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Should Surgeons Choose Breast Implant Size?

asked 2 years ago by angelrose83 in Huntsville, AL
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 459 times
Tags: second opinion, size

I am scheduled to have breast augmentation in a few weeks. My PS says he will not choose a breast implant size for me and recommends I do the rice test and/or try on sizers in the office.

But most forums say that these are unreliable measures for sizing. How do you other doctors feel about his decision to not choose the size? Should this be a red flag?

23 answers to Should Surgeons Choose Breast Implant Size?

Should Surgeons Choose Breast Implant Size?

Should Surgeons Choose Breast Implant Size? No a surgeon should guide and may suggest implant size and type and placement in the process of educating the patient.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Newer techniques for choosing a breast implant size

This is a decision that the patient makes, with the advice of the surgeon. It is important that the surgeon and patient agree on the size to be used, and various methods help to arrive at that decision. The old methods of using a bag of rice, or trying on implants in a bra do help to some degree, albeit with some limitations. It helps me when a patient brings in photos of other patients from the Internet or from magazines to tell me what she wants or doesn't... more

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

www.pacificplasticsurgery.com

Choosing an Implant

Hi there- There are various reasons why a surgeon may not want to be responsible for the decision...: 1. After surgery, if you express dissatisfaction, they can wash their hands of the situation because you chose the implants. 2. It simplifies the consultation process for them, because once you have made the decision to have surgery, they can have you choose the implant with their nurse, or even at home. 3. It is a lot less expensive and easier for a surgeon to only have to order and pay for imp more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Doctor and patient should choose breast implant size

In my practice, choice of breast implant size is a joint discussion and decision between me and my patients. Height, shoulder and hip width and body proportion are some of the elements that should be taken into account and discussed in-depth when choosing a breast implant size. I try to help my patients in choosing an implant that will enhance their overall body shape by taking all of the above measurements into account. I believe that a mutual, honest dialogue and decision is very... more

Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Always a combined decision

By performing a series of measurements the surgeon can help determine the range of sizes that could be used in a particular patient. This is followed by an informed decision by both the surgeon and the patient as to which exact size to pick from that range. Sizers and other patients before and after photographs can be helpful for the patient to communicate to their surgeon which shape and volume they like best. It is never a patient only decision.

Antoine A. Hallak, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Who Should Choose Breast Implant Size?

Coice of implant size is not the responsibility of the patient or the surgeon but both. First the surgeon must point out the anatomical features of the patient including current breast size, shoulder width, hip width, waist and buttock. Other things to be considered include: personality, profession, athletics and age. Once these things are discussed then I have patients try on sizers with a tight sports bra and a top. This will give a good idea of the volume but not... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

How to choose a breast implant

I agree there is a lot of confusion about how to choose a breast implant for breast augmentation and I agree with your sense that external sizers are unreliable (as are comparing to photos) and that maybe this is a red flag for your plastic surgeon's experience. If you went to an orthopedic surgeon for a hip implant you wouldn't care to choose the implant yourself. Nor would you feel comfortable in a cosmetic procedure like breast augmentation with the surgeon deciding it during surgery and... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a breast implant

Choosing the correct impalnt for you is a decision that should be made with your doctor. Based upon the physical exam and the patient's request, I come up with a plan and a recommended implant size. I like my patients then to go home and do the "rice test or water test" with a baggy to see if that is the size that they want or do they want to be slightly alrger or smaller. Usually we "hit it on the head" from this, and the patient is happy after... more

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Choosing your Breast Implant Size

I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients: 1.Dimensional planning2.Gel Implant Sizing system Dimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. Even your fitness levels and... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Both patients and plastic surgeons should play an active role in choosing breast implant size

Hi, It's not advisable for either you or for your surgeon to choose the appropriate-sized breast implant without input from each other. Your surgeon brings expertise to the process that you don't have; he or she should know what will look good given your body size, breast size, and desired goals. You know what you want; all women are different, some wanting subtle changes and others wanting huge changes in breast size. Ultimately, the two of you need to work together to choose the right... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant sizing

Decision on the size of a breast implant in my view should be determined by the patient with input from the surgeon. I have all of my patients try on implants in my office but tell them that I want only to use implants that fit their breasts. In more than 20 years using this method, I have had very few patients who desired a change in sizes.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

How to pick breast implant sizes or shapes.

