If I had a breast reduction with 400g removed & want old breast size back, can I get 400cc implants?

If 400 g were removed following a breast reduction and implants of about that size were placed, the volume would be in the general vicinity of breast volume previously. Do remember a few things. Inherent in a breast reduction is a breast lift. One would expect with implants for the breasts to be more elevated than they were preoperatively. In general, higher breasts look larger than breasts that are lower on the frame, especially in clothing. Also, you may wish to discuss this with your surgeon. Some of the 400 g removed could have been from tissue closer to the armpit region. A 400 mL implant may make you look like you have more prominence than previously. A good discussion with your surgeon sounds helpful in your case. The overall volumes may be in the same ballpark but the look would be expected to be quite different from your pre-breast reduction appearance.

While both grams (g) and cubic centimeters (cc) are units of measurement related to volume or weight, they are not directly interchangeable when comparing fatty breast tissue to silicone implants, due to differences in density, projection, and composition. Breast tissue is less dense than silicone, so 400 grams of natural tissue removed ≠ 400cc of implant volume added. In general, 400 grams of natural tissue is roughly equivalent to about 450–500cc of implant volume in visual size and projection, depending on factors like your chest width, implant profile, and tissue elasticity. Therefore, 425cc implants would likely restore a very similar—though not identical—volume to your original size, possibly with a slightly perkier, rounder shape due to the implant contour.

CC's to Grams is not an exact correlation. More simply put...weight and volume are not equivalent.

It is important to remember that a breast is a combination of skin, fat and glandular tissue. Glandular tissue weighs more than fat. Thus equivalent volumes of fat and gland will weigh different amounts (this is analogous to filling a balloon with air vs. water...water weighs more).

Thus a 400 gm reduction will not necessarily equal a 400 cc implant. This is totally dependent upon the makeup of the reduction specimen. If it was mostly fat (lighter) the volume needed to replace it will be greater. If it was mostly glandular (heavier/denser) the volume needed to replace it will be less.

Anecdotally, I have found the differential to be about 10% (a 400 gm reduction will nearly equal a 380 cc implant). That being said, the easiest way to determine what volume will restore what was lost and meet your needs is consultation.

Choosing an implant size/style is an important decision which is best made in concert with your surgeon. Ultimately, options are based on a number of factors including:

-Chest dimensions: This point is crucial as the width of your breasts defines the available "real estate" on which the foundation of your augmentation is built. This "foot print" is the absolute limit with which you are dealing. Too "large" is not so much the risk as too "wide." You cannot build a 3 acre mansion on a half acre plot. An implant which is too wide (exceeding the available space on your chest) will generally over hang laterally making it more noticeable and occasionally contributing to discomfort and nerve symptoms (numbness or tingling). This will also contribute to a more unnatural look.

-Tissue quality: This relates to size in the sense that the implant will be suspended by your tissue. Too large an implant may place took large a stress on these suspending tissues leading to healing problems in the short term and bottoming out in the long term.

-Patient desire (what is the look you are hoping to achieve?)
My role as a surgeon is to manage expectations and guide you towards a prudent choice which can satisfy these reasonable goals. Often times, a surgeon can guide a patient toward a size/cc range and patients will make determinations on implant style/profile. Patient seeking more or less projection, or seeking a more pronounced or subtle upper pole volume increase can be guided toward an implant which will help them best achieve their goals. Additionally, technique variations (sub muscular vs. sub glandular) can also aid in obtaining the look you desire.

There are a number of tools available to help guide patient/surgeon decision making including sizers, 3D imaging and goal photos. Each modality can help better communicate your goals to your surgeon and vice versa.

Ultimately, it is important to not marry oneself to a particular "cc" as oppose to a particular "look." Communication is key as you and your surgeon create your custom surgical plan.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hi madisonvvvl! This is a great question. The size or cc of breast implants does not always directly correlate to the breast size or tissue. There are many variables to take into account including; how much breast tissue you still have, the width of your chest and other anatomical measurements. I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon to further discuss and evaluate you in person. Hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for your question!

There unfortunately is no true straight forward answer. Breast tissue is typically slightly denser than saline or silicone, and this can be anywhere from 5-10%+ difference. From a pure math standpoint, my educated guess is that a slightly smaller implant than 400cc (i.e. 360-380cc) will likely look "about right". However, an implant in the 400-425cc may also look great on your frame. It would be very difficult to tell you that a given implant would "make you look like nothing ever happened."

This is because this is highly dependent on multiple variables such as: the quality of your skin envelope, post-reduction scar positioning, implant type (silicone vs saline), implant profile (moderate vs high), how your chest wall accommodates volume now. Implants project can differently than natural tissue. Even if volume is similar, shape, cleavage, and feel can vary. Natural breasts often had more lower pole fullness and ptosis (sag), while implants tend to sit fuller up top unless combined with a lift or fat grafting.

The next best step is to have an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can:
Review your operative records, evaluate your current breast footprint, use either 3D imaging or sizers to help predict how certain size implants would look on your body. Good luck on your journey!

While not exact, 425 should be similar. Do try on implant sizers to be sure you like what you see in a testing bra. Having removed natural tissue and having had a lift with your reduction may set you up for a more gratifying result with augmentation. It is the natural breast tissue that droops over time.
Best wishes.