Will 550cc give me the results I'm wanting? (photos)

You need a formal evaluation by a licensed plastic surgeon and expert in breast augmentations to determine what is best for you and your goals.Proper breast enlargement is not a "cookie-cutter" procedure where the same technique is applied to every patient. Every woman who comes to my practice has unique needs and different goals for her breast augmentation. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I always listen carefully to each woman's concerns and thoroughly discuss the key points of the procedure. I also take into account their overall height and weight, the size and shape of the underlying chest and ribcage, the tightness and elasticity of the skin, and the amount of natural breast tissue. Prior to the procedure, we discuss and make decisions regarding location of the incision, whether to place the implant under or over the chest muscle, and what type of implant to use (I offer multiple types of silicone gel breast implants, as well as saline implants).
My experience performing thousands of aesthetic breast surgeries in a wide anatomical range of patients enables me to achieve consistently beautiful and natural results that are customized to each patient’s body type and goals. These results are the product of extensive communication, meticulous planning, and skillfully executed surgery.
I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in Breast Augmentation surgeries. - Dr. Cohen

Depending on the individual anatomy and desired results, estimations and measurements should be made for each patient individually. The elements that form up the breast shape and size and the overall frame can be different in each person. It is best to consult a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic breast surgery in person and discuss your goals and options after a physical examination.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Hello and thank you for the question.  The best advice you can get is from a direct consultation with a board-certified 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. Choosing the right implant should be a shared decision between you and your plastic surgeon. 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. Other things to discuss in your consultation are type of implant (saline vs. gel), location of incision and implant pocket (below or above muscle). Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Dear caitlino20,
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

550 cc implants weigh over 1 lb each.  Your breasts are asymmetrical, nipples are pointing slightly outward and you have poor cleavage.  The implants have to be centered underneath the nipple-areola complex, otherwise they will look improper.  This will amplify your widened cleavage and lateral positioning.  Also, the implants will have to be placed in front of the muscle because that size volume will not fit behind the muscle.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for your question. You are a great candidate for a breast augmentation.  550cc may be a good size to accomplish your goals.  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.  

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Have another preliminary conversation with your PS and ask to try on a profile bra with silicone HP 550 cc sizers under a tailored blouse, tight sweater, swimsuit, workout clothes, tank tops, and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected. The most important clinical factor in determining breast implant size is the base width or diameter of the patient’s native breast. If the patient would like more volume to obtain a larger cup size, the implant profile can be shifted from a moderate profile implant to higher profile implant. No relationship exists between cup size and CCs.I would recommend that you go with the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy.  Choosing an implant based on an aesthetic goal that exceeds your anatomic capacity may lead to complications and possibly revision.

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  550cc implants are large and need to be measured appropriately against your chest dimensions to afford the best results.  I would recommend continuing to discuss your desires with your surgeon so that the two of you can work on selecting the appropriate volume and profile of implants to approximate your goal results.  Hope this helps.

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, I would caution against excessively large implants in a smaller framed individual such as yourself. Small girls rarely have very large breasts and over-sizing is a tell-tale sign of an augmentation. Conservative sizing is key if you seeking to avoid the "fake" look. Without measures, it is difficult to offer any more concrete advice.
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 Verified MemberRealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

Hi CaitlinSize is only one of the things we take into consideration. The other most important thing is the look you are trying to achieve. All of your wish list pics are different. The bigger you go the faker it will look and 550 is big for you. Your cleavage will be defined by your current anatomy and not the implants - they will just enhance the current cleavage. If I had to guess I would say you will look more like the second pic which is the most fake and most bolt on look. Going under the muscle will soften the look and look better. CheersDamien