Is 450 Cc Too Large - Will They End Up Droopy and Weird if I Go High Profile Silicone? (photo)

Thank you for your question and photograph. From your photograph you appear to have very naturally shaped normal appearing breasts. You should be able to achieve your desired shape and size with breast augmentation.I concur with Dr. Pousti that your decision about the size of breast implants is best made after consulting with and choosing your plastic surgeon who will perform your operation.There are many options available to help you make this important decision. If you visit the Mentor and Allergan breast implant manufacturer's websites you can see before and after pictures of patients who have had various sizes of breast implants placed and try to find ones with your pre surgery breast size. In addition Mentor makes a breast sizing system which allows for the placement of various sized properly shaped implants into your bra to give you an idea of what different sized breast implants will look like on you. In addition if you check the link to the article at the end of this answer it describes a home test called the Rice test which you can do privately in your own home.You state that you are concerned that 450 may be too big and that you are very active in sports. It is always important to trust your instincts and generally speaking women who are very active in sports are often more more comfortable with implants below the 400 to 450cc range.Most importantly consult a plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, experienced in cosmetic breast surgery, and to have an excellent reputation in your local community.Best of luck to you.

You have very pretty breasts with a natural teardrop shape, and submuscular silicone gel implants will give you a fabulous result because you look that way now. But high profile implants will look high, round, and with an unnaturally-wide cleavage ("Baywatch coconuts"), especially if you go slightly smaller than 450cc.

Based on your photograph alone, 450cc may be a bit on the big side of "best choice," especially since you are active in sports, but I would reserve that recommendation until an in-person examination was possible, and would even base my final decision on the actual skin and muscle tone found at the time of surgery.

Regardless of the final implant volume chosen in accordance with your pre-operative photographic goals, sizing with implants in a bra and stretchy top, and discussion with you, I would choose the widest, lowest-profile implants possible to give you the most natural look, normal (not wide) cleavage, and "fit" to your pocket base diameter. I suspect that will be moderate or perhaps moderate plus implants, but NOT high profile!

Lots of plastic surgeons seem to prefer HP implants for the upper pole fullness they provide, but the increased projection and narrower base give an unnaturally-projecting, round, and wide-cleavage look (with LESS upper pole fullness--HP implants are shorter vertically the same way they are narrower horizontally, since they are round!) that to me is decidedly "fake" looking. If that is what you prefer, then OK, go for it! But if you want soft, natural, and aesthetically-beautiful breasts that mirror your pre-operative breasts (only larger), then follow my recommendations above. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

 

Silicone gel implants appear more natural on thin people.  I also recommend under the muscle placement.  However, you may not be able to accommodate a large implant of 450 cc.  Attempts to put too large of an implant will result in the implant dislocating inferiorly and laterally with loss of projection.  You may be better off with a smaller implant higher and perhaps a mastopexy (Mini Ultimate Breast Lift) at the same time.  You are active with sports and the added weight of a large implant may be a problem.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.