How to pick breast implant sizes Answer by George J. Beraka, MDManhattan Plastic Surgeon1) This is the most common type of question on RealSelf. 2) It is the surgeon's job to pick the right breast implants, not the patient's. Implant selection is really pretty technical. 3) Make sure your surgeon REALLY understands the look you want. Mentioning a cup size is not enough. Show your surgeon pictures of breasts you like. 4) Then your surgeon has to tell you if your chosen look is realistic for... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Size should be made BY THE PATIENT (with Surgeon guidance)

The question as to WHO choses the implant is easy - The patient does. But the surgeon needs to influence that decision based on his/her experience and then decide if to accomodate that choice and actually perform the breast augmentation surgery or not. A lot of Plastic surgeons, especially in these tough economic times, will shrug off this ethical decision as impractical, saying that if he/she does not give the patient the implants she insists on, someone else surely will. That is probably... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Choosing breast implant size

I believe it is a combined decision as to size of the implant between the patient and surgeon. I always want larger than the patient. We usual compromise. From MIAMI

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Be active in choosing your implant size

Choosing the proper implant size involves close communication between patient and surgeon. In my office we carefully discuss each patient's size goals. Then each patient works closely with my nurse and me using implant sizers to determine which size will meet these goals. My patients feel empowered by participating in making this important decision, and we have an excellent rate of patient satisfaction using this method.

Bruce Genter, MD
Abington Plastic Surgeon

You should decide how you wish to look after augmentation, the surgeon chooses the implant

It seems to me there is a bit of confusion concerning the burden of choosing the correct implant in breast augmentation. Certainly you should do your homework with photos, experiment with bras at home, and some soul searching to know what is best for you and your lifestyle. No one will know better if you are too large, or too small than you will, before and after your breast augmentation. It is important that the surgeon you are working with will spend time to review what you bring in... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Breast implant size is a choice for your body

My personal belief is - it's your body, you are the one that will be carrying them around and have to live with them and it is you that is paying for the implants and surgery, therefore my goal is to match the size that you want. That is not to say that I would do something unreasonable, but I will make every attempt to know in advance before surgery, using pictures as well as trying implant sizers in your bra to know what you want. Then I will try to get as close to this as possible using... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Factors affecting choice of breast implant size

There seems to be consensus among the Real Self contributors that the size should be made between the surgeon and patient together, and I agree, but there are those who have a different approach. One prominent plastic surgeon insists on using "sizers" during surgery to see what fits best, with no input from the patient, and the other extreme is to let the patient pick whatever they want with the rice bag test or something similar. It is very important to start with measurements,... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Many ways choose the size of the breast implants

There are many different techniques to decide which size breast implant to use. Some patients will come in wanting a particular size because that's what their friends said they should have. Others are more rational and will listen to what the plastic surgeon recommends with the patients input. I use a technique of measuring the patient to determine the appropriate size implant based on chest dimensions and then will use the Axis 3-D imager to show a patient how they might look with various... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Implant sizing

The choice of implant size is generally a decision between the surgeon and patient. We examine you and make recommendations based on your tissues, and listen to what you as the patient prefer. At that point a final decision is made regarding size. You may want to get another opinion, as it is difficult for a patient to make this decision by herself. One other helpful resource is the Natrelle sizing kit, which is available directly from their website. Good luck,... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Choosing breast implants

I agree that choosing the beast implant itself should be the surgeon's decision BUT deciding on the goal is the patients. In the end, it is a joint decision. You should be able to communicate to your surgeon what you want as a result of surgery (i.e. appearance, proportion, shape, relative increase, cleavage, etc.). The surgeon should explain the options of technique and implants to get you as close to what you want as possible. Together you should agree on which options to select based on... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Choosing Breast Implant Size

The decision on breast implant size should be a combined effort between you and your plastic surgeon. You can use the expertise of the plastic surgeon to let you know what range of sizes would be appropriate for your anatomy. You can then try different sizers in the office or the rice test and then pick which size implant you would like. I hope this is helpful.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Doctors and patients should choose the breast implant together

By working closely with a patient and spending at least an hour personally with them, the doctor and patient can mutually agree on what will be the best implant for you. A doctor who puts the whole decision on your shoulders is a huge red flag from my standpoint.