicated quite nicely with the right top.  Bra or braless, your call.

Also, check your PMs.  A random thought just came to me.

Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 01:20:56 PM »
Hi, I am new to the forum, but have some information that may save some of you valuable time and energy. I have already posted this on another thread, but MasterDragonfly was gracious enough to suggest I have my own thread, so here goes...Beginning in 2000 I spent 3+ years trying to find a doctor who could assist me with getting larger implants. I finally found one and to date, I have had 12 surgeries, some major and some minor (local or no anesthetic). The start of my large implant process began about 5 years ago when I had Becker implants put in. Prior to this I was a 34DD (I had had a bad implant surgery in 1999, naturally I was only a 34B). I hated the way I looked and new I needed surgery to correct the problem, but at the same time I wanted to go larger. I weighed my options and came across Becker implants. Becker implants allow the doctor to fill the implant 100cc at a time through a valve that is implanted just under the skin near your armpit. It is outpatient surgery and can be done in about 15 minutes. I continued to have periodic fills, about 1 fill every 2-3 months, until I had reached my desired size. I currently have 1750cc implants, which is perfect for my 5'9" 140lb frame. So, this past week, I finally had the valves removed. This was a simple 30 minute surgery, I was awake and it was virtually painless. The valves are only supposed to be in for 6-12 months, not 4+ years. So I am certainly not recommending anyone do what I did. The only excuse for my delay was because I was hoping to find 100% silicone implants that were 1750cc so I could swap out my Beckers. So instead of having 2 surgeries (one to remove the valve and one to swap the implants) I was hoping to just have one. I did find 2000cc silicone implants (which was close enough for me) and bought them, but after multiple surgeries, I came to the conclusion that I did not want to push my luck with another major operation. I like my 1750cc Beckers, they look great and feel even better. As anyone who has had multiple surgeries will tell you, the risk involved can be quite high when you are dealing with multiple surgeries and extra large implants. Please note that the only way I qualified for Becker implants was because I had a botched breast aug previously and in order to get my breasts back to a semi-natural looking state, my doctor had to petition the FDA to allow me to get these larger implants. It is not a terribly long process, but I don't know if the rules have changed since we applied with the FDA 5 years ago. Anyway, my doctor is on MasterDragonfly's list, Dr. Alexander Sinclair. He helped me when it seemed like no one else would. I am open and willing to talk to anyone who may have questions. So please do not hesitate to ask. Sorry for the ridiculously long post, but my story is not easily explained.

Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 01:32:37 PM »
To address your questions, my **83** issues stemmed from the valves. I **82** on my side and the valves made that virtually impossible. So, the problem has been solved now due to my recent valve removal surgery (whooo hooo!). The back problems came from me not wearing the correct bra. I used to wear a 36G. It took a while to realize that this was the problem. I changed to a 34GG (or sometimes labeled a 34H) and things seem to be better now. I buy the brand Freya almost exclusively. They last a very long time, look attractive and fit well. I buy them either at Figleaves.com or Bravissimo. As far as weight training is concerned, I am training for a marathon so besides running, I do moderate weight training consisting of shoulder, back and tricep strengthening exercises. As a side note, when running I layer 2-3 sports bras (medium or small) to prevent too much bouncing and discomfort, this seems to work really well.

I will be posting pics of myself, but I am still bandaged from the surgery so I will wait until I can remove them. Also, my hubby is out of town and I need his help taking photos to really show the positive effects of my surgeries. Probably another week or so.

Thanks for all the feedback. I hope I can help someone or at least prevent some of the troubles I have encountered.

*

derf79

  • G Cup
  • 1143
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 01:36:11 PM »
Thank you very much for that. :)

It's good to read of the not so perfect world of plastic surgery. In this forum, it's easy to get caught up in the fantasy that our collective fetish is based on. It's very easy to forget the fact that it is MAJOR surgery; it's not like having a splinter removed.

So post further if you wish. I won't be complaining for having too much to "learn".
"Every Revolution Starts With A Single Act Of Defiance" Unknown Author

Confucious Say : "Woman who puts man in doghouse, will soon find him in cathouse"

THE LAST MOVIE YOU WILL EVER NEED TO WATCH...http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
Don't be scared of the truth.

*

Bonecracker

  • X Cup
  • 2783
  • member since 1995
    • How to understand moderators
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2009, 02:07:54 PM »
Outstanding!  Now, do you have any photos or illustrations to help us know you and your situation better?

Warmest regards,

Bone...


WARNING:
This post may contain items including, but not limited to, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole intended to bring humor to this discussion. Those of you without a sense of humor, best ignore my posts.
There's a lot of internet out there, be sure to look around!

*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2009, 10:04:33 PM »
Oodles of great info there!

Please note that the only way I qualified for Becker implants was because I had a botched breast aug previously and in order to get my breasts back to a semi-natural looking state, my doctor had to petition the FDA to allow me to get these larger implants.

I'm a little puzzled on this detail.

As far as I know, Beckers (the double-lumens) still fall under the standard size.  Per the PDF link quoted in the first post (in this thread), it appears the max rated fill on the saline side is 1000cc.  So assuming you are currently sporting catalog number 354-8000's in your chest, then... oh hang on a sec.

"Not for distribution in the U.S."  For the love of all things great and small, why?  And then it goes on to mention Mentor companies worldwide, including Canada and Australia.

