How Large can I go on first implants?

Question

I'm a 5'6 tall woman ,about 160lbs. I have a large rib cage already and wear a 36 D cup. I'm looking to get a breast lift with implants, but I want EXTRA large implants. Would going over 1000cc to 1500cc be impossible on a first surgery safely?

Stuart A. Linder, MD, FACS · Answer

The size of saline or silicone gel implant should be proportionate to your frame. The larger the implant the greater future skin laxity and need for tightening with a full lift

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Going too large in combination with a breast lift can affect the healing process of the scar and results. Silicone implants only go up to 800cc meaning that you would most likely be looking at saline implants. It is best to seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for an examination. We help you choose the best size for you based on measurements taken during your consultation. It would be best recommended to have 2 operations to achieve the size you wish for and avoid any complications. I hope this helps & good luck!

Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Neighbor. If you need a breastlift, then your breast have stretched, and elongated, proving that they cannot remain shapely with large volumes. Therefore, if you are able to find 100-1500 cc implants, you will likely need multiple surgeries, including removal,  before you admit that you and your surgeon made a mistake.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

The best decision on implant size is based on key breast measurements and your desired goal appearance.  Silicone implants are only available at 800cc or smaller and placement of this size with a breast lift is likely going to lead to wound healing issues.  See an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon, they can offer you the best advice based on your anatomy.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

Women with 1500 cc implants are the kind of patient you might see on the TV show "Botched", for reason.  Adding that much weight and stretch to your breast is going to have consequences on the soft tissue around it.  Even if you could achieve this in two, staged surgeries, I would highly recommend against it.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. "Tissue based planning" relies on your chest and breast measurements and is the safest way to ensure good long term results. Your surgeon should determine what size and projection are necessary to give you your desired result based on your body's measurements. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic breast surgery. Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery.

Josh Olson, MD · Answer

While that size isn't impossible you are setting yourself up for complications such as implant expsore with the incision opening up, malposition of the implants and several other potential problems. The largest silicone option is 800cc. Hope this helpsJosh Olson MD

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  1000-1500cc is extremely large and is not a safe size for a breast lift with an implant.  The size,
profile, and shape of the implant is based on your desired breast
size/shape, your chest wall measurements, and soft tissue quality. 
This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with
equal input from both you and your surgeon.   Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their
results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size. The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements. Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size. I typically encourage my patients not to communicate her desires in cup size but more on the actual look and appearance. Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step. Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type, incision, placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and fitting the right implant for your breast width. Currently, the largest size breast implant in the market is 800cc. It is typical to overfill saline implants, which can make the saline implants slightly larger in this size.  An implant size in the range that you desire for a breast augmentation is not possible today.  While there is currently a study with breast implants which some surgeons including myself have access to, they are indicated only for breast reconstruction following mastectomy at this time; not available for cosmetic reasons.  Placement of multiple implants into one breast is also not indicated. When too large of implants are placed for breast augmentation, they may cause physical issues for patients, let alone the uncorrectable breast deformity that may result from too large of an implant for a patient's breast.  Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will assist you in determining what would be a reasonable size range for you.  Hope me that this helps!  Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

That's a great question!The simplest answer is:  NOThe combination procedure involves opposing forces.  On one hand, you want to ADD volume to your breasts but at the same time, you want to MINUS (remove skin) by tailoring your skin to a snugger size.These dynamics place too much tension on the incisions and contribute to significant complications that can lead to poor wound healing, wide scars, and compromised circulation to the tissue, especially the nipple.Although you didn't include pictures or much in the way of history (have you had children, are you healthy, what is the position of your breasts on the chest wall, short term and long term goals??), keep in mind the following:the bigger the implant, the faster it will dropthe diameter of your chest largely dictates the size of implant that could possibly fitplacing the implant behind the muscle, when possible, is a better choice than behind the breast tissuethe thinner and more stretched your skin, the greater the problemsBest advise...get in for a consultation and find out what realistically is possible!Good luck!In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

How Large can I go on first implants?

Answers (16)