Breast Implants: Q&A

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Want 180cc. Why Do Many Plastic Surgeons Push for More?

I'm a 5'0, 119 lbs, athletic build with big B/small C breasts. I'm very happy with my size, but starting to sag. Not doing a breast lift because of the scar, so going for implants to "lift"/fill the loss of volume at the top. Going with high profile silicone, but unsure about size. I want 160cc (180cc max), but most plastic surgeons I talk to are pushing 200 or even 230 cc. One ps said anything smaller wouldn't really do anything. Will going with 160cc/180c give me the "lift" but keep my size?

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5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 110-129 lbs 150-169 lbs B cup doctor implant size lift

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by MissL in Redwood City

Doctor Answers (15)
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Breast implant size?

The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size of implant and resulting cup size. This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or convex), the type and model of breast implant selected (saiine/silicone and low/moderate/high profile), bra manufacturer variance in cup sizes, the degree of filling of the... more

Breast augmentation will smaller implants can give nice result

This is a very simple question to answer. If you are happy with your breast size, you do not need breast implants. Breast implants increase your breast size and over time, increase sagging; they do not lift. So while I use small implants occassionally and and the patients look great and are happy, I am not sure that you actually need/want implants. If you want to be slightly large, I personally have no problem using a smaller implant if that will meet your goals. I... more

180cc volume breast implants

There are several issues in question here and pictures of the breasts without a bra are not necessary to address them. The reason most plastic surgeons advise a larger volume is from experience in achieving a result that looks natural and achieves the expected contour and size results. Also, that a major complaint afterwards is more likely to be that "you didn't make me big enough". There is no basis for choosing a volume in cc's based on that number alone. It... more

Picking Your Own Implant Size vs. Surgeon Recommendations

Dear MissL: As a surgeon, I certainly don't want to do anything that my patient does not approve of. I can only guess about the reason(s) that surgeons you consulted may have suggested larger implants. Each surgeon's recommendations will be based on their knowledge and prior experience with patients. 160-180cc may give you the increase in volume that you desire, but not achieve other goals that you expressed during your consult and exam. Also, very... more

Want 180cc. Why Do Many Plastic Surgeons Push for More?

Thanks for the series of photos but in nude would have helped to answer the lifting issue. In most cases an implant will give a visual appearance of a lift, but if the pre and post operative sternal notch to nipple distance is measured their are the same. In the early 1980's, the average size implant was 250cc. Now in the 2010's, the average is 400cc's. Times, social mores, attitudes change. And the #1 compliant after implant surgery is "I wish I would have gone... more

Not likely to do the job you want

The other responders have all made good points so no need to repeat. beware thinking an aug will replace a lift and , for what it's worth, i have only used an implant that small once in 22 years....and that woman had it replaced with a bigger implant a few years later!

Bruce K. Barach, MD

6 reviews

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

You Can Determine Size

Dear Miss L, You can view some possible before and after breast implant size possibilities at Implantinfo.com The web reference link shows patients before and after less than 200 cc implant placement. The site has a searchable database where you can view before and after photos by size of implant, your cup size, your body weight and other characteristics. You should be able to go through these multiple photos and possibilities and then do another discussion with your surgeons... more

The implant size can be your decision if your expectation are realistic

The main function of the implants are to make the breast bigger and not to lift the breast. You should have attached pictures without bra for better evaluation. Your surgeons try to give you the best result and the size that they recommend is based on their experience. I would suggest that you look for a board certified plastic surgeon that offers 3D imaging so you can try different size implants before surgery.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation Breast Lift

Hello Miss L, I am in agreement with you that a small implant would be appropriate for your size because of your short stature and already full breast volume. However, you are under the unfortunate misconception that an implant can RELIABLY lift your breast. Breast augmentation is not a replacement for a breast lift, regardless of the size of the implant! Women's perception of breast sagginess varies, and includes seeing tissue hang below the... more

Questions on implant size recommendation

Without photos of your breasts, it is even more difficult to make accurate recommendations. In general, even for your size, 160cc or 180cc may not give you the appearance that you would want a improper size is a major reason why women seek a second procedure early on. I would rely on the recommendation of your plastic surgeon who can use his/her judgement to make the final determination in surgery. If you truly have drooping, then an implant alone will not effectively address your... more

180 cc implant

180 cc implant is pretty small and may not be wide enough or give enough projectin for your frame. Let's put it this way I have never put such a small implant in for a patient. As for a lift, if your nipple is low, you will probably need a formal lift.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants Can Create More Upper Pole Fullness But Will Not Have A Significant Breast LIfting Effect

If creating more upper pole volume is your primary goal, then a breast implant will do that. But a breast implant will not create any type of lift unless it is a really large implant. For upper pole volume addition, a 160cc or 180cc implant may be just fine with your small frame but it is the smallest size breast implant that is made and is more prone to do less than you think as opposed to doing too much. So your plastic surgeon's suggestion of going to 200cc or slightly... more

Breast implants for lift require volume to fill the skin

It isn't a matter of preference for larger implants, but when you are trying to avoid a lift with implants they have to be large enough to fill up the loose skin. For an athletic build and lifestyle smaller is usually better, but they have to do what you want them to.

Upper pole fullness without a lift.

If your breasts have a mild sag and you are using the implant to provide upper pole fullness you must choose an implant with an adequate diameter to reach the upper breast pole. A small implant will not reach this region of the breast. If you choose a high profile implant you are making the situation even worse as the diameter of this implant is even smaller. In effect you will only be adding to the volume at the lower portion of the breast without any upper pole fullness... more

Implants size

Unfortunately you do not give enough information nor sufficient photos of your breasts to make any intelligent recommendation. Please read my numerous others posts regarding breast implant size. The volume is a by-product of the dimensions of the implant which is determined by your natural anatomy and your goals. You can use volume to double-check the choise of implants but most of the selection is done by dimensions (i.e., width and projection). Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D. more