Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Breast Augmentation Sizing During Menstrual or Pre-menstrual Period?

If the time slots available for getting breast implant sizing done is around menstruation or 1-4 days prior to start of period, which day would you recommend for implant sizing? My breast looks bigger around my period (I forget whether it's prior or during period). Out of the following, which would you suggest to be the best day for implant sizing?

(1) 3 days prior to start of period vs. 1 day prior to start of period?

(2) 4 days prior to period start vs. 2 days prior to period start?

(3) 2 days prior to period start vs. 1st day of period?

Thank you!

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Rita_ in San Francisco

Doctor Answers (12)
Community Comments (0)

Breast Augmentation Sizing

First of all I personally have found that clinical photos or if available 3D imaging of your breast to determine your optimal size is far more accurate than "sizing with implants" as the type of bra/ holder makes this method somewhat inaccurate. I started with that system 25 years ago and moved on to photos over the last 15 yrs and glad I did.. Although swelling occurs at the time of your period, for the vast majority of women it is only a fraction of a cup size... more

Breast Implant Sizing and timing related to menstrual cycle

To some degree it does not matter because your breasts will likely continue to change after surgery and will continue to vary with your cycles. Just be aware that whatever size you choose will range in a similar fashion.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Size and operate on your breasts when you are not on your menses

Rita, it sounds that you are like many women, who experience PMS effects on the breast (i.e. engorgement, tenderness, and slight swelling). Given that history, I would recommend that you try to determine the size implants when you are less tender, usually the week after you stop your period. Although the implant base size will not change, as this is predicated on the width of your chest wall, the amount of overlying breast tissue may seem tighter, when you're off your period. So while it's... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Breast Implant sizing is best when your breasts are at baseline

Size your implants when your breasts are at their baseline volume--not when they are enlarged around the time of your period. Regardless, I always recommend that you choose the largest implant that might fit your goals best. I rarely hear women say, "I should have gone smaller." On the contrary, the opposite refrain--"I wish that I were a half-cup-size bigger"--is much, much more common.

Breast sizing

Timing the sizing around your menstrual cycle is probably not necessary. Your breast size should not change significantly at different stages of your menstrual cycle.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Sizing

Not sure if you need to be this concerned about when to size your breasts. Do the sizing when you are at your baseline and take it from there. This is really not a science but an art and you need to look at it as such otherwise you will be disappointed with the final outcome. Plastic surgery is an art and no matter how much you try to turn it into a science it will turn out to be an art. So size your self whenever, the differences can not be that much. Good luck!

Breast augmentation sizing during or before menstruation

WOW Rita! Breast Augmentation is not aviation or civil engineering and the amount of detail you are demanding is more than a bit of over kill. Reason - the current volume of your breasts + volume implants placed in a bra will ALWAYS give you an OVERLY optimistic (too large) result than the volumetric contribution these implants will make when compressed by your skin and breast tissue OR your skin, breast and muscle tissue over them. Let's ASSUME that your breast is slightly engorged... more

Breast implant sizing is not influenced by menstrual cycle

The small changes in the breast during a normal menstrual cycle should have very little impact on eventual implant size used in augmentation. Most often there is a slight firmness or tension in the breast, still these same changes will go on after augmentation. Breast size is an individual choice limited by the characteristics and personality of your breast, and your goals in augmentation. If you work carefully beforehand with photos, try bras, and communicate your choice clearly to your... more

Timing of breast implant sizing

You are micromanaging this and the truth is that it really doesn't matter at all when you size the implant and when you do the surgery. Also, you can't build your surgery schedule aroung people's menstrual cycle bceause the stress of upcoming surgery can shut the hormonal process down or alternatively can accelerate it.

Breasts are engorged and larger during the week before you start your period.

Hi. The best time to assess breast size is the week AFTER your period, when your breasts are at "baseline" size. Of the possible times you mention, while you are menstruating would be best. We also avoid doing elective breast surgery during the week before the patient's period, because the breasts are engorged (more blood supply) and there is more bleeding during surgery.

Timing for breast sizing-doesn't matter

It doesn't matter. If your breast size changes prior to the surgery then it will change after the surgery. So if you size when you are smallest you will be bigger when your breasts swell. If you size when you are largest then you will be smaller when your breasta are not swollen. Just for your own information try them on when you are smallest and then when you are largest and see if there is any difference and see if you like one size or another.

Breast implant sizing

Hello Rita I don't think the size differential will make much of a difference, but play it safe. Do the sizing on the days your breasts are smallest, remembering that there will be some fluctuation after implants. Most women notice a very modest change during their cycle, certainly not enough to alter sizing.