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Havent Tried Implant Sizes Prior to Surgery Just Pictures, Is that Normal?

asked 4 months ago by ettsi in Sacramento, CA
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 375 times
Tags: consultation, sizers

i have met with my DR for pre-op,he said he doesnt have patients try on implant sizes because it can turn out different once under the skin/muscle.i have showed him picutres on what id like to look like and told him id like a full C/D cup. he states on the day of surgery he fills it closest to what i request and also whats going to compliment my body. should i be worried about this,or is it common for DR's to not have patients try implants during pre-op/consult.

31 answers to Havent Tried Implant Sizes Prior to Surgery Just Pictures, Is that Normal?

+2

Try Implant Sizes Preop

Surgeons often have different techniques from one another. My tendency is to do what your doctor does. The breast implant is changed so much in appearance once it is behind your tissues that I feel to "try it on" in front of your skin is basically worthless and may well lead you to pick a size that won't look good rather than letting your surgeon try different sizes "In you" during surgery. I have experimented a few times and let patients bring in a bag of rice they... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breasts Implant Sizing?

Every plastic surgeon has a different routine. Personally, my routine is exactly what your plastic surgeon has done. I also believe that “trying on implants” is a very inexact method of determining breast implant size. In my practice I find the use of goal pictures to be very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “ full C/D cup” means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 
Also, as you... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Best Trial Breast Implant Size before Breast Augmentation is Rice Test

Many doctors do not place trial Breast Implants in your bra prior to Breast Augmentation because it is difficult for you to see an accurate picture of how the implant will look once it is placed into your body. I do this because patients want to see it but I explain that doing this is not the look that they will achieve. Photographs of patients who have had Breast Augmentation are also very helpful. In my experience the best method for determining Breast Size or Breast Implant... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Pictures, sizers or rice bags?

Every doctor has a different approach. Personally, I like to measure the patient's frame, and then help use appropriate implant sizers (to help demonstrate the approximate size, shape and weight) in a sports bra and t-shirt. In my experience, patients find this to be quite helpful, even though I explain it is not exactly the same as what they will see post-op. But I think it's more helpful than the other methods of rice bags, looking at photos, talking about cup sizes... more
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryinflorida.com

+1

Trying implant sizes prior to surgery

Each surgeon has valid reasons for their approach to this subject. I agree that implants may look different once under the muscle, breast tissue, and skin. It is nearly impossible to get an accurate demonstration of what look a particular implant size will produce by "trying one on". Sizers may help you get a general sense of what you may look like after surgery, and in that sense are helpful, as long as their limitations are understood. There are many... more
Mennen T. Gallas, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Determining implant size

Different doctors have different methods for determining the right size implant to use. Still, no matter which techninque is used, it is not as accurate as actually putting an implant in and seeing how it actually looks in place. Unfortunately, the patient is asleep at that point and can offer no input. During the consultation, I DO use sizers to help the patient and myself in determining the correct size to use. I also welcome pictures that the patient might... more
Edwin C. Pound, III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sizing implants.

Best Ways to get the right size implant; 1-Sizers always appear bigger than a similar size implant. Always increase implant size by 10%. 2-Width of implant is first and most important determination for your doctor. 3-Rice test at home can help make you feel comfortable with the right size. 4- try the rice test with different types of clothing. What looks great in a sweater may be too big in a bikini. Yu must decide the type of clothing that is most important to you. My own... more
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant Sizers

First of all STOP!! There is no excuse for not trying on sizers. Although I'm pretty good at determining what size implants will make a patient proportionate, occasionally I do get surprised. I have all of my patients wear a sports bra to their pre-op appointment. At that time we'll try on sizers until we agree that we've chosen the correct size. A sports bra with implants is a good approximation of the postoperative breast size. You need... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

+1

Sizing with implants prior to surgery is helpful

I like to talk to patients about what they like and the bra size they want to be prior to surgery. None of this is very concrete or exact so I have a patient show me what size they like by trying on implants. When a patient shows me what they like, I don't have to read their mind. After I see what they are talking about it makes me more comfortable that the patient will get what they want. I have found this to be very reliable with lots of satisfied patients... more
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant sizing

