My Implants Are Not Quite As Large As I Had Expected.

asked 1 year ago by San francisco3525 in San francisco
Latest answer by Arian Mowlavi, MD
Question viewed 1,077 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, 450-499cc, breast size

I am 5'2 and 126 lbs. I recieved 450 cc round submuscular natrelle implants. When I first unzipped my sports bra to peak about 3 hours after surgery I noticed they are quite smaller than what I had expected, and do not look considerably larger than what I started off with. Is there a chance they will appear any larger once they have dropped? Or is what I see now pretty much what I am going to get size-wise even once they have dropped?

9 answers to My Implants Are Not Quite As Large As I Had Expected.

Breast Implants Not as Large as I Expected

Hi SanFrancisco3525, It takes a while for implants to achieve their final appearance and, interestingly, they sometimes appear larger later on. The total volume of the implant does not, of course, change. And, furthermore, there is some swelling for the first few days and, beyond even that, the larger the implants are relative to your frame and ribcage, the more distortion there's likely to be initially. This includes that they may be flattened, high, and wide... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Not as large as you hoped after breast augmentation.

At 5'2" tall and 126 lbs, you are a petite woman, and 450cc implants should be expected to add nearly two cup sizes to whatever breast volume you started with. Of course, if you have little breast tissue of your own, adding two cup sizes may make your post-op size only a B to C cup. How to choose breast implant size is one of the most common questions on this site, and in my office consultations. Please read my article "What is the Right Breast Implant Size for You?"... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

450 cc implants

450 cc implants are quite large and probably what you see is what you are going to get, even maybe a bit smaller once the swelling goes down.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants not as large as I expected

Your breasts are not as large as you expected probably because you got used to them during the first month when they were swollen and now the swelling is gone. Remember, breasts should be proportioned for your body. When they are too large, they can take a toll on your upper back, make it more difficult to be physically active, and your breasts will sag quicker (as there is more weight on them).

Arian Mowlavi, MD
Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon

Communicate with your surgeon.

Breast size will not increase that much, especially once the implants drop. it depends how high your implants are at the moment. Three hours after surgery is not enough time to see your final result. If you are unhappy with your results, talk to your surgeon regarding a revision. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Disappointed on Outcome Of Size After Breast Augmentation

With your small body frame, 450cc implants would be expected to make a significant difference. This size implant is not small and a 1 1/2 to 2 cup size increase in your breast size would be normal. At 3 hours or 3 weeks after surgery, the statement that they were much smaller than you expected is not going going to change when any further implant settling and tissue relaxation takes place. If you still feel this way, it is apparent that there has been some lack of communication on... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Don't feel that 450cc implants made breasts much larger

Three hours after surgery will not provide you with the final word on your breast appearance, shape or size. Given this and your dimensions of 5' 2'' at 126 pounds, 450cc implants will make a tremendous difference in your breast size no matter what you started with - this is not a subtle change. We are not privy to your discussions with your surgeon including what was promised so comments can't be made with regard to expectations. Nevertheless, give it at least 4 - 6... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Not as large as expected after breast implants

Communication is the key to any good outcome in breast augmentation. So many reader focus solely on implant size and ignore the expected look after augmentation. This is where the homework comes in. Bring into your consult photos, the bra you expect to wear, demonstrate clearly the fill and the look if you want the choice to be yours. Never pick a 'result by number' as the result to you will be a gamble. The 450cc is a large implant and a nice number, but the 550cc would have been a... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

How to pick breast implants.

You had a communication problem with your surgeon. I am sorry to say your breasts will not grow! Article by George J. Beraka, MD Manhattan Plastic Surgeon1) This is the most common type of question on RealSelf. 2) It is the surgeon's job to pick the right breast implants, not the patient's. Implant selection is really pretty technical. 3) Make sure your surgeon REALLY understands the look you want. Mentioning a cup size is not enough. Show your surgeon pictures of... more