Will 240cc moderate profile implants fit my frame? (Photos)

Question

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

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Based on your photographs, a breast lift with an implant can result in a very nice shape if good technique is used.  240cc will likely be a nice size for you.  The size, profile, and shape of the implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  
 
 Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I recommend a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.  Implants are not lifetime devices.  8% fail within the first year and 30% fail within six years.  Fat transfers are permanent and incorporated into the body.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Glad you’re going with a moderate profile implant; the breast lift will give you the projection you want. 240 or 275 should work well. If you actually live in or near Shreveport, your doc should be either Simeon Wall, Jr., or Holly Wall (they are husband and wife, and some of the best surgeons in the world).

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

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

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear WSTIN,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Sizes in the 240-275cc range should nicely fit into your chest dimensions without issue and I would focus more on the overall size at this point than the width of implants as the difference is only a couple of millimeters.  Use sizers in your surgeons office to see what the 240/275cc implants represent when in clothing.  Hope this helps.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. My patients tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size breast implant is right for them. 
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author                     
RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A small implant with a breast lift would produce a nice result to meet your goals.  Remember that there is no standardization of cup sizes between sizes bra manufacturers.None of the modalities to approximate final results from breast 
implants are 100% accurate; they merely facilitate the patient and the 
board certified PS concurring on the size and type of breast implant 
which will come the closest to reaching the patient's goal. My patients 
prefer to try on sizers under garments they typically wear to determine 
if they fit as expected and help allay some of their trepidation 
associated with this decision. At your next in-office consultation with your PS, 
ask to try on a profile bra with silicone moderate 240 and 275 cc sizers under
 a tailored blouse, tight sweater, swimsuit, workout clothes, tank tops,
 and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of
 whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected.  I would
 recommend that you go with the size that boosts your self-esteem, and 
fits your anatomy.
Choosing an implant based on an aesthetic goal that exceeds your 
anatomic capacity may lead to complications and possibly revision.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!From your photographs, you demonstrate significant sag with the nipple-areolar complexes a distance below the fold at the bottom of the breasts.  A breast lift will elevate the nipple areolar complexes back into anatomic position and will conify the shape of the breasts.You note your breast diameter as 43 cm. From the photo, it appears to be 11 cm. If you drop a vertical line from the medial most and lateral most aspects of the breast, and measure the distance between them, this suggests a base width. If an implant is too narrow, you will not have adequate cleavage. If wider than the base width, you will have excessive cleavage and “lateral boob”.  The fill of the implant then determines the amount of forward projection. I recommend you visit an implant website (e.g. Mentor, Allergan, etc.) as they will list base widths, fill options, and projections for each implant size they offer.I think your surgical plan is reasonable. You should have an excellent result.
I recommend a thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon to ensure that you are both on the same page.
  
Best wishes…

Will 240cc moderate profile implants fit my frame? (Photos)

Answers (14)

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