How to choose breast implant size?
I'm worried that if I get breast implants my A cups with too large implants will give me a top heavy look (my friend calls it the stripper look!). Is there a rule of thumb or tips for choosing breast augmentation sizes?
Answers (36)
No guess work for breast implant size!
Best thing to do is communicate with your surgeon. I ask my patients to bring in pictures of breast sizes that they like and even dislike. I review these photos with the patient and discuss if it is reasonable with their body type, size,etc.. I take these photos to the operating room with me and when the patients is on the operating room table, I use temporary sizers to view how different cc's look on the patient. I sit the patient up on the operating room several times and compare them with the photos that they have chosen. When I see that I have achieved the patient's goals, I remove the temporary sizers and put in the implants. There is no guess work. I have all sizes from both manufactorers available to me at all times. This procedure takes more time BUT gives more exact results.
How to choose implant size
The key is communication with your plastic surgeon. You need to both be on the same page as to what the goal is. Having said that, the most accurate way I have found is to measure the base width, (the footprint), of the breast. I then go to a little chart that gives me the suggested cc's. I will then take a size above and a size below to the O.R.
There is an interaction between the bony structures, the breast, and the implant. The implant will enhance what you have.
The main thing in my practice is proportion. We take in consideration, height, hips and shoulders to helps us make the right decision for that individual patient.
Implant Sizing
I like to stay within the width of the patients base diameter for the breast. Having said that, you also want to stay in proportion to the rest of your body, in particular to your gluteal region.
What you can do is th rice test (which I describe on my website) or try out sizers at the doctors office.
Good luck.
choose breast implant size to create proportion
It is always my goal to create proportion where it isn't. So implant size needs to be determined by shoulder, waist and hip measurements and by buttock size. In addition women don't want to feel their breasts when their arms are at their sides.
I have patients wear a sports bra and then try on sizers. It's usually pretty obvious which implant looks the best by creating the right proportion. It's not the number that matters it's the over all body appearance.
Breast implant sizing is a personal decision
When deciding what cup size you would like to be following breast augmentation surgery, several factors should be taken into account.
1) The size you think you would like to be
2)The actual diameter of your breast (measured in your plastic surgeons office)
3) How you look with implant sizers placed in your bra at your consultation
4) The amount of skin laxity or sagging your breasts have
All of these things must be taken into account to give you the best possible look and fit. All to often, patients present with requests that will not fit them as an individual due to their breast anatomy. The rule of thumb is to have realistic expectations regarding the cup size you would like to achieve. Make sure you and your board certified plastic surgeon have a thorough discussion and are on the same page with your wishes. This will optomize your results and increase your level of satisfaction with the surgery.






4 posts
17 Oct 2008
if my breast size is 38a what would be my ideal size for implants and how many cc would i go for
unregistered guest
31 Jul 2007
Study the available before and after photos on the Internet, particularly those that look like your breasts. Ask friends what they chose and what they wish they had chosen. Most plastic surgeons have sizers that can be worn with a bra at the time of the consultation. Remember, however, that once implanted, the prosthesis may appear up to 30% smaller.
14 posts
7 Jan 2008
In general, I tell my patients that each person is destined for a specific size based on their breast skin, fat, and glandular quality and size. There are exact measuremnts that can be made to use as a guideline in choosing the right size. Another interesting point is that your breasts are probably meant to be as big as they are going to be if they were engorged with breast milk. This is one of their main functions. Some people grow a lot and some a little. If the skin and breast tissue is stretched beyond this "destined" size, then problems can occur with the implant pushing, stretching, thinning, and damaging the breast skin/tissue early, and then revisions are needed. Also, you have to ask yourself what you mean by "breast size." Many patients confuse size with fullness in the upper part of the breast, the area which shows with low cut clothing and certain cleverly designed bras. If it is fullness here that you want, then you may not have to go so big as you think. Lastly, if a lift of the nipple areola is needed, then this is often done in conjunction with the augmentation. A common problem is when someone has had their breasts augmented to a really large size to treat the sagging. Moderate to severe sagging must be treated with an appropriate lift with or without an implant, period! Look in magazines. Look at friends who have had augmentation. If you have really tight breasts that are small, then there are further limitations. You have to be realistic and do what is safest for your body LONG TERM. Not just for short-term satisfaction.
1 post
5 Mar 2009
I am having surgery next week but am concerned that the silicone implants that I chose might be too large. I am 5'3'', 108 pounds, and am a 34C. I am having a lift in addition to the augmentation. The size that I chose was 400 cc. Is that too large? I don't want to look really big.
4 posts
7 Mar 2009
be very sure to check the size you want with the surgeon too big is not so good depending on your age and breast if you sag or not is very important under of above the pectoral muscle is important especially with sagging breast i chose cohesive silicone above the pectoral muscle 300cc and the result is fantastic not too big just right,