Does Breast Implant Replacement Necessarily Have to Be Bigger?

I'm standing 5'3" tall and weighing 112lbs. I had 230cc hydrogel breast implants 10 years ago in front of the muscle. I went from an AA cup to a B cup. They will be replaced by silicone high profile behind the muscle.

My plastic surgeon says I will need to go from 230cc now to approximately 260cc-300cc this time to ensure I'm not left with any loose skin underneath the implant. I like the size I am now and dont want to be noticeably bigger. Is it possible I would have to go to 300cc to get the job done right and would this be much bigger than I am now? Thanks.

Tags:

breasts skin loose female 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 200-249cc 250-299cc 300-349cc silicone implant 110-129 lbs B cup high profile hydrogel over muscle

Comment on this

16 Doctor Answers | Asked by coco123 in ireland

Doctor Answers (16)
Community Comments (0)

Replacement or Exchange of Breast Implants are Usually Bigger

In almost all cases when an exchange of Breast Implants is done a larger size Breast Implant is placed. This is primarily because over time the Breast Implant has stretched the pocket the implant is in, the breast tissue, and the overlying breast skin. If the same size breast implant is placed there is a risk that the implant and the breast will sag or drop down. This is especially true if you are converting from over the muscle to under the muscle. Of course if you want a... more

Placing an implant under the muscle compresses it more than on top of the muscle

If you're going from a submammary (above the muscle) to a subpectoral(beneath the muscle),the implant will be compressed more. in addition, the pocket that was made previously will not shrink down.Implants placed under the muscle tend to sit higher on the chest than implants placed on top of the muscle. If you want to stay the same size, you need to understand that there may be some sagging of the skin and that you may need some skin removed from around the areola. Otherwise, going with... more

Breast Implant replacement and sizing

Your surgeon has chosen to place the new implant under the muscle. This is a wise choice for several reasons. First, if the implant is placed under the muscle, it has an extra layer of protection which will make the implant feel and look more natural than if placed above the muscle. Secondly, you will eventually need to have a screening mammogram. It is much easier to see the breast tissue if the implant is placed behind the muscle. However, if the implant is placed behind the muscle,... more

Circumstances change, so can the implant when exchange is needed

Many years after breast augmentation the breast tissue can thin or the breast may droop over the implant. Also in the case of a silicone gel breast implant, leakage can cause a capsule contracture to set in, or cause calcifications in the breast capsule which must be removed as the implant is exchanged. After menopause the breast may have become larger as the fat content increases. All these factors, as well as just wanting to be a little larger, or a little smaller influence the size... more

Bigger implants after exchange

Going with gel implants behind the muscle will seem somewhat smaller, so going with 300c will probably not make you look much larger. Good luck.

Will I Need To Go Bigger If I Replace My Breast Implants After 10 Years?

Changing implants after 10 years most often requires a larger pair of implants than was first placed. The original implants after 10 years have caused some compression of your breast and subcutaneous tissue leading to the necessity of placing larger implants on a redo to get the same result. Secondarily, age, gravity and stretching of the skin and muscle normally require a slightly larger implant to fill up the skin. If you get the same exact size implants as the first... more

Placing an implant under the muscle will compress the implant, making it look smaller

If you are going from above the muscle to below the muscle than you need to consider the fact that under the muscle the implant will be more compressed and look smaller. Thus to maintain you breast look, a slightly larger implant will be required. Also realize that the shape of your breasts will change somewhat. Going under the muscle will create a smoother take off from your chest, a more teardrop like implant. So if you like how your breasts are full up top, you may... more

Increasing implant size for a revision

Your surgeon seems to think a larger implant will allow you to have a similar looking breast and avoid a lift which would be required for sagging skin. I use this concept often in patients who really don't want the incisions for a lift and are borderline for needing one. I'd say the change to 260cc would be barely noticeable and the other sizes would only increase a little. Since the implant will be moved subpectoral the implant will probably seem a little smaller and less mobile. Best... more

Mahlon Kerr, MD

17 reviews

Austin Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant size

It is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” or "fake looking" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired... more

Breast Implant remove and replace: size

SEE VIDEO BELOW: Generally speaking, most patients who request implant removal and replacement desire larger implants and that is why, I presume, you are asking. However, I occasionally see patients desiring implant removal with smaller implants. Most of these patients are pleased with their decision and a few have come back for complete removal without replacement. The overiding concern is whether to perform a lift and generally I advise patients not to do a simultaneous lift unless their... more