Breast augmentation - should I be going with a smaller size? (Photo)

Thank you for your inquiry! During your consultation you can try on different implant sizes to see what size you prefer. We would love to sit down with you and come up with a surgical plan specifically for you. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this:
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you.

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

I suggest you ask your surgeon if you can try on sizers in the recommended size. It would be the easiest way to see how you’ll feel with your predicted results. If you’re a runner, you may want to consider something on the smaller side.

Dear natmegan14,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question! If you are going for "natural", I'm not sure I agree with a full profile implant. You do have a fair amount of breast tissue so that will probably take you up to a D-DD. I might suggest another appointment with your surgeon to discuss goals. Good luck!

At size 32, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. 385 cc implants will take you up 4 cup sizes and end up DDD. If you want to be a C then all you need is 100 cc of implant. However, what I recommend is a circumareola approach to reposition the nipple-areola complex more centrally and higher on the chest wall. Also, if you only want to go up 1 cup size then I recommend fat transfers.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

The foolproof way of determining the appropriate implant for you is in office sizing. Selecting an implant based on talk about bra cups and looking a certain way (fake or natural) are doomed for failure. What will make a woman unhappy enough to have a revision surgery is neither bra cups or the appearance of her breast shape, it's how she looks in the mirror/window reflection/video/photo of herself in clothing. If your surgeon doesn't have purpose built sizers, then find another one.

Thank you for posting your question here My answer is based on the limited information and pictures provided , for a more detailed and bespoke plan please consult with your plastic surgeon.
Thank you for including the measurement and the pictures , it is very helpful. A lot goes into picking an implant and one of the most important measurements is the diameter i.e. breast width as you don't want to pick and implant that is much wider than your chest , it will not look natural. other considerations include your goals i.e do you want more fullness in the upper pole or do you want more breast projection etc.
For example if you want more upper pole fullness rather than projection then you might want to go with a lower profile implant (this will likely be smaller in volume for the same diameter), while if you want more projection you might go with a higher profile implant (will likely be higher in volume for the diameter).
Other considerations include how much tissue you already have (you seem to have a decent amount of breast tissue), how big you want to go , and which cohesiveness works best for you (the less cohesive the more natural feeling but the higher the chances of rippling etc).
I would trust that your and your surgeon went through your goals and options prior to picking an implant and if so I would trust their judgement.
I hope this gives you some insight on the process of picking an implant , best of luck!

Thanks for your question and photos. An examination in person is required to properly advise you, but based on your story I would recommend a smaller implant, probably not larger that 275 cc or so with the lowest profile to achieve a natural result that will not interfere with your active lifestyle.

Continue to do your research and if you have concerns about your plastic surgeon’s recommendations talk to him or her, or consider a second opinion. Best of luck to you.