Do breast implants look 20 percent smaller once implanted?

I have scheduled breast augmentation. My PS has suggested 280 high profile implants. I am 5'2" and weigh 110lbs with a small frame. I desire a natural look without anyone noticing my breasts first when I walk in a room, but am worried that the 280cc will not be large enough. They looked good when I tried them on, but heard that they will appear 20% smaller once implanted. Is this true?

4 answers to “Do breast implants look 20 percent...”

A: They usually look somewhat smaller inside of you

Francisco Canales, MD

Hello Placing an implant in a bra while you are in the surgeon's office does not indicate exactly what that implant will look like inside of your body.  At the office, the implant is sitting infront of your chest wall and breast and it looks slightly bigger than when placed behind the breast and behind... more

A: Natural look after breast augmentation

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Simulating the correct size for our patients is always challenging. I like to make size recommendations based on the breast diameter, current cup size, and desired new cup size. The ideal size is not a fixed number, but rather a range. Silicone implants tend to be smaller, saline implants are also inflated to... more

A: Preop breast implant sizing may help your decision

Glen Brooks, MD

It is not unusual for breast implants to look smaller when implanted than when only placed into a bra.  Many physicians will recommend going 25cc bigger than a sizer placed in a bra in the office.  An at home technique is to put rice in a baggie (30cc=1ounce) and see what that looks like in a sheer... more

A: Photos of a desired result certainly help

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

 One of the best methods of getting it right when it comes to breast implant size is to find a photo of the breast size you desire.  A photo sort of locks it in so every one is on the same page.  Look for a photo that indicates your desired shape, degree of fullness in all 4 quadrants.... more

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