Getting smaller implants - 700cc to 500cc feasible?

Hi. Four years ago I made the stupid choice of getting 700cc (Round smooth silicone, high profile, 14.4 x 6.2cm)breast implants. I am a tall girl, 5' 81/2" and 135 lbs. I wear a 36 band bra. My current cup size is WAY to large! My breasts look extremely fake and i am very self-conscious. Before the 700cc implants I had 400 cc anatomical implants to correct tubular A cups that were also asymetrical. I felt the 400ccs were too small. The 400cc (12.5 cm x 13 cm x 4.9cm) implants were submuscular and looked very natural, they were just small on my broad frame and seemed to be 10 miles apart. I got the 700cc implants to get a cleavage. I hate the high profile, they look really fake and I wanted a natural look. I am getting a revision soon and the doctor recommended Mentor Moderate plus profile, size 450 or 500cc smooth round silicone implants. The dimension of the 450cc implants is 13.6 x 4.2, the 500cc is 14.1 x 4.3cm. I would like a small D, right now I wear a 36D but I know it's the wrong size because the bra cups fit on the breasts like a baseball cap. I just want breasts that look "real". He said he would have to do a lift (hopefully just around the areola). Do you think going from 700cc to 450 or 500cc is feasible? Can this still produce pretty breasts that look "real"? What is your experience with downsizing?

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19 answers to “Getting smaller implants - 700cc to...”

A: There is nothing wrong with going down on implant size

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, Down sizing breast implants sometimes requires a breast lift, but is very do-able. If you are as unhappy as you write it may be a very good idea. Have a good discussion with your surgeon on your options before you have surgery and you should be OK. Talk out what you are looking to change and "fine... more

A: Downsizing your implants may lead to an improved result

By James C. Grotting, MD - Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Yours is an exceedingly common scenario. Downsizing sounds like the way to go. Appropriate sized implants should be selected so that the resulting breasts fit your body well. You may need a bresat lift (either simultaneously or as a staged procedure) to reduce the... more

A: Downsizing breast implants with natural result is possible

By Tom J. Pousti, MD - San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Yes, I have taken care of many patients in your situation. It is possible to downsize and get natural looking results. The best way to know what size implant to use would be for you to look at pictures of sizes that you like and the surgeon can make the adjustments in the operating room.

A: This sounds possible

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You have obviously spent a lot of time analyzing this. Please recall that you started out with tubular breasts, the hardest starting point for breast augmentation and one which will never allow the "perfect" result. Plus, multiple surgeries will also not ever be as good as one that went really... more

A: Of course you can downsize your implants.

By Sanjay Grover, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

It is always possible to downsize your implants, but it may not always be the right thing. In your case, you mention that you previously had 400cc anatomical breast implants but was not satisfied with the size. 450 or 500 cc moderate plus implants will not be much bigger than the 400s you had... more

A: It sounds do-able

By Scott E. Kasden, MD - Dallas Plastic Surgeon

The thing you need to understand about sizing of implants is that, in my opinion, THE most important thing is the diameter of the implant. I size the implants based on this principle. Essentially, you want fullness in all quadrants. Additionally, as implants get larger the diameter goes up while the... more

A: 450 to 500 may not be large enough

By William H. Huffaker, MD - St. Louis Plastic Surgeon

You initially were unhappy with the 400 cc implants. In my experience you must go at least 100 cc larger to see a significant difference to make surgery worth while. Since you are unhappy with 700 cc, probably in the range of 500-550 cc will work best. Pictures of breasts that you like should... more

A: An implant SIZER used DURING surgery will show ideal implant size.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To Ellie26, Hi! You should definitely get smaller implants. Some specific suggestions: 1) Show your surgeon a picture of breasts that you think are perfect. Then he will know what to aim for. 2) A sizer is a temporary saline implant inserted into the breast pocket. You are then... more

A: Of course it's feasible...

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

But you may incur a lift, as you already know. The downsizing is no problem, however, you may want to go with a narrower based high profile implant, since the periareolar lift will narrow your base diameter and flatten your breast somewhat. Good luck!

A: Smaller implants and a lift can produce natural-looking breasts

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smaller implants will look more natural in most cases. It sounds like you may need a lift as well. This can produce natural looking breasts. Good luck.

More answers to Getting smaller implants - 700cc to 500cc feasible?
Hinsdale - Downsizing can pose several problems.
New Orleans - You will be happy with smaller implants
New York City - They can be downsized.
Orange County - May need a lift
Orlando - It really depends...
Pleasanton - Downsizing breast implants
Sonoma Valley - Yes it is possible to get the smaller breast implants
St. Charles - Downsizing implants

Comments

Ellie26
3 posts
9 Feb 2009

Does anyone know where I can go to see before and after photos of patients who have downsized their breast implants significantly (a decease of 150cc or more?) Also, if ther are any photos of women who downsized and had a lift (any type) during the downsizing or shortly after that would be very helpful also! Thank you to the kind doctors who answer our questions!

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