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Advice for Too Small Breast Implants?

asked 3 years ago by Dru in Houston
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 12,039 times
Tags: 250-299cc, bigger

I feel that my implants are way too small (I got 275cc filled to 300 under the muscle). I feel like my surgeon did not properly advise me on choosing a size. I wear the same bra size! Any suggestions?

19 answers to Advice for Too Small Breast Implants?

Too Small Breast Implants-Try New Mentor Sizing System

Thank you for your question. Many, many women wish they had chosen larger Breast Implants. Most often the reason is that they were "afraid they would look too big" and exp[ressed this fear to their surgeon. There is a new Breast Implant Sizing system that finally gives patients the opportunity to fairly accurately estimate how different sizes of Breast Implants will look on them. Check the new system out on Loveyourlook dot com. If you want to go bigger consult your... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Implant Size Selection

The most common complaint heard after breast implant surgery "I WISH I'D GONE BIGGER". Of the 4 essential choices that must be made before implant surgery, the most difficult choice is the size of the implants! Here are the choices: Size Incision (Inframammary, Peri-areolar, TUBA, Axillary) Above or below the muscle Saline or silicone Talk with your PS, look at photographs of other women who underwent implant surgery, look at your... more

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon

Give things time to heal, and then discuss your options with your surgeon

I would wait a few months before considering a revision procedure, but if your implants are not providing you the size or look that you want, you surgeon will certainly work with you to help improve things. This will take some time, additional costs, and careful communication between the two of you, but in the end, if you are not happy with things, a second operation will likely be your best option.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You should wait several months to see how they settle

It really is best to wait several months to let the swelling resolve and the tissues settle. Please don't rush into any quick decisions about changing out your implants without giving it time. If in several months, you still are not happy, then discuss with your surgeon about switching out the implants. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

No perfect way to pick size

Sorry to hear about your disappointing results. I agree with the previous answers that it should be avoidable with good communication. There are a number of approaches to picking the implant size and none of them are perfect. Some surgeons insist on choosing the size for the patient based on measurements and other factors, but in my opinion that too often leads to situations like yours. On the other hand, if you are choosing by placing samples in a bra with the cup size you want, that is... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Sorry about that.

This is unfortunate, and tragic really, and resulted from inadequate communication. You are not at fault, and at this point, the only thing that matters is getting you happy. Timing is important. You should wait several months after your surgery and be healthy and well healed prior to considering additional surgery. The bad news is that you will need larger inplants. The good news is that if all other aspects of the outcome are satisfactory, the next operation will be much easier on... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Implants that are too small

Communication between the patient and surgeon is the key to a satisfied cosmetic surgery result. Nationally most patients wish they had gone bigger after breast augmentation. The average breast augmentation is about 350ccs in the US. It is significantly smaller in every other country. Often the patients natural skin envelope restrict the implant size during the first augmentation so it could be that this was as large as your body would accommodate in one operation... more

Chad K. Wheeler, MD
Spokane Plastic Surgeon

Unhappy with implant size

You can always have surgery to increase the implant size, but if you just got the implants, my first advice is to wait a few months before considering a revision. The position and shape of the breasts does change in the initial postoperative period, so it is wise to allow some time for this. Also, if you have 300 cc implants in and wear the same bra size, you probably were wearing the wrong size bra either before or after the augmentation. I always tell patients we cannot guarantee a cup... more

Anita Patel, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

My implants are too small.

I think several surgeons have answered this question quite well. If you have a good surgeon he will revise your implant size with no additional surgeons fee. You may have an anesthesia and OR fee. In our office we use a sizing procedure with bras filled with shaped silicone devices. It has really helped the patients determine the appropriate size for them. New 3D technology is out that also allows some offices to recreate your postoperative result and determine the... more

Christian Prada, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant size

Based on the description of your breasts being “way too small” I believe you will benefit from re-augmentation with larger implants. I suggest communicating (calmly) with your surgeon explaining your goals. I think that the use of goal pictures is helpful in this communication process. This tends to be more accurate than the use of words or discussion of cup size which (as you have found out) can be arbitrary. More than likely your surgeon will do whatever he or... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Too small implants can possibly be replaced with larger ones

There are reasons why your plastic surgeon was not able to get you the size that you may prefer. It is possible that he did not understand what you had envisioned. It is possible that your breast tissues would not allow larger implants than what your surgeon was able to put in. I suggest that you consult your plastic surgeon to see whether he/she would recommend going larger. see video

James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants with no change in bra size.

There is no mystery to this problem. After you have given time for your swelling to subside, you need to be patient and work with the surgeon that did your surgery. Don't go doctor shopping. Why? Your surgeon is in the business of helping you fulfill your dreams and will try hard to get you where you want to be. There are options available that can help limit the cost of your revision. We have all been there and we remain committed to being empathetic to... more

Allan J. Parungao, MD
Oak Brook Plastic Surgeon

Keep Cool!

You need to wait at least 6 months to see how you really look, then make a decision.I find it interesting that an implant that size has not changed your bra size.If you are "too small" after waiting it out, you can always have larger implants placed. It is easier to go larger, but harder to go smaller! No surgeon should promise cup size, since there are no standards in size. There should be no promises of satisfaction because nobody will know how you will look ,after surgery, and... more

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Wait before changing breast implants too quickly

Cosmetic surgery and breast augmentation can often have patients on an emotional roller coaster. Doubt about proper breast size is at the top of the list. Right after the procedure I often hear that a patient may feel the implant is too big, and sometimes that the implant may be too small. As a rule these feeling diminish and patients become quite pleased. Of course it is very important to communicate just what you are expecting with your surgeon before your procedure. We use pictures... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Work with your surgeon here

If you go to another doctor, you will be starting entirely over, including paying another full price for surgery. It would be best to work with your doctor and try to get to the result you want. In some situations, an adjustable saline implant can give you the total control of the final size and look. Breast implant sizing can be more difficult than you would imagine because often a patient doesn't have the body for the result they want and sometimes, even the patient isn't really sure... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.randcosmeticsurgery.com

No change in bra size?

Dru, I find it very to believe that with 300cc implants you are wearing the same size bra. This means one of two things, either you were wearing the wrong size bra before, or you are wearing the wrong size bra now. Even if your chest circumference were 42, a 300 cc implant should increase the cup size. Speak to your surgeon about your results. I'm sure his/her goal is your happiness. No one likes a dissatisfied patient. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wait a few months after surgery to decide

Depending on the specific situation, some implants take a while to "reveal" themselves. This is because the soft tissues need to accommodate to the implants. Initially, implants are placed in a pocket behind muscle, gland, fat, and skin. If the tissues are pliable, the implant can push the tissues forward easily, If things are tight, particularly the muscle, it might take a couple of months for the tissues to stretch and loosen up so the implant can do its work. If you are beyond... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately , new implants are the only way to go bigger

Hello Dru Sorry to hear you are wearing the same bra as before surgery. Unfortunately, adding some saline to these implants will not give you what you want. You need larger implants and you will need to keep breast diameter and chest width (32, 34,36) inmimd when picking the new implants. Have you talked with your surgeon. Usually, we have one goal in mind: a happy patient. Talk to him/her honestly but not angrily. Honesty in voicing your disappointment and asking for his/her help in... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Too Small Breast Implants

Sorry to hear about your disappointing result. Allow yourself 6 months to heal, and then consider your options with your surgeon. Each office has a different policy regarding revision pricing. You may be surprised that the revision surgery may not be an expensive proposition. The lesson for both surgeons and patients is that you can not rush the consultation process especially sizing if you want to maximize patient satisfaction.