I believe my patients know what they want to look like when the surgery is done. Showing me pictures ( I have them look through my models) gives me a good visual confirmation of this. Also, if their pictures seem unreasonable or not consistent with their body, then we can discuss that before surgery. Stuffing sizers into a bra is an unrealistic guide in choosing implant size. Using sizers inside the pocket during surgery is a much better technique and it makes use of the patient's chest... more
William H. Gorman, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

This can be totally normal

I agree with your PS. I do not have my patients "try on" the implants as this is not a good representation of how they will look on you once the implants are placed behind your muscle. In choosing implant sizes for my patients we use breast measurements, patients current cup size and patients ideal cup size. With that being said we also go to the operating room with several different sizes within an agreed upon range. We have sterile sizers in the... more
Renato Saltz, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Trying on Implants Prior to Surgery

I offer three options for sizing my patients: 1. I show them pictures 2. I have them try on different sized implants 3. And we do Vectra 3-D imaging Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable not allowing my patients to try on implants because each patient is different and have their own view on how they want to look.
Jeffrey Hartog, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Havent Tried Implant Sizes Prior to Surgery Just Pictures, Is that Normal?

I stopped the trying on of implants a long time ago in my office. I found that a silicone implants shoved into a bra fit "funny" and I was freaking out more patients than it was helping. I now prefer the rice test, which they can do at home with multiple outfits on and pictures help too, but I try to get patients more into cup size than cc's. Like I tell my patients, you tell me what color you want your house, let me mix the paint!!!
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing breast implants

There is no one way to choose breast implants but certainly they must match your base width well and be of a profile to give the look you want. There are too many factors to consider for this answer but for the last few years I have been using sizers perop just to simulate the possible result and wouldn't go back to when I didn't do this. But not right or wrong either way.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Selecting implant size for breast augmentation

Each doctor can have a different way of helping you decide on implant size. While many surgeons use the "try implants on" technique, it does have its own set of drawbacks. Some surgeons use sizers, pictures and some use 3D computer simulation and imaging. The most important thing above all of this is that you and your surgeon are on the same page about what you want for you, not what the surgeon wants you to have. If you have done a good job of communicating what... more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

+1

Breast Implant Size and Fitting

Different plastic surgeons have different ways of getting the size of breast implants right, which means, there's no one right way to do it. In our office we ususally discuss the matter, identifying the patient's goals, but we also give different sized implants to try on under a shirt or blouse. Not all plastic surgeons have the capacity for 3D imaging, so that's definitely not a standard of care. And after all, final judgement must be reserved for the OR, as different situations... more
Daniel Kaufman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Trying Implant Sizes

In our office we have patients use the VECTRA 3D simulation photo machine which allows us to show them in 3D what their breasts with look like with different size implants. The machine takes pictures of the patient and then uses the manufacturers sizes to morph the patient's own picture to show them the results with various implants. We then also have the patient try various size implants in their bra to make sure they understand what the added weight and volume will feel... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Looks like you have a lot of good answers.

Bottom line is if you aren't comfortable with this sizing method, mention it to your surgeon. If you two can't come to some agreement that makes you comfortable, you may need to delay your surgery until you can work it out.
Brian K. Brzowski, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant Size

Trying on implant sizes prior to surgery in the office in most patients does not give an accurate impression of what that size of implant will look like once it is in the actual breast pocket. I think looking at pictures is the best way for the surgeon to know what result you are wanting and then the burden is on the surgeon to deliver that result. Using a temporary sizer in the actual implant pocket will then allow the selection of the correct implant. I personally think... more
Gary Hall, MD

Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

www.hallmd.com

+1

Implant Sizing Prior to Surgery

Clearly there are a number of different approaches that can get you a good result. I find that trying on a various implant sizes before surgery is a very effective way to pick your implant. It will not tell you what your final result will look like, but it works well in terms of choosing your implant size. Photos can be very misleading. The same size implant will look different on each person depending on height, weight, waist size, chest circumference, shoulder width, etc. Even if you... more
Braden Stridde, MD

