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Will Decreased Breast Implant Projection Produce Significant Downsizing Results?

Prior to my breast augmentation, I was a deflated A cup. At my consultation I told my surgeon that all I wanted was a conservative B cup to replace what I lost during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We settled on the Inamed Style 410 implants, 280grams - 12cm width, 11.7 height and 4.4cm projection. I am now measuring a D cup (way too big for me) and I also find them to be too firm.

I believe that it is the somewhat higher overall profile of these implants that give more bang for the buck with these implants. For my downsize re-do, we have settled on the Mentor Round Moderate Profile Silicone implants - 200ccs, 11.7 diameter with 2.5cm projection. Although I'm only going down 80ccs/grams, will the difference in projection give me a the noticeable or visible decrease in size that I'm hoping for? Also, will these Mentor Round Silicones be softer than the Gummy Anatomicals? Thanks in advance.

Asked 37 months ago by sandyt123 in Toronto, Ontario
Sort 18 expert answers by:
+4

Unhappy with your appearance or bra size?

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your breasts or the bra size? You do not give your band size or your chest measurement. Normally unless you have a small chest, a 280 gram 410 implant will not make you a D cup. There is much variation in the methods used by bra manufactures to measure cup size. Assuming that your chest measures 29 inches (34 bra), I would expect the 280 gram implant to leave you a C cup. The 410 implants are firmer than silicone gel, but are still very soft and... more
William H. Huffaker, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+3

Disposable sizers should be used during surgery to get the right look.

To sadyt123, Hi! The exact dimensions of the implant should be determined by your anatomy and not by the size you want to be. I put the patient in the sitting position during surgery (still asleep, of course) and try out different volumes inside a disposable implant. This way the surgeon can see exactly which size looks best and there is no guess work. Also this way you can check for shape and symmetry BEFORE finishing the operation. A sizer costs only $45 and it is discarded at the end of... more
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+3

Round mod-profile gel an excellent choice in Augmentation

Sandy, I have a very large experience with the 410 cohesive gel implant in the US. I know in Canada they are often used in augmentation yet I find they are a better choice for breast reconstruction. This is simply a matter of opinion but let me explain why. The 410 is a shaped implant that after displacment or pressure resumes a breast like shape. It is textured so that it holds the tissue and maintains its proper orientation within the breast. In reconstruction where the breast has been... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon
+3

Yes - you should see significant change in size and feel

2 cm of projectiuon is significant and should give you the look you are trying to achieve. The mentor moderate profile gels ae significantly softer than the 410's - especially if you dont have a significant amount of overlying tissue.
Jason Pozner, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+2

Downsizing and Different Gel

Yes, the Mentor Implants will probably feel a bit softer. No, it is unlikely that 80cc will make more than a half-cup size difference, no matter what projection.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implant size change

The silicone gel implants are softer than the cohesive 410 implants.  Going with the lower profile implants will definitely give you less projection and probably give you the result that you want.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

You are probably OK.

Hello, As you are going with a smaller implant you will be smaller. How that will look on your frame varies of course. You sound like you are a woman with a thin frame. Trying to only go up one cup size in smaller patients can be difficult as we need to match the breast width to have the implant look right and that puts us into a certain volume right there. I am not crazy about anatomic implants so as far as I am concerned you are better off without them.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+2

You should have less projection and feel softer

The Mentor moderate profile gel implants have a very natural look and are not excessively full or buldgy. As long as the base width fits you well it will look good on your frame. The 200 cc gel is a small implant. The feel should also be a bit softer than what you currently have. Review all this with your doctor to be sure.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Most definitely a change

Sandy, You sound from your description as if you are petite with a narrow chest. For someone like yourself, a reduction of 80 cc and 1.9 cm of projection will certainly make a huge difference.
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Generally yes to both questions

I would suspect that the dimensional differences would be significant given the paucity of natural tissue (i.e. if you started with more breast tissue, the differences would be minimized). Also, the silicone gels should feel softer because of their intrinsic texture, but also because a greater proportion of your final breast size will consist of your natural breast tissue. However, as you have learned, nothing in breast augmentation is guaranteed. The best you can do is analyze the situation... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Thinking too much

Hi there- I think you are being too analytical about the process- in the final analysis, you are trying to achieve a certain improvement in your body contour, not a certain number on your implants or letter on your bra, right? The major concern in your situation is that it is not possible to take into consideration the elasticity of your tissues until the force of the implant is in place, so choosing an implant based SOLELY on the numbers is an imperfect science, and I would be worried that... more
Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+2

It might

I'm have a problem understanding how you were an A pre augmentation and that a 280 cc implant made you a D. The rule of thumb is that for each 150cc's , you go up one size. The silicone implants are softer than the "gummy bear" or 410s. The 200s also have much less projection 2.5 cm as opposed to 4.4 cm - but they are still only 80ccs smaller. The Mentor - round smooth moderate profile are very popular, and for someone with an A breast, 200ccs should only make you a little more... more
William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Downsizing implants

Based on the numbers, I think you will notice a significant decrease in breast size with the implants you have chosen.  Although there is very little science behind the "Cup Size", highly projecting implants have a significant effect on the appreciated cup size, so dropping 2 cm will make a noticeable difference.  The mentor implants should be significantly softer than your current implants. Best wishes, Dr.B
Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Decreased projection can be very significant

The Inamed 410 cohesive gel implants are a very projecting, firm implant. The Mentor 200cc round moderate gels are much softer, with a significantly lower projection. When choosing an implant, the width is important to size the device to your breast anatomy. Projection then allows you to fill out the breast at increasing volumes while maintaining a natural base width to the implant. This helps prevent the "implant under the armpit" scenario as well as reducing the incidence of... more
David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant Projection

The almost 2 cm difference in projection will cause a significant decrease in the appearance of the size of your breasts. The moderate profile is about the same diameter as your original implants (just a tad narrower) so you will still have about the size across each breast. It is important to choose an implant that compliments the width of your chest wall to be sure that it is not too narrow for a "fake" look or too wide where the implant appears to be falling too far toward... more
Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implant downsizing results

Yes, going to the moderate profile gel will give you a softer and less projecting breast.  Remember, cup size is not the same thing as breast size.  Determine how you want to look regarding shape and size, rather than the post-operative bra size.  Your surgeon should be able to help you.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant size determination

Determining implant size is very difficult. However, based on the information, it seems that you will see a significant change in size and projection. Mentor is a very high quality implant and use it for many of my patients. I usually use moderate to moderate plus profile implants to achieve a more natural look. Internally your anatomy is very different and depending on whether your chest is convexed or concaved, the projection will make a difference.  I recommend... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation Results and Recovery

Ideally, breast implants will feel like part of your body and you won't be aware of them sooner than you'd imagine. Of course that is if the appropriate size and position is used. Pain pumps are a tremendous help in minimizing discomfort following breast augmentation surgery. However, even if yoiu feel great, follow your surgeons orders and don't push yourself with too much activity or lifting sooner than you should. Ideally, scars should fade until they are barely... more
Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
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