I'm having a breast lift with implants next month. I want to be conservative and don't necessarily desire a lot of projection. My MD recommended 240 or 275 moderate profile implants. I currently wear a 32C bra. I'm concerned about the width for my frame - obviously I want implants that will fill me out. I'd love to still go with the 240s if they will work. What do you think? Stats below: 5'5, 118 lbs Circ @ IMF: 28.5 in Circ @ breasts: 80 cm Shoulder width: 43 cm Breast width: See photo
December 27, 2019
Answer: Sizing dilemma Patients often think in terms of cup size when considering augmentation. Unfortunately, devices are sized in terms of milliliters (cc) of volume. This can lead to some confusion when sizing. Additionally, it is important to remember that cup size itself is not standardized with variations from one manufacturer to another. Unfortunately, as many women can attest their cup size in an industry leader such as VS is not necessarily transferable to another brand. Another point which is often under appreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume which is already present. The implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients (often times it will not even confer the same cup size to different breasts in the same individual...remember they are "sisters" not "twins"). A general rule of thumb is that 125cc can represent somewhere between 1/2 to a full cup size increase. Smaller volume differentials (25-50cc) are typically less consequential representing a volume change of less than a shot glass. However, I have found these numbers, at least anecdotally, to be of little help. Patients often present with notions/goals which do not correlate with these sorts of sterile volumetric assessments. When sizing patients, there are a number of useful tools including: -3D imaging (has the added benefit of offering a volumetric analysis of the pre-operative breast) -Breast sizers (rice bags) -Goal photos I also recommend that patients commit to a particular look rather than a cup size. Once a patient settles on a look that pleases them the overall cup size increase becomes less relevant.The key to obtaining a natural result is to stay within the parameters defined by your BWD. I discourage patients from struggling over subtle volume differences (35 cc is less than the volume of a shot glass) as these are unlikely to make a significant difference in outcome. If 240 cc is too small, it is very likely that 275 cc would be unsatisfactory as well. That being said, your selection range seems appropriate and either should give a reasonably good result. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS). Donovan Rosas MD Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons RealSelf Top 100 RealSelf Hall of Fame
Helpful
December 27, 2019
Answer: Sizing dilemma Patients often think in terms of cup size when considering augmentation. Unfortunately, devices are sized in terms of milliliters (cc) of volume. This can lead to some confusion when sizing. Additionally, it is important to remember that cup size itself is not standardized with variations from one manufacturer to another. Unfortunately, as many women can attest their cup size in an industry leader such as VS is not necessarily transferable to another brand. Another point which is often under appreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume which is already present. The implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients (often times it will not even confer the same cup size to different breasts in the same individual...remember they are "sisters" not "twins"). A general rule of thumb is that 125cc can represent somewhere between 1/2 to a full cup size increase. Smaller volume differentials (25-50cc) are typically less consequential representing a volume change of less than a shot glass. However, I have found these numbers, at least anecdotally, to be of little help. Patients often present with notions/goals which do not correlate with these sorts of sterile volumetric assessments. When sizing patients, there are a number of useful tools including: -3D imaging (has the added benefit of offering a volumetric analysis of the pre-operative breast) -Breast sizers (rice bags) -Goal photos I also recommend that patients commit to a particular look rather than a cup size. Once a patient settles on a look that pleases them the overall cup size increase becomes less relevant.The key to obtaining a natural result is to stay within the parameters defined by your BWD. I discourage patients from struggling over subtle volume differences (35 cc is less than the volume of a shot glass) as these are unlikely to make a significant difference in outcome. If 240 cc is too small, it is very likely that 275 cc would be unsatisfactory as well. That being said, your selection range seems appropriate and either should give a reasonably good result. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS). Donovan Rosas MD Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons RealSelf Top 100 RealSelf Hall of Fame
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December 30, 2019
Answer: Breast evaluation Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs alone, the surgical plan you discussed seems reasonable. With that said, however, it is important to note that the selection of the appropriate implant, especially when combined with a breast lift is a complicated issued with multiple variables to discuss. Be sure your board certified plastic surgeon addressed all your concerns and discussed the surgery details including the position and size of the incision used, the wide array of breast implants available, the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course. Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar breast appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome. And lastly, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired breast outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. For more information on breast augmentation, please refer to my link below.Good luck. Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 30, 2019
Answer: Breast evaluation Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs alone, the surgical plan you discussed seems reasonable. With that said, however, it is important to note that the selection of the appropriate implant, especially when combined with a breast lift is a complicated issued with multiple variables to discuss. Be sure your board certified plastic surgeon addressed all your concerns and discussed the surgery details including the position and size of the incision used, the wide array of breast implants available, the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course. Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar breast appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome. And lastly, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired breast outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. For more information on breast augmentation, please refer to my link below.Good luck. Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Helpful 1 person found this helpful