Federal Way Plastic Surgeon
+1

Trying on implants for size

While there are many methods that allow both the patient and the surgeon to approximate what implant volume will deliver the desired outcome, it ultimately becomes the judgement and experience of the plastic surgeon and the thorough communication he or she has with the patient that is the most important factor. I have my patients try on an implant to determine what range of sizes will make the patient happy. If the patient is deciding between two sizes, I ask the patient to... more
Tito Vasquez, MD

Southport Plastic Surgeon
+1

Concerned that surgeon doesn't use sizers in office

As you have seen by the responses, there are a variety of ways to evaluate what size implant may be what you are looking for. I disagree about leaving this number up to the patient, however. Personally, I find sizing of the implants in the office somewhat helpful for the patient and even more so for me. I tell the patient that this only helps focus on a general range of a few implants which can be further refined intra-operatively. Sometimes I will go larger; other times smaller; and... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Should I try on implants before breast augmentation?

If you would like to try on different sizes to see what they look like on you before committing to a set of implants, then you should!
Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should implants sizes be used prior to breast augmentation?

Choosing the proper breast implant size is multifaceted. It includes the cup size desire of the patient, the patients's physical dimensions, patient's vocation,photos that the patients provides, before and after photos shown by the surgeon, and finally the recommendation of the plastic surgeon.The need to try on implant sizes is optional and can be unreliable. I don't feel that trying on sizes is helpful and don't use it in my practice. Ultimately after expressing your goal... more
George Lefkovits, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

You should try on implants before your augmentation

Choosing breast implant size is difficult. I personally use a combination of photos that a patient brings to me (of what they want to look like), 3D imaging to simulate augmentation results, and trying on actual implants. Using these methods, I think I can accurately select implant size that meets the desires of my patients. Yes, trying on implants can be imprecise...but only to the inexperienced. I have done enough augmentations to know how implants look different when they are... more
Matthew Schulman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Real implants are better than a bag of rice.

This is a great question. I keep sizes of all silicone implants in my office for patients to try on with a bra in consultation. Many of my patients bring in different shirts or sweaters to experiment with as well. I find this the best teaching tool when helping to size a patient. Photos can be helpful as well but in my experience trying on the implants is the most important. I do not recommend rice or water bags because they have no specific shape... more
Adam Tattelbaum, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sizing for breast augmentation

Every physician has a different technique for best determining implant sizes for their patients. Some surgeons will have the patient try out implants or rice-filled baggies; others will take patient measurements, go over pictures, and discuss goals with the patients. Both techniques work, and both techniques have good results and happy patients. If you feel comfortable that your plastic surgeon understands your goals and expectations, then I would relax. Good luck! more
Anureet K. Bajaj, MD

Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

www.bajajplasticsurgery.com

+1

You should make the decision as to the best size breast implants guided by your Plastic Surgeon

It seems very strange to me for a Plastic Surgeon to dictated to a woman what size breast would be best for her. I feel very comfortable saying that every woman has a body image what they feel they should look like. After over 30 years of successfully preforming thousands of breast implants for women I believe my technique works well for essentially all of my patients. I put the patient in a very stretchy bra and then place low profile gel implants in the bra and keep going bigger until the... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants sizing

I like patients to do a "baggy test" at home once we have decided on the approximate range of implants. This often falls in line with what we discussed in the office, and allows the patient to get a rough idea of he volume that they want.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant sizing

I used to do it as your surgeon does it. However, since patients have tried sizing with implants and a sports bra in my office, I think the patients are happier with the end result. After surgery I hear "this is exactly what I wanted" more often. It isn't exact since the body hides the implants a bit, so you may have to add some to the estimate, but it's better than using cup size, guessing or looking at photos, which are 2 dimensional representations. It does take a lot... more
Victor Au, MD

Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon
+1

Size

Unfortunately, implant sizing is not like trying on a pair of shoes. That is, the patient is not the one in the position to make the determination. This is a normal approach and you could go with this surgeon that will use his/her best judgment. Or you could go to someone who cater to your desires. The down side there (done all the time) is you get implants that are not the best size given your body's dimensions and tissue characteristics.
Michael Hueneke, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

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