Do Breast Implants Look 20 Percent Smaller Once Implanted?

When "trying on implants," they will definitely look a bit smaller inside the body than when they are placed over the breast during a consultation. 

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 the muscle. At the office you also only have one outfit and you are trying to determine what those implants will look like "live." Imagine the same 280 cc implants under a... more

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 10% more to avoid rippling and to decrease the chance for rupture. Hope that helps!

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 bra with a tight shirt. In your case, 9 (270cc) to 10 (300cc) ounces may give you a good idea of your new look. It would be important to review this with your surgeon to be sure you get the... more

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. Discuss this with your surgeon and together you will decide the best implant to achieve your individual goals.