Which Would You Reccommend 475 Cc Gel Implant or 500 Cc Gel Implant Help?

Dear prettyB

Thank you for your question!  Breast implant sizing is the most challenging part of the decision process in elective Breast Augmentation.  The larger the implant- the more you will see implant shape instead of your breast shape.  The larger the implant - the more changes to your breast tissue- and possibly more rippling being visible.  Ideally the width implant  should be within the width of your own breast.  High profile implants are better for individuals with more breast tissue. That being said- the difference in implants that you are considering is 5%- which will be very difficult to discern any difference after your surgery.

With Warm Regards,

Trevor M Born MD

It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 425 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C+” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the link below.

I would not recommend either 475 cc or 500 cc.  If you are 34 A each 100 cc’s of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change.  To achieve a C you would require 200 cc implants.  Since you describe yourself as petite, I doubt 475 cc or 500 cc implants would fit in the retro-pectoral position.  The implants would extrude inferiorly and laterally requiring revision.  Unfortunately, you have not provided any photographs but it is possible that you may benefit from a simultaneous lift if you have breast ptosis. 

 

Best Wishes,

 

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for opportunity to answer this question.  We get asked this very same question by many of our patients, and often by email at 3 am on the night before surgery!  There are many important decisions that contribute to a beautiful result from surgery, but patient angst seems to focus on size (and often tiny increments) because size is the one parameter for which they feel qualified to contradict a surgeon's advice. A 5% change (25 cc) makes no difference, and I think in general a change in size is visible only if at least 10% (50 ccs in this case).  You should go to your consultation and ask to see the very biggest implant that can safely be used for you (given your chest width, soft tissue characteristics, etc.), and then work backwards from there to choose a good size with your surgeon.  And remember, there is no perfect size- a size that is perfect in a bikini is not as perfect when you are out for a run getting in shape for a bikini.

This is a very small difference in volume.  You have done the majority of your homework by narrowing down your selection to this range.  I would let your surgeon determine the best size for you in surgery.

In order to make an accurate size recommendation, I would need to assess your chest wall and breast mound measurements and characteristics.  Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection.
Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.
The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor.   The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant.   It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you.
I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.
Dr. Gill