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Choosing an Implant Size for Someone with Pigeon Chest?

asked 2 years ago by jaclynn in Kansas City
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,507 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, 200-249cc, 400-449cc, C cup, D cup, implant size

I have pigeon breast, am 5'5" and weigh 110 lbs, I wear size 32C but would like implants to improve the shape of my breast. The first surgeon recommended 400 cc stating that pigoen breast patients need a larger implant, the second surgeon wants to do 240cc which he stated would take me up to a full D cup which would be the max I would want to be. I am concerned since they are recommending very diffent sizes. How do I know what is the right decision?

16 answers to Choosing an Implant Size for Someone with Pigeon Chest?

Breast augmentation surgery results

The outcome of your surgery depends on who performs your surgery. Your situation is different than most patients in that your implants will tend to move to the side; careful and accurate pocket dissection is critical. 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”... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Choosing implants

Choosing the right implant for you is a lengthy discussion and exam performed by your surgeon. An agreement and rough size range should be discussed with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Bony chest wall variances impact implant selection

Pectus carinatum otherwise known as "pigeon chest" is a condition in which the breast bone (sternum) articulates with the ribs at a steep angle, which some people liken to the prow (triangular front part) of a sailboat. Not only is the chest wall sharply pitched, often the pectoralis major muscles are relatively short in distribution and the skin brassiere overly elastic. The net result is a bony platform, over which implants can displace laterally, (towards the... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Try not to commit to strongly so an implant size before surgery

Hi there- I say this to patients and have said it on this site many times... it is a mistake to commit yourself, or ask your surgeon to absolutely commit to an exact implant volume prior to surgery. For a healthy perspective on this issue, please read this:

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

The size, the size

The appropriate size is selected based on the width of your natural breasts as well as how much breast tissue you have naturally. The width of chest can play a part if the natural breast is unusally small. Here a picture is worth a thousand words. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants for Pigeon Breast

Pigeon breast or pectus excavatum is when, typically, the lower part or sometimes the whole, sternum is bowed outward. What is interesting with this deformity is what happens to the corresponding ribs. Much of the time the ribs are actually concave or bowed in necessitating larger implants as they need to fill the additional depression. However, I have seen many different variations on this deformity including very prominent convex or bowed out rib or ribs, convexity on one side... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Bigger is NOT Always Better when it comes to Breast Implants

Professional Breast Augmentation surgeons are similar to professional Golfers or professional poker players. Although we would love to be able to change the rules on occasion, the facts are that we must play the golf ball where it lands, the poker hand dealt us and must operate on the (pigeon) chest and breasts the patient posses. A pigeon chest ALREADY means that the plane of the chest is not flat but skewed and that the taller and wider the structure (IE implants) placed on it will lean... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants for pigeon chest can improve the shape and contour of breasts

Hello - You do have valid concern for the different size recommendations. It's difficult to give you more advice without a photo, but I would suggest visiting several more surgeons. For my patients, pigeon chests are handled with ordering different sized implants and "sizers." This way, I can use the sizers in the operating room to see what size gives the best aesthetic result with the volume close to what the patient wants. All in all, breast implants can improve the shape,... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

Challenges of a pigeon chest in breast augmentation

The outward angulation of a pigeon chest makes the implants want to tumble toward the armpit so the surgeon needs to not dissect the pockets too far laterally and try to stay as small as possible because the weight of a larger implant will add to the lateral drift. On the other hand, unless the implants are wide enough you won't get anything in the center for cleavage. Not a simple choice.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and pigeon chest

Without the benefit of an examination, I would favor the smaller implants. Implants will not change your pigeon chest, and in fact larger implants may make it more noticeable to you. The size of implants is determined by your body dimensions, and this is determined in the office. I suspect that 400 cc implants in your body shape will sag over time, producing an outcome that may not be pleasing to you. Good luck, /nsn.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Smaller implants for pigeon chest

It is important to consider both the size and the type of implant. With a pigeon chest, because the implants want to drift apart and won, the bigger they are the more this will be a problem over the long term. So I would tend to agree with the surgeon who recommended the smaller implants, but most likely a low-profile type so that you get the shape you want, the base diameter match, and not go any larger than necessary to accomplish both.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Choosing breast implants in New York City.

Tips on how to pick breast implants: Answer by George J. Beraka, MDManhattan Plastic Surgeon1) This is the most common type of question on RealSelf. 2) It is the surgeon's job to pick the right breast implants, not the patient's. Implant selection is really pretty technical. 3) Make sure your surgeon REALLY understands the look you want. Mentioning a cup size is not enough. Show your surgeon pictures of breasts you like. 4) Then your surgeon has to tell you if your chosen look is realistic... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pigeon chest (pectus carinatum) and breast augmentation with implants.

I would advise trying breast implant sizers in your bra for a week. These are commercially available and will give you a better idea of what to expect from surgery. The main consideration with a pigeon (pectus carinatum) chest is that the larger implants tend to separate and descend towards the outside due to the slope of the underlying ribs.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation with Pigeon Chest Deformity

First of all, an augmentation is not going to correct your chest deformity. At 110 pounds and wearing a 32C bra, I would be concerned that a 400cc implant would result in a cup size which is a good bit larger than a full D. I think you will be happier with an implant in the 240-300cc range.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Sizes

Without pictures and without examining you, it really is difficult to help you choose your implant size. When you are in their offices, try putting some sample implants into your bra and see how they look. Your final volume size will be the volume of your breasts plus the volume of the implants you are having put in. So, this will be a rough estimate of your final volume size. Good luck.