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Does Doctor Really Know Best? when Suggesting What Size Implants I Should Get or Should It Be my Decision?

asked 7 months ago by luna llena in canada
Latest answer by Enrique Etxeberria, MD
Question viewed 361 times
Tags: expertise, implant size, recommendation

Does Doctor Really Know Best? when Suggesting What Size Implants I Should Get or Should It Be my Decision?

27 answers to Does Doctor Really Know Best? when Suggesting What Size Implants I Should Get or Should It Be my Decision?

+3

Patient has the final say

A big worrie that all women have is how to choose the right size breast implant for the look they want to achieve. It’s important to tell your plastic surgeon how you want to look, using different methods to help him visualize the result (photos,…). Your plastic surgeon will guide you, after analyzing your breast and chest wall measures. He will use measuring devices to assure the choice is right for your size and weight and frame. Then based on these measurements, your... more
Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon
+3

WHO gets to Decide Which Breast Implants I should have Me or my Doctor?

Not only is to road to hell paved with good intentions but so are all the side streets. In my opinion the patient should always have the final say in anything involving her body, as long as she fully understand and accepts the short term and long term consequences of your decision. As long as you get several consultations, read and educate yourself on complications of breast implants (especially those having to do with large implants) there is no reason why you should not... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+3

Does the doctor know best in choosing breast implants? Getting it right!

It isn't appropriate in my opinion for the doctor to just do what they want without regard for your desire and neither is it appropriate for the patient to tell the doctor what implant they think they want based on their own zero training and experience. It also isn't appropriate for the doctor to turn you loose with a basket of implants and have you tell a nurse what you want to use so if the size isn't right they can tell you that it's your problem because you chose... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Implant size should be patient decision with surgeon recommendation

Hello, Since it is your body you should always be the final decision maker. Your plastic surgeon can help narrow down the range of implants that would give you the result that you are looking for. You can and probably always should try on the implants in the office to make sure that the decision you both have made together was the right one. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implant size

Unfortunately your question does not include the specific breast implant sizes you are referring to. I am sure your surgeon wants to obtain an excellent result for you that you will be happy with, but that you are having a hard time agreeing on implant size. I suggest you do some research on the Internet regarding implant size, then bring photos of these and possibly some photos of a magazine like Playboy, and review them with your surgeon. I am sure this will enable you to agree with... more
Ronald J. Edelson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Who decides implant size, doctor or patient?

Thank you for the question. Choosing an implant size and profile is a decision that the patient and doctor make together. It is up to the patient to let the doctor know what she desires and to ask questions. It is up to the doctor to listen to the patient, answer questions, and ask questions for further clarity. Then, with the help of one of my nurses, the patient can try on different size implants to see which she likes the best. As the surgeon, I can help dial... more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

+2

How to choose a breast implant size

Determining breast implant size should be a collaboration between the patient and the plastic surgeon. Sometimes, changing the type or the size of the implant can make a significant difference in the final outcome, even if the size is the same as what the patient desired.
Donna Rich, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Patient Should Select Implant Size

In my practice, patients make the final decision about the size of their breast implants. I do try to educate them about the size with which they are likely to be pleased and does not present a high probability of problems (too large), but the patient is paying for the procedure and is the person who has to live with the results. If a patient insists on an implant which is much too large and is likely to lead to capsular contracture, bottoming out, etc., I always have the... more
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+2

Who decides the size of breast implants?

It is the duty and obligation for the the plastic surgeon to educate and inform you about the safe range of implant sized that are measured for your specific breast tissue parameters and the risk of exceding these boundaries to your breasts in the short and longterm. However, the final choice of what goes into the body is the patients. The patient gives consent for the procedure. A surgeon cannot place an implant in a patient that she is unwilling to have. If a... more
Adam Hamawy, MD

Westchester Plastic Surgeon
+2

Doctor or patient know best?

The short answer is that the plastic surgeon knows best for the surgical issues and the patient knows best (for cosmetic procedures) when there is a choice that doesn't affect the surgery and the control over the outcome. Think of it like going to an orthopedic surgeon for a hip implant. You wouldn't tell the orthopedic surgeon what size of implant to use but he or she might give you a choice of the brand or the type of metal used. A plastic surgeon with... more
Scott L. Replogle, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Who Should Decide Your Implant Size?

You should have as much control over the negotiable decisions of breast size as you possibly can. I find women vary a lot in the size they would idealize being. Not every woman can have every type or size of implant so it is important that you and your surgeon have a good dialogue about the pros and cons of the choices you make. I have women try on sizers to get a general idea of what suits their waist and hips. I then take measurements to decide on the... more
Mary Lee Peters, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.maryleepetersmd.com

+1

Who decides on implant size?

Here's how I do it: The patient tells me what she wants, I examine and measure the patient and her try on a range of sizes that will fit their chest. She tries on the implants in a snug sports bra, puts on a form fitting t-shirt and looks in a full length mirror. Usually there is an implant in this range that suits them. I also have a bajillion before and after photos and I only use the examples that have similar anatomy to the patient... more
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Who should choose the breast implant placed in you?

