Are 550cc Silicone Implants to Large for a 120 Pound and 5'4 Patient?

Unfortunately, you have not told us your bra size.  If you are size 32 or 34 each 100 cc of implants will correspond to 1 cup size change.  If you are size 36 or 38 each 200 cc of implant will correspond to 1 cup size change.  The best position for implants is retro-pectoral.  In someone your size, it may not even be possible to fit a 550 cc implant under your muscle.  If you try to put too large an implant under the muscle it will descend inferiorly and laterally, progressively move down your chest wall and you will be dissatisfied with the appearance.  Remember that your goal is to achieve beautiful breasts.  Beauty is determined by many factors including position of the breast on the chest wall, symmetry, skin tone, cleavage and last of all volume.  Once you go over a DD, it is very difficult to find clothes or bras that fit.

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello. Thanks for your inquiry. We actually do a measurement of the breast width and can calculate the best size as well as too large a size for a person body frame chest width .  Also best to decide based on your skin envelope and history of previous augmentation.  Good luck

Thank you for the question.

Unfortunately,  there is no way to generalize about the largest breast implant that will be safe to use for you without direct examination.  There are many variables involved in the decision-making process when it comes to selecting the best breast implant size/profile for any given patient.

The best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery is:


1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully.  Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you're looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.



2. Have a full discussion regarding your desired goals  with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining  breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural”  or  "D cup” etc 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.



3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly,  allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.  Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery.




I hope this helps.