650cc Max For My Body? (photo)

I would say most likely that size is way too big for your frame.  You will have near symmastia (breasts almost touching in the middle) and the implant will be so "wide" it will extend off of the side of your chest wall.  The skin of the breast can only "stretch" so much at any given time and the further you push it the more likely you will have complications and need revision surgery (eventually).

Hello. The most important factors for determining the size of implants that could be used on a patient include width of the base of the breast, the size of your thorax and the amount of breast tissue and skin you have. Without this information it is impossible for me to decide what implant you can have. I can say that 650 cc implants are extremely large and rarely used.

 

Jaime Perez, MD
Breast Augmentation Specialist
Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Thank you for your question.  This is a very common question for women trying to decide on a breast implant. 

 

There are a number of issues in selecting an appropriate breast implant for augmentation.  Probably the most important first step is seeking the assistance of a qualified plastic surgeon during a consultation at the office. He or she can then examine you and help determine which implant is best for you given your exam.  Important factors to take into consideration is your goal size (example pictures from magazines can be very helpful), the width of your breast, how much excess skin you have, and the position of your nipples.  Without photographs, it is difficult to make any kind of recommendations. 

 

For a more natural look, you will want an implant that has a diameter that is smaller than the width of your breast. If a 550-650cc implant is wider than your breast, you will have a very unnatural look.  Your plastic surgeon can help guide you down this sometimes confusing road!  Good luck.

Samantha, you are trying to understand and make an educated decision.  This is very important.  You are on the right track.  

The answer is that 550-650 implants are probably not too big, but you must accept trade-offs (potential adverse consequences) resulting from this decision.  If the implants are too small and you are not happy, this is an adverse consequence as well.  By going larger, your skin (and nerves and soft tissue) are stretched more, become thinned out over time, and may or may not sag.  The models you show look sexy, but have obvious (un-natural) implanted appearance which works in some situations, but maybe not others.  Pregnancy and weight fluctuations change breast size, shape, and appearance.  The incidence of rippling and wrinkling, implant edge visibility, numb nipples, and other problems is higher with larger implants.  That being said, many many women are very happy with large implants, so you should go with your gut understanding it is impossible for you and for your surgeon to predict the future.    Your skin envelope will be tight initially, but expands to accommodate the implants during 6-12 months following augmentation.

Thanks for your question and pictures.  It is difficult to give accurate advice on size of implants without a good exam.  Measurements of your chest would need to be made to determine the size of implants that can be placed safely.  Also, placing such large implants can lead to significant issues in the future, so you should have a detailed discussion with a board-certified plastic surgeon before proceeding.