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Crow2
08-18-2007, 08:25 AM
Melonie, is that what causes the string implants to "grow" like they do?

Melonie
08-18-2007, 08:53 AM
^^^ partly ! Because the implant itself is just a ball of fine strand plastic string, like a baseball with the cover removed, there's nothing to really stop the string ball from 'unraveling' other than inward pressure from the surrounding breast tissue. But what happens also is that natural body fluid ('serous fluid') fills in all the spaces between the strands of string.

So when you 'retain water' for any reason, like the monthly unavoidable or if you decide to go on a 'margarita binge' with tons of salt, this causes more fluid to come into the breast cavity. This creates outward pressure on the breast skin causing it to stretch ever so slightly. But it also allows the string ball to expand right along with the breast skin. However, when the monthly unavoidable is over, or after the margarita hangover has worked it's way out of your system, the extra fluid goes away - but because the string can't 'rewind' itself your breasts remain at the bloated size. Of course next month, or during the next 'margarita binge' the same thing happens all over again but from a bigger starting point.

I've had my string implants for something like 6 years now. They started out measuring just about 45" around the fullest part of my breasts. By last year the string balls had expanded to the point where I measured 51". I now have to keep going back to my doctor regularly and having him draw out serous fluid in order to keep these things from growing any bigger.

Ultimately I know that I'm going to have to have the string implants removed, and replaced with bag type implants - if for no other reason than wanting to live a 'normal life' again someday. But I absolutely love the look and feel of my string implants, and also I love the fact that I'll never have to worry about waking up with another 'flat tire', so I'm not in any hurry to get rid of them ... as long as they don't grow any bigger anyhow !

Crow2
08-18-2007, 11:20 AM
Wow. Just Wow. Can you give me more info on the string implants please? Like what doctors do them and any websites you might have?

I've had two cases of deflation and the thought of not having to worry about that anymore is enough to make me consider it.

Thanks,
Rhiannon

Melonie
08-18-2007, 08:21 PM
^^^ well, the problem is that the FDA in it's great wisdom has now banned new string implants in the USA. While the polypropylene suture string used for the implants has FDA approval for use in the body, under the new FDA implant rules the string cannot be used as a breast implant anymore since it lacks a specific medical device approval as a breast implant (and no suture string company is willing to pony up the $100's of thousands of dollars necessary for FDA breast implant testing in order to sell a few extra yards of suture string a year)

You can still get them done in Thailand I'm told.


I've had two cases of deflation

Been there, done that. Nothing like waking up with a 'flat tire', and being forced to cancel the next 4-6 weeks worth of bookings in order to have a bag implant replaced. Having the 'flat tire' changed is no big deal, but losing 4-6 weeks of income plus pissing off agents and clubowners was never fun. That's what pushed me into joining the string implant study group in the first place.

I really wish there was some way for me to have only 'part' of my implant string ball removed, so that I could reduce my cup size back to the first half of the alphabet and live a more 'normal' life without also having to go back to the risk of bag implant deflation. But my doctor tells me that there's no way to do this and still guarantee that the shape of the reduced string implant would be aesthetically pleasing.

Crow2
08-18-2007, 10:46 PM
^^^ well, the problem is that the FDA in it's great wisdom has now banned new string implants in the USA. While the polypropylene suture string used for the implants has FDA approval for use in the body, under the new FDA implant rules the string cannot be used as a breast implant anymore since it lacks a specific medical device approval as a breast implant (and no suture string company is willing to pony up the $100's of thousands of dollars necessary for FDA breast implant testing in order to sell a few extra yards of suture string a year)

You can still get them done in Thailand I'm told.



Been there, done that. Nothing like waking up with a 'flat tire', and being forced to cancel the next 4-6 weeks worth of bookings in order to have a bag implant replaced. Having the 'flat tire' changed is no big deal, but losing 4-6 weeks of income plus pissing off agents and clubowners was never fun. That's what pushed me into joining the string implant study group in the first place.

I really wish there was some way for me to have only 'part' of my implant string ball removed, so that I could reduce my cup size back to the first half of the alphabet and live a more 'normal' life without also having to go back to the risk of bag implant deflation. But my doctor tells me that there's no way to do this and still guarantee that the shape of the reduced string implant would be aesthetically pleasing.


That sucks. Yeah, the "flat tire" thing is bad. I've never woken up with one gone down. My luck always caused half of the saline to leak out and leave me with one perfect boob and a half. Yuck.

Thanks for the info!
R

Melonie
08-19-2007, 08:31 AM
I'm told that the next best thing in terms of very low odds of deflation are 'gummy bear' silicone gel implants. But the FDA has only approved US made models with a maximum size of 800cc. You can get them custom made in any size that you want by European implant companies, but now there are problems importing them into the USA. You might want to check out the 'Life after BIG boobs' thread to see how to get around this problem.