Can 450cc Breast Implants Look Natural? Will They Affect My Running?

Question

Hi, I'm 5'10 weigh 150lbs and curent bra size is 36C. I'm looking into getting silicone implants (under the muscle) for volume and projection. My plastic surgeon recommended 450cc implants. To me that sounds huge! He said that because I am farily wide and broad shouldered (and because of the shape of my breasts) anthing smaller will not give me the projection I want. Will 450cc still look natural? Also, I workout and run a lot would these implants make that uncomfortable? Help please!

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give to my patients:
1)  No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
2)  Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)
3)  At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph
4)  At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph
5)  At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph
6)  At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph
7)  At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.With respect to size and working out, you will feel more heaviness in the chest.  I would make sure that have a comfortable and supportive workout bra.  I would also discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and congratulations on your upcoming breast augmentation surgery.

	I think the most important decision you make (when you have decided to proceed with breast augmentation surgery) is choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon whom you trust and can communicate with. Once you develop this trust and communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon the specifics of the operation (including the implant model)  can be  decided upon. You will find that each plastic surgeon has his/her preferences so you need to feel comfortable that the surgeon you choose is capable (based on documented experience with before and after pictures and/or referrals) of achieving your goals.

	It will be very important to communicate your overall goals with your surgeon.  In my practice, the use of photographs of &ldquo;goal&rdquo; pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as &ldquo;natural&rdquo; or &ldquo;C cup&rdquo; or "fake looking" or "top heavy" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.

	 I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison. I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible .

	It will also be important to communicate your lifestyle and activities ( for example running)  with your surgeon. Generally speaking appropriate sized  breast implants will not interfere with your workout or running routine.

	 By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is &ldquo;I wish I was bigger&rdquo;.

	 I hope this helps

Paul Gill, MD · Answer

With a good support bra, the implants should not be affected by working out or running after 6-8 weeks.  Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection.

	Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.

	The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor.   The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant.   It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you.

	I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.

	Dr. Gill

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

450 cc's are fairly large implants but it does not mean that they won't look great.  I couldn't tell you without an exam. If you are pretty active and do not want to be too large, you may be better off with smaller implants.

Manuel M. Peña, MD · Answer

Your concern is understandable, however many factors should be taken into consideration by your plastic surgeon and you. Laxity of the skin and breast tissue will be important in obtaining "natural' looking breast. The base  width will also tell the surgeon what sizes are possible. The most important maneuver is for the surgeon to show you on your pictures (Computer Generated Imaging) what different sized implants look like on /in your body. I especially find that  the photos that include the upper torso and sometimes the hips can let you see what kind of balance or proportion you will be achieving with the proposed size.

	As far as running, you will need a great running bra. I often recommend that may patients double up on the sports bra when running.

Can 450cc Breast Implants Look Natural? Will They Affect My Running?

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant choice

Answer: Implant choice

Answer: Choosing your implant with the help of computer imaging

Answer: Choosing your implant with the help of computer imaging

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Can 450cc Breast Implants Look Natural? Will They Affect My Running?

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant choice

Answer: Implant choice

Answer: Choosing your implant with the help of computer imaging

Answer: Choosing your implant with the help of computer imaging

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.