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Do Smaller Breast Implants Necessarily Mean Less Risks?

asked 8 months ago by Genuine
Latest answer by George John Alexander, MD
Question viewed 377 times
Tags: 200-249cc, risk, smaller

Do smaller breast implants necessarily mean less risks? Like less chance of rippling, leaking, longer lasting, less sagging, etc? I want natural results to simply look more proportionate in my clothes. I currently have A cups and would like full B cups with saline - I think about 210cc. I have a feeling I may want to go larger for full B cups, but I feel the larger the implants, the more risks are involved.

11 answers to Do Smaller Breast Implants Necessarily Mean Less Risks?

Small vs. large breast implants

Choosing the right size of breast implant can be a difficult decision and there are no steadfast rules. Smaller implants should cause less distortion of the tissue and therefore should have less risks but more important than the implant size is the decision making process in choosing which implant to use. Picking the right width and profile can be just as important in trying to prevent these issues. Also, the surgery itself and how it is performed is more likely to cause bottoming out and... more

Navinderdeep S. Nijher, MD
Ocala Plastic Surgeon

ocalaplasticsurgery.com

Implant size does not change surgery risks

This is a very good question, the converse of this question is actually even a better question; Do larger implants have higher risks? There are two parts to the answer to these questions. The first part is the risks and potential complications related to the operative procedure itself, and the second is the risks and potential complications related to the implants in the long term. Let's talk about surgical complications first. The immediate risks inherent in this... more

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon

www.bodybyfinkle.com

Breast implant risks

Thank you for your question. Smaller implants don't carry less risks than larger implants, but they will most likely cause less sagging of your breasts over time as they are not as heavy as larger implants. All in all, breast augmentation is a very well tolerated surgery with miminal risks as long as you're healthy and in good shape. I think your implant size goal is very reasonable, and It will help to increase the volume of your breasts and improve the shape... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

Implant Size and Risk

In general the include size does not carry any greater surgical risk. However, large implants do have a greater risk of issues long term. In addition, if the tissues are poor quality, the risk is greater. The primary concern is thinning of the skin, bottoming out, traction rippling and others. It is important that the implant match your anatomy.

Steven S. Carp, MD
Akron Plastic Surgeon

www.carpcosmetic.com

Do Smaller Breast Implants Necessarily Mean Less Risks?

Yes - if we were to reduce and simplistically distill the argument to a discussion of implant volume, smaller (lighter) implants ARE associated with less problem than larger breast implants. BUT - that is NOT quite the cause. Great looking augmented breasts are created when the implants chosen are fully covered by the available breast tissue. Going with larger (wider, heavier implants) causes wasting away of the available breast tissue with visibility of the implant shell, with faster... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Smaller implants, smaller risks

Generally it is true that smaller implants will produce less breast tissue thinning, less traction ripples, less sag, less change in nipple sensation. There is is range of 'small' which also depends on the size of your breast, how much tissue is available to cover the implant. In reaching a B-cup any implant will be within the safer range so consider the size or look you want and go for it. And the longer lasting less leaking, unfortunately a no here. Best of luck,... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Do smaller implants = fewer risks?

Very large implants, especially on a petite woman, may indeed cause more risks. A larger implant is heavier, therefore it may be more prone to stretch out the skin and cause more drooping of the breast over time. If you are trying to decide on sizes within the 200cc-300cc range, it is unlikely that this would be a significant issue for you.

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Implant size and the risk of surgery

Smaller implants, in general, do not change the risks involved with breast augmentation. Very large implants can have deleterious results with atrophy of the skin, bottoming out and rippling over time. The most important point is that you are comfortable and trust your board certified plastic surgeon performing your breast augmentation.

Donna Rich, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Smaller Implants=Less Problems....Maybe!

Dear Genuine, Great question!!! You really have to separate implant problems into two groups. Those potential problems that all implants no matter what the size can experience and those problems that are more related to size. The larger the implants, the stress and force that is applied to the breast tissues that have to support the weight of the implants. This can lead to more stretching and thinning of the breast tissues. More bottoming out of the... more

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation Risks Do Not Change Based On Implant Size

Within normal breast implant ranges, the size of the device implanted does not change their inherent risks. It is still a manmade device placed by a human surgeon which is subject to each and every one of the potential complications that you have listed...and a few more.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Breast implants:Smaller Less Risks?

Thank you for the question. Although I think very large implants do carry higher risks of complications than smaller breast implants I believe that the range of breast implant sizes you are discussing in your question do not change the risks that you take. I think the greater risk, in your case, may be that you will be dissatisfied with the breast size you end up with (if you're not careful). You may find the following words of advice helpful. The... more