250cc or 280cc moderate? (Photo)

Question

Hello! Today I tried on sizers. I tried 250cc and 300cc moderate. I loved the way 250cc looked on me because I still want to look petite. I don't want a huge frame. I thought the 300 looked too big for me. My surgeon is recommending 250cc in one and 280cc in another but I'm afraid 280cc will look like 300. I showed me in the sizers and then my wish pictures!

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Choosing an implant size/style is an important decision which is best made in concert with your surgeon. Ultimately, options are based on a number of factors including:
-Chest dimensions: This point is crucial as the width of your breasts defines the available "real estate" on which the foundation of your augmentation is built. This "foot print" is the absolute limit with which you are dealing.  Too "large" is not so much the risk as too "wide." You cannot build a 3 acre mansion on a half acre plot. An implant which is too wide (exceeding the available space on your chest) will generally over hang laterally making it more noticeable and occasionally contributing to discomfort and nerve symptoms (numbness or tingling). This will also contribute to a more unnatural look.
-Tissue quality: This relates to size in the sense that the implant will be suspended by your tissue. Too large an implant may place took large a stress on these suspending tissues leading to healing problems in the short term and bottoming out in the long term.
-Patient desire (what is the look you are hoping to achieve?)
My role as a surgeon is to manage expectations and guide you towards a prudent choice which can satisfy these reasonable goals. Often times, a surgeon can guide a patient toward a size/cc range and patients will make determinations on implant style/profile. Patient seeking more or less projection, or seeking a more pronounced or subtle upper pole volume increase can be guided toward an implant which will help them best achieve their goals. Additionally, technique variations (sub muscular vs. sub glandular) can also aid in obtaining the look you desire.  
There are a number of tools available to help guide patient/surgeon decision making including sizers, 3D imaging and goal photos. Each modality can help better communicate your goals to your surgeon and vice versa.
Ultimately, it is important to not marry oneself to a particular "cc" as oppose to a particular "look." Communication is key as you and your surgeon create your custom surgical plan. 
With regards to your specific question, I would not struggle over such small volume variations. 20 ml is less than half a shot glass. This volume is unlikely to make or break a result.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this: 
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you. Also, just FYI, each surgeon's measurements are slightly different, so numbers, experience, and overall aesthetic from one surgeon aren't necessarily the same as those from another surgeon!

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jenifferslifestyle,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

Sizers are rather inaccurate compared to preoperative 3D simulation. I would recommend finding a surgeon who can simulate the surgery with Vectra or Crisalix. This eliminates any potential doubt about what the postoperative outcome may look like. Sizers tend to overestimate the size by approximately 20% because they are laying on top of the tissues of the chest wall.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! When the implants are in your body and under the muscle, they will look a little bit smaller. I always advise patients that if they are torn between two sizes, go with the larger. Good luck!

Zeshaan Maan, MD · Answer

I can understand your concern. The main reason to consider different size implants is to correct asymmetry between the two sides. I would imagine your surgeon has noted that and is trying to correct it. 
The best option would be to try a 250cc on one side and 280cc sizer on the other and see how you feel about how that looks!

Carlos Marciales, MD · Answer

Hello, I recommended that you follow your surgeon's instructions, study your case, I value you in consultation, and he realized that you need asymmetrical Implants.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Whichever you choose, it takes 3 to 5 weeks to get used to before you feel the implants are part of you. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Sizing is the most accurate way of choosing implants, so trust only how you look with the sizers. If these are wish pics with the same size implant, ignore; those are other people and will give you NO indication how you will look. If the doc wants to put a slightly larger implant on one side don't worry. The difference is 30 cc, which is exactly two measuring tablespoons.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

You might want to try 3-D breast implant imaging. The technology allows for control of implant, volume, shape, and profile. You can see what you look like before the procedure in any implant, trying on sizers overestimates the appearance in my opinion.

250cc or 280cc moderate? (Photo)

Answers (15)

More Breast Implants Questions

Am I a candidate for breast augmentation? (Photo)

Can I continue cheerleading, gymnastics and tumbling after breast implants?

Will implants only help fill out upper breast? (Photo)

Breast augmentation - should I go for 400cc or 420cc implants? (Photo)

Surgery during H pylori treatment. Is this safe?

What is the most likely cause of implant rupture at 6 months?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS