My natural breast width is 14 cm. What is the range of recommended implant widths that will look natural for my chest?

Question

I'm trying to find my happy medium between the volume of the implant and the width. My concern is that for the size I would like that the base will appear too small on my chest.

John Diaz, MD · Answer

It is very difficult without seeing you in person to know if the implant sizes you mentioned are appropriate for you.  Also, implant size selection depends on your unique measurements, so what may be too small for one woman may be perfect for another. Lastly, the choice of implant size is also a matter of taste. What you think may be too small, another woman may think is too big. We have a device called the Vectra 3D imaging system that shows you what you will look like with any implant. Our patients are very happy with the choice of implant they make when using this system.

Hetal Fichadia, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Although breast width is a very important factor in tissue based planning and selection of breast implants, there are various other anatomical factors that are considered in picking an implant size for you. The overall goal is for the plastic surgeon to understand your sense of aesthetic, your desired 'look'  and recommend implants that would work for you. This requires an in-person examination with a board-certified plastic surgeon who you feel comfortable with. Sometimes, it may take more than one or two consultations to find the right surgeon for you. Good luck with the process.

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.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to diameter of breast implant versus diameter of breast (band width). In other words, these measurements are useful but are only one of the many factors come into play when it comes to selection of appropriate breast implant size/profile. Other factors involved include surgeon dependent factors: for example, careful breast implant pocket dissection and careful selection of breast implant size/profile.  
Ultimately, careful selection of plastic surgeon and careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.
 Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. For example, I have found that the use of know words such as “natural” or "C or D cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery, after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.
I hope this (and the attached link/video, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery sizing concerns) helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

Thsi is a good question but there is no easy answer.  Since implants today are often shaped and a the very least have a flat back, the dimensions of your chest and the implant are important but shape and your desired size alos play a role in determining the best implant for you.One of the best ways to determine a breast implant shape, size and projection is to allow you to chose it.  That way there is no quessing as to what YOU want!  With the gummy bear implants that we are using today, this is done by first measuring your chest wall to see what size implant would work in terms of dimensions, especially the implant diameter.  After that, what we do at our office is to allow you to try on implants in a bra so you can decide what size range you like.  From there we can chose an implant that has the right diameter at the base and the right projection to give you the size you are looking for.  The shaped gummy bear implants produce a very natural looking breast that also feel very natural.
This method works out very well and patients are very happy without having to get confused by all of the information about sizing that is here on the internet!
Sientra gummy bear implants work very well above the muscle which allows for better positioning of the implants for patients who have breasts that are set quite wide apart.  This allows us to get your breasts to look closer together so that you can have some cleavage.
I have added a web reference and a video that should be of some helps for you.  There is also information about 24 hour rapid recovery breast augmentation on the website that you may want to consider as well.
I hope that helps.
Best regards.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

You raise an important issue since I think too much emphasis is placed on measurements and not enough on aesthetics and artistic judgment.  With an experienced and skilled surgeon who understands your goals I find it best for the final implant to be selected during the surgical procedure when the actual results can be simulated by placement of a test implant called a sizer.  I refrain from placing the burden of responsibility on the patient and simply choose the implant based on the actual appearance of the patient during the surgical procedure.  I find it most important to avoid extremes of volume and size since the risks of complications and disappointment increase dramatically when an implant choices made too aggressively.  It is equally important not to allow this is less commonly a problem.Make certain that you are comfortable with your choice of surgeon based on before-and-after photographs and a sense of confidence that you develop as a result of your consultation and allow him/her to make the best choice for you.  This will be based not only on volume and dimension but your skin distensability, thickness of breast tissue, your natural shape and the potential for augmentation with limited risk of complications such as rippling or displacement.The video link above will provide helpful information for you.Best wishes and enjoy your results,Jon A Perlman M.D., FACSDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)Beverly Hills, California

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

First of all understand the Breast Width is not a cut and dried number. Ask 3 different surgeons to measure you and you will get 3 different numbers. Technicians try and use the exact width of the soft tissues minus some magic number to account for the thickness of soft tissue over the implant. More artistic surgeons will use a number indicating what they want to create with the surgical process. Different profile implants with the same volume will have different widths, etc, etc. See a good surgeon with photos of post op patients that have the look you want and leave it to the expert to determine what implant it will take to get you there.

My natural breast width is 14 cm. What is the range of recommended implant widths that will look natural for my chest?

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