Hi there- Safe, high quality medical care should always be centered around the Doctor-Patient Relationship. This is true whether discussing surgical management of a brain cancer, or breast augmentation- if you had a cancer, you would want to have a doctor who cared about you, and who recognized that you are a human being with thoughts, goals, emotions, and opinions, and who respected those... In other words, you would want a doctor who presented you with options, helped you... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

Does Doctor Really Know Best? when Suggesting What Size Implants I Should Get or Should It Be my Decision?

Read all the responses so you can see how difficult it is to respond. I allow a "give and take" session with the patient. What she wants, what I think I can do and then a long discussion. I find going a bit larger in the choice is always a better plan. And in person consults are the best way. Regards
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I decide what size implants or should doctor decide?

Neither you nor your plastic surgeon chooses implant size unilaterally. The decision is made after you communicate your desired outcome, and your surgeon communicates alternatives, risks, benefits, and possibilities, not just about implant size, but placement, content of implant, surface of implant, and surgical approaches. The surgeon may agree with you, and use your chosen device for augmentation. Your surgeon may recommend what he/she believes is best for you, or may... more
Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

+1

Does Doc Really Know Best? when Suggesting What Size Implants I Shld Get or Shld It Be my Decision?Answer:

There are so many factors when it comes to picking the right implant size (amt and shape of breast tissue, width of breast, thickness of skin and muscle, any droop etc) to get a patient where she wants, that you really do need to trust your doctor and their experience. You tell them cup size, show them pictures talk about lifestyle and it is their job to get you there..I tell my patients..it’s like painting your house..You pick the color..let me mix the paint!
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Show your surgeon pictures of exactly what you want to look like, and then let her or him choose the best breast implants.

Hi. Choosing the right implants for you is a fairly technical medical decision that lay people should not be asked to make. This is part of the plastic surgeon's job: to understand what you want, tell you if that is reasonable for you, and then select the best implants during surgery that will give you the look you want. If you go to my profile, you will find an article I wrote about this, and I hope you find it helpful.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Who decides what implants to use?

Thank you for your question. I tell my patients to show me photos of what they want to achieve and I choose the implants that get closest to that goal. I think the most important decision you make (when you have decided to proceed with breast augmentation surgery) is choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon whom you trust and can communicate with. Once you develop this trust and communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon the specifics of the operation (including the... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Patient or Doctor-Who Should Choose The Size?

Dear Luna Llena, Thank you for your question. It is one we hear fairly often and my answer is, "Both!". The process of choosing a breast implant is always challenging. The patient wants a size that will make her happy but she is hearing lots of "advice" from friends and others. The Bra Industry doesn't help by not standardizing their sizes so just using cup size is out. The doctor has good intentions but really has only known you for... more
Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD

Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Size of implants,who knows best the doctor or the patient??

When a patient is considering breast augmentation basically she is unhappy with the balance, equilibrium and harmony of her breasts as they relate to her body. The reasons for this are extremely complex for any number of reasons. Only she knows this and thererfore her ideas must be central to any decision as to size. So here comes the "but". It is the surgeons job to factor into her desires the surgical realities of the proceedure as they relate to her chest size body... more
Barry H. Dolich, MD

Bronx Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your doctor should know the best implant size

It is true, your doctor will know the best breast implant size. It is also true that only you will know the best look for you. Spend your effort on the look you want, and let your surgeon know clearly, and the implant size need not be your worry. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

Whose choice of implant size?

The answer in my recent book is for a collaborative approach but this is a debated topic among plastic surgeons. You should know what will make you happpy and the surgeon should know how to get you there. Sometimes, each of you have to modify your thinking. For me, it is of utmost importance to have a "meeting of the minds." Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgeon and patient work together to decide breast implant size

There are different schools of thought on this question, with some plastic surgeons preferring to use sizing implants at surgery to determine the best fit. This however does not allow for the patient to have any input so there is the possibility of disappointment. What is important is to use the breast measurements, especially base diameter, as a starting point. Based on that and the patient's preference, the right implant can be mutually selected in advance.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

WHAT IMPLANT SIZE?

Selcting the correct implant size is not as easy as it may seem. You should express your desires to your surgeon. Pictures are always helpful. The surgeon will measure your breasts, evaluate your skin quality, and determine an implant size range based on his phsical evaluation. Together you will come up with a size that is best suited for you. A team approach in my opinion is the best.
Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

+1

Implant sizing--who decides?

The decision should be a collaborative and cooperative experience between the patient and the surgeon. A patient's opinion is extremely important but a physician does need to weigh in on whether the size desired is suitable to the patient's chest size, potential side effects and complications.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant sizing

In my opinion the most important consideration regarding size is the patient's desire. As long as the patient's goal is surgically achievable and not unreasonale, then we should try to get them there.
William H. Gorman, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

www.whgormanmd.com

+1

Breast Implant Decisions

When undergoing a breast augmentation procedure there are 4 basic decisions that need to be made: What type of implant (saline or silicone, smooth or textured, low profile or high profile) Implant placement (above or below the muscle) Incision choice (in the fold under the breast, on the areola edge under the nipple, in the armpit, in the belly button) Size The most difficult decision is the size. All of these decisions should be made in... more
David Finkle, MD

Omaha Plastic Surgeon

www.bodybyfinkle.com

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