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Is It Better to Overfill Smaller Breast Implants?

asked 2 years ago by Trisha1984 in Minnesota
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 1,571 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, 400-449cc, overfilled

I am 5'7" and about 124lbs. I can not determine the size of Breast implants I should I get. I'm an A cup and want full breast. I would like a large C to small D. I tried on the 425cc and loved them. I'm going under the muscle and the doctor said high profile.

What size will I be after this and should I get 400cc implants and overfill to achieve my look or get 425ccs and overfill? This whole thing is confusing and stressful. Also, If you don't stop smoking are there really bad effects? Thank you.

14 answers to Is It Better to Overfill Smaller Breast Implants?

Problems can develop with saline implant overfill

A saline breast implant is designed to have an acceptable fill range or volume. For a 425cc saline breast implant it may be possible to fill the implant to 475cc and stay within the fill range without loss of performance. If the implant is 'overfilled' the silicone rubber envelope will be under increased stress and the life of the implant may be shortened. Also, the implant will round up and stiffen and lose the soft feel and natural shape. The edges will 'scallop' or form small waves... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Ughh...Saline? HP? So large? What are you thinking!

I don't know where to begin...why would you get saline? I have used but one or two pair in the past couple of years...silicone looks and feels much better. I just don't see any legitimate indication for saline any longer. And why so large? Few if any women have a breast envelope that will accommodate an implant so large. Such an implant will almost invariably look unnatural in the short term and in the long term thin the tissue and stretch the skin... A high profile implant exacerbates... more

Steven Teitelbaum, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Impalnts and cup size

It is hard to predict the exact cup size for you after getting implants. A 425 cc implant may get you in to a "D" cup.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Determining breast implant size.

There are many ways that plastic surgeons determine what size to put in. Some will have the patient place sizers in a bra they want to fill out. Some will make that determination on the table. Patients will also sometimes bring in photos of breasts that they like and see if it is a reasonable goal. Some patients are very specific as to how many cc's, profile, etc, (mostly because that is what their girlfriend got...) I tell patients to please don't fall i more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Implant sizing for breast augmentation

It is very difficult for a patient to pick a specific size, and for this reason I recommend that you speak with your surgeon directly about your concerns regarding sizing. It's hard to predict exactly what size you will be after surgery, as bra cup sizing differs so much from one manufacturer to the next. Regarding overfill of the implants, with either size I would recommend slight overfill to prevent rippling of the implants. With silicone implants, there's less chance of rippling and... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Better to "overfill" breast implants

You may get some different opinions on this on issue, but in doing over 1000 breast augmentations, I have come to the following opinions. 1. Saline implants do not feel as good as silicone but are still an acceptable option for most women. Be sure to know the pros and cons of each. Most women with saline are happy with their results. 2. There is a role for all profiles of implants (low, medium and high). The profile choice is best chosen by the surgeon that best fits your frame for the... more

Dean Fardo, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

400 cc's are not "smaller implants"

You will probably be happier with gel as the salines will ripple laterally if you lean forward even under the muscle. Also, HP implants create a very specific "look" and you need to be sure you like that look because it certainly isn't "natural." I'd advise visiting at least 3 qualifed plastic surgeons and seeing what they recommend.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Confusion in Breast implant sizing for breast augmentation

Trisha: My primary concern with any breast implant is your overall bodyweight and relatively thin soft tissue coverage. I tell patients to imagine a baseball covered with a silk sheet: you will see everything. Well looking at you, your bones are clearly visible. Your natural tissues cannot even conceal your own bones so how can they conceal an implant, which is placed above the bone level? Placing your implant under the muscle is a beginning Staying with a reasonable sized implant is... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Choosing the correct size of breast implant

There are generally 3 methods of choosing the correct size of breast implant for an individual. 1)The first method involves taking a number of standardized measurements of the breasts. These measurements are then transferred to the manufacturers charts and the "correct" size is then determined. This often gives a conservative recommendation with the largest size on the chart rarely above 350cc. 2) The second method involves trying on sizers. This gives the opportunity for the... more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Fill volume for saline implants

First, for the size range you are considering I agree with Dr. Teitelbaum that silicone is a much better choice than saline. One thing that is helpful in thinking about saline implant fill volumes if you do decide to go that route is that 5cc = 1 teaspoon, so we are really talkning about very small increments in terms of 400 vs. 425. Saline implants have a nominal (minimum) fill, the stated size of the implant, and most surgeons will add more. that is because at the minimum fill the... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It is better to overfill the saline implants

If you are not sure about the size of the implant, you can try 3D imaging. I've been using this program to show my patient the size and shape of their breasts with different implants. You can find a local plastic surgeon who offer this service. There are 2 programs, Axis 3 and Canfield that are used for morphing. Saline implants are designed to be over filed and your doctor will adjust the amount of the over fill during the surgery. Please stop smoking at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks... more

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Which breast implant would be best for me? Chapter 2

Hi there- One of the things I find most interesting is the confusion many women generate within themselves when researching breast augmentation surgery. In particular, I think that many patients become overwhelmed with implant choices and the abundance of information about these options available on the Web, and they start to want to micro-manage the surgery. This is a dangerous road that usually does not lead to patient satisfaction.... This is complicated once they contact a surgeon or two... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

The optimal way to determine breast implant size

First of all, accept the fact that there is no perfect implant, only choices. You will need to prioritize what you want (size, width, projection, naturalness, etc) and what you can or canot tolerate (cost, ripples, firmness, unnaturalness, etc.). The most natural fit will be an implant that is maximally hidden by your normal tissues. The more the implant is outside your natural breast, the more you will see the implant. The greater the proportion of the breast that is the implant, the more... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Overfilling breast implants

Breast implant manufacturers have a recommended fill volume for saline implants. This volume has a minimum and maximum which should be used. The term "overfilling" can be used to indicate that the implant will be filled to the maximum allowed volume or it can be used to indicate filling the implant in excess of the maximum allowed amount. My preference is to fill the implant to the maximum allowed amount but not to exceed this volume. By doing this, the implant will have less... more