Scheduled for a breast lift with implants in September. Is 520cc too much? (phtotos)

520 cc implants weigh over 1 lb each and will descend inferior and laterally. The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

This varies patient to patient. I do not prefer to do much more than 500 cc as complication rates increase with increasing size of implant due to increased tension. 500 cc will definitely make you more than a little bigger so be careful with size decisions. If your base width is 13, a smaller implant could be a better option or going with a higher profile.

Dear Bmarie123,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Because your areolae are so large there's going be a lot of skin removed. That makes it tough to put such a large implant in at the same time. I would do the lift first and the implants a few months after. You will have a hard time getting the optimal result if you try to do it all in one stage.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants and they choose what looks right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Unless your friend measured you, how could she suggest what is right for you. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

For a breast lift with implants, any size above 500cc is a lot. Remember you'll be removing a lot of skin with a breast lift so in effect you are making the breast smaller with the lift and larger with the implant. If the closure is too tight you'll have issues with healing and could compromise blood flow to your areola. In my practice, I do the lift first and them place an implant sizer which is filled with saline to guage pressure on the breast skin. I fill the sizer until I have a nice shape and size without too much pressure on the skin closure and then replace the sizer with a permanent implant. In my opinion, the lift is what is most needed and the implant size is secondary.

Unless your frame is bigger than it appears in the photo, I would caution using such a large implant with a breast lift. Your breast skin has already proven that it does not do well with heavy volumes. I would asssume that the amount of skin laxity you currently have is due to having large breasts at some time in the past. In my experience, patients that opt to have smaller implants with breast lift surgery tend to have a much more predictable and long lasting result. Of course, you will need to be happy with your volume, so in the end, you will have to make the call. But statistically speaking, I think you will have less post opeartive issues, less need for a revision, better scarring, and a more natural result with smaller implants.

Yes, 520 cc implants will be too large and heavy and tend to stretch out your now stretched tissue and resag. Go with something smaller that will look nice long term.

That is absolutely asking for problems using an implant that size and doing a mastopexy with it. Base diameter implants around 13cm are in the mid-upper 300cc range. There’s almost never an indication for 500+ cc implants on cosmetic patients with the exception of some of the tallest/widest chest framed women, and that’s even more so true with mastopexy patients.

Based upon the nicely posted photos you would be better served having 2 separate surgeries. First a full lift with attempt of N/A deduction. After 4-6 months healing implants in the 500cc+ ranges.