Guess we've got the FDA to thank for that.  That said, I swear there have been American surgeons who have implanted Becker double-lumens, so I'm not sure what the key difference there is.  Maybe the passage of time...?

*

34GG

  • A Cup
  • *
  • 4
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2009, 07:19:12 AM »
My Becker's were substantially overfilled, they were only meant to be filled to around 1100-1200 (when I gave this number, I meant the final total cc volume including the silicone). And no, you could not buy them in the US even years ago when I had the surgery, unless you were part of a specific FDA study, which goes back to the the paperwork that Dr. Sinclair had to fill out for me. Doctors can still do this procedure, with FDA approval, but it is hard to find one that will go through that process for you. I know Dr. Sinclair will and so will Dr. Domanskis.

Before I went ahead with the Becker's I called Eurosilicone in France several times, this was before they were bought out by Mentor. After the buy out the possibility of getting custom large implants became virtually impossible. Like I said, I was able to get my hands on 3 2000cc high profile silicone implants before they were bought out by Mentor, but I was really looking for 1600-1700cc silicone implants. I figured 2000cc was close enough. I had no idea that I would want to stop at 1750cc.

Hope this answers some more questions, please ask away  :)

*

Ventura

  • A Cup
  • *
  • 13
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2009, 08:33:19 AM »
34GG,

Welcome to the forum.  I am generally a lurker on the board.  However, I had to post and also rave about Dr. Sinclair.  My wife also used Dr. Sinclair in 2005 and absolutely loved him and her results.  At the time, we wanted a board-certified surgeon skilled in large implants (very hard to find both).  She went to 900cc at the time, but did discuss using the Becker implants for 1600+ results.  In the end, she wasn't prepared to go that large.  Funny though, times change and she now is planning for a third BA into the 1500+ range.  It's great to hear he still has access to the Becker's.  Thanks for sharing your info and results.  The hardest part is finding real folks who have actually gone through the process. 

Ventura

*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2009, 09:03:20 AM »
Meg/34GG (I can't decide which of your logins to reference),

I did do a bit of searching of the BEA forum, and while I haven't reviewed everything, it does indeed look like the Becker implants are only available (as a standard choice) outside of the USA.

This is the search I used.

I'm surprised that my memory failed me as badly as it did.  Sure it sucks in general, but this is bad.  ;)

If you see references to "Juno", this is someone who used to be a breast implant engineer.  Although now that I think about it, I wonder whether the reasons the Becker got a bad rap is simply due to it not being available in the USA.  Meaning, unless you've seen an actual study which shows the Becker has a higher rate of valve failure, you may simply be hearing the final result of "well it's not an option anyway, so it must be due to it being inferior" and eventually speculation becomes assumed fact.  That's my wild guess, at this point.  I should check back with Juno and collect his thoughts on this.

This discussion on the Becker implants has got me thinking in a fresh direction.  Can't say I've done that in a while.  :)

*

Truebelover

  • A Cup
  • 100
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2009, 09:02:32 PM »
Just my own thinking but, the softer feeling silicone gel for a smoother look combined with the customizable volume aspects of saline implants (as is the case with Beckers) seems rather ingenious by itself (with or without the expandable aspect of the fill port and valve).  It makes you wonder why more implants such as these are not currently incorporated.   ???  
(albeit the obvious saftey factor of none cohesive gel implants do the Beckers incorporate this????)
« Last Edit: December 23, 2009, 09:24:37 PM by Truebelover »

*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #11 on: December 24, 2009, 09:08:57 AM »
I think if a Becker incorporated cohesive gel, depending on which cohesive gel formulation was used, you could end up with an implant which strongly preferred to maintain a particular shape, despite the volume of saline added.  In other words, the patient would be more likely to achieve the undesirable "double bubble" effect.

Just a guess.

*

Truebelover

  • A Cup
  • 100
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #12 on: December 26, 2009, 04:17:37 PM »
34GG,

Thanks again for posting your story, i'll admit my curiosity is peaked as I have little knowledge of expanders (partly due to thier seeming immense rarity of use.)  You had mentioned that the reason that you came about getting expanders in the first place was due to a botched surgery where you had gone to a very "disatisfied" 34DD.  My question for you is What excatly was it about the results of that surgery that you were so disatisfied with (obviously they had been messed up in some fashion) and how is it that the expanders were able to help you with this?  I apologize for the straight fowardness of my question but this is something that i feel i must know.

Thanks,

TBEL
« Last Edit: December 26, 2009, 04:23:09 PM by Truebelover »

*

Djoser

  • X Cup
  • 8329
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #13 on: December 28, 2009, 03:16:31 PM »
All the information is valuable appreciated and most welcome, thanks for sharing it with the community!.
Welcome to the internet, where men are men, women are men, and childr3n are the FBI

If it hurts, it means that you're still living

Avatar: beshine, morphed by uutexray, avatarized by AgentDee

*

MasterDragonfly

  • Oh My God Cup
  • 8040
  • sponsor of collared_cherri's 1000cc implants
    • Larger Implants Info
Re: The 34GG thread
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2010, 08:41:00 AM »
Wow Meg, that does sound like a rough ordeal.  I'm glad you managed to pull clear of that.

Out of curiosity, was that surgeon (the one who botched things) a board certified plastic surgeon?

Happy New Year to you as well!