Lower Vs Higher Cc for High Profile Silicone Breast Implants?

The 25 cc's is less than a shot glass in volume so don't stress this one aspect. More important, It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 350 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the below link.

The 25 cc difference you discuss is really not a significant amount. To put this in proper context, it is less than 2 tablespoons and is probably less than the amount of breast swelling you experience with your menstrual cycles. Given your height and low body weight as well as your narrow chest diameter, I would also recommend a high profile implant.
It is also important to understand that a high profile silicone is not as high/round as a high profile saline which have developed the appearance you describe. I commonly use high profile SILICONE in thin patients and have been pleased with the contour. However, high profile SALINE in small breasted, low body fat patients have a greater likelihood of being more prominent.

Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection to replace an in office exam and good communication with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.
The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor.   The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant.   It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you.
I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.
Dr. Gill

There are several variables in determining implant size.  When recommending implant size for my patients, I consider the followings: 1) patients' anatomy (height, weight, chest width, chest height, amount of breast tissue) and 2) patients' desired look/goal.  Without knowing your chest measurement and breast tissue amount, I cannot give you any recommendation.  You should visit with board-certified plastic surgeon who will examine you.  Try implant sizers to get a rough estimate of the size you may want.  As you know, bra/cup size will vary depending on the brand.  Good luck with you.
Dr. Sugene Kim

 The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size or model (profile) of implant used and resulting cup size.  This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or convex), the type and model of breast implant selected (saline/silicone  and low/moderate/high profile), bra  manufacturer variance  in cup sizes, the  degree  of filling of the cup  with breast tissue,  and the subjective differences in patients perceptions of cup size. 
Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery  depends on several factors:


1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the  preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal.

2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing  long-term  well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone)  or model (low/moderate/high profile)  of implant.

3. The type of implant used may  determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have.  If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants.  If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.
On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference.  Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture.   Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.
Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they’re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants.
On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers’ saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational.
As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.

4. The size and model of breast implant used may  make a  significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, 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” or “C cup” or "fake looking" or "top heavy" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.
I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.
By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is “I wish I was bigger”.

I hope this helps.

I think that you have done your homework! You have spent a lot of time providing a narrow range of choices for your plastic surgeon. Now, step back and trust him. The difference between 350 and 375 cc is just 7%. Consider that you may have another 200 cc of natural tissue, so you are really debating between 550 and 575 cc, which is just a 4% difference.
At this point, I would recommend finding some photos of "ideal" breasts and handing them to your surgeon. Your doctor can use those as a reference during the surgery, and let him make the final choice.
Also, I generally err on the side of bigger. About 1 out of 10 patients returns to my office 1 year after surgery, and says, "Yes, you spent a lot of time with me. We invested a ton of effort into choosing the right size. And, I'm thrilled....But I wouldn't mind being a 1/2 cup-size bigger."
(I never hear the reverse: "I wish I were smaller." Doesn't happen!)
So, all else being equal, choose 375 cc.

First take a deep breath, it will be fine.
Now let me tell you something. Many women come to me and really stress between one size and the next size implant. When you think about it, 25 cc's is slightly less than a shot glass, and slightly less than a couple of tablespoons. NOT a lot of difference. When implanted, the size difference will be even more muted due to all of the tissue above them.
I would recommend that you visit your surgeon and try both sizes on and see how you llike them.
The fact of the matter is that if you are that close, either size will likely be fine for you.
Good luck.
sek

Choosing an implant depends upon numerous factors including your normal anatomy, and the size that you desire. Anatomical limitations include the ability of the tissue to stretch, the skin laxity, the underlying skeletal structure, and the native breast tissue just to name a few. 25 cc's will not make a diffierence.

Please go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns until you are satisfied with the answers. Over the internet without photos we can NOT give a realistic recommendation. Best of luck!

Nancy,
Do NOT stress over it.
So you would understand in the progression from Low Profile to high profile, your implants are NOT the "torpedoes" you THINK they are. The height of the implants, low to high is as follows- Low Profile (Allergan or Mentor)- Moderate Profile (Allergan)- Moderate Profile Plus (Style 2000 - Mentor)- High Profile (Mentor Gel)- High Profile Saline (Allergan, Mentor)
The KEY to a great result is to pick an implant which is covered by the breast tissue you have now AND whose foot print allows it to stay on the flat part of your chest instead of falling sideways and constantly battling with your arms as they move forward. Were you measured with this in mind?
All things being equal a 25 cc difference in silicone gel is VERY small in weight or height. But, I would pick the SMALLEST implant I could live with rather than the biggest one that could be shoved into the breast pocket.
Good Luck.
Dr. P. Aldea