Is There a Big Difference Between 400cc and 450cc Silicone?

Thank you for your question. 50CC does not really make much of a difference on the average female. However, if you are small and/or slim, it will most likely make a difference. Be sure to consult with your surgeon regarding your concerns.

The question
of breast implant size is always difficult for prospective breast augmentation
patients.For this reason, multiple
approaches are utilized to make this determination preoperatively.These include reviewing magazine photographs,
external sizers, and recently the 3D Vectra computer imager, to name a
few.Even when tremendous care is taken
preoperatively to determine breast size, the final decision needs to be made in
the Operating Room by the surgeon.At
this point, an assessment can be made regarding how the patient’s breast tissue
interacts with the breast implant.Occasionally, obtaining a specific size doesn’t allow the surgeon to
meet the patient’s other aesthetic goals.For this reason, locking into a specific size isn’t always a good
idea.Results are often better when the
surgeon has the ability to make adjustments in the Operating Room.It’s also important to realize that,
for many patients, a 50 cc difference in breast size would be difficult to
notice.In reality, a 50 cc difference
is less than four tablespoons, which is spread out in three dimensions over the
implant.In your case, I think it’s important
to thoroughly discuss your aesthetic goals with your surgeon.Make sure he has the latitude to do what’s best
for you in the Operating Room, so he can meet your aesthetic goals.It’s important that you have an approximate
idea of the breast implant size that you’re considering, but don’t become
married to an absolute number.

Do not be embarrassed to tell your plastic surgeon that you prefer a smaller implant.  Every tablespoon is 15cc so in reality you are reducing the size of you implants by less than 4 tablespoons.  I would argue that smaller is safer.  Be sure you are visiting a board certified plastic surgeon and if you are having any doubts, get a second opinion.  Best Wishes!!

This is a relatively minor difference and therefore you should not be concerned either way. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon so that you feel comfortable proceeding with your implant choice.

 The difference of 50 cc in volume does create a noticeable difference for most patients.  Having said that, this difference in volume may be a significant difference for a petite patient (or for the patient seeking a very specific outcome).


***The much more important question with be: which breast implant (volume and profile) will be the correct choice when it comes to  achieving your desired outcome when it comes to breast size/shape/symmetry…?  Online consultants will not be of much specific help to you in this regard.


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. 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  who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.   


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).  Viewing the patient's chest wall in the upright and supine positions, with temporary sizes in place, help select  the best breast implant size/profile for the specific patient.
 Best wishes.