Will Small Breast Implants Give Rock-in-a-sock Look?

Question

I am 5'10" and weigh 145 lbs.   I have an athletic build, and I'm not even an A cup.  Before having kids, I was a slight B and very happy.  I would like to go back to that, but the surgeon said if I go with a smaller breast implant, I would get a "rock in a sock" look.  Is there anyway to go small/athletic and not have this happen?  Aren't there wider diameter implants without such a high profiles that would fill out my breasts without bringing me to a C?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. It sounds like direct examination will be necessary to give you accurate advice. Some general advice regarding breast implant sizing  may be helpful.

	Much of the final &ldquo;look&rdquo; achieved after breast augmentation surgery  depends on several factors: 
	1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the  preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation &ldquo;look&rdquo; will be optimal.  
	2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing  long-term  well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone)  or model (low/moderate/high profile)  of implant.
	 3. The type of implant used may  determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have.  If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants.  If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result. On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference.  Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture.   Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants. Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they&rsquo;re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants. On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers&rsquo; saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational. As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.  
	4. The size and model of breast implant used may  make a  significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  In my practice, the use of photographs of &ldquo;goal&rdquo; pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as &ldquo;natural&rdquo; or &ldquo;C cup&rdquo; or "fake looking" or "top heavy" 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. I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison. I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible. By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is &ldquo;I wish I was bigger&rdquo;.
	 I hope this helps.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

A rock in the sock deformity usually occurs with a small implant inthe subgalndular position insdie of a pendulous ptotic breast.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hard to tell without photos, or better yet seeing you in person.  You goal of up-sizing seems within the realm of possibility.  The issue of rock in a sock is usually more dependent on soft tissue and skin.  If there is redundant soft tissue a lift may be in order.

	I would find some photos that you like, and I would also look around a a couple of other Plastic Surgeons.  Please make sure they are Board Certified by the Amer. Board of Plastic Surgery.

Michael Horn, MD · Answer

Typically, an extremely natural look can be achieved with the size change that you are interested. The rock in a sock look usually occurs when breast implants are placed without a lift in a patient with a great degree of sagging. With the size of your breasts, it is unlikely that you have a great degree of sagging. If you do have sagging, a breast lift would correct the sagging without requiring a larger implant.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Without an exam it is hard to say, but a small implant in someones who needs a lift can give the look you described.

Will Small Breast Implants Give Rock-in-a-sock Look?

Answers (8)

Answer: Breast implant sizing

Answer: Breast implant sizing

Answer: Implant choices

Answer: Implant choices

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Will Small Breast Implants Give Rock-in-a-sock Look?

Answers (8)

Answer: Breast implant sizing

Answer: Breast implant sizing

Answer: Implant choices

Answer: Implant choices

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.