Small frame, can I do 400cc moderate silicone implants instead of high profile? (photo)

When determining what implant would be most appropriate to
use, there are many factors that should be taken into consideration.  In my practice, I base implant selection on measurements of your chest wall and current
breast size to help determine the optimal size and projection of
implant that will best fit your frame and meet your goals. Your specific chest wall anatomy is a very
large component of this decision, because the implant must fit your frame in
order to produce an aesthetic result.  This precision measurement and sizing technique facilitates an
active consultation from which you should come away feeling confident that you and your surgeon are on the same page regarding what your goals are for the procedure. 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 and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!
Dr. Schwartz

The answer to your question depends on two factors: the width of your chest wall and the width of the implant. A moderate profile implant is wider and less projecting (and less round) than a high profile implant which is more narrow, more projecting and rounder.  If you have a small, narrow frame a moderate profile implant will give you more lateral fullness  ("side boob").  If you like that aesthetic feature, which it appears you do from your wish photos, a moderate profile implant may be a better choice.  But, in order to be specific a physical examination must be done superimposing the measurements of the actual implants on your chest wall.  Good luck!Thomas Taylor, MDPasadena, CA

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. Hope me that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

The footprint of your breast on your chest dictates what is a safe size to have implanted. This is called your base width... Sternum to lateral breast distance essentially. Without this measurement, hard to tell you what is safe.Sheila NazarianBeverly Hills

For our patients we have to take into account the amount of tissue coverage to preveht visibility of the implants. Either a moderate plus or a high profile would be best.

Thank you for your question. I believe I have answered a previous question of yours as a recognize one of your wish pictures. Both of the women in your wish pictures appear to have a fair amount of projection. This is generally associated with a higher profile implant. The 400cc moderate profile implant is fairly wide with little projection. Measure the width of each breast in cm's, to determine if this implant will fit. I show my patients what I interpret a natural or fake looking breast is so I can give them the look they want. Please remember there is no  set volume that makes you a B,C or D cup.

More important than the volume of the implant are the dimension and the shape. That means, that especially in your case of a small width chest, the base width of your breasts (that is the distance measured horizontally on the top of your breast from it most medial point to its most lateral point where the curvature starts). An implant should never have a larger diameter than this distance, otherwise you risk your breast being joined in the middle or bulging laterally beyond your frame. I usually recommend choosing the diameter at least 1/4 to 1/2 an inch below the base width. If the moderate profile implant that just fits this measure appears too small in volume, then (and only then) I would go to the high profile variant, especially if you are looking for a lot of roundness and not so pointy.Looking at your pictures with your height and weight, my feeling is that 400cc is quite big for you. It is hard to tell without having examined you in person, but my guess is that a 330 to 360cc implant is plenty of volume for you. I would suggest transaxillary placement completely underneath the muscles.I hope this helps and wish you all the best for your surgery. If done right it will most certainly be very beneficial for you.

It's going to be difficult to make you get a result like the pictures you provided as comps, particularly if you're expressing concerns about  not looking overly round. A high profile devices is really what would be needed to get more volume if that's what your chasing. I personally would suggest coming down on the volume a little (330-370cc range) to get an implant who's width will more likely fit what I think are you breast diameter and length are preop. You'll be giving up a little size but getting a better shape with a lighter implant (ie. will be less affected with gravity over time). The "high profile" implants from Sientra are a little less projecting then the Allergan or Mentor implant, which may be a better choice if you're worried about too much projection.

One of the critical measurements to determine breast implant size and shape is the breast base diameter. If you have a very small frame and want a large unomant then going higher profile will help prevent a moderate people unomant with the same size to protrude too lateral and obstruct your arms when walking or exercise

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your photographs, I think that you are starting at a good place should have a nice outcome with breast augmentation surgery. Ultimately, 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, and computer imaging) 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 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, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.