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What is the Maximum Size Implant That Can Be Placed Safely Behind the Muscle for Silicone Memory Gel?

asked 3 years ago by kiokie in new york, NY
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 7,097 times
Tags: silicone implant

What is the maximum size implant that can be placed safely behind the muscle for silicone memory gel? Also I know that a cc is a cc but in saline implants have a different shape and appearance compared to silicone memory gel. I had saline implants 375cc went to silicone 500cc but they seem smaller is this possible?

19 answers to What is the Maximum Size Implant That Can Be Placed Safely Behind the Muscle for Silicone Memory Gel?

Should have taken you up about 1/2 cup size

It is possible that the change in size that you are noticing is actually a change in shape. How does your breast fill the bra following the use of a larger implant? A change of 125 cc should have taking you up about 1/2 cup size. In my experience, when a patient desires to be a larger size and we have to use a new implant I usually want at least a full cup size difference to be present. It is important that you make your desires known to your surgeon. Pictures of what you want to look... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Some factors to consider when choosing best implant size

Choosing the best size implant depends on a number of factors. Patients' preference is at the top of the list, however, when choosing large implants the skin envelope is a primary concern. Going too big can permanently disort the breast tissue if the skin envelope is too small. For an average sized woman anything over 350 cc risks that type of damage. The largest silicone implant made today is around 800 cc. There are no hard fast rules. Discssing your options with an experienced breast... more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

When choosing breast implants, common sense must prevail

Mentor Corporation manufactures the MemoryGel breast implants. With respect to size, there really is no limit as custom implants can be obtained through you plastic surgeon. However, I must emphasize that common sense must prevail; don't assume that bigger is always better! Implants that are too large may upset the natural beauty and balance of your figure. The appropriate choice of implant size and shape does not need to be complex as it should be based on your physical dimensions and... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

There is no "Maximum" implant size

The decision about implant size depends on many factors. The size of your chest, body type, base diameter of your breast, and skin quality all help to determine the "optimal" size for you. This size might be very different for another woman. There are also many ways to help you to determine what implant size would fit you well. Some plastic surgeons have "sizers" in their office that they will fit into different size bras so that you can begin to see what kind of a... more

Daniel Sherick, MD
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

The operative word is "safely"

Kiokie, This question really depends on your definition of "safely." In terms of risks of the implant material to your health, they are the same for all implant sizes, so the largest available implant (800cc) can be used "safely". In terms of risks to your tissues, breast sensation, breast feeding ability, implant complications, etc., the larger the implants, the greater the risk. So, the idea of "safely" depends on your tolerance of complications before YOU... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

You don't want the maximum size.

To kiokie, Hi! You could have 500 cc to 700 cc implants put in (depending on your anatomy) and you would get away with it. But I really don't recommend this. Huge implants don't look natural, they have more problems (for example, increased risk of loss of nipple sensation), and they don't age well. If a woman insists on implants that are too big for her, I will not operate on her. 1) The final decision on implant size should only be made DURING SURGERY, not in advance. ( Of course I... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To avoid multiple reoperations base your implant selection on your breast tissues

I am a firm believer in Tissue Based Planning principles. There is a growing group of plastic surgeons across the world that believe a 30% reoperation or revision rate 3 years after surgery for: size change, poor position of the implants, stretching of the skin etc is way too high. If a breast implant chosen is based individually and in a customized way to fit each patient's breast, based on a few basic measurements and assessments such as breast width, stretchiness... and an implant is... more

Bradley Bengtson MD
Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon

Limitations have to do with anatomy and implant dimensions

Hi there, Generally, I believe that implants should be chosen based on a patient's anatomy and the implant dimensions. If you are interested in a more unnaturally large breast contour, certainly larger implants could be placed, as long as you understood the aesthetic outcome likely, and the longer term risks of implants that are larger than recommended, such as the risks of skin thinning and stretching (requiring a subsequent breast lift procedure). In this case, the limitations would be... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Depends on every patient

The largerst silicone implant made by the company that I personally use is 800 cc. And that is the memory gel. Now there are companies out there that custom make implants as well. As far as how large one person can go strictly depends on the patients body habitus, measurements and so forth. So impossible to tell how large you can go without an exam. As far as silicone and saline equivalent, you are right a cc is a cc. It also depends on what time of implant, some have more projection... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Best to answer this in person

The nature of the questions you are asking can only really be answered by a plastic surgeon in person. In general though, there are different implant shapes and profiles that can make one implant look very different from another regardless of the volume in the implant and whether it is saline or gel. Also, the volume you can place behind the muscle is really dictated by your body dimensions and the nature and quality of your tissues. Perhaps you should visit a few plastic surgeons in NY... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Comparing size differences in silicone and saline breast implants

1st question: The limit on size is related to the diameter of your breast as well as other breast dimensions. The biggest implant available in the market is around 800cc. This is a huge implant, and I would not recommend it! 2nd question: Your 370 cc saline should not look bigger then the 550 gel. The saline implants could be inflated to a bigger size but not 200cc! In general comparing shapes, the gel implant will tend to create a tear drop shape due to the gel displacement; the saline... more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

No maximum size per se

There is no "maximum" size per se. The appropriate size implant depends on your chest wall size, the diameter of the implant, and what you want to accomplish. I have found that silicone implants appear to be much smaller than their saline implants. So the answer to your question is yes. You might want to consider looking into a high profile implant.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Implant Size

It is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” or "fake looking" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Everyone's body is different

There is no way to say a maximum cc for an implant size. The size should be based on your chest dimension, skin tone and other body type factors. Your surgeon can go over these issues with you during a consultation. Getting the biggest implant possible is not always the best idea. There are definite down sides to a larger implant than your body can tolerate. Sizes are very individual.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

This can get complicated

Hello, Breast implant sizing should be more dimensional than volume-based, in my opinion at least. Looking at a woman's chest wall, the breast has a diameter (the distance across), a projection (the distance outward), and a height. Going too far above certain maximums here leads to breasts that look kinda weird. There are shapes that change these numbers for a given volume. This is really something best discussed between surgeon and patient before surgery. I start at consultation.... more

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Implant Size Choices for Upsizing

As you can see from most of the responses to your question size is usually determined by measurements taken of your own chest dimensions to see what might fit best for you. Some patients prefer to go a bit more "dramatic" and that is certain possible but the dimensions (usually the width or diamter) should still be chosen according to your chest measurements. In many patients who upsize their implants it may seem like there isnt much change but thats because your old implant was... more

Robert Herbstman, MD
Red Bank Plastic Surgeon

The maximum sized implant is 800 cc, but may not be right for you.

The maximum sized available silicone gel implant available is 800 cc. You can get slightly larger with a saline implant. However, you should not choose a certain size without being evaluated by a plastic surgeon to determine if it is the apprpriate size for you based on your chest and breas dimensions as well as condition of your skin envelope. You say you feel that your 500 cc implants are smaller than your 375 cc saline implants. One possible reason may be that you have different... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Each patient is different

There is no maximum per se that can be put behind the muscle. Your surgeon should evaluate your tissue laxity and diameter of your chest. The memory gel implant does sit differently in the pocket and give a different appearance. If you desire it sounds like you could go even bigger on the memory gel. Something to explore.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implant sizes

The largest implant available is an 800 cc implant. There used to be custom implants available but I believe they are not available anymore. The same size implant can be put behind the muscle as under the gland. The shapes now are all different so it definitely effects projection and base width of the implant.