Breast Implants Bigger Than 300cc for a Small Frame?

I just went to a consultation for breast implants and was disappointed when the doctor told me the largest I can go for my small frame is 300 cc. I didn't feel that was large enough for what I was hoping for. I'd like to use the gel implants, and found some moderate and high-profile ones online. My doctor didn't mention that as an option. Is it one in my case?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by erin in AZ in AZ

Doctor Answers (12)
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300cc is probably too big for you

To get 300cc, you have to have a breast base width of aobut 12 cm, and even wider than that if your breast is firm, full, or tight. You have to decide what you want:: a natural looking breast that looks attractive, or a larger but faker looking breast with an implant too large for your tissues that will thin and stretch your tissues over time. Which do you want? Generally a patient must deciee between the two. You can't have any size you want and still look natural in most cases. And... more

If a plastic surgeon recommends smaller implants trust his/her judgement

My experience is that most plastic surgeons are very liberal when they recommend breast implants. In fact, most plastric surgeons err on the side of too large implants because we know that after a year, most women say they wish they had larger implants than the ones that they chose. If your doctor feels 300cc is the largest size your frame will accomodate then chances are he/she is correct. Be careful about shopping around for another surgeon-I always recommend a second opinion, but if you... more

I would get another consultation with a board certified/eligible plastic surgeon

Erin, thanks for your question. As you are well aware, there are different size and shape gel breast implants available. Certainly your body proportions, dimensions, and physical activities are important factors when choosing the appropriate size implants that would best serve you. A major goal of plastic surgery is to provide our patients with harmony between the size of their breast implants and the size and shape of their body. In other words, we do not want our patients to appear over... more

Explore your options, but stay within limitations!

Hi, Thank you for your question. Your doctor had some reasoning behind suggesting 300cc as the largest you should go. If you have a small frame, it is not wise to get implants that are too big for you. This can result in stretching and thinning of your breast tissue and possible sagging. Therefore, you would most likely need another surgery in the future to correct this. If fake looking breasts are what you desire, then high profile implants might be an option. However, if you want a... more

Slightly larger is okay depending...

I harp on this a lot but the implant should be chosen to make the breasts proportionate to the body. The shoulders, waist, hips and buttock all have to be evaluated and the implant chosen accordingly. I have my patients wear a sports bra and then try on sizers. I have a lot of small frame patients and the implants typically range from 275-340cc. I also depends on your age and what you want to project in terms of body appearance. So go back, try on some sizers and choose the ones you... more

There are many options for breast implants and sizes

Given the wide variety of implant profiles now available, we currently have more options available to us compared to twenty years ago. Ultimately the limit on the size depends on the diameter of your current breast as well as the skin laxity and parenchymal distribution. Do not feel limited by what one surgeon had recommended. Seek other opinions and review photos online to get an idea. There are many websites that catergorize patientls by their height, weight, preop breast size and breast... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How big can you go?

Each patient has a limit of how big an implant can be inserted reasonably into them. This is limited by their base dimension behind the breast and the nature of their skin envelope over the breast. If you have a narrow chest wall, you can't put in a wider implant and the ony way you can go larger is with a higher profile implant which will look more unnatural the more size it contains. Each patient has limitations and needs to recognize what their body will allow and won't allow them to... more

Breast implants and small frame

If you were not comfortable with your doctor, you should go see someone else. There are many options of implants that possibly could accommodate your frame. If you were not happy with the first doctor, than I recommend seeing another.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It's a real mistake to get implants that are too big.

Hi! You have no idea how many patients we have seen in New York who regret their huge breast implants. They look fake and they age badly. I am sure I would agree with your plastic surgeon. 300 cc implants will make you 2 or 3 cup sizes bigger. You have to stay within the safe dimensions of your chest. High profile implants may be a good option for you. It depends on the details of your anatomy. Either high profile or moderate PLUS profile.

You should decide for yourself what size you want

Without seeing you, I think you should be able to go to a larger size implant than 300 cc. Since you're slender, the implants will be fairly 'implanty' looking, but if that is what you want, that's fine. And, yes, goling to a Plus or Hi Profile implant will be better for you.

Breast implant and second consultations

It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. However, you should heed what your plastic surgeon says, although he should give you a reason. If the surgeon tries to "overstretch " the skin the potential risks and complications increase as well as the potential for cosmetic deformities. The surgeon should address your skin envelope (that is the elasticity and the stretchability of the skin and it's thickness), the underlying muscle, the size of your chest frame (the width and height... more