Anticipated Size Not Achieved After Breast Augmentation

I had breast augmentation surgery last Tuesday. I was a 34 A and wished to be a C or D cup. My consultant advised me that it was achievable, and I would need to go for a 260cc silicone over the pectorals for a C-cup, or 300cc submuscular for a D-cup. I decided to go for the 260 cc in case I would go too large.

However, after the surgery I thought I looked rather small still. I had been professionally measured at 2 different places, and both agree that I am still only a B-cup, albeit a large B-cup. I feel really disappointed with the end result, even before it was confirmed with measurement. My partner maintains that after I've fully recovered and come the summertime, I will be happy with the end result. However, I'm so annoyed that I have had to go through all the surgery, pain, and upheaval (not to mention to be thouasands of pounds out of pocket), supposedly to make me feel so much happier with the way I look.

My partner thinks that I'll be able to put a padded push-up bra to gain the desired effect, but that's missing the point of me deciding to go through breast surgery, right? I'm meeting with a patient advisor and consultant next week. I really am not happy with the smaller than anticipated size, and do not think that I should have to put up with the size and use push-up bras to try to achieve the desired effect I was wishing to attain. How should I approach this with the consultant, and what will I be able to achieve? Would I be able to have the procedure repeated to, so I can achieve my desired full C-cup?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by dazzledust in Dorset

Doctor Answers (9)
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Commmunication with your plastic surgeon is essential

Even though you are distraught and disappointed over your results, revision surgery is an option for you. Exchanging the breast implants for larger ones is not difficult and is associated with a shortened recovery time. It is advisable to wait at least 2-3 months to allow adequate healing and relaxation of the chest wall tissues. I would strongly encourage you to return to your treating plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns with him/her. Communication is essential! There are many... more

Unhappy cup size after breast augmentation

If you are unhappy with the final size of your implants, you certainly should discuss this with your surgeon. Perhaps you can be revised with larger implants.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants a little too small better than a little too big.

Hi. OK. You are not happy with your size after breast augmentation. Wait six months. You may change your mind. If not, it is pretty easy to replace with larger breast implants. I wrote an article for RealSelf about how to pick breast implants. You can see it on my profile.

It sounds like you and your doctor didn't communicate

As the other excellent answers have already emphasized, breast augmentation is not done with the goal being to reach a certain "cup size." This is a formula for unhappiness because there is no true standardization for cup size in the clothing industry and all patient's bodies are different. The proper way to work out what implants will be best for you is to accurately measure your body for the best implant dimensions and then determine the "look" you want based on the profile of the... more

Wait 3 months for implants to drop

The bottom line is that you need to be happy with your breasts after the expense and discomfort of breast augmentation surgery, and you should not have to go to the trouble of push up bras to look the way you want to look. It is true that you will look larger and fuller after 3 months when the implants drop and more fully distend the breast. So wait 3 months before deciding. Generally, people who have "A cup" breasts and want a full C cup breast usually require at least a 350-375... more

Many flaws in the process...

First of all, achieving a particular cup size, while often expressed by patients and touted by "consultants", is not an accurate measure of the goal of augmentation because bra cup sizes is so variable. You should mainly go for a certain look or proportion and use cup size as only a rough gauge.Thus, someone who asks to go from A to B would be somewhat modest in expectations while someone who looks to go from A to D desires a rather dramatic change. Second, cup size from... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Be aware of long term changes after breast augmentation

This is a highly personal decision that requires that you relay your desires to your plastic surgeon (or the patient advisor/consultant)so that they may help make suggestions for a breast implant size that will best fit your needs. However, I have had some insight from taking over a practice that has been around for well over 40 years. THERE IS NO CORRECT BREAST SIZE FOR ALL SEASONS! Remember that as you age, a variety of factors will affect the size and shape of your breasts. This... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Cup size not accurate

Cup size - even when measured - is inaccurate and depends on the manufacturer and designer as well as how you like your bras to fit. Almost everyone can fit into a size larger or smaller just by simply switching brands, etc. Breast implants are not meant to equate a cup size. You should try to achieve a proportionate appearance taking into account your chest diameter, tissue coverage, height, weight and personal desire for size. If you discussed only cup size with this "consultant"... more