Need help deciding on an implant size! 200cc high profile, 275cc ultra high profile? (photo)

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.
With regards to your specific question, a 25 cc differential is very subtle (44 cc is equivalent to a shot glass). Both choices will likely lead to similarly reasonable results. I will often have patients commit to a range so as to avoid the stress of choosing between 2 such similar options, This allows the surgeon some degree of freedom intraoperatively.
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.

Dear meganjacobi,

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

Thank you for your inquiry. Choosing breast implants is often a confusing and/or stressful part of the breast augmentation process for patients. Your own surgeon will be the best source of advice regarding the final choice, because it sounds like they took proper breast measurements, and typically they would do a full breast assessment to take into account other factors like tissue thickness and skin tone. Other than just deciding on the size, there are possible increased risks to choosing larger implants (like rippling and palpability). If you're still unsure, it might be helpful for you to reach out to your surgeon and have another discussion prior to the surgery date. For example, at my clinic we encourage people to come back for a second (and sometimes a third) appointment to try on breast implant sizers. Also, after the initial thorough appointment with me, I will often hear from patients by phone or email if they have additional thoughts about their operation. I hope your procedure goes well.

Thank you for your inquiry! At you consultation appointment, you should have the opportunity to try on different implant sizes. We always recommend taking a couple different shirts to see how you will look in your clothes. We would love to sit down with you to discuss your options and answer any questions. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

270cc and 275cc is a very minor difference. 5cc will not make significant impact on your result so you’ll probably be satisfied with either.

Because you are petite, a 200 cc implant will give you about 2 cups sizes. Ultra High profile implants make the breasts look too projected ( torpido looking and cony) and since your skin is young and tight, be careful with the stretch marks that can happen with large implants.

Unfortunately, you have not told us your bra size. If you are size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. If you are size 36 or 38, each 200 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. From this, you can determine the volume required to achieve your desired goal. I recommend the smallest implant possible. 200 cc implants may be ideal for you since you have very small breasts.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for your question and photos. I rarely if ever recommend the UHP since they tend to look fake and have a risk of flipping. That said, a specific implant recommendation (s) can only be offered to you after an evaluation in person. Motiva implants also have an excellent range of size options.

The best way to determine which implant is best for you is for you to share images of your ideal “wish” result, based on other women’s breasts and share those with your plastic surgeon. Make sure you trust your plastic surgeon and have confidence that he or she has a good understanding of your aesthetic goals. Then, trust your plastic surgeon. If you aren’t sure, get a second opinion.

Best of luck to you.

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. 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. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Why don't you consider the 250 Hp implant then? This is between the two sizes and would look nice on you.