Should I go for 650 or 750cc breast implants?

Thank you for your question.  Without and in person evaluation it is hard to determine what size implant  would be best. Choosing the implant size is based on a few factors, diameter of breast, nipple to crease distance etc.  The final cup size is also dependent on the amount of breast tissue one is starting with.  I would suggest speaking to your surgeon and following their recommendations.  Best of luck to you. 

Hello and thank you for the question.  An in-person consultation is needed to give you a useful advice and I would suggest that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Many factors including patient's desired breast size, skin envelope (both quality and quantity) and breast width diameter among others are important in selecting the implant size. In a typical consultation, you try a variety of in-bra sizers and in combination with several other measurements that your surgeon will do, the final implant volume is selected. Use of 'goal pictures' is  also an effective way to communicate your goals with your plastic surgeon. Generally speaking, use of overly large implants should be avoided as they can result in early sagging, bottoming out and implant visibility/rippling. My best advice is that you communicate your goals and aesthetic ideals with your surgeon as clearly as possible and trust your surgeon's skills and abilities to deliver what you are looking for.
Best wishes and good luck,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Tall women with larger frames and broader chest, shoulders, and hips can often handle larger implants that would make smaller women's chests look overcrowded and heavier.  I would recommend that you go with the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy.  Implants of 600cc and higher will create more tissue thinning over time, have more potential for rippling, more potential for bottoming out, greater likelihood of breast lift revisions, etc. 

Dear Moniquee_,
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

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

Many women struggle with deciding on their implant size. You need to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can help you find the right size for your chest size and body frame. I have my patients do the rice test to help them visualize how they will look with implants. The rice test instructions:A cup of dry rice represents 250 cc of volume. One may add to this volume in small increments to the desired size. One might try 1 cup, 1¼ cup, 1½ cup, 1¾ cups, et cetera, until the desired breast volume is achieved. Patients who have used this method have a high satisfaction rate with the implant size they ultimately chose.  The implant company Mentor has developed a new tool.  They have developed a system of shaped silicone implants to place in the bra.  This is a great confirmation after the rice test is performed.  Good luck.

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. With regards to your specific question, without measures and photos it is difficult to offer more specific advice. 700 cc implants will be large on any frame. I do caution patients regarding this degree of augmentation. I would not stress over a 50 cc differential. This is only slightly more than a shot glass and unlikely to make a significant difference in final outcome.
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

Breast implant selection is an exciting, but stressful part of the breast augmentation process as there are so many choices. Unfortunately it is impossible to recommend the best implant style, size or shape without an in-person examination that allows for the measurement of key breast parameters, as well as permits an in-depth discussion as to your desired goals and outcome. I would recommend "trying on" sizers in your surgeon's office so that you can have a better visual representation as to what they would look like.  In general, those sizes are very large and may cause you complications for your body frame.  Additionally, a 50cc difference with implants in the 650-700 range is very subtle. Best wishes! 

Hi and welcome to our forum!
It is impossible to determine an appropriate size implant as an in-person evaluation with specific measurements is required. Implant diameters and projections vary widely.
Determining the “perfect” breast size before a planned breast augmentation is quite a difficult task. Each individual has a different concept of “normal” breast size. In addition, there is no standardization of bra size in the manufacturing industry. One company’s “C” is another company’s “D”.

There are various ways to determine desired breast size. Bringing in “wish pix” to demonstrate to your surgeon will make him / her aware of your anticipated goals.  Placing an implant in a bra gives an extremely rough idea of anticipated breast size. One may estimate volume by adding rice to a baggie ( 1 cc 1 ml) and adding the volume to your breast beneath a bra. Some surgeons offer computer imaging.

The most important measurement is the base width of the implant. 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 recommend a thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon to ensure that you are both on the same page.
Be careful: Larger implants are associated with an increased rate of capsular contracture and some patients cannot tolerate the extra weight of the implants. 
Best wishes…

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry. It is important to have an in-person assessment regarding your concerns as it is difficult to determine virtually.

Exact end results and cup sizes are usually quite difficult to calculate as everyone has a different starting point.

There are many different factors that go into choosing a breast implant size which will correspond with your body dimensions while concurrently achieving your aesthetic results. Some of these factors are: Implant size (CC's), Implant profile (Low, Moderate, High), Placement of the implant (Subglandular vs. Dual Plane) etc. We utilize smooth round cohesive silicone gel 'gummy bear' implants for the best results.

During a consultation your aesthetic goals are heard and taken into account with the measurements of your breasts and the integrity of your tissue, as well as level of ptosis (sag). From here we collectively can find your 'perfect fit'. You are able to try out sizers and different implants in our office such that you can get an idea of what size you would be post-operation. We also offer Crisalix 3D plastic surgery virtual simulator during our in-person and virtual consultations to preview potential results. After your consultation, you will receive your very own implant sizers to take home with you (at a small cost) whether or not you decide to go forward with your procedure.

I usually recommend that my patients stop smoking, take vitamin C daily, and avoid aspirin/ibuprofen and vitamin E 3 weeks prior to surgery. I specialize in the 24-hour Recovery method which minimizes trauma to the breast and decreases pain post-operatively.

We encourage you to look at our website and Instagram (drkaraplasticsurgery) for lots of before and after pictures!
Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery.

We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!

M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind
Hello. Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on your surgery! It is important to have an in-person medical assessment regarding this issue as it is difficult to determine virtually. Continue to update your doctor in the matter and follow their post-op protocol.

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery. We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!

M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind