Dear Faye,
This is one of the most important decisions that must be made with regards to breast augmentation. And while this is not a precise science, there are some ways to help you and your surgeon decide. And it is important for you to work with your surgeon on this. You know the look you are going for, and the surgeon will know what will help you get that look.
My first step is to analyze your breasts. It is important to understand the dimensions of your breasts, the amount of breast tissue, your height, weight, and frame size. It is also important to take in to consideration what type of sports, or physical activity you are involved with. From this, I can understand the range of sizes, and the profiles of implants that will be appropriate for you.
The next step is kind of fun. We let our patients use sizers to understand how they will look with a certain size implant. This is also important to me as a surgeon, because one woman's idea of a C-cup is not the same as another woman's. We place different size implants is a bra that our patient is wearing and have her try on different tops. Usually this gets us where we need to be. Sometimes our patients come back to work with sizers again. But, without a doubt, this has been the most helpful process we have ever undertaken to help women choose the right size implants.
If the implant is going under the muscle, we use an implant that is 50cc larger than the sizer, in order to get the same result. If I am going on top of the muscle, I only go up 25cc. And, I use this same process whether I am using saline or silicone implants.
In terms of the profile of the implant (the relationship of the base width of the implant, compared to the projection of the implant), I will generally use moderate profile, or moderate profile plus implants for saline implants. High profile implants can give too much fullness on the top of the breast. The important thing is to have an implant that is not wider than your normal breast tissue.
In terms of getting a natural look, I advise patients to use the implant that gives them enough fullness, but not to go overboard. Generally speaking, moderate size implants will give a more natural result, particularly if your breasts are small to start with, and if you have a small frame. Very large implants can look unnatural, or make you look heavier. So, get enough, but not too much.
My best advise to you, is to work with sizers. This is really your most important guide in terms of the right size implant for you.
