Breast Implants: Q&A

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Subjective? Two Different Diagram Measurements Btwn Docs

I got measured for the diameter in sonograms and the first person said my right was 13', left 12. The second person who measured said they were both only 11 and thus I could not size to more than 325cc. This was very disappointing, as i used to be B before kids and figured a ps could help me recover to a full c or small d, which i was during nursing. Does skin not stretch anymore? The diameter differences really threw me.

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by HappyMom in WA in Tacoma, WA

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Breast implants

I have never found that measurement of chest diameter was that useful. With experience most plastic surgeons become pretty good at determining an appropriate implant size. I would go with whichever plastic surgeon you feel more comfortable with. Good luck!

Subjectivity of breast measurements

There are multiple questions and issues here but let's see if they can be addressed separately. The most subjective measurement of the breast is overall size and volume. The most accurate measurement for this is a surface scanning and software conversion to volume which is not available at a reasonable cost yet and is still potentially thrown off by shape such as ptosis. The amount and weight of breast tissue or fat content of the breast is also not measurable by any... more

Are breast diameter measurements subjective?

There is a certain amount of measuring breast diameters that is subjective. It is true that you do not want the diameter of the breast implant to significantly extend past the diameter of the breast, but there is a little flexibility here, and particularly because one surgeon measuring the base width of the breast may be a centimeter or more off the measurement by another surgeon. Unless you have a VERY narrow chest and VERY narrow breasts, I would be surprised if you could not... more

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Breast measurements are subjective

There is a great deal of subjectivity in breast measurements and breast base diameter and there is rarely a magic number which will indicate that only a 325cc implant or less might be used. We use measurements as a 'last guess' until we can actually see sizers in the operating room. If you were once a D you should be able to be a D again. Focus on the right look for you, and then find a surgeon who will listen and let experience be the guide rather than a number.

Base width and breast implants

Measurements are only a guideline and not an absolute...with different styles of implant, you certainly have other options than what has been presented to you...get another opinion and ask to see before and after photos of patients with narrow chests...some plastic surgeons do not measure at all! Find a surgeon that you are comfortable with.

Base width to size breast implants

Measurements of the breast base can vary depending on the person measuring and when the measurments are taken. For instance some women experience swelling associated with the menstrual cycle which could alter the base width from when they are off cycle. Some surgeons are more conservative by nature and are so with their measuring technique. High profile implants are an option for the patient with narrow base width measurements (11.5 cm and less) who are interested in larger... more

Breast width diameter measurement is variable among plastic surgeons

Hello, Some variability in the breast width diameter measurement will be seen when different plastic surgeons perform the measurement since the approximate thickness of the breast tissue is estimated and the beginning and ending marks are also somewhat subjective. Breast width should not vary between left and right since the ideally symmetric breasts have the same breast width diameter when volume is finally equalized. Do not be disappointed or disheartened. Have... more

Subjective breast width measurements

It is true that these measurements are subjective. In most patients there is not a definitive mark to consistently determine the medial and lateral extent of the breast tissue. Furthermore, the breast width measurement is partly a "guess" because it represents the width of the breast tissue within the breast, not the full width of the breast. These are guidelines to help your surgeon choose an appropriate size. May I call your attention to full profile implants (Allergan style... more

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